These Markets are Telling Bernanke that QE Hasn’t Worked for Years

‘Don’t fight the Fed,’ has been a convenient way to explain rising prices across the board. It’s even true as far as stocks are concerned, but there are other – even more important markets – that are openly defying QE. Begging the question, when will the hammer hit stocks?

It’s not widely publicized, but Bernanke’s QE bazooka has had some spectacular misfires.

The only market that’s recovered after every misfire is equities. If you look at the S&P 500 (SNP: ^GSPC) and Dow Jones (DJI: ^DJI) you’ll see about one misfire (at worst a 20% correction) per year followed by a strong recovery.

QE had done its job as far as equities were concerned, but it looks to be a ‘one trick pony.’

The same ‘medicine’ (or drug) that’s doing wonders for stocks is causing nausea (or hangover) for other asset classes. Which ones? How about gold (NYSEArca: GLD), silver, and long-term Treasuries (NYSEArca: TLT)?

The chart below is a side-by-side demonstration of QE’s failure to launch gold, silver and Treasuries. Charted is the performance of the corresponding ETFs (GLD, SLV and TLT) during their respective crashes.

From September 2011 to June 2013 gold prices fell 38.85%. From April 2011 to June 2013 silver lost a stunning 63.42% and the iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury ETF (NYSEArca: TLT) is down 22.70%, since its July 2012 high.

Why? Gold and Silver

The Fed was still priming the pump in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and investors were still concerned about inflation. The same forces that drove prices to all-time highs persisted when prices hit an air pocket. The inexplicable happened!

Why? 30-year Treasuries

Treasury yields – in particular the benchmark 10-year note (Chicago Options: ^TYX) – have a huge economic impact. It’s the financial power horse that carries the economic carriage.

That’s why the Federal Reserve has been buying trillions of dollars worth of Treasuries to keep yields down. The 10-year Treasury yield is the highest it’s been in over two years. The inexplicable happened!

Why did gold and silver crash? Why are Treasury yields rising and bond prices falling?

This common sense analogy comes to mind: Another fix (aka more QE) for a junkie (aka banks) only postpones the inevitable.

How long will it be before stocks get hit by the inexplicable inevitable?

A stock market ‘event’ may not be too far off. In fact, via a series of recent studies, the Federal Reserve has started the process of officially denying liability and preparing Americans for a possible market crash.

This study is the most interesting of all: Surprising New Fed Study – Is it Preparing Americans for a Market Crash?

Simon Maierhofer is the publisher of the Profit Radar Report.

Follow Simon on Twitter @ iSPYETF.

 

 

S&P 500 Hits Head-and Shoulders Target

There are times when short-term charts offer little to no guidance, and there are times when a chart just oozes with valuable clues about the market’s whereabouts. The later is true right now. Head-and shoulders, Fibonacci, trend lines, etc., this chart has it all.

Sometimes a picture is truly worth more than a thousand words.

The hourly S&P 500 (SNP: ^GSPC) chart below is jam-packed with interesting clues.

1) There is a head-and shoulders topping pattern with a neckline at 1,681. Several trend lines converging at the same area reinforce the importance of the neckline.

The setup was so plain that the August 14 Profit Radar Report recommended to go short with a move below 1,681.

2) The target of a head-and shoulders breakdown is determined as follows: Calculate the difference between the head (1,709) and the neckline (1,681) and project it to the down side (1,652). The head-and shoulders target is 1,652, which the August 15 Profit Radar Report outlined as initial down side target.

3) As the chart shows, 1652 is also the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the points gained from June 24 to August 2. 1,652 is thus an important support/resistance level.

4) There are two open chart gaps (dashed pink lines).

What happens if the S&P 500 (NYSEArca: SPY) falls and stays below 1,652? It will probably continue south until the next support level.

It’s interesting to note that the VIX (Chicago Options: ^VIX) created a similar head-and shoulders formation with an up side target around 15. This up side target was reached as well.

