Election uncertainty, elevated geopolitical tensions, and pockets of excess optimism could lead to a price pullback or time correction, setting the stage for a post-election rally.  

Our Smart Sector models, which update today, recommended overweighting China at the beginning of the month. Despite election worries, when we combine our Smart Sector strategies with our weight-of-the-evidence approach, the Bulls remain in control.

Two weeks ago, the S&P 500 (SPX) experienced its worst weekly decline in 2024. Last week, SPX experienced its best weekly gain in 2024. Similar reversals have been more bullish than bearish. Equity’s reaction to the Fed’s interest rate decision doesn’t appear to change that belief.

Fed watchers and prognosticators continue to lather on about whether the Fed is behind the curve and whether it should cut 25 basis points (bps) or 50bps on 9/18/24. At Day Hagan, we rely on our models and charts, not opinion, for guidance.

Despite favorable trend and breadth evidence, we recognize that seasonality may introduce periods of weakness as September progresses. Our immediate focus will be on the market’s reaction to tomorrow’s employment report and the FOMC decision slated for 9.18.24. We remain focused on risk management at current levels.

Following the “Powell Pivot” last week, Wall Street continued to favor the Non-Index Movers (non-growth/technology/value type) over the Index Movers (large cap growth/technology). Consequently, we have a lot to focus on.

Despite the equity market rally, which went up faster than expected, the S&P 500’s uptrend is intact but overbought (condition, not a signal). For 2024 the Catastrophic Stop model has been positive, and we are aligned accordingly. If our models shift bearish, we will raise cash.

The market might retest last week’s lows after its rebound, but with the upcoming economic data and potential developments in the news cycle this week, it’s difficult to predict which way it will go.

Wall Street experienced its own version of Hurricane Debby due to sector and stock rotation, position unwind, seasonal headwind, economic and EPS growth concerns, geopolitical concerns, machine trading, liquidity concerns, and widening credit spreads (Figure 1).