Category Archives: seasonal

Keeping a Wary Eye on the “Scary Stuff”

In many ways the markets imitate life.  For example, the trend is your friend.  You may enjoy your friendship with the trend for an indefinite length of time.  But the moment you ignore it – or just simply take it for granted that this friendship is permanent, with no additional effort required on your part – that’s when the trouble starts.

For the stock market right now, the bullish trend is our friend.  Figure 1 displays the 4 major indexes all above their respective – and rising – long-term moving averages.  This is essentially the definition of a “bull market.” 

Figure 1 – 4 Major Indexes in Bullish Trends (Courtesy AIQ TradingExpert)

In addition, a number of indicators that I follow have given bullish signals in the last 1 to 8 months.  These often remain bullish for up to a year.  So, for the record, with my trusted trend-following, oversold/thrust and seasonal indicators mostly all bullish I really have no choice but to be in the bullish camp.

Not that I am complaining mind you.  But like everyone else, I try to keep my eyes open for potential signs of trouble.  And of course, there are always some.  One of the keys to long-term success in the stock market is determining when is the proper time to actually pay attention to the “scary stuff.”  Because scary stuff can be way early or in other cases can turn out to be not that scary at all when you look a little closer. 

So, let’s take a closer look at some of the scary stuff.

Valuations

Figure 2 displays an aggregate model of four separate measures of valuation.  The intent is to gain some perspective as to whether stocks are overvalued, undervalued or somewhere in between.

Figure 2 – Stock Market valuation at 2nd highest level ever (Courtesy: www.advisorperspectives.com)

Clearly the stock market is “overvalued” if looked at from a historical perspective.  The only two higher readings preceded the tops in 1929 (the Dow subsequently lost -89% of its value during the Great Depression) and 2000 (the Nasdaq 100 subsequently lost -83% of its value). 

Does this one matter?  Absolutely.  But here is what you need to know:

*Valuation IS NOT a timing indicator.  Since breaking out to a new high in 1995 the stock market has spent most of the past 25 years in “overvalued” territory.  During this time the Dow Industrials have increased 700%.  So, the proper response at the first sign of overvaluation should NOT be “SELL.”

*However, ultimately valuation DOES matter. 

Which leads directly to:

Jay’s Trading Maxim #44: If you are walking down the street and you trip and fall that’s one thing.  If you are climbing a mountain and you trip and fall that is something else.  And if you are gazing at the stars and don’t even realize that you are climbing a mountain and trip and fall – the only applicable phrase is “Look Out Below”.

So, the proper response is this: instead of walking along and staring at the stars, keep a close eye on the terrain directly in front of you.  And watch out for cliffs.

Top 5 companies as a % of S&P 500 Index

At times through history certain stocks or groups of stocks catch “lightning in a bottle.”  And when they do the advances are spectacular, enriching anyone who gets on board – unless they happen to get on board too late.  Figure 3 displays the percentage of the S&P 500 Index market capitalization made up by JUST the 5 largest cap companies in the index at any given point in time. 

Figure 3 – Top 5 stocks as a % of S&P 500 Index market cap (Courtesy: www.Bloomberg.com)

The anecdotal suggestion is pretty obvious.  Following the market peak in 2000, the five stocks listed each took a pretty significant whack as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 – Top Stocks after the 2000 Peak

Then when we look at how far the line in Figure 3 has soared in 2020 the obvious inference is that the 5 stocks listed for 2020 are due to take a similar hit.  And here is where it gets interesting.  Are MSFT, AAPL, AMZN, GOOGL and FB due to lose a significant portion of their value in the years directly ahead?

Two thoughts:

*There is no way to know for sure until it happens

*That being said, my own personal option is “yes, of course they are”

But here is where the rubber meets the road: Am I presently playing the bearish side of these stocks?  Nope.  The trend is still bullish.  Conversely, am I keeping a close eye and am I willing to play the bearish side of these stocks?  Yup.  But not until they – and the overall market – actually starts showing some actual cracks.

One Perspective on AAPL

Apple has been a dominant company for many years, since its inception really.  Will it continue to be?  I certainly would not bet against the ability of the company to innovate and grow its earnings and sales in the years ahead. Still timing – as they say – is everything.  For what it is worth, Figure 5 displays the price-to-book value ratio for AAPL since January 1990.

Figure 5 – AAPL price-to-book value ratio (Data courtesy of Sentimentrader.com)

Anything jump out at you?

