Posts

US Fed Panics – Predictive Modeling Shows You What’s Next

March 3, 2020: the US Fed issued an emergency rate cut of 0.50% to move rates to levels near 1.0% as a result of global economic concerns related to the spread of the Coronavirus and the potential damage it may do to the global major economies.  President Trump had been suggesting the US Fed needed to be ahead of the risks associated with future market expectations to allow for increased liquidity and global economic function.  Yet, we believe this move by the US Fed came at the wrong time for most investors and traders.

The global markets had already begun a process of revaluing risk in the markets near the end of February 2020.  After the Q1 earnings data was digested and the newest Chinese data became available, investors suddenly understood the risks that we had been warning about for most of January and February.  Suddenly, the US markets collapsed and traders were revaluing forward expectations.

Now that the US Fed has engaged in a 0.50% rate cut, the real risk solidifies in investor minds as “hey, the Fed is acting in a manner to ease money supply in preparation for a broad global slowdown”.  What does this mean for skilled traders?  We’ll explore the future price action using our Adaptive Dynamic Learning modeling system.

DOW JONES WEEKLY CHART

This INDU Weekly chart showing the ADL predictive modeling system results suggests the INDU will likely rotate near current lows (near 27,000) with very high volatility.  Current volatility ranges on the INDU suggest the US markets could rotate 1000 points a day very easily over the next few weeks.  Near early April, our ADL modeling system is suggesting the INDU will attempt to rally back to near 29,500 setting up a potential Double-Top formation.  Our earlier research suggests the INDU/YM will likely form a bottom well before the S&P and NASDAQ – so this aligns with our earlier research.

Once the Double-Top sets up – all bets are off as risk will be extremely high for another breakdown event.  We believe a true bottom will form/setup sometime between May and June 2020.  Therefore, any recovery in the INDU to levels near 29,500 before the end of April would strongly suggest the markets are setting up for a Q1 earnings collapse – and a potential for a much deeper price low to set up as a real bottom.

NASDAQ WEEKLY CHART

This NQ Weekly Chart highlights a shorter-term ADL projected price outcome.  The reason we went further back in time to produce these results is because these ADL results aligned with price quite efficiently and also illustrated the perceived weakness in price throughout the end of 2019.  Notice the CYAN DASH lines below the price in December 2019 – these are the ADL predictive price levels for that span of time.  Near the early January 2020 price bars, the ADL predictive modeling system identified price levels that almost mirrored the NQ price activity.  Currently, the ADL system is predicting the NQ will find temporary support near 9000 for a few weeks before breaking lower to levels near 8000~8200.

This price move, which is opposite that of the INDU, suggests the tech-heavy NASDAQ may continue to experience price pressure with a potential for a downside “waterfall” price event setting up.

TRANSPORTATION WEEKLY CHART

Lastly, this TRAN (Transportation Index) Weekly chart highlights was we believe to be a more true valuation event setting up over the next 60 to 90+ days.  This ADL chart suggests the TRAN price will almost immediately move back to levels near 11,000 (with a potential for a new high print above 11,300), then consolidate near 10,800 before breaking lower in late April or early May.  This type of price action aligns with the Q1 results reflecting an economic contraction while optimistic investors attempt to push price levels back towards recent highs before the reality sets into the markets.  The real forward expectations of Q2-2020 and Q3-2020 may be a fraction of levels reported for Q4-2019.

The US Fed is attempting to front-load the global markets with easier monetary policy to allow for unknown risks that may span 6 months out or longer.  Our researchers believe the US stock market will set up a major bottom sometime between May and June 2020 (possibly a bit later) and from that point we expect the US markets to begin to move gradually higher.  We believe this move will be similar to the downside price collapse that happened in January 2018 when the markets formed a clear Double-Bottom and began to move higher after May 2018 – eventually peaking above all-time highs.

Although the Fed fired an emergency rate cut of -0.50%, the reality is that investors may see this as a “miss” in terms of hitting a target.  Yes, it eases capital flows and sets investor expectations to believe the US Fed is prepared for this risk – but it also diminishes the potential for the US Fed to take decisive action in Q2 or Q3 of 2020 if the markets collapse as we expect.

As we’ve been saying for many months, 2020 is sure to be an incredible year for skilled traders.  Pay attention to our research to prepare for the biggest moves in the markets.

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.

I urge you visit my ETF Wealth Building Newsletter and if you like what I offer, join me with the 1-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 Bar!

Chris Vermeulen
www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Stock Market & Flu Breakdown Metrics – Where’s The Bottom?

The end of February was brutal for traders that were not prepared for the breakdown in the US stock markets.  The breakdown in price actually started on February 20th and 21st.  Most traders didn’t pay attention to these minor downside price rotations in the Technology sector (NQ) and the Financial sector.  The early downside price rotations in key sectors gave traders a bit of a warning that the markets were starting to shift away from the earnings-driven rally that had set up the recent peaks.

The other item that concerned the markets was the spread of the Corona Virus into Italy, Iran and other areas without known contact to areas of the virus origin.  Obviously, there had to be some process of contact for the virus to spread – but there are concerns now that the virus could be active within various societies throughout the incubation period and spreading to people in densely populated cities in these areas.  The idea of a “super spreader” event becomes very real if societies are not able to identify and contain the sources of these transmissions.

