Regional Differences:
To be clear we know a rising tide lifts all boats, and that is true within the diverse financial space. We know the strength within the XLF, but the IAK (insurance) is higher by almost 50% over the last one-year period. Over the same time frame, the IAI (broker-dealer) has advanced nearly 70% and looks like it is getting slightly comfortable above the very round par number. Those looking for international exposure should like the chart of the EUFN (think DB). Below today we take a peek at the WEEKLY chart of the KRE. On its WEEKLY chart, it sports a long bull flag pattern, and on the daily chart, it has formed a bullish ascending triangle. At first look at the chart below one can see the long lower tails, meaning it CLOSED each week well into the upper half of the range, and we know the old saying, “amateurs open the markets and pros CLOSE it”. Even more positive in my opinion is the taut manner in which the last four weeks have CLOSED, all within just .67 of each other. Watch PNC to see if it can get above the very round 200 number, as that would negate a bearish counterattack candle from 5/10.