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Dow Jones Industrial Average 10,558
Value Line Arithmetic Index 1,864
30-Year Treasury Index 4.41%
Gold 1/10 Ounce $44.34
The Big Picture for Stocks
The 4-year cycle is negative into 2006.
Technical Trendicator (1-4 month trend):
Stock Prices Down
Bond Prices Down
Gold Price Up
There have been two earnings announcements in the last week that have very
bearish implications in my opinion. Dell guided lower, as did Wal-Mart. These
two stocks are the kingpin companies of the technology sector and retail sector.
If these two industries falter, the rug is pulled out from under the economy.
You might say, "Well, so what. The lower guidance seemed almost insignificant." But
I remind our readers that if the economy is headed into a recession, it would
begin with seemingly insignificant changes at the margin - just like we have
begun to see.
We have discussed the over-leveraged consumer often in these pages. The technology
sector is a less obvious problem, but a minority of analysts are saying that
there is overcapacity and high inventories in technology versus demand. This
sector may well be at risk also.
Accordingly, we are adding another short sale recommendation to our Special
Situations list. Sell short the S&P 500 equal weight index (RSP, 161.60).
I see many categories across the entire S&P spectrum that could weaken
fundamentally. In addition to the consumer and tech sectors, the financial
sector is also at risk, especially with rising interest rates. There are too
many banks and brokers and insurance companies in America. There is just too
much competition. I think you will begin to see lower guidance in this area
also. And if oil prices pull back, the energy stocks will also pullback. These
four sectors make up most of the economy, and thus most of the S&P stocks.
On the other hand, I am finding opportunities on the long side in beaten up
Chinese companies. Here is another one we can add to our list on the long side
- China Energy Technology (CESV, 9). This company provides energy saving products
to industry in China. Revenues are just beginning to explode (http://yahoo.investor.reuters.com/CompanyFinancialHighlights.aspx?ticker=CESV.O&target=%2fstocks%2ffinancialinfo%2fgrowth%2frate).
And the stock has been building a technical base pattern that looks good to
me.
I also think that there is very big upside potential in junior gold stocks.
While the metal is moving ahead, and I think made a break-away gap on August
11, small gold stock are still languishing. Buy all of the mining stocks on
our Special Situations list.
Notice that we have now separated out the open positions and the closed positions
in our Special Situations list as shown in the Archives and Performance section
of our site. Note that our closed positions remain comfortably above a 100%
per annum rate of return.
Note: We are long CESV and long puts on RSP in accounts we manage.
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