private wealth advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · a critical juncture the markets are...

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Private Wealth Advisory A Phoenix Capital Research Publication March 31, 2010 A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program is about to end (both the purchase of US Treasury debt and of US mortgage backed securities). At the same time, we’ve got the end of 1Q10 along with the typical performance gaming. In addition, market participation is extremely low this week due to it being a holiday week (Passover and Easter). On that note, the markets will be closed most of Friday, which incidentally is when the BLS will publish its March employment figures. In a nutshell, we are witnessing a massive confluence of factors hitting stocks all at the same time. With this in mind, there’s little sense in taking a large position one way or the other. Going long is a gamble because the Fed’s market props are being removed. Indeed, we’re already seeing some warnings signs in the US debt markets: As you can see, long‐term US Bonds have entered a short‐term free‐fall, plunging from 119 to 115. The last four US Treasury auctions have been abysmal with next to no interest coming from Foreign Governments. It is clear that the Bond market

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Page 1: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Private Wealth Advisory A Phoenix Capital Research Publication March 31, 2010

ACriticalJunctureThemarketsarenowatacriticaljuncture.AsIwritethis,theFed’sQuantitativeEasingProgramisabouttoend(boththepurchaseofUSTreasurydebtandofUSmortgagebackedsecurities).Atthesametime,we’vegottheendof1Q10alongwiththetypicalperformancegaming.Inaddition,marketparticipationisextremelylowthisweekduetoitbeingaholidayweek(PassoverandEaster).Onthatnote,themarketswillbeclosedmostofFriday,whichincidentallyiswhentheBLSwillpublishitsMarchemploymentfigures.Inanutshell,wearewitnessingamassiveconfluenceoffactorshittingstocksallatthesametime.Withthisinmind,there’slittlesenseintakingalargepositiononewayortheother.GoinglongisagamblebecausetheFed’smarketpropsarebeingremoved.Indeed,we’realreadyseeingsomewarningssignsintheUSdebtmarkets:

Asyoucansee,long‐termUSBondshaveenteredashort‐termfree‐fall,plungingfrom119to115.ThelastfourUSTreasuryauctionshavebeenabysmalwithnexttonointerestcomingfromForeignGovernments.ItisclearthattheBondmarket

Page 2: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

(absentofFedinvolvement)wantshigheryieldsfromUSDebt.Thisistroublingastherecentdrophasbroughtthe30‐YearTreasuryNotetolong‐termsupport:

Inplainterms,thischartindicatesthattheBondmarketis“onthefence”aboutUSdebt.Abreakbelowthislinesignalswe’relikelygoingtotest112ifnot105.ThisinturnmeanshigherinterestrateswhichwouldcrushtheperceivedUSrecovery(imaginedebtpaymentsgoinguprightnow)andcouldpotentiallykickoffachainreactionintheunregulatedderivativesmarketwhere85%ofnotionalvalue($600+TRILLION)inderivativesisbasedoninterestrates.

BenBernankemaynotdomuchforMainStreet,buthe’snotacompletemoroneither.Heknowsfullywellthataspikeininterestratesis“game,set,andmatch”forhispolicies.He’stryingtocountertheremovalofQuantitativeEasingbypromisingtokeepshort‐terminterestratesat0%for“anextendedperiod.”TheissuehereisthatBernankecanonlycontrolinterestratesontheshort‐endofthespectrum.Heattempted(foroneyear)tocontrolthemonthelong‐endofthedebtspectrumwithQuantitativeEasing(buyingUSTreasuries).Butthatprogramisnowending.Sowe’reabouttofindoutwhattheBondMarketthinksofUSdebtwithoutanycrutches.Ifthelastfourdebtauctionsareanyindication,we’regoingtoseeUSDebtfall,interestratesrise,etc,verysoon.Thiswouldbrieflybestockpositive(someofthemoneyfleeingbondswouldsloshintostocks)butsoonstockswouldcollapsecourtesyoftheirmassivedebtloads.

Page 3: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Thus,Bernankeiscornered.Ifinterestratesspikethentheeconomywilldive(duringanelectionyearnoless).Butwithpublicoutragegrowinggreaterbytheday,thelikelihoodofhimannouncinganotherQuantitativeEasingprogram(atleastoneaspublicandgrandiose)isrelativelyslim.Isuspectthatwhatwe’llgetisatamer,“backroom”QEatsomepointinthelatesummer.Butagain,thatismerelyasuspicion.Whilethebondmarkethasbegunflashingseriouswarnings(thoughithasyettoreallybreaksupport),stockscontinuetochugalongasthougheverythingwasjustfine.

