Are you wondering whether this correction in the stock market can turn into something much more severe?
I certainly am.
As thrilled as we are to see some of these Tech and Growth stocks get hammered, the question is whether this aggressive selling will spill into other more value-oriented areas.
There are 3 main charts that we have on our radar.
The first one is in credit. If we're entering into a new bear market, or an aggressive period of high volatility, you are likely to see that stress in the bond market. If Treasuries begin to outperform High yield, it's evidence of that stress.
The next one is in High Beta vs Low Volatility stocks. This ratio tends to move very closely with the averages. If you start to see a bid in Low Volatility stocks relative to High Beta, then this correction is likely to be more severe.
As is common when the stock market is moving lower, we're seeing rising options premiums. We aren't seeing any big volatility spikes yet, and $VIX is still relatively muted, but the recent rise coupled with setups that appear to be ripe for some sideways action in the coming weeks and months has me on the hunt for delta-neutral premium selling opportunities.
Today's trade is in a metals and materials stock that appears to be stuck in a year-long range that we're betting on continuing.
Check out this chart of Freeport McMoran $FCX for a visual of what we're seeing:
Markets chop sideways most of the time. This has been the reality for forex markets for much of the year.
But that’s starting to change as numerous US dollar pairs reach new 10-month highs. The dollar is taking down crucial levels while the US Dollar Index $DXY retests a year-to-date downtrend line and key former highs.
The peculiar coincidence sets up some potentially critical resolutions for these USD pairs.
If they fail, the dollar rally is likely over.
If they hold and additional USD breakouts materialize, selling pressure will intensify for many risk assets.
As of today, quite a few forex pairs are on the verge of supporting a sustained US dollar rally…
Let’s start with the second largest component of the DXY (13.6%), the US dollar-Japanese yen:
The USD/JPY is completing a six-week base as it breaks to its highest level since November.
To add to that sentiment shift, here is the our internal sentiment composite which includes data from Individual Investors, Advisories, Active Investment Managers, Volatility and the Options Market.
As you can see last year saw some of the most pessimistic levels in history, giving us one of the greatest buying opportunities we've ever seen.