The S&P 500 finished flat after modest moves lower and higher failed to stick. Volume continues to be below average as we slip further into the summer doldrums.
While economic indicators, corporate earnings, mergers, Fed statements, and other headlines come and go, the market remains stuck in neutral. The biggest item hanging over us is the impending Greek default if a deal cannot be brokered in the coming weeks. It seems many with cash are waiting for a resolution before they feel comfortable buying stocks near all-time highs. And so we trade sideways while we wait for the situation to unfold.
A common saying is you never get hit by the bus you see coming, and that clearly applies to this Greek debacle. The Grexit has been in and out of the spotlight for years. While the global financial system was vulnerable early on, most Greek debt has since been absorbed by the ECB and other European nations, leaving the wider private sector largely immune to a Grexit. While stock prices are held back by a fear of the unknown, the Grexit will actually be a bullish catalyst once it turns out to have been far more benign than most fear. But the market trades on perception, not reality, so we should anticipate near-term volatility as this standoff comes to a head over the coming days. But when scared owners start offering stocks at steep discounts, that is our opportunity to step in and profit once the storm passes.
Individual Stocks:
AAPL – Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) opened weak the day after its developer conference keynote failed to excite investors. But we knew this was coming. Short-term traders can trade around near-term volatility driven by broad market weakness, but the iPhone story remains intact for long-term investors as long as $122 holds. If we slip to this level, we will have to watch the situation more closely and reevaluate.
EBAY – eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) is testing the breakout level, giving those that missed the initial move the opportunity to get in. Of course given human psychology, it is far harder to buy the pullback than the breakout even though the real risk is actually reduced as we slip a few points from the highs. The key is holding $58/$59 support. For the breakout or dip buyer with a $60-ish entry price, this represents a fairly attractive risk/reward, but for those that chased the stock up near $63, the risk is quite a bit larger.
FEYE – FireEye Inc (NASDAQ:FEYE) is doing a good job holding recent gains, but it is up 10% from the breakout point and anyone tempted to chase it only needs to look at EBAY for what can happen if you show up late to the party. Either wait for a pullback, an alternate entry point, or simply look for another trade. There is no need to chase, especially given the recent weakness in the broad market.
ALGN – Align Technology (NASDAQ:ALGN) is also pulling back as the wider market softens. This continues to be an interesting story, but very few stocks can stand up in the face of a weak market. As soon as we get the green light from the market, these individual stocks will start trading strong again.