You’llnotethatthesteepnessofthelatestascentisactuallymuchsharperthanwhatoccurredfromAugust’09‐December’10.Thiscanbetakenafewways:

1) Thebearshavecapitulatedandarenowbuying2) Havingseeneverysinglecorrectionreversesharply,sellersarelargelyoutof

themarket3) Theshortsareonceagaingettingshreddedandbeingforcedtocover

It’sdifficulttosaypreciselywhichoftheabovebestexplainswhat’shappenedinthelastfewweeks.Iwouldpositit’sacombinationofalloftheabove.Anecdotally,I’venoticedthatquiteafewbearishblogshavebeenthrowinginthetowel,sothere’slikelysometruthto#1.Regarding#2,aclose‐upofthelasttwomonthsperformancerevealsthatatthispointNOONEistryingtosellthemarket.Consequently,we’regettingagradual

Page 4: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

melt‐upinwhichtheS&P500tagson5‐7pointeveryday(40‐50pointsperdayontheDow).

Fromatechnicalanalysisstandpoint,stocksareoverdueforsomekindofcorrection,nowtradingroughly5%abovetheir50‐daymovingaverage:

Page 5: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Thisrelationship(5%fromthe50‐DMA)shouldberememberedbecauseithasshownagreatdealofsignificancehistorically.I’vemarkedthetimeswhenthemarketgotbetween4.5‐5%awayfromthe50‐DMAinthechartabove.You’llnotethateverytimewe’veseenacorrectionoratleastaconsolidationperiodoccursoonafter.IshouldalsopointoutthatthisrelationshipALSOworkstothedownside:theJanuarycorrectionwasroughly4.7%Thiscertainlysetsthecaseforsomekindofstockcorrectionnow.Indeed,onthatnoteIwishtopointoutthattheRussell2000,whichleadtheotherindexestotheupsideduringthislatestrally,hasalreadybeguntocorrect:Russell200=blue,Nasdaq=greenS&P500=redDowIndustrial=black

Asyoucansee,theRussell2000hasvastlyoutperformedtheotherindexesduringthislatestrally.Withthisinmind,itisimportanttonotethattheRussell2000hasalreadybeguntoshowsignsof“rollingover”:

Page 6: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Asyoucansee,theuptrendherehasdramaticallylessenedandisnowintheprocessofrollingover.Thiscombinedwiththegeneraloverextensioninstocksmarketwide,suggeststhatwearegoingtohaveacorrectionoratleastaconsolidationperiodsoon.Onthatnote,IwantedtoletyouknowIamsomewhatchangingthefocusofthisletter.I’vebeenreceivingquitealotofemailsfromreadersinthelastfewweeks.Whatstruckmemostofallwasthedifferenceininvestmentquestions/respectiveinvestmentneeds.Somereadersclearlywantedshort‐termtradeswhileotherswereaskingmequestionsregardingtheir401(k)sandretirementaccounts.SogoingforwardIwillbetryingtocoverallourbases.I’lldothisbyofferinggeneralizedinvestmentstrategies(whentoreduce/increaseexposuretovarioussectors)aswellasspecificshort‐termspeculativeideasfortraders.ForGeneral“BuyandHold”Investors:Nowisthetimetobepruningyourlongholdings.We’vehadaspectacularruninstocksinthelastyearandthelikelihoodofthiscontinuingwithouttheFed’smarketpropsissmall.Mutualfundshavegone“allin”(cashlevelsareathistoriclows)leavingonlyindividualinvestorsasbuyers(largerinstitutions,forthemostpart,ofoutofthemarketcompletelyasevincedbythelowvolume).Indeed,moneymarketfundassetsaredownto$3trillion(roughlythesamelevelstheywereatduringthe2007top)asinvestorspileintostocks.

Page 7: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Inplainterms:everyoneisnowfullyinvestedinthemarket.Forthistohappenwhenthemomentumisbreakingdownandvolumedroppingdoesnotbodewellforstocksgoingforward.Soifyourportfolioisheavilyinvestedinstocks,nowisatimetobetakingsomeprofits.Ifyoucan,considermovingasizablechunkintocash.ThemarketisextremelytiredandthesystemicrisksunderlyingtheFinancialCrisisareinnowayresolved.Withinvestorcomplacency(asmeasuredbytheVIX)backtopre‐Crashlevels,theFedwithdrawingseveralofitsmoresignificantmarketprops,andlowparticipationcomingfromthelargerinstitutions,thismarketisripeforaseriouscorrection.I’mnotsayingthatwillimmediatelyhappen.ButatsomepointtherewillbeanewroundtotheFinancialCrisis.Whenthathappens,wewillhaveanotherCrash.Indeed,itisquitepossiblethatstocksaremakingaVERYsignificanttoprightnow,sobeingheavilyinvestedinstocksgoingforwarddoesn’tmakemuchsense.Takesomemoneyoffthetable.Ifyouneedaplacetoputit,IsuggestcashorGold/Silverbullion.IfyouDOhavetostayinvestedinstocks,nowisthetimetobeshiftingoutofjunkintoquality.Thisrallyhaslargelybeenleadbyjunkcompanies(financials,retailers,etc).Meanwhile,qualityhaslaggeddramatically:comparetheperformanceofCoke(KO)toBankofAmerica(BAC).KOisoneofthebest,mostprofitablebrandsintheworld.Thecompetitivemoataroundthisbusinessisextraordinaryanditremainsoneofthemosteasilyrecognizedfranchisesontheplanet.YoucandrinksixglassesofCokeadayandstillenjoyitthenextday.Thatqualityisalmostnowheretobefoundinanyotherfood/beverageontheplanet:evenchocolatewouldgetoldaftersixbarsaday.BAContheotherhandhasswallowedCountrywideFinancialANDMerrillLynch’sgarbageassets.Itiseffectivelyinsolventbasedonitsderivativeexposurealone(thecompanyhasderivativesequalto3,000%ofassets).BAC’sbalancesheetislikeanopensewerandwithoutseriousgovernmentinterventionthecompanywouldnotexistrightnow.Andyet,thiscompanyisupnearly200%sincetheMarchlows…whileKOisuponly45%.

