Changing Timelines Are Killing the Dow's Momentum
The market is fixated. Trying to determine when the Federal Reserve will begin its tapering of the current stimulus policy is all the rage. And with new sound bites coming out every day, it's no wonder that investors can't make up their minds. But the Dow Jones Industrial Average , along with Mr. Market in general, is suffering for it. After a three-day rally, the index is down 33 points as of 11:30 a.m. EDT.
He said, he said
Of course, we all know by now what Ben Bernanke said last week: The Fed will determine its next move based on the economic data it sees, with the timeline set for the policy to end sometime next year. Cue panic. But when New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley noted that the presence of more negative economic data could result in more aggressive stimulus, the markets rejoiced. Now, Federal Reserve Governor Jeremy Stein has indicated that the taper could begin in September, and noted that the Fed will be using cumulative data to determine the progress of the economic recovery.
So what do we get from all of this? Any change will be based on data, but not just the most recent data. For investors, this gives a great directive: Don't trade based on the most recent economic report's implication of the recovery's progress. While we've been seeing negative market reactions to lower unemployment claims or higher manufacturing data, the swings are an unnecessary stress on the average investor.
It has been well noted that the transition from the current stimulus-influenced market conditions to a more normalized environment will be volatile. But what investors need to remember is that fear and herd mentality will exaggerate that volatility. Keep an eye on your investments, but remain focused on their fundamental strengths and weaknesses, not the everyday moves of the market because of new speculation.
Common problem
Headlines can be a serious drain on a stock's performance -- especially if they continually highlight one of the business's biggest issues. Bank of America is no stranger to the potency of headlines. With legal problems posing one of the bank's biggest threats, the repeated presence of the bank's name in the news can certainly keep investors away.
New information has surfaced about the bank's ongoing battle over a $8.5 billion settlement with investors. Though the hearing to decide the settlement's fate is on hold while the presiding judge hears other cases, action continues behind the scenes. In a new filing from one of the dissenting investors, American International Group , the insurer disclosed that though the judge had suggested the parties try mediation to decide the fairness of the settlement, B of A refused and wants to continue with the hearing.
The bank is confident that the hearing will result in a win (i.e., only a $8.5 billion payout), so mediation would probably prove to be counterproductive. But for investors, this confidence may be overblown, as the bank may have lost some of its clout due to misrepresentations about the ability to put Countrywide into bankruptcy.
In more positive news, the bank, along with Wells Fargo , may be avoiding another courtroom battle altogether. State and federal officials for last year's $25 billion mortgage settlement have told New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman that no enforcement actions will be taken against the banks for their alleged violations of the settlement's terms. Though the NYAG has been trying to file suit against the banks for these violations, this latest action may have taken the wind from beneath the AG's wings.
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The article Changing Timelines Are Killing the Dow's Momentum originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Jessica Alling has no position in any stocks mentioned -- you can contact her here. The Motley Fool recommends American International Group, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool owns shares of American International Group, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo and has the following options: Long Jan 2014 $25 Calls on American International Group. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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