Trading Market Analysis

Why did we close our Financial ETF Banks IShares ISHS (EXX1) Position and we turned Negative to the Financial Sector?

Why did we close our Financial ETF Banks IShares ISHS (EXX1) Position and we turned Negative to the Financial Sector?

On March 8th we closed our European Banks holding position because of the negative news regarding bankruptcy of SVB Bank and the bad news sentiment regarding the financial sector. With 26% profit it’s not as bad, but our decision was related also to some other factors that affected the financial sector, which we’re going to describe next in this article.

The SVB Financial Group (SIVB) fallout is creating a mini credit crunch, with the banks stocks dropping aggressively. However, the SVB fallout reveals that banks are in trouble again. We don’t think this is even close to the 2008-type financial crisis because SIVB it’s not a major player in the arena. SIVB it’s a bank that used to fund IT&C projects with an easy credit policy. The fallout of SVB Financial Group (SIVB) is close related with rising interest rate from FED because many IT&C companies can’t pay the debt.

Our selling order it’s not related only to SIVB bankruptcy, other catalyst will also affect the financial sector.

The starting point to understand the current banks' troubles is the Fed's massive liquidity injection during in response to COVID. The Fed injected $4.7 trillion into the financial system from 2020 to 2022 via asset purchases or QE. Instead of making the loans, commercial banks bought the safest assets - Treasury Bonds.

You can read more here https://www.stlouisfed.org/on-the-economy/2022/january/have-fed-asset-purchases-reshaped-bank-balance-sheets-part-1 about banks reaction to Fed capital injection.

Some of the bonds are held to maturity (and any capital gain/loss is not included on the income statement) by banks and other bonds are available for sale. Banks significantly increased their purchases of the Treasury bonds as the Fed expanded the money supply.

For the securities available for sale, the realized capital gain/loss is recorded into balance sheet but banks must sale them to raise capital. These securities available for sales have huge unrealized loss in 2022, because the bond prices fell and interest rates increased.

Most important two things will affect banks performance

Deposit Withdrawals. It’s another major concern for banks because, from December 2022, deposits started to decline with a 2.5% rate, largest percent from 1970. Clients are closing deposits at these huge rates because they need to cover the cost of living which is affected by inflation. This trend will accelerate as the Fed continues to increase short term interest rates. When deposit will deplete, banks will face huge losses because they need to sell securities with huge losses. Other scenario is that the banks might have to increase the interest rates on savings accounts which would affect the overall profitability.

Bad Loans will be also a major reason to worry. Given the huge rate increase on car loans, mortgages and commercial loans, it’s reasonable to have an increase in the defaults. This scenario it’s the 1929 great depression and it’s interesting how the Fed will face this. The Fed can simply lower the interest rates and push the bond prices higher but also the Fed it’s forced to fight inflation until reaches 2% to keep the monetary policy tight.

We recommend to close positions into financial sector and to invest into Gold until market sentiment will improve. Gold was one of the very few bright spots in a dismal 2022, ending the year essentially flat, and I expect its performance to remain strong in the year ahead. We have record retail demand (check here https://www.gold.org/goldhub/research/gold-demand-trends/gold-demand-trends-full-year-2022) and demand for Gold ETF it’s at highest level.

We are headed into a recession because:

  • Money supply is falling. There is an old school monetary theory that asserts a decline in the money supply actually causes a recession (GDP=M2 x Velocity).
  • The yield curve is inverted and the 10-year interest rate minus the 2-year interest rate is a negative 0.81%.
  • Consumer Sentiment Is rising, but remains very low.
  • Unemployment rate is starting to increase before recessions.

In the next article we will discuss how to hedge against macro-economic downturn that we are awaiting and why Gold it’s the best instrument.

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Markets are too Optimistic about the FED - Is Gold a viable bet?

Markets are too Optimistic about the FED -  Is Gold a viable bet?

Yesterday FED hiked rates by the expected 50 basis points to 4.50%, but surprised by hiking also the terminal rate to 5.1% at their last dot plot in September. They also raised the inflation forecast for the end of 2023 to 3.1% from 2.8% and the core PCE to 3.5% from 3.1%. They don’t see inflation moving toward the 2% target until 2025.That was extremely bearish for Stocks, S&P lost from +1,2% to -0.6% on market close, yesterday was an important sentiment change.

What to expect from this point?

U.S. stocks were higher last week, having rallied 15% from October lows. U.S. Treasury yields fell, causing the yield curve to invert by the most since the early 1980s. I don’t think stocks are fully pricing in the recession we see from the FED over tightening policy. The FED will eventually stop its rate hikes next year, but we’re not expecting large & successive rate cuts that the market is pricing in.

Economic activity is continuing to slow in the U.S. & Euro Zone, according to the flash Purchasing Managers’ Index for November.

EURO ZONE PMI

Euro Zone PMI december 2022

US PMI

US PMI December 2022

In the U.S., services activity has been contracting for some time, but manufacturing also contracted last month for the first time. Readings for manufacturing are at the same levels with readings during recessions in 2009 & 1991, we’ve had a fifth month of factory activity decline in a row.

It’s evident that rate hikes from major central banks, especially FED it’s a major catalyst to lowering economic activity but the size of the damage will depend on how much it will hike in 2023. We expect that the FED will stop hiking at the beginning of 2023 but will not curb inflation to 2%. In the next year, we’ll register persistent above the target inflation and lower economic activities. Major spending shifts and production constraints are driving inflation higher. We don’t expect that the FED will start to lower rates next year.

Greater Volatility it’s our main expectation next year because production constraints triggered by the pandemic (China Lock-downs) and the war in Ukraine are pressuring the economy and inflation. It's a higher risk to own stocks and bonds investors need to have short time frames between market cycles.

It will be difficult to fight with inflation for FED because of the aging population and bad demographics in the US.

Why We are Positive on Gold?

Because Gold it’s the best way to preserve value and right now it’s started to climb higher from 1600 to 1800. Gold it’s the ultimate way to hedge against these complicated macroeconomic environments. Traditionally 40-60 stock/bonds portfolios allocation is not recommended because we have a direct correlation between stocks and bonds.

Economic consensus is for weaker growth, small recession (soft landing according to Powell) and ending rate hike cycle. How does this economic outlook influence Gold?

  • Further weakening of the dollar as inflation recedes it’s positive for Gold
  • Geopolitical conflicts are good catalyst for Gold
  • Economic growth in China, after two years and half of lockdown, next year will improve Gold
  • Further weakening of the dollar as inflation recedes would provide support for Gold

Downside risks also exist for Gold via a soft landing scenario, where business confidence is restored and spending rebounds. Risk assets would likely benefit and bond yields remain high – a challenging environment for Gold.

