From my seat, it is clear that the stock market continues to consolidate the gains enjoyed post-tax reform. Yes, it is true that things may have gotten a bit exuberant during January. And as a chart of the S&P 500 clearly shows, those gains have been "taken back" over the past two months as the blue-chip index currently stands about where it did at the end of 2017.

After Friday's earnings from the likes of JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM), Citigroup (NYSE: C), and PNC Financial Services (NYSE: PNC), the question of the day is if expectations have gotten too high for the current earnings parade. To be sure, JPM's earnings were strong. And yet the stock dropped 3.6% on Friday while Citi's shares fell 3% and PNC's dove 4.5%.

In addition, the major indices gave up Friday morning's early gains, succumbing to selling throughout the day and finishing in the red. The bears tell us this is a harbinger of bad things to come.

Or, was Friday's action typical of a market that is being driven by headlines - most of them bad - and/or traders (and their computers) wishing to avoid the potential weekend headline risk?

According to FactSet, EPS for the S&P 500 companies are expected to grow by 17% over last year's levels, which would represent the strongest quarter of earnings growth since 2011. As such, the bulls suggest that the recent corrective/consolidation phase in stock prices will be resolved to the upside. Yet, at the same time, there is a fair amount of talk in the bear camp about "peak earnings" and the idea that it will be downhill from here.

The bottom line here is this is what makes a market. It is said that the stock market represents the manifestation of sentiment in motion. Personally, I think this is a pretty good assessment of the current market as traders and investors duke it out over both their near- and longer-term views - and then vote with their feet.

The good news for those in the bull camp is that the important support zones have held. It can also be argued that we're seeing some decent "basing" action here. So, based on the readings of my favorite longer-term market models, I will continue to side with the bulls and assume that the current skirmish will end favorably.

What could change my mind, you ask? Two things. First, if the models on my Primary Cycle board start to break down, I'd be forced to take some risk off the table. And second, if the major indices were to make a meaningful break below their recent lows, I would have to assume that stocks have further downside exploration ahead.

But until/unless either of these two conditions arise, I'm going to stay the course. I will also do my best to ignore the near-term bouts of volatility in the stock market, which, in my opinion, are driven by computers and represent more "noise" than substance at this time.

Thought For The Day:

One simple act of kindess can do more to inspire others that a dozen lectures on the virtues of bing a thoughtful citizen. -Wayne Dyer

Wishing you green screens and all the best for a great day,

David D. Moenning
Founder, Chief Investment Officer
Heritage Capital Research

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At the time of publication, Mr. Moenning held long positions in the following securities mentioned: JPM - Note that positions may change at any time.

The State of the Big-Picture Market Models

It's a new week, so let's start things off with a review of the state of my favorite big-picture market models, which are designed to tell us which team is in control of the prevailing major trend.

View My Favorite Market Models Online

Executive Summary:

• The long-term Leading Indicators model remains on the sell signal from two weeks back.
• Our "State of the tape" model reading remains strong.
• Although the Risk/Reward model remains on sell signal, the model reading remains neutral to start the week.
• The reading of my "desert island" model pulled back a bit but tells me to continue to give the bulls the benefit of any doubt.
• The External Factors model fell into the neutral zone last week. This tells me that we are not experiencing a low-risk environment.
• While the Primary Cycle board remain positive on balance, weakness continues to creep in at the margin. As such, investors can remain long stocks, but should keep the turbo charger in the "off" position.

The State of the Trend

Digging into the details, I like to start my weekly review with a look at the "state of the trend." These indicators are designed to give us a feel for the overall health of the current short- and intermediate-term trend models.

View Trend Indicator Board Online

Executive Summary:

• Our short-term trend model is very close to turning positive. However, Friday's "bonk" at the key 2675 resistance zone means the rating must remain neutral for now. However a break above Friday's high would flip the short-term trend to positive.
• The short-term Channel Breakout System remains positive and is on the verge of improving further.
• The intermediate-term Trend Model remains negative. A weekly close above 2700(ish) would cause the model to flip to positive.
• The intermediate-term Channel Breakout System remains on a sell signal and would require a move above 2801 to change to green.
• While the last coupe months have been a struggle, it is important to remember that the long-term Trend Model remains positive and continues to suggest that this is a bull market until proven otherwise.
• The Cycle Composite points higher for the next week.
• From an intermediate-term perspective, the market remains in a mean-reverting mode.
• In sum, the current trend appears to be improving. However, this remains a headline-driven, emotional market. As such, it will be important for the bulls to stay above the April 2nd lows.

