Waiting for the FOMC

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...

What more could the bulls ask for?

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...

Where are we in the market cycle?

Where are we in the market cycle? The accompanying chart shows a stylized market cycle and changes in sector leadership. Bear markets are characterized by the leadership of defensive sectors such as healthcare, consumer staples and utilities. Early-cycle markets are sparked by the monetary stimulus or the promise of monetary stimulus. The market leaders in...

Another upper BB ride

Mid-week market update: The S&P 500 has been undergoing a ride on its upper Bollinger Band (BB), which historically has been a bullish sign of price momentum. The bigger question is how the tape will behave when the upper BB ride ends.     Here are some observations: The 5-day RSI is extremely overbought, but...

Market liftoff?

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...

An excess of caution?

Mid-week market update: Is market psychology cautious enough? A recent Deutsche Bank survey of investors reveals that not only is a correction the consensus, correction sentiment rose between September and October.     SentimenTrader also observed that inverse ETF volume has spike to a record level. Is this cautious enough for you?      ...

What rhymes with 2011?

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...

The risks to Big Tech

Mid-week market update: As the S&P 500 continues its test of support while exhibiting a positive RSI divergence, one important consideration is what happens to large-cap technology stocks. Large-cap tech and FANG+ account for about 45% of S&P 500 weight, and further weakness could prove to be a drag for the overall market, no matter...

A Q4 meltup ahead?

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...

Q4 sector review: Assessing the yield surge

In light of the recent surge in global rates, it's time for another review of sector leadership. I will conduct the review in two ways. First, the market will be viewed through a cross-asset framework. Rising yields and a steepening yield curve have been bullish for the value/growth cycle in the past, will this time...

Will rising yields spook stocks?

Mid-week market update: Last week, the market was rattled by the prospect of an Evergrande default. This week, it's rising yields. Both the 5 and 10 year Treasury yields surged decisively this week and the 2s10s yield curve has steepened.     Are rising yields destined to spook stock prices?     Good news, bad...

A classic washout bottom

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...

Time for a mid-cycle swoon?

The S&P 500 fell as much -4% from its all-time high in Evergrande panic pullback last week. Is the recent weakness just typical seasonal weakness or something more serious? The intermediate-term breadth looks disconcerting. The percentage of S&P 500 stocks above their 200-day moving average (dma) had been at the 90% level which indicates a...

The Evergrande panic bottom?

Mid-week market update: The stock market gapped down on Monday on China Evergrande contagion fears. The technical outlook darkened further Tuesday when a rally attempt failed. The markets took on a risk-on tone this morning when Evergrande issued an ambiguous statement that a coupon due on its yuan-denominated bond. An agreement had been reached with...

How US equity investors should trade the Evergrande panic

Global markets have taken a decided risk-off tone today. The spark is the China Evergrande implosion. Fears are rising that Evergrande is turning from a liquidity crisis in which the company doesn't have enough cash to pay its obligations, to a solvency crisis in which the company's assets are less than its liabilities if it...

A correction in time?

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...

Breadth can show the way

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...

A time for caution, or contrarian buy signal?

Recently, a number of major investment banks have published warnings for the US stock market. The strategists at BoA, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley have issued either bearish or cautionary outlooks.  On the other hand, Ryan Detrick at LPL Financial documented the effects of strong price momentum on stock prices. History...