In this video, Gary Flake demos Pivot, a new way to browse and arrange massive amounts of images and data online. Built on breakthrough Seadragon technology, it enables spectacular zooms in and out of web databases, and the discovery of patterns and links invisible in standard web browsing.
The big idea that this video demonstrates so well is that the whole of the data in which we consume is greater that the sum of the parts. And, instead of inducing information overload, new tools enable us to use information so that patterns pop and we can see trends that would otherwise be invisible.
If we can do that, then, instead of being trapped in data, we might
actually extract information. And, instead of dealing just with
information, we can tease out knowledge. And if we get the knowledge,
then maybe even there's wisdom to be found.
In this video, Gary Flake demos Pivot, a new way to browse and arrange massive amounts of images and data online. Built on breakthrough Seadragon technology, it enables spectacular zooms in and out of web databases, and the discovery of patterns and links invisible in standard web browsing.
The big idea that this video demonstrates so well is that the whole of the data in which we consume is greater that the sum of the parts. And, instead of inducing information overload, new tools enable us to use information so that patterns pop and we can see trends that would otherwise be invisible.
If we can do that, then, instead of being trapped in data, we might
actually extract information. And, instead of dealing just with
information, we can tease out knowledge. And if we get the knowledge,
then maybe even there's wisdom to be found.
The markets put on a show of strength this week, blasting through overhead resistance. The chart below shows the S&P 500 Index is approaching its recent highs, and now has two nice levels of support beneath it (marked by the light and dark green lines).
As long as price is above these levels, it seems prudent to use
bull-market techniques. That means to expect buying on dips.
On the other hand, trading often induces paranoia. So, there is some part of me looking for the next areas that would trigger the most stop-losses. Coincidentally, this weekend I talked to a money manager who told me they were going to exit their short positions if the markets get above the recent highs (marked by the orange line). That seems like a pretty widely followed level. So, a spike above that … followed by a sharp reversal, might find some of the selling volume we've been missing lately.
Could We Possibly Still Be in a Bear Market?
A fresh view is often helpful. The next chart is not designed to be predictive. Instead, it simply provides an alternative context to view the recent price action in relation to historic market cycles.
Below is an inflation-adjusted overlay of three secular bear markets put together by Doug Short. It aligns the current S&P 500 from the top of the Tech Bubble in March 2000, the Dow in of 1929, and the Nikkei 225 from its 1989 bubble high.
The nominal all-time high in the index occurred in October 2007, but when adjusted for inflation, the "real" all-time high for the S&P 500 occurred in March 2000.
There is a Lot of Deal-Making Going On.
Increased merger and acquisition activity and the freeing-up of corporate assets (usually measured by increased corporate spending) are both typically bullish signs. Why? Both indicate that decision-makers are optimistic (or at least projecting optimism). There's been quite a bit of evidence showing that this is happening on a global corporate scale and all the way down to the local level.
One thing holding-back the optimism is the lack of lending. Here is a look at that.
Nonetheless, companies with cash are starting to use it.
Here's a story that is a bit humorous, though still shows those green shoots of growth.
In Kansas, the city of Topeka changed its name to Google. Supposedly part of a local effort to convince Google to make Topeka a test site for an ultra-fast Internet connection and set Topeka apart from other cities vying for Google's attention.
Hope you have a good week, even if you used to live in Topeka.
The markets put on a show of strength this week, blasting through overhead resistance. The chart below shows the S&P 500 Index is approaching its recent highs, and now has two nice levels of support beneath it (marked by the light and dark green lines).
As long as price is above these levels, it seems prudent to use
bull-market techniques. That means to expect buying on dips.
On the other hand, trading often induces paranoia. So, there is some part of me looking for the next areas that would trigger the most stop-losses. Coincidentally, this weekend I talked to a money manager who told me they were going to exit their short positions if the markets get above the recent highs (marked by the orange line). That seems like a pretty widely followed level. So, a spike above that … followed by a sharp reversal, might find some of the selling volume we've been missing lately.
Could We Possibly Still Be in a Bear Market?
A fresh view is often helpful. The next chart is not designed to be predictive. Instead, it simply provides an alternative context to view the recent price action in relation to historic market cycles.
Below is an inflation-adjusted overlay of three secular bear markets put together by Doug Short. It aligns the current S&P 500 from the top of the Tech Bubble in March 2000, the Dow in of 1929, and the Nikkei 225 from its 1989 bubble high.
