Sunday, June 28, 2015

Soos Global Investor Update...Weekend Alert...Greece and China



Thought I’d share some informal comments that I expressed in an email chat w/an investor this afternoon focusing on the weekend events in Greece and on China’s easing in rates on Saturday.   (But first, a word from our friendly Compliance folks:  (A Friendly and Important Disclaimer Note (in addition to legal language below):   If you’re reading this post and are not currently investing with Soos Global (which, of course, is something we should discuss!), please bear in mind that while we share details on changes made to our portfolios, it's important to consider that our portfolio decisions are taken in a much broader context of our overall portfolio strategies and our assessment of each of our investor's unique financial profiles.  As such, what we do, and when we do it, is specific to our investor portfolios and is NOT intended, in any way, as advice for use by others.  Readers are reminded that all comments posted here are for information and entertainment purposes only!  Any commentary, especially those that include specific mentions of 'buying' or 'selling' or 'positions', is made solely for those limited informational and entertainment purposes, and NOT as advice.  We're delighted to hear thoughts and comments.  Thx!)

Now, back to Greece and China….
With Greece and the EZ, It’s brinksmanship at its best.  Both sides playing chicken.  In the end, I think that Tsipras has played the EZ countries for fools….making them believe that he’d really push through reforms in exchange for more bailout money.  His call for a referendum for July 7 was obnoxious b/c it’s well after the date that he’d already be in default on an IMF loan, and beyond the end-date of the EZ bailout program.  What could the goal of a referendum be?  To show proof positive that the people of Greece want to continue living beyond their means and on the backs of hard working countries in the EZ who would be supporting them?! 
Bottom line, the Grexit has been so well advertised, that it would seem unlikely that a global financial meltdown would ensue. The shuttering of Greek banks on Monday will help the ‘run’ issue (at least for a day).  That said, one would expect lots more volatility in all markets, especially the in the FX market.  There could be some ‘blowups’ of hedge funds or other investors who took sizable bets on Greece one way or the other.  Some FX firms have already announced this afternoon that trading starting tonight in the EUR will be curbed through either higher margin req’ts and/or only allowing liquidation of existing positions but no new positions.  So the ‘circuit-breakers’ that are meant to prevent a cataclysmic global meltdown appear to be already underway.
We might see a bullish move in the USD and USTsys as a ‘flight to quality’.  We might also see a selloff in other PIIGS such as Spain and Italy, though I think they’re not an immediate credit threat like Greece has been.
Now, there’s always the possibility that the EZ countries cave and actually play into the hands of the Greeks and extend the bailout as a way to allow time for a more orderly, calm Grexit. But we’ve been down that road lots of times before and that’s what’s brought us to today.
Another thing to note, away from Europe, is China’s easing over the weekend….good news!  The fact that it took a nearly 25% meltdown in the Shanghai equity market in approx one week to motivate the move does show some sign that the PBOC does want the equity market to stabilize as a way for people to feel good (and more wealthy) and for companies to access the capital markets for funding rather than just from banks.  But even there, the cut in rates and in reserve req’ts are clearly easing measures meant to kick their economy in the you-know-where!!  That should be good for EM stocks and good for Australia.  Realistically, the mess in Europe may obscure the Asian events.  If so, I may see that as a window to add to those type of positions.
Going to be interesting, especially in a holiday shortened week with the NFP on Thursday!
Rock ‘n roll!!!
Seat belts and helmets!!

Please email or call w/any comments or questions.
Best,
Ed


If you have any questions, or comments, please keep them coming in!!

Please continue to visit Soos Global Market Musings for updates.

(Sign up to "Follow by Email"!  And share with others!)

(Please note: This article is solely meant to be thought provoking and is not in any way meant to be personal investment advice. Each investor is obligated to opine and decide for themselves as to the appropriateness of anything said in this article to their unique financial profile, risk tolerances and portfolio goals).
Disclaimer: Please read and consider important information related to all communication made by Soos Global on this site by clicking here.
Additional Disclaimer: currently long many stocks/ETFs.  Positions may change at any time without notice.   


Monday, June 15, 2015

Soos Global Investor Update...Monday, June 15, 2015



As a follow-up to the chart I sent earlier showing the price history of the DJIA over the past 2 ½ years, I’ve had a number of email exchanges w/investors who had comments and questions.  Below are some cut/pastes from my responses in those exchanges….but first….a friendly reminder from my Compliance folks:

(A Friendly and Important Disclaimer Note (in addition to legal language below):   If you’re reading this post and are not currently investing with Soos Global (which, of course, is something we should discuss!), please bear in mind that while we share details on changes made to our portfolios, it's important to consider that our portfolio decisions are taken in a much broader context of our overall portfolio strategies and our assessment of each of our investor's unique financial profiles.  As such, what we do, and when we do it, is specific to our investor portfolios and is NOT intended, in any way, as advice for use by others.  Readers are reminded that all comments posted here are for information and entertainment purposes only!  Any commentary, especially those that include specific mentions of 'buying' or 'selling' or 'positions', is made solely for those limited informational and entertainment purposes, and NOT as advice.  We're delighted to hear thoughts and comments.  Thx!)


