- Is The Sellable Rally Done?
- Some Comments On The Fed Cutting Rates
- Sector & Market Analysis
- 401k Plan Manager
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Is The Sellable Rally Done?
In last weeks missive, I noted the oversold condition of the market and the likelihood of a bounce:
“This week we are going to look at the recent sell-off and the potential for a short-term ‘sellable’ rally to rebalance portfolio risks into.
The markets only need some mildly positive news at this point to spur a ‘short-covering’ rally. I would encourage you to use it to reduce risk, rebalance holdings, and raise cash until the ‘trade war smoke’ clears.”
The market did indeed rally last week. While the initial sell-off in the market was attributed to potential tariffs on Mexico, which were indefinitely suspended on Friday, the real reason was the dismal employment report of just 75,000 jobs.
“The economy added only 75,000 jobs in May, about 100,000 fewer than expected, a sign that the slowing that is showing up in other parts of the economy is now affecting the job market.” – CNBC
A couple of months ago, I warned of the potential for weaker employment as the “household” survey had already dropped sharply. It is likely, that without some major natural disasters which spurred a temporary bump in hiring in 2018, that official employment rates are going to play catchup.
If we just use a simple 12-month moving average of the non-seasonally adjusted data, we get a better picture about what is actually happening in the economy. (NOTE: the official BLS measure consistently OVERSTATES employment during expansions and plays catchup during recessions.)
“So, why are the markets rallying?”
Two words – Rate. Cuts.
“Stocks initially sold off on the report but then moved higher as the market took the news as a sign the Fed would cut interest rates. In the Treasury market, yields, already in steep decline this week, fell further. The 2-year yield closely reflects expectations for Fed policy, and it fell to 1.77% from an intraday high of 1.89%. The 10-year yield, which influences mortgages and other loans, fell to a low of 2.059%.” – CNBC
There is a very important misconception at play here.
What the report implies is that the “economy” is just a reflection of whatever the stock market does. However, that is inaccurate. Given that corporate profits are driven by the products they sell, and the price of stocks is based upon future expectations of the cash flows and earnings, ultimately the price of the market is slave to the direction of the economy.
Interest rates are the best predictor of the economic strength, and the yield curve has been screaming both “deflation” and “economic weakness” for months. (We have repeatedly warned on this issue – see here)
But more importantly, is the inversion of the Fed Funds rate to the 10-year Treasury.
Here is the MOST important point of both charts above. Recessions don’t kick in until these inversions are reversed.
This is why David Rosenberg was absolutely correct last week when he stated:
“You don’t go long the first rate cut, you go long on the last one.”
This is because by the time the Fed quits cutting rates, the recession will be near its trough and the corresponding bear market in equities is almost complete.
As I stated, the rally this past week was expected. In fact, we alerted our RIA PRO subscribers (FREE 30-day trial) to a “trading opportunity” in the market on Monday. To wit:
- SPY has corrected the overbought condition and is testing the 200-dma.
- The “buy” signal in the lower panel was massively extended, as noted several weeks ago, which as we stated, suggested the reversal we have seen was coming.
- The correction last week has set up a tradeable opportunity into June.
- Short-Term Positioning: Bullish
- Add 1/2 position with a target of $290.
- Stop-loss remains at $275
The question to answer this week, is whether there is more left to this rally before the next decline?
More To Go
I think the answer to that question is “yes.”
I recently interviewed Charles Nenner who is a practitioner/forecaster of long-term stock market cycles. As he correctly predicted in our discussion, this current rally would start at the end of May and last into July before the next more serious decline begins. (Forecast begins around 1:30)
His comments align much with ours from last week:
“In the very short-term the markets are oversold on many different measures. This is an ideal setup for a reflexive rally back to overhead resistance.”
Chart updated through Friday’s close:
The markets have only reversed about half of the previously oversold condition which leaves some “fuel in the tank” for a continuation of the rally this coming week.
However, that doesn’t mean the “bull is back” and you should be complacent about your portfolio. The market remains on an important SELL signal as shown below. The last two times the S&P 500 has triggered a similar sell signal, there were sharp, aggressive, rallies which were fully reversed just a few weeks later. The current market action is extremely similar to those previous events.
The difference this time, is that many of the supports which drove the recoveries previously are either a) not present, or b) have already been priced in. As I said, while I think there is more to go in the short-term, it is highly likely the current rally will fail.
- While it’s good that “potential” tariffs on Mexico were delayed, they were only a threat. Tariffs are still in play with China and there has been NO progress on a trade deal.
- Earnings estimates are still far too high going into the end of 2019 and 2020. Read This
- Economic data has turned markedly weaker both globally and domestically.
- Expectations for a positive effect from more QE and rates cuts are likely misplaced. Read This.
- At the end of September, Congress will face a debt ceiling and potential Government shutdown. The subsequent $4 Trillion continuing resolution will likely undermine confidence in economic sustainability as the deficit surges will past $1.5 Trillion.
- There are no current supportive tailwinds (disaster recovery, tax cuts, etc.) to support economic growth.
