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Is The Technology Sector Setting Up For A Crash? Part III

FANG stocks seem uniquely positioned for some extreme rotation over the next 6+ months.  The continued capital shift that has taken place over the past 5+ years has driven investment and capital into the Technology sector – much like the DOT COM rally.  The euphoric rally in the late 1990s seems quite similar to today.

The biggest difference this time is that global central banks have pushed an easy-money monetary policy since just after 2000.  The policies and rallies that took place after 9/11 were a result of policies put in place by George W. Bush and Alan Greenspan.  Our research team believes these policies set up a  process where foreign markets gorged on cheap US Dollars to expand industry and manufacturing throughout the late 1990s and most of the early 2000s.  This process sets up a scenario where the US pumped US Dollars into the global markets after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and foreign markets gobbled this capital up knowing they could expand infrastructure, industry, and manufacturing, then sell these products back to the US and other markets for profits.  Multiple QE attempts by the US Fed continued to fuel this capital shift.

It wasn’t until after 2008-09 when the US Fed entered a period of extreme easy money policy.  This easy money policy populated an extensive borrow-spend process throughout most of the foreign world.  Remember, as much as the US was attempting to support the US markets, the foreign markets were actively gorging even more on this easy money from the US and didn’t believe anything would change in the near future.  China/Asia and most of the rest of the world continued to suck up US Dollars while pouring more and more capital into industry, manufacturing and finance/banking.

This process of borrowing from the US while tapping into the expanding US markets created a wealth creation process throughout much of Asia/China that, in turn, poured newly created wealth back into the US stock and real estate markets over the past 7+ years.  It is easy to understand how the trillions pushed into the markets by the US Fed created opportunity and wealth throughout the globe, then turned into investments into US assets and the US stock market.  Foreign investors wanted a piece of the biggest and most diverse economy on the planet.

This foreign investment propelled a new rally in the Technology sector, which aligned with a massive build-out of technology throughout the world and within China.  Remember, in the late 1990s, China was just starting to develop large manufacturing and industry.  By the mid-2000s, China had already started building huge city-wide industry and manufacturing.  But in the late-2000s, China went all-in on the industry and manufacturing build-out.  This created a massive “beast” in China that depends on this industry to support finance and capital markets.  This lead to the recent rise in the global and US markets as all of this capital rushed around the globe looking for the best returns and safest locations for investment.

FANG stocks have taken center stage and the recent rally reminds of us the DOT COM rally from the 1990s.  Could the Coronavirus break this trend and collapse future expectations within the global markets?  Is it possible that we are setting up another DOT COM-like bubble that is about to break?

THE WEEKLY CHART OF APPLE (AAPL)

This first Weekly chart of Apple (AAPL) shows just how inflated price has rallied since August 2019.  The share price of AAPL has risen from $220 to almost $320 in the last 6 months – an incredible +49%.  We attribute almost all of this incredible rise to the Capital Shift that took place in the midst of the US/China trade war.  Foreign capital needed to find a place to protect itself from currency devaluation and to generate ROI.  What better place than the US Technology Sector.

THE WEEKLY CHART OF FACEBOOK (FB)

Facebook has also seen a nice appreciation in value from the lows in late 2018.  From the August 2019 date, though, Facebook has seen share prices rise about +25% – from the $180 level to the $225 level.  Although many traders may not recognize the Double Top pattern set up near the $220 level, we believe this setup may be an early warning that Technology may be starting to “rollover” as capital may begin searching for a safer environment and begin exiting the Technology sector.