The fear that gripped the markets last week had been telegraphed for many weeks with the news and speculation that China and Asia were going to be hit with much weaker economic data in Q1 of 2020.  Almost anyone with a bit of common sense should understand the economic complications associated with quarantining millions of people for well over 30+ days would destroy economic activity in China. Even environmental data (NASA) suggests the Chinese economic activity has collapsed in 2020.

(Source: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov)

It is time for skilled traders and investors to come to the realization that a Deflationary Recession is very likely given the scale and scope of the Corona Virus spread.  Although the numbers pale in comparison to the common Flu/Cold, the economic implications are far more severe.  As the virus spreads into the Middle East, Europe and Africa (think Belt Road Initiative) and early signs that it has already spread into parts of South America, one has to begin to wonder if this event could be something similar to Plague or Pandemic events of the past?

(Source: https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com)

As skilled traders, we need to try to stay ahead of these events, attempt to predict where risks and opportunities will arise and work to protect our assets while attempting to trade within these market events.  What happens if this event turns into an extended downside price rotation?  What happens if, collectively, the global central banks can’t support the markets as consumers globally move away from traditional spending and shopping activities?  What are the longer-term implications of this event as it unfolds?  Could this Virus event turn into a Global Deflationary Depression?

There are a few positives we need to report originating out of the US and Israel.  News of a potential vaccine produced by a Texas firm and an Israeli firm has been announced over the past 10+ days.  Both firms believe they will be able to engage in human trials of these vaccines within a few weeks.  Our advanced technology and computerized modeling systems allow us to respond to these types of virus events much faster than ever before.  If these vaccines are successful and can be distributed in mass throughout the globe, we may see this virus event come to a sudden positive conclusion.

The other good news is that the Corona Virus appears to be far less deadly than even the common Flu or Cold.  Currently, the reported numbers are (roughly) 87,000 infected and 3,000 deaths.  That results in a 3.4% mortality rate.  The 2019 mortality rate for pneumonia and influenza was 6.9% (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/).  The reality of the situation on the ground is that we will know more about these data points as we progress further in time.  Numbers change as the total scope of the issue is determined.

As skilled traders, our objective is to protect capital and identify opportunities for profits.  As horrible as it may seem to look at this global event and try to find ways to profit from it – that is really our main objective.  We’ve been getting calls from friends and clients asking us “should I buy airlines and other sectors right now?  This seeming like an incredible opportunity to buy into this weakness?”.  Our answer is a bit more complicated as we are attempting to predict the future event and we don’t believe the bottom has setup/formed yet.  The simple answer is “NO, you should not be buying into this weakness until we know a bottom has setup and risks to the global economy are more settled”.

Still, there are different opinions from institutional and private investors regarding the total scope of this event.  UBS recently issued a BUY for “rich clients” to take advantage of this drop in prices in Chinese and Emerging Markets (Source: https://finance.yahoo.com).  We don’t agree with this analysis quite yet – unless you have a very deep threshold for risk and potential losses.  Our research suggests the bottom will likely complete in May or June of 2020.

This ES chart highlights the downside rotation in price last week and the fact that our Dynamic Rotation modeling system is still suggesting the Weekly trend has not changed to Bearish from Bullish.  The fact is this downside price rotation is still above the YELLOW dashed line which represents trend support.  The Daily chart of the ES, below the Weekly chart, shows the Dynamic Rotation modeling system has already changed from a Bullish trend to moderate Bearish trend.  Because of this, skilled traders need to immediately protect open long positions and consider adjusting their portfolio allocations in preparation of extended downside price moves.

Our researchers believe the ultimate support level on the ES chart is near the $2590 level.  Price may pause near the $2975 level as this level coincides with previous tops in the market and identifies as moderate support.  Yet, we believe the ultimate support level is really near the $2590 level and that is the price this downside move will initially target.

This NQ chart also highlights the immediate downside price rotation in the NASDAQ and how the Weekly chart has yet to confirm any new Bearish price trend.  The Weekly chart still shows confirmed bullish price trends and suggests the recent downside price rotation was within volatility ranges.  The Daily chart has already changed from a Bullish to moderate Bearish trend.  Again, this suggests skilled traders should immediately attempt to lock in profits and prepare for any further downside price trends.

True support on the NQ chart is currently $6575.  This suggests the NQ has another 2000 points to fall (-23.5%) before any real price support will be found.  Be prepared for this move.

This SPY chart more clearly shows the scope of the downside price rotation.  The Weekly chart has already changed from GREEN to YELLOW – indicating a change in rotation price trend from Bullish to NEUTRAL on the Weekly chart.  The Daily chart shows a trend change from Bullish to Moderate Bearish (Pink) to BEARISH (Red).  This suggests the SPY price reaction has more clearly illustrated the risks of this downside price move and suggests extended downside trending may continue.

Our ultimate support level for the SPY is near $262 – another $35 lower (-11.75%).  If these ultimate support levels are reached, the total downside price rotation for all of these charts would total more than -20%.  Certainly more than a simple 8~10% correction.

