RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

By Lance Roberts | September 7, 2019

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe


  • Market Review & Update
  • The Last Hoorah?
  • They Want To Believe
  • Sector & Market Analysis
  • 401k Plan Manager

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, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe


Market Review & Update

Last week, we laid out 6-points about the market as the risk to the downside outweighed the potential reward. 

  1. Historically, September is one of the weakest months of the year, particularly when it follows a weak August.
  2. The market remains range bound and failed at both the 50-dma and downtrend line on Friday
  3. The oversold condition has now reversed. (Top panel)
  4. Volatility is continuing to remain elevated.
  5. Important downside support moves up to 2875
  6. The bulls regain control of the narrative on a breakout above 2945. 

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

The chart above is updated through Friday’s close. As noted, the bulls did regain control of the narrative for now as the breakout above consolidation sets the market up to rally towards 3000 and the July highs. However, with the markets already pushing back into overbought conditions, in conjunction with an extended buy signal, there is not a lot of “upside” in the markets currently. 

As we have reiterated over the last several weeks, this continues to be an opportunity to reduce portfolio risk and raise cash levels.

I say this because it took a bevy of positive overtones to reverse the selloff early in the week. After a sloppy Monday and Tuesday, the rally started on Wednesday with numerous Fed speakers all suggesting the Fed was likely to move forward with cutting rates and increasing monetary accommodation. (H/T Zerohedge)

Williams (Dovish): “Ready to act as appropriate”, July cut was right move, economy mixed (admitted consumer spending not a leading indicator), international news matters, low inflation biggest problem.

Kaplan (Dovish): “Monetary policy a potent force”, worried about yield curve inversion, economy mixed (factories weak due to trade, consumer strong), watching for “psychological effects” on consumers, “if you wait for consumer weakness, it might be too late.”

Kashkari (Dovish): Tariffs, “trade war are really concerning business”, job market not overheating, slower global growth will impact US, most concerned about inverted yield curve. Fed’s policy is “moderately contractionary.”

Bullard/Bowman (Looked Dovish): Took part in “Fed Listens” conference but made no comment on policy but then again when has Jim Bullard ever not been dovish.

Beige Book (Mixed): Moderate expansion but trade fears are mounting, but optimism remains, despite what Kashkari says: “although concerns regarding tariffs and trade policy uncertainty continued, the majority of businesses remained optimistic about the near-term outlook”

Evans (Dovish): Trade policy increases uncertainty and immigration restrictions lower trend growth to 1.5%, Auto industry especially challenged

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

Furthermore, on Tuesday, we suggested it wouldn’t be long before the Trump Administration dropped an announcement for “trade deal negotiation.” 

Of course, on Thursday, our wish was granted as the Administration announced that “trade talks” were back on for October. 

“China’s Ministry of Commerce said Thursday that the leaders of the U.S. and Chinese trade talks held a phone call in the morning and agreed to meet in early October for another round of negotiations. 

In a statement to CNBC, a U.S. Trade Representative spokesperson confirmed the phone call, but not the October meeting.

Beijing said the two sides agreed to hold another round of trade negotiations in Washington, D.C. — at the beginning of next month, and consultations will be made in mid-September in preparation for the meeting.”

While the markets once again rallied on the news, this is the same news we have repeatedly seen for the last 18-months. As @stockcats aptly noted:

The last few months has been this gyration of exuberance and disappointment as the market has lived from one “trade headline” to the next.

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

Then, of course, on Friday, Jerome Powell spoke suggesting there was “no recession” in sight but gave confidence to the markets the Fed would cut rates at the next meeting. To wit:

“As we move forward, we’re going to continue to watch all of these factors, and all the geopolitical things that are happening, and we’re going to continue to act as appropriate to sustain this expansion.”

This was all enough to spark investor’s “animal spirits” and force a rotation from “defense” back to “offense.” This is an outcome we discussed with our RIAPRO subscribers last week specifically as it related to adding to our Gold positions. To wit: (Chart updated through Friday)

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

  • Both GDX and IAU look identical.
  • A near-vertical spike has taken these holdings to extreme overbought and extended conditions.
  • We need a decent pullback, or consolidation, to add to holdings at this juncture. A rally in the market should give us that opportunity as it will pull Gold and Rates back to support.
  • Looking for an entry point between $14-14.25 to add to holdings.