Gold Stock Miners ETF (GDX) already bounced and offers leveraged exposure conservative investors could try our ETF with Gold backed (ZKB GOLD & UBS ETF GOLD). Read more in article Why to invest in Gold and how to store it from 26 July.

One of our best bet stock last month was IAUX i-80 Gold Corp with 35% upside because of incredible result from Ruby Hill Nevada Project.

Our worst performer was SHWZ Medicine Man Technologies with -5% but we are still positive about this company. 

To your future success!

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How Close Are We to a Pivot Point on Fed Policy & Stock Markets?

How Close Are We to a Pivot Point on Fed Policy & Stock Markets?

We think today that Fed and Mr. Powell will search sooner rather than later for a pivot point policy to change things because we already have a higher restrictive economic environment. We should remember that, when Fed suggested last time in 2018 that “future course of policy was predetermined on autopilot”, the stocks collapsed and Fed backtracked. Now they are trying right to introduce “data depending” on their speech, just check what they have said on Sept 30:

“Monetary policy will need to be restrictive for some time to have confidence that inflation is moving back to target. For these reasons, we are committed to avoiding pulling back prematurely. Fed will proceed in a data-dependent manner.”

Fed will keep hiking until something will break up. Just check the Bank of England (BOE) intervention because of illiquidity on gilt markets, also the Bank of Japan which have announced their first intervention to support Yen against a stronger Dollar. These interventions calmed down the market but nothing is done to solve the major fundamental issues.

Just check the chart below for Pound ADR (Average Daily Range) of 500 pips. This is not a common sense movement.

GBP-USD Gilt Markets

But when will we see an inflection point for Fed?!

It’s all about the last Jobs Report which shows that is much stronger than expected, with a 263,000 monthly job gain while the Unemployment Rate had a major drop to 3.5% versus a consensus forecast of 3.7%.

Average Hourly Earnings is at the lowest point since December 2021.  Stock market Futures are decreasing and bond yields are rising in the wake of a stronger than expected NFP. Inflation expectations have been on the retreat, but Mr. Powell still needs a lower job report next month to start change the monetary policy.

If we get a hot CPI tomorrow, while considering an improving job report in November, it could mean that we can’t expect a 125-bps worth of Fed hiking starting now, until the end of the year, but a 150-bps hike on December 2022. This scenario will be very bearish for S&P with another minimum of 300 points down from here.

If we will see a lower Job Report in November and December, therefore we could expect a stronger S&P from here.

Which Sectors Are Still Performing Better than S&P and What Are Our Exposure Today?

I don’t want to dig much further on this article.

We like the Energy Sector and we still have some good stocks like: CWEN, PIF, SU, VLO, TGA. Energy sector is the only branch on green this year. I think it’s too late to take new positions on energy right now, and if we see good news about the war in Ukraine, we will close some of our positions. Clean energy solutions will not solve this crisis, but it will be a part of the longer-term solution for improving the energy independence.

We have a great exposure on precious metals Silver & Gold, meaning 30% from our Portfolio. I’m still optimistic about Gold and I recommend to buy it after Fed will start changing its policy. Gold will be the first instrument that will start to grow. Gold registers a minus 8 percent year to date, but outperformed S&P with over 15 percent. We bought Gold between 1700 and 1800 and we expect a target price of 2000-2200 in the next year.

We are very bullish on Uranium, Lithium and Silicon because of EV market catalyst. We bought CYDVF (Cypress Development Corp), SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.), and bought again DQ (Daqo Energy).

The Financial sector it’s also one of our bets and will outperform S&P 500 because of the Rate Hike. Financial is in red year to date but emergent markets will outperform the US financial sector. We acquired Banco do Brasil (BDORY) because of a strong balance sheet and a good perspective on growth.

We have few opportunities to follow in a bear market and for us it’s an option to be exposed with 30% on cash until things will change from the FED side, maybe in the end of the first quarter next year it will be good time to acquire risk assets. What is your opinion regarding Stocks? Looking forward to hear your opinions in the comment section below.

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Is still the Energy Sector a Good Bet from Now in perspective of a Market Recessions and the Current Superbuble?

Is still the Energy Sector a Good Bet from Now in perspective of a Market Recessions and the Current Superbuble?

Energy sector it’s the best performing market sector in 2022 instead of the latest evolution of Oil. Evolution of energy sector its close correlated with war between Russia & Ukraine. But we need to recap last week’s events:

Russia shut down its Nord Stream 1 natural gas pipeline last week for “maintenance” and will thereby provide Europe with a preview of how will looks winter this year. Instead of opening terminal in Estonia from Norway and new delivery from Spain, or imports from Canada & Qatar Europe can’t replace completely Russian energy and Europeans will have higher bills for energy-related products. Its expected price caps but this will result in more shortage of Gas & Oil.

There is a growing possibility in the case of a regime change in Russia that could disrupt the crude oil and natural gas markets. We support this idea because of latest development of war, Ukrainian soldiers regain 6000 KM2. Also, six of Putin’s allies have been shot or blown up, so Putin’s inner circle is becoming increasingly isolated. “Special operation” support is lowering because of Europe sanctions from 85% to 68% according to Levada.ru.

Putin support in percent

In the event that there is a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, post-Putin, the stock market could explode 40% to the upside. However, as long as Putin remains in power, the Ukrainian war is expected to persist in a long, and we will have high price of energy. We reduce our profitable positions this week in anticipation of pervious scenario.

After last days of Ukrainian Army advance we can see already a turning point of conflict. Just take a look of yesterday map:

Ukraina russia war map

We closed some energy positions like Alvopetro (Alvof) with +40% and Petroleo Brasil (PBA) +30% opened in March because we had important gains from price appreciation and large dividends, with higher risk of president Jair Bolsonaro intervention in companies’ administration.

We anticipate Corporate Earnings to decline except Energy. We remain skeptical that a new Iranian nuclear deal will be announced in the upcoming weeks because this will affect Bidden administration and relationship between USA and Israel.

What About US Inflation

U.S. inflation may have peaked, but at high levels thus forcing the Fed to remain restrictive. Strong dollar, high mortgage rates, lower commodity prices, lower demand, and reduced supply chain pressures are likely to help reduce inflation over the next year. The U.S. dollar should stabilize over the medium-term amid hawkishness from other central banks and slowing economic data this is positive for growth stocks in short term. Right now, CPI was published and is above expected values but market overreacted this bad news. Today’s CPI report wasn’t a game changer. A “better balance” in the labor market would be a game changer for CPI next months because higher vacancies-to-unemployment ratio fuels inflation.

