One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was this: “Don’t tell the market what it’s supposed to do, let the market tell you what you’re supposed to do.”
That is profound. And it really makes me wish I could remember the name of the guy who said it. Sorry dude. Anyway, whoever and wherever you are, thank you Sir.
Think about it for a moment. Consider all the “forecasts”, “predictions” and “guides” to “what is next for the stock market” that you have heard during the time that you’ve followed the financial markets. Now consider how many of those actually turned out to be correct. Chances are the percentage is fairly low.
So how do you “let the market tell you what to do?” Well, like everything else, there are lots of different ways to do it. Let’s consider a small sampling.
Basic Trend-Following
Figure 1 displays the Dow Industrials, the Nasdaq 100, the S&P 500 and the Russell 2000 clockwise form the upper left. Each displays a 200-day moving average and an overhead resistance point.
The goal is to move back above the resistance points and extend the bull market. But the real key is for them to remain in an “uptrend”, i.e.,:
*Price above 200-day MA = GOOD
*Price below 200-day MA = BAD
Here is the tricky part. As you can see, a simple cross of the 200-day moving average for any index may or may not be a harbinger of trouble. That is, there is nothing “magic” about any moving average. In a perfect world we would state that: “A warning sign occurs when the majority of indexes drop below their respective 200-day moving average.”
Yet in both October 2018 and May 2019 all four indexes dropped below their MA’s and still the world did not fall apart, and we did not plunge into a major bear market. And as we sit, all four indexes are now back above their MA’s. So, what’s the moral of the story? Simple – two things:
The fact remains that major bear markets (i.e., the 1 to 3 year -30% or more variety) unfold with all the major averages below their 200-day moving averages. So, it is important to continue to pay attention.
Whipsaws are a fact of life when it comes to moving averages.
The problem then is that #2 causes a lot of investors to forget or simply dismiss #1.
Here is my advice: Don’t be one of those people. While a drop below a specific moving average by most or all the indexes may not mean “SELL EVERYTHING” now, it will ultimately mean “SEEK SHELTER” eventually as the next major bear market unfolds. That is not a “prediction”, that is simply math.
The Bellwethers
I have written in the past about several tickers that I like to track for “clues” about the overall market. Once again, nothing “magic” about these tickers, but they do have a history of topping out before the major averages prior to bear markets. So, what are they saying? See Figure 2.
SMH (semiconductor ETF): Experienced a false breakout to new highs in April, then plunged. Typically, not a good sign, but it has stabilized for now and is now back above its 200-day MA.
Dow Transports: On a “classic” technical analysis basis, this is an “ugly chart.” Major overhead resistance, not even an attempt to test that resistance since the top last September and price currently below the 200-day MA.
ZIV (inverse VIX ETF): Well below it’s all-time high (albeit well above its key support level), slightly above it’s 200-day MA and sort of seems to be trapped in a range. Doesn’t necessarily scream “SELL”, but the point is it is not suggesting bullish things for the market at the moment.
BID (Sotheby’s – which holds high-end auctions): Just ugly until a buyout offer just appeared. Looks like this bellwether will be going away.
No one should take any action based solely on the action of these bellwethers. But the main thing to note is that these “key” (at least in my market-addled mind) things is that they are intended to be a “look behind the curtain”:
*If the bellwethers are exuding strength overall = GOOD
*If the bellwethers are not exuding strength overall = BAD (or at least not “GOOD”)
A Longer-Term Trend-Following Method
In this article I detailed a longer-term trend-following method that was inspired by an article written by famed investor and Forbes columnist Ken Fisher. The gist is that a top is not formed until the S&P 500 Index goes three calendar months without making a new high. It made a new high in May, so the earliest this method could trigger an “alert” would be the end of August (assuming the S&P 500 Index does NOT trade above it’s May high in the interim.
Jay Kaeppel
Disclaimer: The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources. While I believe the data to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information. The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute and should not be construed as investment advice, an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.
This article is intended to be a quick update to this article. The original idea is based on the theory propounded by Ken Fischer that suggests that one should not worry about a “top” in the stock market until after the market goes at least 3 months without making a new high.
Three things to note:
*Like all trend-following methods the one detailed in the linked article will experience an occasional whipsaw, i.e., a sell signal at one price followed some time later by a new buy signal with the market at a higher price.
*Like any good trend-following method the real purpose is to help you avoid some significant portion of any major longer-term bear market, i.e., 1973-74, 2000-2002, 2007-2009).
*The secondary purpose is to relieve an investor of that constant “Is this the top, wait, what about this this, this looks like the top, OK never mind, but this, this time it definitely has to be the top” syndrome.
