Panic Not Invited

This story features REA GROUP LIMITED, and other companies. For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: REA

In this week's Weekly Insights (published in two separate parts):

-Panic Not Invited
-Buy Restructuring Stories
-Conviction Calls: Wilsons, Macquarie, FNArena's Sentiment Indicator
-RBA Dilemma Between Tight Labour And Debt
-The Next Index Rebalancing

[Note the non-highlighted items appear in part two on the website on Thursday]

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor FNArena

Panic Not Invited

Last week I learned about a 23 year-old gung ho trader based in Singapore who turned a mere US$50,000 into US$4m in about three years, including by raising an additional US$1.5m from friends, family and investors.

His secret? Volatility in reverse. One of such products out there generated 180% between January and December last year.

Of course, we can all imagine how much of a genius this young gun must have felt. And his enthusiasm, supported by a firm belief he had single handedly found the holy grail for making spectacular investment returns, must have been the decisive factor that pulled the additional US$1.5m over the line.

Now all those gains are gone, evaporated instantaneously as the XIV, a tradable product underwritten by Credit Suisse and designed to mimic the VIX, or "fear gauge", in opposite direction, lost 96% of its value in a brief moment of extreme market turmoil.

How/when best to tell family, friends and clients they will never see their money ever again?

Of course, there are lots of lessons to be learned from this. For example: what on earth was this guy thinking after three years of declining volatility? That it could reach zero, and then move into negative territory at a time when central banks are looking to unwind their extreme stimulus?

Clearly, the world looks a lot different when one's on a high and the account update says US$4m, well done!

The real message here is this is not an isolated example. Products like the XIV have been massively popular among hedge funds, wealth managers, and others. It's anyone's guess how much forced selling is still out there. Credit Suisse, being the guarantor of the product (and of any gains/losses) is the one buying futures over equity indices when volatility drops and investors who own the product are making gains, but Credit Suisse has been selling since most gains have disappeared.

Guess what? Now volatility has spiked, and the XIV has been smashed, millions of dollars are flowing back into the Credit Suisse product. One simply cannot teach Wall Street any new tricks. And yes, Donald Trump would like to see financial markets less regulated (not that any regulator can fully take away the risk of financial product failure). Credit Suisse has already announced it is closing down this particular product before the end of the month.

The problem with the above is that yesterday's heroes, like our devastated young man in Singapore, are not just losing their own shirt and trousers, including funds trusted upon them by others, but their tendency to stick with the winning trade until time's up is now causing share prices to drop amidst wild market swings – worldwide.

At a time of leveraged strategies, stop losses, robots and algorithms, trend followers, theme investing, and other failing strategies such as lesser known "risk parity" set-ups (Google it), it is not difficult to see how/why the current spike in volatility is likely to last a lot longer than most investors would like it to. And that doesn't even take into account the impact on global sentiment among investors who are suddenly confronted with a lot more up- and downswings than they have seen in a long while.

****

As was the case in early 2016 and throughout 2008, Wall Street specific factors are not the only bombshell depressing global equities this month. There is still the niggling question whether the US is about to witness an outbreak in inflation, or not.

Since late January investors are fearing inflation might be going for a run higher this year. This is pushing up US bond yields at a rate that is way too rapid to not make investors elsewhere highly uncomfortable with US bond moves.

For those fears to settle, US bonds must stop falling (yields stop rising). Thus far, the only way seems to be up, up, up. Three percent is the logical rounded up target US bonds seemingly have set their eyes upon. This also happens to be the level many bond market experts had set for year-end, with a slight possibility of yields temporarily overshooting (to, say, 3.20-3.30%).

At this point the US bond market is acting in the same manner as crude oil has done many times over in the past. Remember 2008? Crude oil futures quickly went from US$70 to US$157/bbl in a little over six months. That's too fast for governments and consumers to adjust, hence the world came to a standstill at around the same time as the financial sector froze up as Lehman Brothers defaulted.

This time around, oil prices have doubled over two years, and they already are retreating fast. Plus they've doubled from a beaten down US$30/bbl, not from an already elevated US$70/bbl.

The same principle should apply to US bonds. Assuming a mere normalisation in US inflation, rather than an upward break-out, US ten year bonds might find they've quickly traveled all there is for the time being, or else they might start choking off the oxygen from a humming global economy. This might provide investors with a much improved proposition, also with lower prices for equities.