Just read Societe Generale opinion below:

Societe Generale Research discusses the USD outlook and sees the currency rally close to its peak. "Aggressive fiscal reaction to higher energy prices encourages our belief that while the euro and pound won’t stage significant rallies until the we’re closer to the end of the energy crisis (and the end of the war in Ukraine), the dollar’s peak isn’t very far away," SocGen notes. "A period of EUR/USD and GBP/USD trading in low ranges is more likely than fresh 10% fall from here and it’s much more likely the next 10% move in USD/JPY is down, rather than up, too," SocGen adds.

We can see at the end of the year decline in USD and we acquired new positions on Gold, Silver and Banks European Index (EXX1), also new positions in Citi (C) Societe Generale Bank (GLE).

Right now, we have a late cycle development and we prefer equities instead of fixed income like bonds. Not all equities are good to own right now, we select just strong companies with large cash flow from sectors like Healthcare, Consumer Samples and Utilities, Renewable Energy. We favor commodity and companies that mine uranium and lithium for green Energy Industry.

Good green Companies:

ENPH

Enphase Energy, Inc.

SEDG

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.

VWS

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

PLUG

Plug Power Inc.

FSLR

First Solar, Inc.

ED

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

ORSTED

Orsted

RUN

Sunrun Inc.

EDP

EDP-Energias de Portugal SA

968

Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd.

541450

Adani Green Energy Limited

9502

Chubu Electric Power Company,Incorporated

BE

Bloom Energy Corporation Class A

SGRE

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, S.A.

DQ

Daqo New Energy Corp Sponsored ADR

Best Lithium Producers

  • Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB:US)
  • Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium (OTC Pink:GNENF,SZSE:002460)
  • Lithium America Corp (LAC)
  • Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (NYSE:SQM:US)
  • Allkem (ASX:AKE, OTC Pink:OROCF)

Some of the problems that markets will have to face in the near future:

  • Increased food and energy prices are causing acute trade imbalances and civil disorder in the most vulnerable countries. Europe will enter to recession.
  • China, COVID pandemic continues, massively affecting its economy. Simultaneously, the Chinese property complex – key to Chinese economic growth – is now under dire stress.
  • Greatest fiscal tightening in history as governments withdraw COVID stimulus will impact companies’ margins and profitability.
  • Population decline will pose threats to economic growths. No single G7 country’s is producing new born at replacement rate.
  • Climate problems, higher temperatures, on all continents will have a major impact for agriculture next years.

We see now all vectors for an epic super-bubble because all of the assets, stocks, bonds, houses are overvalued. Right now we experience first stages with inflation and interest’s rates surge but will have sooner than later lower corporate margins and unemployment.

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Risk On -> US CPI Peak yesterday but we don't think will go too far from this value

Risk On -> US CPI Peak yesterday but we don't think will go too far from this value

US July CPI +8.5% y/y vs +8.7% expected it's the first good sign about inflation

But let's analyze data below:

  • CPI energy -4.6% vs +7.5% prior
  • Gasoline -7.7% vs +11.2% prior
  • New vehicles +0.6% vs +0.7% prior
  • Used vehicles -0.4% vs +1.6% m/m prior
  • Owners' equivalent rent +0.6% m/m vs +0.6% prior
  • Food +1.1% vs +1.0% prior
  • Real weekly earnings +0.5% vs -1.0% m/m prior

Stocks   are up with large gains SPX over 2.13% and Nasdaq NDQ over 3% Dollar down DXY over 2%. Instead of  this small bounce in market  Sentiment we don't think will last more than few days.

Goldman Sachs not expect inflation to drop too far from here!

Inflation will not go too much lower because:

  • The price of cars (main component of core CPI) will stay high for months because production problems and distribution chains problems
  • Retailer excess inventory will not have any impact on prices. GS estimates currently $20 bn—this translates to 3% of annual retail spending and 0.5% of total core goods spending. That only translate to 0.1% of downward pressure on inflation  
  • We do, however, continue to expect the strong dollar and easing supply-chain constraints to weigh on import prices later this year, and in turn on consumer goods prices by the first half of 2023
  • Consumers have made changes in their shopping behaviors, like switching to cheaper brands or pivoting to dollar stores to get their essentials.
  • Covid Cases are surging in China that will affect distribution Chains

On others investment front investors must seek exposure to green Energy and Electric Vehicles (EV) because the Senate's deal targets clean energy and electric vehicles. The Senate has passed the Inflation Reduction Act; amid its multifaceted, approximately $370b of energy-related spending, both the clean energy theme and the electric vehicle theme are key components of the bill and the primary focuses of this commentary.

Electric vehicles and the broader EV value chain could experience accelerated demand from tax credits, government EV purchases, loans and grants.

Symbols like TSLA NIO RIVN QS BLNK HYILN VLDR Plug HASI NEEE will benefits from this law

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How to Protect against Strong Inflationary Environment and Higher Interest Rates?

How to Protect against Strong Inflationary Environment and Higher Interest Rates?

After big rates hike by FED and ECB, investors are hoping that in the following year, central banks will start to normalize rates, therefore Stock market show a bounce back (SPX is near 4.000).

We think it’s a short-lived bounce but a good opportunity for a Risk-Off trade. We see volatility ahead, after rate hikes, because central banks (FED & ECB) are captive to higher inflation. But inflation is caused by production constraints, wars - and rate rises don’t fix these. If inflation was caused by higher demand, than a rate hike, normally, will have a better outcome.

Getting inflation down to the magical number of 2% would mean recession without any doubt and first half year is showing us that GDP is crushed with a 1.6% contraction. Monetary policy is working with delays and the economy is just feeling the effects of one of the most aggressive hiking cycles in history. Stocks rallied 2-4% each of the last four times, the FED hiked interest rates only to fall in the following weeks. Stocks are still expensive and financial results are disappointing, but investors are thinking that this is the bottom, but we cannot embrace this idea. We will face ugly consequences because interest rates were kept too low for too long time (over a decade), central bankers are responsible for the fact that right now we have a bubble on each economy branch.

Mr. Powel must act in same way as Volcker did few decades ago in 1979 and hike until inflation will land to normal values. His last speech was a hint to more rate hikes.

Do you believe that we will face a soft landing as Powell said few weeks ago?

