BUILDING A CHART "BRICK BY BRICK"What is it Renko?
Renko charts were invented in Japan, just like regular candlesticks, many years ago and they are called Renga, which means "brick". They display charts symmetrically and are effective for identifying major trends and structural support and resistance levels. Renko charts are very well suited for trend trading as they are visually appealing, making it easy to screen out noise and highlight trends easily.
Renko charts show a trend in a way that bars and candlesticks charts cannot. They are able to filter out the noise and create the sameness underlying the trend. In order to understand what a Renko is, let's remember what candlesticks show on our charts? They are the fluctuations in the price of a particular currency pair over a certain period of time: price and time.
The main difference is that Renko charts show only the change in price, neither trading volumes nor time intervals are taken into account in their development. The principle of building Renko bricks is based, as already mentioned, only on price fluctuations. In order for the chart to be displayed correctly, first of all, it is necessary to set the size of one brick. For example, many traders use a simple rule: 1 brick equals 10 pips. In other words, for a new brick/block to appear on the chart, the price must change by at least 10 points.
Candlestick chart:
Renko bars:
This is the feature of the Renko chart: it is extremely smooth and clear. All blocks have the same size. At the same time, if the price has changed by only a few points, it will not be displayed on the chart.
There are two types of brick size assignment methods: traditional and ATR-based. It measures the volatility of the asset, i.e. the values will be different at different periods of the trading period and on different time intervals. If you use this method, the value of the Renko bar should be equal to the ATR value.
Main Advantages and Disadvantages
Like any other graphical display of price changes, Renko has its pros and cons.
Advantages of Renko:
• This principle of construction allows to eliminate almost all noise from the chart as mentioned above.
• Renko shows itself perfectly in work with most indicators. Let's remember the main problem of some popular indicators - they output data with some delay (information is substituted into the formula only after the candle is closed). And since Renko is not tied to time, the indicator displays more real information as a result.
• Renko indicators show themselves perfectly in intraday trading. The trader does not need to wait for the candle to close.
The Main Disadvantages of Renko are as Follows:
• The chart does not work with most volume indicators.
• A new brick is built only when the trend increases/decreases by a certain number of points (which is equal to the size of one block). That is, the chart can remain unchanged for a long time if the market is consolidating.
• Renko chart does not show consolidation and impulse moves as seen on regular charts.
• In order to be aware of the likely measurement of trend direction, it is necessary to constantly monitor the market with other charts.
Examples
We will use a simple strategy based on the moving average with a period of 20 on the 15 minute timeframe. The sell and buy signal will be pinbar. Enter the trade when the pinbar is created near the moving average. Of course you can create your own strategy. You just need to spend some time with the chart and you will know if it will work for you or not.
EURAUD
USDJPY
GBPUSD (Sometimes Renko chart gives really beautiful and clear signals.)
Conclusion
Renko charts are quite convenient and practical because they display symmetrical candles and are effective for identifying major trends, support and resistance levels by filtering out noise. They can also be used in combination with other indicators to improve trading results. Renko charts allow you to identify various reversal patterns and see price structures in the market. However, they are mainly suitable for intraday trading.
Community ideas
The US Super Bubble Theory Credit for this perspective goes to u/RS3175. They shared their log Elliot waves with me and I found it so interesting I had to chart it up for myself. They've done better labelling of the wave than I have. I'll post their pic at the bottom of the page.
Firstly, what are we looking at? A logarithmic chart covering all of the SPX trading history with the entire thing fitting inside the context of the Elliott Wave Theory.
Unless you really like Elliot, I'm sure you're beyond sceptical but let me tell you a few things of note about Elliot. Elliot lost his job in the depression and started to study markets trying to work out why. This was how he devised his theory. The rally up to the high and the depression crash is a literal textbook example of the Elliot Wave.
Even if you don't think Elliot Waves work - Elliot based his wave theory on this move. This IS the original Elliot Wave.
What Elliot noticed was that this shape occurred over and over again on small timeframes and built up to a huge version on a bigger timeframe. Like Russian Dolls, but in reverse. Elliot published his theory in the 40s and died soon after. Elliot would be dead before the the depression high was broken.
In his 1940s book Elliot referred to the depression as a typically ABC correction. Implicate to this statement is a forecast of a new bull market and that bull market developing in five main waves before then entering into a bigger correction. And that was a very good forecast of what would happen over the next 25 years.
So Elliot deserves some credit. There would not have been many people who made forecasts of new highs and trending through them in 1940.
Elliot deserves a lot of credit, to be honest. Because here was the next moves.
Paul Tudor Jones famously shorted this 1987 crash and there are documentaries from 1985-1986 in which Jones and his team are using a mixture of Elliot Wave theory and matching up moves of last decade relative to the 1920s. They were running a computer program tracking correlation, finding it incredible high and betting on it.
Jones was long the rally and short the drop - And it's documented a year before the crash trade that he was using Elliot for his forecast of it. If you look up Jones forecasts at the time he was actually completely wrong. He thought it was heading into a depression. There'd be the first break and then there'd be the 1930s style downtrend.
They thought this because the correlation of price moves in their time relative to 1987 were so high (I can't remember specifically but I think it was over 80%).
I think this lends a lot of credibility to Elliot's work. Not only would his 1940's book forecast these types of 5 leg bubble moves and then sharp corrections but it was also famously used in real time to trade the rally and crash of the 1980s. If you do not think Elliot Wave works, is has! On a big scale, it has worked so far. Elliot's implied forecasts happened.
When DJI was $100 Elliot was hardly going to call DJI to $33,000 but if he'd taken the perspective that the Depression was wave 2 - what he would have forecast would be an extremely accurate forecast of what went on to happen in markets for decade after decade to come.
One would have to think if Elliot was with us today, he might well be a bear.
Here's @RS3175's chart: www.tradingview.com
The implied swings of this would match up with my Elliot bear waves forecast of 2021 (Even though we've took very different routes there).
Introduction to Relative Strength or Ratio 1-2In part one (linked) we discussed how to construct and use relative strength ratios (RS) in trading and analysis. We also discussed common errors and best use. In part two we finish that general discussion. In part three we will analyze consumer staples verses consumers discretionary and begin to discuss other ratios that I find useful.
How do spreads correct? One mistake is assuming that a spread will always be corrected by the rich security moving lower to meet the cheaper security. In actuality there are multiple ways a spread can correct. For instance, the rich market corrects lower relative to the cheaper market, the rich market declines while the cheap market rises, or the rich market remains relatively fixed while the cheap market rallies. And remember, this is all done within the context of the broader market trend.
This isn't particularly important when using spreads as informative to the business or market cycle (as I do). But if you are trading pairs (which outside of rates markets, I don't) the legs should generally be market neutral or directionally ambivalent. Along this same line, if the dollar value of the two legs is vastly different, the share counts must be adjusted to close to money neutral or the disproportionally large side of the trade will dominate.
This can also be an issue when the notional amounts of the two instruments are very different. For instance, two-year futures verses ten-year futures. Twos represent 200k notional while tens represent 100k notional. They also have far different sensitivities (duration) to a given change in rates. It should also be recognized that some sectors or ETFs are dominated by one or two very large names that skew directionality in favor of those few names. Looking for ETFs comprised of equally weighted components will mostly eliminate this issue. For instance equal weighted consumer staples (RSPS) verses equal weighted consumer discretionary (RSPD).
It's extremely important that you know what you are measuring. A good example is the change in the ratio between investment grade bonds (LQD) and high yield bonds (HYG). A quick glance at the chart might suggest that High Yield is weakening relative to Investment Grade. The easy conclusion would be that fundamentals in the high yield sector were deteriorating and investors were exiting HYG. While fundamentals are modestly deteriorating in HYG more quickly than in LQD, the dominant driver is the difference in duration between the two sectors. This can be seen when running the ratio between ten year and three-year treasuries and comparing it to LQD/HYG.
Many analysts smooth the RS line with moving averages. This is particularly useful when adjusting for the higher volatility of shorter time frames. This isn't my preference. First, I prefer to use longer periods (particularly weekly) in my analysis. Second, while averages are useful, they aren't an essential part of my own analysis toolkit. But there is value and moving averages can be used on spreads just as they are used on the underlying securities.
Finally, ratios can provide tremendous insight into economy and market cycles, for instance when, after a long RS decline, copper begins to strengthen relative to gold, the industrial economy may be entering the early stage of recovery. Or when consumer staples RS inflects higher relative to consumer discretionary it's likely that the outlook for the consumer, and by extrapolation the economy, is weakening. In future parts we will discuss and illustrate several of these ratios.
And finally, many of the topics and techniques discussed in this post are part of the CMT Associations Chartered Market Technician’s curriculum.
Good Trading:
Stewart Taylor, CMT
Chartered Market Technician
Taylor Financial Communications
Shared content and posted charts are intended to be used for informational and educational purposes only. The CMT Association does not offer, and this information shall not be understood or construed as, financial advice or investment recommendations. The information provided is not a substitute for advice from an investment professional. The CMT Association does not accept liability for any financial loss or damage our audience may incur.