Page 8: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

However,whenitcomestimeforanotherCrash,itisCoke,notBankofAmericawhichwillholditsground:

So,ifyouHAVEtoremaininvestedinstocksforwhateverreason,nowisthetimetobemovingintohighqualitycompanies.Thismeansfindingcompanieswithlowdebt,lotsofcash,strongresults(KOactuallyGREWrevenuesin2008),andsignificantcompetitiveadvantages.Also,andthisiscritical,lookforcompanieswithstrongbalancesheets:companiesthatwillstillEXISTifthere’sanotherCrisis.Depressionorno,peoplewillstilldrinksoda,alcohol,smokecigarettes,andneedmedicine.I’vecompiledalistofcompaniesyoushouldconsiderifyouneedtoremaininvolvedinstocksgoingforward:Company Symbol Sector Price/Cash

FlowDividendYield

Coke KO SoftDrinks 15 3.2%Budweiser BUD Alcohol 14 N/AJ&J JNJ Medicine 10 3.02%

Page 9: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Wal‐Mart WMT GeneralRetail 8 2.16%ExxonMobil XOM Oil 11 2.51%Thebeautyofthisisthatbecausemanyofthesecompaniesdidn’texplodehigherduringthe2009rally,youcanstillbuythematcheaplevels.I’mpersonallyamazedyoucangetCoke(KO)todayat13timesEnterpriseValue/EBITDA(or15timescashflow).Exxonat11timescashflowwithoilat$80?Extraordinary.Remember,theseinvestmentsareifyouHAVEtostayinstocksforsomereason.Ifthereisanothercollapsethesecompanieswillfalllikeeverythingelse.However,theywillfalllessthantherestofthemarket(seethechartcomparingCokeandtheS&P500below).

Iamcreatinganewportfoliototrackallofthesepositionsgoingforward.It’scalledthe“IfYouHavetoBeInStocks”portfolio.I’mreplacingthe“KickingtheCan”portfoliobecausequitefranklyIhaveyettofindasinglecompanythatqualifiesforit.Iinitiallythoughtthattherewouldbequiteafewcompanieswithstrongfundamentalsandcronycapitalistrelationshipstothegovernment.Instead,whatI’vefoundarealotofcompanieswithGovernmentconnectionsandtotallyawfulfundamentals.Indeed,ifitweren’tFORtheconnections,mostofthemwouldbeoutofbusiness.Sothe“IfYouHavetoBeInStocks”portfoliowillbeourlongexposuregoingforward.Idonotexpectthesepositionstomakealotofmoneynow.ButtheywillshelterthoseofyouwhoneedtoremaininvestedinthemarketfromlosingtoomuchmoneyshouldanotherCrashhit.