Now one can argue pretty compellingly that price-to-book value is not the way to value a leading technology company.  And I probably agree – to a point.  But I can’t help but look at Figure 5 and wonder if that point has possibly been exceeded.

Summary

Nothing in this piece is meant to make you “bearish” or feel compelled to sell stocks.  For the record, I am still in the bullish camp.  But while this information DOES NOT constitute a “call to action”, IT DOES constitute a “call to pay close attention.” 

Bottom line: enjoy the bull market but DO NOT fall in love with it. 

Jay Kaeppel

Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and are based on research conducted and presented solely by the author.  The information presented represents the views of the author only and does not constitute a complete description of any investment service.  In addition, nothing presented herein should be construed as investment advice, as an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.  The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources.  While the data is believed to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information.  International investments are subject to additional risks such as currency fluctuations, political instability and the potential for illiquid markets.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  There is risk of loss in all trading.  Back tested performance does not represent actual performance and should not be interpreted as an indication of such performance.  Also, back tested performance results have certain inherent limitations and differs from actual performance because it is achieved with the benefit of hindsight.

The Ridiculous Seasonality of AMD

Don’t you hate it when some analyst analyzes historical data and then purports to find some “order” in the historical chaos?  Hi, my name is Jay.  And…it’s just kind of what I do.  Sorry, it’s just my nature.  Take for instance the ridiculous case of AMD.

Advanced Micro Devices – Ticker AMD

According to “Adjusted Close” price data from www.finance.yahoo.com ticker AMD advanced from $3.15 a share in March of 1980 to $56.39 by May 20, 2020.  Given that the stock has risen +1,693% on a buy-and-hold basis, it is not exactly a revelation that – particularly with the huge benefit of perfect hindsight – there was some money to be made by holding the stock.

But that is only part of the story.  For as it turns out, AMD is one of the most consistently “cyclical” stocks you may ever find.  Figure 1 displays the average annual price trend for AMD from 3/17/1980 through 12/31/1999.  In other words, period 1 along the bottom of the chart is January Trading Day #1, and so on, through the last trading day of December.

Figure 1 – Annual Seasonal Price Trend for AMD (1980-1999)

As you can see, the stock tended to rally sharply through the end of May, from mid-July through about late August, and from late October through the end of the year (or more accurately, through the end of the next May).

Declines typically occurred between about June 1st and late July and again during September into late October.

Ah, sweet hindsight.

But what are the odds that any of this was meaningful after 1999?  I’m glad you asked.  Because that’s where the ridiculous part comes in. 

2000-2020

Figure 2 plots the same 1980-1999 annual seasonal price trend for AMD along with the annual seasonal trend for AMD from 2000-2019.  Notice any similarities? 

Figure 2 – Annual Seasonal Price Trend for AMD; 1980-1999 and 2000-2020

So, let’s make the ridiculous (there’s that word again) assumption that some (lucky) investor had started trading in and out of AMD on an annual basis the following seasonal calendar

Figure 3 – Annual Seasonal Bullish and Bearish Periods

Some how did the “walk forward” period of 2000 into late May-2020 compare to the “hindsight” period of 1980-1999?  Well there is good news and bad news.

The bad news is that results for each period was not quite as good during 2000-2020 as they were during 1980-1999.  The good news is that the 2000-2020 results were still pretty darn compelling.

Figure 4 – AMD performance during Bullish and Bearish Periods

The bottom line: The “bullish” periods have to continued to be quite bullish and the “bearish” periods continue to be quite bearish.

For the record, between March 1980 and May 2020:

*$1,000 in AMD on a buy-and-hold basis grew to $17,925

*$1,000 in AMD ONLY during the two “bullish” period discussed grew to $587,558,351

Let’s face it, these are – here I go again – ridiculous numbers.  And it should be pointed out that an investor holding AMD only during the “Bullish” periods would have suffered 4 separate drawdowns in excess of -50%, including a -79%(!) drawdown in 2008-2009.  See Figure 5.  So, don’t anybody get “stars in their eyes.”

Figure 5 – Drawdowns during Bullish Periods

At the same time, it is still better than the drawdown racked up during the “bearish” periods, which checks in at a cool -99.9867%.  See Figure 6.

Figure 6 – Drawdowns during Bearish Periods

Where We Are

AMD has been in a “bullish” period since the 19th trading day of October 2019, and this period will last until the close on 5/29/2020.  Through 5/20/2020 AMD is up +73% during the current bullish period (i.e., pandemic, schmandemic).  See Figure 7.