The Nasdaq-100 (Nasdaq: QQQ) – buoyed by Apple – could care less about head-and shoulders patterns as it may be worried about its open chart gaps.

Conclusion

The S&P 500 (NYSEArca: IVV) is clinging to the 1,652 level. If it fails to hang on, it will drop to the next support level. On the flip side, there are open chart gaps at much higher prices.

Sunday’s special Profit Radar Report takes a detailed look at seasonality (both the S&P 500 and VIX), sentiment (8 different sentiment/money flow gauges), technical analysis, and Elliott Wave Theory and visually projects the two most likely paths stocks will take over the coming weeks.

Simon Maierhofer is the publisher of the Profit Radar Report.

Follow him on Twitter @ iSPYETF.

Is this Gold Rally Real or ‘Fool’s Gold?’

A novice wouldn’t be able to distinguish fool’s gold from real gold. Even gold experts have trouble telling the difference. Miners have come up with the acid test to avoid getting fooled.

Most metals tend to bubble or fizzle when they come into contact with acid, precious metals don’t. Placing a small drop of a strong acid, such as nitric acid, onto the metals surface quickly and unmistakable differentiates real gold from fool’s gold.

Is this gold rally the real deal or is it a fool’s gold rally?

The results of this analysis won’t be as conclusive as the acid test for gold (nothing ever is in investing), but there are some worthwhile indicators to consider.

CBOE Gold Volatility Index

The April 28, 2013 Profit Radar Report examined a pattern in the CBOE Gold Volatility Index to ascertain if the April low at 1,321 was here to stay.

The CBOE Gold Volatility Index is basically a VIX for gold as the VIX methodology is applied to options on the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD).

An update chart of GLD plotted against the Gold VIX is shown below. Major gold lows in 2010 and 2011 occurred against positive gold VIX divergences, where gold prices dropped to a new low, but the Gold VIX didn’t.

Such divergences are nothing new. I’ve used similar divergences between the S&P 500 (SNP: ^GSPC) and the VIX (Chicago Options: ^VIX) to nail major stock market lows in March 2009, October 2011, and June 2012. See S&P500 Forecasting History for more details.

There was no such divergence in April 2013 when gold (NYSEArca: IAU) dropped as low as 1,321. This suggested new lows and the April 23 Profit Radar Report stated that: “A new low would be the best buying opportunity.”

We got that new low on June 28, but it didn’t have all the hallmarks of a lasting bottom. We were long for parts of the rally from the June low, but never committed fully.

Our focus was on the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEArca: SLV) where we just closed out a very nice trade. We went long gold again with Thursday’s move above 1,345 (GLD trigger was 130.15).

The move above 1,345 is bullish, but gold has already reached your initial up side target around 1,365 (see resistance lines in chart below).

If gold can move above resistance here, it is likely to extend its rally and move to our second target. Otherwise watch out.

Gold prices have a huge effect on gold miners (NYSEArca: GDX). One unique valuation metric – which correctly predicted the 2001 and 2008 low for mining stocks – just flashed a rare signal. Read more about the Gold Miner’s Signal here: By One Measure Gold Miners Are as Cheap as Ever.

Simon Maierhofer is the publisher of the Profit Radar Report.

Follow him on Twitter @ iSPYETF or sign up for the Free Newsletter.

By One Measure, Gold Miners (GDX) Are as Cheap as Ever

Gold mining is a labor and capital-intensive business. But there are times when investors can make money even in the gold mining sector. That’s either when gold prices soar or when blood is on the streets. Was the June low ‘bloody’ enough to buy gold mining stocks?

Gold mining is a tough business. It is capital intensive to wrestle the yellow metal from the ground. Once mined, gold – the most valuable asset on the company’s balance sheet – is sold.

Sometimes miners are forced to sell their gold for less than it costs to mine. The miners’ fate often depends on the price of gold.

For the novice investor, the price of gold has become unpredictable. During QE1 and QE2, gold (NYSEArca: IAU) and silver (NYSEArca: SLV) soared because investors were afraid of inflation.