The Rules
For a full explanation of the rules please read the linked article. In general, though:
*A “Sell alert” occurs when the market makes a 6-month high, then goes 3 full calendar months without piercing that high
*The “trigger” price is the lowest low for the 3 months following the previous high
*A “Sell signal” occurs at the end of the month IF the “trigger” price is pierced to the downside during the current month
*The “trigger” is no longer valid if the S&P 500 makes a high above the high for the previous 6 months prior to an actual “Sell signal”
*If a “Sell signal” occurs then a new “Buy signal” occurs when the S&P 500 makes a high above the high for the previous 6 months
Sounds complicated, but its’s not. Figure 1 displays the signals and alerts and trigger prices since 2005.
Green Arrows = Buy Signal
Red Arrows = Sell Signal
Red horizontal lines = Sell trigger price
Figure 1 – One Minute a Month Trend-Following Alerts, Trigger prices and Signals (Courtesy WinWayChartsTradingExpert)
Note that actual sell signals occurred in 2008, 2011 and 2015. The signal in 2008 was a life-saver, while the signals in 2011 and 2015 resulted in small whipsaws. Sorry folks, that’s just the nature of the beast.
Interestingly, there have been two “Sell alerts” in the last year. The first occurred at the end of April 2018, however, that alert was invalidated at the end of August 2018 when the S&P 500 pierced the previous 6-month high. Another alert occurred at the end of December 2018. The “Trigger price” is the December 2018 low of 2346.58. That trigger is still active but could be invalidated if the month of May 2019 makes a high above whatever the high for April 2019 turns out to be.
The key point here is that despite the volatility and painful sell-offs in October and December of 2018, the “system” has remained on a buy signal.
Where to from here? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Jay Kaeppel
Disclaimer: The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources. While I believe the data to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information. The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute and should not be construed as investment advice, an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.
A lot of eyes are firmly fixed on Utilities at the moment. And for good reason. As you can see in Figure 1, the Dow Jones Utilities Average is presently facing a key resistance level. If it breaks out above the likelihood of a good seasonal rally (more in a moment) increases significantly.
Figure 1 – Utilities and resistance (Courtesy WinWayCharts TradingExpert)
One concern may be the fact that a 5-wave Elliott Wave advance appears to possibly have about run its course (according to the algorithmically drawn wave count from ProfitSource by HUBB which I use). See Figure 2.
For what it is worth, the March through July timeframe is “typically” favorable for utilities. Figure 3 displays the growth of $1,000 invested in the Fidelity Select Sector Utilities fund (ticker FSUTX) ONLY during the months of March through July each year starting in 1982.
Figure 3 – Growth of $1,000 invested in ticker FSUTX Mar-Jul every year (1982-2018)
For the record:
*# times UP = 29 (78%)
*# times DOWN = 8 (22%)
*Average UP = +9.3%
*Average DOWN = (-5.8%)
*Largest UP = +21.1% (1989)
*Largest DOWN = (-25.8%) (2002)
*Solid performance but obviously by no means nowhere close to “a sure thing”.
*It should be noted that several of the “Down” years occurred when the S&P 500 was already in a pretty clearly established downtrend (2001, 2002 and 2008), i.e., below its 10-month moving average. See Figure 4.
Figure 4 – S&P 500 Index w/10-month moving average (Courtesy WinWayCharts TradingExpert)
Summary
Utilities are flirting with new all-time highs and March through July is a “seasonally bullish” period for utilities. Does that mean “happy days are here again, and we should all be piling into utilities? Yeah, isn’t that always the thing about the markets? There is rarely a 100% clear indication for anything.
As always, my “prediction” about what will happen next in utilities is irrelevant and I am NOT pounding the table urging you to pile in. But I can tell you what I am watching closely at the moment:
*The S&P 500 Index is flirting right around its 10-month moving average (roughly 2,752 on the S&P 500 Index). If it starts to break down from there then perhaps 2019 may not pan out so well for utilities.
*The Dow Jones Utility Average is facing a serious test of resistance and may run out of steam (according to Elliott Wave).
*But a breakout to the upside could well clear the decks for utilities to be a market leader for the next several months
Focus people, focus.
Jay Kaeppel
Disclaimer: The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources. While I believe the data to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information. The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute and should not be construed as investment advice, an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.
In this article I highlighted the fact that platinum tends to be a consistent performer during the months of January and February combined. 2019 held serve as platinum futures registered their 23rd Jan-Feb gain in the last 24 years. The Platinum ETF (ticker PPLT) registered a two month gain of +9.6%. See Figure 1.
Figure 1 – Ticker PPLT (Courtesy WinWayCharts)
Figure 2 displays the updated hypothetical growth of equity achieved by holding long 1 platinum futures contract during January and February every year starting in 1979.
Figure 2 – Platinum futures $ +(-) during Jan-Feb; 1979-2019
Since most investors will never trade platinum futures, Figure 3 displays the growth of $1,000 invested in ticker PPLT only during Jan and Feb since 2011.
