August 3, 2018
By Steve Blumenthal
“I don’t want to scare the public, but we’ve never had QE.
We’ve never had the reversal. Regulations are different.
Monetary transmission is different.
Governments have borrowed too much debt, and people can panic when things change.”
– Jamie Dimon, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
It’s early Friday morning and the fishing is soon to begin. I’m sitting at the foot of a spectacular lake in Grand Lake Stream, Maine. Fifty-two new and old friends are here to share research, opinions and debate (passionately – it gets heated at times) the Fed the economy, and the markets. I’m attending the 2018 Camp Kotok a.k.a. “shadow Fed” fishing event.
Imagine downtime with some of the brightest and well-known economists, industry analysts, former Fed officials and asset managers in the world. “Monetary transmission is different… Governments have borrowed too much… people can panic….” Jamie Dimon said. Right on point and I can tell you from the discussions so far here in Maine, we all are really trying to figure this out. I’ll share with you what I learn over the next few weeks.
At the beginning of each month, I like to look at valuations. They remain high by most every measure (Chart 1 below), yet that doesn’t mean stocks don’t move higher. As one of the attendees argued yesterday, Quantitative Easing (QE) should be looked at in aggregate across all central banks and that the collective liquidity pot remains accommodative despite the Fed’s ongoing rate hikes and reductions in its balance sheet. The ECB and China (recently) continuing to provide liquidity. Until the ECB switches gears, my friend argued, we will likely see continued low volatility and support for risk assets. He may be right.
Chart 1 – High Valuations by Most Every Measure
Source: Ned Davis Research
The next chart is hard for me to ignore. It looks at the percentage U.S. Households have allocated to Stocks (including Mutual Funds and Pension Funds). Here is how you read the chart (I know it looks busy, hang with me):
- Currently households have 55.2% of their money allocated to stocks (“Highest Allocation to Stocks” – red arrow below)
- The subsequent 10-year annualized returns (nominal) when households had high allocations to stocks or largely fully invested were the lowest returns (red highlight below) = 3.90% annualized on average (see “We Are Here” annotation)
- The reverse is true when households are under-invested in stocks. Think in terms of buying power. (Green highlights below).
Chart 2 — Rolling 10-Year S&P 500 Total Returns and U.S. Household Stock Allocation
Source: Ned Davis Research
OK, no real changes in the story line. You’ll see in the Trade Signals post below that the trend remains modestly bullish. Interest rates are moving higher, which is not good news for high-quality bond investors. You’ll also find updated “Line in the Sand” 10-year and 30-year Treasury charts. Gone fishing – it’s time to find my fishing guide and jump in the boat. Fingers are crossed else lunch will be lean. Read on and have a great weekend!
♦ If you are not signed up to receive my weekly On My Radar e-newsletter, you can subscribe here. ♦
Included in this week’s On My Radar:
- Trade Signals — What I’m Seeing Today
- Personal Note — Camp Kotok Maine Fishing Trip
Trade Signals — What I’m Seeing Today
S&P 500 Index — 2,809 (08-01-2018)
While the cyclical bull market remains aged and expensive, the weight of trend evidence continues to lean bullish. My favorite risk-on/risk-off indicator, the Ned Davis Research (NDR) CMG Large Cap Long/Flat Index, continues to signal 80% exposure to large-cap stocks. Aggressive signals call for 100% exposure, moderate exposure 80%, conservative exposure 40% and under when the trend is model reading is extremely bearish 0% exposure to large-cap equities is signaled. (Explained below.)
Also signaling risk-on is the 13-week shorter-term moving average trend line remains above the longer-term 34-week MA line and volume demand continues to be stronger than volume supply. More buyers than sellers, as they say. Though I do see some areas of concern. First, just a handful of stocks are driving the S&P 500 large-cap index higher. I tweeted the following chart from Goldman Sachs mid-week. It shows that the top 5 best performing stocks YTD through June 28 have contributed 92% of the markets gain and the top 10 stocks have contributed 122% of the return YTD. It’s concerning when just a few workers are doing the bulk of the lifting. Strong healthy markets are more broad based. Reminds me of the late innings back in 1999:
Another chart that caught my eye this week is the trend in investor margin debt. When margin debt is high (as it is today) and it begins to reverse, it’s a sign of selling pressure and as more selling occurs the risk of forced selling (margin calls) picks up. I see this as an early cautionary signal. Note in this next chart the return per annum when the current level of margin debt is above and below it’s trend line (shaded grey shows the current state). Also note the unwinds in 2000/02 and 2008/09:
Several weeks ago, I posted a Dow Theory chart. When both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Dow Jones Transportation Average current prices are above their respective 200-day MA lines, a Dow Theory buy signal is generated. That’s the case today.
Lastly, as it relates to the equity market, Don’t Fight the Tape or the Fed is reading 0. Call it a neutral reading. You’ll find that chart as well below.
As for the bond markets, the Zweig Bond Model remains in a sell, suggesting risk of higher interest rates. It has been a good indicator for me over the years and has done a good job YTD. Several months ago I suggested the line in the sand for interest rates is 3.07%. As you can see in the next chart, the 10-year treasury note is again at 3%. Let’s watch to see if the next push is above 3.07%.
While we are at it, here is a look at the 30-year Treasury Bond “Line in the Sand.” Note the break above the blue trend line; however, the current yield remains below the 3.22% threshold (red horizontal line).