Would the Middle East Conflict Push Gold and Oil Prices Higher?NYMEX: WTI Crude Oil ( NYMEX:CL1! ), COMEX: Micro Gold Futures ( COMEX_MINI:MGC1! )
Over the weekend, military conflict in Gaza between Israel and Palestine shocked the world. I condemn violence against civilians and pray for the victims and their families.
In the following paragraphs, I will discuss how the prices of strategically important commodities, namely gold and crude oil, might respond to the eruption of a global crisis.
Firstly, let’s look back into the recent past for those crises arising to a global scale. In the last five years, the world has witnessed three major crises of very different natures:
• US-China Trade Conflict: from January 2018 to January 2020, the world’s two largest economies imposed import duties to each other in a series of escalating actions and retaliations. A major event occurred on September 18, 2018, where President Trump added 10% tariff on nearly all Chinese-made products. The US-China trade conflict forever altered the global supply chain, with its impact being felt till today.
• Covid-19, the most severe pandemic in a century, from its outbreak in January 2020 to 2021. A big event that sparked market fear occurred on February 2, 2020, where the US imposed travel restrictions on incoming air passengers.
• Russia-Ukraine Conflict: the first military conflict in Europe since World War II, from February 14, 2022, till now.
Secondly, let’s measure how gold and WTI crude oil responded to these crises. For my analysis, I denote the day before Event Day as T0, where we may find last market prices before the impact hit. Event Day will be T+1, and then 1-week after (T+7), 1-month after (1M), 3-month after (3M), all the way through 1-year after (1Y). Here are what I found:
US-China Trade Conflict
• Gold spot price (T0) = $1,201.90 per Troy Ounce
• Price changes by time: -0.1% (T+1), +0.1% (T+7), +2.3% (1M), +3.3% (3M), +8.6% (6M), +11.6% (9M), +25.0% (1Y)
• Comment: Trade tension between US and China could push the global economy into a recession. Gold, a safe-haven asset, saw its market value growing 25% in a year.
• WTI crude oil spot price (T0) = $69.86 per barrel
• Price changes by time: +1.2% (T+1), +6.3% (T+7), +4.3% (1M), -27.7% (3M), -14.2% (6M), -24.6% (9M), -8.4% (1Y)
• Comment: High tariff raised the price consumers had to pay, hence reducing demand. Crude was down 28% three months after the all-in tariff was imposed.
Covid Pandemic
• Gold spot price (T0) = $1,574.75 per Troy Ounce
• Price changes by time: -1.0% (T+1), -0.1% (T+7), +2.6% (1M), +8.5% (3M), +24.4% (6M), +21.2% (9M), +16.6% (1Y)
• Comment: We saw the biggest stock market selloff in March 2020. Gold price was down initially as stock traders needed to raise money and meet margin calls. However, a flight to safety eventually took place, and gold was up 24% in six months.
• WTI crude oil spot price (T0) = $53.09 per barrel
• Price changes by time: -5.0% (T+1), -11.9% (T+7), -77.1% (1M), -61.4% (3M), -23.1% (6M), -31.1% (9M), +0.9% (1Y)
• Comment: Rapid Covid outbreaks stroke fear. Lockdowns put global activities to a pause. The pandemic wiped out oil demand, with WTI falling 80% in a month. April 20, 2020 made history as oil price of the expiring contract went below zero. As storage cost more than selling price, traders were willing to pay others to take away the crude for free.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
• Gold spot price (T0) = $1,854.60 per Troy Ounce
• Price changes by time: -2.5% (T+1), -2.5% (T+7), +6.5% (1M), -1.8% (3M), -2.8% (6M), -5.0% (9M), +5.0% (1Y)
• WTI crude oil spot price (T0) = $91.25 per barrel
• Price changes by time: +4.7% (T+1), +5.3% (T+7), +30.7% (1M), +12.90 (3M), +1.1% (6M), +0.6% (9M), -17.2% (1Y)
• Comment: A major military conflict in Europe significantly raised the global risk level. Gold, the safe-haven asset, and crude oil, an energy commodity critically important in wartime, both went up in the first month, by 6.5% and 30.7%, respectively.
• However, the impact was short-lived. On March 16, 2022, the Fed begin hiking interest rates, which has become the driving force in global market. Impact from Russia-Ukraine became a secondary factor and sat in the back burner.
To sum up the above examples, I observe that gold prices usually go up in the aftermath of a global crisis. Crude oil has a mixed bag of reactions. If a crisis results in economic recession and a consequential reduction in oil demand, oil prices would go down. However, in the case of a major war, oil price would go up due to its strategic importance.
Review: Event-driven Strategy focusing on Global Crises
In June 2022, I introduced a three-factor pricing model for commodities futures:
Commodities Futures Price = Intrinsic Value + Market Sentiment + Crisis Premium
Intrinsic Value is the baseline cash price of the underlying commodities, determined by available supply, demand, inventory, shipping costs, and factors affecting these variables.
Market Sentiment indicates if investors are bullish or bearish. Whether speculative investors place more money on the long side or the short side affects the price of a futures contract. Market sentiment could be either positive or negative, resulting in a price premium or a discount of the intrinsic value.
The new Crisis Premium factor captures “Event Shock” during a global geopolitical crisis.
Previous trade example:
Russia and Ukraine together accounted for 28% of global wheat export. Wheat price shot up by 75% following the start of the conflict. I designed a Long Strangle options strategy on CBOT Wheat futures, and simultaneously bought out-of-the-money (OTM) call and put options. A “risk-on” outcome could push wheat price higher, making the calls more valuable, where a “risk-off” outcome would pull wheat price back down, making the puts in-the-money (ITM).
Trading Opportunities with Micro Gold
Since the September FOMC meeting, gold prices suffered a 6.3% drawdown, sending the futures price from $1,969 to $1,845. Friday settlement price was nearly 9% below the yearly high.
On the one hand, high-interest money market funds beat out non-interest-yielding gold investment; on the other hand, strong dollar raised the cost of gold purchase by foreign investors. As a result, gold prices have been under pressure.
However, my analysis illustrates that gold prices could rise in response to geopolitical conflicts. Since its founding, Israel had five major wars with its Arab neighbors. We do not know whether this time it would be contained as a regional conflict or spark a chain reaction of a global war. By the intensity of how it started, it doesn’t seem like a short one.
To express a view of rising gold prices, we could consider a long position in COMEX Micro Gold Futures ( AMEX:MGC ). The December contract (MGCZ3) was settled at $1,845. Each contract has a notional value of 10 troy ounces, or $18,450 at market price. CME Group requires an initial margin of $780 per contract.
Hypothetically, if gold futures go back up to $2020, its yearly high, the $175 ($2020-$1845) price increase would translate into $1,750 for a long futures position. If gold price goes down instead, each dollar of decline would result in a loss of $10 per contract.
Alternatively, we could consider the newly launched Micro Gold Options. A Long Strangle Options Strategy, where simultaneously buying OTM calls or puts, could be deployed if we expect a big move in gold price, but not certain of its direction.
Trading Opportunities with WTI Crude Oil
Since June, WTI crude oil first staged a nearly 40% rise, from $67 going to $93. However, it has seen a 9% drawdown since the Fed meeting on September 20th.
A major military conflict in the Middle East, the world’s most important oil producing region, threatens to interrupt oil supply and push up oil price. If the conflict is escalated to involve major oil exporting nations, the situation could be dire.
To express a view of rising crude price, we could consider a long position in NYMEX WTI Futures ( NYSE:CL ). The December contract (CLZ3) was settled at $83.18. Each contract has a notional value of 1,000 barrels, or $83,180 at market price. CME Group requires an initial margin of $6,186 per contract.
Hypothetically, if WTI futures go up above $100, which we saw from February to July 2022 in the first months of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the $17 price increase would translate into $17,000 for a long futures position. If crude oil price goes down instead, each dollar of decline would result in a loss of $1000 per contract.
Similarly, the newly launched Micro WTI Options could express a view that a big move in oil price is expected, without knowing its direction.
Happy Trading.
Disclaimers
*Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
People want to earn but not learnThe issue is everyone wants to make money (well, maybe not everyone) but nobody wants to take the time to learn how to do it properly. This is NOT a sales pitch by the way! it's FACT!!
People often ask why I bash influencers so much, it's mainly for this reason. Majority of noobs, come into trading expecting to make a fortune. If only it was that easy, every man and his dog would be a professional trader.
Over the years, I have talked about things like Bots and AI that are programmed to make you money - think logically, if again it is this easy wouldn't the founders go to the bank, loan $10million based on their results and just not bother selling and shilling to customers and retail. NOBODY wants to provide customer service, especially to the world's population.
Unfortunately, regardless of the market. Trust me if you stick around long enough you get to see this behaviour in Forex, Commodities, Stocks and more recently crypto with a splash of A.I.
The story goes pretty much the same way. "man (or woman) hears about an opportunity to make money through a thing called trading, they do their research which leads to the old You of Tube and that leads to "Lamborghini promises from kids with fake watches, drawing random trendlines on 3 minute charts" There's often a "sign-up" bonus if you click their shill link.
So let's get this straight, they make money on watch time and those links you click.