Figure 7 – AMD during recent “Bullish” period (Courtesy AIQ TradingExpert)

The next “bearish” period will last from the close on 5/29/2020 through the close on 7/23/2020.

Summary

So, in hindsight, the annual seasonal pattern for AMD tracked very closely with the annual seasonal pattern for the previous 20 years.  But what about the next 20 years?  Ah, there’s the rub. Despite the fact that the annual seasonal trend for the past 20 years very closely mirrored the annual seasonal trend for the prior 20 years, it is not possible to state with any certainty what the next 20 years hold. 

Still, if I decide to trade AMD I will probably consult my calendar first.

See also Jay’s “A Strategy You Probably Haven’t Considered” Video

Jay Kaeppel

Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and are based on research conducted and presented solely by the author.  The information presented represents the views of the author only and does not constitute a complete description of any investment service.  In addition, nothing presented herein should be construed as investment advice, as an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.  The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources.  While the data is believed to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information.  International investments are subject to additional risks such as currency fluctuations, political instability and the potential for illiquid markets.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  There is risk of loss in all trading.  Back tested performance does not represent actual performance and should not be interpreted as an indication of such performance.  Also, back tested performance results have certain inherent limitations and differs from actual performance because it is achieved with the benefit of hindsight.

March and April to the Rescue?

Well that got ugly quick.  For the record, if you have been in the markets for any length of time you have seen this kind of action plenty of times.  An index, or stock, or commodity or whatever, trends and trends and trend steadily and relentlessly higher over a period of time.  And just when it seems like its going to last forever – BAM.  It gives back all or much of its recent rally gains very quickly.  Welcome to the exciting world of investing.

I make no claims of “calling the top” – because I never have actually (correctly) called one and I don’t expect that I ever will.  But having written Part I and Part II of articles titled “Please Take a Moment to Locate the Nearest Exit” in the last week, I was probably one of the least surprised people at what transpired in the stock market in the last few sessions. 

Of course the question on everyone’s lips – as always in this type of panic or near panic situation – is, “where to from here?”  And folks if I knew the answer, I swear I would tell you.  But like everyone else, I can only assess the situation, formulate a plan of action – or inaction, as the case may be – and act accordingly.  But some random thoughts:

*Long periods of relative calm followed by extreme drops are more often than not followed by periods of volatility.  So, look for a sharp rebound for at least a few days followed by another downdraft and so on and so forth, until either:

a) The market bottoms out and resumes an uptrend

b) The major indexes (think Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Russell 2000) drop below their 200-day moving averages.  As of the close on 2/25 both the Dow and the Russell 2000 were below their 200-day moving average.  That would set up another a) or b) scenario.

If the major indexes break below their long-term moving averages it will either:

a) End up being a whipsaw – i.e., the market reverses quickly to the upside

b) Or will be a sign of more serious trouble

The main point is that you should be paying close attention in the days and weeks ahead to the indexes in Figure 1.

Figure 1 – Major indexes with 200-day moving averages (Courtesy AIQ TradingExpert)

One Possible Bullish Hope

One reason for potential optimism is that the two-month period of March and April has historically been one of the more favorable two-month periods on an annual basis.  Figure 2 displays the cumulative price gain achieved by the S&P 500 Index ONLY during March and April every year since 1945.  The long-term trend is unmistakable, but year-to-year results can of course, vary greatly.

Figure 2 – S&P 500 cumulative price gain March-April ONLY (1945-2019)

For the record:

S&P 500 March-AprilResult
Number of times UP55 (73%)
Number of times DOWN20 (27%)
Average UP%+5.0%
Average DOWN%(-3.4%)

Figure 3 – Facts and Figures

Will March and April bail us out?  Here’s hoping.

As an aside, this strategy is having a great week so far.

Jay Kaeppel

Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and are based on research conducted and presented solely by the author.  The information presented does not represent the views of the author only and does not constitute a complete description of any investment service.  In addition, nothing presented herein should be construed as investment advice, as an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.  The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources.  While the data is believed to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information.  International investments are subject to additional risks such as currency fluctuations, political instability and the potential for illiquid markets.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  There is risk of loss in all trading.  Back tested performance does not represent actual performance and should not be interpreted as an indication of such performance.  Also, back tested performance results have certain inherent limitations and differs from actual performance because it is achieved with the benefit of hindsight.

