ONE-TWENTY TWO: Trading Financial Markets
Exploring the poetry in financial markets for students of money and economy since the year 2000.
Housing Market Intro and Summary The housing market is entering its spring selling season, but for me this moment is more about spring cleaning. The seasonal trade in home builders and housing-related optimism has run its course far sooner and far weaker than I expected. What should have been a period of improving momentum has … Read more
The Market Breadth Summary Stock Market Commentary A week ago, I claimed that the stock market was all about oil. Now the stock market is all about war. Oil prices are up because of the war by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. An even larger issue is the cascade of impacts from an escalating … Read more
The Market Breadth Summary Stock Market Commentary Market fears expanded last week as converging headwinds took their toll on a market that insists on buying every dip. The best example of buying persistence came with the market’s first regular trading session after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. The S&P 500 gapped down at Monday’s … Read more
Housing Market Intro and Summary The housing market is currently defined by a split between new vs old, new home sales and existing home sales. Data on builder stocks, housing starts, and new home sales tell a diverging story from existing home sales data across the country. Homebuilder equities remain sensitive to policy headlines but … Read more
Housing Market Intro and Summary The U.S. housing market ended 2025 with mixed signals. Builder stocks are stuck in trading ranges, builder confidence has stalled, and affordability remains strained. Pockets of strength in sales activity is likely coming from a softening price environment and higher inventory levels. The data points do not tell a single, … Read more