The State of Internal Momentum

Next up are the momentum indicators, which are designed to tell us whether there is any "oomph" behind the current trend.

View Momentum Indicator Board Online

Executive Summary:

• To review, the short-term Trend and Breadth Confirm Model has been in flip-flop mode for some time now. This is what happens in a volatile environment. The model is neutral to start that week.
• I continue to believe the fact that the Industry Health Model has stayed out of the negative zone - and this week is upgraded to moderately positive (albeit not by much) - is a positive.
• It is also encouraging that the short-term Volume Relationship model starts the week in the green. But again, only by the skinniest of margins.
• The intermediate-term Volume Relationship Model remains positive. Another plus for those expecting a positive resolution to the current corrective phase.
• Although the intermediate-term Price Thrust Indicator isn't positive, it also is no longer negative. A modest plus.
• The Volume Thrust Indicator also improved to neutral last week.
• The Breadth Thrust Indicator is also neutral. As such, it is safe to say that the momentum of the market has seen improvement.

The State of the "Trade"

We also focus each week on the "early warning" board, which is designed to indicate when traders might start to "go the other way" -- for a trade.

View Early Warning Indicator Board Online

Executive Summary:

• Unfortunately, the stocks are now very close to flashing an overbought sell signal. However, these tend to come and go fairly quickly.
• Same story when we look at the market from an intermediate-term. Stocks were oversold to a degree that a bounce could ensue, but the extreme oversold reading has since been worked off.
• The Mean Reversion Model remains on its 4/4 buy signal.
• The short-term VIX signal is now very close to flashing a sell signal.
• The intermediate-term VIX buy signal is now quite stale and this system continues to approach the sell zone.
• From a short-term perspective, market sentiment has weakened a bit, but the model remains positive on balance.
• The intermediate-term Sentiment Model remains neutral this week.
• The long-term Sentiment Model also remains neutral this week.
• The early warning board suggests that the bulls have an edge here.

The State of the Macro Picture

Now let's move on to the market's "external factors" - the indicators designed to tell us the state of the big-picture market drivers including monetary conditions, the economy, inflation, and valuations.

View External Factors Indicator Board Online

Executive Summary:

• Same song, different week. The Absolute Monetary model remains at the lowest end of neutral possible - but has refused to issue a sell signal.
• The Relative Monetary Model improved to neutral two weeks ago and remains in there to start the week - albeit by a slim margin.
• There is no change to the Economic Models - Both suggest that the economic backdrop continues to be constructive for stocks from an intermediate-term perspective.
• The inflation model reading continues to move up within the neutral zone and argues that we need to remain on the lookout for an increase in inflationary pressures.
• The Absolute Valuation model remains negative but continues to show some improvement.
• Our Relative Valuation Model remains negative as rates can no longer overcome the current levels of valuation (which remain exceptionally high from a long-term perspective).

Sample Tactical Allocation Model

Below is an EXAMPLE (and ONLY an EXAMPLE) of how one might incorporate the indicator boards. The approach shown below is designed to provide the current equity allocation for a balanced tactical asset allocation model with a base target of 60/40 stocks/bonds.

The overall intent of the model is to keep equity exposure in line with current conditions. Since the model is updated monthly, we take a longer-term approach and allocate 40% of the exposure to Environmental factors, 40% to Trend and Momentum factors, and 20% to Sentiment.

The model above is for illustrative and informational purposes only and does not in any way represent any investment recommendation. The model is merely a sample of how indicators can be grouped to create a guide to market exposure based on the inputs from multiple indicators/models.

Beginning February 2018, the model will be updated monthly.

Indicators Explained

Short-Term Trend-and-Breadth Signal Explained: History shows the most reliable market moves tend to occur when the breadth indices are in gear with the major market averages. When the breadth measures diverge, investors should take note that a trend reversal may be at hand. This indicator incorporates NDR's All-Cap Dollar Weighted Equity Series and A/D Line. From 1998, when the A/D line is above its 5-day smoothing and the All-Cap Equal Weighted Equity Series is above its 25-day smoothing, the equity index has gained at a rate of +32.5% per year. When one of the indicators is above its smoothing, the equity index has gained at a rate of +13.3% per year. And when both are below, the equity index has lost +23.6% per year.