The reason I chose fish in the image above, is that most people have memories that last about 2 seconds. Mark Cuban said "everyone is a genius in a bull market" Algorithms work and influencers claim to be experts with 3 months of experience. Easy to show in a market only going one way.
Trading is hard enough, let alone having the ability to lose money from scams.
If a trading algorithms promises a 90% win rate - run and don't buy it.
==============================================================
There are fundamental things to do and you can deploy to get you off on the right track. Firstly think of the obvious. 90% of new traders lose 90% of their money in only 90 days. Hence a 50% sign-up bonus whereby you think you gained "free cash" often has small print that you can't access it until you lost your original investment.
Affiliates tend to get 25% or more of the deposit - the exchanges know full well, your about to lose your money.
Second thing I try to emphasis for newer traders, is that you need to treat trading as a profession. You wouldn't watch a video and expect to be a doctor, you also wouldn't buy an algorithm or Artificial Intelligence software and expect to become New York's latest Hot Shot Lawyer You see where this is going?
There is no secret sauce, no silver bullet and no short cuts.
If you want to trade and make money trading, you need the basics. You need to keep doing the basics well and evolve your mindset more than a strategy. Areas that will really help you include proper risk management. If your willing to be sat in negative 20, 30 or even 50% equity positions. This won't take you long to lose your entire trading pot.
Instead risking 1-2% with a risk strategy of 2 -1 or greater. it's a slower game, but it keeps you playing the game. If you take a 3 or even a 4 reward trade with only 1 risk. For every time you are right, it's giving you 4 times as much as when you are wrong.
Imagine winning 20% of your trading days and still being at breakeven... simple 1:4 ratio.
This is only one small aspect to keep in mind.
As I mentioned above, if strategies or software is pitched with high percentage win rates - run. You need to understand the market acts differently and past results do not indicate future performance. Everyone is a genius in a bull market, remember.
You do not need to go looking for the silver bullet. These strategies do not exist, instead spend the time working on strategies that can be consistent in various market conditions. This is no small task, your strategy might identify entries in a counter trend differently than it would in say a ranging market.
The answer to resolve this, is BACKTESTING Don't just run your strategy on replay mode, although @TradingView has a great little tool for this.
Spend the time to look at things such as "repainting" this means that when your strategy triggers an entry, does it disappear and reappear. If so, do some manual back testing. Then Dig deeper and analyse the type of market condition it was more profitable or less profitable. This could be things like "I lose more on a Monday, compared to other days" or when the market goes sideways, It triggers too many trades.
I've written several articles here on pure education. Here's a few examples.
In this post (worth clicking on) it has a whole bunch of lessons inside.
Think of trading like you would a university course, there's plenty to learn but you can have some fun along the way!
Stay safe!
Disclaimer
This idea does not constitute as financial advice. It is for educational purposes only, our principle trader has over 20 years’ experience in stocks, ETF’s, and Forex. Hence each trade setup might have different hold times, entry or exit conditions, and will vary from the post/idea shared here. You can use the information from this post to make your own trading plan for the instrument discussed. Trading carries a risk; a high percentage of retail traders lose money. Please keep this in mind when entering any trade. Stay safe.
An Overview of Stablecoin ArchitectureCrypto stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency that aims to maintain a stable value relative to a target asset, such as a fiat currency or a commodity. This is achieved through a variety of mechanisms, including fiat collateralization, algorithmic stabilization, and hybrid models.
Stablecoins offer a number of advantages over traditional cryptocurrencies, including:
- Price stability: Stablecoins are designed to maintain a stable value, making them more suitable for use as a medium of exchange and store of value.
- Lower volatility: Stablecoins are less volatile than traditional cryptocurrencies, which makes them more attractive to risk-averse investors.
- Global reach: Stablecoins can be used to send and receive payments anywhere in the world with low fees and fast transaction times.
- Programmability: Stablecoins can be programmed to execute smart contracts, which enables new and innovative financial applications.
There are generally four main types of crypto stablecoins:
- Fiat-collateralized stablecoins: These stablecoins are backed by fiat currencies, such as the US dollar or the euro. The issuer of the stablecoin holds a reserve of fiat currency equal to the value of all outstanding stablecoins. This type of stablecoin is considered to be the most stable, but it is also the most centralized.
- Crypto-collateralized stablecoins: These stablecoins utilized native cryptocurrencies as their collateral and are minted once a user locks up native crypto worth 150%+ worth of the newly minted stablecoin into a Collateralized Debt Position (CDP).
- Algorithmic stablecoins: These stablecoins use algorithms to maintain their peg to a target asset. The algorithm typically adjusts the supply of the stablecoin based on its price. This type of stablecoin is more decentralized than fiat-collateralized stablecoins, but it is also more complex and riskier.
- Hybrid stablecoins: These stablecoins combine elements of both fiat-collateralized and algorithmic stablecoins. For example, a hybrid stablecoin might be backed by a basket of assets, including fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. This type of stablecoin offers a balance of stability and decentralization.
Despite their promise, crypto stablecoins face a number of challenges, including:
- Technology risk: Because stablecoins can be designed in numerous ways to optimize for different things, technological risk associated with these nascent financial products is ever-present. It is important to carefully evaluate each stablecoin separately based on its design and intentions.
- Centralization risk: Some stablecoins are highly centralized, meaning that the issuer has a great deal of control over the stablecoin. This could (and has) lead to censorship or abuse.
- Regulation: The regulatory landscape for stablecoins is still evolving. Governments around the world are developing regulations to address the potential risks posed by stablecoins, such as money laundering and terrorist financing.
Crypto stablecoins have the potential to revolutionize not only the crypto industry but also the traditional finance (TradFi) sector as well. They offer a number of advantages over traditional financial systems, including lower fees, faster transaction times, and global reach.
Navigating the cryptocurrency landscape demands both risk tolerance and a strategy to weather the often-turbulent market conditions. Enter stablecoins, digital assets designed to provide investors with a semblance of stability amid the inherent volatility associated with crypto assets. Thanks to their combination of stability, liquidity, and speed, stablecoins have become an unignorable aspect of nearly all crypto sectors.
The essence of a stablecoin's value stability stems from its underlying collateral. Unlike conventional cryptocurrencies, which can see drastic price swings within short time frames, stablecoins operate with a pegged value. This peg, often linked to established fiat currencies like the USD, provides a predictable and stable asset value. The actual value of the stablecoin remains in equilibrium with the fiat currency to which it is anchored, eliminating the wild price fluctuations common in the crypto domain.
Stablecoins seamlessly merge the frictionless attributes of blockchain transactions with the robustness of well-established currencies like the USD. This fusion brings forth an unparalleled blend of efficiency and reliability, all while never having to leave the on-chain blockchain environment. For crypto traders, this capability ensures that they remain shielded from potential market downturns without having to constantly transfer assets between crypto and traditional banking systems.
Because of these attributes, stablecoins have emerged as an indispensable cornerstone of the crypto economy. Their influence spans a myriad of functions, from trading to lending, and even asset management. Despite the bear market in crypto prices in 2023, interest in stablecoins has remained considerably more stable.
Although stablecoins, as a whole, are gaining prominence in the cryptocurrency world due to their promise of stability, it is crucial to understand that their structures differ, and these distinctions can significantly impact their reliability and use cases. The most straightforward (and popular) mechanism to ensure stability in a stablecoin is to back it on a 1:1 ratio with fiat currency, usually held in a bank. This methodology, chosen by market frontrunners like USDT and USDC, guarantees that for every coin in circulation, there's a corresponding dollar in reserves.
However, while such a system is relatively simple to implement, it does not solve the issues around counterparty risk and censorship resistance that other crypto assets look to solve. The use of fiat as collateral means that the stablecoin inherits the vulnerabilities associated with traditional currencies. Additionally, relying on a centralized entity to hold reserves necessitates trust in that institution's credibility, deviating from the decentralized ethos that cryptocurrency enthusiasts often advocate for.
Not all stablecoins tie their value to fiat currencies. Some stablecoins, like PAXG, choose a different route and are collateralized by commodities, such as gold. This offers an alternative store of value that's theoretically more tangible and resistant to inflation compared to fiat.
For cryptocurrency investors and users, understanding stablecoins' nuances is paramount. With an impressive market capitalization and wide-ranging applications, stablecoins have solidified their place in the crypto ecosystem. But as centralized, fiat-backed stablecoins continue to dominate the market, new entrants and models challenge the status quo. As the stablecoin market diversifies and evolves, continuous research and vigilance are essential for those aiming to utilize these instruments effectively.
For the full 40-page report, click here .
Storms are Brewing: Is your Portfolio Weatherproof? Risk strikes when least expected. Optimism peaks before a downturn strikes. Chart below shows remarkable spike in articles mentioning soft-landing before recession hits. Human brain is engineered to think linearly.
Anything non-linear tricks the mind. Recession is non-linear which muddles up investor estimates of recession, its timing and impact.
Count of Soft-landing Articles & US Recession (Source: Bloomberg )
The US Federal Reserve in its fight against inflation has lifted rates by an unprecedented 525 basis points since the start of 2022.