Figure 3 – Cumulative % growth of $1,000 invested in ticker PPLT ONLY during Jan. and Feb.; 2011-2019
Figure 4 – Yearly % +(-) for PPLT during Jan-Feb
Going Forward
So platinum was great, but what have you done for me lately? For what it is worth, historically two sectors that “should” be doing well in the March-April period are energies and grains (please remember that seasonal trends DO NOT always work every year). As you can see in Figure 5, energies have been rallying since late December (though lots of consternation regarding crude oil remains a constant).
Figure 5 – Ticker DBE (Energies) – so far so good; (Courtesy WinWayCharts)
Grains have been a bust so far (their “favorable seasonal period” typically begins in late January-early February – no dice this time around). Where too from here? One of two scenarios: either this is just going to be an off year for grains, or right now will be looked back upon as a buying opportunity. Only time will tell.
Figure 6 – Ticker DBA (Agricultural) – so far NOT so good; (Courtesy WinWayCharts)
And of course, don’t forget that the stock market tends to do pretty well March through May….
Jay Kaeppel
Disclaimer: The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources. While I believe the data to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information. The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute and should not be construed as investment advice, an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.
In this piece I wrote about a strong seasonal tendency in corn based on the planting cycle. Turns out soybeans are in the same boat. This can be a good thing for traders who are, a) willing to speculate, b) not dumb enough to the bet the ranch.
Figure 1 displays the annual seasonal trend for soybeans (from www.sentimentrader.com). Just as with corn, the months of February through April tend to see positive results. Please note the use of the word “tend” and the lack of the words “sure” or “thing”.
Here are the two things to note (using some pretty technical terms):
*Soybeans (like most commodities) spend a lot of time “churning”, “grinding”, “consolidating” and generally going “nowhere”
*HOWEVER, “when beans go they really go!” (hopefully that wasn’t “too technical”)
*The primary thing to remember is that when soybeans get going to the upside, typically the best thing to do is to banish the word from “overbought” from your trading lexicon. See Figure 3.
Now let’s focus on the months of February, March and April. Figure 4 displays the hypothetical $ growth (no slippage or commissions) from holding long a 1-lot of soybean futures during February, March and April every year starting in 1976.
Figure 4 – Long 1 soybean futures contract during Feb-Mar-Apr every year since 1976
The Results
Some things to note regarding Feb-Apr in soybeans:
*# of times UP = 33
*# of times DOWN = 10
*Average $ gain = +$3,808
*Average $ loss = (-$1,788)
*Largest gain = +$15,025
*Largest loss = (-$3,775)
In sum, a winners to losers ratio of 3.3 (or 76% winners), an average win to average loss ratio of 2.13-to-1
Bottom line: these are great numbers for traders BUT they entail the assumption of significant risk (2017 saw a loss of over -$3,400)
An Alternative Way to Play
Ticker SOYB is the Teucrium ETF designed to track the price of soybeans. SOYB allows traders to buy soybeans just as they would buy shares of stock. Just remember that you don’t get the same leverage buying SOYB as you would buying a futures contract.
Figure 5 displays a monthly chart for SOYB and Figure 6 displays a daily chart. Note the significant resistance level at around $16.96 a share. If SOYB takes out that level sooner than later it might be a bullish sign.
Soybeans have been beaten down a bit over the last several years. If (and “yes”, that is a big “If”) beans are going to make a move higher, history suggests that the Feb through April period is a likely time for that to happen.
Am I “recommending” or even “merely suggesting” that you should buy soybean futures or ticker SOYB? Not at all. I adhere to that old media adage of “We (I) report, you decide.”
Which is better I think than the current motto of major media which appears to be “We decide, then we report our decision.”
Jay Kaeppel
Disclaimer: The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources. While I believe the data to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information. The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute and should not be construed as investment advice, an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.
Crude oil and pretty much the entire energy sector has been crushed in recent months. This type of action sometimes causes investors to wonder if a buying opportunity may be forming.
The answer may well be, “Yes, but not just yet.”
Seasonality and Energy
Historically the energy sector shows strength during the February into May period. This is especially true if the November through January period is negative. Let’s take a closer look.
The Test
If Fidelity Select Energy (ticker FSENX) shows a loss during November through January then we will buy and hold FSENX from the end of January through the end of May. The cumulative growth of $1,000 appears in Figure 1 and the yearly results in Figure 2.
Figure 1 – Growth of $1,000 invested in FSENX ONLY during Feb-May ONLY IF Nov-Jan shows a loss
Figure 2 – % + (-) from holding FSENX during Feb-May ONLY IF Nov-Jan shows a loss
Figure 3 displays ticker XLE (an energy ETF that tracks loosely with FSENX). As you can see, at the moment the Nov-Jan return is down roughly -15%.
All of this suggests remaining patient and not trying to pick a bottom in the fickle energy sector. If, however, the energy sector shows a 3-month loss at the end of January, history suggests a buying opportunity may then be at end.
Summary
Paraphrasing here – “Patience, ah, people, patience”.
Jay Kaeppel
Disclaimer: The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources. While I believe the data to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information. The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute and should not be construed as investment advice, an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.
