The S&P 500 has had the best start to the year since 1997, and Gas Prices are accelerating rapidly. Two interesting analogs may be useful to think about the next moves in these markets and whether we see divergence.
[2]
S&P 500 2012 performance (green) compared to 2011 (orange) and 1997 (blue) signals perhaps a roll-over is due?
[3]
and while gas prices have risen rapidly, they are on the same pace (in percentage terms) as they were last year (incredibly). The difference obviously is the much higher base price.
What triggered last year's rollover? High energy prices acting as a drag? European dysphoria re-emerging? US growth hope fading?
Charts: Bloomberg