Yet the American economy, US corporations, and the US consumer are remarkably resilient. Non-Farm Payrolls last week came strong. When the Fed is tightening its levers to slow the economy, nothing seems to stop its rise. What explains this anomaly?
Three words. Monetary Policy Transmission.
Monetary policy transmission takes time, lulling many to believe that consumers and corporates are resilient. When in fact, they are yet to face the consequence of constrained credit markets which will manifest itself in myriad ways from reduced availability of financing, high cost of funding, and rising bankruptcies, just to name a few.
This paper is set in two parts. First part describes monetary policy transmission. Part two dives into storms forming in the horizon. The paper concludes with a hypothetical trade set-up using CME Micro S&P 500 Options to defend portfolios from deepening polycrisis.
Despite the risk narratives, a soft landing may still be possible. However, the combined impact of Fed’s hawkish stance, rising geopolitical tensions, continuing auto workers strike, tightening of financial conditions, and elevated oil prices & yields renders the likelihood of a soft landing, super slim.
Narratives around the soft-landing aside, CTAs have dumped nearly USD 40 billion worth of S&P 500 futures positions marking the fastest unwind on record over the last two weeks as reported by Goldman Sachs.
PART 1: MONETARY POLICY TRANSMISSION
Monetary policy operates with long and unpredictable lags. Monetary Policy Transmission is the process through which a Central Bank’s decisions impact the economy and the price levels. The flow chart below schematically describes the downstream impact of quantitative tightening.
Monetary Policy Transmission Takes Time (Source: ECB )
Changes made to official interest rates affect markets in diverse ways and at distinct stages. Central bank's interest rate decisions impact the markets in the following seven ways:
1. Banks and Money Markets: Rate changes directly affect money-market rates and, indirectly, lending and deposit rates.
2. Expectations: Expectations of future rate changes influence medium and long-term interest rates. Monetary policy guides expectations of future inflation.
3. Asset Prices: Financing conditions and market expectations triggered by monetary policy cause adjustments in asset prices and the FX rates.
4. Savings & investment decisions : Rate changes affect saving and investment decisions of households and firms.
5. Credit Supply: Higher rates increase the risk of borrower default. Banks scale back on lending to households and firms. This may also reduce consumption and investment.
6. Aggregate demand & prices: Changes in consumption and investment will change the level of domestic demand for goods and services relative to domestic supply.
7. Supply of bank loans: Changes in policy rates affect banks’ marginal cost for obtaining external finance differently, depending on the level of a bank’s own resources/capital.
The mechanism is characterized by long, variable, and indefinite time lags. As a result, it is difficult to predict the precise timing of monetary policy actions on economy and inflation.
For some sectors, monetary policy transmission can take as long as 18 to 24 months. In other words, the full force of the Fed’s 525 basis points spike since 2022 will not be felt until early 2024. Added to that, the Fed may not be done hiking yet.
Probabilities of Rate Anticipation in Prospective Fed Meetings (Source: CME FedWatch Tool )
PART 2: STORMS ARE FORMING
Not one but three major storms are brewing in parallel, namely (1) Worsening Geo-politics, (2) US Sovereign Risk Fears, and (3) Tightening Financial Conditions. One or more of them could unleash havoc, sending financial markets into a tailspin.
1. WORSENING GEO-POLITICS
Adding to the geopolitical conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend has elevated geo-political tensions. If counter strikes escalate to a wider region impacting Strait of Hormuz, then oil prices could spiral up sharply, sending shocks across financial markets.
Oil prices lost steam last week. That doesn’t guarantee lower prices. Eerily, this month marks 50-year anniversary of oil emergency in 1973 which led to oil prices spiking 3x back then.
The US Strategic Petroleum Reserves are at a 40-year low. The reserves are at 17-days of consumption compared to an average of 34-days consumption observed over the last thirty years.
2. US SOVEREIGN RISK FEARS: The US government is facing multiple challenges of its own. The government narrowly avoided a shutdown and has kicked the problem can down the road only by six weeks. Long before investors take relief, the shutdown fear will resurface again.
Add to that is the rising US debt levels. With a debt burden of USD 33 trillion, the government debt is forecasted to reach USD 52 trillion by 2033.
With rates remaining elevated, a substantial chunk of US Government debt will be directed towards interest payments. Is there a risk of US debt default?
To compensate for that risk, bond yields are climbing. The 10-Year treasury yields rose to 16-year high of 4.6%. With jobs market remaining solid, the data-driven Fed might have to keep the rates higher for longer.
The futures market implies a probability of 42% for a rate hike during the Fed’s December meeting. Any further hikes can tip the recovering housing market back into crisis due to exorbitant mortgage rates. High yields also cost it dearly for firms to borrow.
3. TIGHTENING FINANCIAL CONDITIONS: Dwindling liquid assets, resumption of student loan repayments, stringent lending practices atop heavy debt burden on US Corporates are collectively weighing down on investor sentiments.
Student Loan Repayments: After 3.5 years of loan servicing holidays, millions of students will resume student loan repayments. Bloomberg estimates that these repayments can shave 0.2% to 0.3% off US GDP.
Depleted Savings: Strength of the US Consumers will be put to stress tests. Extra savings from pandemic stimulus checks have been depleted to below pre-pandemic levels for low-income categories. Consumer strength could turn into weakness in the coming weeks.
Inflation Adjusted Liquid Asset Holdings by Income Group (Source: US Fed and Bloomberg Calculations )
Stringent Lending Standards: The Fed’s Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS) on Bank Lending Practices points to 50% of the banks imposing stringent criteria for commercial & industrial loans. Lending conditions are at levels last seen during 2008 global financial crisis. Impact of this will be felt in Q4 when business will be stifled from access to funds.
Tightening Standards of Commercial & Industrial Loans (Source: July 2023 SLOOS Survey )
Corporate Debt Burden: Years of extremely low cost of funding have tempted US corporates into a debt binge. With rates rising, the debt burden is getting heavier on corporate balance sheets, cash flows, and profitability as reported by Bloomberg. Leverage ratios are rising. Interest coverage ratios are falling. Average Free Cash Flow to Debt ratios are plunging.
Debt burden amid rising rate environment is hurting US Blue Chips (Source: Bloomberg Intelligence )
HYPOTHETICAL TRADE SETUP
Against the backdrop of these risks, this paper posits a hypothetical back spread with puts to gain from sharp index moves. Unlike a long straddle, this option strategy delivers (a) outsized gains when markets plunge, and (b) limited downside risk if market remains flat or rises despite the risks.
This strategy involves selling one unit of at-the-money puts to finance purchase of two units of out-of-the-money puts. This strategy can be executed either for net positive premium or net negative premium depending on the choice of strikes.
Specifically, the hypothetical trade illustration is built around CME Micro Monthly S&P 500 Options expiring on 29th December 2023 (EXZ3). The strategy involves (a) selling 1 lot of EXZ3 at a strike of 4400 collecting a premium of USD 655 (131.16 index points x 1 lot x USD 5/index point), and (b) buying 2 lots of EXZ3 at a strike of 4300 paying a premium of USD 950 (95.041 index points x 2 lots x USD 5/index point).
The hypothetical trade involves a net debit of USD 295 (58.922 index points * USD 5/index point). This trade breaks even when S&P 500 (a) falls below 4141, or (b) rises above 4400.
Pay-off from Back Spread with Puts Trade Strategy (Source: CME QuikStrike )
Summary pay-off from this trading strategy is illustrated in the table below.
MARKET DATA
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Is Stock Market Recovery Possible? Trading Idea for 05/10/2023A unique situation has arisen in the market where the reward for the risk associated with stock investments is nearly equivalent to the yield on 10-year US government bonds. The prices of debt securities are steadily declining, and only a substantial collapse in the stock market can restore demand for them.
Barclays' analysts share a similar viewpoint. However, there are currently conditions for a stock market recovery, especially if the unemployment rate in the US exceeds analysts' expectations.
Therefore, our focus today is on the SPY ETF, which invests in companies comprising the S&P 500 index.
On the D1 timeframe, resistance has formed at 430.30, with support at 420.12. If quotes consolidate above 425.01, this will likely trigger the beginning of an upward trend. Additionally, the price has moved closer to the 200-day Moving Average, which typically results in a rebound.
On the H1 timeframe, the short-term target for the price increase is around 435.80, while in the medium term, it could reach 445.75.
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ES1! & SPY: Happy October!Hopefully you all love Halloween and fall.
Because I am obsessed and I went as extra as extra will allow.
And you can expect this to continue until next month :p.
Let's hope for a straight forward week this week. This would be for SPY to come up and reject 431. Remember, we have been rejecting that 431 repeatedly (which is our bearish condition on the 6 month) and have had 4 successful closes below it:
If we break over it, its fine really. Because, as promised, we have 6 month levels on ES1! now and we can take a look at those here:
Bearish condition on ES1! on the month is at 4486. So we can go back up there, we just need to reject there. Let's just hope it keeps it to the point with a rejection of 431. Its going to be bullish on Monday, probs agree and with the news catalyst of a government deal, its probably going to be excitable. But yeah, we need to just see rejection at 431 to see some continuation to the downside. It really should be swift, the move to the 6 month low targets, and then we see bounce and chop. It's usually how it plays out. But it could, technically and realistically, just chop its way down there.
