In mild of the Vacation weekend, right now’s article can be mild on commentary and heavy on graphics.

“These days it happens to me, what an extended, unusual journey it has been.” – “Truckin'”, Grateful Lifeless

March is within the books and the tables under spotlight the outcomes for the Indices and sectors I monitor for the Month and Q1.

The Nasdaq Composite (+6.6%) with the related Know-how ETF (XLK), (+10.6%) and Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) (+8.5%) had been the clear winners as Development got here again to life. Many if not the entire large-cap progress names are within the XLK and with these shares rallying robust, it is no shock that the ETF was a transparent winner.

The transfer out of worth was highlighted finest within the small caps. The Small-cap worth ETF misplaced 8%. Whereas small-cap progress was solely down 1%.

The Russell 2000 (-5%) was hit arduous because it’s made up of smaller regional banks and small power corporations. Each had been out of favor in March.

The Q1 and the year-to-date efficiency additionally present know-how because the clear winner. Along with Tech, Client Discretionary (+15.7%) additionally posted a double-digit acquire. Observe that each sector that has posted these massive rallies in ’23 was additionally the toughest hit final 12 months. That does make me marvel if what we’re witnessing is nothing greater than a reversion to the imply for these teams.

The final entry of the YTD efficiency chart signifies that the S&P sits about 14% off the all-time excessive. All information as of March thirty first.

Seasonality suggests upside momentum ought to proceed.

Bespoke Funding Group;

The S&P has been up in April in all ten prior years the place the index fell within the prior calendar 12 months after which gained in Q1. April outcomes are much more bullish whenever you take a look at the 4 prior occasions that the S&P fell greater than 10% within the prior 12 months after which gained in Q1. The identical holds for the remainder of the 12 months as nicely.

Each time since WW2 that the S&P has fallen within the prior 12 months after which gained in Q1, the index has posted additional positive aspects for the rest of the 12 months.

The Week On Wall Road

A shortened vacation buying and selling week that was as anticipated – Boring. The latest rally “paused”, and the S&P closed out the week drifting increased breaking a fast 2-day dropping streak. The index closed at 4105 and completed the week down flat – dropping 4 factors within the 4-day buying and selling week.

The Economic system

Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow index slid additional to 1.5% for Q1 following this week’s ISM-NMI and commerce information. The index was at 1.71% on Monday, having dropped from 2.49% final Friday. I used to be skeptical of the preliminary 2.5%-3% forecasts and this forecast appears extra consistent with actuality.

Friday’s Nonfarm payrolls report got here in as anticipated and from the look of the “futures,” it seems to be thought-about a slight constructive. Each the 2 and ten-year Treasuries moved increased.

Manufacturing within the US stays in recession.

US Manufacturing Buying Managers’ Index posted 49.2 in March, up from 47.3 in February and broadly consistent with the sooner launched ‘flash’ estimate of 49.3.

The index stays sub-50 and in contraction territory.

ISM manufacturing index dropped 1.4 factors to 46.3 in March, under estimate, after edging 0.3 ticks to 47.7 in February. It’s the lowest since Might 2020 and has been in contractionary territory since final November.

The U.S. ISM-NMI providers index fell to 51.2 in March from 55.1, leaving the measure again close to the 3-year low of 49.2 in December.

Development spending dipped 0.1% in February following the 0.4% bounce in January. Residential building spending remained weak, falling one other 0.6% versus the 0.2% loss in January. This sector has been declining since June.

Manufacturing unit orders declined 0.7% in February after falling 2.1% in January. Swings in transportation orders have been a serious supply of volatility and so they had been down 2.8% versus the 14.0% January drop. The report is weaker than anticipated and mixed with the drop within the March ISM yesterday will add to views of a weakening financial system that will restrict Fed tightening. Nonetheless, based mostly on right now’s market response, the view could also be altering to at least one the place a weakening financial system will not be such a great signal. The crosscurrents in sentiment proceed.

