Author: 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.
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ASX 200 miners tumble

ASX 300 Metals & Mining Index broke support at 3500, signaling a primary decline with a target of 3100. A bearish sign for the broad ASX 200 index.

ASX 300 Metals & Mining

The ASX 300 Banks Index is consolidating above primary support at 7000. Recovery above 7450 would indicate another bear rally but the primary trend is down and breach of 7000 would signal a decline with a long-term target of 5000.

ASX 300 Banks Index

The ASX 200 continues to display long tails and a bullish divergence on Twiggs Money Flow, signaling buying interest. Recovery above 5950 would suggest another advance but that is unlikely in the current climate. The primary trend is down and breach of primary support at 5650 would signal a decline with a target of 5000.

ASX 200

 

I have been cautious on Australian stocks, especially banks, for a while, and hold 40% cash in the Australian Growth portfolio.

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If it’s flooded, forget it.

This Queensland Road Safety video addresses how motorists are good at identifying risk but tend to act impulsively rather than weighing the consequences.

Stock market investors face a similar conflict between their risk antenna, which warn of elevated risk, and the tendency to act impulsively despite the possible consequences.

Take a deep breath. Pause. Be patient.
Wait for the market to show clear direction before making a decision.
Otherwise, acting impulsively, your chance of success is no better than flipping a coin. Often less.
Stick to your backup plan.

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S&P 500 earnings rise while stocks fall

96% of S&P 500 component stocks have reported earnings for Q3 2018. Including estimates for stocks that have not yet reported points to a 29% increase over earnings for Q3 in the previous year. What is more interesting is that S&P are projecting a further 2% increase for the next quarter (Q4) and 12% by Q3 2019.

S&P 500 Quarterly Earnings

Now these forecasts could be wrong but what they show is that the market expects further increases in earnings in the year ahead. Compare that to the sharp fall in earnings in Q4 2000 and in Q3 2007, before the last two major market down-turns.

Earnings growth may be slowing — it is hard to top a 29% increase —  but why the sharp downgrade?

The perceived level of risk is rising. Primarily because of the threat of a trade war with China, but also problems in the EU with Brexit and Italy. Earnings multiples are being adjusted downwards to compensate for higher risk.

S&P 500 PE of Previous Maximum Earnings

Even after the recent sell-off (orange on the above chart) the earnings multiple for S&P 500 stocks remains elevated. I use maximum 12 month earnings to-date, rather than current earnings, to remove distortions caused by temporary setbacks. The current P/E is still above the peaks prior to the October 1987 and October 1929 crashes.

The difference is that here, earnings are rising. While we cannot rule out further falls, they are unlikely to be as severe as 1987 and our expected worst case scenario is a P/E of 15. While that is harsh, it is a worst case and not the most likely outcome.

If you are a long-term investor, the sell-off should present opportunities to accumulate quality growth stocks. But patience is required. Rather get in too late than too early.

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ASX 200 bullish divergence

The ASX 300 Banks Index respected primary support at 7000 but only recovery above 7450 would indicate another bear rally. Declining peaks on the Trend Index continue to warn of selling pressure. Breach of 7000 would signal a primary decline with a long-term target of 5000.

ASX 300 Banks Index

ASX 300 Metals & Mining Index is again testing support at 3500. Breach would be a bearish sign for the broad ASX 200 index. Primary down-trends on the two biggest sectors would be likely to drag the overall index into a similar down-trend.

ASX 300 Metals & Mining

On the ASX 200, a long tail and bullish divergence on Twiggs Money Flow indicate strong support. Recovery above 5950 would suggest another advance but that is unlikely in the current climate. Breach of primary support at 5650 would signal a primary down-trend with a target of 5000.

ASX 200

 

I have been cautious on Australian stocks, especially banks, for a while, and hold 40% cash in the Australian Growth portfolio.