A Simple Way To Trade Seasonality


In “A Simple Way To Trade Seasonality” in the September 2019 Stocks & Commodities, author Perry Kaufman describes methods he uses for measuring the seasonality in markets and approaches he uses for trading these patterns

Editors note: The full article can be obtained from Stocks & Commodities magazine at
http://technical.traders.com/sub/sublog2.asp#Sep the system rules are from the article and are based on these rules

1. Average the monthly frequency of the past 4 years.

2. Find the last occurrence of the highest frequency and the last occurrence of the lowest frequency using the average frequency in step 1. That is, if both March and April have a frequency of 70, we use April.

3. Only trade if the high frequency is 75% or greater and the low frequency is 25% or lower.

4. If the high frequency comes first, sell short at the end of the month with the high frequency. Cover the short at the end of the month with the low frequency.

5. If the low frequency comes first, buy at the end of the month with the low frequency. Sell to exit at the end of the month with the high frequency

The importable AIQ EDS file and Excel spreadsheet for Perry Kaufman’s article can be obtained on request via email to info@TradersEdgeSystems.com. The code is also shown below

!A Simple Way to Trade Seasonality
!Author: Perry Kaufman, TASC September 2019
!Coded by: Richard Denning, 07/21/2019
!www.TradersEdgeSystem.com

C is [close].
year is 2019.
len is 4000.
OSD is offsettodate(month(),day(),year()).
FirstDate is firstdatadate().

EOM1 if Month()=2 and valresult(month(),1)=1 and year()=year.
EOMos1 is scanany(EOM1,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc1 is valresult(C,^EOMos1).
EOM2 if Month()=3 and valresult(month(),1)=2 and year()=year.
EOMos2 is scanany(EOM2,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc2 is valresult(C,^EOMos2).
EOM3 if Month()=4 and valresult(month(),1)=3 and year()=year.
EOMos3 is scanany(EOM3,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc3 is valresult(C,^EOMos3).
EOM4 if Month()=5 and valresult(month(),1)=4 and year()=year.
EOMos4 is scanany(EOM4,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc4 is valresult(C,^EOMos4).
EOM5 if Month()=6 and valresult(month(),1)=5 and year()=year.
EOMos5 is scanany(EOM5,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc5 is valresult(C,^EOMos5).
EOM6 if Month()=7 and valresult(month(),1)=6 and year()=year.
EOMos6 is scanany(EOM6,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc6 is valresult(C,^EOMos6).
EOM7 if Month()=8 and valresult(month(),1)=7 and year()=year.
EOMos7 is scanany(EOM7,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc7 is valresult(C,^EOMos7).
EOM8 if Month()=9 and valresult(month(),1)=8 and year()=year.
EOMos8 is scanany(EOM8,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc8 is valresult(C,^EOMos8).
EOM9 if Month()=10 and valresult(month(),1)=9 and year()=year.
EOMos9 is scanany(EOM9,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc9 is valresult(C,^EOMos9).
EOM10 if Month()=11 and valresult(month(),1)=10 and year()=year.
EOMos10 is scanany(EOM10,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc10 is valresult(C,^EOMos10).
EOM11 if Month()=12 and valresult(month(),1)=11 and year()=year.
EOMos11 is scanany(EOM11,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc11 is valresult(C,^EOMos11).
EOM12 if Month()=1 and valresult(month(),1)=12 and valresult(year(),1)=year.
EOMos12 is scanany(EOM12,len) then OSD+1.
EOMc12 is valresult(C,^EOMos12).
YEARavg is (EOMc1+EOMc2+EOMc3+EOMc4+EOMc5+EOMc6+EOMc7+EOMc8+EOMc9+EOMc10+EOMc11+EOMc12)/12.

AR1 is (EOMc1 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR2 is (EOMc2 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR3 is (EOMc3 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR4 is (EOMc4 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR5 is (EOMc5 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR6 is (EOMc6 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR7 is (EOMc7 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR8 is (EOMc8 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR9 is (EOMc9 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR10 is (EOMc10 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR11 is (EOMc11 / YEARavg-1)*100.
AR12 is (EOMc12 / YEARavg-1)*100.

EOMc if firstdate < makedate(1,20,2019-20).
AR if EOMc.

The EDS code is not a trading system but a way to get the data needed into an Excel spreadsheet to enable you to make the seasonal calculations. The EDS file should be run on a date after the end of the year being calculated. Each year for which data is needed must be run separately by setting the “year” variable. Multiple symbols can be run at the same time by using a list of the desired symbols. Each time a year is run, the “AR” report must be saved as a “.csv” file. Once all the years needed have been run and saved to separate “.csv” files, they all should be cut and pasted to a single Excel sheet. They then can be sorted by symbol and each symbol can be copied and pasted to a tab for that symbol.

