As the market celebrates the 2 year anniversary of the 2009 market bottom, here's what we see.
Quick admnistrative note - I'm back from my Dominican Vacation - so we're back on our regular schedule. So why is this morning's article a little late - I was exploring a new data series, more on that below.
Just a reminder, I post periodic updates to my blog - click this link to visit my financial newsletter blog - I'll be putting up a follow up video later today or tomorrow morning by the latest.
Before I get into my view on the market, let's run through our charts.
On the economic front, here is the week ahead... Inventories just came out.
On to the charts:
Stock Barometer Analysis
The barometer remains in Buy SUPPORT Mode. That occurs when the barometer starts to turn lower, but prices remain above support. This is a potential warning sign - but not a clear signal to sell. I'm still leaning bullish here for a move higher - but we're not out of the woods on this market retesting process that I've been discussing.
The Stock Barometer is my proprietary market timing system. The direction, slope and level of the Stock Barometer determine our outlook. For example, if the barometer line is moving down, we are in Sell Mode. A Buy or Sell Signal is triggered when the indicator clearly changes direction. Trend and support can override the barometer signals.
Money Management & Stops
To trade this system, there are a few things you need to know and address to control your risk:
- This system targets intermediate term moves, of which even in the best years, there are usually only up to 7 profitable intermediate term moves. The rest of the year will be consolidating moves where this system will experience small losses and gains that offset each other.
- This system will usually result in losing trades more than 50% of the time, even in our best years. The key is being positioned properly for longer term moves when they come.
- Therefore it is vitally important that you apply some form of money management to protect your capital.
- Trading a leveraged index fund will result in more risk, since you cannot set stops and you cannot get out intraday.
Accordingly;
- Make sure you set your stops so that you can lose no more than 2% per trade (based on the QQQQ if you're trading leveraged funds and options with our trading service).
Potential Cycle Reversal Dates
2011 Potential Reversal Dates: 1/15, 1/29, 2/16, 3/10, 3/18. We publish dates up to 2 months in advance.
Consolidations like this are always the most difficult to call. However, we have positioned for a move higher into the next one or two key reversal dates. If we do break lows, I don't expect much more downside. The next larger move should be higher.
That being said, one of the most significant human needs is certainty. If uncertainty regarding the situation overseas grows - then the markets will move lower - regardless of what any indicator tells you. I'm still trying to develop an indicator that measures 'certainty'... The market shows uncertainty in the form of price patterns/consolidations.
My Additional timing work is based on numerous cycles and has resulted in the above potential reversal dates. These are not to be confused with the barometer signals or cycle times. However, due to their past accuracy I post the dates here.
2010 Potential Reversal Dates: 1/19, 1/28, 3/2, 3/23, 4/7, 5/30, 6/10, 6/28, 7/10, 8/13, 9/7, 10/2, 10/27, 11/21, 12/19. We publish dates up to 2 months in advance. 2009 Published Reversal Dates: 1/20, 2/11, 3/7, 3/15, 4/8, 4/16, 4/27, 5/7, 6/8, 7/2, 7/17, 9/14, 10/10, 10/24, 11/12, 11/30, 12/9, 12/21, 12/29. 2008 Potential Reversal Dates: 12/31, 1/11, 2/1, 2/13, 3/6, 4/5, 4/22, 5/23, 6/6, 6/27, 7/13, 9/2, 10/3, 10/22, 11/10, 12/11. 2007 Potential Reversal Dates: 1/10, 1/14, 1/27, 1/31, 2/3, 2/17, 3/10, 3/24, 4/21, 5/6, 6/15, 8/29, 10/19, 11/29, 12/13, 12/23, 12/31, 1/11/08. 2006 potential reversal dates: 1/16, 1/30, 2/25, 3/19, 4/8, 5/8, 5/19, 6/6(20), 7/24, 8/20, 8/29, 9/15, 10/11, 11/28. 2005 Potential reversal dates: 12/27, 1/25, 2/16, 3/4, 3/14, 3/29, 4/5, 4/19, 5/2, 6/3, 6/10, 7/13, 7/28, 8/12, 8/30-31, 9/22, 10/4, 11/15, 11/20, 12/16.
Timing Indicators
Use the following Timing/momentum indicators to assist in your trading of the QQQQ, GLD, USD, USO and TLT. They are tuned to deliver signals in line with the Stock Barometer and we use them only in determining our overall outlook for the market and for pinpointing market reversals. The level, direction, and position to the zero line are keys in these indicators. For example, direction determines mode and a buy signal 'above zero' is more bullish than a buy signal 'below zero'.
QQQQ Timing Indicator (NASDAQ:QQQQ)
The QQQQ Spread Indicator will yield its own buy and sell signals that may be different from the Stock Barometer. It's meant to give us an idea of the next turn in the market.
Gold Timing Indicator (AMEX:GLD)
Want to trade Gold? Use our signals with the Gold ETF AMEX:GLD. Gold gives us a general gage to the overall health of the US Economy and the markets.
US Dollar Index Timing Indicator (INDEX:DXY)
Want to trade the US Dollar? Use our signals with the Power Shares AMEX:UUP: US Dollar Index Bullish Fund and AMEX:UDN: US Dollar Index Bearish Fund.
Bonds Timing Indicator (AMEX:TLT)
Want to trade Bonds? Use our signals with Lehman?s 20 year ETF AMEX:TLT. The direction of bonds has an impact on the stock market. Normally, as bonds go down, stocks will go up and as bonds go up, stocks will go down.
OIL Timing Indicator (AMEX:USO)
Want to trade OIL? Use our signals with AMEX:USO, the OIL ETF. We look at the price of oil as its level and direction has an impact on the stock market.
Secondary Stock Market Timing Indicator
We daily monitor hundreds of popular and proprietary technical indicators that break down market internals, sentiment and money flow to give us unique insight into the market. We feature at least one here each day in support of our current outlook. As an annual subscriber to any of our services, you will get access to all our charts and research.
Daily Stock Market Outlook
We are in Buy Mode. The markets are in a consolidation pattern trying to put in a bottom. We still project a push higher into 3/18. If we get that, this may be a terminal move - i.e. then I would expect the 'big one' lower into May.
Yesterday we focused on oil volatility. This morning I put some gold volatility data into my data base. Here's where it is:
It will still take some time to analyze this data, which is relatively new (started in 2008). What we look for is how price action moves at extremes. Some vehicles are used as a hedge, which can give you inverted signals. It'll take some time to figure this one out. But the key here is that oil volatility is spiking - and gold volatility is at lows. So I'm not that bullish on gold, not as much as everyone else is.
If you missed my last video, you can see the stock market indicator update video here. I'll have another one posted later today or by tomorrow at the latest.
It's good to be back home...