Biases

Source: New York Times

Surprise! Partisan politics confuses some peoples’ ability to make objective assessments of economic data:

“Americans’ perceptions of the economy’s prospects increasingly depend more on their political identity than statistics on output or stock markets. “

Is it a cognitive issue? Of course! Salesmanship? Maybe. Bias? Definitely. But why else would the change in POTUS affect anyone’s impression of the economy improving? Is it more likely forward expectations or tribalism?

Truth be told, it really does not matter.

What does matter is this simple bottom line: your biases affect how you see the world, which in turn affects how you think about, well, everything: politics, money, the economy, and of course, your investments.

You can do your best to not allow these elements into your investing strategies, but if you are human, it is all but inevitable that cognitive errors and biases eventually show up in your portfolios . . .

Times They Are A’ Changin’

A decade ago, not one Chinese company made it in the list of the worldwide top 20 tech giants (based upon company valuations). Now, they hold 3 of the top 10 and 9 of the top 20.

Is this a temporary passing like what happened with Japanese companies in the ‘80s? Or is just the beginning of a longer term shift of power eastward?

June 2018 Charts on the Move Video

Yawwwwwwwn.   Sideways chop within the Jan -Feb consolidation range until we see a catalyst. I thought maybe trade war fears would be enough to break the trend but apparently not.  Bulls are still in charge.  I don't expect to see a resolution for months so until then, sit back, enjoy the summer and check out this month's Charts on the Move video at the link below  ...

https://youtu.be/FLo_AyzWVeA

May 2018 Charts on the Move Video

The US stock markets continue to consolidate and digest its huge 2017 year run-up and subsequent double digit correction. The lone exception being small cap stocks as they have moved on to all-time highs. Will the rest of the market follow suit?  The benefit of the doubt has to be given to the prior underlying trend but I don't think the answer will be resolved any time soon. Until then, check out this month's Charts on the Move video at the link below  ...

https://youtu.be/XQLqeDGpNCA

Island Reversals

There are many recognizable patterns that prices develop in technical analysis but few are as important as island reversals (also known as an “abandoned baby” in Japanese candlestick lingo). An island reversal is a reversal pattern that forms with two gaps and price action in between the two gaps. These gaps tell us that the island reversal marks a sudden, and sharp, shift in direction. Even though they are relatively uncommon, island reversals are potent patterns that warrant our attention. The islands can be formed either at the top or bottom of a stock’s price movement, both indicate the prior trend is done and price has reversed.

The alignment of the gaps holds the key. First, note that a bullish island reversal forms with a gap down and then a gap up. A bearish island reversal forms with a gap up and then a gap down. These gaps overlap to create an island of price action, hence the term “island reversal”. The island is above the gaps on a bearish reversal, and above the gaps on the bearish reversal.

As you can see in the chart below of the Nasdaq 100 index, QQQ, it created a bearish island reversal on Monday when price gapped down below the gap created in the early March move higher. Why islands are important is because traders establishing long positions on the island (and maybe those who initiated on the rise into that island) are now trapped with losses. As such, if price were to move higher from here, closer towards the open gap, you would expect a large supply (sellers willing to sell) to quickly slow, stop, or reverse the advance as those late buyers exit their losing positions. You have often times heard me reference this as “resistance”.

The stock market is in a trading range and looking for a catalyst and there is an important FOMC meeting today, 3-21.  It is important because the Fed began increasing interest rates at the last meeting. Traders want an idea of how often and how much the Fed will raise rates this year. The meeting creates uncertainty, which is a hallmark of a trading range. And trading ranges need a catalyst to bust out. As such, the odds are that there will be a big move after the report. Unfortunately, the move can be up, down, or even in both directions. We will only know the answer after the fact. Either way, strap in as I expect some fireworks in the coming day(s) and to discover whether this island top reversal pattern will be an accurate predictor of the short to intermediate term future.