Black Fridays, black Wednesdays, black everyday... black markets!
The great thing is to last and get your work done and see and hear and learn and understand; and write when there is something that you know; and not before; and not too damned much after.
-- Ernest Hemingway
The market's health the past 8 months reminds me that I should reiterate my investing methodology. First, though, a review of the markets...
Based on closing prices for Monday, 30 June, the S&P 500/SPX posted its worst first six month return since 2002, and its third worst first six-months (negative) rate of return since 1965, down 12.83%. Okay, the numbers reflect what has occurred, but how about going forward...? Market history shows that "... 5 of the 10 worst first-half returns were followed by 2nd half performances that landed them on the list of the 10 worst performers as well. When the S&P 500 was on the worst 1st half and worst 2nd half performance lists, the average performance in the 2nd half of the year was another 9.9% loss. Years of positive performance do exist; most notably during 1970 and 1982. (When the S&P posted gains of more than 25% during the 2nd half of the year to finish the year in positive territory.)" (© Dorsey Wright Analytics)
Compare and contrast the interpretation above with this notional sub-set, "In the second halves of all presidential election years over the past 110 years, the Dow has gained an average of 9.7%. In the second halves of all other years, in contrast, the Dow's second-half gain has been 2.7%, or barely more than a quarter as much." (© Mark Hulbert)
Throughout stock market history, there always have been prevailing concerns that worry most investors; concerns that, in turn, cause a massive shift to one or the other side of the ledger. While the then-prevalent concerns exacerbate a trend, they rarely cause a trend to occur -- unless the collective action by the preponderance of investors betrays an element of real, or perceived, exogenous risk. (Risk due to factors outside market dynamics.)
Whether investors buy or sell, they discount the future (albeit the consensual perception of that presumed future, which is why the market is so often wrong), so this moment, every moment -- right here, right now -- is the where and when and what and how that separates the true long term investor from the poseur. A concentration of focus on a diminishing spot (the asymptote I mentioned in a previous post) helps to end the extant trend sooner rather than later. Of course, a quicker ending worsens the ferocity of the trend; a melt-up or melt-down. Which is where the market finds itself today; no question the current market environment is ugly, likely to worsen before it improves.
A reader writes,
"The issue seems to be uncertainty (fear) and how you deal with it in the context of the 'market'..."
During the periodic bouts of weakness in the general markets, I seek the markets' leaders -- which I do in all market environments. A leader is a company whose product or service is a leader in its industry, and whose stock is a leader in the market. Of course, even the leaders will be thrashed about but rarely trashed, and, as a class, they always will come out from hiding before the markets' sun shines again.
I consult market action, and, during periods of market weakness, seek positive divergences. And vice-versa: negative divergences during periods of market strength. My indicators help to guide my portfolios to the inherent opportunities within the market's stronger-acting groups and sectors. Right now, for example (and obviously), the financials sector of the S&P 500/SPX continues to weigh heavily on the overall index, which reality could change at any moment, so I monitor closely for portents of bullish change.
Speaking of positive divergences, a NB: Whereas the DOW Industrials, S&P 500, and NASDAQ Composite (almost) sell today at a lower low than their March 2008 low, Apple/AAPL sells at a price substantially higher than its March 2008 low. Things (always) change, but this positive divergence showcases Apple/AAPL's relative strength and status as a market leader. The ability to perceive long term investments is far easier than long term investing, for obvious reasons, but one is the doubt, uncertainty, and fear that preys on investors' long term intentions and certitude.
Remember the core objective: building wealth, not trading willy-nilly. You and I seek the best of the best of all available investment opportunities, the creme de la creme, and then (strive to) hold on. Sometimes errors occur, whether by analysis or application (even by me), but those positions are sold, and the cash becomes available for the presumptive new winner.
The markets close (3 hours) early today (Thusday), remain shuttered tomorrow (Friday) for the holiday, and do not re-open until Monday. Thank goodness for small favors! Use the holiday weekend to regain your sense of proportion, catch your breath, and, oh yeah, have fun.
This post will continue with Part 2.
Full Disclosure: Long Apple/AAPL.
