Have We Seen the Lows for the Year?

Anybody who truly measured and weighed the economic and earnings data of the first half must surely see both in continued decline. And therefore, stocks should be heading lower as corporate revenues and profits are seen peaking and the economy nears stall speed.

Yet stocks bounced back from their 10% correction with vigor in June and July. Every euro-mess scare that produced a week of selling was met steady buyers and higher lows on the S&P 500. And last week, the bulls solidified their case by moving strongly through the 1360-1390 resistance zone and staking their claim on a probable journey above 1400 to this year's highs. So what's going on? Are portfolio managers now indifferent to the macro fundamentals -- slow-motion train wreck of the eurozone, weak domestic economy, slowing revenue growth -- and looking out 3 or 4 quarters to better times? How much of the election cycle is an effect? How likely is it that the US economy does a "touch-n-go" near stall speed and then picks up into Q4? Is something dramatic about to happen in Europe where the ECB is allowed to take a big step to backstop the eurozone? The US economy is amazingly resilient and has proven this since the Great Recession. I tend to believe that our innovation and growth engines can overcome the lingering effects of the credit bubble. But a lot of not-so-optimistic economists convinced me we were headed at least close toa recession -- and thatwould meanlower stock prices now as those worries got priced in. Probably even new lows near S&P 1250. Yet, the stock market seems to have priced-in lots of bad news and moved beyond. So, until proven otherwise, portfolio managers appear to see a glass half-full economy and instead of a resumptionof the spring correction into the autumn, the S&P will probably range trade between 1350 and 1420 into October. This is slowly becoming my view. Obviously, the price action at new highs above 1425 could change the game and put 1475 back in view very quickly. What do you think? Is the worst over and have we seen the lows for the year? RELATED ARTICLES

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