9:28 | 16.11.2009
eResearch Clarion: Topic: Thin Ice
Last week I capitulated on my thinking that the market had to have a nearterm
correction after such a prolonged and convincing run-up since the
March lows. While that correction will occur sometime, I continue to adhere
to the disciplined investing guideline that “the trend is your friend”. At the
same time, I also look ahead and try to anticipate where that trend is going.
As we head towards the winter months, I am reminded of the dangers of
walking or skating on “thin ice”. The “danger” signs for the market are
popping up, but the indexes continue to ignore and rise ever higher.
Last week, the Dow Jones Industrials furthered their advance, rising 2.5%.
The S&P500 was up 2.3%, and the NASDAQ 2.6%. The S&P/TSX
Composite Index has been lagging but it, too, rose last week, although only
by 1.4%. The S&P/TSX is highly geared to the energy, mining, and financial
stocks, and oil has plateaued, only gold has been on the up in the metals
sector, and the financials have been marking time for a while.
The DJIA is following a perfect up-trend line, with three points: March, July
and end of October. With higher “highs” and higher “lows”, there are no
danger signals there. The S&P500 and the NASDAQ are following pretty
much the same pattern, although both are at a critical point, having just
returned to their respective mid-October highs. They need to continue their
advance or the danger signs will be pulled out. The S&P/TSX Composite
Index is the most vulnerable. It is back to two previous highs made in mid-
September and again in mid-October. Failure to follow through to new highs
would represent a triple-top and set the red lights flashing.
What all this means to me is that, normally, the S&P/TSX follows the trend
of its American cousins. That trend is up. For the S&P/TSX to rise would
mean the energy, mining, and financial sectors would have to lead the
charge. If the S&P/TSX breaks down and falls victim to the triple-top, shares
in these three sectors may be headed for a fall.
Bob Weir
Bob Weir, B.Sc., B.Comm., CFA,
Managing Director, Research Services
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