Page 10: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

However,Iwillsaythatshouldthemarketcollapseandtheseallfall10‐15%acrosstheboard(whilethemarketfalls30%+)IwouldbeaVERYeagerbuyerforallofthesecompanies.Letmeexplain.Volatilitycaneitherhurtyouorbeyourfriend.Mostpeoplewouldsellapositionifitfell20‐30%.Thisiswiseifyou’reinvestedbasedonmomentum.However,ifyou’reinvestingbasedonvalue,thendoingthisiscompletelyantitheticaltoattaininghighreturns.ConsiderCoke.Let’ssaytomorrowCokecollapsedfrom$55to$25pershare.Mostinvestorswouldpanicandsell.I,ontheotherhand,wouldbebuyinggreedily.Why?BecauseCoke’sbusinesshasafundamentalvalue.EvenduringaFinancialCrisisandDepression,peoplewillcontinuetodrinksoda.SotheopportunitytobuyCokeat$25ashare(whichwouldbe7‐8timescashflow)wouldbetrulyanextraordinaryopportunity.Indeed,fromanincomeperspectivealone,theopportunityherewouldbefantastic.Considerthatin2009,Cokepaidout$1.76individends.Withsharesat$55,thismeansadividendyieldof3.2%(roughlythreetimeswhatyou’dgetbyleavingyourmoneyinasavingsaccount).However,ifCokesharesfellto$25,that$1.76suddenlybecomesa7%yield($1.75/$25.00).That’saheckofareturnfromanincomeperspective.EvenifgloballytheworldenteredasharpDepressionandCoke’sincomefellby30%,pullingitspayoutsdownto$1.23,you’restilllookingata5%yield.Indeed,companieslikeCokeoffertheREALvalueinowningastocktoday.TheirfundamentalsalmostALWAYSoutperformsentiment.WhatImeanbythisisthatshouldtherebeanotherCollapse,Coke’ssharepricewillalmostcertainlyfallMOREthanitscashpayoutsorincome.During2008,Cokesharesfell30%orso.However,CokeactuallyINCREASEDitsdividendthatyear.AnyonewhoboughtCokeinOctober2008,nowcollectsa4%yieldontheirshares(fourtimeswhatheorshewouldgetfromabankaccount).ThisiswhycompanieslikeCokeremainsostrongduringtimesofCrisis.WiththeFDICbrokeandmostUSbanksinsolvent,investorsdesperatelyneedaplacetoparkcashthatissafeandwillstillEXISTinafewyears.CompanieslikeCokeareareasonablealternativetoasavingsaccountinthesensethatyou’repaidahigheryieldforyourdeposit(now3%,but5%orhigherifCokesharesplunge).Ofcourse,becauseCokeisastock,youcanlose10‐15%ormoreifsharesdropandyousell.ThisiswhyIsuggestbuyingthiscompanyandtherestofthe“HavetoOwnStocks”companiesonlyIFyouHAVEtobeinstocksrightnow.Thisisapositionthatismeanttobeheldforthelong‐term(years).Youshouldalmostthinkofitasakind

Page 11: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

ofbankaccount:aplacewhereyouputmoneytocollectinterest,NOTatradewhereyou’relookingforcapitalgains.Again,thisistheIfYouHavetoOwnStocksPortfolioandit’sdesignedforthoseofyouwhoMUSTstaylonginthemarketgoingforward.It’salong‐termfocusedportfolioandshouldnotbeusedfortrades.I’llbeaddingtothisportfoliogoingforwardasIfindothercompanies.Buttheabovefiveareagoodstartfornow.FortheTradersForthoseofyouwhoarelookingforshort‐termtradesorinvestmentswithholdingperiodsofseveralweeksI’vegotquiteafewtradeslinedup.However,IwanttostressthatnowisNOTthetimetobeplayingthemarketheavilyonewayortheother.Therearesimplytoomanyfactorsatplay.Inplainterms,thefundamentalsaredeterioratingbutthemomentumisup.Indeed,thisentiremarketislikeahouseofcards:eachnewlevel(orhigh)isevenmoreunstable.Thisistheproblemwith“Tops,”themaniathatoccursaroundthemcanlastfartoolong.Indeed,fromanysensibleperspective,stocksshouldhavebrokendowninearnestseveralweeksago.Butwe’veyettohaveanythingresemblingasignificantretrenchmentinoveramonth.SorightnowIsuggestbeingmainlyonthesidelines.Itissimplytooearlytomakeaguessastowhatwillhappenonewayortheother.CommonsensedictatesthatthemarketshouldbegintorolloversharplyoncetheFed’spropsareremoved…butthenagain,ifcommonsensematteredthemarketrallywouldhaveendedbackinJuly’09.Solet’ssimplystayputfornow.IWILLsaythatIseeanabundanceofpotentialshortsthatlookripeforadrop.Butweneedtoseestockscomeundoneinaseriouswayformostofthesetoreallybecome“triggered”sells.Soplease,DONOTshortthenexttwocompaniesjustyet(I’vegotathirdthatyouCANshortwhichI’llbetalkingaboutlater).Instead,putthemonyourwatchlistandwaitforstockstoREALLYbegintobreakdownbeforeshortingthem.I’llbeaddingthemtoanewportfolio:the“StocksComeUnhingedPortfolio.”Thesearepositionswe’llusetoprofitwhenstocksstarttheirnextCorrection/LegDown.However,rightnow,it’sNOTtimetotradethem,PotentialShort#1:DSW(DSW)IactuallyLIKEthiscompany’sbusiness(namebrandshoesatdiscountprices),butitschartisoneoftheugliestI’veseeninalongtime.

