Are Stock Investors "Dazed & Confused"? Investor confidence in stock market (SPY) direction is very low. That is because of the big divergence in market outlooks from leading market prognosticators. Some make a great case for...

Investor confidence in stock market (SPY) direction is very low. That is because of the big divergence in market outlooks from leading market prognosticators. Some make a great case for a new bull market emerging. Others make an equally logical pitch for the bear market to return with new lows on the way. That is why 40 year investment pro Steve Reitmeister shares his view in his brand new market commentary below.

The stock market (SPY) has been up, down and all around since last week's commentary. That's because bulls and bears are slugging it out for dominance during this "Dazed & Confused" phase for the market.

What does that mean?

What happens next?

What should an investor do about it?

We will explore the answers for each of these pressing questions in this week's Reitmeister Total Return commentary.

Market Commentary

Now let's a step back to last week's commentary where I outlined 4 possible outcomes for the market after the very important Fed rate announcement on Wednesday 2/1. Indeed, we landed on the least of attractive of which. That being...

"Scenario 4: Dazed & Confused

This is where the Fed gives mixed signals. Still hawkish for a long time to save face given previous statements. And yet do tip their hat a little to moderating inflation.

This gray area leads to a trading range until investors have more facts in hand. I suspect that 4,000 is the low end with 4,200 at the high end. This comes hand in hand with a ton of volatility as each new headline has investors recalibrate the bull/bear odds."

The market since then has lived up to ever single syllable of the above expectations. Especially the part about the volatility that comes after every key headline.

Raging higher after the speech

Tumbling down Friday & Monday after unemployment report came in WAY TOO HOT pointing to the need for the Fed to stay vigilant against inflation a good while longer.

And then raging higher again today after Chairman Powell's interview at The Economic Club of Washington D.C.

Watch it here if you like, but to me he just reiterates the point that inflation is too hot and the aforementioned employment report only confirmed that notion. This prompts him to keep rates elevated for much longer than most investors appreciate.

Heck, he even stated that this surprising strength may lead them to be even more hawkish than previously stated. Perhaps that means higher than 5% rates. And perhaps it means they will be at it longer than the end of the year. Perhaps both.

These ideas are very hawkish, increasing the odds of recession, making the Tuesday rally borderline insane. But then again, such was the oddity of the reaction last Wednesday when he said virtually identical things.

Looking ahead the main headline catalysts for stocks will be the following:

2/14 Consumer Price Index

2/15 Retail Sales

2/16 Produce Price Index

That means there is a bit of calm before the next headline storm and thus expect stocks to keep banging around in the 4,000 to 4,200 range for the S&P 500 (SPY) til then.

What is so special about 4,200?

The official definition of a new bull market is when you rise 20% from the lows. In this case the lows from October were 3,491 x 20% = 4,189...which basically equates to 4,200.

Note how we flirted with that level a few times this past week only to find too much resistance.

Here is our game plan from here...

Right now, I see a 65% chance that we devolve back into bear market making new lows in the months ahead. But 35% chance of a soft landing that makes way for the next bull market.

This explains why the Reitmeister Total Return portfolio is currently 36% long the stock market with a blend of Risk On and Risk Off positions.

If and when the bear market comes back with a vengeance, as likely signified by a break back below the 200 day moving average (3,947), then we will get back into our bearish hedge that so successfully gained nearly 7% from August 2022 through year end as the overall stock market slumped.

On the other hand, if instead we break above 4,200 in a meaningful way, then the odds of bull market will have increased...and we will want to come along for the ride by moving up to 50-60% long the stock market. The new additions should be of the Risk On variety (growthy companies at discounted prices with impressive POWR Ratings).

I will end by sharing this analogy.

The investment journey is often like going around a Grand Prix race track. Lots of twist and turns that make us become cautious and slow down. But right after the turns comes the straightaway where we can put the pedal to the metal with greater confidence.

Indeed this is a heck of a tight turn right now as we could break north with bull market or get back on the rougher bearish detour. So hold onto the steering wheel tight right now as there is likely a straightaway on the way that will make our lives easier...and our wallets fatter.

What To Do Next?

Watch my brand new presentation: "Stock Trading Plan for 2023" covering:

• Why 2023 is a "Jekyll & Hyde" year for stocks
• How the Bear Market Could Come Back with a Vengeance
• 9 Trades to Profit Now
• 2 Trades with 100%+ Upside Potential as New Bull Emerges
• And Much More!

Watch "Stock Trading Plan for 2023" Now >

Wishing you a world of investment success!

Steve Reitmeister…but everyone calls me Reity (pronounced "Righty")
CEO, StockNews.com and Editor, Reitmeister Total Return

SPY shares . Year-to-date, SPY has gained 8.57%, versus a % rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.

About the Author: Steve Reitmeister

Steve is better known to the StockNews audience as "Reity". Not only is he the CEO of the firm, but he also shares his 40 years of investment experience in the Reitmeister Total Return portfolio. Learn more about Reity's background, along with links to his most recent articles and stock picks.

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