This is why we believe skilled traders need to pay attention to our recent research and understand the total scope and scale of this move.  We’ve already been warning our friends and followers of the potential risks setting up in the markets.

February 24, 2020: HAS THE EQUITIES WATERFALL EVENT STARTED OR A BUYING OPPORTUNITY?

February 19, 2020: IS THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR SETTING UP FOR A CRASH? PART III

We can’t make this warning clear enough for all of you right now – prepare for deeper downside price rotation and prepare for the potential of a Deflationary Recession event over the next 6+ months.

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.

I urge you visit my ETF Wealth Building Newsletter and if you like what I offer, join me with the 1-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 Bar!

Chris Vermeulen
www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Is This A Repeat of February 2018 Market Crash?

Back in early 2018, after a dramatic rally in early January 2018, the US stock market collapsed suddenly and violently – falling nearly 12% in a matter of just 9 trading days.  Our researchers asked the question, is the current collapse similar to this type of move and could we expect a sudden market bottom to setup?

Although there are similarities between the setups of these two events, our researchers believe there are two unique differences between the selloff in 2018 and the current selloff.  We’ll attempt to cover these components and setups in detail.

Make sure to opt-in to our free market trend signals newsletter before closing this page so you don’t miss our next special report!

FIRST, THE SIMILARITIES:

_  The contraction in market price just before the end of the year in 2017 was indicative of a market that had rallied to extended valuation levels, then stalled in December as the year-end selling took over.

_  The renewed rally in early January was a process of capital re-engaging in the market as future expectations continued to drive and exuberant investor confidence in the markets.

These two similarities between 2018 and 2020 seem fundamental.

Yet, there are differences that may drive a further price contraction event – beyond what we saw in 2018.

_  The US/China trade deal disrupted market fundamentals over the past 6+ months and established a more diminished function of global economics as the trade tensions continued

_  The foreign market capital shift process, where foreign capital poured into the US stock market over the past 12+ months and supported the US Dollar was a process of avoiding foreign market risks.  This process trapped a large portion of foreign capital in the US markets prior to the 2020 collapse.

_  Global geopolitical functions are far more fragile than they were in 2018.  After BREXIT was completed and prior to the signing of the US/China trade deal, a number of concerns existed throughout the world and are still valid.

_  The Wuhan Corona Virus has changed what global investors expect and how both supply and demand economic functions are being addressed world-wide.

The potential of an early price bottom setting up after this 2020 price collapse is very real.  Yet, the ultimate bottom in the markets may be much lower than the 11% or 12% price decline that happened in 2018.  The scale and scope of the Corona Virus event, should it continue beyond April 2020 (and possibility well into June or July 2020), could extend the price decline even further.  Ultimately, this extended risk function may push the US and global markets to deeper lows before a bottom sets up – yet the outcome may be very similar.

After the double bottom in 2018 setup, a slow and stead price advance continued until the SPY price rallied to new highs in September 2018.  A very similar type of price activity may take place in 2020 after the ultimate bottom in price sets up.

Our researchers believe the ultimate bottom in the SPY will likely happen near $251 – near the middle of the 2018 price range.  Ideally, the event that takes place to create this price decline will likely happen in a “waterfall” event structure.  This means we may see a series of 3 to 9+ day selloffs culminating in a major market bottom near $251.

If our research team is correct in this analysis, a bottom will likely form in the SPY and near $251 to $265 where and extended bottom pattern may setup.  We may see a double-bottom type of pattern as we saw in 2018.  Ultimately, we believe the bottom will setup sometime in mid-2020 and the remainder of the year will continue to support an extended price rally into the end of 2020.

Are we looking at a similar type of price event like we saw in early 2018?  Ideally, yes.  Although, we believe this downside price move will be deeper in terms of the total price decline (likely 18% to 25%) and will end when price valuation levels reach a point where global investors feel opportunity exists beyond risk.

Right now, we believe an incredible opportunity for skilled investors is present and that incredible market sector price rotations are taking place.  We believe the devaluation process will move the markets lower by at least 15% to 20% or more.  That suggests the bottom in the SPY is likely near $251 before we see any real opportunity for price to form a support base and begin to rally higher.

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.

I urge you visit my ETF Wealth Building Newsletter and if you like what I offer, join me with the 1-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 Bar!

Chris Vermeulen
www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Has the Equities Waterfall Event Started Or A Buying Opportunity?

Over the past 5+ days, a very clear change in market direction has taken place in the US and global markets.  Prior to this, the US markets were reacting to Q4 earnings data and minimizing the potential global pandemic of the Coronavirus.  The continued “rally to the peak” process was taking place and was very impressive from a purely euphoric trader standpoint.  Our researchers found it amazing that the markets continued to rally many weeks after the news of economic contraction and quarantines setup in China/Asia.

Make sure to opt-in to our free market trend signals newsletter before you continue reading this or you may miss our next special report!

We believe a number of critical factors may have pushed global investors away from their comfortable, happy, bullish attitude over the past 5+ days – most importantly the reality that the virus pandemic was very real and would continue to result in a more severe global economic contraction process and the outcome of the Caucus voting where Bernie Sanders appears to be leading almost every early voting event.  There are now two major concerns hanging over the global markets and the future of the US 2020 Presidential elections.  These two major issues may be enough to change investor sentiment and present a very real volatility event.