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

On Thursday, rates and gold both pulled back as the equity rally accelerated above the breakout level. This pulled the algo’s out of defensive holdings and back into equities confirming the breakout short-term. 

The next major hurdle is going to be the 3000-level initially, but our bullish target for 2019 could be challenged which resides at the top of the trend channel.

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

That is assuming that nothing disrupts the current bullish narrative. 

But, there are many issues from failed trade talks, to earnings, to economic disappointment which could do just that. 

This is why, despite the bullish overtone, we continue to hold an overweight position in cash (see 8-Reasons), have taken steps to improve the credit-quality in our bond portfolios, and shifted our equity portfolios to more defensive positioning. 

We did modestly add to our equity holdings with the breakout on Thursday from a trading perspective. However, we still maintain an overall defensive bias which continues to allow us to navigate market uncertainty until a better risk/reward opportunity presents itself. 


, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe


The Last Hoorah?

September 11, 2018, I wrote “3000 or Bust” and almost precisely one-year later we are finally, for the second time, approaching that level. 

Here is the problem.

The rally has been driven almost entirely by multiple expansion rather than improving fundamentals. This was a point made in last Tuesday’s missive:

“Investing is ultimately about buying assets at a discounted price and selling them for a premium. However, so far in 2019, while asset prices have soared higher on ‘optimism,’ earnings and profits have deteriorated markedly. This is shown in the attribution chart below for the S&P 500.

In 2019, the bulk of the increase in asset prices is directly attributable to investors ‘paying more’ for earnings, even though they are ‘getting less’ in return.”

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

The discrepancy is even larger in small-capitalization stocks which don’t benefit from things like “share repurchases” and “repatriation.” 

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

Just remember, at the end of the day, valuations do matter. 

Here is another way to look at the data. Since the beginning of 2018, to support the bullish meme that companies are “beating expectations,” those expectations have been, and continue to be, dramatically lowered. 

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

This is particularly important given that “operating earnings” (which are fantasy earnings before any of the “bad sh**,”) are extremely elevated above reported profits. 

Of course, this all shows up in how much investors are currently “over-paying” for equity ownership.

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

As is always the case, investors forget during their momentary bout of exuberance, that valuations are all that matter over the long-term. The greater that over-valuation, the great the reversion to mean will ultimately be. 

But Lance, the markets just keep going up because Central Banks have it all under control.” 

I know it certainly seems that way currently. However, this is a market driven by “financial engineering” rather than fundamental measures. As noted previously, stock buybacks have continued to be a major support for asset prices since the financial crisis accounting for the bulk of the advance in the S&P 500. 

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

Not surprisingly, as rates of buybacks have slowed, so has the advance of the market. However, they have remained strong enough to offset the effects of negative economic news and trade wars. 

At least, so far. 

Importantly, as the benefit of “repatriation” from the tax reform legislation fades, it has been the rush to the corporate debt market to leverage up balance sheets to facilitate those repurchases. 

“On Wednesday new investment-grade issuance accelerated even more, rising to $28.8bn across 15 deals today, bringing the total for the two days of the week to a whopping $54.3 billion, as refinancing trades continued to dominate with $21.1bn of today’s issuance partially towards commercial paper, credit revolver, term loan, short and long-term debt repayments, according to BofA’s Hans Mikkelsen.” – Via Zerohedge

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

So, what was the reason for the rush to gobble up more debt at lower costs?

To refinance existing debt at lower rates for longer maturities, and, as Apple noted with their $5 Billion offering, to repurchase shares and issue dividends. 

At the same time, due to excessive confidence and complacency in the financial markets, investors are willing to take substantial credit risk without getting paid for it. Such previous periods of exuberance have also always ended badly.

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

With corporate debt to GDP levels now at record levels, it is only a function of time until something breaks.

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

All this brings to mind a note from my friend Doug Kass this past week that summed up well what investors are currently doing.

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

They Want To Believe

“Price has a way of changing sentiment.” – The Divine Ms M

“It is remarkable to me that the many that hated stocks a large percentage ago (when some of us were buying in the face of a more favorable reward vs. risk) are now bullish and buying.

Investors and traders seem to want to believe.