I actually think we’ll give the 200ma a good test this time, and might even break below it…but I don’t anticipate that it would be a long-lived sell-off.  Once the Fed actually does it’s dirty work of raising rates, say 25 or even 50bps, I think markets will be more at ease, and then stocks can recover, and then long yields can come down.
I still think that the ‘yieldy’ stuff, such as HYG, JNK, the Preferred ETFs, XLU, the REITs, are all oversold.
I also think EWA( Australia) looks attractive, as does the Emerging Market local fixed income ETF, EMLC.
Finally, SYMC (cyber sec) has fallen back to attractive levels.
If you look at the chart below and focus on the recent 4 or 5 months, it’s basically been a straight-across consolidation….lots of daily ups and downs, but basically, not going anywhere.  It finally feels, however, that we’re close to a move out of this band….in my view, first lower, then back up, especially as Q2 and Q3 economic data show meaningful improvements over Q1!

(Continued below the chart>>)



                Yes, today’s selloff, I believe, provides some opportunity….for example…. EWA:  Been eyeing Australia, looking to add, on expectations that China will do additional stimulus and that should help Australia’s iron ore and other commodity export markets.  The housing and employment data has been encouraging too.  This ETF pays a dividend 2x per year, and the next one is going exdiv later this month.  Following through on plan to scale in on pullbacks.

DVA…had already taken profits on ½ of our position some time ago, and have been looking to exit the balance.  Exited today.  May re-enter at some point, but we’ve made good profit in this stock and I’m concerned that it could top out here ahead of election campaigning that might bring added attention to government spending on healthcare.   Given relatively light cash holdings in the portfolios, I believe using the money from DVA for SYMC is a better risk/reward trade-off.

SYMC…been looking to add to our cyber-security positions, and had taken an initial 1% in SYMC some time ago.  The stock has been volatile, and of late, along w/most tech, it’s been hit.  Today’s downtrade to <$23.75 appeared to me to be good value, so I added another 1%.  With all the recent high-profile hacking situations, such as the Chinese (alleged) hacking of the US Gov’t, I believe that the cyber space will continue to be strong.

WM…there have been reports recently that ‘scrap’ demand from overseas has fallen off, and in turn, scrap prices have fallen.  That should weigh on WM. In addition, today’s industrial production data was the sixth straight month of decline, again, something that has and might continue to weigh on WM.  So I lightened up the position, taking 1% off the table, leaving 2.4%.  The dividend is another compelling reason to hold on, but the real key is the likelihood that as the US economy improves over time, WM’s unique position in this high-barriers-to-entry-space  should set it apart to the upside.

NSC…I put the 1% from WM into NSC, which has been badly beaten down in recent weeks.  The new regulations in the rail sector have put pressure on all rails, but in NSC’s case, the fall-off in coal transport, has also taken its toll.  I think the sell-off is overdone, down nearly 25% from late ’14 highs.  Increased position to 3.4%.


If you have any questions, or comments, please keep them coming in!!

Please continue to visit Soos Global Market Musings for updates.

(Sign up to "Follow by Email"!  And share with others!)

(Please note: This article is solely meant to be thought provoking and is not in any way meant to be personal investment advice. Each investor is obligated to opine and decide for themselves as to the appropriateness of anything said in this article to their unique financial profile, risk tolerances and portfolio goals).
Disclaimer: Please read and consider important information related to all communication made by Soos Global on this site by clicking here.
Additional Disclaimer: currently long many stocks/ETFs including NSC, SYMC, WM, EWA, EMLC, XLU, preferred REITs, HYG, JNK.  Positions may change at any time without notice.   

Food for thought....In 2 1/2 years, the DJIA meaningfully broke 200ma only once.....And now????






(A Friendly and Important Disclaimer Note (in addition to legal language below):   If you’re reading this post and are not currently investing with Soos Global (which, of course, is something we should discuss!), please bear in mind that while we share details on changes made to our portfolios, it's important to consider that our portfolio decisions are taken in a much broader context of our overall portfolio strategies and our assessment of each of our investor's unique financial profiles.  As such, what we do, and when we do it, is specific to our investor portfolios and is NOT intended, in any way, as advice for use by others.  Readers are reminded that all comments posted here are for information and entertainment purposes only!  Any commentary, especially those that include specific mentions of 'buying' or 'selling' or 'positions', is made solely for those limited informational and entertainment purposes, and NOT as advice.  We're delighted to hear thoughts and comments.  Thx!)



MORE CHART THOUGHTS TO FOLLOW....STAY TUNED.....

Please continue to visit Soos Global Market Musings for updates.

(Sign up to "Follow by Email"!  And share with others!)

(Please note: This article is solely meant to be thought provoking and is not in any way meant to be personal investment advice. Each investor is obligated to opine and decide for themselves as to the appropriateness of anything said in this article to their unique financial profile, risk tolerances and portfolio goals).
Disclaimer: Please read and consider important information related to all communication made by Soos Global on this site by clicking here.
Additional Disclaimer: currently long many stocks/ETFs.  Positions may change at any time without notice.