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*The “trigger” is no longer valid if the S&P 500 makes a high above the high for the previous 6 months prior to an actual “Sell signal”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.
Trend-following is essentially a “tried and true’ approach to investing. But overbought/oversold (i.e., attempting to buy low/sell high) – that’s where the “excitement” is. Of course, when it comes to trading and investing, “excitement” can be highly overrated. Nevertheless, in this piece I want to talk about a relatively obscure indicator that may be useful in identifying vastly oversold situations.
EDITORS NOTE: The WinWay EDS file for Jay Kaeppel’s indicator is available to download here
The VixRSI14 Indicator
Part of the reason this indicator is obscure is because I think I “invented” it – but only by mashing together an indicator from Larry Williams and an indicator from Welles Wilder. The first part is the standard Welles Wilder 14-day Relative Strength Index, more commonly referred to as “RSI”.
The 2nd part of VixRSI14 is an indicator created by famed trader Larry Williams which he dubbed “VixFix”. This indicator is an effort to create a “Vix Index-like” indicator for any security.
WinWay TradingExpert code for these indicators appears at the end of the article.
A Few Notes
*For the record, VixRSI14 is calculated by taking a 3-day exponential average of VixFix and dividing that by a 3-day exponential average of RSI14 (are we having fun yet?). Please see code at the end of the article.
*I prefer to use VixRSI14 using weekly data rather than daily data
*(Unfortunately) There are no “magic numbers” that indicate that a completely risk-free, you can’t lose, just buy now and watch the money roll in” buying opportunity is at hand (Disclaimer: If there was, I would probably just keep it to myself and not bother writing the article – sorry, it’s just my nature). That being said, a decent “rule of thumb” is to look for a reading above 3.5 followed by a downside reversal.
(Click any chart below to enlarge)
With those thoughts in mind, Figure 1 displays a weekly chart of Wynn Resorts (WYNN) with the two indicators plotted separately below the bar chart.
Figure 1 – WYNN with William’s VixFix and Wilder’s RSI 14-day (Courtesy WinWay TradingExpert)
Note that as price declines, VixFix tends to rise and RSI14 tends to fall. VIXRSI14 essentially identifies “extremes” in the difference between these two. Figure 2 displays WYNN with VixRSI14 plotted below the bar chart.
Figure 2 – WYNN with VixRSI14 (Courtesy WinWay TradingExpert)
More “examples” appear in Figures 3 through 8 below.
As always, I merely present “ideas” here at JOTM. So, do not assume from the charts above that you have found the “keys to the kingdom”. But if used in conjunction with other confirming indicators – and remembering to employ some sort of risk control for those instances when a stock price decline fails to arrest itself even after VixRSI4 peaks above 3.5 – VixRSI14 may hold some value.
Indicator Code
EDITORS NOTE: The WinWay EDS file for Jay Kaeppel’s indicator is available to download here
Below is the code for VixFix, RSI14 and VixRSI14 from AIQ Expert Design Studio.
!#######################################
!VixFix indicator code
hivalclose is hival([close],22).
vixfix is (((hivalclose-[low])/hivalclose)*100)+50.
!#######################################
!#######################################
!RSI14 code
Define days14 27.
U14 is [close]-val([close],1).
D14 is val([close],1)-[close].
AvgU14 is ExpAvg(iff(U14>0,U14,0),days14).
AvgD14 is ExpAvg(iff(D14>=0,D14,0),days14).
RSI14 is 100-(100/(1+(AvgU14/AvgD14))).
!#######################################
!#######################################
!VixRSI14 code
VixRSI14 is expavg(vixfix,3)/expavg(RSI14,3).
!#######################################
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.