Uncertainty breeds fear and can cause traders to move away from risk.  We discussed these topics in research posts many months ago.

January 29, 2020: ARE WE SETTING UP FOR A WATERFALL SELLOFF?

November 11, 2019: WELCOME TO THE ZOMBIE-LAND OF INVESTING – PART II

September 24, 2019: IS SILVER ABOUT TO BECOME THE SUPER-HERO OF PRECIOUS METALS?

September 7, 2019: US STOCK MARKET HASN’T CLEARED THE STORM YET

Our researchers believe the underlying concerns that are becoming more evident to global traders are the very real facts that the global economy may continue to contract because of the spreading Corona Virus and risks of a global pandemic event and the fact that the US 2020 Presidential election process appears to be setting up to become a real battle between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.  Our researchers believe the combination of these two unknowns is creating an environment where global traders are fearful of the future growth opportunities within the US and global markets.

Bernie Sanders has been dominating the Caucus events in the US as a Socialist/Progressive candidate.  For many Americans, this is a frightening concept.  Even early into the Caucus voting cycle, it appears Mr. Sanders has taken a very clear leadership role headed into the 2020 Presidential election event.  Business and global investors are not going to like the concept of a Socialist/Progressive US Presidential candidate.  This is going to cause investors and business owners to avoid engaging in projects and opportunities until after the November 2020 elections.

Add into this fear contagion the fact that the Coronavirus event may continue to add to the global fear component of the US and global economy.  How much more risk is involved because of the spread of this virus over the next 12+ months and how will this concern complicate the concerns related to the US Presidential electing event?

DAILY DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL CHART

This Daily Dow Jones Industrial chart highlights the huge Gap lower that took place early on Monday, February 24, 2020.  This huge move resulted from an extended fear of a growing potential for a global pandemic event and a renewed fear that global economic activity may be greatly reduced over the next 12+ months.  We believe the extended fear of a potential Socialist/Progressive Democrat candidate may be adding to this massive decline in the global markets.

TRANSPORTATION INDEX DAILY CHART

The Transportation Index is an excellent measure of future economic activity expectations and investors belief that the global economy will recover from this potential contagion event.  On Monday, February 24, 2020, the Transportation Index collapsed below 10,600 on a Gap Down move as the markets collapsed.  This is a real sign that global investors suddenly believe the global markets will contract over the next 3 to 6+ months and are moving away from risky instruments in the US and global markets.

WEEKLY TRANSPORTATION INDEX

This Weekly Transportation index chart illustrates just how far the TRAN could move while still saying within the range of price activity from 2018 to 2019.  The TRAN could fall all the way to levels near 8,800 before reaching the lows of December 2018.  Thus, from current levels near 10,500, we could see a continued price decline in the global markets of at least 15% to 20% before we near the 2018 lows.

As our research team has been predicting, it appears a Waterfall event is beginning to take place.  This Gapping downside move may become the catalyst top in the global markets that presents a broader market rotation/decline.  As we’ve been warning, be prepared for broad sector market rotation and for precious metals to skyrocket as greater fear sets up in the global markets.  We hope you were paying attention to our research over the past 5+ months.  We’ve been all over this setup and have issued multiple warnings for all our friends and followers.

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.

I urge you visit my ETF Wealth Building Newsletter and if you like what I offer, join me with the 1-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 Bar!

Chris Vermeulen
www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

Yield Curve Patterns – What To Expect In 2020

Quite a bit of information can be gleaned from the US Treasury Yield Curve charts.  There are two very interesting components that we identified from the Yield Curve charts below.  First, the bottom in late 2018 was a very important price bottom in the US markets.  That low presented a very deep bottom in the Yield Curve 30Y-10Y chart.  We believe this bottom set up a very dynamic shift in the capital markets that present the current risk factor throughout must of the rest of the world.  Second, this same December 2018 price bottom set up a very unique consolidation pattern on the 10Y-3Y Yield Curve chart.  This pattern has been seen before, in late 1997-1998 and late 2005-2008.

The reality of these two patterns setting up in the Yield Curve charts suggests that the US and global markets are going to experience a surge in volatility and a very real potential that the US and global markets will contract over the next 6 to 24 months.  Within about 3 to 6+ months of these patterns setting up, one of two separate outcomes typically takes place.

A.  A continued US stock market price advance takes place pushing the Yield Curves lower and ultimately setting up a massive stock market top formation.

B.  A moderate price peak sets up where the Yield Curve levels begin to rise from these current levels while the US and global stock markets begin a moderate correction phase – eventually leading into the possibility of a massive price collapse.

Our research team believes the deep price rotation near the end of 2018 set up a very unique capital shift event that took place within the global markets.  Currently, there is well over $75 Trillion in the US and global markets.  This capital has become enough of a force in the global markets to act as the “moon and the tide”.  In a way, this capital, and the search for profits and safety, has propelled the global markets into a very fragile position.

This total amount of capital, in combination with the derivative markets and global credit markets, presents a significant risk for global central banks and nations.  Many foreign nations have pushed their debt levels to well over 100% of GDP.  Still, even more, have engaged in reckless lending and shadow banking practices that engage a further level of risk to the global markets.  Global central banks have taken on excessive debt levels and acquired assets after 2009 in order to help stabilize the global markets.  The combination of all of these facets of new capital, risk, and assets add a new dynamic to historical patterns in the Yield Curves.