The nominal all-time high in the index occurred in October 2007, but when adjusted for inflation, the "real" all-time high for the S&P 500 occurred in March 2000.
There is a Lot of Deal-Making Going On.
Increased merger and acquisition activity and the freeing-up of corporate assets (usually measured by increased corporate spending) are both typically bullish signs. Why? Both indicate that decision-makers are optimistic (or at least projecting optimism). There's been quite a bit of evidence showing that this is happening on a global corporate scale and all the way down to the local level.
One thing holding-back the optimism is the lack of lending. Here is a look at that.
Nonetheless, companies with cash are starting to use it.
Here's a story that is a bit humorous, though still shows those green shoots of growth.
In Kansas, the city of Topeka changed its name to Google. Supposedly part of a local effort to convince Google to make Topeka a test site for an ultra-fast Internet connection and set Topeka apart from other cities vying for Google's attention.
Hope you have a good week, even if you used to live in Topeka.
The markets held-up well again this week despite lots of bad news on many fronts. While there were several bouts of selling, each time buyers were there to prop things back up.
Here were some of the news items the market handled last week.
So, let's use some technical analysis to see where the markets stand.
Three Views of the Market – and All Say the Same Thing.
Sometimes simple is better. What follows is a top-down look at the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It starts with a monthly chart for the bigger picture. That is followed by a weekly chart, and then by a daily chart. In all three the key level is just above where we are.
Here is the weekly chart. It shows price re-testing the upwards sloping trend-line from below.
Here is the daily chart. A sustained move above the orange line would be bullish.
Here is something else to watch.
Does the Euro Help Predict US Equity Market Moves?
This video suggests that the Euro is worth watching as an early indicator of likely movement in the U.S. Equity Indices (like the S&P 500 Index).
That is something I will keep an eye on to see how it works. In the mean-time, here is a recent chart of the S&P 500 and the Euro. It is showing a negative divergence because the Euro is continuing to show weakness while the S&P 500 rallied in February.
The markets held-up well again this week despite lots of bad news on many fronts. While there were several bouts of selling, each time buyers were there to prop things back up.
Here were some of the news items the market handled last week.
So, let's use some technical analysis to see where the markets stand.
Three Views of the Market – and All Say the Same Thing.
Sometimes simple is better. What follows is a top-down look at the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It starts with a monthly chart for the bigger picture. That is followed by a weekly chart, and then by a daily chart. In all three the key level is just above where we are.
Here is the weekly chart. It shows price re-testing the upwards sloping trend-line from below.
Here is the daily chart. A sustained move above the orange line would be bullish.
Here is something else to watch.
Does the Euro Help Predict US Equity Market Moves?
This video suggests that the Euro is worth watching as an early indicator of likely movement in the U.S. Equity Indices (like the S&P 500 Index).
That is something I will keep an eye on to see how it works. In the mean-time, here is a recent chart of the S&P 500 and the Euro. It is showing a negative divergence because the Euro is continuing to show weakness while the S&P 500 rallied in February.
Recently, the concept of "Focus" keeps coming to mind when I try to
make sense of what's happening in the markets.
As I review
stories, news, and data, I'm trying to be more aware of where the bias
is (even if it is unintentional).
Focus,
Bias and Perspective.
The photo series, below, is an
example of how our perception can be easily shaped. The far left
version looks violent. The far right version looks compassionate. It
could be both (or neither).
Each
of us perceives the world through our own filters. It is as if we're
producing a film (which could be edited into a comedy, drama, or
thriller … based on what we focus on, highlight, or ignore). Except
that we often don't know it's just a film, edited by an amateur …
Instead, we
perceive it as truth because it is what we perceive.
Recently, the concept of "Focus" keeps coming to mind when I try to
make sense of what's happening in the markets.
As I review
stories, news, and data, I'm trying to be more aware of where the bias
is (even if it is unintentional).
Focus,
Bias and Perspective.
The photo series, below, is an
example of how our perception can be easily shaped. The far left
version looks violent. The far right version looks compassionate. It
could be both (or neither).
Each
of us perceives the world through our own filters. It is as if we're
producing a film (which could be edited into a comedy, drama, or
thriller … based on what we focus on, highlight, or ignore). Except
that we often don't know it's just a film, edited by an amateur …
Instead, we
perceive it as truth because it is what we perceive.
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