During QE3 and QE4 investors were still afraid of inflation, but gold and silver tanked. Same circumstances, different outcome. Go figure. Instead the S&P 500 (SNP: ^GSPC) soared.

Most of the time the gold mining sector is not the best place if you’re looking for return of capital.

But, if you can catch a major bottom (or a gold bull market), even the gold mining sector can pay off big time.

The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSEArca: GDX) is up 36% since its June low. Is the suffering over for the bruised mining sector?

This will largely depend on the price of gold (more below), but first let’s take a look at one unique indicator.

The chart below plots the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD) against the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and the GDX:GLD ratio.

The GDX:GLD ratio basically measures the price of gold stocks compared to the price of gold. When the ratio is high, miners are expensive relative to gold. When the ratio is low, miners are cheap relative to gold.

As per this measure, gold miners are cheap now and were ‘major bottom worthy’ cheap a couple of months ago.

If you go back further – until 1996, comparing the Gold Bugs Index (NYSEArca: ^HUI) with the price of gold – you will find a lower ratio in 2001, which was when HUI bottomed.

So this particular indicator suggests that a major low for gold miners is in. But what about gold prices, the lifeblood of every mining operation? The article Is The Gold Rally Real or ‘Fool’s Gold?’ takes a detailed look at gold prices.

Simon Maierhofer is the publisher of the Profit Radar Report.

Follow Simon on Twitter @ iSPYETF

 

Can The Dollar/Stock Correlation Predict The Next Move?

A rising dollar has spelled trouble for stocks for much of the 21st century. Right now the US dollar is sitting right above important long-term support. The odds of a dollar rally are above average. Does that mean lower stock prices? Here’s a detailed look at the correlation between the dollar and stocks.

Everybody (including me) is trying to get a handle on the market they follow, but not ‘all roads lead to Rome’ when it comes to market forecasting.

Some roads (aka market forecasting approaches) are simply dead ends.

Correlations between asset classes and currencies are a legitimate tool to estimate future moves.

One of those relationships is the correlation between stocks and the US dollar.

Theoretically a falling dollar is good for US stocks. Why? A falling dollar makes US products cheaper in foreign countries, which in turn is good for US profits and stocks.

Does the theory hold up in real life?

The first chart below plots the S&P 500 against the PowerShares US Dollar Bullish ETF (NYSEArca: UUP), a proxy of the US dollar.

Obviously, the correlation is an inverse one and somewhat difficult for the untrained eye to detect.

The second chart plots the S&P 500 (NYSEArca: SPY) against an inverted UUP. This makes the correlation a bit more apparent. In fact, comparing the S&P 500 (NYSEArca: IVV) to the inverse dollar is almost like comparing it to the euro (NYSEArca: FXE).

The correlation held up for much of July 2008 to November 2011. What happened in November 2011? Operation Twist was reintroduced, but I’m not sure if that’s enough to upset the correlation.

Regardless of the cause, since November 2011 investors haven’t been able to count on the US dollar/stock correlation to predict future moves for either stocks or the dollar.

Still, it is interesting to note that the dollar is close to important long-term support with above average odds of rallying from here. The red boxes in the first chart shows that recent dollar rallies usually turned into speed bumps for stocks.

So, there’s reason in not ignoring the dollars effect on stocks entirely.

Simon Maierhofer is the publisher of the Profit Radar Report.

Follow Simon on Twitter @ iSPYETF

 

Could a Strengthening Dollar Sink Stocks?

On a walk down memory lane, we discover bold statements like this one – “Nobody wants toxic US dollar” – made in April 2011. Today the dollar trades 8% higher. In fact, the dollar is right above key support. Will it hold and potentially sink stocks?

According to analysts, the US dollar has been doomed ever since the Federal Reserve started QE back in 2008. Every new round of QE draws the dollar doomsday crowd out of their den. To wit, I’ve included a few headlines below:

April 8, 2011: Toxic Dollar: Why Nobody Wants US Currency – CNBC
June 15, 2011: Dollar Doomed to Drop – UBS Technical Analyst
July 28, 2011: U.S. Dollar Poised for a Plunge – Peter Schiff

But nearly five years later, the greenback is holding its ground.