Even though the patterns are similar in structure, the risks are far greater than in 2000 or 2008.  Before, the Central Banks were like a ship navigating the Tides of the seas.  Now, the Central Banks have become the Tides and the Moon – they are essentially an omnipresent force in all levels of assets, capital, risks, and contagion.

We believe the 30Y – 10Y yield curve may move slightly lower if any type of reprieve or complacency continues throughout the global markets that risk is not a factor going forward. This would suggest that the US stock market may continue to move a bit higher – possibly seeing the DOW breach the $30,000 level.  Otherwise, we believe the Yield Curve may continue to climb suggesting that a global market peak is setting up and a price reversion event is beginning to take place.

This 10Y – 3Y Yield Curve chart highlights the potential for a brief collapse in this level to below ZERO, yet it is not necessary at this point in time to confirm a potential major market peak.  Ideally, the future of the US and global stock markets depend on how these yield curves react at this juncture in time.  A deeper move to levels below ZERO will suggest a broader market peak is setting up.  A rally from these levels would suggest the peak has already set up and that real risk and fear are entering the global markets.

The NQ setup an Engulfing Bearish pattern after a very impressive rally from moderate rotation in December 2019.  We highlighted the potential that the US markets are rallying to a peak in a number of research articles recently.  The one we’ve included, below, is an excellent example of this type of research.

January 31, 2020: A COMBINATION TOPPING PATTERN IS SETTING UP

As we’ve been suggesting for many months, this is the time for skilled traders to become “cautious long traders”.  This upside move could end in a very violent manner as the Moon and Tide shift suddenly as fear and central bank paralysis setup in the markets.  We urge all our friends and followers to prepare for this eventual setup and to understand the total scope of this omnipresent capital/debt event.  This time will certainly be different because Central Banks have become banker, holders, guarantor and leveraged participants in the future outcome.

Our suggestion is to plan to setup your portfolio so you have sufficient cash in reserve in the event of an unexpected market decline.  We also suggest proper protection/hedge investments, such as precious metals and metals miner ETFs.  Currently, this single Engulfing Bearish pattern is not enough of a trigger to warn of any immediate action for traders – but the Yield Curve charts are clearly showing us the markets will either continue to rally to an ultimate peak or begin to setup that peak very quickly from current levels.

Think of it this way, we know the music will likely stop at some point in the near future, we just don’t know exactly when it will stop.  So, we have to prepare for the scramble for the chairs when it ends.

Join my Swing Trading ETF Wealth Building Newsletter if you like what you read here and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial markets and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own.

Chris Vermeulen
www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

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

As we continue to get more and more information related to the Coronavirus spreading across Asia and Europe, the one thing we really must consider is the longer-term possibility that major global economies may contract in some manner as the Chinese economy is currently doing.  The news suggests over 700+ million people in China are quarantined.  This is a staggering number of people – nearly double the total population of the entire United States.

If the numbers presented by the Chinese are accurate, the Coronavirus has a very high infection rate, yet a moderately small mortality rate (2~3%).  Still, if this virus continues to spread throughout the world and infects more and more people, there is a very real potential that 20 to 50 million people may be killed because of this event.  It may become one of the biggest Black Swan events in recent history.

We really won’t know the total scope of the damage to the Chinese and Asian economies for another 35+ days – possibly longer.  The information we have been able to pull from available news sources and from the Chinese press is that hundreds of millions are quarantined, the Chinese Central Bank is pouring capital into their markets in order to support their frail economy and, just recently, President Xi suggested stimulus will not be enough – austerity measure will have to be put into place to protect China from creating a massive debt-trap because of this virus.

Austerity is a process of central bank planners cutting expenses, cutting expansion plans, cutting everything that is not necessary and planning for longer-term economic contraction.  It means the Chinese are preparing for a long battle and are attempting to protect their wealth and future from an extreme collapse event.

From an investor standpoint, FANG stocks have outperformed the S&P, NASDAQ and DOW JONES indexes by many multiples over the past 5~6 years.  The chart below highlights the rally in the markets that originated in late 2016 (think 2016 US Presidential Election) and the fact that foreign capital poured into the US stock market chasing expected returns promised by future President Trump.

It becomes very clear that the FANG stocks rallied very quickly after the elections were completed and continued to pull away from valuation levels of the S&P, NASDAQ and DOW JONES US indexes.  How far has the FANG index rallied above the other US major indexes? At some points, the FANG index was 30~40% higher than the biggest, most mature industries within the US.  In late 2018, everything contracted a bit – including the FANG index.

As or right now, the FANG index has risen nearly 274% from October 2014.  The S&P has risen nearly 60% over that same time.  The NASDAQ has risen 140% and the S&P 500 Info Tech Index rose 180%.  The reality is that capital has poured into the technology sector, FANG stocks and various other US stock market indexes chasing this incredible rally event.