We believe that we will face a soft landing in the same way that inflation was transitory” last year, according to Powell (just read our January 2022 article at: https://topfxinvest.com/blog/thoughts-about-the-2022-bear-market). Mr. Powell also opined that we aren’t in a recession, demonstrating again that the leader of the most powerful central bank in the world is the last person you would want to ask about the economy. Last week, economy suffered its second consecutive quarter of negative real growth and there is little reason to expect the third quarter will be any better.

Natixis Investments Managers see higher risks of a recession in the last survey. 64% said that recession is a distinct probability, and 24% said that recession it’s inevitable. Almost six in ten (58%) believe value will continue to outperform growth for at least a few more months, while nearly one-quarter (24%) think value will be on top for a few more years.

"The End of an Era"

Strategists see a world that has changed dramatically in the past six months. After a decade in which the easy money provided by quantitative easing, low rates, and low inflation propelled markets to positive gains in seven out of ten years, the world is moving on. This next normal is marked with greater volatility and greater uncertainty. The big question for most investors may well be: How long will it last?”

Natixis Managers Survey

If you want to read more about the survey: https://www.im.natixis.com/us/markets/the-end-of-easy-money

Inflation is a brutal and merciless way of resolving structural debt & imbalances of corrupted governments. We see potentially multiple series of inflation & deflationary cycles within short time frames (six month & two years) that will cause huge volatility.

According to CNBC, inflation is a top problem in US.

CNBC Inflation is a top problem

Traditional investing style (60% stocks + 40% bonds) it’s not a solution today, because bond’s market is underperforming and stocks are crushed.

Wall street Journal investing style bonds and stocks

Market crush

How to protect your portfolio during these times?!

We can protect from the financial storm that is arriving by choosing the best stocks & ETFs from few market segments that will perform in difficult times:

Commodities: since prices already dropped off and would be a good hedge against risk-off tone. Symbols: CRN, DCUSAS, WY

Carbon Emission: KRBN, CARB, GRN, NETZ

Consumer Staples Funds: WCOS, XLP, VDC, FSTA, YI 111, INC, IBA, IMB

Real Estate REIT: STOR, O, NNN, SRC, UBA, ID.UN, APR.UN

Precious METALS: ZGLDUS, ZSILUS

Low debt & Cash flow Green Energy Stocks

You must avoid at any price Growth Stocks & Crypto Markets.

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No Place to Hide from the Financial Storm?!

No Place to Hide from the Financial Storm?!

We analyzed the last week's performance on each asset class and found that the most resilient category from year to date is Energy, REITs and precious metals (instead of the last rally down of Gold). It’s difficult to find a place to park the money 💵 in this economic and financial outlook. According to Warren Buffet, in a recession environment everyone loses, but some of the people have a small loss and others have high loss.

Even traditional safe heavens offered little protection in the first half of 2022:

  • Bonds have historically grown when stocks have plunged, but Treasuries and municipals Bonds sold off in the first six months with -7%, S&P500 Corporate Bond Index is down 15%
  • S&P500 is 19% down today, Nasdaq100 with 28% in red, Down Jones 14,5 % in red
  • Crypto Markets Bitcoin & Ethereum have lost over 70% from high
  • Commodities without energy-related doctor Copper have lost 23% and Cotton 17%
  • Precious metals are best performers today with only 3,8 % loss
  • Few REITs that have contracts related to interest rates also performed very well: VICI +8.5%, O -3.5%, UBA -0.8%
  • Dollar outperformed marked DXY with +12%

So how did we get here?

We get here because of the high Inflation, rising interest Rates, record Energy Prices, war in Ukraine, Covid 19 pandemic and FED easy money printing in this decade. Everything seems to be a bubble.

How long will it last?

Risk off mode will persist this year and also at the beginning of 2023. History of bear markets from '49 tells us that we can stay in the red between three months and 39 months.

How much will the markets drop from Here?

S&P has fallen from 30% to 60% in 13 bear markets. We are reasonable to accept a minimum of 10% draw down from here, but because of amplitudes of the factors that generate this financial cataclysm, we must see a much more loss in Equities. We must understand the psychology of markets and individuals to know how to act.

We think we are before of the Panic stage of the markets right now (see first image). What is your opinion on this current stage? Will appreciate your opinion on the TopfxInvest Facebook Page.

Many analysts that we consulted seem to indicate that a peak of inflation will determine a bottom for stocks. We don’t think that is a true scenario because of the magnitude of the factors that start this bear market. I would be extra cautious before making any big bets on stocks and I’m a big fan right now of high dividend stocks that are resilient to interest rates hikes.

How to act right now, do we have a place to invest?

We prefer to consolidate the Gold & Silver positions, also we started selling Energy & Commodities Stocks that outperformed the market (like Daco Energy DQ, CNQ). We think that Gold will rise after the FED will finish with rate hikes and the Dollar will lose some peace of growth. We also studied the history chart of EUR/USD and when the Dollar is on Parity with Euro, will have some correction on the Dollar Index.

Chuck Berry inspired this article with “No Particular Place to Go”

An interesting topic for a future article will be: How to identify fundamentals of a market bottom or how to store Gold in efficient & safe ways?

Thanks for reading, and I’m waiting your feedback for our articles on our Facebook Page.

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Macroeconomic Forecasts & Protests across the Developing World

Macroeconomic Forecasts & Protests across the Developing World

Prospects of Recessions and GDP Growth

We estimate that there will be two quarters with negative growth for the next 15 months. Inflation will exceed wage gains and will reduce real spending. However, a few negative quarters are not enough to claim that we have a recession.

What stops us from announcing a recession is:

  • The US strong labor market
  • Remarkably stable retail spending
  • Services sector that is surprisingly immune to interest rate changes.

JP Morgan says recession is not its base case, risky asset classes could recover:

  • we do not see (a recession) as base case over the next 12 months
  • In fact, we see global growth accelerating ... to 3.1% in the second half
  • and inflation declining to 4.2%
  • which would allow central banks to pivot and avoid producing an economic downturn

Prospects of Inflation

Powell will probably raise rates to 4%, a mere 300 basis point increase. Higher rates will be a more important matter to Wall Street, not to the Main Street. Inflation will fall back to 3%-4% once current shortage in energy and supply chains will be over. We estimated that inflation will curb in the beginning of 2023, all that is needed is prices to stop rising and an equilibrium between demand and offers.

History, indicates that long-term real rates ought to be in the neighborhood of the economy’s long-term real growth rate potential.

