U.S. Markets: Bears Have the Upper Hand

By The Simple Accountant:After three weeks of nerve wracking volatility, financial markets settled down a bit last week, but hardly anyone seemed ready to sound the "all clear" signal for investors to come out of their shelters. A sense of unease continued to weigh on the markets as we moved into a long holiday weekend in the U.S. Let's review the action and look ahead. Perspective

The Simple Accountant submits:In last week’s outlook we recommended staying with defensive sectors and fixed income, avoiding commodity related stocks, and waiting for a bounce before selling commodities short. Let’s have a look at how those tactics worked, and then try to anticipate what the next week’s trading might look like. Week in Review

The Simple Accountant submits:The risk-off trade appeared to temporarily have run its course last week, as several major indexes and asset classes approached long term support levels. Let's look back at the week's action, and consider what may lie in store for us in the week to come. Week in Review

By The Simple Accountant:The much anticipated meeting of European leaders in Brussels did not produce a comprehensive resolution to the region’s sovereign debt crisis, but it did enough to set off a vigorous rally in risk assets. Let’s break down the numbers, and cast a look at the road ahead. Perspective

By The Simple Accountant:Last week was relatively quiet, with many traders and policy makers on vacation, and a light calendar for economic news. Risk asset markets took advantage of the calms to push ahead on low volume, but perhaps the most remarkable action was in the normally sedate bond market. Let's break down the numbers: Perspective