The velocity in tanking is not the same degree we had in 2022 where it was straight down, most of the time. There is a bit more bouncing here.
Another thing of note, we missed the 99 on ES1! last week, which generally means the sentiment is overwhelming in one direction or another. In this case, that would be bearish. The last time ES1! missed a bullish 99, it tanked dramatically the next week, so of course be cautious here. I don't necessarily think that will happen this week, but it is a possibility.
ES1!'s price targets for the week are listed in the chart above, for SPY, here they are:
99 this week is at the bullish condition on the week. So let's see what we get.
That's it for now, I am bearish but obviously its contingent on us rejecting or staying below 431 on SPY. So let's see what happens with that, then we go from there.
For Monday, I am bullish provided we open below 431.
Will update as we see more!
Yen Drops Below 150 Per Dollar - Exercise Caution in TradingThe Japanese yen has recently dropped below the critical threshold of 150 per dollar, primarily due to mounting concerns regarding intervention measures. In light of this situation, I strongly urge you to exercise caution and consider pausing yen trading until further clarification is obtained.
The sudden decline in the yen's value has raised concerns among market participants, as it suggests the possibility of intervention by the Japanese government or central bank. Intervention refers to deliberate actions taken by authorities to influence their currency's exchange rate, typically through buying or selling large amounts of their own currency in the foreign exchange market. Such interventions can have a profound impact on the currency's value and create significant volatility in the market.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the current situation, it is prudent to reassess our trading strategies and ensure that we are not unnecessarily exposed to potential risks. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you temporarily halt yen trading until we receive further guidance or clarification from reliable sources regarding any potential intervention measures.
In the meantime, I encourage you to closely monitor the latest news and market developments related to the yen. Stay informed about any official statements or actions from the Japanese government or central bank, as these can provide valuable insights into the future direction of the currency. Additionally, consider diversifying your portfolio to reduce reliance on yen-based assets until the situation stabilizes.
Please remember that our primary objective is to protect our investments and mitigate risk. By exercising caution and temporarily pausing yen trading, we can better position ourselves to navigate the current market uncertainties and make informed decisions when clarity emerges.
If you have any questions or require further guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or our dedicated support team. We are here to assist you and ensure that you have the necessary information to make well-informed trading decisions.
BTCUSD: Long Position with a Target Price of 29221In the dynamic landscape of cryptocurrency trading, the BTCUSD pair has emerged as a focal point for investors seeking opportunities for growth and capital preservation. This analysis delves into the factors shaping the current trajectory of Bitcoin (BTC) and the US Dollar (USD) pairing, with an optimistic outlook projecting a rise to a target price of 29221.
Underlying Catalysts: A Comprehensive Approach
Growing Demand:
The surge in demand for BTC is propelled by increased adoption and the growing interest of institutional investors. This heightened interest not only signifies a changing perception of cryptocurrencies but also establishes BTC as a sought-after asset.
Inflation of the US Dollar:
The recent injection of trillions into the US economy has triggered concerns about inflation. As investors seek refuge from potential devaluation, BTC emerges as a compelling alternative, acting as a store of value amid uncertainties.
Technical Analysis:
Technical indicators reveal a bullish trend, with the second re-test of the 4H diagonal resistance line solidifying the upward trajectory. Technical analysis, a pivotal aspect of market dynamics, augurs well for those eyeing a favorable position in the market.
Market Sentiment:
Positive market sentiment, buoyed by the US government's avoidance of a shutdown, has cast a favorable light on cryptocurrencies. As sentiment influences investor behavior, this positive outlook could be a driving force behind the upward momentum of BTC.
Conclusion:
Considering the combined impact of growing demand, concerns about US dollar inflation, positive market sentiment, there is a compelling case for a long position on BTCUSD. Technical analysis further supports the bullish outlook.
Trade Parameters:
Entry Price: After Bullish Reversal Confirmation around 27447-27062.
Stop-Loss: Set below recent support levels to manage risk.
Take Profit: Target price of 29221.
Risk-Reward Ratio: Ensure a favorable risk-reward ratio by adjusting position size accordingly.
Risk Factors:
Market Trends: Monitor broader market trends for potential shifts.
Economic Indicators: Keep an eye on key economic indicators, especially those related to inflation and the US dollar.
Geopolitical Events: Any unexpected geopolitical events can influence market sentiment.
It's crucial to conduct ongoing analysis and adapt the trade strategy based on changing market conditions. Always be aware of potential risks and use risk management tools effectively.
Five of the Best Volume IndicatorsUnderstanding volume and volume indicators is crucial for anyone looking to understand the financial markets. This article offers traders insights into the five of the best volume indicators, allowing them to gauge market trends, momentum, and potential reversals.
Understanding Volume and Volume Indicators in Trading
In trading, volume refers to the quantity of a financial instrument, such as shares or contracts, that are bought and sold within a specified time frame. Often displayed as a bar graph beneath the price chart, volume shows traders the strength or weakness of price movements. A surge in volume generally indicates strong interest, which can validate a trend, while low volume might signify a lack of conviction or impending reversal.
Volume indicators are computational tools designed to assess volume data. They work alongside traditional price indicators to offer a fuller understanding of market behaviour. They can help traders identify changes in momentum and shifts in market sentiment, acting as a secondary measure to confirm signals from price action.
Best Volume Indicators List
With an understanding of how volume works and why it’s important, let’s take a closer look at the list of volume indicators favoured by traders.
To gain the best understanding of how these volume technical indicators work, head over to FXOpen’s free TickTrader platform. There, you’ll find each indicator described waiting for you.
On-Balance Volume (OBV)
On-Balance Volume (OBV) is a powerful tool that gives traders a cumulative measure of buying and selling activity in a financial asset. Originating from the idea that volume precedes price movements, the OBV adds the period’s trading volume to a running total when the asset closes higher than the previous period and subtracts it when the asset closes lower. This running total serves as a way to quantify the force or pressure of buyers and sellers.
Traders use the OBV line, usually plotted below the price chart, to confirm trends and identify potential reversals. When the OBV line rises, it signifies dominant buying pressure, often reinforcing an upward trend in the asset's price. On the other hand, when the OBV line is in decline, it signals that selling pressure outweighs buying pressure, which may herald a downward trend. OBV divergences – when the OBV trend conflicts with the asset's price trend – are considered strong indicators of an impending reversal.
Accumulation/Distribution Line (A/D Line)
The Accumulation/Distribution Line (A/D Line) serves as a momentum indicator that tracks the flow of capital into or out of an asset by evaluating both price and volume. Unlike the On-Balance Volume, which uses daily up or down volume in its calculation, the A/D Line utilises the asset's closing price relative to its high-low range for the period, along with the period's volume. This results in a more nuanced representation of buying and selling pressure.
Traders often examine the trajectory of the A/D Line to confirm existing trends or to spot emerging ones. An ascending A/D Line typically suggests a buildup of buying pressure, supporting a bullish outlook. Similarly, a declining A/D Line indicates increased selling activity, pointing toward a bearish sentiment. The A/D Line is particularly useful when used in tandem with other indicators to strengthen trading signals.
Fixed Range Volume Profile
The Fixed Range Volume Profile is a unique volume indicator that plots volume on the vertical axis of a price chart rather than the traditional horizontal display. Unlike indicators like the On-Balance Volume or the Accumulation/Distribution Line, the Fixed Range Volume Profile focuses on identifying high-volume nodes over a specified price range, typically between key swing highs and lows. It showcases where the most trading activity has occurred and helps to highlight significant support and resistance levels.
Traders use this profile to understand where the majority of trading has taken place within a set range, often revealing "value areas" where price is most likely to trade. Fixed Range Volume Profile is particularly useful for spotting imbalances in supply and demand, making it a critical tool for assessing the potential strength or weakness of future price movements.
Chaikin Money Flow (CMF)
The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) is a volume-weighted average oscillator that takes both price and volume into account to assess money flow over a specified period. The CMF provides a snapshot over a designated time frame, commonly 20 or 21 periods. The calculation involves summing Accumulation/Distribution values and dividing them by the total volume for the same duration.
Traders use CMF to discern short-term trends and money flow direction. A positive CMF value, hovering closer to 1, usually signals bullish sentiment, indicating that money is flowing into the asset. A negative CMF value, closer to -1, suggests a bearish sentiment and a potential outflow of capital. This makes CMF a strong tool for identifying potential breakouts or breakdowns.
Money Flow Index (MFI)
The Money Flow Index (MFI), considered one of the best volume indicators for day trading, is an oscillator that offers a quick glimpse into the buying and selling pressure on an asset. It combines both price and volume to create a more comprehensive view of market sentiment. The calculation involves a typical price for each period multiplied by the volume for that period, resulting in raw money flow. The index ranges from 0 to 100, providing clear overbought or oversold signals.
Traders often use MFI to detect market extremes. A reading above 80 signifies an overbought condition, suggesting a potential downturn. A reading below 20 indicates oversold conditions, often followed by a price uptick. MFI is also proficient in spotting divergences, serving as a useful tool for predicting reversals.
