The stock market meets all definitions of a bull market including the recent breakout back above key trend lines; 50 and 200 day moving averages for the S&P 500 (SPY).

The main reason for this recent rally is that long term bond rates have finally ebbed lower after stampeding higher for the past few months.

Unfortunately, this concept is a double edged sword that needs to be discussed further. That will be the focus of today’s edition of the Reitmeister Total Return.

Market Commentary

The simple explanation for the correction that took place August through October was raging bond rates. That’s because of this chain reaction:

higher bond rates > higher corporate borrowing costs > lower investment in future growth > greater odds of recession > stock prices head lower

Thus, not surprising that as bond rates headed lower after the 11/1 Fed meeting that stocks got back on a bull run.

That reflexive action to unwind the rising rate bets is now over. As the joy subsides investors are left with the double edged sword I noted in the intro. That being the potential negative side of lower rates may be happening because the economy is softening with increased odds of recession.

Note that coming down from +4.9% GDP sizzling growth in Q3 to say 1.5 to 2% growth is actually a good thing as it would most definitely put the final nails in the high inflation coffin. This would lead the Fed to become more dovish by lowering rates sometime in 2024 which would be of benefit to the economy > corporate earnings > stock prices.

But what if things are slowing even more?

And what if it portends a possible recession ahead?

If true, then the cheers over lower rates will fizzle and stocks will have their natural reaction to recession…which is a bear market.

This tells us to be extra vigilant in reviewing the key economic data as it comes in. That starts with ISM Manufacturing from 11/1 which dropped from 49.0 to 46.7. Even worse was the forward looking indicator of New Orders which was only 45.5. This was not a good start to November’s economic readings.

Next up was the Government Employment Situation report on 11/3 which was considered a “Goldilocks” announcement by investors leading to another rally to finish last week strong. The most beneficial part is the continued easing of Average Hourly Earnings which was only up +0.2% month over month which is getting ever closer to the Fed’s 2% annualized target.

What some investors did not appreciate in this is that 150,000 job adds is what economist believe to be the level that = neutral employment. Meaning that about 150K people are added to the employment market each month just by nature of a growing population and more people getting to employment age. Thus, below that 150K mark is generally when you see an INCREASE in the unemployment rate.

A little increase is to be expected given the Fed’s hawkish policies to slow down the economy. But it could be indicative of a longer wave of unemployment. As some say, the weakening of employment is a bit of a Pandoras Box…once opened…then hard to stop all the monsters from getting out.

Next up was ISM Services later on Friday morning which did point to softening from the past given the decline from a solid 53.6 last month to a barely expansive 51.8 this time around. This too was under expectations. Yet there was a silver lining in a strong New Orders reading of 55.5 which points to healthier services growth ahead.

The sum total of the above details is by no means recessionary. But does show a softening of economic trends that could continue to erode and move towards recession in time.

Typically, the best way to sum up the economic picture is through by looking at GDP estimates for the coming quarter. And no one does that better than GDPNow from the Atlanta Fed that pretty well nailed the +4.9% reading for Q3.

Right now, that model points to only +1.2% GDP growth in Q4 while the Blue Chip economic panel consensus is even lower at +0.9%. The key is that right now most signs point to an economy GREATLY slowing down from the torrid pace of Q3.

As shared earlier, 1-2% GDP growth would be just fine because inflation would continue to moderate back to 2% target and the Fed will start preparing to lower rates in early 2024.

Lower than that level of growth risks sparking a recession which begets lower corporate earnings…and yes…lower share prices.

This says we need to keep vigilant watch on the economic data as it rolls in. The greater the odds of recession…the more defensive we need to get in our portfolios.

Now let’s turn to the…

Price Action & Trading Plan

Moving Averages: 50 Day (yellow), 100 Day (orange), 200 Day (red)

The break back above the 200 day moving average after the 11/1 Fed announcement is decisively bullish in the short run. Since then the 50 day has been toppled and likely will break above the 100 day (4,400) with any sort of Santa Claus rally unfolding.

My sense is that that the holiday spirits will have us somewhere between 4,500 and 4,600 to close out the year. So yes, a bullish bias is at play.

However, I would not call this a raging bull by any stretch of the imagination as that is only 2-4% upside. And the past couple days those index gains are only accumulating to the usual mega cap suspects at the top of the S&P 500 food chain with losses found elsewhere.

Putting this altogether, I am leaning bullish in the Reitmeister Total Return portfolio…yet sleeping with 1 eye open for any whiffs of recession on the horizon. Note that I am by no means certain a recession is coming…just realizing the ingredients are there for it to happen and don’t want the recent rise in stock prices to blind us from that economic possibility.

So yes, we could add another pick or two to the Reitmeister Total Return portfolio in coming days to lean into the short term bullishness. Especially companies that already won earnings season by flexing improved earnings prospects for the future. More on those best investment ideas in the next section.

What To Do Next?

Discover my current portfolio of 5 stocks packed to the brim with the outperforming benefits found in our POWR Ratings model.

Plus I have added 4 ETFs that are all in sectors well positioned to outpace the market in the weeks and months ahead.

This is all based on my 43 years of investing experience seeing bull markets…bear markets…and everything between.

If you are curious to learn more, and want to see these 9 hand selected trades, then please click the link below to get started now.

Steve Reitmeister’s Trading Plan & Top Picks >

Wishing you a world of investment success!

Steve Reitmeister…but everyone calls me Reity (pronounced “Righty”)
CEO, StockNews.com and Editor, Reitmeister Total Return

SPY shares were unchanged in after-hours trading Tuesday. Year-to-date, SPY has gained 15.52%, versus a % rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.

About the Author: Steve Reitmeister

Steve is better known to the StockNews audience as “Reity”. Not only is he the CEO of the firm, but he also shares his 40 years of investment experience in the Reitmeister Total Return portfolio. Learn more about Reity’s background, along with links to his most recent articles and stock picks. More...

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