The S & P 500 ticked higher on Monday and continues to chip away at the gap to a new record high. Several events in the days ahead could prove to be the catalyst that vaults it over the top. The index is now about 2% below its record closing high of 6,144.15, set on Feb. 19. With the S & P 500 already seeing six days this year with a gain of at least 2%, the gap could be closed in one quick rally. .SPX YTD mountain The S & P 500 is about 2% below its record high from February. That move could be fueled by positive headlines on the trade front, with U.S. and Chinese officials meeting in London on Monday. Economic data could also provide a boost, with inflation readings on Wednesday and Thursday expected to show modest increases in prices, according to economists’ estimates compiled by Dow Jones. Those developments will strike a market that appears primed to move higher, according to the JPMorgan trading desk. “For this week, we reiterate our tactical bullish call. Look for Techspeak to be supportive of Mag7/Semis, U.S./China talks to be positive for broader markets, and an inline CPI print to keep bond yields from surging which is supportive of Equities,” JPMorgan’s data assets and alpha group said in the trading desk note Monday morning. “Positioning suggests that we may see a combination of extending winners but also squeezes in the higher beta areas of the market. The SPX’s all-time high is 2.4% away and we think we take that out this week or next.” There is always a chance that the trade talks with China could break down or that inflation data comes in hotter than expected, resulting in a stock market sell-off. Investors also can’t count out an unexpected twist — either positive or negative — coming from the White House. “Markets in the short term are levered to the whims and utterances of one unpredictable person (President Trump), perhaps to the greatest extent in history,” Michael Graham, analyst at Canaccord Genuity, said in a research note Monday. — CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