Channel Breakout System Explained: The short-term and intermediate-term Channel Breakout Systems are modified versions of the Donchian Channel indicator. According to Wikipedia, "The Donchian channel is an indicator used in market trading developed by Richard Donchian. It is formed by taking the highest high and the lowest low of the last n periods. The area between the high and the low is the channel for the period chosen."

Intermediate-Term Trend-and-Breadth Signal Explained: This indicator incorporates NDR's All-Cap Dollar Weighted Equity Series and A/D Line. From 1998, when the A/D line is above its 45-day smoothing and the All-Cap Equal Weighted Equity Series is above its 45-day smoothing, the equity index has gained at a rate of +17.6% per year. When one of the indicators is above its smoothing, the equity index has gained at a rate of +6.5% per year. And when both are below, the equity index has lost -1.3% per year.

Industry Health Model Explained: Designed to provide a reading on the technical health of the overall market, Big Mo Tape takes the technical temperature of more than 100 industry sectors each week. Looking back to early 1980, when the model is rated as "positive," the S&P has averaged returns in excess of 23% per year. When the model carries a "neutral" reading, the S&P has returned over 11% per year. But when the model is rated "negative," stocks fall by more than -13% a year on average.

Cycle Composite Projections: The cycle composite combines the 1-year Seasonal, 4-year Presidential, and 10-year Decennial cycles. The indicator reading shown uses the cycle projection for the upcoming week.

Trading Mode Indicator: This indicator attempts to identify whether the current trading environment is "trending" or "mean reverting." The indicator takes the composite reading of the Efficiency Ratio, the Average Correlation Coefficient, and Trend Strength models.

Volume Relationship Models: These models review the relationship between "supply" and "demand" volume over the short- and intermediate-term time frames.

Price Thrust Model Explained: This indicator measures the 3-day rate of change of the Value Line Composite relative to the standard deviation of the 30-day average. When the Value Line's 3-day rate of change have moved above 0.5 standard deviation of the 30-day average ROC, a "thrust" occurs and since 2000, the Value Line Composite has gained ground at a rate of +20.6% per year. When the indicator is below 0.5 standard deviation of the 30-day, the Value Line has lost ground at a rate of -10.0% per year. And when neutral, the Value Line has gained at a rate of +5.9% per year.

Volume Thrust Model Explained: This indicator uses NASDAQ volume data to indicate bullish and bearish conditions for the NASDAQ Composite Index. The indicator plots the ratio of the 10-day total of NASDAQ daily advancing volume (i.e., the total volume traded in stocks which rose in price each day) to the 10-day total of daily declining volume (volume traded in stocks which fell each day). This ratio indicates when advancing stocks are attracting the majority of the volume (readings above 1.0) and when declining stocks are seeing the heaviest trading (readings below 1.0). This indicator thus supports the case that a rising market supported by heavier volume in the advancing issues tends to be the most bullish condition, while a declining market with downside volume dominating confirms bearish conditions. When in a positive mode, the NASDAQ Composite has gained at a rate of +38.3% per year, When neutral, the NASDAQ has gained at a rate of +13.3% per year. And when negative, the NASDAQ has lost at a rate of -8.5% per year.

Breadth Thrust Model Explained: This indicator uses the number of NASDAQ-listed stocks advancing and declining to indicate bullish or bearish breadth conditions for the NASDAQ Composite. The indicator plots the ratio of the 10-day total of the number of stocks rising on the NASDAQ each day to the 10-day total of the number of stocks declining each day. Using 10-day totals smooths the random daily fluctuations and gives indications on an intermediate-term basis. As expected, the NASDAQ Composite performs much better when the 10-day A/D ratio is high (strong breadth) and worse when the indicator is in its lower mode (weak breadth). The most bullish conditions for the NASDAQ when the 10-day A/D indicator is not only high, but has recently posted an extreme high reading and thus indicated a thrust of upside momentum. Bearish conditions are confirmed when the indicator is low and has recently signaled a downside breadth thrust. In positive mode, the NASDAQ has gained at a rate of +22.1% per year since 1981. In a neutral mode, the NASDAQ has gained at a rate of +14.5% per year. And when in a negative mode, the NASDAQ has lost at a rate of -6.4% per year.

Short-Term Overbought/sold Indicator: This indicator is the current reading of the 14,1,3 stochastic oscillator. When the oscillator is above 80 and the %K is above the %D, the indicator gives an overbought reading. Conversely, when the oscillator is below 20 and %K is below its %D, the indicator is oversold.