Stock Market Forecast

Regrettably, this long-term bull market is now over because interest rates will not fall in the short term and second, we will see lower earnings per share. The resulting decline in the earnings per share growth rate will shock markets. We will have a lot of companies with negative earnings growth surprises. Last decade companies have delighted investors with impressive earnings per share, but that scenario will not be repeated in the future. Investors must have a proactive investing style or to invest in instruments with large dividends. Passively investing style is dead, you can forget index style investing.

When we read our Reuters terminal last week, we were negatively surprised to see how food supply and princes affected the people of developing countries. Unfortunately, our prediction from last year has come true and we have a food crisis (just read article from November 2021 https://topfxinvest.com/blog/we-anticipate-the-food-crisis-in-2022 )

Last Month we had protests in emergent countries.

Greece

Thousands of Greeks protested in Athens against the surge in energy and food prices. Greece's annual CPI Surged to 8.9% in March, hitting its highest level in 30 years.

Cyprus

Protesters throw the milk in presidential palace because of high prices and production issues.

Chile

Students rallied against the government because of high food prices demanding price control.

Tunisia

Basic food (Milk Eggs Poultry) prices were raised in May and were followed by large protests.

Argentina

Thousands of farmers protested in Buenos Aires against President Alberto Fernandez, because of policies to contain food prices. Farmers need to pay more for animal feed and to sell at a lower price.

Kenya

May 17 in Nairobi was held a demonstration against the government because of cost of living and high prices of basic products

Iran

2000 Pensioners protest peacefully in June against soaring living costs, according to Aljazeera and social media reports. The government raised prices of some basic goods such as cooking oil, floor and meat.

Peru

Peru ruling class sent an army in the streets to clear road blockades of activists. Protests were launched because of rising costs of food and fuel prices.

Indonesia

Indonesian farmers have rallied against palm oil export ban that caused a price drop of 75% on palm oil.

Guinea & Sudan

Protesters were killed by the armies according to Reuter’s reporters in May. Sudan Currency lost more than 30% last year and prices for fuel and food are growing at 20%.

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What are the Elites planning for the Future at Davos this year?

What are the Elites planning for the Future at Davos this year?

Few days ago, most influential people in the world (managers of Big Companies, top academics, leaders in main stream media, central bankers) are gathering to find paths to solve the issues on humanity crisis. Between 22 May and 26 May, Davos hosted World Economic Forum. Davos is an "invitation only" event for the "elite”. Davos it’s in essence a festivity of the ruling class. Here, the new macroeconomic trend will be set for this world, trend that will last for decades from now.

I’m not a big fan of conspiracies, but the discussions at Davos will become policies next years and we can check few strong examples:

  • “Zero interest rates policy”
  • “Mass people migration”
  • “The Abolition of Cash”
  • “Launching Electronic Currencies”

What is it about at Davos this year?

One of the main topics discussed was population migration between continents. Today, the main threat for the European Economies is the population decline, while the main issue for African continent is overpopulation & famine. Migrants coming to Europe today are not attracted by opportunities, like Golds Rush few centuries ago in US, but are attracted by: free medical services, free food for social cases, exceptional living expenses, Social Houses.

Food crisis that is coming in the next year because of the Russia conflicts with Ukraine, will determine a Mass Migration from Africa to Europe. Food shortage and how to solve this was the main topic discussed this year at Davos.

There was a massive surge of migrants to Europe in 2015. But that was just the beginning of what’s coming the next years. What we’re talking about here is the migration of millions of people of different languages, different races, different religions, different cultures, and different modes of living. Such a migration can only destroy the European culture and you can check the history back of what happened 1600 years ago in the Roman Empire, considering the migration of Germanic tribes.

A snapshot of food prices today, price are at all time high

corn futures price graph

I don’t want to beat the horses to much with people migration because other topics are also interesting, like MMT (Modern Monetary Theories). MMT means unlimited creation of paper cash to finance what governments want. This new modern economic theory must be implemented because Governments are bankrupted. Just check the US, UK, France, Spain balance sheets and debt to GDP ratio to understand how things are working now.

Countri list debt to gdp ratio

The Elite State (Davos participants) prefer to finance governments bail-out via inflation instead of imposing new taxes (it was the stock heaven in the last years).

For this reason, inflation is surging all around the Globe but they can hide this very well behind the conflict between Russia & Ukraine. Our countries economics problems are more profound than we think they are!

How to hedge against inflation?

Our options are:

  • Carbon Emissions Contracts
  • Precious Metals (good option right now)
  • Grains (too late)
  • REIT Stock’s
  • Energy Stocks (too late)
  • Other commodities like: Coffee, Cocoa, Sugar, Uranium

These days we find some options for stocks that are not in the sectors mentioned above and we want to bring you some examples here:

  • <DQ> DAQO NEW ENERGY CORP: Main producer of polysilicon to photovoltaic product manufactures in China. They have large clients in Europe, they also will open new factory in Mongolia, and the stock is extremely undervalued. 9 analysts revised their recommendations regarding this stock last month to upside.
  • <FSZ> Fiera Capital Corporation: The main investment Company in Canada that grow their AUM through acquisitions and offer 9% dividend yield.
  • <NRIM> Northrim BanCorp is the main bank in Alaska; we choose it because they have: low competition, 0 debts and Alaska will grow very much with the current Oil price.

Germany decision to stop Oil & Gas imports until the end of 2022 was in our opinion the main news at Davos and a BIG HIT to Russia. If Russia will not stop their “special operation” soon, we see this country evolving like the Nord Korea. India engagement to migrate on green energy is also a real big news that put a lot of pressure on China to change their policy also. India will change side to US-UK-EU alliance next years.

Job Market Evolution in years to come and how technology will change workers’ habits was also a good subject to meditate for the illuminated minds. Today, workers need to be more open to technologies, also work from home will be adopted by large companies. The main threat of productivity is the ability of workers to be self-organized, and discussions at Davos, was oriented on how to grow productivity in these new paradigm launched by COVID 19 disease.

Things are not going well and this was in agreement with all of the Davos participants, just to remind you some these week headlines:

  • UBS have cut their 2022 GDP forecast for China to 3% y/y, from 4.2%. Reminder, the official forecast out of China is for around 5.5%
  • JP Morgan downgrade China economic growth forecast, again. Project large contraction from -1.5% to -5.4%.
  • ECB President Lagarde has indicated July is likely lift off for rate hike
  • Fed's George says while inflation is clearly decelerating it could jump again

“With dedication to your freedom TopfxInvest”

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Economic Growth is slowing all around the globe and inflation will grow with a moderate pace

Economic Growth is slowing all around the globe and inflation will grow with a moderate pace

EU inflation is 6.1% and rate hike is mandatory. From the previously forecasted values of 3%, we have a deviation of 3% which is caused by multiple factors:

  • Russia & Ukraine conflict
  • Energy Price
  • Supply Chains disruption

Goldman Sachs also cut their US economic growth forecasts from 2.6% to 2.4% this weekend.