We remain primarily long-biased in our portfolios, but are also slightly overweight in cash, and portfolio weight in fixed income. We are also carrying some hedge by having overweighted “defensive” stocks a couple of months ago which have continued to provide outperformance.
There is a very good possibility this rally will continue next week as momentum and short-covering levels have been breached. However, if the market fails to set a new high and turns lower, the risk of a downside break will grow as we progress into summer. The weekly chart below, is also suggestive the recent rally is likely unsustainable as with a “sell signal” in place, and our volume signal back at extremely low levels, suggesting a lack of commitment from traders, and volatility still at elevated levels and rising, have marked the last two tops.
Remain cautious for now. The market is still at the same level as it was 18-months ago, and it is quite likely it will be at these levels, or lower, by the end of the summer.
If you need help, or have questions, we are always glad to help. Just email me.
See you next week.
Market & Sector Analysis
Data Analysis Of The Market & Sectors For Traders
S&P 500 Tear Sheet
Performance Analysis
Improving – Financials and Staples
As we have noted over the last couple of weeks, the “defensive” rotation continues for now. We recommended previously to use weakness in the defensive areas to add exposure accordingly. We previously overweighted in staples, heaalthcare, and utilities.
It is too late to add further exposure here as the sectors are back to very overbought. Be patient as wait for a pullback over the next couple of months.
Current Positions: Overweight XLP, Target weight XLF.
Outperforming – Technology, Discretionary, Communications
While these sectors rallied sharply this past week, their outperformance over the market is waning quickly. Over the last several weeks, we have recommended taking profits and rebalancing portfolio risks accordingly. That remains the same recommendation this week given the reflexive rally we discussed last week when we stated:
“This should be done on a counter-trend rally back towards the 2800 level on the S&P index.”
Current Positions: 1/2 weight XLY, Reduced from overweight XLK
Weakening – Real Estate and Industrials
As noted two weeks ago, Real Estate has continued to attract buyers particularly as interest rates have fallen. That performance has improved this past week as yields have collapsed towards 2% on Treasuries. We continue to carry our current weight in Real Estate and are looking for some opportunities to overweight the sector. Industrials bounced this past week, but their relative performance continues to drag. We remain underweight industrials currently.
Current Position: XLRE, 1/2 XLI
Lagging – Healthcare, Staples, Financials, Materials, Energy, and Utilities
While these sectors are currently lagging the performance of the S&P 500, on a short-term basis, longer-term they have been strong winners. Importantly, that performance lag in Staples, Financials, Utilities, and Healthcare, have improved markedly over the last week.
As noted, we have slightly overweighted staples and utilities to go along with our overweight healthcare positioning currently. where relative performance is improving as a “risk off” rotation occurs. While we are maintaining a 1/2 position in XLE, it is not performing well and we may be required to “cut it loose” if performance doesn’t improve soon.
Importantly, let me reiterate our closing statement from last week:
All sectors are VERY OVERSOLD currently. Look for a rally in the next week to begin rebalancing risks and weightings accordingly. This could be your best, last chance, for the rest of the summer.
We may have some follow through rally this week, but use any further rise to take action accordingly.
Current Positions: 1/2 XLB, 1/2 XLE, XLF, Overweight XLV, Overweight XLP, Overweight XLU
Market By Market
The rally this past week was very concentrated and has all the earmarks of a short-term “short-covering” rally.
Current Position: No position
Emerging, International & Total International Markets
As noted two weeks ago:
The re-institution of the “Trade War” kept us from adding weight to international holdings. We are keeping a tight stop on our 1/2 position of emerging markets but “tariffs” are not friendly to the international countries.
Last week, we were stopped out of our emerging market position. We have no long exposure to international markets currently. However, industrialized international is challenging its 50-dma once again. It is too soon to take on exposure as the current trend remains concerning. However, we are watching for an opportunity to add exposure if the technicals warrant the risk.
Current Position: Sold EEM
Dividends, Market, and Equal Weight – These positions are our long-term “core” positions for the portfolio given that over the long-term markets do rise with respect to economic growth and inflation. Currently, the short-term bullish trend is positive and our core positions are providing the “base” around which we overweight/underweight our allocations based on our outlook.
As we stated last week:
“That correction has continued for a second week, and all of our core positions are oversold. We should see a bounce in the markets next week and we will decide how to hedge our core positions.”
Current Position: RSP, VYM, IVV
Gold – With rates dropping sharply and deflationary pressures on the rise, Gold finally got a bid over the last couple of week. Gold is now challenging its highs from February of this year. Gold has provided a good hedge in our portfolios against the recent decline and a breakout above current levels would suggest substantially higher prices.
Current Position: GDX (Gold Miners), IAU (Gold)
Bonds –
As the beginning of May, we said bonds were setting up for a nice entry point to add additional bond exposure. Bonds bounced off the 50-dma holding important support last week. Bonds are now back to overbought, take some profits and rebalance weightings but remain long for now.