THE WEEKLY CHART OF GOOGLE (GOOG)

Google (Alphabet), GOOG, is another high-flier with share prices rising from $1200 to $1500 from August 2019 till now – a +28% price increase.  We can clearly see that GOOG is well above the historic price channel set up by the rotation in late 2018.  We believe resistance near $1525 will act as a price boundary and may prompt a downside price rotation associated with the rotation away from risk within the Technology sector.  Any downside move, if it happens, could prompt a price decline targeting $1350 or lower.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:

Remember, we are warning of a change in how capital operates within the markets.  The Capital Shift that has continued to drive advancing share prices in Technology may be nearing an end.  It does not mean the capital shift will end, it just means this capital may rotate into other sectors in an attempt to avoid risks and seek out returns.  We believe this is a real possibility because we believe the Coronavirus in China is disrupting the markets (supply/manufacturing and consumer spending) by such a large factor that we believe capital will be forced to identify new targets for returns.  In other words, we believe the Technology Sector may be at very high risk for a price reversion event if this “black swan” event continues to disrupt the global markets.

Let’s face it, a very large portion of our technology originates and is manufactured in China.  In fact, a very large portion of almost everything we consume is manufactured in China.  Heck, the cat food I buy every week is made in China.  If this Coronavirus continues to force China to shut down large sections of their nation and manufacturing while it continues to spread, then the only real outcome for the rest of the world is that “China manufacturing capabilities will be only 10~20% of previous levels” (if that).

Once supply runs out for most items originating from China, then we are going to have to deal with a new reality of “what are the real future expectations going to really look like” and that is why we are preparing our followers and friends the Technology sector may be one of the biggest rotating sectors in the near future.

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Chris Vermeulen
www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

NOTICE: Our free research does not constitute a trade recommendation or solicitation for our readers to take any action regarding this research.  It is provided for educational purposes only.  Our research team produces these research articles to share information with our followers/readers in an effort to try to keep you well informed.  Visit our web site (www.thetechnicaltraders.com) to learn how to take advantage of our members-only research and trading signals.

Current Equities Rally Similarities To 1999

Euphoria is a type of market rally where valuations, real market expectations, and global market concerns are pushed away from view while a trader based rush to rally takes place.  One of the clearest examples is the 1995 to 2000 DOT COM US stock market rally.  As the Internet burst into homes and businesses across the world, the US-led the way with dozens of new Internet-based IPOs touting glorious expectations, potential earnings and more.  Everyone had the idea this new medium would dramatically change the economy for the better and breakthrough traditional economic boundaries.

The rally that took place in 1995 through 2000 was incredible.  The S&P 500 rallied from 463 to 1535 – +235.57%.  What we find interesting is the “price wave formation” that took place within that rally.  There were a number of key price rotations that took place as the market continued to rally, we’ve labeled them A, B, and C.  The first rotation, A, took place in July~Dec 1997.  The second, B, took place from May 1998 to November 1998.  The last, C, took place between January 1999 and November 1999.  Technically, these rotations are significant because they represent “true price exploration” related to price advancement.  The price must always attempt to identify true support/resistance levels while trending.

When we compare the rally from 1995 to 2000 with the current rally in the US stock market, we can see a defined level of euphoric price advance after the 2016 US elections.  We must also pay attention to the previous price advance from the 2009 price lows as the global markets were struggling to recover from the Credit Crisis. Our research team identified the A, B, C rotations in the current price and associated them to the similar rotations in the 1995-2000 price rally as “key components of the current rally and a potential warning sign of a pending top formation”.

Our researchers believe the QE processes of the global central banks have set up a similar type of euphoric price rally in the current global markets even though current economic metrics are warning of weakening economic activity and weakening global market output.  The US Fed and global central banks seem to want to keep pumping money/credit into the global markets to keep the rally going – most likely because they are fearful of what a crash/correction may do to the future growth opportunities around the planet.

Yet, our research team focused on the C rotation in 1999 and 2019 – a full 20 years apart.  What interested our research team the most was the fact that the rotation in 1999 set up a full 21 months before the November 2000 US Presidential election.  The current C rotation initiated in January 2018 – a full 34 months before the November 2020 US Presidential Elections.  Anyone paying any attention will recognize the 21 and 34 are both Fibonacci Numbers – relating a 1.619 ratio advancement.

Are we setting up a massive top in the US stock market based on a Fibonacci price range expansion related to the patterns we have identified in this SP500 chart?  Have we advanced from the 2000 peak and 2009 bottom in some form of Fibonacci Ratio expansion that aligns with the C rotation pattern we have identified?