The Bottom Line
In closing, volume indicators can be indispensable for traders looking to capitalise on market trends and shifts in momentum. While there are many volume indicators to choose from, it’s worth experimenting with some to enhance your trading outcomes.
To experience the power of these tools in real-time, consider opening an FXOpen account. Once you do, you’ll gain access to hundreds of markets, competitive trading costs, and lightning-fast execution speeds. Good luck!
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
The Power of the Opening Range: Mastering Trading StrategiesWelcome to my video on "Trading Using The Opening Range: The Power of the Opening Range - Mastering Trading Strategies." In this informative session, I dive into the powerful concept of utilizing the opening range to enhance your trading strategies.
Understanding the opening range is critical for successful trading, as it sets the tone for the rest of the trading day. By familiarizing yourself with this key market phase, you gain an edge in predicting potential price movements and identifying profitable entry and exit points.
In this video, I walk you through various techniques for effectively utilizing the opening range in your trading decisions. I discuss how to interpret price action during this phase, identify key support and resistance levels, and spot profitable breakouts or pullbacks. By mastering these strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of profitable trades.
I provide step-by-step guidance on how to develop a personalized trading plan with the opening range as its foundation. Creating a well-defined plan tailored to your trading style and risk tolerance is crucial for consistent success in the dynamic world of trading.
CME_MINI:ES1! AMEX:SPY
Navigating Rocky Oct After a Crushing Sept in US EquitiesSeasonality is pervasive in financial markets. Some are benign while others are not. The “September Effect” refers to a month when equity returns gets crushed. Typically, this is followed by a volatile October.
Other well-established pattern in equity markets is the "Santa Claus Rally" which is known to occur during December. Equities go bullish with increased optimism, holiday spending, and portfolio rebalancing before the end of the year. Then, there is also the "January Effect" where small-caps tend to outperform large-caps in the early part of the year.
Essential to remember that historical trends do not guarantee future performance. This paper delves into the September Effect followed by the volatility which tends to be witnessed during the month of October.
Portfolio managers can prudently position their portfolios to gain from rising volatility and sharp price moves in October and the rest of the final quarter.
WHAT EXPLAINS POOR EQUITY RETURNS IN SEPTEMBER?
There is no exact rationale explaining why September is historically the worst month of the year for equities. Over the last 94 years, September is the only individual month that has declined at least 50% of the time.
Scott Bauer, CEO of Prosper Trading Academy surmises in an opinion note that three drivers plausibly explains this:
1. Post Summer Vacation: In the lead up to summer in Europe, average trading volumes grind lower resulting in lower volatility from June to August. When portfolio managers and investors return in September, their collective rebalancing of portfolios cause panicked exits as they create space for new holdings. This mass-exodus of selling shares pushes prices lower making September the worst month for stocks.
2. Year-end for Mutual Funds: Many mutual funds close their fiscal year in September. These funds purge their portfolios during this ill-fated month.
3. New Bond Issuances: Like equity trading activity, bond issuances ease during summer and return with vengeance and spikes in September. New issuances channel existing money into bonds forcing investors to rotate out of equities and into bonds.
SEPTEMBER US EQUITY MARKET PERFORMANCE IN THIS MILLENNIUM
Does the September effect prevail in the current millennium? Since start of 2000, September indeed is the worst month for S&P 500 stocks with average returns of -1.8%.
Surprisingly, the months with the highest occurrence of negative returns is not September but January. Over the last 23 years, January had 13 months of negative returns. June along with September rank second with 12 occurrences of negative returns during the same period.
The chart below summarises average monthly returns of S&P 500 index. Clearly, on average, September stands out as a poor performer while April is the best .
Interestingly, the S&P 500 shares tend to deliver positive returns with average upside performance of 3.22% in the fourth and final quarter of the year.
Likewise for Nasdaq 100, the September Effect is even more pronounced with index plunging 2.61% on average.
Unlike S&P 500, February (14 of 23) has the highest number of months with occurrence of negative returns. The month with the second highest occurrences of negative returns are September, June, and December with 12 of 23 years marking a negative return.
The chart below summarises average monthly returns on the Nasdaq 100 index. While September crushes Nasdaq stocks, October is the best month thus far this millennium.
October and November deliver positive returns with a pullback in December. On average, Nasdaq 100 upside performance stands at +2.44% in the fourth quarter.
A CRUSHING SEPTEMBER IS FOLLOWED BY A ROCKY OCTOBER
While September is the king of worst month for stock returns, October claims the crown for being the most volatile.
Over the last 23 years, the S&P 500 equity returns show the largest exaggeration in October. Range as used below is defined as the high minus the low of the month and then expressed as a percentage as month’s opening level.
Analysis shows that equity returns move by 9.1% in October compared to 6.9% on average for the rest of the months in the year.
Similarly, observations in Nasdaq-100 also point to exaggerated range of returns during the month of October.
Range in Nasdaq monthly returns stand at 11% in October compared to 9.2% on average for the rest of the months in the year.
Based on expected returns and volatility, investors in S&P 500 can expect large swings in returns in October as evident from the chart below.
Likewise, Nasdaq 100 investors can expect large swings in October returns based on observations over the last 23 years.
OUTLOOK FOR FINAL QUARTER OF 2023
Twenty-three years of historical observations point to a positive upward bias in equity returns for the last three months of the year. This time however, the outlook going into the final quarter is beset with head winds. Not one but five of them approaching in parallel. Risk lurks in many places.
Strong dollar. Oil skirting near $100/barrel. Resumption of student loan repayments. Record high mortgage rates driven by higher for longer policy stance. Automotive workers striking at multiple plants potentially leading to higher labour costs and automotive inflation.
Dollar is trading at 10-month highs. The US 30-year mortgage rates at record high levels unseen in 23-years. The 10-year US yield are at levels last observed during 2007.
Gathering of these dark clouds are starting to show up in the University of Michigan’s US Consumer Confidence index. Since June, American exceptionalism boosted the index to 71.73 clocking a 52-week high. However, with a raft of concerns weighing on the consumers, the index has started to drop the last two months.
HARVESTING VOLATILITY EXPANSION USING CME MICRO OPTIONS ON S&P 500 AND NASDAQ 100 INDEX
In times of uncertainty, where seasonality leans towards a bullish rally but fundamentals signal a bearish grind, portfolio managers can position to gain from volatility expansion and sharp index moves in either direction.
Options can be used to engineer a convex portfolio. Convexity in finance refers to portfolio strategies which enjoy outsized and solid gains while limiting downside risks. Convex strategies deliver non-linear returns with substantially higher gain for every unit of pain.
LONG STRADDLE USING OPTIONS ON CME MICRO E-MINI S&P 500 FUTURES
Long straddles involve holding a simultaneous long call and long put position at the same strike price for the same expiration period.
Let’s look at a hypothetic long straddle using Micro E-Mini S&P 500 Options expiring on 29th December 2023 at a strike price of 4400. The straddle pay-off is visualised in the chart below.
This trade will generate positive returns when (a) index rises above 4655, or (b) index falls below 4145, or (c) volatility expands .
The premium required for this trade (as of 2nd October 2023): (Premium for Call Option + Premium for Put Option) = (USD 631.7 + USD 636.65) = USD 1268.35.
If index rises 10% to 4840: Call option would pay out ~USD 1568 = ((4840 – 4400) x 5 – Premium for Call Option) = (440 x 5 – 126.34) while the put option would expire worthless, so, net profit would be: (Net PnL from Call leg – Net PnL from Put Leg) = (1568 – 636.65) = ~USD 932
By the same measure, the long straddle will suffer losses if the index remains flat or its moves are muted. It also loses money if volatility remains flat or contracts.
If index remains at 4400: Both options would expire worthless, so, the position would lead to a net loss of the premium paid = Loss of USD 1268.35.
LONG STRADDLE USING OPTIONS ON MICRO E-MINI NASDAQ 100 FUTURES
Let’s look at another hypothetic long straddle using Micro E-Mini Nasdaq 100 options expiring on 29th December 2023 at a strike price of 15250. The straddle pay-off is visualised in the chart below.
This trade will generate positive returns when (a) index rises above 16416, or (b) index falls below 14084, or (c) volatility expands.
The long straddle will endure losses if the index remains flat or its moves within a narrow range. It will also lose if volatility remains flat or shrinks.
MARKET DATA
CME Real-time Market Data helps identify trading set-ups and express market views better. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
DISCLAIMER
This case study is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
Trading or investment ideas cited here are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management or trading under the market scenarios being discussed. Please read the FULL DISCLAIMER the link to which is provided in our profile description.
Watch TLT Support at Multi-Decade LowsPrimary Chart : Monthly Chart of TLT Showing Multi-Decade Support Levels.
A fair amount of charts have been published lately on the importance of interest rates, and conversely, long-term bonds, government or high-yield bonds. One well-known TradingView publisher @scheplick went so far as to describe the chart of the US 10-year yield as the most important chart for understanding financial markets in this season. His post was entitled, " The Most Important Chart in the World :
TLT is an iShares ETF that tracks the performance, generally speaking of long-term US Treasury bonds. Specifically, iShares describes TLT as an ETF that "seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities greater than twenty years."