It may not be the strongest currency of the global currency basket, but the US dollar today – and that may be hard to believe – is trading exactly where it was back in 2004 (dashed purple line).

Albeit choppy, since August 2011 the dollar has consistently climbed from higher lows to higher highs.

Connecting the recent lows creates obvious support (green trend line).

The US Dollar Index came within striking distance of this trend line last week.

Will Support Hold?

A trend line is called a trend line because it delineates a trend. In this case an up trend. The trend remains up as long as price stays above the trend line.

Being aware of such trend line support is important for at least two reasons:

1) The trend line makes it clear that the dollar is at a key inflection point. Key support is like a rung on a ladder. If the rung breaks, you fall. If support fails, the dollar falls. If support holds, the dollar should ‘climb up.’

2) Dollar strength or weakness is not just a currency story; it’s also an equity event. There is a correlation (see below) between movements of the US dollar and stocks. A US dollar rally may lead to falling stocks. Why?

A falling dollar is good for exports and corporate profits and therefore good for broad US indexes like the S&P 500 (SNP: ^GSPC). A rising dollar is generally bad for corporate US profits.

Based on my assessment, the odds of a sustained dollar rally are currently greater than the odds for a decline.

The PowerShares DB US Dollar ETF (NYSEArca: UUP) provides long US dollar exposure. If support fails, it may be time to look at the PowerShares DB US Dollar Bearish ETF (NYSEArca: UDN) or CurrencyShares Euro Trust (NYSEArca: FXE).

Exactly how strong is the correlation between stocks and the S&P 500 (NYSEArca: SPY)? Could a US dollar rally sink stocks?

This article about the US Dollar/Stock Correlation shows exactly what a strengthening dollar would mean for US stocks.

Simon Maierhofer is the publisher of the Profit Radar Report.

Follow Simon on Twitter @ iSPYETF

 

Surprising New Fed Study – Is it Preparing Americans for a Market Crash?

This study by the Federal Reserve of San Francisco will have you scratching your head. The claims made defy common logic and are in direct conflict with a study published by the Federal Reserve of New York. Nevertheless, it might just be a brilliant setup for bearish future ‘events.’

The latest study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRBSF) draws unexpected conclusions that almost make you believe a disgruntled Fed employee did it. But be assured, it’s an official study published on the FRBSF website.

The Federal Reserve study analyzes and quantifies the effect of large-scale asset purchases (LSAPs), also known as quantitative easing (QE) and lower interest rates, on the economy and inflation.

The results are uncharacteristically frank and seemingly self-defeating, but the intent of this study may just be brilliant (more below).

The study is about 5 pages long and can be summarized roughly by a few paragraphs.

The final conclusion is that: “Asset purchase programs like QE2 appear to have, at best, moderate effects on economic growth and inflation.”

How moderate? “A program like QE2 stimulates GDP growth only about half as much as a 0.25 percentage point interest rate cut.”

How much does a 0.25% rate cut boost the economy? “GDP growth increases about 0.26 percentage point and inflation rises about 0.04 percentage point.”

In other words: “QE2 added about 0.13 percentage point to real GDP growth in late 2010 and 0.03 percentage point to inflation.” (see chart)

Furthermore, the study states that: “Forward guidance (referring to the low interest rate policy) is essential for quantitative easing to be effective.”

In other words, QE only works in conjunction with a low interest rate policy. The federal funds rate, the rate banks charge each other to borrow money deposited at the Fed, is already near zero. The 10-year Treasury yield (Chicago Options: ^TNX) is just coming off an all-time low.

It is no longer possible to ‘supercharge’ QE with ZIRP.

A Brilliant Move?

A few days ago, the Federal Reserve came out with a report stating that leveraged ETFs may sink the market. View related article about leveraged ETFs at fault for market crash here.

