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Opening Whisper
Crude oil futures closed up more than $2 to $65.80 on Friday, but the rally
in oil was overshadowed in the afternoon by the Merck/Vioxx verdict in Texas.
Oil recovered more than half of the week's losses showing some considerable
support at $63 per barrel. That support for higher oil prices is beginning
to appear to be a real encounter with supply and demand issues. Media interviews
frequently appear to build a case that $65 oil is due to speculative buying.
This week however, Goldman Sachs raised its oil price forecast for 2006 to
$68 per barrel saying that crude prices can hold at about $60 a barrel for
several years to come because oil companies aren't investing enough in new
supply. At some point energy users will get squeezed to the point that fuel
charges must be passed along to ungrateful consumers.
The Vioxx verdict of $250 million for the plaintiff caused a late day sell-off
in Merck of nearly 8%. The predictable follow-on selling of Merck on Monday
could provide the source of ignition while steady-to-rising oil prices could
provide some flammable vapors to deflate the Dow Industrials to the downside.
The lackluster volume this week could "light up" next week. Look for some fireworks
as some Wall Street vacationers might return prematurely to get their houses
in order.
RISK ASSESSMENT: The downside market risk (probability of a sell-off)
is dominated by geo-politics, oil and the vulnerable consumer. There is very
little risk to our sell signal on the upside (probability of a huge rally -
like capturing Bin Laden maybe?). We are pretty safe here with a Sell signal
and a close cash stop.
TECHNICALS: The Nasdaq New Highs - New Lows chart below has rolled
a little further south giving us some more evidence for a tech sell-off to
lead the markets lower in weeks to come.
We have also included another chart of the Nasdaq Comp which gives another
possible view of where signals might be taken. This daily chart includes a
200 and 10 day EMA to show where crossovers occur. The EMA crossovers are too
late. However, take a look at the MACD histogram roll-downs and roll-ups and
the "relative price to SPX" crossing indicators which have provided much timelier
buy and sell signals in the last year. This chart has confirmed our sell signal
in recent days. I have circled the appropriate buy and sell points.

3 Year Weekly - Nasdaq New Highs - New Lows

1 Year Daily Nasdaq Composite
Our Trading System - What The Numbers Are Telling Us
The equity markets have been in slow motion this week. The good news for our
SELL signal is that even though oil prices ($WTIC) were off on the week, there
appears to be no spark for a rally in stocks. We made some money this week
(approx. 3%), but, more importantly, our model and decision support tools are
strengthening the SELL signal. The daily NDX chart shows that we are now
in a somewhat oversold condition. Normally this oversold condition would provide
some support for a temporary rally. However, the media will be filled with
Merck/Vioxx news next week which could blunt any rally as it did today. Next
week is otherwise a slow economic news week.
Our chart model indicators on the NDX are gradually reinforcing the evidence
for our Sell signal issued on August 8. The SlowSto, StochRSI, CCI and MACD
histogram are now all on "sell".
We appear to be in late Quadrant 3 of this cycle where our weekly MACD histogram
peaked and will now start to accelerate downward in Quadrant 4. Our proprietary
adaptive MACD's have generated solid sells signals.

NDX - Expanded 6 Month Chart Model - Friday August 19, 2005
What About Bonds? The ten-year note yield barely budged on the week.
The yield range is getting compressed. Which way will the spring recoil? An
equity sell-off could lower yields somewhat. Sooner or later, the yields will
move more dramatically.
What About Gold? - Gold mining stocks ($HUI) got roughed up a little
this week by being off by about 4%. HUI didn't crater and having a higher low
is some consolation for not having a higher high. The upward momentum has not
been seriously violated, but we need a rally in the miners early next week
or this recent uptrend my falter badly. This could be a good opportunity
to gradually add to your trading position in NEM if a base is forming for the
next wave up. Set close stops as a sell-off in the broader equities market
could pull down gold mining stocks even if gold rallies. For short-term traders,
the stop on NEM should be set at just below the low for this past week or about
$39.40 (closing prices). This week NEM held above last week's stop of $38.50.
Cross your fingers and hope that the current rally can take the miners higher.
Admit failure quickly though if NEM breaks down below $39.40.
What Is The Current Market Sentiment?
This VIX continues to rise. The CBOE Total Put/Call ratio was down, well below
rally-generating levels, but the 9 week EMA rose slightly. Though elevated,
these 2 fear indicators are just high enough to be bearish factors without
yet generating a fear extreme buy signal.

1 Year Weekly VIX
The Nasdaq Comp / SPX ratio has turned down after forming a third peak since
January of 2004. Each successive peak was lower. The MACD of this chart has
been a very reliable signal of market turns. The MACD is showing weakness at
this point and any continued rollover will confirm the sell on all market indices.

