Tag: Awareness

Lessons learnt from beating the stock market | December 31st, 2022 Newsletter

Weekly summary in a paragraph

The last trading week of 2022 in the US stock disappointed: despite a strong leg up in the Thursday session, the Santa rally did not materialise and all the major US market indices were mildly lower. Some late earnings report dominated the news in a week characterised by low volume due to the holiday season: $NKE surprised while $MU disappointed.

The Bank of Japan made another unexpected move by launching ‘emergency buys’ of 2 and 5-year bonds. Mild weather in Europe have helped ease the pain of a still unresolved energy infrastructure and base load crisis.

Meanwhile in China a total U-turn on Covid restrictions is allegedly causing millions of deaths with consequences on policies all over the world. Investors need to watch this development as it may impact earnings as well as commodity prices.

Asset classes weekly performance

This week the Dow lost -0.1% (-8.58% YTD) just like the S&P500 (-19.44% YTD, we are 1x short), the Nasdaq retraced -0.3% (-33.03% YTD, we have a 3x inverse position) and the Russell 2000 finished flat (-21.40% YTD, we are 1x short). $Gold finished higher +1.4% (-1.23% YTD) and silver gained +0.8% (+2.14% YTD). $Oil continued its climb with a +0.9% gain (4.24% YTD). The 20-y lost -2.6% this week (-30.04% YTD). The European stock finished -0.3% lower (-15.86% YTD). The Euro gave up -0.8% against the USD (-6.14% YTD).

Weekly pitch

The year that just ended was one the of the worst for investors long stocks and bonds – here are a few lessons learnt along the way: 1) a rising interest rate environment hurts intangible, long-duration stocks much more than companies operating in the so-called real economy; 2) dollar strength negatively impacts on precious metals and emerging markets; 3) the war economy accelerates de-globalisation and is one of the contributors to sustained high inflation; 4) hedging is a critical tool available to investors that allows them to follow a risk-based approach. Many of these themes will continue to dominate in the new year, or at least for part of it, so if investors want to beat the market in 2023 (just like we did in 2022), they need to adopt an active (as opposed to a passive, ‘buy-and-hold’) approach to investing and hedge.

Weekly Portfolio Update

Here are this week’s few movements: we initiated a long position in $CALM, took profits on our $NVDA short position (+9.5% gain) and a stop loss was triggered on $PLUG. Cash, precious metals, hedges and short stock positions amount to 44% in our portfolio (unchanged compared to last week).

Top 5 Weekly Portfolio Performers

$CPE +2.92% (Oil)

$JPM +2.15% (Banking)

$META +1.95% (Social Media)

$LEA +1.72% (Auto Parts)

$CHTR +1.55% (Communications)

Portfolio Asset Allocation

Long stock positions 56% (unchanged)

Short stock position 3% (unchanged)

Hedges 9% (unchanged)

Silver & Gold 4% (unchanged)

Cash 28% (unchanged)

YTD Portfolio Performance

Our currency-adjusted YTD portfolio performance is -9.47% (excl. dividends) vs the European market loss of -10.43% (+0.3% European market beat, expressed in €) and the S&P500 loss of -19.33% (+3.8% US market beat, expressed in $).

Invest responsibly!!!

IS THE SANTA RALLY ONE WEEK LATE ? | December 24th, 2022 | $NVDA $GIS $SRTY $KBE $CSCO $DEN $LIT $QCOM $BRK.B $SIG $NUE $PLUG $TELL $DIS $THO $MP $KSS $GL $WMT $TGT $GILD $AIG $ORI $USB $CNC $SH $GLD $SLV $SON $NEM $HLT $NXPI $DEN $GPS $JPM $CMG $MSFT

Weekly summary in a paragraph

Mixed results in the US stock market this week: while the Dow finished higher, the S&P500 was mildly lower whereas the Nasdaq closed markedly down and is in the red for the third straight week. Good performance for precious metals and related stocks. The jobs report indicated resilience in the US labour market and the inflation data points were either in line with expectations or mildly hotter.

The Bank of Japan shocked the world with its decision to end its long-standing money printing policy. Oil showed its strength after Russia declared that production could be cut to counteract the price cap decision by the EU. All of this while the largest ever US equities outflow was recorded.

Meanwhile in China there are reports of record 34M Covid infections in a single day as well as growing concerns for headwinds due to the virus surge. Can a belated Santa Rally in the last trading week of 2022 relieve the pain of a so far rather negative month of December?