The rally from Bill Clinton’s second term start date to the peak in 2000 totaled 932.9 pts – +153.61%.  the rally from Donald Trump’s first term start date to our projected peak level totals 997.5 pts – +44.38%.  The rally in 2000 peaked at a range that is 200% larger than the ration between the two separate percentage point ranges.  Is this significant to traders?  Does it help to align our peak with the 1.619 Fibonacci ratio?

153.61 / 44.38 = 3.4612

3.4612 / 2 = 1.7306

Given the alignment of these values with a potential 200% range expansion theory, we need to start to look at TIME/PRICE ratios to determine if these rallies are aligned efficiently.

The rally from 1995 to the peak in 2000 consisted of 63 Months.  The rally from 2009 to our projected peak consists of 131 bars.  This represents a price TIME expansion of 207.9%

The rally from 1995 to the peak in 2000 consisted of a price move of +1081.2 pts (+235.57%).  The rally from 2009 to our projected peak consists of a price move of 2585.6 pts (390.49%).  The ratio between these two price expansions is 1.657.

The correction from the peak in 2000 to the low in 2009 consisted of 109 months.  The ratio between the 63 months (1995~2000 peak) to this correction time is 1.73.  The ration of the 2009~2019 rally time span is 1.20.  Thus, the correction between the peak in 2000 to the bottom in 2009 expanded at a rate of 1.73x the time it took to complete the DOT COM rally from 1995 to 2000.  The recovery that has taken place from the 2009 bottom to our projected top in 2019 would expand at a rate of 1.20x the correction time rate.  All of these levels align with common Fibonacci numbers and ratios.

In other words, we believe the current expansion in price is nearing a completed Elliot Wave/Fibonacci ratio peak (likely wave C) that maintains proper aspect ratios related to previous major price rotations.

Other major sectors and asset classes also look to be showing similar topping patterns like the real estate values and charts here.

CUSTOM VOLATILITY INDEX MONTHLY CHART

Our Custom Volatility Index shows extended volatility is increasing with price nearing the upper range for December 2019.  Notice the increase in the range of these bars since the just before the peak in January 2018.  This increased range suggests extreme price volatility has been pushing the markets for the past 24+ months.  If this volatility continues into early 2020 as our projected peak sets up, we may see some very big rotation in 2020.

2000 AND 2019 PRICE SIMILARITIES IN S&P 500

This 2000 peak to 2019 peak comparison chart highlights the similarities in the C price pattern that has setup.  In 1999, the C pattern set up with an initial peak, followed by minor downside rotation – just like in January 2018. The second peak was higher, followed by a much deeper downside price rotation – just like in Nov/Dec 2018.  And the final rally broke upward after a Pennant/Flag formation pushing higher by +25% in 2000.  The current upside breakout from the December 2018 lows suggests a 39.5% price peak – just above our predicted 32% scaled Fibonacci rally expectation.

FIBONACCI PRICE AMPLITUDE TOP LEVEL IS NOT MUCH HIGHER

The total scope of this price move over the past 40+ years is impressive.  These longer-term patterns still drive the markets to establish major peaks and valleys.  Take a look at this chart and try to understand the ratios that are being presented here.  21%, 34%, 50%, 62%, 100% and any combination of these levels using 2x, 3x or any multiplier constitute a Fibonacci structure.  One of the most important facets of attempting to understand the Fibonacci price theory is that the ratios must be somewhat aligned.

Pay attention to the Fibonacci Price Amplitude arcs (the circles) drawn on this chart.  They represent the price range from the peak in 2000 to the low in 2009.  The reason this range is important to our researchers is that it will properly measure the previous upward price rally and the current price rally in terms of price amplitude.  Pay attention to how the current price rally stalled and rotated near these arcs.  We believe the upper GREEN arc level will operate as major resistance for the markets – possibly setting up another “rollover” type of top similar to the one in 1999~2000.