(source: https://www.theice.com/fangplus)

This Netflix Weekly chart highlights what we believe are some of the early signs of weakness in the FANG sector.  The sideways FLAG formation suggests NFLX has reached a peak in early 2018 and investors have shied away from pouring more capital into this symbol while the Technology index and FANG index have continued to rally over the past 8+ months.

This Weekly Custom FANG Index chart highlights the rally that took place after October 2018 and continues to drive new highs today.  This move on our Custom FANG index shows a very clear breakout rally taking place which is why we believe more foreign capital poured into the US markets as the US/China trade deal continued to plague the global markets and as BREXIT and other economic issues started to weigh on economic outputs.  What did investors do to avoid these risks?  Pour their capital into the hot US technology sector.

Another chart we like to review is our Custom Technology Index Weekly chart.  This chart shows a similar pattern to the FANG chart above, yet it presents a very clear picture of the excessive price rally and rotation that has taken place over the past 5+ months.  The real risk with this trend is that investors may start to believe “it will go on forever” and “there is no risk in these trades”.  There is a very high degree of risk in these trades.  Once the bubble bursts, the downside move may become very violent and shocking.

A reversion event, bubble burst event, in the technology sector as a result of the economic collapse in China and throughout other areas of the world may break this rally in the technology sector at some point and may push investors to re-evaluate their trading plans.  Until investors understand the risks setting up because of the Coronavirus and the potential for a 20%, 30%, even 40% decrease in economic activity and consumer spending may finally push global investors to really think about the true valuations within the FANG/Technology sector.

We writing this article to alert you to the very real fact that “what goes up – must come down” at some point.  Pay attention to how this plays out and what may cause global investors to suddenly change their opinion of the Technology sector.   A pullback in this sector may result in a -40% to -50% price reversion.

We believe the economic collapse and humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in China may be enough to put a massive dent in future expectations for 2020 and 2021.  You simply can’t have a major global economic collapse in this manner without having some type of cross-over event.  As we learned in 2008-09 with the US credit crisis – when a major economy collapses its assets and financial markets, the ripples spread across the globe.  China may become the next financial crisis event for the new decade.

Join my Swing Trading ETF Wealth Building Newsletter if you like what you read here and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial markets and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own.

Chris Vermeulen
www.TheTechnicalTraders.com

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.

Join my Swing Trading ETF Wealth Building Newsletter if you like what you read here and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial markets and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own.

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.

Technology Sector Setting Up For A Crash? Part II

In the first section of this article, we highlighted three key components/charts illustrating why the “rally to the peak” is very likely a result of a continued Capital Shift away from risk and into the US stock market as an attempt to avoid foreign market growth concerns.  This method of pouring capital into the US stock market is a process that is driving incredible asset rallies in the US technology sector.  Already the US technology sector (FANG and our Custom Technology Index charts) are up almost 15% in 2020.  How long will it last and when will it end?

Recently, China has revised the Coronavirus data with a sharp increase in infection cases – now over 40,000.  We believe the true number of infections in China are currently well above 250,000 from video content and other data we’ve researched.  We believe economic data originating from China for January and February 2020 will show a dramatic 60% to 80%+ decrease in activity for many of the major cities.  Satellite technology suggests manufacturing and consumer activity in most major Chinese cities is only a fraction of what would be considered normal – 10% to 20% or normal levels.

This means the manufacturing capacities in China have collapsed and that supply to the rest of the world will collapse as well.  This means major electronics manufacturers and suppliers will suddenly quickly experience shortages and outages very shortly.  This is why we believe the technology sector may come under severe pressure over the next 6+ months and why we believe the “high-flying” technology sector may be one of the biggest sector rotations of 2020.

Just how much of a “collapse” are we talking about?  How can anyone attempt to quantify the true scope of this potential “black swan” event and how it may result in sector rotation?

Let’s start with some of the basics.  First, the global economy has been focused on Chinese manufacturing and production of goods for more than the past 20+ years.  Over the past 10 to 15+ years, the Chinese economy has become the central hub of manufacturing and supply for some of the largest economies on the planet.  At this point in time, nearly every nation on the planet relies on China in some form for some essential goods that support their local economies.

This image showing the size and scope of global economies may highlight just how interconnected we really are.  The Chinese economy is 15.4% of the total global economy when taken as a whole compared to other global economies.  Yet, China supplies a very large number of these other nations with cheap goods, essential components for industry and manufacturing as well as a very large number of everyday essential items for consumers.  So, when we attempt to consider a “shut-down” of the Chinese economy as they attempt to deal with this virus, try to think about how long it would take for the supply chain to dry up and then what?

Source: visualcapitalist.com

Try to take a moment and think about the total scope of what we’re dealing with in regards to this Corona Virus outbreak.  Take a minute to review this graphic from InvestmentWatchBlog.com showing some of the “Best” US firms and how many rely on China for manufacturing/supply of critical components or generate a large portion of their revenues from China.

Source: investmentwatchblog.com

It has been over 45 days since the end of 2019.  China knew about this virus fairly early in December 2019.  So, in reality, it has been over 75 days since this outbreak first started. The data accumulated by Johns Hopkins CSSE started on January 20, 2020.  Since that time, China has experienced a more than 4000% increase in new Corona Virus cases – that is only about 21 days.  The number of infected has risen to well over 64,000 and we believe that number (reported by the Chinese government) may be only a fraction (1/8th to 1/6th) of the real infected rate.

