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Eric Coffin and his brother David Coffin (http://seekingalpha.com/author/david-coffin) are the co-editors of the HRA (Hard Rock Analyst) family of publications. Responsible for the “financial analysis” side of HRA, Eric has a degree in Corporate and Investment Finance. He has extensive... More
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  • Indecision TIme: Markets Muddle Through June 0 comments
    Jun 24, 2009 06:10 PM | about stocks: SPX, GLD, BDG, BOS

     

    Indecision Time
     
    From the June 21, 2009 HRA Dispatch
    As we move through June, markets look less and less decisive about the medium term trend. Large cap indices have flattened out and look like they are slowly rolling over. All the commentary about how large the bounce has been off the March lows belies the fact that most of the bigger bourses really haven’t gone anywhere since early May.  The truly impressive aspect of this to us has been the down shift in volume. It has been falling almost constantly for several months, with average daily volume off by almost a third on the US S& P and over half on the Dow over the past three months. 
     
    Shanghai six month chart
     
    The volume levels in Q1 may not be a good comparable since the markets were still in panic mode and (one sincerely hopes) capitulation. Current low volumes SPX six month chartdo speak to a definite lack of conviction on the part of traders however, which is mirrored by indices that seem to be meandering almost aimlessly.  Larger exchanges contrast with a number of “developing country” indices, like Shanghai (the top chart) which continues to be on a more direct upward trajectory. The chart for the Bombay Sensex looks considerably more bullish than even Shanghai ever since voters handed Prime Minister Singh a stronger mandate.  Some will view this simply as a danger sign where the Chinese and Indian stock markets are concerned. Yes, they do look frothy, but we also consider their greater strength another aspect of the new world order that is now evolving. Foreign buying is helping them along, but that may become a caution if these buyers head for cover again.  
     
    There has been a lot of comment recently that this is a “retail” rally, but recent figures from Trim Tabs, a firm that monitors fund flows, indicate there has been little retail participation. The “retail only” argument tends to get proposed by those that are fundamentally bearish. The underlying assumption is that funds are smarter than the retail crowd so if the funds aren’t all in, it must be a head fake. After the past two years, we’re surprised so many still assume superiority on the part of fund managers.   Low retail participation and tepid volume  can be read either as an indication that there is lots of money on the sidelines waiting to get in (if you’re bullish), or that retail investors have thrown in the towel and blocked their broker’s phone numbers (if you’re bearish). The second answer may be closer to the truth. There was a lot of money pulled out of equity funds in Q1 and moved to money market and bond funds. That doesn’t mean these people (and funds) are gone for good.  If it turns out this rally is not a giant head fake and the markets just keep rising, those disillusioned traders will be back as things are getting frothy again.  
     
    We still think a major correction towards the March lows is the highest probability outcome.  We can’t help but look back at the aftermath of the Tech Wreck which produced a sizable multi-month rally only to be followed by lower lows. Given the extreme oversold levels in March however, we are still not assuming those levels will be reached and breached this time. It’s worth remembering that the most common movement during long bear markets is actually ‘sideways’ and that they can be flat and boring for long periods.    We are also well aware that the market’s job is to make as many pundits as possible look stupid and virtually everyone is expecting an imminent collapse. That alone makes the contrarian in us wonder even though the signs do point downward in the major markets.
     
     
    One Year GFMS Base Metals Index
    Increased nervousness in the market has caused metal prices to start to flatten, though no more than that, so far.   A glance at the one year chart for the GFMS base metal index shows that prices, in aggregate, are still holding up well. It’s not, fortunately, the V shaped bounce major equity indices display.  Skittishness is more apparent in base metal equities, with producers seeing interim highs along with the broader indices, but then dipping more quickly when they slip. Caution is advised since base metal stocks tend to get punished during pull backs, even if its not deserved based on their individual fundamentals. 
     
    Copper continues to consolidate and move sideways, but warehouse inventories are still declining. We note with interest the news out of China that high car sales in May were a shock to everyone, including dealers and manufacturers. If May’s monthly run rate of 1.1 million units continues, China will be the world’s biggest car market this year. Yes, that is largely due to the simultaneous collapse of North American and European car markets. But, that change in leadership – retail leadership – is after all the point of the stimulus.  Chinese car dealers have two month delivery wait times; most of the cars sold haven’t been built yet.
     
    We are still seeing good accumulation and in some cases strong buying in the exploration space, especially in precious metals. Until we see this dry up, a summer rally for a limited number of summer explorers, and some of their neighbors, is at least still in the cards, and we’ll play it.
    Ω
     
    Disclosure: No Positions
     
     
     
     
     
    David Coffin and Eric Coffin produce the Hard Rock Analyst publications, newsletters that focus on metals explorers, developers and producers as well as metals and equity markets in general. If you would like to be learn more about HRA publications, please visit us HERE to view our track record, see sample publications and other articles of interest. You can also add yourself to the HRA FREE MAILING LIST to get notifications about articles like this and other free analyses and reports.
     
     
    The HRA – Journal, HRA-Dispatch and HRA- Special Delivery are independent publications produced and distributed by Stockwork Consulting Ltd, which is committed to providing timely and factual analysis of junior mining, resource, and other venture capital companies. Companies are chosen on the basis of a speculative potential for significant upside gains resulting from asset-base expansion. These are generally high-risk securities, and opinions contained herein are time and market sensitive. No statement or expression of opinion, or any other matter herein, directly or indirectly, is an offer, solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. While we believe all sources of information to be factual and reliable we in no way represent or guarantee the accuracy thereof, nor of the statements made herein. We do not receive or request compensation in any form in order to feature companies in these publications. We may, or may not, own securities and/or options to acquire securities of the companies mentioned herein. This document is protected by the copyright laws of Canada and the U.S. and may not be reproduced in any form for other than for personal use without the prior written consent of the publisher. This document may be quoted, in context, provided proper credit is given. 
     
    ©2009 Stockwork Consulting Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
     
    Published by Stockwork Consulting Ltd. 
     Box 85909, Phoenix AZ , 85071
    hra@publishers-mgmt.com    http://www.hraadvisory.com     
     
     
    Themes: Market Direction, Emerging Markets, Commodities. Stocks: SPX, GLD, BDG, BOS
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