When does the Fed remove the punch bowl?

Preface: Explaining our market timing models We maintain several market timing models, each with differing time horizons. The "Ultimate Market Timing Model" is a long-term market timing model based on the research outlined in our post, Building the ultimate market timing model. This model tends to generate only a handful of signals each decade. The...

An sentimental embrace of risk

Mid-week market update: When traders refer to "institutions" in the context of sentiment analysis, often the impression is that institutions represent some monolithic entity. Nothing could be further from the truth. I tend to analyze institutional sentiment by segmenting them into four distinct groups, each with their own data sources: US institutions, whose sentiment can...

Q3 earnings season: Stud or dud?

Preface: Explaining our market timing models We maintain several market timing models, each with differing time horizons. The "Ultimate Market Timing Model" is a long-term market timing model based on the research outlined in our post, Building the ultimate market timing model. This model tends to generate only a handful of signals each decade. The Trend...

Six reasons why I am still bullish

Mid-week market update: I wrote on the weekend to buy Yom Kippur, which ends today (see Buy Yom Kippur! SPX 2500 by Passover?). My inner trader sent out an email to subscribers yesterday indicating that he had added to his long position by buying a high-beta small cap position.     I would like to outline...

Peak robo?

We all know about how the business model of the robo-advisor works. First, determine the appropriate asset mix based on the risk, return, tax regime and other specific needs of the client. Then, build the portfolio and rebalance it on a periodic basis. The typical investment process can be summarized by the following steps: Determine...

Buy Yom Kippur! SPX 2500 by Passover?

Preface: Explaining our market timing models We maintain several market timing models, each with differing time horizons. The "Ultimate Market Timing Model" is a long-term market timing model based on the research outlined in our post, Building the ultimate market timing model. This model tends to generate only a handful of signals each decade. The Trend...

My September Non-Farm Payroll guess

This Friday will be another potentially market moving Employment Report day, even though the release is based on noisy data with a high margin of error. The latest Fedspeak indicates that Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) would have to see a big downside miss before the Fed would change its plans to hike rates in December. Even...

If Deutsche = Lehman, then Greek banks = ?

Preface: Explaining our market timing models We maintain several market timing models, each with differing time horizons. The "Ultimate Market Timing Model" is a long-term market timing model based on the research outlined in our post, Building the ultimate market timing model. This model tends to generate only a handful of signals each decade. The...

Some surefire stock winners under a Clinton presidency

As I write these words before the first presidential debate, expectations have been racheted up for a Trump win and Clinton loss. Here is just one example (via Politico): 'She will have to answer every single question flawlessly, exude gravitas...not cough, wear an acceptable pantsuit, smile enough, be likable, not laugh and have a good...

Clinton vs. Trump: Charting the possible market reaction

Preface: Explaining our market timing models We maintain several market timing models, each with differing time horizons. The "Ultimate Market Timing Model" is a long-term market timing model based on the research outlined in our post, Building the ultimate market timing model. This model tends to generate only a handful of signals each decade. The Trend...

How the Fed could induce a bear market in 2017

The Federal Reserve has spoken (see FOMC September statement). With three dissenting votes on the FOMC, a December rate hike is more or less baked in. The Fed will take a gradual approach to rate hikes, with the median "dot plot" forecasting a December rate hike and two more in 2017.     While the...

Back in the rut

Mid-week market update: The world is full of surprises. Not only was I beside myself when news of the Bragelina breakup hit the tape, I mistakenly believed that the stock market did not display sufficient fear to form a durable bottom (see the trading comments in Is a recession just around the corner?). Last week,...

Is a recession just around the corner?

Preface: Explaining our market timing models We maintain several market timing models, each with differing time horizons. The "Ultimate Market Timing Model" is a long-term market timing model based on the research outlined in our post, Building the ultimate market timing model. This model tends to generate only a handful of signals each decade. The Trend...

Bottom spotting

Mid-week market update: Did you think that a market bottom was going to be this easy? I got worried on Monday when I received several congratulatory messages and high-fives for my weekend tactical bullish call (see Macro weakness: Just a flesh wound?). That rebound seemed a bit too easy. especially when I saw the latest...