Source: gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com

Not all technology companies rely on China to supply products and software.  Many technology companies have strong core business enterprises that are independent of Chinese manufacturing.  Yet we continue to believe the disruption in manufacturing and supply from China will disrupt forward earnings data enough to potentially send the technology sector much lower than current levels.  Additionally, if capital rushes out of technology in search of a more suitable opportunity – where will that capital find a new home?

What happens if this “shut down” of the Chinese economy lasts for more than 6+ months and what happens to the world economy as a result of this virus outbreak?  In Part III of this research article, we’ll try to share our insight a bit further and attempt to show you where real opportunity exists as this rotation plays out.

Join my Swing Trading ETF Wealth Building Newsletter if you like what you read here and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial markets and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own.

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.

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

One thing that continues to amaze our research team is the total scale and scope of the Capital Shift which is taking place across the globe.  For almost 5+ years, foreign investors have been piling into the US stock market chasing the stronger US dollar and continued advancement of US share prices.  It is almost like there is no other place on the planet that will allow investors to pool capital into such a variety of strong assets while protecting against foreign capital risks.  Yet the one big question remains – when will a price reversion event hit the US stock market?

So many researchers, even our team of researchers, believe we have found the keys to unlocking when the price reversion event will take place.  Time-honored technical analysis techniques have set up very clear triggers that were negated by higher prices and continued upside trending.  What is certain at this point is that the Capital Shift is going to continue until it stops – at some point in the future.

Our research team decided to take a look at the FANG index and the individual symbols that make up that sector to see where the real strength and weakness exist.  Our goal was to attempt to understand how and when a potential price reversion event may take place and how this event may be correlated to the global contraction event related to the Coronavirus spreading across the planed while paralyzing certain economies.  Could the Coronavirus event be the catalyst that sets off a breakdown in the technology sector?

There are three components we want to start our focus on in this, Part I, of this research article.  First, the very real possibility that we are “rallying to a peak” at some point in the near future.  Second, the Custom Volatility Index highlighting continued overbought price action and the very real potential for a breakdown in price from these inflated levels.  Lastly, the FANG index itself suggesting we are very near to upper price boundaries after capital has poured back into the US markets in early 2020.

These three components suggest a market that is full of over-enthusiastic optimism and capital that has poured into the US stock market chasing gains that were clearly expected as 2019 came to a close.  Yet, in early 2020, a new risk suddenly became known, the Coronavirus, and this risk has already begun to devastate China’s economy and economic activity.  What happens if this sudden collapse in economic activity spreads over the next 30+ days and how will it change future expectations in the US stock markets?

CUSTOM TECHNOLOGY INDEX WEEKLY CHART

This Custom Technology Index Weekly chart highlights what we clearly believe is the “rally to the peak” type of price action related to the continued Capital Shift taking place in the global markets.  The breakout to the upside in November 2019 prompted a concentrated pooling of capital into the US markets.  After the end of the year, when institutional investors started engaging in the markets again, it was rumored that more than multiple-billions reentered the markets in early January 2020.  It is obvious when you look at this chart.

By the second week of the new year, capital continued to pour into the technology sector – pushing it higher by nearly 15% in less than 45 days.  That is an amazing rally to start off 2020 and could possibly be the “rally to the peak” process we’ve been hinting about.

CUSTOM VOLATILITY INDEX WEEKLY CHART

This Custom Volatility Index Weekly Chart is something we use to determine how overbought or oversold the US stock market is in relation to historical VIX weighted price ranges.  When this index is above the GREEN middle range, the US stock market is reaching into extremely bullish trending and overbought territory.  When this index is below the GREEN middle range, the US stock market is reaching extreme bearish trending and oversold territory.  The GREEN middle range is a neutral zone for trading.

Obviously, as VIX spikes and price levels collapse, we can see this Custom Volatility Index falling to levels below 6.0.  As price trends higher with moderately low VIX levels, we continue to see this Custom Volatility Index hover above 12~14.  The downside rotation in the US stock market (the -600 pt Dow day) pushed this Custom Volatility Index from near 22 to 14 – a big reversion event on this chart.  Now, the current level is back above 18 and pushing higher – the rally to the peak is setting up.

FANG WEEKLY CHART

Lastly, this FANG Weekly chart highlights the concentration of capital that has pushed the technology sector, and particularly the FANG stocks, much higher in 2020.  The reality of the situation is that until forward expectations, guidance or global economic functions change, this rally will likely continue for some time.  Our concern is that global market expectations could change very quickly in relative terms because of global economic functions and contractions related to the Corona Virus.

We recently authored an article suggesting that the entire Belt Road sector could become a risk factor if China is pushed into a very deep economic crisis.  China’s banking sector recently underwent a stress test where China’s economy dipped below expected GDP levels.  Nearly 15% of China’s banks will become insolvent if GDP drops below 5.5%.  Nearly 50% of China’s banks will become insolvent if GDP drops below 4.5%.  What happens if China’s GDP drops to 0.5% for a 4 to a 6-month span of time and the Chinese economy sputters in recovery after this Coronavirus event settles?