Three out of the final 4 months have been weaker supporting the view that manufacturing is in recession.

The International Scene

International Manufacturing PMIs

The latest bounce in world manufacturing was short-lived.

Eurozone Manufacturing PMI posted 47.3 in March, down from 48.5 in February to a four-month low.

UK Manufacturing Buying Managers’ Index fell to 47.9 in March, down from February’s seven-month excessive of 49.3 and the sooner flash estimate of 48.0. The PMI has stayed under the impartial 50.0 mark for eight successive months.

The Canada Manufacturing Buying Managers’ Index registered 48.6, down noticeably from 52.4 in February. It was the bottom studying recorded by the index since June 2020 and represented a modest deterioration in working circumstances.

The Caixin China Buying Managers’ Index posted on the impartial degree of fifty.0 in March. This was down from an eight-month excessive of 51.6 in February to sign steady enterprise circumstances on the finish of the primary quarter.

India’s Manufacturing Buying Managers’ Index rose from 55.3 in February to 56.4 in March, signaling the strongest enchancment in working circumstances in 2023 up to now.

The headline au Jibun Financial institution Japan Manufacturing Buying Managers’ Index rose from 47.7 in February to 49.2 in March to sign a softer deterioration within the total well being of the Japanese manufacturing sector. The unfavourable studying was solely delicate, and the softest within the present five-month sequence.

The ASEAN Manufacturing Buying Managers’ Index printed 51.0 in March, down from 51.5 in February. The newest studying prolonged the present run of enhancing enterprise circumstances to 18 consecutive months however pointed to a weaker price of progress in comparison with February which was solely marginal.

International Providers PMIs had been additionally launched this week all stay in constructive territory

The headline Caixin China Providers Exercise Index rose additional above the impartial 50.0 degree in March, from 55.0 in February to 57.8, to sign a pointy and accelerated enhance in service sector exercise. The upturn prolonged the present sequence of progress to a few months, with the speed of enlargement the very best recorded since November 2020.

UK Providers PMI registered 52.9 in March, down from 53.5 in February. It was above 50 for the 2nd consecutive month.

Eurozone Composite PMI Output Index rose to its highest degree since Might 2022 on the finish of the primary quarter. At 53.7, this was up from 52.0 in February and a 3rd successive month above the important 50 ranges.

Posting 57.8 in March, the India Providers PMI was in progress territory (above 50.0) for the 20 th successive month. Regardless of falling from 59.4 in February

The au Jibun Financial institution Japan Providers Index posted at 55.0 in March, up from 54.0 in February. The studying signaled a seventh successive enchancment in output throughout the Japanese service sector that was the second-strongest within the historical past of the survey.

The Technical View

As we speak we’ll check out the Month-to-month charts of the Main indices.

S&P 500 (SPY)

NASDAQ (QQQ)

DJIA

Russell 2000 (IWM)

The charts all have the identical factor in frequent. They’re All under their respective 20-month shifting averages (inexperienced line), a Bear market development. That trendline is now rolling over. The technicians on the market will keep in mind this is similar “look” the indices had in 2000 and 2008. That does not indicate we have to see the identical end result. Nevertheless it does imply there’s a first rate likelihood that the markets might be in for turmoil within the months/12 months forward.

Right here is the chart of the Solely sector in a Bull market development.

Vitality (XLE)

For those who keep in mind, I declared Vitality in a brand new Bull market when the ETF crossed Above that vital Month-to-month trendline in February 2021 (documented right here). That development has not been disturbed and stays in place right now.

Ultimate Ideas

• This is not a Bull market.
• Company Earnings will assist decide the route of the market within the subsequent couple of quarters.
• The Fed cuts charges this 12 months provided that the financial system falls off a cliff.
• Vitality costs stay resilient.

Due to the entire readers that contribute to this discussion board to make these articles a greater expertise for everybody.

Better of Luck to Everybody!