Intermediate-Term Overbought/sold Indicator: This indicator is a 40-day RSI reading. When above 57.5, the indicator is considered overbought and when below 45 it is oversold.

Mean Reversion Model: This is a diffusion model consisting of five indicators that can produce buy and sell signals based on overbought/sold conditions.

VIX Indicator: This indicator looks at the current reading of the VIX relative to standard deviation bands. When the indicator reaches an extreme reading in either direction, it is an indication that a market trend could reverse in the near-term.

Short-Term Sentiment Indicator: This is a model-of-models composed of 18 independent sentiment indicators designed to indicate when market sentiment has reached an extreme from a short-term perspective. Historical analysis indicates that the stock market's best gains come after an environment has become extremely negative from a sentiment standpoint. Conversely, when sentiment becomes extremely positive, market returns have been subpar.

Intermediate-Term Sentiment Indicator: This is a model-of-models composed of 7 independent sentiment indicators designed to indicate when market sentiment has reached an extreme from an intermediate-term perspective. Historical analysis indicates that the stock market's best gains come after an environment has become extremely negative from a sentiment standpoint. Conversely, when sentiment becomes extremely positive, market returns have been subpar.

Long-Term Sentiment Indicator: This is a model-of-models composed of 6 independent sentiment indicators designed to indicate when market sentiment has reached an extreme from a long-term perspective. Historical analysis indicates that the stock market's best gains come after an environment has become extremely negative from a sentiment standpoint. Conversely, when sentiment becomes extremely positive, market returns have been subpar.

Absolute Monetary Model Explained: The popular cliché, "Don't fight the Fed" is really a testament to the profound impact that interest rates and Fed policy have on the market. It is a proven fact that monetary conditions are one of the most powerful influences on the direction of stock prices. The Absolute Monetary Model looks at the current level of interest rates relative to historical levels and Fed policy.

Relative Monetary Model Explained: The "relative" monetary model looks at monetary indicators relative to recent levels as well as rates of change and Fed Policy.

Economic Model Explained: During the middle of bull and bear markets, understanding the overall health of the economy and how it impacts the stock market is one of the few truly logical aspects of the stock market. When our Economic model sports a "positive" reading, history (beginning in 1965) shows that stocks enjoy returns in excess of 21% per year. Yet, when the model's reading falls into the "negative" zone, the S&P has lost nearly -25% per year. However, it is vital to understand that there are times when good economic news is actually bad for stocks and vice versa. Thus, the Economic model can help investors stay in tune with where we are in the overall economic cycle.

Inflation Model Explained: They say that "the tape tells all." However, one of the best "big picture" indicators of what the market is expected to do next is inflation. Simply put, since 1962, when the model indicates that inflationary pressures are strong, stocks have lost ground. Yet, when inflationary pressures are low, the S&P 500 has gained ground at a rate in excess of 13%. The bottom line is inflation is one of the primary drivers of stock market returns.

Valuation Model Explained: If you want to get analysts really riled up, you need only to begin a discussion of market valuation. While the question of whether stocks are overvalued or undervalued appears to be a simple one, the subject is extremely complex. To simplify the subject dramatically, investors must first determine if they should focus on relative valuation (which include the current level of interest rates) or absolute valuation measures (the more traditional readings of Price/Earnings, Price/Dividend, and Price/Book Value). We believe that it is important to recognize that environments change. And as such, the market's focus and corresponding view of valuations are likely to change as well. Thus, we depend on our Valuation Models to help us keep our eye on the ball.

Disclosures

The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are those of Mr. David Moenning and may not actually come to pass. Mr. Moenning's opinions and viewpoints regarding the future of the markets should not be construed as recommendations. The analysis and information in this report is for informational purposes only. No part of the material presented in this report is intended as an investment recommendation or investment advice. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation to purchase or sell securities or any investment program.

Any investment decisions must in all cases be made by the reader or by his or her investment adviser. Do NOT ever purchase any security without doing sufficient research. There is no guarantee that the investment objectives outlined will actually come to pass. All opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Neither the editor, employees, nor any of their affiliates shall have any liability for any loss sustained by anyone who has relied on the information provided.

Mr. Moenning may at times have positions in the securities referred to and may make purchases or sales of these securities while publications are in circulation. Positions may change at any time.

The analysis provided is based on both technical and fundamental research and is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Although the information contained is derived from sources which are believed to be reliable, they cannot be guaranteed.

Investments in equities carry an inherent element of risk including the potential for significant loss of principal. Past performance is not an indication of future results.