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Wesfarmers – Coles Demerger

Wesfarmers announced their intention to demerge Coles, along with senior leadership changes, on 16 March 2018.

Wesfarmers will retain 15 per cent of Coles and 50 per cent of flybuys.

Eligible shareholders will receive one Coles share for every Wesfarmers share that they hold.

“Demerging Coles enhances Wesfarmers’ prospects of delivering satisfactory returns to shareholders by shifting our investment weighting and focus towards businesses with higher future earnings growth prospects,” Chairman Michael Chaney said.

In short, Coles does not meet Wesfarmers’ hurdle rate of return for capital employed (ROCE). A defensive, non-cyclical business, Coles on its own may justify a lower required ROCE.

Coles Demerger (November 2018)

Coles Group Limited (COL) commenced trading on the ASX on 21 November 2018, after the spin-off from Wesfarmers was approved by the Supreme Court of WA.

Trading is initially on a deferred settlement basis, with the demerger expected to be implemented on 28 November 2018.

  • Following the Demerger, Wesfarmers will continue to be one of Australia’s largest listed companies and private sector employers with around 105,000 employees.
  • Wesfarmers’ business operations will include Bunnings, Department Stores (K-mart & Target) and Officeworks retail divisions and the Industrials division with businesses in chemicals, energy and fertilisers, and industrial and safety products.
  • Wesfarmers will also have a number of other non-controlling interests, including a 15 per cent interest in Coles.
  • For the year ended 30 June 2018, Wesfarmers’ post Demerger pro forma revenue was $27.5 billion, pro forma EBIT from continuing operations was $2,734 million and pro forma EBIT from continuing operations and excluding significant items was $3,040 million.
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Coles Group Limited (COL)

Coles commenced trading on the ASX on 21 November 2018, after the spin-off from Wesfarmers was approved by the Supreme Court of WA.

Trading is initially on a deferred settlement basis, with the demerger expected to be implemented on 28 November 2018.

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V- or M-shaped correction?

Last week I mentioned that there are few “V-shaped” corrections and plenty with a “W-shape”. There are also a few with an “M-shape”, leading to a major market sell-off. Here are some examples on Dow Jones Industrial Average.

2001 is the only good example I can find of a V-shaped correction.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

It rolled over later in 2002 into a more conventional W-shape bottom with several tests of support at 7500.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

This was followed by the banking crisis of 2008 which started with an M-shape in 2007. Successive false breaks above resistance (orange arrows) were followed by breach of support (red arrows)…before Lehman Bros filing for bankruptcy on September 15 led to a major capitulation.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

2011 is nowadays considered a secondary movement but at the time caused widespread alarm. Starting with an M-shaped top, it broke support in August before forming a W-shaped bottom with several tests of support at 11000.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

2015 was a more conventional W-shape precipitated by falling oil prices.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

Now, in 2018, we have the makings of either a W-shaped correction or an M-shaped reversal. The false break above resistance at 26500 is definitely bearish but was followed by a bullish higher low at 24000.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

There are three possible options:

  1. Completion of a W-shape correction, with breakout above 27000;
  2. An M-shaped reversal, with a fall below 23500; or
  3. A lengthy consolidation reflecting uncertainty, as in 1999 to 2001.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

At this stage, option 1 is most likely. Buybacks and strong Q3 earnings are likely to counter bearish sentiment.

That would change if we see:

A negative yield curve, where the 3-month T-bill rate crosses above 10-year Treasury yields;

Yield Differential

Rising troughs above 1% on the S&P 500 21-day Volatility Index; or

S&P 500

Bellwether transport stock Fedex follows-through below support at 210.

Fedex

Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.

~ Socrates

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Two years is a long time

An outcome where neither Republicans nor Democrats control both chambers provides markets with reassurance that nothing too radical will emerge, making the outlook for the next two years appear more predictable and the settings more stable……But the complacency might be premature. ~ Stephen Bartholomeusz

With Democrats in control, Donald Trump is unlikely to get further tax cuts through Congress. Even a large infrastructure spending program, which both major parties support, is unlikely to enjoy a smooth passage through the House because of a polarizing President and a federal budget deficit already close to 5.0% of GDP.