Page 12: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Whatwehavehereisaclassicexampleofmomentumbreakingdown.DSWwentonatearfromJulythroughDecember.TheuptrendhassincesharplyloweredandDSWsharesarenowonthevergeofsettingupsomenewlowerlows.Again,thefundamentalsherearen’ttooawful:peoplewillstillbebuyingshoesoncetheDoubleDiprecessionhits.AndwhileDSW’soverallsaleshaven’tbeentoobadlyhurt,thecompany’sinternalsclearlytakeaSERIOUShitwhentheeconomyturnsdown. 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 Net Sales Per Sq Foot $203 $196 $212 $218 $217 Number of Leased Depts 356 377 378 360 238 Comp. Store Sales Change 3.2% -5.9% -0.8% 2.5% 5.4% Total Income (in millions) $54 $26 $53 $65 $37 ThesepicturescombinedwithDSW’sweeklychart,givesusaclueastowhatwillhappenwhenstockscomeundoneandtheSecondDipofthedepressionhits:

Page 13: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

ThefirstthingIwanttopointoutisthatDSW’ssharesactuallypeakedinAprilof2007,afullsixmonthsBEFOREtherestofthemarkethititsall‐timehighs.ThusweknowDSW’ssharesaresomethingofaleadingindicatorfortherestofthemarket.Withthatinmind,Iwanttopointoutthatonaweeklybasis,DSWappearstobepeakingnowjustasitdidin2007.Fromatechnicalstandpoint,DSWlooksprimedtoatleasttestits52‐weekexponentialmovingaverage($20)afull20%belowwheresharesaretradingtoday.IfthesecondRoundoftheCrisisisanythinglikethefirst,wemayevenbreakthislevelanddropto$15,$12.50orevenre‐testtheMarchlowsdependingonhowbadthingsget.Inplainterms,thereisaHUGEamountofdownsidepotentialhere.Butagain,it’stooearlytoshortthiscompanyjustyet.True,DSWhasrecentlybrokenbelowits50‐DAYmovingaverage,butIwanttoseeittakeoutrecentsupportat$24beforeshorting.

Page 14: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

PotentialShort#2:WellsFargo(WFC)WhenWellsFargotookoverWachoviain2008,ittookononeoftheworstbalancesheetsintermsofresidentialoptionadjustableratemortgages(ARMs)ontheplanet.AndthiscomesonTOPofWFC’sowntoxicassetpool.Firstandforemost,workingthroughWFC’s10‐Kislikedoinghardlabor.The10‐Kisn’tevenpresentedasonesingledocument,butinsteadonedocumentwithadozenorso“exhibits.”Ifyouwanttofindthecompany’sfinancialresultsyou’vegottogoallthewaytoExhibit13.Again,Irepeat,clickingon“SelectedFinancialData”inthe10‐KfiletakesyoutoafootnotethatthennotifiesyouthatyouhavetogotoExhibit13toactuallyseeanynumbers.Thataloneshouldtellyouthatthecompanyhasarather,shallwesay,“unusual”takeontransparency.Inplainterms,yousimplycannotvalueWFC’sassets.Indeed,thecompanyitselfdoesn’tevenbother,statingrightupfront:

Approximately22%oftotalassets($277.4billion)atDecember31,2009,and19%oftotalassets($247.5billion)atDecember31,2008,consistedoffinancialinstrumentsrecordedatfairvalueonarecurringbasis.

That’squiteastatement.WFCisinessencesayingrightupfrontthat78%ofitsassetsareNOTpricedatfairvalue.Evenmoreinterestingisthefactthat98%($145outof$167billion)ofthesecuritiesthatAREmeasuredat“fairvalue”areLevel2orLevel3assets:assetsthatarevaluedbasedonmarketpricesANDmodel‐basedvaluationtechniques(make‐believe).

Page 15: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

So,rightoffthebatwehaveacompanythatadmits78%ofitsassetsareNOTfairlyvalued.Andofthe22%thatare,98%ofthemarevaluedbasedatleastpartiallyon“mark­to­model”accountingAKA“whateverwedecideit’svaluedat.”Icouldgoon,butthefollowingaloneshouldgiveyouanideaofthe“risk”associatedwithWells’business:Bank Derivative

ExposureAssets Derivativesas%ofAssets

WellsFargo $5.1TRILLION $1.1trillion 465%WFChas$3.4TRILLIONinnotionalvalueofinterest‐ratebasedderivativesalone.Ofcourse,we’retalkingaboutnotionalvalueofderivatives(not“atrisk”money).Thecompanyclaimsthefairvalueofthesederivativesis$90billion(theassumed“atrisk”money),butWFConlyhas$111billioninshareholderequity.Putanotherway,thecompany’s“fairvalue”derivativeexposurealoneisequalto81%oftotalshareholderequity.AndthatofcourseisassumingWFCisaccuratelymeasuringtheriskofitsderivativeexposure.Ishouldalsonotethatwe’renotevenbotheringtolookintoWFC’smortgagebackedsecurityexposure,commercialrealestateexposure,andcountlessothernon‐fairvalueassetsandliabilities.Sufficetosay,WFC’sbalancesheetisaliteralminefieldofpotentialrisks.Thechartdoesn’tlooktoohoteither:

Page 16: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Asyoucansee,WFChasbeenlargelyrangeboundsinceMay2009.IthadanexplosiverallyoffthemarketbottominMarch‐April2009.Butsincethen,notmuchhashappened.AndcomparedtoBankofAmerica(anotherbailoutdarling),WFC’sperformancehasbeenseriouslylagging.

