US stocks continued advancing despite the Fed’s having given several “last calls” in preparation to shut down this party. The Dow-30 Industrials (DIA), SP-500 (SPY), and Russell-2000 (IWM) made new record highs and the Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) finished just 0.13% within breaking its on record.
On a sector basis, Consumer Discretionary (XLY), Industrials (XLI), and Technology (VGT) are also trading in market record territory.
In other asset classes, the negative momentum in Treasury Bonds (TLT) and Gold (GLD) has accelerated and the US Dollar (UUP) gapped up to test former resistance levels.
So what gives with the abounding optimism in the stock market?
Well, the latest word is that the ECB is throwing an “after-party”. Yes, that’s right. On Thursday, Mario Draghi decided to extend QE until the end of 2017 vs. the previous deadline @ April-2017. At first glance it reduced its asset buying to €60 per month from €80, but the extension actually increases the total amount of purchases.
Also spiking the punchbowl was the Bundesbank, raising Germany’s 2016 GDP estimate to 1.9% from 1.7% and 2017 economic growth to 1.5% from 1.4%; and lifting inflation estimates to +0.3% from +0.2%, while lowering 2017 inflation to 1.4% from 1.5%.
On another front, China’s inflation in November beat expectations with the CPI accelerating to its fastest pace in 7 months @ +2.3% y/y vs. estimates @ +2.2% and its PPI indicating its biggest move in 5 years @ +3.3% y/y vs. +2.3%. In addition to this, November’s exports were up for the first time in 8 months @ +0.1% y/y vs. estimates @ -5.0%, while gained the most in 2 years @ +6.7% y/y vs. estimates @ -1.9%.
Lastly, speculation surrounds this weekend’s meeting in Vienna among OPEC and non-OPEC members to explore the option of further production cuts.
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