The US ten year bond is currently yielding circa 2.86%.

****

Most share market experts, both here as well as overseas, retain a positive outlook for markets on the basis of robust synchronised global economic momentum. Apart from the fact that history shows a patchy relationship at best between economic growth and share market performances, if there is one message to take away from the opening weeks of the new calendar year it is that the year ahead might not revolve as much around economies, as it did 2017, but more around inflation, central bank policies, currencies and bond yields.

And around unintended consequences and hidden weaknesses inside the system. Which is one reason as to why I shall be worried when the RBA cash rate starts moving higher.

Always good to remember back in early 2008 very few understood what was causing global equities to sell off, and the same situation was apparent in early 2016. Only later on investors came to realise sovereign wealth funds from oil producing countries had become forced sellers of equities, on top of emerging fractures in the high yield US corporate bonds market; both were a direct consequence of sharply weakening oil.

What saved the world's bacon two years ago was the US Federal Reserve quickly realising its ambition to tighten relatively steadily was strangling the fragile global recovery that was taking place. This time around, there is less fragility, but thus also less anxiety at the Fed.

On a more positive note, all signs are pointing towards tax relief for Australian households from the current sitting government in Canberra, and that might temporarily spruce up the animal spirits locally.

Nevertheless, countering the view that equity markets will end the year on a positive note, once this bond market mayhem has been dealt with, is the minority view that global equity markets in 2018 have peaked already. Without any insight into how long financial markets will be disrupted by forced selling, or what exactly this year's trajectory looks like for bond markets, I think it would be rather foolish to dismiss the minority view off cuff.

On my own observation and assessment, the local share market is trying to not get sucked in too deeply with the anti-volatility driven correction on Wall Street, also taking into account Australian equities already posted a negative return in January when US equities were going berserk to the upside.

Don't get too focused on the index either. Many stocks on the All-Weather Performers list are holding up well. REA Group ((REA)), for example, is now back in the mid-$70s after releasing yet another solid financial performance. I'll happily repeat it again: a high Price-Earnings (PE) multiple does not mean a given stock is "expensive".

[Disclosure:  the All-Weather Model Porfolio added to its REA exposure before the results release].

To all of you out there: stay level-headed and vigilant. Make sure you sleep well at night.

P.S. If you feel like all of the above has grabbed you by surprise, and you should have done a better job, consider the mindset of the newsletter writer who on Friday reported one of his funds manager mates was in a state of depression given several large casualties in the portfolio. The newsletter writer's own portfolio is now down -25%, but he's still sticking with an upbeat outlook.

Conviction Calls: Wilsons, Macquarie, FNArena's Sentiment Indicator

Wilsons Advisory and Stockbroking Limited, as they officially call themselves, has made four changes to the list of Conviction Calls. Citadel Group ((CGL)), once referred to as a mini-TechnologyOne, has been added to the list, whereas Elmo Software ((ELO)), Alliance Aviation ((AQZ)) and SomnoMed ((SOM)) have all been removed.

The first two removals follow positive share price performances, but SomnoMed was forced to issue a profit warning.

Other names that retain their inclusion are EML Payments ((EML)), Afterpay Touch ((APT)), Bravura Solutions ((BVS)), Ruralco ((RHL)), Collins Foods ((CKF)), Ridley Corp ((RIC)), ImpediMed ((IPD)), Nanosonics ((NAN)), Opthea ((OPT)), and Pinnacle Investment ((PNI)).

****

Also, in case anyone missed my Reporting Season Preview from last Thursday, Macquarie analysts have released their Conviction List for the companies poised to positively surprise and miserably disappoint this reporting season.

On the positive side, Macquarie has five convictions: Monadelphous ((MND)), Reliance Worldwide ((RWC)), Boral ((BLD)), AUB Group ((AUB)), and Nine Entertainment ((NEC)).

On the negative side, only Cromwell Property Group ((CMW)) and Myer ((MYR)) were nominated with conviction. Myer has already confirmed Macquarie's conviction was correct.

****

The FNArena Sentiment Indicator (see website) allows to search for stocks that have a perfect record (identified as '1') with all brokers covering rating it a Buy (or an equivalent). The search standard requires a minimum of three brokers covering, but subscribers can play around with the settings.