-- David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist
-- Ernest Hemingway
The market's health the past 8 months reminds me that I should reiterate my investing methodology. First, though, a review of the markets...
Based on closing prices for Monday, 30 June, the S&P 500/SPX posted its worst first six month return since 2002, and its third worst first six-months (negative) rate of return since 1965, down 12.83%. Okay, the numbers reflect what has occurred, but how about going forward...? Market history shows that "... 5 of the 10 worst first-half returns were followed by 2nd half performances that landed them on the list of the 10 worst performers as well. When the S&P 500 was on the worst 1st half and worst 2nd half performance lists, the average performance in the 2nd half of the year was another 9.9% loss. Years of positive performance do exist; most notably during 1970 and 1982. (When the S&P posted gains of more than 25% during the 2nd half of the year to finish the year in positive territory.)" (© Dorsey Wright Analytics)
Compare and contrast the interpretation above with this notional sub-set, "In the second halves of all presidential election years over the past 110 years, the Dow has gained an average of 9.7%. In the second halves of all other years, in contrast, the Dow's second-half gain has been 2.7%, or barely more than a quarter as much." (© Mark Hulbert)
Throughout stock market history, there always have been prevailing concerns that worry most investors; concerns that, in turn, cause a massive shift to one or the other side of the ledger. While the then-prevalent concerns exacerbate a trend, they rarely cause a trend to occur -- unless the collective action by the preponderance of investors betrays an element of real, or perceived, exogenous risk. (Risk due to factors outside market dynamics.)
Whether investors buy or sell, they discount the future (albeit the consensual perception of that presumed future, which is why the market is so often wrong), so this moment, every moment -- right here, right now -- is the where and when and what and how that separates the true long term investor from the poseur. A concentration of focus on a diminishing spot (the asymptote I mentioned in a previous post) helps to end the extant trend sooner rather than later. Of course, a quicker ending worsens the ferocity of the trend; a melt-up or melt-down. Which is where the market finds itself today; no question the current market environment is ugly, likely to worsen before it improves.
[Graphic courtesy of Investors Business Daily]
A reader writes,
"The issue seems to be uncertainty (fear) and how you deal with it in the context of the 'market'..."
During the periodic bouts of weakness in the general markets, I seek the markets' leaders -- which I do in all market environments. A leader is a company whose product or service is a leader in its industry, and whose stock is a leader in the market. Of course, even the leaders will be thrashed about but rarely trashed, and, as a class, they always will come out from hiding before the markets' sun shines again.
I consult market action, and, during periods of market weakness, seek positive divergences. And vice-versa: negative divergences during periods of market strength. My indicators help to guide my portfolios to the inherent opportunities within the market's stronger-acting groups and sectors. Right now, for example (and obviously), the financials sector of the S&P 500/SPX continues to weigh heavily on the overall index, which reality could change at any moment, so I monitor closely for portents of bullish change.
Speaking of positive divergences, a NB: Whereas the DOW Industrials, S&P 500, and NASDAQ Composite (almost) sell today at a lower low than their March 2008 low, Apple/AAPL sells at a price substantially higher than its March 2008 low. Things (always) change, but this positive divergence showcases Apple/AAPL's relative strength and status as a market leader. The ability to perceive long term investments is far easier than long term investing, for obvious reasons, but one is the doubt, uncertainty, and fear that preys on investors' long term intentions and certitude.
Remember the core objective: building wealth, not trading willy-nilly. You and I seek the best of the best of all available investment opportunities, the creme de la creme, and then (strive to) hold on. Sometimes errors occur, whether by analysis or application (even by me), but those positions are sold, and the cash becomes available for the presumptive new winner.
The markets close (3 hours) early today (Thusday), remain shuttered tomorrow (Friday) for the holiday, and do not re-open until Monday. Thank goodness for small favors! Use the holiday weekend to regain your sense of proportion, catch your breath, and, oh yeah, have fun.
This post will continue with Part 2.
Full Disclosure: Long Apple/AAPL.
-- David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist
Labels: Humanities, Lessons, Market analyses
posted by David M Gordon | 6:42 AM
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