Colin Twiggs, Author at the patient investor

March 9, 2019

S&P 500 optimism fades

10-Year Treasury yields are testing support at 2.60%. Breach of support would warn of a further decline in long-term interest rates. Declining yields reflect the outflow of funds from stocks and into safer fixed-interest investments.

10-Year Treasury Yields

Volatility on the S&P 500 has fallen close to 1% but a correction from here would be likely to form a trough above the 1% level, warning of elevated risk. Breach of 2600 would indicate another test of primary support at 2350/2400.

S&P 500 & Twiggs Volatility

Average hourly wages, total private, grew at 3.4% over the last 12 months, while production & non-supervisory wages grew at 3.48%. This keeps pressure on the Fed to raise interest rates as underlying inflationary pressures grow. The dampening effect of the trade dispute with China may have bought the Fed more time but a spike above 3.5% would be difficult to ignore.

Average Hourly Wages Growth

Impact of the trade dispute is more clearly visible on the chart below, with growth in total hours worked retreating below 1.5%. Slowing growth in hours worked warns that real GDP growth for Q1 2019 is likely to disappoint.

Real GDP and Hours Worked

China Trade Talks

US-China trade talks have made little in the way of real progress.

BEIJING—The U.S. and China have yet to set a date for a summit to resolve their trade dispute, the U.S. ambassador to China said Friday, as neither side feels an agreement is imminent. (Wall St Journal)

There is opposition to concessions on both sides:

China has a secret program to support the microchip and software industries. That’s according to Wang Jiangping, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology. Wang was speaking to CPPCC delegates at the Two sessions on Thursday, but the comments leaked to reporters (FX678):

“Last year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology planned the ‘Zhengxin Zhuhun’ project under the leadership of the Party Central Committee and the State Council.”
“The state will give strong policy and funding support, because industries such as microchips and software need to be iteratively developed.”

Wang said the ministry had kept the policy under wraps. That’s presumably because of the recent international backlash to the Made in China 2025 program…..Wang’s comments have already disappeared from the Chinese internet.

Get smart: Given Xi’s self-reliance push in key technologies, nobody really thought China would give up its industrial policies for these sectors. (Trivium China)

Whoever leaked Wang’s comments was not trying to make trade negotiations any easier. Impact of the trade dispute is starting to emerge in both economies but resolution and enforcement of a trade agreement is a long and tenuous path.

Hope is an expensive commodity. It makes better sense to be prepared.

~ Thucydides (460 – 400 B.C.)

Colin Twiggs

Colin Twiggs is a former investment banker with almost 40 years of experience in financial markets. He co-founded Incredible Charts and writes the popular Trading Diary and Patient Investor newsletters.

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

Focusing on interest rates and financial market liquidity as primary drivers of the economic cycle, he warned of the 2008/2009 and 2020 bear markets well ahead of actual events.
He founded PVT Capital (AFSL No. 546090) in May 2023, which offers investment strategy and advice to wholesale clients.

March 8, 2019March 8, 2019

Dollar stirs, Gold weakens

The Dollar is testing resistance at 97.50 after poor progress in US-China trade talks. Breakout would signal an advance to 100 which would be bearish for gold.

Dollar Index

Spot Gold found short-term support at $1300/ounce. Expect a test of support at $1250 but a fresh Dollar advance would threaten primary support at $1180.

Spot Gold in USD

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

March 8, 2019March 8, 2019

ASX 200 gravestone

Australian housing prices are falling.

Australia: Housing Prices

Fueled by declining credit growth.

Australia: Housing Credit growth

With falling contribution to GDP growth from dwelling investment, and mining investment shrinking….

Australia: GDP Contribution

GDP growth is expected to weaken further.

Australia: GDP growth

The gravestone candlestick on the ASX 200 weekly chart warns of selling pressure. The primary trend is down and the index unlikely to break through resistance at 6300. Expect a correction to test support at 5650; breach would warn of another decline.

ASX 200

I remain cautious on Australian stocks and hold more than 40% in cash and fixed interest in the Australian Growth portfolio.

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

March 6, 2019March 6, 2019

Rural Funds Group (RFF)

Stock:	Rural Funds Group
Exchange:	ASX	Symbol:	RFF
Date:	March 6, 2019	Latest price:	$2.27
Market Cap:	$757.4 m	Fair Value Estimate:	$1.49 (Gordon’s Growth model)
Forward P/E:	15.4	Net (adjusted) Asset Value:	$1.75
Financial Y/E:	June 30	Rating:	Underperform (LT)
Sector:	Real Estate	Industry:	REIT – Agriculture
Investment Theme:	Dividends & Growth	Structural Trends:	Global population growth and rising middle class in Asia.

Company Profile

Rural Funds Group is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specialises in agricultural properties which it leases to tenants on long leases.

Farming sectors include:

cattle
poultry
cotton
tree nuts (almonds and macadamias)
vineyards.

RFF also invests in water rights.

