Despite A Pop In Volatility, Bull Market Remains Intact!

In the month of July, the major averages continued to demonstrate what a bull market looks like despite an increase in volatility $VIX (chart )and global macro concerns. For the month, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (chart) closed up a modest 0.40%, the Nasdaq (chart) gained 2.8% in July, the S&P 500 (chart) advanced 2.0% and the small-cap Russell 2000 (chart) actually ticked down on the month giving up 1.28%. One interesting note and if you look at the charts of the above mentioned indices, in the month of July each of these indexes breached their 200-day moving average and three of the four breached this support line twice only to rebound sharply and keep the technical makeup of the markets intact. Without question and throughout this six year long bull run, the technicals of stocks and indexes have done their job and has acted as technicians would expect.

Fast forward to today August 1st and if you have been on Wall Street long enough, yes we are now entering the dog days of summer. As Q2 earnings reporting season works its way through and begins to wind down, I would expect volatility also begin to abate as it has towards the latter part of this past week. Without question these markets could still react to China’s extreme volatility as of late or if there is a big surprise in next week’s job’s report, however, without any big surprise here or overseas, I think this becomes a stock-pickers market as well as a technically traded market paying attention to trend lines and overbought and oversold conditions. This could also be the perfect environment to sell put option premium on your most favorite stocks in order to generate some additional income. One other option which may be a very valid one, and that is turn off your screens and head to the beach until after Labor Day :-).

Whatever you choose to do as we enter the “dogs days of summer” it is always best practice to consult with a certified financial planner(s) before making any investment decisions or changes to your portfolio. Good luck to all 🙂

~George