  • They want to believe that the trade talks between the U.S. and China will be real this time.
  • They want to believe that there is no “earnings recession” even though S&P profits through the first half of 2019 are slightly negative (year over year) and that S&P EPS estimates have been regularly reduced as the year has progressed. (see above)
  • They want to believe that stocks are cheap relative to bonds even though there is little natural price discovery as central banks are artificially impacting global credit markets and passive investing is artificially buoying equities.
  • They want to believe that technicals and price are truth – even though the markets materially influenced by risk parity and other products and strategies that exaggerates daily and weekly price moves.
  • They want to believe that today’s economic data is an “all clear” – forgetting the weak ISM of a few days ago, the lackluster auto and housing markets, the U.S. manufacturing recession and the continued overseas economic weakness.
  • They want to believe that, given no U.S. corporate profit growth, that valuations can continue to expand (after rising by more than three PEs year to date).
  • They want to believe though that the EU broadly has negative interest rates and Germany is approaching recession (while the peripheral countries are in recession) – that the Fed will be able to catalyze domestic economic growth through more rate cuts.
  • They want to believe that the U.S. can be an oasis of growth even though the economic world is increasingly flat and interconnected and the S&P is nearly 50% dependent on non U.S. economies.

I don’t know with certainty where the markets will be three or six months from today.

But I do know that, given the recent rise in the stock market, the reward vs. risk is vastly diminished and less favorable compared to other opportunities that existed since December, 2018.”

When it comes to investing, believing in “fairy tales” and “We Work” uhm, I mean, “unicorns” has repeatedly led to terrible outcomes. 

The data continues to deteriorate as the late-stage economic cycle advances.

This is as it should be as we move into a late-stage economy.

It is not a bad thing; it is just part of a healthy cycle. It is when entities take action to “extend” the cycle beyond norms, and into extremes, which leads to extremely poor outcomes. 

While none of this means the markets will crash tomorrow, next month, or even next year, it also doesn’t mean that it can’t, or won’t. 

Complacency is an investor’s worst enemy.

If you need help or have questions, we are always glad to help. Just email me.

See you next week, and have a great Labor Day.


Market & Sector Analysis

Data Analysis Of The Market & Sectors For Traders


S&P 500 Tear Sheet  

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe


Performance Analysis

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe


Technical Composite

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe


ETF Model Relative Performance Analysis

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe


Sector & Market Analysis:

Be sure and catch our updates on Major Markets (Monday) and Major Sectors (Tuesday) with updated buy/stop/sell levels

Sector-by-Sector

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

Improving – Healthcare (XLV)

The relative performance improvement of HealthCare relative to the S&P 500 continued to fade and is close to turning negative. However, the sector is holding support and remaining above stop-loss levels. The pickup in volatility in the market has hit all sectors, so after taking profits in the sector previously we will continue to hold our current positioning for now.

Current Positions: Target weight XLV

Outperforming – Staples (XLP), Utilities (XLU), Real Estate (XLRE), Communications (XLC)

Our more defensive positioning continues to outperform relative to the broader market. Volatility has risen markedly, which makes markets tough to navigate for now. However, after taking some profits and re-positioning the portfolio we will remain patient and wait for the market to tell us what it wants to do next. Real Estate, Staples and Utilities all continue to make new highs but are GROSSLY extended. We added to our position in XLC bringing it up to full weight.

Current Positions: Target weight XLP, XLU, XLRE, and XLC

Weakening – Technology (XLK), Discretionary (XLY), Materials (XLB)

While Technology, and Discretionary did turn higher, the performance is dragging slightly on a relative basis. However, the sectors are very close to beginning to outperform once again, so we added to our position in Discretionary and continue to hold Technology. We remain underweight Materials as the “trade war” rages on. 

Current Position: Target weight XLY, XLK, 1/2 weight XLB

Lagging – Energy (XLE), Industrials (XLI), Financials (XLF)

We were stopped out of XLE previously, but are maintaining our “underweight” holdings in XLI for now. We were close to getting stopped out on that position as well but it rallied nicely this past week on hopes of a trade resolution. There is tremendous overhead resistance for the sector so we will remain patient for now.  

Current Position: 1/2 weight XLI

Market By Market

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

Small-Cap and Mid Cap – Small- and Mid-caps continue to struggle and are grossly under-performing relative to large capitalization stocks. While both markets did rally this past week, the performance remains underwhelming for now relative to large caps. We are watching the sector for a buy signal and will evaluate accordingly if we see an opportunity occur. For now, this continues to be an opportunity to reduce holdings in these markets.