Sticking with the minimum requirement of three brokers, currently six stocks carry a perfect record in the FNArena universe; Star Entertainment ((SGR)), 3P Learning ((3PL)), Resolute Mining ((RSG)), Bapcor ((BAP)), Eclipx Group ((ECX)), and RCR Tomlinson ((RCR)).

Sixteen stocks currently have a negative reading according to the Indicator (from worst to less); GWA Group ((GWA)), Seven West Media ((SWM)), Village Roadshow ((VRL)), Bank of Queensland ((BOQ)), Bendigo and Adelaide Bank ((BEN)), Infigen Energy ((IFN)), Netwealth Group ((NWL)), Medibank Private ((MPL)), Beach Energy ((BPT)), Comwell Property Group, Harvey Norman ((HVN)), Charter Hall Retail ((CQR)), Charter Hall Long Wale ((CLW)), Southern Cross Media ((SXL)), CommBank ((CBA)), and Perpetual ((PPT)).

Unless my memory is playing tricks on me, I cannot remember ever seeing three banks in the bottom rankings of the share market, but this is probably as good an indicator as any of how little love currently goes out to the sector.

The Next Index Rebalancing

Friday, 9th March 2018. Make sure you draw a big colourful circle around the date in your important-things-to-remember calendar. Standard & Poor's, responsible for Australian indices such as the ASX200, will be announcing its latest ins and outs on the day and we are likely to see the exit of troubled department store operator Myer from the ASX200.

One has to wonder, after yet another profit warning, how many professional funds managers remain on the register, but Myer's exit might entice the likes of Investor's Mutual to reconsider their position as well.

According to Morgan Stanley, the five candicates most likely to see ASX200 inclusion are Bellamy's ((BAL)), Smartgroup Corp ((SIQ)), IDP Education ((IEL)), Aventus Retail Property ((AVN)), and Blue Sky Alternative Investments ((BLA)).

Apart from Myer, candidates most likely to face removal are HTE ltd ((HT1)), Australian Agricultural co ((AAC)), Asaleo Care ((AHY)) and Iron Mountain ((INM)).

Rudi On TV

This week my appearances on the Sky Business channel are scheduled as follows:

-Tuesday, 11.15am Skype-link to discuss broker calls
-Thursday, Trading Day Live, noon-2pm
-Friday, 11.10am Skype-link to discuss broker calls

Rudi On Tour

-Presentations to ASA members and guests Gold Coast and Brisbane (2x), in June
-Presentation to ASA members and guests Wollongong, in September

(This story was written on Monday 12th February and Tuesday 13th February, 2018. This first part was published on the Monday in the form of an email to paying subscribers at FNArena, and will be published again on Wednesday as a story on the website. Part two shall be published on Thursday).

(Do note that, in line with all my analyses, appearances and presentations, all of the above names and calculations are provided for educational purposes only. Investors should always consult with their licensed investment advisor first, before making any decisions. All views are mine and not by association FNArena's – see disclaimer on the website.

In addition, since FNArena runs a Model Portfolio based upon my research on All-Weather Performers it is more than likely that stocks mentioned are included in this Model Portfolio. For all questions about this: info@fnarena.com or via the direct messaging system on the website).

****

BONUS PUBLICATIONS FOR FNARENA SUBSCRIBERS

Paid subscribers to FNArena (6 and 12 mnths) receive several bonus publications, at no extra cost, including:

– The AUD and the Australian Share Market (which stocks benefit from a weaker AUD, and which ones don't?)
– Make Risk Your Friend. Finding All-Weather Performers, January 2013 (The rationale behind investing in stocks that perform irrespective of the overall investment climate)
– Make Risk Your Friend. Finding All-Weather Performers, December 2014 (The follow-up that accounts for an ever changing world and updated stock selection)
– Change. Investing in a Low Growth World. eBook that sells through Amazon and other channels. Tackles the main issues impacting on investment strategies today and the world of tomorrow.
– Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Bear? eBook and Book (print) available through Amazon and other channels. Your chance to relive 2016, and become a wiser investor along the way.

Subscriptions cost $420 (incl GST) for twelve months or $235 for six and can be purchased here (depending on your status, a subscription to FNArena might be tax deductible): https://www.fnarena.com/index2.cfm?type=dsp_signup

Click to view our Glossary of Financial Terms