Most of the longer-term, trend-following stuff that I follow has been on the wrong side of recent action in the stock, bond and gold markets. This is not uncommon since trend-following indicators by design are not going to ever catch a top or a bottom. However, when I feel like I am on the wrong side of everything I tend to comment less about the action in the financial markets. I mean, why look stupid on purpose, right?
In a nutshell:
*One of the key (and simplest) trend-following indicators I use for the stock market gave a “sell” signal at the end of September – and the stock market has been marching relentlessly higher ever since.
*One of the key trend–following indicators I use for the bond market remains firmly bullish but the long-term bond is essentially unchanged over the last 12 months.
*One of the key trend-following indicators I use for the gold market remains bearish even as gold and gold stocks have rallied sharply over the past two months.
So while I may short-term trade any of these markets in either direction, in terms of longer-term investing I am simply “out of sync”. For the record, it happens sometimes.
Crude Oil Update
I have been sort of fixated on crude oil lately. I wrote about a potential bearish play here. Following the second update crude broke through the lower end of the range that I highlighted as seen in Figure 1.
(Courtesy: www.FreeStockCharts.com)
The trade that I wrote about in the first piece went from “close to serious trouble” to “a much better place”.
The example bearish crude oil trade I highlighted on 9/30, involved:
*Selling 30 November United States Oil (N:USO) 16 calls
*Buying 30 November USO 17 calls
The current status of this trade is reflected in Figures 2 and 3.
(Courtesy: www.OptionsAnalysis.com)
(Courtesy: www.OptionsAnalysis.com)
*As you can see, with 31 days let until November option expiration, the trade still has quite a bit of profit potential yet to be captured.
*In the meantime, the breakeven price is $16.21 a share for USO (presently trading at $14.73) with a stop-loss somewhere in the $16.50 range.