TLT has been in a severe downtrend since March 2020. Bonds yields move inversely to price, and TLT represents, in a rough sense, the price of an index or basket of long-term US government bonds with maturities greater than 20 years. So if long-term bonds remain in a downtrend, then this corresponds to the uptrend in long-term yields that has continued to break higher than anyone expects.
The Primary Chart shows TLT having reached long-term, major support at 2009-2010 lows. But a careful examination of TLT's recent lows reveals that it broke slightly below those lows, which isn't a good look for bond bulls in the long term. Supplementary Chart A shows 2009-2010 lows on a monthly chart (similar to the Primary Chart above).
Supplementary Chart A
However, TLT's reaching such a major support level, with a lower wick forming (at least initially), could imply a move higher in bonds and a concomitant move lower in yields in the near term. But remember that fighting a predominant trend (mean reversion) when it becomes extended can be one of the trades having the lowest success rate. But it can also have a higher reward rate if risk is managed well. SquishTrade does not recommend being long bonds here but rather commenting on how traders may react to major support levels in TLT's downtrend. They may be right or wrong—recall that no one likely expected long bonds to fall as far as they have, and many have been positioned long bonds since TLT was in the upper $90s!
The next few supplementary charts emphasize the nature and severity of the downtrend in long-term bonds, as represented here by TLT. The first shows TLT's 200-day simple moving average (SMA). Price is about –12.11% below the 200-day SMA as of mid-session on Friday, September 29/
Supplementary Chart B
Next, the VWAP anchored to TLT's long-term cycle high is shown in black. This confirms a long-term, and extreme downtrend in long duration US Treasury bonds. Long-term VWAPs do not always have such a noticeable downward slope. Even a bounce to $125 could present just a mean reversion (retracement) within this downtrend despite creating an uptrend on the daily or even weekly chart, which would be necessary to reach that distant level.
Supplementary Chart C
A Fibonacci channel below has been applied to a weekly TLT chart. Notice how the channel shows support right where the weekly lower wick formed—the 1.618 level of the channel. To be sure, this does not necessitate a long-term trend reversal (though anything is possible, and this could be the spot). But it does suggest the potential for a near term bounce in the shorter cycles.
Supplementary Chart D
Anyone wondering whether a long-term uptrend is still in place from the start of TLT's price history should consider the following chart. This shows decisive breaks of several long-term (and progressively accelerating) uptrends.
Supplementary Chart E
Year-end flows can be supportive of equities, though not always—note the late 2019 exception for CBOE:SPX and $NASDAQ:NDX. If some relief materializes in long-term to intermediate-term bonds, then this could coincide with some support in broader equity markets into year end, though this is by no means guaranteed.
Consider the following posts and charts on yield curve inversions posted by @SPY_Master and this author on TradingView:
These charts of yield-curve inversions should give one serious concerns about the near-term (3 months to 2 years) health of the stock market.
This post is in no way advocating any particular investing or trading strategy. Short-term trading and long-term investing can both be either devastating or profitable (or somewhere in between those extremes) to the person engaging in it.
And thanks for reading this and for your encouragement and support.
________________________________________
Author's Comment: Thank you for reviewing this post and considering its charts and analysis. The author welcomes comments, discussion and debate (respectfully presented) in the comment section. Shared charts are especially helpful to support any opposing or alternative view. This article is intended to present an unbiased, technical view of the security or tradable risk asset discussed.
Please note further that this technical-analysis viewpoint is short-term in nature. This is not a trade recommendation but a technical-analysis overview and commentary with levels to watch for the near term. This technical-analysis viewpoint could change at a moment's notice should price move beyond a level of invalidation. Further, proper risk-management techniques are vital to trading success. And countertrend or mean-reversion trading, e.g., trading a rally in a bear market, is lower probability and is tricky and challenging even for the most experienced traders.
DISCLAIMER: This post contains commentary published solely for educational and informational purposes. This post's content (and any content available through links in this post) and its views do not constitute financial advice or an investment or trading recommendation, and they do not account for readers' personal financial circumstances, or their investing or trading objectives, time frame, and risk tolerance. Readers should perform their own due diligence, and consult a qualified financial adviser or other investment / financial professional before entering any trade, investment or other transaction.
VeChain OverviewIntroduction to VechainThor
Initially launched as a private consortium chain in 2015 to enable enterprise blockchain ecosystems, the team quickly realized the value-add of trustless, immutable, and decentralized information. With this realization, Vechain began the process of going public, launching a foundation, and conducting an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) in 2017. VechainThor is the public blockchain launched in 2017 and built by the Vechain Foundation. It was conceived with a focus on enterprise use cases and designed to foster the proliferation of business-oriented decentralized applications (dApps). The network was specifically designed to overcome technical hurdles posed by other public blockchains such as scalability, unpredictable gas fees, and an unwillingness by businesses to handle crypto assets directly. Initially conceived to solve problems in supply chain management - a vision born from CEO Sunny Lu’s experiences as Chief Information Officer at Louis Vuitton China - Vechain launched its mainnet in 2018, embracing Ethereum’s technology framework but with additions aimed at tackling issues like high transaction costs and scalability. Vechain’s blockchain delivers instant visibility, traceability, and transparency within business operations, enabling blockchain adoption with adherence to local regulatory regimes. In turn, Vechain has allowed companies to save on costs and time while increasing operational efficiency.
In March 2023, Vechain announced its partnership with Boston Consulting Group, considered a Top Two Global Management Consultant with specialisms in the fields of ESG and sustainability. Between them, the pair outlined their approach to helping enterprises and individuals act more sustainably through ecosystems that reward and incentivize specific user engagement. An early prototype of this approach to sustainability can be found here, developed alongside BYD and DNV, rewarding drivers of electric vehicles with credits that could be spent with participating retailers...
For our full 20-page+ report, click here
Gold Tracks Purchasing PowerYES, gold does track your purchasing power over LONG PERIODS of time.
It tracks the inflation ADJUSTED US Dollar more accurately than it does either the US Dollar OR Inflation.
It is a better way to understand macro tides which move the price of gold.
While there are periods of lower/diminishing correlation... you should really keep your eye on what has been happening now!
Gold has been in a period of INCREASING, statistically significative correlation with Purchasing Power.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Well, when gold sniffs out the end of the current rally for US Dollar versus Inflation, then it will tell us on its price chart.
You might want to reshare this post and maybe pin it.
I will.
========
Below is why I did this post.
What makes gold move?
I see soo many focus too much on either inflation or the US Dollar.
They are often wrong for 2 reasons:
1- Gold tracks neither per say, but inflation adjusted US Dollar (purchasing power).
2- Gold has a tendency to move 3 to 6 months ahead of the next move in purchasing power.
Use charts for unbiased, objective evidence gathering.
Forget headline news, stories, and narratives.
#gold #usdollar #dxy #purchasingpower #inflation
Peter Lynch's Timeless Investing Principles
Introduction
Peter Lynch, one of the most celebrated investors of all time, is renowned for his remarkable track record managing the Fidelity Magellan Fund from 1977 to 1990. Under his stewardship, the fund generated average annual returns of approximately 29%, outperforming the S&P 500 by a substantial margin. Lynch's success was not just a stroke of luck; it was the result of a well-thought-out investment philosophy and principles that remain relevant to this day. In this five-page article, we will delve into the core principles that underpin Peter Lynch's approach to investing and explore how these principles can be applied by individual investors seeking to achieve their financial goals.
I. Invest in What You Know
One of the foundational principles of Peter Lynch's investment philosophy is to "invest in what you know." This principle emphasizes the importance of understanding the companies and industries you invest in. Lynch believed that individual investors have a natural advantage over professional fund managers because they can leverage their everyday experiences and knowledge to identify promising investment opportunities.
Lynch often cited examples from his personal life to illustrate this principle. For instance, he famously discovered the potential of the Hanes Corporation when he noticed his wife buying their products. He reasoned that if his family liked the company's products, there was a good chance that others did too. This simple observation led to a highly profitable investment.
II. Long-Term Perspective
Lynch advocates taking a long-term perspective when it comes to investing. He discouraged frequent trading and market-timing, believing that such strategies often led to poor performance and excessive transaction costs. Lynch's approach focused on identifying fundamentally strong companies and holding them for the long haul.
He often remarked, "In the short run, the market is a voting machine, but in the long run, it is a weighing machine." This means that in the short term, stock prices can be influenced by emotions and market sentiment, but over the long term, the fundamentals of a company will ultimately determine its stock price.
III. The P/E Ratio
The Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio is a fundamental metric Lynch frequently employed in his investment analysis. He believed that the P/E ratio could provide valuable insights into a company's valuation. A low P/E ratio might indicate an undervalued stock, while a high P/E ratio could suggest an overvalued one.
However, Lynch cautioned against relying solely on the P/E ratio. He emphasized the importance of considering a company's growth prospects, industry dynamics, and competitive position when evaluating its stock. A low P/E ratio might be justified if a company has strong growth potential.