ThebigpictureforWFC’schartisn’tanyrosier.

Page 17: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Asyoucansee,WFConaweeklybasis,fellintobearishterritory(beneaththe52‐weekexponentialmovingaverageorEMA)inOctoberof2007.Fromthenon,the52‐weekyEMAactedasstrongresistanceuntilApril2009,whenWFCbrokeabovethislineforthefirstsustainabletimeintwoyears.Sincethen,the52‐weekEMAhasbeensupport.WFChasbouncedaroundabit,buthasyettobreakbeneaththislevelinameaningfulway.Thatisourtriggerforwhentoshortthiscompany:whenitbreaksbeneathits52­weekEMA(currently$27)onaweeklybasis.Untilthen,thiscompany(likeallfinancials)isahedgefunddarling,beingmovedthiswayandthatonsentimentandmomentum.Bothofthesepositionsaregoingintoour“StocksComeUnhinged”Portfolioaspotentialshortstowatch.However,IDOhaveonetradethatisreadyfortoday.Thisisperhapsthemoststretchedstockonthemarket.AsIwriteit’safull12%aboveits50‐DMA.Anditlookstoalreadybeentering“correctionmode.”ShortforTODAY:LimitedBrands(LTD)LikeDSW,Limitedengagesinconsumerretail.However,initscase,LimitedsellslingerieandcosmeticsviaitsVictoria’sSecretandBath&BodyWorksbrands.Thisrepresentsthemostextremeoftheconsumerdiscretionaryretailsegment:itemsthatareextremelyoverpricedandunnecessary(notstaples).Duringthegoodtimes,thiskindofbusinessisfantastic.DuringaDepression,notsomuch.

Page 18: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

2009 2008 2007 Change2009

Change2008

SalesPerAvg.SquareFoot Victoria’sSecret $581 $620 $694 ­6% ­11%Bath&BodyWorks $587 $594 $655 ­1% ­9% SalesPerAvg.Store Victoria’sSecret $3,356 $3,480 $3,678 ­4% ­5%Bath&BodyWorks $1,393 $1,410 $1,540 ­1% ­8%Asyoucansee,LTD’sresultshavebeenplungingsince2007.Thisispreciselywhatyou’dexpectforthehigh‐endoftheconsumerdiscretionaryretailmarket.Afterall,whenmoneyistight,consumerstaples(foodandenergy)takepriorityoveroverpriceddiscretionaryitemslikeexpensivebodycreams&lingerie.However,youwouldn’tthinkthisfromLTD’sstockwhichhasrisen300%sincetheMarch2009lows:

Asyoucansee,LTD’sshareshavebeenonavirtualtear,onlyslowingtheirascentbrieflyfromOctober‐February.Theynowlooktobeina“blowoff”top.Indeed,whenyoulookatLTD’sweeklychartwithits52‐weekexponentialmovingaverageyougetaclearimageofjusthowover‐stretchedthisstockhasbecome:

Page 19: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Onaweeklychart,LTDhasgonevirtuallyparabolicinthelastthreemonths.Theonlyothertimewesawaspikeevenclosetothiswasinthesummerof2008rightbeforestocksfelloffacliff.Oncestocksbegintocollapse/rolloverinearnest,weshouldseeare‐testofthe52‐weekmovingaverageat$17(roughly30%fromtoday’slevels).However,inthenear‐term,LTDsharesareafull12%overtheir50‐daymovingaverage.Indeed,fromatechnicalstandpoint,LTDlooksripeforaquickcorrectionof10%ofso.

Page 20: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Asyoucansee,LTDsharesarefarabovetheir50‐DMAandnowshowingsignsofseriousfatigue.Iwishtonotethateverytimethestockhasgottenthisfarabovethe50‐DMA,adecentsizedcorrectionhasfollowed:

Inthevery‐shortterm(ona5minutechart),LTDhasalreadyrolledoverandisnowtestingitsmostrecentsupport(24.50).

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Thenextsupportbelowthislevelis$23.50,then$21(afull15%belowtoday’slevel).TheoddsaregoodwecouldevenseeLTDwipeoutthelastmonth’sgainsfairlyquicklyifthecorrectionpicksupsteam.

