The Keys: Markets Higher

The markets moved higher on extremely light volume today. Mondays are often like this, especially following the Super Bowl last night. Remember, light volume favors the upside and today is no different. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF SPY is trading at $132.30, +1.15 (+0.88%). The markets continue to show amazing resiliency. One day sell events seem to occur every few weeks but are negated within one or two days, then the market surges higher. The Federal Reserve continues to keep amazing pressure on the markets to the upside using QE-2. This $600 billion is being used as POMO (permanent open market operations) daily. In this manner, as long as volume stays light, the Federal Reserve, through the banks, can keep the markets moving higher. This is very artificial, and the risk of another flash crash increases daily, but they could push the markets up for months more before it happens. Major stocks are performing well today on this broad based rally. Apple Inc. AAPL has moved above the $350.00 level. It is now trading at $352.80, +6.30 (+1.82%). Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM is shooting higher again and International Business Machines Corp. IBM is just under the $165.00 level. While the markets remain extended with no sign of anything more than a one day fall every few weeks, we must respect the power of the Federal Reserve. They have the power as long as volume stays light to keep the markets going higher. Today we are seeing that. Gareth Soloway InTheMoneyStocks.com