Slowdown in growth should help lower job openings, it is also likely to raise the unemployment rate a bit.

Blankfein former chief executive of Goldman Sachs and currently senior chairman of Goldman Sachs says "firms should be prepared for a recession this year" and also:

"We're certainly heading - it's certainly a very, very high risk factor. And there's - but, you know, there's a path. It's a narrow path. But I - I think the FED has very powerful tools. It's hard to finally tune them and it's hard to see the effects of them quickly enough to alter it."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lloyd-blankfein-face-the-nation-transcript-05-15-2022/

FITCH says that the global recovery is to slow down in 2022 and 2023. Policy interest rates are rising, and FITCH believes that this marks an end to an era of very low borrowing costs for governments.

Remarks from Powel has changed a lot from the last year when he considered that the inflation was transitory and some pain is needed.

“The question whether we can execute a soft landing or not, it may actually depend on factors that we don’t control. The process of getting inflation down to 2% will also include some pain, but ultimately the most painful thing would be if we were to fail to deal with it and inflation were to get entrenched in the economy at high levels.”

This week, CPI is lowering from 8.3% to 6% (Core CPI). This means that inflation will not decrease, it will slow the pace of growth, and the price of goods are not going to decline. The price of goods will grow with a moderate pace.

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Tomorrow FOMC Expectations from Commercial Banks & former FED official's

Tomorrow FOMC Expectations from Commercial Banks & former FED official's

BoA (Bank of America) 

Perhaps the most interesting moment at the press conference will be his response to a question about whether a 75bp hike is on the table.

Barclay's:

"At this week's May FOMC meeting, we expect the Fed to lift the target range for the federal funds rate by 50bp to 0.75% - 1.00%. May's hike has already been signaled to markets, with FOMC participants becoming increasingly receptive to front-loaded rate hikes amid resilient data on activity and intensified cost-push price pressures since the March meeting... Given the broad parameters for balance sheet normalization laid out in the March meeting minutes, we expect the monthly run-off caps to ramp up from $35bn in June ($20bn for treasuries, $15bn for agency MBS), to $65bn in July ($40bn / $25bn) and then to the maximum pace of $95 bn/month from August.

In the press conference, we expect much of the discussion to revolve around the speed at which the committee is prepared to lift its policy rate to neutral, with markets now pricing in 50 bp hikes in every meeting through September. We continue to expect 50 bp hikes in May and June, with the committee slowing the pace to 25bp per meeting from July onward as it sees signs of slowing inflation."

Morgan Stanley see rate hike by 50bp and SPX down to  3800 near term and 3400 long term.

Former FED according to Wallstreet Journal "Rates May Need to Rise Quite a Bit to Get to Neutral", he see rates to 5%.

Read entire article on Wall Street Journal.

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Risk OFF tone persists, Fear is Growing & US Dollar is in Control

Risk OFF tone persists, Fear is Growing & US Dollar is in Control

Yesterday  European markets news pave the road for an EU recession in the second half of the year.

  • Eurozone April final consumer confidence -22.0 vs -16.9 prelim
  • Economic confidence 105.0 VS Prior 108.5; revised to 106.7
  • Industrial confidence 7.9 VS or 10.4; revised to 9.0 (Heavy Hit)
  • Services confidence 13.5 VS r 14.4; revised to 13.6 

Euro area economic sentiment continues to fall further as the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not seems to stop.

Sales are also down in Germany, March retail sales -0.1% vs +0.3% m/m expected prior was 7.

Selling price expectations rose to an all-time high of 60.8 - up from 57.2 from (that is not good for inflation).

How we would expect to protect ourselves from this possible recession:

  • Bought Precious Metals Silver & Gold (Yesterday we added some silver because was a good price)
  • Bought Defensive Stocks like Gilead's, Philip Morris, Imperial Brands, TeamViewer
  • Bought some REIT stocks 
  • Bought Energy Stocks like: CNQ, PBA, ALVOF  (too late to act now on these areas)
  • Bought some stocks exposed to Agricultural land & Soils like ALCO. 

Fear is growing at Highest levels since 2008, just take a look  on CNN Business FEARS picture above.

Our real time RIsk ON/OFF indicator.

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US Q1 advance GDP Terrible values -1.4% vs +1.1% expected

US Q1 advance GDP  Terrible  values -1.4% vs +1.1% expected

Yesterday, Advanced GDP was published and we saw horrible  values with -2.4% deviation from expected values. All branches of the GDB were in red.   

  • Q4 final was 6.9% annualized
  • Consumer spending +2.7% vs +2.5% prior
  • Consumer spending on durables -4.1% vs +2.5% in Q4
  • GDP deflator +8.0% vs +7.3% expected
  • Core PCE +5.2% vs +5.4% expected
  • GDP final sales -0.6% vs +1.5% in Q4
  • Nominal GDP vs up 14.3% annualized in Q4
  • Business investment +9.2% vs +2.9% in Q4
  • Home investment +2.1% vs +2.2% in Q4
  • GDP ex motor vehicles -1.3%

The decrease in real GDP reflected decreases in private inventory investment, exports, federal government spending, and state and local government spending, while imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE), nonresidential fixed investment, and residential fixed investment increased.

The Real problem for the US Economy it's not that GDP is an inflation of 8%.

Economic growth returned in the years after the 2008 recession. The US entered an era of low growth but well below previous recovery phases. That sluggish economy is why the Fed kept rates low and launched QE (quantitative Ease).Fed officials talked of letting the economy “run hot,” and tolerate a period of high inflation in order to restore long-term averages.

Covid 19 and Ukraine-Russia war is threatening to change this high inflation with hiper-inflation (over 10%).That suggests recession might be coming anyway in 2022-2023, even if the Fed weren't tightening policy.

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The Russia-Ukraine War will Dominate Markets this Week

The Russia-Ukraine War will Dominate Markets this Week

After high Inflation in US and Europe, the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, a new event like war between two major countries affected the markets. War between Ukraine and Russia pushed this morning Gold over 2000$, Oil to 124$, Soybeans 1686$ and Corn to 775$. During war times precious metals, Oil and Grains perform well instead of risk assets like stocks.

Gold pop UP!