Current Positions: DBLTX, SHY, TFLO, GSY
High Yield Bonds, representative of the “risk on” chase for the markets rallied sharply with the market this week as “shorts” were forced out of their holdings. Not surprisingly, the “junk” rally has taken the market from oversold back to fairly overbought. Given the deteriorating economic conditions, this would be a good opportunity to reduce “junk rated” risk and improve credit quality in portfolios.
As we concluded last week:
All equity markets are VERY OVERSOLD currently. Look for a rally in the next week to begin rebalancing risks and weightings accordingly. This could be your best, last chance, for the rest of the summer.
That advice remains this week.
The table below shows thoughts on specific actions related to the current market environment.
(These are not recommendations or solicitations to take any action. This is for informational purposes only related to market extremes and contrarian positioning within portfolios. Use at your own risk and peril.)
Portfolio/Client Update:
From last week:
“We have continued to rebalance our risks and more to a more defensive positioning the short-term and are carrying additional cash in our portfolios.”
As noted three weeks ago, we have shifted our focus from “risk taking” to “risk control.” “Capital preservation strategies” now replace “capital growth strategies,” and “cash” now becomes a favored asset class for managing uncertainty.
There are indeed some short-term risks in the market as we head into summer, so any positions added to portfolios in the near future will carry both tight stop-loss levels and will be trading positions initially until our thesis is proved out.
- New clients: Our onboarding indicators are “risk off” currently, so new accounts will remain in cash for the time being. Positions that were transferred in are on our global review list and will be monitored for an opportunity to liquidate to raise cash to transition into the specific portfolio models.
- Equity Model: After taking profits recently, we are well positioned for the current volatility and rotation into defensive positioning. We are looking at adding selected exposure and are evaluating positions currently.
- ETF Model: We overweighted our exposure to defensive areas by adding Real Estate and overweighting Staples and Utilities. We are evaluating opportunities in some other areas of opportunity but are likely to hold flat into next week.
- In both the Equity and ETF Models: We increased the duration of bond portfolio by adding in 7-10 year duration holdings and hedge our risk with an increased weighting in IAU. Both bonds and gold are very overbought so we are looking for pullbacks to support to increase exposures.
Note for new clients:
It is important to understand that when we add to our equity allocations, ALL purchases are initially “trades” that can, and will, be closed out quickly if they fail to work as anticipated. This is why we “step” into positions initially. Once a “trade” begins to work as anticipated, it is then brought to the appropriate portfolio weight and becomes a long-term investment. We will unwind these actions either by reducing, selling, or hedging, if the market environment changes for the worse.
THE REAL 401k PLAN MANAGER
A Conservative Strategy For Long-Term Investors
There are 4-steps to allocation changes based on 25% reduction increments. As noted in the chart above a 100% allocation level is equal to 60% stocks. I never advocate being 100% out of the market as it is far too difficult to reverse course when the market changes from a negative to a positive trend. Emotions keep us from taking the correct action.
Short-Covering Rally As Expected
As noted last week:
“With the market deeply oversold short-term we are expecting a bounce which we can rebalance into and remain defensive.
I would again encourage you to read the commentary above, the bulls, along with the media, are betting on things which have a very low probability of actually occurring. The increasing ‘trade war’ will only succeed in advancing the next recession.”
As reiterated in the main missive above this week, the “risks” still outweigh the “rewards” as we head deeper into the summer months. Importantly, don’t mistake an oversold, short-covering, rally as a bullish sign. More often than not, it is a trap.
We have remained patient over the last several weeks. Last week we stated:
“Should get a bounce next week. On that bounce look to take the following actions.”
- If you are overweight equities – take some profits and reduce portfolio risk on the equity side of the allocation. Raise some cash and reduce equities to target weights.
- If you are underweight equities or at target – rebalance risks, look to increase cash rather than buying bonds at the moment, and rotate out of small, mid-cap, emerging, international markets.
It is time take some action this coming week.
If you need help after reading the alert; don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank You, 401k Plan Manager Is Almost Ready
Over the last couple of weeks, we have discussed the launch of our “live” 401k plan manager which will soon be available to RIA PRO subscribers. You will be able to compare your portfolio to our live model, see changes live, receive live alerts to model changes, and much more.
We are building models specific to company plans. So, if you would like to see your company plan included specifically, send me the following:
- Name of company
- Plan Sponsor
- A print out of your plan choices. (Fund Symbol and Fund Name)
I have gotten quite a few plans, so keep sending them and I will include as many as we can.
If would like to offer our service to your employees at a deeply discounted corporate rate please contact me.
Current 401-k Allocation Model
The 401k plan allocation plan below follows the K.I.S.S. principle. By keeping the allocation extremely simplified it allows for better control of the allocation and a closer tracking to the benchmark objective over time. (If you want to make it more complicated you can, however, statistics show that simply adding more funds does not increase performance to any great degree.)
Lance Roberts is a Chief Portfolio Strategist/Economist for RIA Advisors. He is also the host of “The Lance Roberts Podcast” and Chief Editor of the “Real Investment Advice” website and author of “Real Investment Daily” blog and “Real Investment Report“. Follow Lance on Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In and YouTube
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