Now the Fed is basically saying that QE didn’t do squat. The converse logic of the Fed’s report is that QE is not to blame should stocks tank (after all, if QE didn’t drive up stocks, tapering can’t sink stocks). The Fed is basically saying ‘if stocks tank it’s not because we spiked stocks and are now taking the punchbowl away.’

This is ironic, because even the Geico caveman knows that various QEs buoyed the S&P 500 (SNP: ^GSPC) and Dow Jones (DJI: ^DJI) to new all-time highs. Even economically sensitive sectors like consumer discretionary (NYSEArca: XLY) trade in never before seen spheres.

Did the Federal Reserve ever admit to manipulating the stock market higher?

Sometimes in cryptic terms without any direct admission of guilt, but there is one exception.

An official report by the Federal Reserve of New York actually puts a shocking number on how much above fair value the Fed’s QE drove the S&P 500.

A detailed analysis of the report can be found here: New York Fed Research Reveals That FOMC Drove S&P 55% Above Fair Value

Simon Maierhofer is the publisher of the Profit Radar Report.

Follow Simon on Twitter @ iSPYETF

 

Up 28% – Will Apple’s Resurgence Last?

Based on chart analysis, AAPL has more room to rally and seasonality allows for higher prices. However, there is one fly in the ointment that could send the stock straight back down. Regardless, here’s support that should be watched for now.

Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) just staged the biggest rally since September’s all-time high – shares are up 28% from the June 28 low.

Will the rally stick around or deflate?

AAPL Seasonality

The other day we looked at the first ever readily available AAPL seasonality chart. It pegged the September 2012 all-time high and the onset of this rally – View AAPL seasonality chart here.

AAPL seasonality projects a minor lull and another spike before a seasonal peak in September.

AAPL Technical Analysis

The AAPL chart shows a technical breakout. This breakout happened late July (green circle) when prices busted above resistance.

Unlike prior times (red circles), AAPL wasn’t rebuffed by resistance but defied resistance.

The July 29 Profit Radar Report commented on this technical breakout and suggested that: “Investors may leg into AAPL with a stop-loss just below 447.”

This was a low-risk trade set up, as support was only a couple points below the trading price, limiting risk to a mere 0.5%.

Apple’s big Tuesday spike hoisted price above another trend line, which will now serve as support.

Next resistance is around 520. As long as trade remains above support we’ll assume AAPL will get there. There are higher potential targets thereafter.

Multibillion-Dollar Tweet

The biggest concern about Tuesday’s mini Apple meltup is that it may have been caused by a news event or multibillion-dollar tweet. Via Twitter, Carl Icahn announced that he acquired a large position in AAPL.

This tweet increased Apple’s market cap by $12.5 billion. If the rally is only caused by a tweet, it could be quickly retraced. In my experience though, such external events (tweet) usually coincide with technical strength and are used to explain moves rather than causing a move.

AAPL Effect on Market

AAPL’s resurgence is happening as the overall market is showing weakness and sporting some bearish divergences.

AAPL is the biggest component of the S&P 500, Nasdaq (Nasdaq: ^IXIC), Nasdaq QQQ ETF (Nasdaq: QQQ) and Technology Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLK).

Although AAPL and broad market indexes were de-coupled from October 2012 – May 2013, Apple is still barometer for the broad market.

Despite some cracks, the major US indexes will have a hard time declining without the participation of AAPL.

As long as the S&P 500 remains above key support, there’s little to worry anyway.

Simon Maierhofer is the publisher of the Profit Radar Report.

Follow him on Twitter @ iSPYETF

 

The Hindenburg Omen is Back! Will it Stick This Time?

Dogs that bark don’t bite. Like a barking dog, the Hindenburg Omen’s market crash signals have been notoriously off. However, there is one statistical signal that may restore the bruised signal’s reputation and credibility of the latest signal.

The Hindenburg Omen had its glory days (2007), but more recently it’s become famous for notorious misfires.