6 Month - Weekly Nasdaq Comp. / SPX Ratio
The following ratio chart below looks at the two Rydex funds which we trade
for our buy (RYVYX) and sell (RYVNX) signals. These two funds are leveraged
for ± 200% of the NDX and therefore the ratio is sloped more dramatically.
The daily delta between the funds helps highlight the market turns. The MACD
histogram on this chart is showing a loss of technical strength at the recent
July peak.

3 Year Weekly Rydex RYVYX / RYVNX Ratio
Where Do We Go From Here and How To Listen For the Next Signal?
The daily SPX chart is in oversold condition with the slow stochastic below
20 and turning up. The market could be setting up for a push higher. But our
philosophy doesn't allow us to act on the "maybe" of next week. We simply need
to stick with our sell signal and set our exit stop level above which we would
declare a sell signal failure and exit to cash.
Our Fault Tolerant Cash Safety Stop (FTCSS) is a very important part of our
successful model. It may be MORE important than our buy-sell signals!!! It
is based on market volatility and is a close "trailing stop" which, if triggered,
would alert us that the market has moved counter-trend with a tremor of sufficient
magnitude that it might create a change in trend direction. It is very important
that we know when to admit our signal is wrong or confusing and move to cash
quickly. Our FTCSS calculator is telling us that our NDX Sell Stop should now
be located at 27 points above the current price of NDX (1573.72 + 27 = 1601,
Add 5 pts to get away from 1600 level). Therefore our FTCSS is 1606. If the
NDX is looking like it is going to close above 1606 any day next week, go to
CASH (buy Rydex Gov't. Money Market RYMXX) before the close.
Market Listener
Trend Timing Signal Summary
Current Signal: 100% SELL (Bought RYVNX Rydex Venture
100 Fund)
Subscribers were advised by email of the SELL signal
before the close on Monday Aug. 8.
Fault Tolerant Cash Safety Stop - For the Week of August
22, admit failure and exit to cash (RYMXX) on a daily close of NDX
above 1606.
We will issue an email to subscribers next week if we
get an exit signal or have a mid-week update necessary to change the
FTCSS level. |
The Market is whispering. Are you listening?
The Market Listener Indicators
(YTD Gain/Loss with RYVYX & RYVNX approx. +31.4 % as of Aug.
19 Close)
| Week Ending |
Slo. Stoch.
(fast) |
StochRSI
(fast) |
ROC
(fast) |
MACD
(slow) |
ML Signal 1 |
| Aug 19, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Buy |
Sell |
Sell |
| Aug 12, 2005 |
Buy- |
Buy |
Neutral |
Sell |
Sell |
Apr 08, 2005
Monday |
Buy- |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Sell |
| Aug 04, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Cash |
| July 29, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
| July 22, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
| July 15, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Sell |
Buy |
Buy |
| July 08, 2005 |
Sell |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
| July 01, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Buy- |
Cash |
| June 24, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Buy- |
Cash |
| June 17, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
| June 10, 2005 |
Buy |
Sell |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
| June 03, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
| May 27, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Sell++ |
Buy |
| May 20, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Sell++ |
Buy |
| May 13, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Sell++ |
Buy |
| May 06, 2005 |
Buy |
Buy |
Buy |
Sell+ |
CASH |
| Apr 29, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Apr 22, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Apr 15, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Apr 08, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell+ |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Apr 01, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Mar 24, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Mar 18, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Mar 11, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Mar 04, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell+ |
Sell |
Sell |
| Feb 25, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Feb 18, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Feb 11, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Feb 04, 2005 |
Sell |
Cash |
Sell |
Sell |
Cash |
| Jan 28, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
| Jan 21, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Buy- |
Sell |
| Jan 14, 2005 |
Sell |
Sell |
Sell |
Buy |
Sell |
| Jan 07, 2005 |
Buy |
Sell |
Sell |
Buy |
Sell |
| Dec 31, 2004 |
Buy |
Buy |
Sell |
Buy |
Cash |
1 This Market Listener signal is our base signal.
The MACD is our primary weekly input, but can be "out-voted" by the other
faster indicators on a daily basis when we need to go to cash to implement
our Fault Tolerant Cash Safety Stop (FTCSS). You should not base your trading
on this or any other single indicator. With Rydex Dynamic funds, we can trade
in the morning and 5 minutes prior to the close during the trading day/week
when I see that one or more of the fast signal indicators have changed signals.
This is particularly important if I am going to a CASH position in order
to preserve capital. The above table shows the results of the end-of-week,
WEEKLY SYSTEM MODEL SIGNALS.
Listen To What He Says
NAB 2 Corinthians 6:1 And working together with Him, we also urge you
not to receive the grace of God in vain -- for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE
TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold,
now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --.
I am working on the art of listening and hope that you are also.
Best Profits,
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