US OIL POP UP

High level of sanctions from the Western Economies will destroy the Russian economy in the medium term. The Putin regime will fall in the near future because you can't win a war completely isolated from western world and you can't govern with terror and mass-media censorship.

According to the last Russian laws, you can get 15 years in jail if you transmit information from the battlefield that is not what the regime wants. All social media are closed, also internet websites like BBC, CNN, The Guardian etc. If the Putin regime it's not quickly removed, the Russian people will live like in the North Korea.

Also, some important brands like Toyota, Ford, BMW, Mercedes, VW, Oracle, SAP, Mazda, Nike, PayPal, Apple, IBM, DELL, Mitsubishi have closed the doors to the Putin regime. The Russian currency is moving down by over 30%, and the Moscow stock market is closed for three days in a row.

With the US & EU already facing the highest inflation in over four decades, triggered by the Covid lockdowns and restrictions, and the February CPI release this week anticipated to show an escalation during the previous month, the real possibility of an economic recession is even larger.

Therefore, the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy meeting on Mar. 15-16, will start a new interest rate hike cycle and it's not advisable to be exposed on the growth stocks. We still own high dividend stocks in the energy and finance sectors and also, we are keeping our Gold & Silver positions. We anticipate further weaknesses in stocks this month.

The United States and European allies are exploring banning imports of Russian oil, Blinken said on Sunday, and the White House coordinated with key Congressional committees moving forward with their own ban.

"A boycott would put enormous pressure on oil and gas supply that has already felt the impact of increasing demand. Prices are likely to rise in the short term, with a move toward $150 a barrel not out of the question Such a move will put further pressure on global economies, pushing inflation higher, leaving central banks debating how quickly rate hikes should be implemented." according to some analysts from CMC Markets.

"The war has clearly increased the risk of a stagflation scenario for the euro zone, where you will have a stagnating economy and much higher inflation on the back of high energy prices," said Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING.

We stand with the Ukrainian people that fight for their freedom and we want to help mothers with children that are refugees. Right now, we are facing a real drama on the Ukrainian border as the refugee and their children are staying over three nights on -15°C without food and water.

It's estimated that there will be over 10 million refugees this year, if the conflict does not stop soon.

ukrainian refugees

If you want to help refugees, you can donate on these links:

https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/donate-now-to-protect-children-in-ukraine/ 

https://donate.unrefugees.org.uk/ukraine-emergency/~my-donation

https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal

https://www.icrc.org/en/where-we-work/europe-central-asia/ukraine

https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/

https://donate.careinternational.org.uk/page/100263/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=e75_orgsocial

https://www.peopleinneed.net/

https://msf.org.uk/

You can help Ukraine Army here:

https://www.portmone.com.ua/r3/uk/terminal/index/index/id/118103/

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Glory to Ukraine!

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ECB Valleroy: The decision on rate hikes is not needed before June meeting

ECB Valleroy: The decision on rate hikes is not needed before June meeting
  • The decision on rate hikes is not needed before June meeting
  • Any speculation about calendar of future lift-off is at this stage premature
  • We will retain our full optionality about pace of normalization
  • Its calendar will remain a gradual, state-dependent and open in moving from one stage to the other
  • Keeping net asset purchases open ended from October would not be appropriate
  • APP purchases would end in Q3
  • another way to enhance optionality could be to remove the word "shortly" from the forward guidance on asset purchases
  • Optionality would mean that lift-off could possibly take more time if warranted

Decision on partial troop withdrawal has been taken added some optimism on markets (SP500 +1,58% NDQ +2,58) but we still have questions about inflation and growth

Oil & gold come back to previous levels.

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Inflation is growing: CPI=7,5% with 0,2% over estimate - Stocks Down - Risk Off

Inflation is growing: CPI=7,5% with 0,2% over estimate - Stocks Down - Risk Off

Yesterday was a special day for trading markets because of rising in CPI. Stocks were up with over 2% percent at the start of the US session but reversed sharply with over 5%. Inflation surprised markets expectations but more interesting was FED Bullard (a voter in monetary Policy's) reaction to CPI:

He sees a 100-basis point increase by July 1. 50 BPs in March but will defer to Powell. Would favour changing rates between meetings. FED balance sheet reduction may require asset sales.

What is in CPI to justify the reaction above?!

  • Highest reading in 40 years
  • m/m CPI 0.6% vs 0.5%
  • Real weekly earnings -0.5% vs +0.1%

Core inflation:

  • Ex food and energy +6.0% vs +5.9% y/y expected
  • Prior ex food and energy +5.5%
  • Core m/m +0.6% vs +0.5% exp
  • Prior core m/m +0.6%
  1. Housing +0.7%
  2. Owners rent +0.4%
  3. Food +0.9%
  4. Energy +0.9%
  5. Gasoline -0.8%
  6. Medical care +0.6%
  7. Apparel +1.1%
  8. Services +0.4%

Only Ice scream is 👇.

You can read detailed report here.

What are the reasons for these readings?

First Supply chain bottlenecks because Covid outbreak and accelerated economic growing from 2015 just look at SPX500

Citi Bank now sees 50 basis point Fed

What will happen from here?

I'm expecting inflation to peak in April-May and rates to go near to 4% in the future. Are we at the starting point of a depression?!

We intend to grow up our exposure on Gold & defensive stocks.

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Risk Tone is improving this week

Risk Tone is improving this week

After the meeting between Putin and Macron, the markets have regained some losses from the first month of the year.

Macron: "Putin told me that he would not be behind any escalation in Ukraine". Instead, the meeting is not solving the problem between the Russia and Ukraine, but markets have anticipated a lower narrative tone in the future.

Putin Macron meeting

Better than expected, Atlanta FED GDP now rises to 0,7 from 0.1 also fuels a positive Risk tone.

Atlanta GDPNow forecast

Some good news from the inflation front announced by ECB Villeroy also helps stocks. Villeroy said:

“Inflation hump should be temporary.

French inflation is to gradually diminish within a month.

I guarantee we will do what is needed for inflation to return to around 2% over time.”

Stocks are up SPX500 0,84%, NDQ 1,21% DJI +1% and VIX -5.67%.

Instead of some support in stocks, investors are concerned about the tightening announced in March from FED.

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Risk-off tone will persist in February: ADP & EU Inflation in focus

The ADP job data surprised to the downside this month: - 301K versus +200K estimate.