Asset classes weekly performance

This week the Dow gained +0.9% (-9.11% YTD) while the S&P500 fell -0.2% (-19.33% YTD, we are 1x short), the Nasdaq retraced -1.9% (-33.04% YTD, we have a 3x inverse position) and the Russell 2000 finished flat (-21.96% YTD, we are 1x short). $Gold finished marginally higher +0.3% (-2.46% YTD) and silver gained +2.2% (+0.84% YTD). $Oil showed its strength with a +7.2% gain and is now back in positive territory for this year (3.03% YTD). The 20-y lost -4.6% this week (-30.04% YTD). The European stock finished +0.3% higher (-16.80% YTD). The Euro recovered +0.3% over the USD (-6.31% YTD).

Weekly pitch

This week’s market behaviour should serve as a reminder that nobody knows what happens next, even when estimates or predictions are met. Investors should follow a risk-based approach and hedge. Simply put, hedging means investing on the opposite side of your main portfolio, though for a smaller proportion, in order to limit losses if the market turns against you. While this reduces your profits when you have the wind in your back, it does offer a parachute when the opposite occurs. Many of those who are beating the market in 2022, like us (see below), have hedged and are either in the black or simply less in the red. The Santa Rally may well just be one week late but why risk and not hedge?

Weekly Portfolio Update

Here are this week’s movements: we took profits on $GILD (+35% gain) and partial profits on our short position in $SIG (+10.88%); we started short positions on $NVDA and $GIS. Stop loss was triggered on $TELL. Cash, precious metals, hedges and short stock positions amount to 44% in our portfolio (increased compared to last week).

Top 5 Weekly Portfolio Performers

$CHTR +9.50% (Communications)

$NVDA +8.24% (Semiconductors, short position)

$SQQQ +6.49% (3x inverse Nasdaq)

$SBSW +6.16% (Precious metals)

$NEM +3.71% (Precious metals)

Portfolio Asset Allocation

Long stock positions 56% (reduced)

Short stock position 3% (unchanged)

Hedges 9% (unchanged)

Silver & Gold 4% (unchanged)

Cash 28% (increased)

YTD Portfolio Performance

Our currency-adjusted YTD portfolio performance is -9.17% (excl. dividends) vs the European market loss of -10.43% (+1.3% European market beat, expressed in €) and the S&P500 loss of -19.33% (+3.9% US market beat, expressed in $).

Invest responsibly!!!

THE POWER OF HEDGING: WHAT IT IS AND WHY YOU NEED IT | December 17th, 2022 | $KBE $CSCO $DEN $LIT $QCOM $BRK.B $SIG $TSM $NUE $HZNP $AMGN $PLUG $TELL $DIS $THO $MP $KSS $GL $WMT $TGT $GILD $AIG $ORI $USB $CNC $SH $GLD $SLV $SON $NEM $HLT $NXPI $DEN $GPS $JPM $CMG $MSFT

Weekly summary in a paragraph

Second week of decline for global stock markets as cooler inflation data published in the US was not enough to offset the impact of hawkish central banks. While the rate hikes confirmed by the FED and the ECB were in line with estimates, in the press conference Jay Powell kept pushing back against pivoting.

Meanwhile in China reports of more infections, increasing deaths as well as political speculation about propping the housing sector dominated the news cycle and resulted in further weakness.

The pressure is mounting on earnings estimates as the risk of further downside is materialising and spreading amongst analysts. Perhaps the only playable narrative for the bulls is the expected seasonal tailwind (aka the “Santa rally”).

Asset classes weekly performance

This week the Dow lost -1.7% (-8.63% YTD) while the S&P500 fell -2.1% (-19.17% YTD, we are 1x short), the Nasdaq retraced -2.8% (-30.90% YTD, we have a 3x inverse position) and the Russell 2000 gave up -2.4% (-21.03% YTD, we are 1x short). $Gold finished marginally lower -0.2% (-3.28% YTD) and silver lost -0.8% (-1.26% YTD). $Oil showed its strength with a +4.0% gain and is now back in positive territory for this year (+1.20% YTD). The 20-y gained +0.8% this week (-26.90% YTD). The European stock finished -2.3% lower (-16.16% YTD). The Euro recovered +0.6% over the USD (-5.73% YTD).

Weekly pitch

This week’s market behaviour should serve as a reminder that nobody knows what happens next, even when estimates or predictions are met. Investors should follow a risk-based approach and hedge. Simply put, hedging means investing on the opposite side of your main portfolio, though for a smaller proportion, in order to limit losses if the market turns against you. While this reduces your profits when you have the wind in your back, it does offer a parachute when the opposite occurs. Many of those who are beating the market in 2022, like us (see below), have hedged and are either in the black or simply less in the red.