Current Position: No position

Emerging, International & Total International Markets

We have been out of Emerging and International Markets for several weeks due to lack of performance. However, the addition of tariffs are not good for these markets. While these markets rallied this past week on hopes of a “trade resolution,” one is not coming any time soon. This is likely another good opportunity to reduce exposure to these markets. 

Current Position: No Position

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 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.

Current Position: RSP, VYM, IVV

Gold – Gold begin to correct a little this past week which may give us an opportunity soon to add to our current holdings. We are holding out positions for now, and getting a decent entry point is requiring a lot of patience. 

Current Position: GDX (Gold Miners), IAU (Gold)

Bonds 

Like Gold, bonds continued to attract money flows as investors search for “safety.” There has also been a massive short-covering rally with all those “bond bears” being forced to cover. However, as noted previously, bonds are EXTREMELY overbought. Yields did pull back slightly this week, so we may get an opportunity to add to our duration and credit quality here soon. We aren’t expecting much of a correction, so we will likely scale into additional holdings during a correction process. 

Stay long current positions for now, and look for an opportunity to add to holdings.

Current Positions: DBLTX, SHY, TFLO, GSY, IEF

Sector / Market Recommendations

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.)

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

Portfolio/Client Update:

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been repeating that we were stuck in a trading range to which we needed some resolution. Last week, as noted above, we got that resolution with the market breaking out of that consolidation to the upside. 

After taking some action previously to reduce financial exposure, we needed to add to positions which may be somewhat sheltered from tariffs to a degree. From that standpoint, since we are fully weighted in Technology, we added 1/2 position of communication and discretionary each. This brought those positions up to full portfolio weights for now.

For now, the markets are rallying on hopes of a “trade deal” and the Fed cutting rates later this month.

While the Fed will very likely cut rates by .25% at the next meeting, the risk is a disappointment with any indication it is the last cut for a while. 

The other disappointment is coming from the White House as there will be NO trade resolution in October, or any other month for that matter, and tariffs will be increased further in December. 

In other words, we are renting this rally and will take profits when markets reach overbought and extended levels once again. 

For newer clients, we are keeping accounts primarily in cash as our onboarding model is currently on a “sell signal” suggesting that risk outweighs reward currently. 

We continue to carry tight stop-loss levels, and any new positions will be “trading positions” initially until our thesis is proved out.

  • New clients: We added XLC, XLY and IAU to portfolios. We continue to onboard fixed income accordingly and sell out of position holdings. 
  • Equity Model: No change this week.
  • ETF Model:  Added 1/2 position in XLY and XLC.

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


, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

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.

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

Here We Go Again

More rhetoric on the “trade front” sent stocks running last week on hopes a trade deal is just a couple of weeks away. At the same time, the Fed took extra steps to assure a “rate cut” is set for the September meeting. 

This set the markets up to break above resistance which we noted last week:

A break above that resistance will allow for a push back to all-time highs.”

However, the employment report on Friday continues to show the economy is slowing down, and the underlying data suggests it is much weaker than headlines state. Corporate profits are also weakening, and there is a rising possibility that investors could begin to reprice valuations, particularly following the Fed meeting. 

Furthermore, just understand there will be NO trade deal which means very soon the markets are going to be disappointed again. So, look for more volatility this month. 

We continue to remain underweight equities for now because the markets remain trapped within a fairly broad range and continues to vacillate in fairly wide swings. This makes it difficult to do anything other than just wait things out.

Despite the rally this week, the downside risk is elevated, so we are maintaining underweight holdings for now. If you haven’t taken any actions as of late, it is not a bad time to do so. 

  • If you are overweight equities – Hold current positions but remain aware of the risk. Take some profits, and rebalance risk to some degree if you have not done so already. 
  • If you are underweight equities or at target – rebalance risks and hold positioning for now.

If you need help after reading the alert; do not hesitate to contact me.

401k Plan Manager Beta Is Live

We have rolled out a very early beta launch to our RIA PRO subscribers

Be part of our Break It Early Testing Associate” group by using CODE: 401

The code will give you access to the entire site during the BETA testing process, so not only will you get to help us work out the bugs on the 401k plan manager, you can submit your comments about the rest of the site as well.

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 the 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 you 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.)

, RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe


Model performance is based on a two-asset model of stocks and bonds relative to the weighting changes made each week in the newsletter. This is strictly for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for any reason. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Use at your own risk and peril.  , RIA PRO: Bulls Regain The Narrative As They Want To Believe

 


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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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