Get 40% Off
🚨 Volatile Markets? Find Hidden Gems for Serious OutperformanceFind Stocks Now

9 Year U.S. Bull Market Money Flow Indicates Risk Appetite Slowing

Published 08/23/2018, 12:12 AM
Updated 07/09/2023, 06:31 AM

The first three of the following graphs depict percentages gained for the Major U.S. Indices during three time periods, namely:

  • since March 6, 2009 (the bottom of the 2008/09 financial crisis),
  • since November 8, 2016 (the Presidential election), and
  • year-to-date.

Generally, traders/investors have favored technology, small-cap, and transportation indices over the large-cap and utilities indices...indicating a stronger preference for risk over value, which continues till today.

Sector Indices Performance March 2009-August 2018
Sector Indices Performance November 2016-August 2018
Sector Indices Performance December 2017-August 2018

The next three graphs depict percentages gained for the nine U.S. Major Sectors:

  • since March 6, 2009 (the bottom of the 2008/09 financial crisis),
  • since November 8, 2016 (the Presidential election), and
  • year-to-date.


Until this year, traders/investors have favored consumer cyclicals, technology, industrials, healthcare, and financials. However, this year, industrials and financials have fallen out of favor, leaving only a risk-on environment in consumer cyclicals, technology, and health care, while the remaining sectors are roughly flat or under water, in comparison...indicating a reduced appetite for risk.

As I mentioned in my post of mid-August, U.S. and world financial markets may hold the key as to whether or not this bull market continues to advance for the remainder of the year. Keep an eye on those, along with the USD and other factors mentioned in that article for confirmation—or not—of such a scenario.

As well, watch for any reallocation of money from consumer cyclicals, technology, small caps, and transportation, into large caps, utilities, consumer staples, materials, and energy, if markets shift from a riskier to a more defensive posture.
Sector Performance, 2009-2018
Sector Performance, 2016-2018
Sector Performance, 2017-2018

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or remove ads .

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.