The Fed will continue to raise interest rates in order to contain inflationary pressures, fueled by low unemployment and the current budget deficit. Rising average hourly wage rates warn that the Fed will be forced to act.

Average Hourly Wage Rate

Earnings growth rates are likely to slow because of higher interest rates, higher wages and higher input costs from imports and trade tariffs (although a strong Dollar may soften the blow). But there is no sign of this in Q2 2018, with profits rising and employee compensation falling as a percentage of value added.

Corporate Profits and Employee Compensation as a Percentage of Value Added

Restraint from buybacks in October — the four weeks prior to earnings releases are known as the “blackout period” — may have contributed to the severity of the recent correction. But now most earnings have been reported and buybacks are likely to return with a vengeance, taking advantage of low prices. I expect support at October lows to hold, though there is likely to be another test in the next few weeks.

Declining Twiggs Money Flow peaks on the S&P 500 warn of selling pressure and it is likely to take several months for confidence to be restored. Recovery above 2850 would be bullish, suggesting another advance.

S&P 500

The Nasdaq 100 respected its long-term rising trendline at 6600. Again, recoveries take time: there are few “V-shaped” corrections and plenty with a “W-shape”.

Nasdaq 100

Buybacks and strong reported Q3 earnings are likely to counter bearish sentiment but there is one wild-card. Trade is one of the few areas where the President still has the reins and he is likely to make full use of them. I suspect that the Chinese will attempt to wait him out, making conciliatory noises but doing little that is concrete, which is likely to frustrate Trump further. He may try to force a deal through before the next election in two years. That could only end badly.

The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.

~ Leo Tolstoy

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Banks threaten ASX 200 fall

The ASX 300 Banks Index is testing primary support at 7000. Declining peaks on the Trend Index warn of selling pressure.

ASX 300 Banks Index

Breach of 7000 would signal another primary decline with a long-term target of 5000.

ASX 300 Banks Index

ASX 300 Metals & Mining Index continues to consolidate between 3500 and 4000. Breach of 3500 would be a bearish sign for the broad market ASX 200 index. Primary down-trends on its two biggest sectors would be likely to drag the overall index down.

ASX 300 Metals & Mining

On the ASX 200, Twiggs Money Flow is holding above zero, suggesting light volume on the declines. Breach of primary support at 5650, however, would confirm a primary down-trend.

ASX 200

Offering a target of 5000.

ASX 200

I have been cautious on Australian stocks, especially banks, for a while, and hold over 30% cash in the Australian Growth portfolio.

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Falling Crude, stronger Dollar warn of Gold weakness

Nymex Light Crude is falling steeply. Breakout below the trend channel warns of reversal to a primary down-trend. Breach of support at $55/barrel would indicate a test of $45/barrel.

Nymex WTI Light Crude

Falling crude prices are likely to strengthen the Dollar. Dollar Index breakout above 100 would signal another primary advance. Penetration of the descending trendline on the Trend Index would also suggest another long-term advance.

Dollar Index

Falling crude prices and a strengthening Dollar are likely to weaken demand for Gold. Reversal below $1150 would signal a decline to $1050/ounce (the 2015 low).

Spot Gold in USD

Silver is testing primary support at $14/ounce. Breach would offer a target of $10 but would also warn of a primary down-trend for Gold.

Spot Silver in USD

A weakening Australian Dollar has so far offset the decline in the Dollar price of Gold. The chart below, however, shows strong resistance at $A 1750 to $A 1800. Declining peaks on the Trend Index warn of selling pressure and penetration of the rising trendline on the price chart would threaten another test of LT support at $A 1350. Local gold miners would be likely to follow.

Gold in Australian Dollars

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