Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Second lowest yield Currency USD

3/18/08

The Federal under delivers. With just reduce .75%, Federal is playing dangerous game and do not expect the market strength to last too long. They are delaying the inevitable with a statement still concern about the downside risk of the economy. They have done a lot over last 30 days. Since February, they cut interest rates to 2.25%, brought the discount rate down to 2.50%, open up new lending facility to primary broker dealers, announced be auctioning up to 200 billion, expanded the collateral to take investment grade debt securities. In addition, the fed bail out Bear Stearns with lending 30 billion worth of Bear's less liquid assets to JP Morgan. I suspect the reason that Fed only make 75 basis point cut that they want to leave window open if they need to give another surprise rate cute before next schedule meeting ( April 29th & 30th) in case another big trouble come out.

Technically, Dow is closed above the 12250-12300 level which is very bullish. But, with VIX is going close to 22( Today VIX index is close at 26) and expect market would be top if up another 300 point( near 12750 +- 50 points). Financial and banking stocks are bouncing strong because they have been beaten too much in very short period of time. Also, traders want to build a good atmosphere for the biggest IPO in US history the Visa company debut tomorrow.

Final, I still remain bearish for the stock market as well as our economy. One big gain day do not solve the problem. Otherwise the Federal does not need to work everyday( even on weekend ) to eliminate the credit financial crisis. Let's see how market perform tomorrow.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Fed definitely in panic mode

3/17/08

With Fed announced new round of rescue plan to save financial crisis, market is tested the support area 11750 and close in Green territory to celebrate St. Patrick Day. But Nasdaq & S&P still close below water. Market is so nervous that Lehman brother would be next to fall(If you are big client of Lehman, would you like to withdraw whole account and get cash or still believe the Fed could inject enough money?) The new lending facility created by NY Fed to help primary investment banks(MER,LEH,MS,GS,STT,....etc) prove the Fed need to restore the balance of the credit market. But the time will tell if this act would really solve the issue or just another bandit to cover the wound. Expect tomorrow the Fed must reduce 100 basis point to restore confidence for the economy and market. If Fed does give surprise move of 125basis point( 1st time in 23 years to reduce interest rate more than 75 basis point), market would rally up or trade above 12300 level. Financial stocks probably would get the greatest benefit from the Fed move and market need it to give good mood for Visa IPO debut on Wednesday this week. Market is closed on friday(Good Friday). Let see how the Fed do more magic to bring back people confidence.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Bear Stearns Burst

3/16/08

Friday CPI data was inline with expectation and markets were performed good momentum before and shortly after market open. All of sudden, Bear stearns announced lack of liquidity and has asked help from federal bank of N.Y. It really means the credit market is in very very very deep trouble. If Bear stearns can bust, so can be washington mutual bank, Citibank, Lehman brothers.....etc. that all are holding the CDOs investment garbage(currently with people lack of confidence and do not know how to figure out the actual amount of the total asset) So, stock market has shifted again to downward right away when that news come out. Now, trend has resumed and will be retested the 11650 and I think it will not hold and the next support would be around 11000-11200. I have mentioned before do not buy or hold any banking and financial firm stocks because they are all in deep trouble.

Now, JPM will take over BSC with $2 a share(BSC last close price is $30) and with Japanese Yen and Euro both march to freshly new high, expect market will open low. Also, market has credited the Fed meeting surely reduce .75% interest rate.

Let discuss back with the problem how BSC got burst. I surely know government should not bail out those investment banking firm(they all doing speculative trading in most) but if Fed not step in to help(Fed bank is the last option), the whole credit/lending/banking are going to be dead. However, I still think the tsunami has finally come and not surprise to hear next victim would be one of the bigger banks or financial firms in coming days. Final, this act means Bear stearns is bankruptcy and we most likely would hear more to come. Good luck to everyone.