This morning the market soared higher after the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report by the U.S. government. Reportedly the GDP increased 5.7 percent in the final quarter of the year. This news was much better than economists had expected, and a rally was underway to start the day. This was another day when the good news just kept pouring in and the media headlines looked great. Then one might ask, why did the market reverse after making a 10:30 am high? Please realize that the NASDAQ was trading at 2202.00 during the morning peak and is now below 2175.00, and negative on the day.
Often when a “buy the rumor, sell the news” type event takes place it is usually because price is already built into the market. However, today many leading technology stocks have rolled over intra day even as they are at major daily chart support levels. Leading stocks such as Apple Computer (NASDAQ:AAPL) have reversed to the negative side by selling off more than eight points intra day from today’s early session highs to the recent intra day low. Sandisk Corp (NASDAQ:SNDK) is another leading stock that is getting punished today by traders and investors. However, this stock gapped lower and has continued to sell off into its daily 50 moving average at 25.80 which should be some short term support. Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) is another stock that supposedly had very good earnings and was trading higher to start the day. This stock gapped up higher at the open by trading at 29.90. Since that opening print the stock has sold off and reversed to the negative side.
What is this telling us when good stocks can’t hold their gains after good news? Often it tells us that conditions have changed. The market has obviously priced in the good expectations from earnings and even the economic data. It is prudent to remember that the market is similar to a pendulum. Often the markets swing to one side too far, and then to the other side too far, and rarely finds that common middle ground or equilibrium point.
With that being sad one should always realize that you can’t fight the tape and the market is always right. Therefore, price action is king and thinking or trying to impose one’s will always get in the way.
Nicholas Santiago,
Chief Market Strategist
www.InTheMoneyStocks.com