Weekly Portfolio Update

Here are this week’s movements: we benefitted from $HZNP being bought out by $AMGN (+14% average gain); we started a short position on $CSCO as well as long positions on $LIT, $KBE, $QCOM and $BRK.B; we sold our short position on $TSM, perhaps prematurely. Cash, precious metals, hedges and short stock positions amount to 40% in our portfolio (reduced compared to last week).

Top 5 Weekly Portfolio Performers

$HZNP +16.02% (Pharma)

$TELL +13.08% (Oil)

$SQQQ +8.07% (3x inverse Nasdaq)

$DEN +6.70% (Oil)

$PLUG +4.94% (Alternative Energy-Fuel Cell)

Portfolio Asset Allocation

– Long stock positions 60% (increased)

– Short stock position 3% (increased)

– Hedges 7%, though equal to 9% considering leveraged ETFs (reduced)

– Silver & Gold 4% (unchanged)

– Cash 26% (reduced)

YTD Portfolio Performance

Our currency-adjusted YTD portfolio performance is -8.97% (excl. dividends) vs the European market loss of -10.43% (+1.5% European market beat, expressed in €) and the S&P500 loss of -19.2% (+4.5% US market beat, expressed in $).

Invest responsibly!!!

THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE BULLS AND THE BEARS: HERE IS WHAT TO DO | December 10th, 2022 | $LIT $SIG $TSM $NUE $HZNP $PLUG $TELL $DIS $THO $MP $KSS $GL $WMT $TGT $GILD $AIG $ORI $USB $CNC $SH $GLD $SLV $SON $NEM $HLT $NXPI $DEN $GPS $FIVE $JPM $CMG $MSFT

Weekly summary in a paragraph

Sure, everyone is expecting a slowdown in the rates hike next week, but the November headline and core PPI both hotter than expected may indicate that the Fed is not going to pivot any time soon. It was a horrible week on the global stock markets which finished markedly lower with the US indices declining for the first time after 3 weeks.

China was the exception as the reopening narrative gains strength and property support optimism sent Chinese stocks higher. The European stock market did a U-turn and contracted this week as cold weather exerts pressure on its frail energy sector.

Asset classes weekly performance

This week the Dow lost -2.8% (-7.04% YTD) while the S&P500 fell -3.4% (-17.45% YTD, we are 1x short), the Nasdaq retraced -4.0% (-29.17% YTD, we have a 3x inverse position) and the Russell 2000 tanked -5.0%% (-18.715% YTD, we are 1x short). $Gold finished marginally lower -0.1% (-2.63% YTD) and has been overtaken by silver which is the clear winner with its +1.2% gain (-1.39% YTD). $Oil tanked -10.9% and is now in negative territory for the first time this year (-4.99% YTD). The 20-y fell -0.7% this week (-26.33% YTD). The European stock finished -1.5% lower (-14.62% YTD). The Euro finished flat on the USD (-7.17% YTD).

Weekly pitch

While 2022 has clearly seen a bear market, from time to time the battle between the bulls and the bears does not have a clear winner. The bearish narrative is based on sticky inflation, uncertainty in terms of terminal rate, recession risk and the revision of earnings forecasts to the downside. Conversely, the bullish narrative centres around the Fed pivoting on interest rates, disinflation, sustained strength in the labour market and positivity around China’s potential reopening. One may consider not taking sides and using hedges + cash to reduce their exposure to the downside as we are doing in our portfolio.

Weekly Portfolio Update

Here are this week’s movements: we took partial profits on $WMT (+5.1%) and sold our short position on $ISF.L (-9.9%). We initiated short positions on $TSM and $SIG. Cash, precious metals, hedges and short stock positions amount to 43% in our portfolio (unchanged compared to last week).

Top 5 Weekly Portfolio Performers

$SQQQ +11.25% (3x inverse Nasdaq)

$VXX +6.40% (Volatility ETF)

$IWM +5.01% (short position on Russell 2000)

$SH +3.57% (1x inverse S&P500)

$SLV +1.27% (Silver ETF)

Portfolio Asset Allocation

– Long stock positions 57% (unchanged)

– Short stock position 2% (increased)

– Hedges 7%, though equal to 10% considering leveraged ETFs (reduced)

– Silver & Gold 4% (unchanged)

– Cash 30% (reduced)

YTD Portfolio Performance

Our currency-adjusted YTD portfolio performance is -6.6% (excl. dividends) vs the European market loss of -7.5% (+0.9% European market beat, expressed in €) and the S&P500 loss of -17.5% (+3.7% US market beat, expressed in $).

