WealthMintr | Bulls Push Prior November Support Levels

Bulls Push Prior November Support Levels

January 7, 2019 By: Todd Mitchell

U.S. markets were rocky to start the New Year following disappointing economic news from around the globe. The opening pullback fueled continued fears of a global slowdown, but the losses were quickly recovered by midday with the major indexes finishing slightly higher for the session.

The U.S. government shutdown shows no signs of slowing despite ongoing talks and could hamper corporate outlooks as the official start 4Q earnings season gets underway over the next few weeks. However, volatility continues to show signs for higher market highs after closing below lower support levels.The Dow was up for the 2nd-straight session after climbing 0.1% while tapping a high of 23,413. Fresh and lower resistance at 23,400-23,600 held with close above the latter being a continuing bullish development.The S&P 500 also advanced 0.1% following the intraday session run to 2,519. Fresh resistance at 2,525-2,550 was challenged with a close above the latter being a more bullish signal.The Nasdaq closed in the green for the 5th-straight session after rising 0.5% while reaching a peak of 6,693. Lower resistance at 6,650-6,700 was cleared and held with a move above the latter signaling additional strength.The Russell 2000 also extended its winning streak to 5-straight sessions after gaining 0.5% while tapping a high of 1,357. Lower resistance at 1,350-1,365 was cleared and held despite the opening backtest to 1,325.Energy zoomed 2% to pace sector strength while Communications Services rose 1.3%.Real Estate tanked 2.3% and led sector weakness. Utilities and Healthcare were hammered with losses of 1.7% and 1.5%, respectively.

ANALYST UPGRADES/DOWNGRADES

Bausch Health (BHC) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper JaffrayCBS (CBS) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at StephensSirius XM (SIRI) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorganBioMarin (BMRN) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Raymond JamesHologic (HOLX) downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight at Morgan StanleyLouisiana-Pacific (LPX) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BofA/Merrill

EARNINGS Thursday Before the Open (EST):Park Electrochemical (PKE), Simply Good Foods (SMPL), UniFirst (UNF)

Thursday After the Close (EST):Flexion Therapeutics (FLXN), Landec (LNDC), Resources Connection (RECN)

UPCOMING ECONOMIC NEWS Thursday’s Economic Reports (EST):MBA Mortgage Applications – 7:00amChallenger Job-Cut Report – 7:30amADP Employment Report – 8:15amJobless Claims – 8:30amISM Manufacturing Index – 10:00amConstruction Spending – 10:00am

METALS / OIL

Gold closed at $1,284.10 an ounce, up $2.80Silver settled at $15.65 an ounce, up $0.11

Copper finished at $2.62 a pound, down $0.01

Crude Oil is at $46.33 a barrel, up $0.48

Bitcoin Investment Trust (GBTC) ended at $4.17, up $0.13