$SPX (S&P 500) – (Net High/Low +88)

SPX staged an aggressive rally of +6.16% after better-than expected CPI data, rebounding off its 10/20-day moving average, The huge gains were a manifestation of pent-up hope that inflation has peaked and that the ultra-aggressive nature of the Fed's policy approach has also peaked. Briefly, total CPI increased 0.4% month-over-month in October while core-CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3% month-over-month. The monthly changes left total CPI up 7.7% year-over-year, versus 8.2% in September, and core CPI up 6.3% year-over-year, versus 6.6% in September.

The key takeaway from the report wasn't singular. It was manifold: (1) The report helped validate the peak inflation view. (2) The report is apt to compel the Fed to take a less aggressive rate-hike approach at the December FOMC meeting. (3) Some encouragement was borne out of the understanding that the shelter index (computed with a lag) contributed more than half of the monthly all items increase, suggesting price increases moderated in many other areas.

SPX currently trades inside a month long uptrend channel, below its medium term downtrend line. The resistance to reclaim for further positivity in the market is at 4,080, the current declining 200-day moving average level.

Bull Case: Reclaim above 4,080, the current declining 200-day moving average level.

Bear Case: Breakdown of 3,800 level, breaching its rising 10 & 20-day moving average. Next support at 3,700 level.