Market comments for the week ending Nov. 12th

Well as it turns out the Put to Call ratio did signal this week's drop in the market. The Dow dropped 252 points, but that is only 2.2% for the week. What was also amazing was that Cisco stock dropped about 17% in one day on the news they were going to miss analysts expectations, even while having a good quarter. But Cisco dropped more yesterday closing at $20.15 and hitting a low yesterday of $20.03 for the day. Cisco was as at its recent high of $24.50, before the earnings disappointment. So it has had a 17.8% haircut. Notice from the chart below the gap down but look more importantly at the volume traded. This has more to go down, depending on market conditions.

Now look at the volume during the decline this week and compare it to the previous volume average, from the chart of the Dow below. You will also notice that the pullback on Friday dropped us below the uptrend line. The big question is will it go back over it or continue to drop.

The market does look like it will go down further but it is anyone's guess how much and on which days.

Below is a 3 month chart of the S&P 500, which shows a similar pattern and the break of the uptrend line.

This coming week there will be more political banter, because the President is back from his Asia trip. There has been some deliberate leaked news about proposed cuts in spending and raising taxes from the bipartisan White House Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform that President Obama had formed, which is headed by Erskine Bowles, and Alan Simpson. I think they had leaked these ideas out to the media so that commentary could start in advance of the President returning to Washington, and most likely will dominate the news along with any unexpected Financial bombs which come to light this week. The Irish Debt issue has crept back in the headlines in Europe and there is an uneasiness with the Fed's actions and approach with Quantitative Easing (QE2). Ever onward!

Where to put some Stimulus?

Everyone is talking about a stimulus package needed to create jobs. But no one has mentioned the fact that we had a huge need that has been forgotten. It was to rebuild all the infrastructure in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. Another major project is fixing the levees around the City of Sacramento. Another is to change city piping carrying our fresh water in all major cities. In the west, we have significant water shortages and could use better pipes to prevent loss as it is carried to our homes.

Look, there's plenty of things needing fixing. Tax cuts don't do it for mist Americans because the salaries aren't that hugh anyway. Besides the kinds of tax cuts being discussed help those making over $250,000/year and disproportionately favor the wealthiest Americans. It's time to stop that. Want to help give back confidence to investors and the American people? The pass legislation to claw back the bonuses and excessive compensation from firms getting TARP funds from the Government and the CEO's that lead them.