IV. Diversification and Concentration
Peter Lynch had a nuanced approach to diversification. While he recognized the benefits of spreading risk across different investments, he also believed in concentration when you have high conviction in a particular investment opportunity. This approach is sometimes referred to as "diworsification" – spreading investments too thin, which can dilute returns.
Lynch advocated holding a concentrated portfolio of your best ideas while still maintaining a level of diversification to mitigate risk. He noted that over-diversification could limit potential gains and lead to mediocre performance.
V. Be Patient and Contrarian
Lynch's investment philosophy often aligned with being patient and contrarian. He suggested that investors should not be swayed by short-term market fluctuations or popular trends. Instead, they should have the patience to wait for the market to recognize the value of their investments.
Moreover, Lynch saw value in going against the crowd when necessary. He believed that some of the best investment opportunities could be found in out-of-favor industries or companies that others were avoiding. Contrarian thinking often led him to uncover hidden gems.
VI. Stay Informed and Do Your Homework
Despite his emphasis on simplicity and "investing in what you know," Lynch was a firm advocate of doing thorough research and staying informed. He advised investors to study financial statements, read annual reports, and understand the ins and outs of the companies they invested in.
Furthermore, Lynch recommended paying attention to economic indicators and industry trends. Being well-informed allowed him to make informed investment decisions and identify potential risks and opportunities.
Conclusion
Peter Lynch's principles of investing continue to resonate with both novice and experienced investors. His common-sense approach, emphasis on knowledge and patience, and focus on long-term value have stood the test of time. By adhering to these principles, individual investors can navigate the complex world of finance with confidence and increase their chances of achieving their financial goals. Whether you are a seasoned investor or just starting on your investment journey, Peter Lynch's timeless wisdom provides a solid foundation for success in the world of investing.
How to Altseason Cycle || Cheat Sheet || Bitcoin DominanceMonitoring Bitcoin dominance (BTC-DOM) is a valuable tool for crypto traders. It provides insights into the relationship between Bitcoin (BTC-USD) and altcoins (ALT-USD), helping you make bette decisions about your altcoins and tokens.
Spotting Altcoin Seasons:
Altcoin seasons are periods of heightened interest in different cryptocurrencies and tokens, often causing their total market cap to surpass that of Bitcoin.
Understanding BTC-DOM's movements can help you anticipate how the market might react:
1. BTC-DOM Goes UP:
When BTC-DOM rises and BTC-USD also climbs, it often indicates a bullish phase for Bitcoin. During this time, ALT-USD may stay relative stable and face sideways.
If BTC-USD experiences a decline while BTC-DOM is on the upswing, ALT-USD might witness a significant dump.
When BTC-USD moves sideways and BTC-DOM follows suit, ALT-USD tends to maintain a stable course.
2. BTC-DOM Goes SIDEWAYS:
If BTC-DOM remains relatively stable and BTC-USD sees an uptrend, ALT-USD often mirrors this upward movement.
Conversely, if BTC-USD takes a dip while BTC-DOM remains flat, ALT-USD tends to follow suit with a decline.
When both BTC-USD and BTC-DOM exhibit sideways patterns, ALT-USD typically remains in a state of relative stability.
3. BTC-DOM Goes DOWN:
A decrease in BTC-DOM coupled with a rising BTC-USD often leads to a pumps for ALT-USD.
When BTC-USD experiences a decrease while BTC-DOM falls, ALT-USD may stabilize or enter a sideways phase.
If BTC-USD moves sideways while BTC-DOM declines, ALT-USD often witnesses an upward movement.
Remember that while these trends offer valuable insights, the crypto market is highly volatile. Low cap altcoins can behave unexpectedly even when Bitcoin dominance suggests a particular trend. Therefore, use Bitcoin dominance as one of many tools in your investment strategy, and always conduct thorough research before making decisions.
NIKE | JUST BUY ITNike topped Wall Street estimates for first quarter profit on Thursday as higher prices of its sneakers and apparel helped offset a hit from waning demand and persistent cost pressures, sending its shares up about 8% in extended trading.
Nike (NKE) is the largest apparel company in the world, with leading positions across different categories and regions. The company is currently facing challenges such as elevated inventory levels, inflationary pressure, and slow growth in China. Such issues have resulted in the stock dropping by 19% YTD. Although these headwinds are serious, I believe the company's durable brand, leading position, and high-quality products should allow it to come out stronger on the other end.
'Nike is a brand that is of China and for China' -John Donahoe
Like every other apparel and retail company, Nike thought post-pandemic demand would continue, so it increased production, which led to inventory levels hitting an all-time high in Q1-FY22, but as we know, that wasn't the case. Although NKE's inventory level is down from all-time highs, investors are still concerned, especially when inflation is eating into people's pockets and growth in China is slowing.
Inflation in North America has come down to 3.7% from its peak in June at 9.1%, but it is still a concern in Europe (6.1% in the EU union). As you can see from the graph below, sales in China have been decreasing for the past two years. There are multiple ways one can explain this: COVID related lockdowns resulted in the shuttering of some stores. Plus, Nike and other apparel companies started facing a backlash in China in 2021 due to the alleged use of forced labor in cotton production. However, if the company is successful at expanding into China, then we can expect a lot of room for growth.
Now that I have addressed the problems that are facing Nike, let me explain why I believe the company will overcome them. Nike sponsors the most well-known athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo (+600 million Instagram followers), LeBron James, Michael Jordan, the late Kobe Bryant, Rafael Nadal, Tiger Woods, and more. This has helped the company build a loyal customer base and further boost its brand equity. With a loyal customer base comes pricing power, and as Warrant Buffet said:
Nike's pricing power is no joke. Its shoes have reached a level where they are considered luxury, with some selling for more than the $10,000 mark. In 2017, Nike's median price for a shoe regardless of gender was $80, which is $10 more than its biggest competitor, Adidas. I know 2017 was a long time ago, but shoe prices have increased since then, and I believe Nike is still in the lead given their dominant market position. Plus, Nike targets mostly the age demographic of 25 and 34. These are people who have not settled in yet. They just graduated college with extra income to spend on things such as expensive shoes. I believe this pricing power will continue as the company continues to sponsor talented upcoming athletes to build trust with customers.
Another way to measure Nike's brand power is by comparing its marketing spending against its peers. Nike's marketing budget in FY 23 was $4 billion, or 7.9% of revenue. On the other hand, Adidas spent 38% and Under Armour 11%. These companies have been allocating more of their revenue towards marketing but have experienced nowhere near the growth Nike has. NKE's association with well-known athletes in the U.S. has allowed them to have a 96% awareness rate, 53% usage rate, and 43% loyalty rate. Going forward, I expect the company's brand will remain high-quality due to sponsorships, high-quality products, and market-leading technology.
Founded by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight in 1994, Nike has come a long way from its first store in Portland, Oregon. As of May 31, 2023, the company had 369 stores within the U.S. and 663 internationally, operating in more than 190 countries. Stores include franchised stores and third-party retailers. The firm owns multiple brands such as Jordan, Converse, and Nike. The company derives sales from four main segments and across four regions. I excluded Converse (4.74% of revenue) from the graphs below because I wanted to focus on the Nike brand. The company's app, NikePlus, has more than 160 million users.
On a trailing free cash flow basis, the stock yields over 3.3% relative to its enterprise value. My ~$104 May 24 PT implies a 28.00x P/E and 20.00x EV/EBITDA. Both multiples are below the ten-year NTM average and in line with the median. I project revenue to compound at a rate of 6.47% over the next three years, driven by market growth and new products, while shares decrease at a rate of 2.67%, driven by stock buybacks. The company is forecast to spend $12.1 billion on share repurchases over the same period.
Additionally, I believe the company still has room for margin improvement driven by price increases and DTC mix (direct-to-consumer). In FY 2019, DTC sales constituted 31% of revenue, and that figure stood at 44% in FY 2023. Although NKE is trading at a premium compared to peers, I believe it is reasonable considering its scale, high-quality products, and strong brand.
The first risk that I would associate with NKE is competition. The company competes with conglomerates such as Addidas, Puma, New Balance, Under Armour, and more. Additionally, e-commerce has made it very easy for anyone to start their own footwear brand. Other key risks to my rating include supply chain distributions, a recessionary environment, and slow growth in China.
Finally, we can point out that NKE appears technically oversold heading into the Q1 earnings report. From the chart , there has been relentless selling pressure over the last four months since NKE was trading at $130 per share.
The potential that NKE delivers a "good" earnings report with encouraging guidance, brushing aside fears the company is facing a deeper deterioration in its operating environment could be enough for shares to reprice higher. Simply put, our take is that NKE bears have gone too far, opening the door for bulls to take control.
The bottom line is that Nike is currently experiencing headwinds such as elevated inventory levels, inflationary pressure, and slow growth in China. Every business goes through similar challenges at one time or another, but I believe Nike is well-positioned to overcome these issues due to its durable brand, high-quality products, and leading position. I expect the company to keep endorsing high-quality athletes to elevate its brand equity and further strengthen its pricing power. My valuation implies a price target of ~$104 for May 31, 2024.
If you into NIKE brand you can watch Air film and read Shoe Dog book as well