Figure 6 shows the rolling four-year frequency for the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Figure 7 shows the annual trades resulting from applying the seasonal rules to the frequency data.

Sample Chart

FIGURE 6: AIQ. Shown here is the rolling four-year frequency for the SPY.

Sample Chart

FIGURE 7: AIQ. Shown here are the annual trades resulting from applying the seasonal rules to the frequency data for SPY.

—Richard Denning
info@TradersEdgeSystems.com
for AIQ Systems

The (Potential) Bullish Case for Bonds

OK, first the bad news.  In terms of the long-term, we are probably in the midst of a rising interest rate environment.  Consider the information contained in Figure 1 from McClellan Financial Publications.

(click to enlarge)0a

Figure 1 – The 60-year cycle in interest rates (Courtesy: www.mscoscillator.com)

Though no cycle is ever perfect, it is only logical to look at Figure 1 and come away thinking that rates will rise in the years (and possibly decades) ahead.  And one should plan accordingly, i.e.:

*Eschew large holdings of long-term bonds. Remember that a bond with a “duration” -Google that term as it relates to bonds please – of 15 implies that if interest rates rise 1 full percentage point then that bond will lose roughly 15% of principal.  Ouch.

*Stick to short to intermediate term bonds (which will reinvest at higher rates more quickly than long-term bonds as rates rise) and possibly some exposure to floating rate bonds.

That is “The Big Picture”.

In the meantime, there is a potential bullish case to be for bonds in the shorter-term.  The “quick and dirty” guide to “where are bonds headed next” appears in the monthly and weekly charts of ticker TLT (iShares 20+ years treasury bond ETF).  Note the key support and resistance levels drawn on these charts.

(click to enlarge)1

Figure 2 – Monthly TLT with support and resistance (Courtesy ProfitSource by HUBB)

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Figure 3 – Weekly TLT with support and resistance (Courtesy ProfitSource by HUBB)

There is nothing magic about these lines, but a break above resistance suggests a bull move, a break below support suggests a bear move, and anything in between suggests a trading range affair.

Now let’s look at some potentially positive influences.  Figure 4 displays a screen from the excellent site www.sentimentrader.com that shows that sentiment regarding the long treasury bond is rock bottom low.  As a contrarian sign this is typically considered to be bullish.

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Figure 4 – 30-year treasury investor sentiment is extremely low (Courtesy Sentimentrader.com)

Figure 5 – also from www.sentimentrader.com – suggests that bonds may be entering a “bullish” seasonal period between now and at least late-November (and possibly as long as late January 2019).

(click to enlarge)4

Figure 5 – 30-year treasury seasonality (Courtesy Sentimentrader.com)

Figure 6 displays the 30-year treasury bond yield (multiplied by 10 for some reason).  While rates have risen 27% from the low (from 2.51% to 3.18%), they still remain below the long-term 120-month exponential moving average.

(click to enlarge)5

Figure 6 – Long-term treasury bond yields versus 120-month moving average (Courtesy AIQ TradingExpert)

Finally, two systems that I developed that deems the bond trend bullish or bearish based on the movements of 1) metals, and 2) Japanese stocks turned bullish recently.  The bond market has fallen since these bullish signal were flashed – possibly as a result of the anticipated rate hike from the Fed.  Now that that hike is out of the way we should keep a close eye on bonds for a potential advance in the months ahead.

(click to enlarge)6a

Figure 7 – Bonds tend to move inversely to Japanese stocks; Ticker EWJ 5-week average is below 30-week average, i.e., potentially bullish for bonds (Courtesy AIQ TradingExpert)

Summary

It’s a little confusing here.

a)  The “long-term” outlook for bonds is very “iffy”, so bond “investors” should continue to be cautious – as detailed above.

b) On the other hand, there appears to be a chance that bonds are setting up for a rally in the near-term.

c) But, in one final twist, remember that if TLT takes out its recent support level, all bullish bets are off.

Are we having fun yet?

Jay Kaeppel

Disclaimer:  The data presented herein were obtained from various third-party sources.  While I believe the data to be reliable, no representation is made as to, and no responsibility, warranty or liability is accepted for the accuracy or completeness of such information.  The information, opinions and ideas expressed herein are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute and should not be construed as investment advice, an advertisement or offering of investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.