Skilled technical traders still need to be cautious headed into 2020.  The current rally, and most of 2018 and 2019, have been setting up a very serious type of pre-top setup.  Any downside rotation in early 2020 may attempt to move lower in multiple waves – possibly spanning multiple years.

Currently, our research suggests a limited 2.5% upside price range before the SP500 will reach the GREEN resistance arc.  The US markets may reach this level before the end of 2019 and may begin a topping pattern before you finish reading this article.  Please stay informed and understand the structures, trends, and dynamics that are at play in these markets to attempt to reduce your risk.  Now is the time to trim your equity/stock positions and prepare for a much bigger swing in price/volatility.

As a technical analysis and trader since 1997, I have been through a few bull/bear market cycles. I believe I have a good pulse on the market and timing key turning points for both short-term swing trading and long-term investment capital. The opportunities are massive/life-changing if handled properly.

We’ll keep you informed as this plays out with Wealth Building & Global Financial Reset Newsletter if you like what I offer, join me with the 1 or 2-year subscription to lock in the lowest rate possible and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial market and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own during the next financial crisis. Join Now and Get a Free 1oz Silver Round or Gold Bar Shipped To You!

Chris Vermeulen
Founder of Technical Traders Ltd.
www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Is The Current Rally A True Valuation Rally or Euphoria?

Our research team has been warning that the US stock market price rally over the past few months has been more of a zombie-land price rally than a true valuation rally.  Our researchers believe the continued push higher has been more about capital seeking safety away from foreign risk and into US Dollar based assets than it has been about anything fundamental or valuation based.  Over the past few days, our researchers identified another rally like this that happened recently and wanted to highlight the eventual outcome of this type of Zombie-Rally. Before you continue, take a couple of seconds and join our free trend signals email list.

Zombie-Rallies happen in the market when there are really no other alternatives but to “keep doing what seems to have been successful over the past few months or years”.  A good example of this is the DOT COM rally that continued to push higher and higher even though investors and traders could clearly see the wheels were coming off the train and companies were not able to achieve profits to measure up to proper valuations.  This is a measure of GREED becoming a driving force behind investor sentiment.  Who’s going to go against the markets when the trend bias is continuing to push higher and the risks of shorting far outweigh the risks associated with following the herd.

Our researchers use our Custom Market Cap index to help us understand where peaks and valleys are likely to form in the markets and, generally, this utility is quite accurate.  It measures the ability of the US stock market to rally, sell-off and rotate very clearly and can be used to measure when the price has reached near extreme levels.  Recently, we authored an article suggesting liquidity and volume would begin to fall over the next few weeks and months that would result in increased volatility headed into the end of 2019.

December 1, 2019: LIQUIDITY & VOLUME DIMINISH – WHAT NEXT?

CUSTOM MARKET CAP INDEX CHART IS CLEARLY IDENTIFYING A MARKET PEAK

Our Custom Market Cap Index chart is clearly identifying a market peak has formed as of the end of

November 2019.  The extreme high peak on this chart on the Thanksgiving holiday week is well above traditional high peak levels and should be considered an extremely high price exuberance peak in the US stock market.  Our expectations were that an immediate price rotation would setup pushing prices much lower over the next few days and weeks.

Historically, once the price reaches these extreme levels, the price typically rotates lower and attempts to target the lower/middle price boundaries drawn by our channel lines.  This would suggest that an 8 to 12% downside price rotation is in our future should this price peak follow previous examples.

Yet, what other evidence could we present to support our expectation that this recent price rally is truly a “zombie-rally”?

TRUE STOCK MARKET VALUATION APPRECIATION INDEX

Our researcher team put together this chart to highlight the true valuation appreciation at various times within the past 6+ years.  When this chart is climbing, valuation levels in the global stock markets are rising in comparison to traditional safe-haven instruments.  When this chart is falling, then valuations are decreasing in comparison to safe-havens and total overall valuation appreciation.  Think of it as a measure of how much conviction is behind the market price activity.  The more traders believe the future appreciation is valid, the more valuations will appreciate and investors will move away from safe-haven investments.  The more concerned traders become about price valuation levels, the more likely they are to begin to hedge into protective, safe-haven, investments and the less confidence they have in the ability of price to appreciate in the future.