Invest responsibly!!!

WEAKNESS IN PERSONAL SAVINGS MAY TRIGGER A FURTHER DROP IN THE STOCK MARKET | December 3rd, 2022 | $NUE $HZNP $PLUG $TELL $DIS $THO $MP $KSS $GL $WMT $TGT $GILD $AIG $ORI $USB $CNC $SH $GLD $SLV $SON $NEM $HLT $NXPI $DEN $GPS $FIVE $JPM $CMG $MSFT

Weekly summary in a paragraph

While Jay Powell’s speech lifted the stock markets on Wednesday, nothing really changed in the narrative or the course of action of the Fed. In fact, the positive labour data published on Friday poured cold water over this week’s rally. More critical data is expected over the next 10 days before the traditionally positive seasonality kicks in (aka “Santa rally”), hence caution is key.

The European stock market continues its sharp recovery, has risen +26.5% from the October 13th lows and has now overtaken the S&P500.

Asset classes weekly performance

This week the Dow gained +0.4% (-5.35% YTD) while the S&P500 rose +1.6% (-14.6% YTD, we are 1x short), the Nasdaq did better with a +2.4% gain (-26.6% YTD, we have a 3x inverse position) and the Russell 2000 added +1.4% (-15.95% YTD, we are 1x short). $Gold finished higher this week too and gained +2.7% (-1.83% YTD) while silver is the clear winner with its +8.4% spike (-2.46% YTD). $Oil recovered +7.2% (+7.99% YTD). The 20-y added +3.3% this week (-28.63% YTD). The European stock finished +2.1% higher (-13.74% YTD). The Euro recovered +0.9% on the USD (-7.94% YTD).

Weekly pitch

The US economy is 70% consumer-based hence savings are closely watched as any significant changes may constitute a stock market bell weather. The data published this week is concerning in this respect as the percentage of personal savings to disposable income fell to 2.3% which corresponds to levels not seen since 2005. This weakness in savings may affect earnings for Q4 2022 as well as earnings estimates for next year thereby resulting in a further drop in the US stock market.

Weekly Portfolio Update

Quite a few movements this week: we took profits on $FIVE (+3.7%) and $AJRD (3.6%). We initiated long positions on $PLUG, $HZNP $NUE and $TELL. Cash, precious metals and hedges amount to 43% in our portfolio (+1% compared to last week).

Top 5 Weekly Portfolio Performers

$FIVE +13.94% (Consumer-Discount/Variety)

$META +10.84% (Technology-Social Media)

$SBSW +9.99% (Precious Metals)

$FCX +8.26% (Basic Materials-Metal Ores)

$SLV +7.96% (Silver ETF)

Portfolio Asset Allocation

– Long stock positions 57% (reduced)

– Hedges 8%, though equal to 11% considering leveraged ETFs (reduced)

– Silver & Gold 4% (unchanged)

– Cash 31% (increased)

YTD Portfolio Performance

Our currency-adjusted YTD portfolio performance is -4.2% (excl. dividends) vs the European market loss of -5.7% (+1.5% European market beat, expressed in €) and the S&P500 loss of -14.57% (+2.4% US market beat, expressed in $).

Invest responsibly!!!

November 19th, 2022 | Short-selling Visa and Mastercard: is that a joke or an obvious investment opportunity? | $SQQQ $MP $KSS $GL $WMT $TGT $GILD $AIG $ORI $USB $CNC $SH $GLD $SLV $SON $NEM $HLT $NXPI $DEN $GPS $FIVE $JPM $CMG $MSFT

Weekly summary in a paragraph

The enthusiasm that characterised the previous week market rally was quickly suppressed by this week’s trading as US markets finished generally lower. The earnings beat by $WMT and the earnings miss by $TGT support the narrative of the consumer needing to reduce spend in these inflationary times. The European stock market continued its reversal and would actually now be outperforming the S&P500 was it not for the YTD Euro weakness.

Asset classes weekly performance

This week the Dow gained a meagre +0.1% (-7.68% YTD) while the S&P500 lost -0.5% (-16.8% YTD, we are 1x short), the Nasdaq did worse by falling -1.5% (-28.76% YTD, we have a 3x inverse position) and the Russell 2000 lost -1.7% (-17.94% YTD, we are 1x short). $Gold gave up -1.1% (-4.78% YTD) while silver finished -3.5% lower (-10.32% YTD). $Oil tanked -9.8% (+6.48% YTD). The 20-y recovered +1.1% this week (-32.3% YTD). The European stock market outperformed the US market indices and finished +0.8% higher (-16.59% YTD). The Euro lost -0.4% to the USD (-8.21% YTD).