What happens to the Belt Road Initiative and the projects/relationships China has with those nations if, all a sudden, China enters a “Credit Crisis” in excess of $5 to $6 trillion US dollars.  Bloomberg recently reported that China Home Sales plunged 90% in the first week of February.  You don’t have to be a genius to understand the risks associated with that type of plunge in a key economic growth component.

If our research team is correct, this “rally to the peak” will continue in the US for as long as risk factors stay mildly calm for the US.  Once risk levels elevate across to a point where the US investors and economy may become threatened, then traders will likely begin to bail out of overvalued sectors, like Technology, and into safe-haven investments.  It is critical that skilled traders be prepared for this move because when it happened, it may happen very quickly and violently.

Join my Market Timing Signals Alert Newsletter if you like what you read here and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial markets and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own.

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 to learn how to take advantage of our members-only research and trading signals.

Stock Market Sector Rotation Should Peak Within 60+ Days – Part II

The first part of this article highlighted what we believe is the start of a broad market sector rotation setup in the US and global markets.  This second part will highlight what we believe are excellent examples of sector trade setups for our friends and followers.

As China continues to pour capital into their markets to stabilize the outflow and fall of asset prices, a number of interesting components of broader sector rotation are setting up.  First, the US stock market has rolled lower in what we are calling a “first-tier” of the “waterfall event”.

Additionally, Mid-Caps, Transportation, Energy, and Financials have all started to roll-over of already begun to rotate lower.  We believe the contraction in economic activity and global market engagement as a result of the Wuhan virus will result in a much bigger and broader downside price move than many are expecting in the coming weeks.

The death toll for the Coronavirus outbreak reached 910, surpassing the number that died in the 2003 SARS episode. This is causing huge issues with global supply chains and shipping companies as I talked about last week in my HoweStreet Interview.

We believe traders need to be aware of the continued capital shift that has been taking place over the past 4+ years.  As foreign markets struggle and the US Dollar continues to strengthen, capital has been moving into the US stock market as a protective measure.  We believe this will continue throughout the virus event, yet we believe the US stock market will contract, move lower, as a result of this virus event as well.

Many US companies are still exposed to foreign markets through overseas engagement and retail locations,  Automakers, consumer products, manufacturing, heavy equipment and dozens of other sectors derive 5% to 25%+ of their revenues from China and other overseas markets.  MacDonalds, Starbucks, Caterpillar and dozens of other US companies have broad exposure in China and Asia.  We believe this virus event could last well into July and possibly much longer.  Because of this, we believe a broader market sector rotation will take place and that volatility will continue to increase over the next 6 to 12+ months.

Here are the three sectors we believe have a strong potential for setting up a fantastic trade.  Follow our research to learn more about what we do and how we can help you find incredible trade setups.

RUSSELL 2000 (IWM) – WEEKLY CHART

The Russell 2000 (IWM) has already started to move a bit lower over the last few weeks.  Even though the US stock market was plowing higher throughout most of December and January, the Russell 2000 is actually showing signs of a rounded top formation with a very clear downside “first leg” (waterfall) type of price decline.  We believe broader market contraction and sector rotation could push IWM below $144 in an attempt to target historical support near $126.

TECS TECHNOLOGY SECTOR ETF – WEEKLY CHART

The Technology sector may see a broader market decline over the next 30 to 60 days that could push TECS from recent lows, below $6, to levels above $12 to $16 on a reactionary move in this 3x ETF.  TECS has experienced very low volatility over the past 3+ months while the US stock market has continued to rally in Q3 and Q4.  Any breakdown in the global technology sector could push TECS well above recent peak levels near $18.

XLF FINANCIAL SECTOR ETF – WEEKLY CHART

The Financial Sector is very likely to experience a 3% to 10% decrease in consumer activity related to the lack of travel, outside entertainment, shopping and food services activities and could see extended risk to loans, debts, and other services as a result of a global economic market contraction.  We believe a downside risk exists in XLF where the price will likely break below $30 and target the $25 to $26 level over the next 30 to 60+ days.  Ultimately, XLF must hold above the December 2018 lows near $22 if the current downside rotation ends within recent price ranges.  A move below $22 would indicate we have entered a new stage of a Bear trend.

The reality of the situation for most of us is that we are not at immediate risk of catching anything except a common cold or flu.  As skilled traders, we must identify an opportunity where it presents itself and we must attempt to learn to capitalize on that opportunity.  We believe these sectors, and many others, are about to present very real trading opportunities for skilled traders.

The virus is expected to double in scope every 6.5 days based on modeling data.  Obviously China and Asia are the biggest risks right now.  Our biggest concern is that the virus spreads into India and Africa.  We believe a spread into these regions could add hundreds of thousands or millions of infected people to the lists.  At this point, it is far too early to tell how extended this virus event will become – yet we feel we are just starting this rotation and the true scope of it won’t be known for many weeks or months.

Join us in our quest to create incredible profits from these bigger trends today. As a technical analyst and trader since 1997 I have been through a few bull/bear market cycles, 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.

Join my Swing Trading ETF Wealth Building Newsletter if you like what you read here and ride my coattails as I navigate these financial markets and build wealth while others lose nearly everything they own.

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.