Despite many hyped up Omen sightings in recent years, the Dow Jones (DJI: ^DJI) and S&P 500 (SNP: ^GSPC) are trading near all-time highs while the VIX is hovering near historic lows.

But (and this could turn out to be a big but), I stumbled upon a statistical nuance that may restore the bruised indicator’s image.

Hindenburg Omen Crash Course

Here’s a quick nutshell definition in case you’re not familiar with the Hindenburg Omen (HO).

The HO is a combination of technical factors that attempt to measure the health of stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ^NYA). The Omen triggers if a particular number of NYSE-traded issues hit new highs and new lows.

The Omen’s ‘claim to fame’ is its ability to signal a stock market crash (or at least the increased probability of a crash). Over the decades there’ve been some amazing hits and misses.

Hindenburg Omen is Back

The latest rally leg has brought a whole cluster of Omens in its wake. Omen clusters (not just scattered signals) appear to be the key to the signal’s reliability (or lack thereof).

An Omen here or there may get the media’s attention, but it doesn’t consistently phase stocks. However – this observation may restore the Omen’s credibility – a cluster of a dozen or so Omens in a 50-day period, tends to be bearish for stocks.

We are seeing such an Omen cluster right now. The chart below plots the S&P 500 (NYSEArca: SPY) against the most recent ‘Dozen-Omen-Cluster’ sightings. They occurred in January/February 2000, March/April 2006 and July/August 2013.

The chart looks somewhat ominous, but does this mean that stocks will crash and burn tomorrow?

No, even when correct, the effect of the Omen doesn’t have to be instantaneous.

Nevertheless, the Omen is yet another indicator that cautions of a looming market top.

With stocks near all-time highs and momentum slowing, now is certainly the time to keep our eyes peeled for unwanted bearish surprises. In fact, a drop below key support will likely trigger a wave of selling and lower prices.

Where is key support? Must hold support is shown in this article: The S&P 500 is Revealing Must Hold Support.

The S&P 500 is Revealing Must Hold Support

Investing is about buying low and selling high, but it’s also about knowing when to simply wait. Don’t let a month of sideways trading lure you into making short-sighted decisions. Take a look at key technical support and wait for the trade to come to you.

The S&P is trading today where it was on May 22. In other words, no net progress in 2 ½ months.

For the last 30 days the S&P 500 has been stuck in a 37-point trading range.

Investing and trading is about knowing when to buy, sell and simply do nothing. Previously back on July 17, the Profit Radar Report said that: “the immediate down side is limited, the up side is limited as well.”

Sitting on the sideline doesn’t make you money, but it doesn’t lose you money either. Furthermore, not expecting any big moves allows you to wait without being on the edge about missing the next big move.

Like a fisherman waiting for the next big catch, investors and traders are waiting for the next big move. It may take patience, but the next big move always comes and nobody wants to miss it.

Key support helps identify the next big move, because once support is broken, prices generally move to the down side.

The 1-hour S&P 500 (SNP: ^GSPC) chart below reveals important support created by all the seemingly aimless churning of 20+ long trading days.

There is a trend line convergence in the low 1,680s along with the neckline of a possible head-and shoulders pattern.

There is also an open chart gap at 1,706. Chart gaps have been acting like a magnet for the S&P 500 (NYSEArca: SPY) and Nasdaq-100 (NYSEArca: QQQ). Fibonacci resistance is at 1,700 and 1,704 (could ultimately be trumped by the open chart gap).

I’m not ashamed to admit that I don’t know where the next short-term move will take stocks. In fact, in my Profit Radar Report I’ve declared 1,684 – 1,709 a trade-neutral zone.

But, a drop below the support cluster and head-and shoulders trend line should unlock a move to about 1,650 with more bearish potential thereafter.

What about the up side? The S&P 500 (NYSEArca: IVV) hasn’t hit our up side target yet, so new highs (now or after a correction) are still possible. Regardless, the up side is limited and becoming more and more risky.

Specific trades along with entry and exit levels are available via the Profit Radar Report.