AAPL leads the NASDAQ Higher as Volume Expands; Crude Sinks

Heading into the first debate of the 2012 Presidential Campaign was led by the NASDAQ despite a faltering Semi-Conductor sector. Small cap stocks struggled as well with the Russell 2000 closing down 20 basis points. Volume expanded on the day, but with back to back days of subpar volume on Monday and Tuesday it was inevitable volume was going to increase. This morning’s ADP Employment change report showed 162,000 jobs were add in the month of September coming in slightly above expectations. In addition to the ADP report, a better than expected ISM Non-Manufacturing reading showed the service sector expanding in September. Not terrible news from the economy, but focusing on the price action we saw the market notch a day of accumulation. We still have not broken out from our recent trading range, but price action continues to be favorable to bulls in this uptrend. It appears the market is waiting on the debate tonight and Friday’s job report. Friday’s jobs report will more than likely disappoint not because of we don’t like the current administration, but the past few reports have been disappointing. In any instance other than the unemployment rate falling below 7% the Federal Reserve stock market put will more than likely dampen any bearishness related to the report. Anything is possible in QE trading. Look at crude falling more than four points today. Commodities are perceived as a good investment with the Federal Reserve printing presses running at full tilt. So while conventional thinking is a fun cocktail party discussion only price matters in the market. Whatever the market will bring we are going to be prepared. Tomorrow at 2 pm we’ll get the minutes from the latest FOMC meeting where Ben Bernanke announced QE3. It will be interesting to see how the market reacts to what the FOMC discussed during the meeting. Tomorrow should be a fun day with the market reacting to the first debate as well as the FOMC meeting minutes. Who knows we may even get a Spain bailout rumor. There is always something the chew on when it comes down to this market. Actions however, are governed by the price movement of our stocks. Enjoy the debates, but remember to cut your losses and there are other candidates then just Obama and Romney.