Bear and Bull

Why Markets Are Still So Resilient

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • Why Markets Remain So Resilient
  • Weekly Market Preview (Still All About U.S./China Trade)
  • Weekly Economic Cheat Sheet (Wednesday is the Key Day This Week)

Futures are modestly higher on more positive U.S./China trade chatter.

China increased the penalties for Intellectual Property (IP) theft, addressing part of a key U.S. trade demand, while the Global Times (a state-run Chinese paper) said the sides were “very close” to a deal.

Economically, data was mixed but better than October.  German IFO Business Expectations rose to 92.1 vs. (E) 92.5, while British Distributive Trades rose to –3 vs. (E) –10.

Today there are no notable economic reports so the focus will remain on U.S./China trade.  Any incremental positive chatter will be a tailwind for stocks, although the Hong Kong democracy bill remains a wildcard.  If Trump signs it (which he’s expected to do), that could temporarily hit U.S./China trade sentiment, although it’s not a material negative.

Finally, Fed Chair Powell speaks at 7:00 p.m. ET but he’s not expected to say anything too incremental.