All economic branches were down this month:

  • Goods -27K
  • Manufacturing -21K
  • Services -274K
  • Transportation and Utilities -62K
  • Leisure and Hospitality -154K
  • Construction -10 K (Also Canadian Building Permit felt -0.3 over estimate)
  • Education & Health Services -15 K
  • Small firms -144K decline
  • Medium firms -59K decline
  • Large firms -98K decline

The fell was the largest since April 2020 because Omicron outbreak, according to FED officials.

BOE has increased official bank rate by 0.25 points to 0.5%, today.

Eurozone inflation hits new record 5,1% CPI versus 4,4% expected (Highest since 30 years), that will put more pressure on ECB today.

Bidden sent 3k US Soldiers to Romania Poland and Bulgaria.

IMF Chief Georgieva: Geopolitical tensions make uncertain outlook for global economy.

Regarding our portfolio, we shrink our exposure to growth stocks and closed some losing positions on companies that have large debts or lower growth expectation (ASAN, BILL, W, NVCR, RDFN), and further, we closed two days ago our grains exposure with 20% percent profits in three months. We expect to 💪 our dividend stock's exposure's and add to precious metal positions if we see another 2k points decrease in Gold and Silver after FED rate increases. We think market will retest soon, lower point from January and US Dollar 💵 will stay in upper zone. US dollar speculative positioning and bullish sentiment are surging. SP500 Retest Of January Lows  is about to begin.

You can check real-time  our risk-on/off tone indicator.

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Asian Indices go higher after China cuts it's rates

Asian Indices go higher after China cuts it's rates

China cuts Loan Prime Rates: 1 year to 3.7% (from 3.8%) & 5 year to 4.6% (from 4.65%)

The People's Bank of China cut its Medium-Term Lending Facility rate to 2.85%

  • from 2.95%
  • injected 700bn yuan with 500bn maturing
  • 1 year MLF
  • first cut since April of 2020

On the 7-day reverse repo today, rate cut to 2.1% from 2.2%

  • 100bn yuan injected today
  • 10bn yuan matured today

On Thursday this week, 20 January, we get 1 year and 5 year Loan Prime Rates set.

A cut to the MLF will be seen as an indication the LPR rates too could see a cut.

Asian stock go higher after this Bank of China Move Nikkei +1% , Topix +0,89, Kospi +0,49, Hang Seng +2,38% 

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Markets Expectations for 2022 regarding Stocks, Gold, Oil and Commodities

Markets Expectations for 2022 regarding Stocks, Gold, Oil and Commodities

As we started a new year 2022, we want to present you our conclusions on markets and an analysis of our managed portfolio. In this article, we will analyse four major assets: Stocks, Gold, Oil and Commodities.

After stellar gains registered in 2021, in 2022 markets are expected to grow at a moderate peace, due to the rising risks.

We are bullish on Gold and Silver, and we are also confident on a future increasing in agricultural commodities, as we also presented in our article: https://topfxinvest.com/blog/we-anticipate-the-food-crisis-in-2022

Now let’s take a look on some factors that can influence stock markets in 2022:

Bullish Factors:

  • The domestic economy is growing
  • Consumer spending overall is strong
  • Employment is expanding, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.1% from 4.2%.
  • Corporate earnings are growing by 27% (Apple it's $3 trillion company & Tesla deliveries grow by 87%)
  • Covid-19 Pandemic new variant Omicron is decreases in death rates

Bearish Factors:

  • Rising interest rates: FED official announced this week that they see this year three, instead of two interest rates increase
  • Some stocks are extremely overvalued, like FTNT (over 100%: yesterday we closed our position on FTNT) or MRNA. Also, almost 100 stocks from S&P500 index are up over 50%, which is too much in our opinion. If US interest rate will hit 5%, stocks will go down badly, similar to the 1987 crisis.
  • Continuing inflationary pressures because of transportations issues. We already discussed this topic in our article Shipping Congestions and higher prices will continue until ends of 2022 according to Morgan Stanley
  • Global tensions between Russia and US on Ukraine / Kazakhstan, also China and US on Taiwan, which are possible to extend into some major conflicts.
  • Covid-19 Omicron it's still here, and we cannot anticipate the implications of other virus mutations. If we have other lockdowns because of new pandemic outbreaks, stocks will be badly hit.

Other opinions regarding stocks:

JPMorgan Kolanovic says to buy the dip:

“Higher bond yields should not be disruptive for equities, but rather support our call for a growth to value rotation. […] We stay positive on equities and expect Omicron will ultimately prove a positive for risk assets, as this milder but more transmissible variant speeds the transition from pandemic to endemic with a lower human toll. As this wave fades, it will likely mark the end of the pandemic Omicron’s lower severity and high transmissibility crowds out more severe variants and leads to broad natural immunity”.

On congested supply lines: “signs of supply constraints potentially passing their worst point”

BlackRock's largest fund asset has an optimistic view, but they raise concerns over China Covid19 policy: 

“The Fed has signalled three rate rises this year – more than we expected. Markets seem primed to equate higher rates as being negative for equities. We’ve seen this before and don’t agree. What really matters is that the Fed has kept signalling a low sum total of rate hikes, and that didn’t change last week. This historically muted response to inflation should keep real policy rates low, in our view, supporting equities.”

“And not all spikes in long term yields are the same. Last week’s jump in U.S. Treasury yields was about the Fed signalling a readiness to start shrinking its balance sheet. This could result in a return of the term premium that investors typically demand for the risk of holding long-term bonds. This is not necessarily negative for risk assets as it can reflect an investor preference for equities over government bonds.”

Regarding China slows growth rate: “The key question is how China’s zero-COVID policy will stand up against Omicron. The policy so far has proven effective and enjoyed popular support, but has left China with almost no natural immunity. We expect the country to maintain the policy – at least optically – in this politically important year. This raises the spectre of more restrictions on activity, from targeted measures that keep the economy humming (Shanghai) to full-scale lockdowns (Xi’an). As a result, we believe downside risks to China’s growth have risen, even as Beijing appears bent on achieving its growth target this year by loosening policy.”

We think it's reasonable for Gold to push a higher price to 2500 after a huge stimulus amount, but it will happen only after the FED finishes raising the interest rates. Oil will slow down only after the inflation will also slow down, probably in the second part of the year according to Citi Bank Forecast

We added to our portfolio some agricultural commodities and precious metals (Gold and Silver). and we sold some positions like: Tesla, Fortinet, Shopify, DocuSIgn, Disney, TradeDesk. In 2022 we plan to add more dividend stocks because we have a more neutral view on this year’s growth.

Further, I'm not a big fan of Crypto currencies. 40K for Bitcoin is a good price, but if it goes further under 30K, it's a good to buy and hold bet.

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