Page 22: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Withthatinmind,Ithinkit’ssafetogoshorthereasaspeculativeposition.Butwe’reusingatight10%stoplossfromtoday’sclose($24.62).SoifLTDclosesabove$27.08,we’recoveringthisshort.Actiontotake:ShortLimitedBrands(LTD).Usea10%stoploss.FinalNotesIcontinuetobelieveanotherCrashiscomingforstocksbuthavedecidedtogiveupontryingtotimeit.IfthemarketswereoperatingbasedoncommonsenseorfundamentalstheCrashshouldhavealreadyhit.Havingjumpedinfrontoftoomanyrallies,I’mnolongergoingtobemakingformalpredictionsonwhentheCrashwillstart,instead,I’msimplyaddingpositionstoour“ComingCrisis”portfolio.Thesearepositionswe’llbeenteringoncethemarketbeginsitsfree‐fall.Ifyou’llrecallfrom2008,stocksdidn’tgostraightdown,insteadtheydropped,bounced,andthenbegantheseriouscollapse.Lookingbackatthattime,the50‐DMAservedasausefulmetricforgaugingthataseriousdeclinewasabouttobegin:

Asyoucanseestocksrolledoverandbrokebelowtheir50‐DMAinlate2007.Afterthat,the50‐DMAactedasstrongresistance.Indeed,therewasonlyonebounceabovethislevel,whichlastedroughlyamonthandahalf.Therealtroublebeganinthesummerof2008,andinvestorsweregivenadecentwarningwhentheS&P500collapsedandthenbouncedtotestthe50‐DMAandfailedtobreakit.

Page 23: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Similarwarningsappearedbeforethe1987Crash:

TheTechBubble:

Andthe2008Crash:

Page 24: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Thus,thistellsusthatthe50‐DMAisastrongmetricforgaugingwhenrealtroublewillhitstocksagain.Onthatnote,thetriggerI’llbelookingforintermsofwhenthenextCrashwillhitwillbeadecisivebreakbelowthe50­DMAfollowedbyastrongbouncethatFAILStobreakaboveitagain.Rightnow,thereisnosignthatthisisabouttohappen:

Page 25: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

Lookingattheabovechart,inJanuary2010wehadtheinitialsignsofanotherCollapsestarting:adecisivebreakbelowthe50‐DMA.Hadthemarketre‐testedthe50‐DMAandFAILEDtobreakaboveit,wewouldhavehadagoodindicationthatanotherCollapsewasstarting.However,insteadofthishappening,themarketbrokeabovethe50‐DMAwithconviction.Lookingatthis,IshouldhavecoveredallourshortsinlateFebruary.Iwillnotbemakingthismistakeeveragain.Onthatnote,we’reclosingoutbothourUltraShortChinaETF(FXP)andourUltraShortGoldETF(GLL).Bothoftheirunderlyingindexes(theFTSE/Xinhua25ChinaIndexandGold,respectively)continuetoeitherholduporareshowingsignsofstrength.Therearebetterplacestoputcapitaltowork,sowe’reoutofbothpositionsnow:Actiontotake:SelltheUltraShortChinaETF(FXP)Actiontotake:SelltheUltraShortGoldETF(GLL)

Gold:WhatGives?ManyofyouhavewritteninaskingmemytakeonGold.Afterall,Irecommendedbuyingsomephysicalbullionlastissue.Sowhydidn’tIaddittotheportfolio?ThesamegoesforSilver.ThesimpleanswertothisisthatIdonotknowofanyGoldETFthatistotallysatisfactory.SprottManagementrecentlyopenedaGoldTrust(PHYS)whichactivelyownsphysicalbullionandallowsinvestorstocashouttheirsharesintheformofactualphysicalbullion(minusexpenses).Theissuewiththistrustisthatyouhavetocashoutabar(30+ounces),notasingleounce.Alsoyoucanonlyredeemthemonceamonthandyourredemptionrequesthastobeaccepted(meaningthetrustcanchooseNOTtoacceptyourredemptionbasedonitssize).Soeventhisinvestment,whichishailedasbeinganactualmeansofowningphysicalGoldisnotwithoutmajorissues.Inplainterms,therereallyarenopaper‐basedGoldETFsthatIlike,butIHAVEformallyrecommendedbuyingGoldandSilver.GrantedIsuggestedowningthemmoreascatastropheinsurancethanasamomentumtrade,butforportfolioreasons,Ishouldbetrackingthissuggestion.So,I’veaddedGoldandSilverbulliontotheportfolioandwillbetrackingtheirpricesbasedonthecurrentspotpriceinthefuturesmarket.Onthatnote,Iwanttopointoutsomeveryseriousconcernsemergingaboutthepapergoldmarket:

Page 26: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

ForyearsGoldbugshavebeenclaimingthatGoldwasmanipulated.However,upuntilthistime,mostoftheseclaimswerebasedmoreonanecdotalevidenceandconjecturethanfact.Thisallchangedafewweeksago.Isuggestwatchingthefollowingvideo:

ThenamedwhistleblowerwasthetargetofwhatappearedtobeahitandruninLondonsoonafterthiswentpublic.Heisrecoveringwithhiswife(bothofwhomwerestruckbyacarwhiledriving).Iftheabovevideo’sclaimsareentirelytrue,thenthisisaveryseriousmatterandshouldbeamajorredflagtoanyoneinvestinginpapergoldorsilver.Thefollowingisnotgoodnewseither:FormerGoldmanCommoditiesAnalystReportsGoldPaperMarketisaGiantPonziScheme.Sogoingforward,ifyouwantexposuretoGoldorSilver,ISTRONGLYsuggestbuyingactualphysicalbullionfromadealer.Also,withthesekindofshenanigansgoingonintheGold/Silvermarket,Iamofficiallynolongertradingeitheroftheseassets.Thiswholethinglookslikeahouseofcardsreadytocollapseatsomepoint.I’mnotgoingtobeplayingpokerwiththeremainingdeck.Sofromnowon,forourportfolio’spurposes,GoldandSilverarelong­termholdings.AndIamstressingthatanyinvestmentyoumakeineitherassetshouldbeinPHYSICALBULLION.Thisconcludesthisweek’sissue.Asabriefrecap,herearetheimportantpoints:

Page 27: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

1) WeareclosingbothFXPandGLL.2) WehaveopenedanewPortfolio,titledIfYouHavetoBeInStocksPortfolio

whichiscomprisedofstockstobuyifyouHAVEtoremaininvestedinstocksgoingforward

3) We’veidentifiedtwofutureshorts(DSW,WFC)whichwewillbeshortingwhentheirrespectivetriggershit

4) We’reshortingLimitedBrands(LTD)today5) AnyandallfutureinvestmentsinGoldorSilvershouldbeinPHYSICAL

BULLION6) TheMarkethasyettotriggerthemostcommonwarningofanimpending

Crash(adecisivebreakbelowthe50‐DMAfollowedbyafailedattempttoreclaimthislevel).We’vegotanumberoftradesinourComingCrisisportfoliowhichwewillbebuyingassoonaswegetasignthatthenextRoundoftheCrisishasbegun

Thankyouforreading.IhopeyouenjoythenewdirectionofPrivateWealthAdvisory.Ithinkitdoesamuchbetterjobofhaving“something”foreveryone.Onafinalnote,thankyoutoallofyouforyourcontinuedwellwishesformywife.Sheremainsweakbutisdoingmuchbetter.Imyselfhavesomewhatrecoveredfromtheshock(ifayou’veeverhadacloselovedonesufferamedicalcrisis,youknowwhatImean),buthavetoadmitIwasbadlyshakenbyeverything.Myapologiesiflastissuewasmoreflusteredthanusual.BestRegards,GrahamSummers

Page 28: Private Wealth Advisoryphoenixcapitalmarketing.com/pwa40.pdf · A Critical Juncture The markets are now at a critical juncture. As I write this, the Fed’s Quantitative Easing Program

If You HAVE To Own Stocks Portfolio Company Symbol Buy Date Buy/Short

Price Current Price Gain/

Loss Coke TWM 3/30/10 $55.00 Buy If Needed Budweiser BUD 3/30/10 $50.45 Buy If Needed Johnson & Johnson JNJ 3/30/10 $65.20 Buy If Needed Wal-Mart WMT 3/30/10 $55.60 Buy If Needed Exxon Mobil XOM 3/30/10 $66.98 Buy If Needed Stocks Come Unhinged Portfolio

Company Symbol Buy Date Buy/Short Price

Current Price Gain/ Loss

DSW (SHORT) DSW N/A N/A NOT YET Wells Fargo (SHORT)

WFC N/A N/A NOT YET

Limited Brands (SHORT)

LTD 3/30/10 $24.62 SHORT NOW

Bullion Portfolio Company Buy Date Buy Price Current Price Gain/

Loss Gold 11/2/09 $1,120.00 $1,113.00 0% Silver 11/2/09 $17.50 $17.49 0% Old Positions

Company Symbol Buy Date Buy/Short Price

Current Price Gain/ Loss

UltraShort Gold GLL 1/26/10 $10.29 $9.72 (SELL) -6% UltraShort China FXP 2/17/10 $9.04 $7.86 (SELL) -13% Coming Crisis Portfolio: Positions We Will Buy When the Next Crisis Hits Investment Symbol Reasons to buy when the Crisis hits UltraShort Emerging Markets ETF

EEV Sovereign debt default, end of liquidity rally, capital withdrawals on flight to safety

UltraShort Russell 2000 TWM The WORST index in the US, comprised of junk and unprofitable companies

UltraShort Real Estate SRS Second wave of mortgage rate resets, continued increase in defaults in housing,

UltraShort Materials SMN Economic Depression UltraShort Financial SKF Derivative exposure, systemic insolvency