It’s worth noting that the HY market had a nice move higher in July. Investors chasing into higher risk assets — seeking yield. While concerning, the trend in the HY bond market is bullish — the CMG Managed High Yield signal remains in a buy signal. Also, gold remains in a confirmed down trend — sell signal.
On the economic front, the economy is strong, inflationary pressures are high and our indicators see little sign of recession in the next 6-9 months.
I expect the next several months to be challenging. Stay alert and risk minded. Participate and protect… seeking growth opportunities while maintaining a level of protection in down markets. That’s where I believe trend-following strategies help.
Click HERE for the latest Trade Signals.
Important note: Not a recommendation for you to buy or sell any security. For information purposes only. Please talk with your advisor about needs, goals, time horizon and risk tolerances.
Long-time readers know that I am a big fan of Ned Davis Research. I’ve been a client for years and value their service. If you’re interested in learning more about NDR, please call John P. Kornack Jr., Institutional Sales Manager, at 617-279-4876. John’s email address is jkornack@ndr.com. I am not compensated in any way by NDR. I’m just a fan of their work.
Personal Note — Camp Kotok Maine Fishing Trip
View of West Grand Lake this morning.
Have a wonderful weekend!
♦ If you are not signed up to receive my weekly On My Radar e-newsletter, you can subscribe here. ♦
With kind regards,
Steve
Stephen B. Blumenthal
Executive Chairman & CIO
CMG Capital Management Group, Inc.
If you find the On My Radar weekly research letter helpful, please tell a friend … also note the social media links below. I often share articles and charts during the week via Twitter and LinkedIn that I feel may be worth your time. You can follow me on Twitter @SBlumenthalCMG and on LinkedIn.
I hope you find On My Radar helpful for you and your work with your clients. And please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Stephen Blumenthal founded CMG Capital Management Group in 1992 and serves today as its Executive Chairman and CIO. Steve authors a free weekly e-letter entitled, “On My Radar.” Steve shares his views on macroeconomic research, valuations, portfolio construction, asset allocation and risk management.
The objective of the letter is to provide our investment advisors clients and professional investment managers with unique and relevant information that can be incorporated into their investment process to enhance performance and client communication.
Click here to receive his free weekly e-letter.
Social Media Links:
CMG is committed to setting a high standard for ETF strategists. And we’re passionate about educating advisors and investors about tactical investing. We launched CMG AdvisorCentral a year ago to share our knowledge of tactical investing and managing a successful advisory practice.
You can sign up for weekly updates to AdvisorCentral here. If you’re looking for the CMG white paper, “Understanding Tactical Investment Strategies,” you can find that here.
AdvisorCentral is being updated with new educational resources we look forward to sharing with you. You can always connect with CMG on Twitter at @askcmg and follow our LinkedIn Showcase page devoted to tactical investing.
A Note on Investment Process:
From an investment management perspective, I’ve followed, managed and written about trend following and investor sentiment for many years. I find that reviewing various sentiment, trend and other historically valuable rules-based indicators each week helps me to stay balanced and disciplined in allocating to the various risk sets that are included within a broadly diversified total portfolio solution.
My objective is to position in line with the equity and fixed income market’s primary trends. I believe risk management is paramount in a long-term investment process. When to hedge, when to become more aggressive, etc.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
Investing involves risk. Past performance does not guarantee or indicate future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended and/or undertaken by CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. or any of its related entities (collectively “CMG”) will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. No portion of the content should be construed as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. References to specific securities, investment programs or funds are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as recommendations to purchase or sell such securities.
Certain portions of the content may contain a discussion of, and/or provide access to, opinions and/or recommendations of CMG (and those of other investment and non-investment professionals) as of a specific prior date. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions, such discussion may no longer be reflective of current recommendations or opinions. Derivatives and options strategies are not suitable for every investor, may involve a high degree of risk, and may be appropriate investments only for sophisticated investors who are capable of understanding and assuming the risks involved. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained herein serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from CMG or the professional advisors of your choosing. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisors of his/her choosing. CMG is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the newsletter content should be construed as legal or accounting advice.
This presentation does not discuss, directly or indirectly, the amount of the profits or losses, realized or unrealized, by any CMG client from any specific funds or securities. Please note: In the event that CMG references performance results for an actual CMG portfolio, the results are reported net of advisory fees and inclusive of dividends. The performance referenced is that as determined and/or provided directly by the referenced funds and/or publishers, have not been independently verified, and do not reflect the performance of any specific CMG client. CMG clients may have experienced materially different performance based upon various factors during the corresponding time periods.
In a rising interest rate environment, the value of fixed income securities generally declines and conversely, in a falling interest rate environment, the value of fixed income securities generally increases. High-yield securities may be subject to heightened market, interest rate or credit risk and should not be purchased solely because of the stated yield. Ratings are measured on a scale that ranges from AAA or Aaa (highest) to D or C (lowest). Investment-grade investments are those rated from highest down to BBB- or Baa3.
NOT FDIC INSURED. MAY LOSE VALUE. NO BANK GUARANTEE.
Certain information contained herein has been obtained from third-party sources believed to be reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
In the event that there has been a change in an individual’s investment objective or financial situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with his/her investment professional.
Written Disclosure Statement. CMG is an SEC-registered investment adviser located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Stephen B. Blumenthal is CMG’s founder and CEO. Please note: The above views are those of CMG and its CEO, Stephen Blumenthal, and do not reflect those of any sub-advisor that CMG may engage to manage any CMG strategy. A copy of CMG’s current written disclosure statement discussing advisory services and fees is available upon request or via CMG’s internet web site at www.cmgwealth.com/disclosures.