Sectors

Strengths & Weaknesses

Long-term global population growth is expected to increase pressure on food and water shortages, driving up agricultural prices. Rising living standards in Asia have also led to increased animal protein consumption:

We are likely to face increasing scarcity of food and water. Advances in technology have improved crop yields, but increased meat consumption in China and other Asian economies will reduce overall output. The area of land required to produce an equivalent amount of edible protein from livestock is 4 to 5 times higher compared to traditional grains and legumes, and up to 10 times higher for beef. Diversion of land use for ethanol production may also restrict food output. (The Patient Investor: Structural Trends)

There is a common misconception that “Farms don’t really deteriorate or need updating in the same way that shopping centres, warehouses or office buildings do (Motley Fool).” There is a symbiotic relationship between the farmer and the land. Only by investing time, effort and capital is the land likely to yield the best return. A tenant is likely to have a shorter-term outlook, without the same sense of stewardship towards the land.

It is also a misconception that triple-net leases mean that the tenant bears all the risk, while the landlord collects a steady return. Agricultural prices are notoriously volatile and the value of the land is determined by the return that can be achieved by the farmer. If prices fall for example, tenants may be unable to meet their rental payments and may seek rental relief until the market recovers. Weather events (drought, floods, hail, etc.), pests and disease can also impact on crops and livestock, affecting the financial viability of tenants.

Large scale tenants may be able to diversify risk but are still vulnerable to pricing and other widespread events.

Tenants

RFF has some strong tenants, although it appears that the fund is carrying operational risk through its lease to Cattle JV, a wholly-owned subsidiary. We also note that recent cattle properties acquired, totaling $58.5m, are leased to Stone Axe Pastoral Company whose board is dominated by private equity firm Roc Partners (also likely to have a shorter-term outlook).

Another misconception is that rural funds only hold investments in agricultural land that is at low risk of impairment. Here is a breakdown of RFF assets at fair value:

Sectors

Almost 20% of assets are trees and vines (bearer plants), while investment property includes “buildings and integral infrastructure including shedding, irrigation and trellising”. Intangible assets (12.7% plus 6.1%) consist of water rights, while finance leases (7.7%) include loans to tenants to fund establishment of feedlots and breeding herds.

Financial performance

Distributions

Distributions per unit have grown at a healthy 5% p.a. from FY15 to FY19 (forecast), with management targeting 4% future growth.

Distributions

Forward dividend yield, based on consensus estimates, is 4.66%.

Capital structure

The fund has $301.9 million of debt at 1H19 (pro forma), with a gearing level of 32.7% (based on adjusted asset prices). I consider this high for an agricultural fund, considering the variability of operating cash flows in underlying farming enterprises, and would prefer to see a lower limit of no more than 25%.

Valuation

Stated net asset value at 1H19 is $1.75 per unit, based on most recent valuations of underlying assets.

Using Gordon’s Growth Model and a required return of 11% p.a., with 4% growth, we arrive at a fair value of $1.49 per unit.

Technical Analysis

Long-term Momentum declined in 2018, after a strong up-trend, as RFF consolidated above support at $2.00. But yields on quality REITs have recently been falling as the prospect of interest rate rises (in Australia) fades.

Twiggs Momentum

Support at $2.00 has held firm and rising Trend Index troughs indicate buying pressure. Breakout above $2.30 would signal a fresh advance, with an immediate target of $2.60.

13-Week Trend Index

Conclusion

While RFF may present a short-term trading opportunity if it breaks above $2.30, we consider it too highly-priced for a long-term investment.

Disclosure

Staff of The Patient Investor may directly or indirectly own shares in the above company.

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

March 2, 2019March 2, 2019

GDP up but ETF flows bearish

Real US GDP grew a healthy 3.1% in Q4 2018. Rising hours worked point to further gains in the new year.

Real GDP and Hours Worked

10-Year Treasury yields rallied slightly but only breakout above 2.80% would hint at a reversal in the down-trend, while breach of 2.60% would warn of further weakness. Inflows into Treasuries normally coincide with outflows from stocks, indicating a bearish outlook.

10-Year Treasury Yield

According to etf.com, US equities have seen $21.2 billion of ETF outflows YTD, while fixed income recorded $16.5 billion of inflows. The market remains risk-averse.

The S&P 500 continues to test resistance at 2800. Bearish divergence on 13-week Momentum (below) often precedes a market top. Another lower peak would reinforce the signal.

S&P 500 & Twiggs Momentum

A correction in March is likely, possibly on conclusion of US trade talks with China. Breach of 2600 would signal another test of primary support at 2350/2400.

“President Donald Trump said on Monday that he may soon sign a deal with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to end the countries’ trade war, if the two sides can bridge remaining differences.

But the lead U.S. negotiator said on Wednesday it was too early to predict the outcome. U.S. issues with China are ‘too serious’ to be resolved with promises from Beijing to purchase more U.S. goods and any agreement must include a way to ensure commitments are met, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said.” (Reuters)

We are in a bear market that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. The strength of the next correction will confirm or refute this.

Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.

~ Thucydides (460 – 400 B.C.)