Weekly pitch

If inflation imposes an immediate burden on the consumer, credit card debt is its long-term yoke. Credit card debt default rates have been increasing since Q2 2021 and while they are way below the highest levels seen in this bull market cycle, they are expected to go up. The next quarterly print is due next week. Most investors typically focus on the long side, even in bear markets, but sometimes investment opportunities are on the short side: credit card debt defaults may offer such an opportunity even if it means shorting stock market darlings like Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Weekly Portfolio Update

We sold three positions: $KSS (+3.4%), $MP (+4.2%) and $GL (+13.47%). We increased cash and hedges, in other words our profit-taking did not go back into more investments, at least for now. Cash, precious metals and hedges now amount to 42% in our portfolio.

Top 5 Weekly Portfolio Performers

$GPS +11.32% (Consumer-Apparel/Shoes)

$WMT +5.37% (Consumer-Major Discount Chains)

$AJRD +4.36% (Aerospace)

$GL +3.66% (Insurance)

$SQQQ +3.29% (3x inverse the Nasdaq)

Portfolio Asset Allocation

– Long stock positions 58% (reduced)

– Hedges 10%, though equal to 15% considering leveraged ETFs (increased)

– Silver + Gold 4% (increased)

– Cash 28% (increased)

YTD Portfolio Performance

Our currency-adjusted YTD portfolio performance is -5.6% (excl. dividends) vs the European market loss of -8.4% (+2.8% European market beat) and the S&P500 loss of -16.8% (+3.0% US market beat).

Invest responsibly!!!

October 22nd, 2022 | What do declining 2023 and 2024 earnings estimates mean for your portfolio? | $FCX $FTNT $SAND.ST $TGT $JPM

Weekly summary in a paragraph

The stock market staged a significant rally this week with most indices finishing 3% or more higher, in part fuelled by a rumour that the Fed is going to become less hawkish in December. Is it yet another bear rally? Only time will tell, though something seems to have changed now that the fed funds futures are reaching 5%. Earnings season is now in full swing and 165 S&P500 companies will report next week.

Asset classes weekly performance

This week the Dow gained +4.8% (-16.5% YTD) while the S&P500 did slightly worse +4.7% (-21.3% YTD, we are 1x short) and the Nasdaq outperformed both +5.2% (-32.2% YTD, we have a 3x inverse position). The Russell 2000 recovered +3.5% (-24.1% YTD, we are 1x short). $Gold gained 0.8% (-8.4% YTD) while silver skyrocketed +5.5% (-14.5% YTD). $Oil inched 0.5% higher. The 20-y fell by -5.5% this week (-34.7% YTD). The European stock market staged a +6.0% comeback (-30.3% YTD). The Euro recovered 1.4% against the USD (-13.8% YTD).

Weekly pitch

Stocks follow earnings and earnings expectations. Declining earnings put pressure on stock prices and so do higher interest rates. So far, the ongoing bear market has mainly been caused by higher interest rates but if earnings start rolling over, the downward slope may steepen. For 2024, analysts now expect 250$ in earnings for the S&P500 which corresponds to a 9.9% appreciation relative to the current price assuming a 16.5 multiple. Earnings estimates continue to decline as time goes by, though, which reduces opportunities for appealing returns.

Weekly Portfolio Update

We covered 1/3 of our short position in IWM with a 22% gain, thereby reducing the overall weight of hedges in our portfolio. We also initiated a trade on TLT as there is a potential short-term shift in sentiment. Cash, precious metals and hedges now amount to 40% in our portfolio which finished flat this week while the market fell.

Here are the top 5 performers of our portfolio this week:

$FCX +15.88% (Basic Materials-Metal Ores)

$FTNT +11.68% (Technology-Software-Security)

$JPM +9.93% (Banks-Money Center)

$TGT +9.27% (Consumer-Major Disc. Chains)

$SAND.ST +8.61% (Specialty Industrial Machinery)

This is our asset allocation as things stand:

– Long stock positions 60% (increased)

– Hedges 9%, though equal to 15% considering leveraged ETFs (decreased)

– Silver + Gold 3% (unchanged)

– Cash 28% (decreased)

Our currency-adjusted YTD portfolio performance is -2.3% (excl. dividends) vs the European market loss of -16.5% (+14.2% market beat).

Invest responsibly!!!

The #US journey towards #energy independence in 2 graphs | #ActiveInvesting