This chart highlights a number of key factors…

_First, the true market peak occurred in September/October 2018.  That was the high point on this Global Valuation chart and that was the peak of positive investor sentiment before the US Fed initiated a very deep price rotation.

_Second, the rally from the November 2016 Presidential elections till the January 2018 peak was a true broad-participation rally where global investors really believed in the future price appreciation of the global stock markets.  Thus, we see this Global Market Valuation chart rally much higher after the November 2016 elections.

_ Third, since the peak in October 2018, the global market participants have been much more fearful of the capability of future price advances.  There has been no real price appreciation advance on this chart since the peak in October 2018 and we believe this highlights a very weak foundation in the global markets for this current “zombie” price rally.

If our researcher team is correct, there is a very real potential that a broad market price rotation could test the lower boundaries of this market valuation chart and possibly attempt to push true global market valuations below the February 2018 lows.  This would represent a complete collapse of the global stock market resulting in a -10 to -15% price correction over the next few weeks/months.

Every rotation on the Global Valuation Chart over the past 3+ years can be clearly seen on this SP500 chart.  The January 2018 peak followed by the downward price collapse.  The October 2018 peak followed by the downward price collapse.  Even the June and August 2019 price rotations are clearly evident in the Global Market Valuation chart as downward valuation corrections.

CURRENT US STOCK MARKET PEAK IS NOT SUPPORTED AS A TRUE VALUATION

The current US stock market peak is not supported as a true valuation advance by this data.  Yes, the stock market level is much higher than the peak level in October 2018, but the underlying global market true valuation level is suggesting this is a zombie-land for investors.

The only other time something like this happened was near the end of 2017 when the US stock market continued to climb much higher even though the valuation levels were already weakening.  Although this was a brief period of time, the span from November 2017 till the end of January 2018 resulted in a very similar type of price rally.  Take a look at the “2018” markers on these charts.  You’ll clearly see the Global Valuation chart is showing the valuation level was DECLINING just before the start of 2018 whereas the SP500 chart shows the market price was rallying upward consistently…  Welcome to Zombie-land.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:

If our researchers are correct, this current rally will likely end as we near the end of this year when volume and liquidity diminish.  The rotation lower, on Monday, December 2, was very clearly a downward price rotation away from these extreme peak levels and, potentially, an end to the zombie-land price rally of the past few months.

The end of 2019 and early 2020 could be full of very violent and dramatic price rotations as the true global market valuation levels have yet to rally to meet the US stock market peaks.  This underlying fact suggests that price must fall in order to realign with true valuation levels or the valuation levels must immediately start to rise to meet current price levels.  Our research team believes that price levels will collapse to meet true valuation levels.  There is no indication that any true investor valuation appreciation is taking place at the moment, thus price must fall to fair values based on true investor valuation estimates.

We’ll keep you informed as this plays out with Wealth Building & Global Financial Reset Newsletter if you like what I offer, join me with the 1 or 2-year subscription to lock in the lowest rate possible and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial market and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own during the next financial crisis. Join Now and Get a Free 1oz Silver Round or Gold Bar Shipped To You!

I can tell you that huge moves are about to start unfolding not only in metals, or stocks but globally and some of these super cycles are going to last years. A gentleman by the name of Brad Matheny goes into great detail with his simple to understand charts and guide about this. His financial market research is one of a kind and a real eye-opener. 2020 Cycles – The Greatest Opportunity Of Your Lifetime

As a technical analysis and trader since 1997, I have been through a few bull/bear market cycles. I believe I have a good pulse on the market and timing key turning points for both short-term swing trading and long-term investment capital. The opportunities are massive/life-changing if handled properly.

Chris Vermeulen
Founder of Technical Traders Ltd.