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

March 2, 2019

ASX 200 hanging despite bank rise

ASX 200 Financials broke through resistance at 5900/6000 while bullish divergence on Twiggs Money Flow signals buying pressure. The primary trend remains down but it appears that a base is forming. I remain wary of banks because of declining house prices but you can’t argue with the tape. A higher trough on the next correction would confirm a reversal.

ASX 200 Financials

The ASX 200 shows another hanging man candlestick at 6200 on the weekly chart, signaling hesitancy. The primary trend is down and the index is due for a correction soon. A higher trough would reverse the down-trend but there is a lot of uncertainty in global markets.

ASX 200

The Materials sector is retracing to test its new support level at 12500 after meeting resistance at 13000. The primary trend is upward and breach of 12500 is unlikely.

ASX 200 Materials

I remain cautious on Australian stocks and hold more than 40% in cash and fixed interest in the Australian Growth portfolio.

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

March 1, 2019March 2, 2019

Gold retreats

Spot Gold retreated from resistance at $1350/ounce. Penetration of the rising trendline warns of another correction. The immediate target is support at $1250.

Spot Gold in USD

Silver is also retreating. Breach of $15/ounce would strengthen the bear signal.

Spot Silver in USD

Crude oil has rallied since the start of the year but the primary trend is down and lower peaks on the trend index warn of further selling pressure. Breach of medium-term support at $52 would signal another test of primary support at $42 which would be bullish for the Dollar.

Crude Oil

The Dollar is gradually strengthening. Breakout of the Dollar Index above its current range of 95.50 to 97.50 would be bearish for gold.

Dollar Index

The Aussie Dollar held steady, while the All Ordinaries Gold Index retreated from its recent high above 6000. Expect a test of new support at 5400.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

February 25, 2019

S&P 500 meets resistance while trade talks continue

Trade talks continue, accompanied by reassuring noises from participants. On Wednesday, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will update the House Ways and Mean Committee on progress with China while Donald Trump is away in Hanoi, schmoozing with his new best buddy Kim Jong Un. My guess is that one will prove as intractable as the other. Expect a major announcement in the next few weeks on both fronts but little change on the ground.

Both Kim and Xi play the long game. Trump is focused on next year’s elections and may be tempted to trade short-term gain for long-term pain.

“No matter how many tons of soybeans they buy if China gets to keep cheating & stealing trade secrets it won’t be a good deal for America, our workers or our national security,” Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida tweeted on Friday after Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said China offered to buy 10 million tons of soybeans as talks continued.(Bloomberg)

The S&P 500 is testing resistance at 2800. Retreat below 2600 would warn of another decline.

S&P 500

Volatility remains high, however, and a 21-day Volatility trough above 1.0% would signal a bear market.

S&P 500 Volatility

10-Year Treasury yields are testing support at 2.60% and a Trend Index peak below zero warns of buying pressure from investors (yields fall as prices rise). Two factors are driving yields lower: investors seeking safety and the Fed walking back its hawkish stance on interest rates.

10-Year Treasury Yield

It is likely that the bear market will continue for the foreseeable future. The strength of the next correction will confirm or refute this.

Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.

~ Thucydides (460 – 400 B.C.)

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

February 25, 2019February 25, 2019

Gold-Oil divergence

The crude oil bounce continues but the primary trend is down. WTI Light Crude (shown here on a monthly chart) is likely to test resistance at $60/barrel, followed by another test of primary support at $45.

Crude Oil

Weak crude tends to coincide with a weak gold price. At present the two commodities are diverging, with gold rallying as crude falls. Safe haven demand for gold, due to rising global uncertainty, is the most likely explanation.

Spot Gold and Crude Oil adjusted for inflation (CPI)

Spot Gold is testing resistance at $1350/ounce. Breakout would signal a primary advance but gold is expected to follow oil lower in the long-term.

Spot Gold in USD

The All Ordinaries Gold Index broke resistance at 5400/5500, signaling an advance to 7000. Strength of the advance depends on a weaker Aussie Dollar and/or a stronger gold price in US Dollars.

All Ordinaries Gold Index

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.

February 25, 2019

ASX 200 buoyant but banks a worry

The Materials sector (18.5% of the ASX 200 index) continues its advance, buoyed by a temporary iron ore shortage and positive spin on US-China trade talks. The higher trough on Twiggs Money Flow below confirms buying pressure.

ASX 200 Materials

ASX 200 Financials (31.4% of the main index) are testing resistance at 5900/6000 but remain in a primary down-trend. Declining house prices are a significant headwind. Respect of resistance would strengthen the bear signal, while breakout would warn that a base is forming.

ASX 200 Financials

The ASX 200 is likely to test the 2018 high at 6350 but remains in a bear market. Another test of the former primary support level, at 5650, is likely. A higher trough, at that level, would reverse the down-trend.

ASX 200

I am cautious on Australian banks and hold more than 40% in cash and fixed interest investments in the Australian Growth portfolio.

Colin Twiggs

Using a top-down approach, Colin identifies key macro trends in the global economy before evaluating selected opportunities using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis.