4/30/10

Interesting, worrisome trends

In the last two weeks, yields on 10-year government bonds in the major industrial countries declined.

Exceptions, showing a sharp rise in yields: Italy, Greece, Spain, Ireland,and Portugal. The markets are targeting the problem areas.

Is this like the subprime crisis but on a much larger scale?

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Question

Why is China’s stock market lagging the rest of the world?

China is still an underdeveloped country with $6,500 GDP per capita compared to our $46,000. The markets have a knack for saying the truth. It suggests that all the bullish stories coming out of China are not reflecting the real China.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Yellen Anti-Inflation Credentials Defended by Gramley, Blinder

News. April 30 (Bloomberg) -- When Janet Yellen was first reported to be President Barack Obama’s choice for Federal Reserve vice chairman .....

Less than two weeks later, the former professor at the University of California, Berkeley told reporters that she’d be ready to tighten policy to avoid kindling inflation.


My point. Inflation is closely related to government expenditures (click on the chart to enlarge it). Dr. Yellen can raise short-term interest rates as much as she wants, but if government expenditures are rising rapidly, the result is higher inflation.

I do not think Dr. Yellen has the power to control government expenditures.

Quite frankly I agree with those who think that the Fed has no power at all. The only power they have is to print money when the markets force them to do so. As it happened in all episodes when a crisis emerged (mostly precipitated by previous misguided Fed policies as in 2002-2004).

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/28/10

Time to worry?

Optimism is soaring (click on the chart to enlarge it -- chart courtesy of Bespoke Investment Group).

The last time bullish sentiment was this high was back in December 2007 when the S&P 500 was trading at 1500. Optimism, however, can move even higher, as shown on the chart. Today the S&P 500 closed at 1191.36.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/27/10

Is this the beginning of end of the EU?

News. April 27 (Bloomberg) -- Greece’s credit rating was cut three steps to junk by Standard and Poor’s, the first time a euro member has lost its investment grade since the currency’s 1999 debut. The euro weakened and stock markets throughout the region plunged.

The turmoil comes as European Union policy makers struggle to agree on measures to ease the panic over swelling budget deficits. Leaders of the 16 euro nations may hold a summit after the Greek government’s decision last week to tap a 45 billion- euro ($60 billion) emergency-aid package failed to reassure investors, a European diplomat and Spanish official said.


My point. I have never been in favor of the EU and one currency experiment. I have been there. I know the players.

One currency cannot exist among countries with incredible productivity differentials as in the European region. Enough said!

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

To my subscribers


Today's action confirms my indicators were correct.

In the Market Update of this Sunday I will discuss when you should expect the next bottom and the beginning of a strong move on the upside in stocks.


George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Are regulations useful or detrimental?

The short answer is "yes". Our emotions force us to say they are useful and much needed if we want to avoid future problems.

Now, enter the bureaucrat with his/her human needs to survive and emotional way to tackle problems.

A businessman told me he asked for a permit in June 2009. In December, he was finally contacted by the regulators and asked considerably more information about the project -- an important one for is business.

All these months he could not make the money he knew he could have made because the bureaucrats needed to check that all the regulations were satisfied. People in his business could not work. His profits are lower than they could have been. And ultimately the state will collect fewer taxes from him.

My point is everything the government does is correct. But there is a limit. Beyond that limit business is penalized and the country cannot generate the employment and the wealth to support all the great social programs on the books.

Where should we stop? No one knows. We will know only when conditions are bad enough that people become unhappy and voice their concerns (as they are doing in Greece, Portugal, Spain, and here in the form of tea parties).

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

More countries in trouble?

News. April 26 (Bloomberg) -- Greece is unlikely to be the last euro nation to need an International Monetary Fund bailout, with Ireland, Spain and Portugal “conspicuously vulnerable,” said Harvard Professor Kenneth Rogoff. (Dr. Rogoff discussed extensively financial crises in his excellent book This time is different.)

My point. I follow this story to make an important point, in my view. In his book, Dr. Rogoff reviewed many measures to asses financial risk. This is what happens when countries promise great social programs and they cannot afford them because they do not generate the wealth to pay for them.

The risk is not only financial collapse. The results are high unemployment, loss of purchasing power, and people discontent.

Governments do not know when to stop giving to their citizens. They mean well, of course. The result, however, seems to be the opposite of what it was meant to be.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/26/10

Markets love crises

April 26 (Bloomberg) -- Stocks climbed, led by the biggest gain in the Nikkei 225 Stock Average in seven weeks, and commodities rallied as economic reports pointed to faster growth and concerns about Greece’s debt abated. The yen weakened.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index increased 1.6 percent to 127.25 and the Stoxx Euro 600 rose 1 percent to 270.14 as of 4 p.m. in Tokyo. The Nikkei jumped 2.3 percent, the most since March 5. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures gained 0.1 percent. The yen fell to 125.96 per euro in Tokyo from 125.73 yen in New York on April 23. Oil in New York rose 0.4 percent to $85.42 a barrel, extending a 1.7 percent advance from April 23. Copper climbed 1.2 percent and rubber gained 1.6 percent.


My view. Markets love crises. Why? because our leaders respond by printing a lot of money to save those creating the crises.

And the markets strive on liquidity. The time to worry is when the world leaders tell us they are not worried anymore. This is the time when liquidity shrinks and the markets pause.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/25/10

Question

Why are bond yields still so low when everyone warns about inflation and the dangers of default?

Deficits represent an obligation to pay interest to the bondholders. We have to pay the interest, out of our own pockets. Look at the Greek tragedy. Our standard of living will continue heading down.

Taxes and regulations are increasing. People are not hired. Income growth is the lowest of the past expansions. We just cannot afford higher bond yields or higher inflation. It would drive the country into a total collapse.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/21/10

Volume patterns

This chart shows the importance of trading volume as an indicator of market turning points (click on the chart to enlarge it).

Above average volume following a rally usually signals a top. Strong volume following a decline could mean accumulation and a near term bottom.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Question

Why is the stock market rallying, when US banks are failing, the eurozone is in a mess, and China is tightening?

Our leaders, like all bureaucrats, do not have the capability of preventing crises. They are the ones who create them. Look at what happened to banks, Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the housing sector. Now they have nationalized them and are adding, on top of all that, the student loan business. The excuse is to cut costs and encourage good education. Can governments be so efficient? Or, is it social engineering?

One thing they know. Print money because this is the only thing rallying the market – liquidity. This is the only real reason.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/20/10

Much higher taxes on dividends,,,,,

Forbes magazine reports that in 2013 dividends that used to be taxed at 15% are set to be taxed at 44.6%.

This is what we have pay -- on top of everything else -- for all the great things the government have given us in the past several years.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/18/10

The importance of remaining focused

News. April 19 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks fell, dragging the MSCI Asia Pacific Index down the most in almost two months, on concern Goldman Sachs Group Inc. faces probes in Britain and Germany after U.S. regulators sued the firm for fraud.

My point. These are sudden events which shock the markets. It is important to have a discipline and following it ... closely.

It is important to always have a strategy to deal with sudden market drops or rallies.

What to do? Were you ready? Should your investment approach be modified? If not, why?

I keep repeating these questions to be ready. Even if at times I look too prudent or too late. But it is my choice and I know how to deal with it.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/17/10

The trend is your friend

The moving average is rising and the S&P 500 is above the moving average (click on the chart to enlarge it).

Enough said.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Trading volume and gold

Strong volume flags a top or a bottom (click on the chart to enlarge it).

The unusually strong volume in December, as I noticed when it happened, suggested an important top was in the making with a long period of consolidation.

Strong volume in November and February signalled a bottom. Volume seems to have picked up again following the rally of the past few weeks. Is it signalling the beginning of another period of consolidation? Furthermore, $114 looks like a resistance level for GLD.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/16/10

Where is the money coming from?

News. April 16 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama signed a bill extending jobless benefits for hundreds of thousands of Americans to June 2 and urged Congress to pass another measure offering them for the rest of the year.

It sounds politically correct. It sounds right. It sounds like we should do it? But what about you and I? Who is going to pay for all this continuing relentless generosity?

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Oops!

News. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. was sued by U.S. regulators for fraud tied to collateralized debt obligations that contributed to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The firm’s shares tumbled as much as 16 percent and financial stocks slumped.

Well, it is not over until the fat lady sings. More to come? Be careful. It looks like the market was waiting for a grand excuse to pause. This might be it. Time will tell.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/14/10

Something has to give

News. Under Obama's budget plan, the USA's debt in 2020 would be nearly the size of the entire economy then. Interest costs would be $900 billion, five times today's level.

When the Bowles-Simpson commission sits down to business April 27, the choices it will face are grim, according to the Congressional Budget Office
.

My view. We cannot have a government that gives us everything we like and need -- house protection, borrowing assistance, education, student loans, social security, medicare, medicaid, unemployment benefits, green energy, protect our interests around the world,....

All these great programs we like and we want cost money. We realize we went too far when we start talking about deficits.

In other words, when we ask ourselves where the money is going to come from. Idea -- we can print it (borrowing it from investors).

The immediate impact is a relentless increase in asset prices. This is really great. It makes you feel good. At some point, however, we have to pay the interest on the money we borrowed, which has become a nice piece of change.

This is the time when the politicians start talking about raising taxes. A higher tax bill takes money from our pockets and gives it to the government and eventually goes in the hands of the bond holders.

Now we realize our purchasing power has decreased. For instance -- we have to buy a smaller car or a smaller house.

The issue is the politicians do not explain the choices we have to make and what the cost of these choices really means.

One solution is to make the economy grow faster to generate the wealth needed to pay the bond holders. The question now is: are there the incentives for people to make the economy grow rapidly?

The answer, using the experience of the European countries, is no.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/13/10

.... and so the wheel turns ..

News. Spain will implement its economic austerity plan to cut its budget deficit “whatever the cost”, and will introduce even harsher measures if necessary, according to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Socialist prime minister.

My view. First Greece. Now Spain. Then.... And we keep seeing the same nonsense over and over again.

People ask. The politicians give beyond the means of the country. Deficits soar. The markets eventually make it impossible to borrow by raising yields (risk premiums) to incredible levels. The populace does not understand what is going on and protests. Violence.

The politicians finally realize they have to pay the bond holders for their spending largess and borrowing craziness.

The same politicians who gave the country away say that the markets are irrational. Then they announce "austerity measures" with a sober tone.

Taxes are raised across the board in the name of stability.

The moral of the story is that people (you and I) have to pay the markets for the goods and services they did not afford.

And so the wheel turns. The same nonsense over and over again in space and time. The same war to gain power and wealth. And we pay with a painful loss of purchasing power.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Interesting patterns

I always look for patterns (click on the chart to enlarge it). They tell me what is going on. And what is likely to happen.

Note that heavy volume takes place at the end or at the beginning of a rally.

One more pattern. Support and resistance levels are important. Resistance levels may provide the hint of a strong move when they are broken on the upside with heavy volume.

Have a nice day!

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/12/10

At one point in my professional life ....

...I managed $4 billion of interest rates derivatives. I was and I am still intrigued by the meaning, implications, and performance of interest rate sensitive investments.

I developed some useful models to predict high-yield bond prices. I am not going into the details of why I thought they would be great. I have been recommending high-yield bond mutual funds and ETFs for some time.

Their performance has been spectacular (click on the chart to enlarge it). A picture is worth a thousand words.

I have explained in The Peter Dag Portfolio why high-yield bonds had a great chance of outperforming the stock market. And they did. By a wide margin.

Stay tuned!

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Interesting pattern

The energy ETF XLE keeps trading between a well defined range (click on the chart to enlarge it).

Volume needs to surge for XLE to move above the resistance level. In other words, demand for the ETF must increase substantially and there must be conviction XLE will move higher.

It is going to be interesting to see what happens. It should be another pointer about the direction of the overall market.

Another thought. XLE has been going nowhere. How can oil keep rising? Is oil also at a resistance level?

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/11/10

From Bill Gross "Investment Outlook"

In plain English, that means that a unit of quality credit spread will do better than a unit of duration. Rates face a future bear market as central banks eventually normalize QE policies and 0% yields if global reflation is successful. Spreads in appropriate sovereign and corporate credits are a better bet as long as global contagion is contained. If not, a rush to the safety of Treasury Bills lies ahead. (For the complete report click here.)

Bill Gross seems to be quite bearish on bonds. High-yield bonds, however, have produced handsome returns close to 60% in the past 12 months. Our work suggests they may be still attractive.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Our income -- not a pretty picture

Our income is growing very slowly. If you exclude transfer payments, income is actually declining (click on the chart to enlarge it). It may explain why consumer confidence remains low.

(Transfer payments are payments to persons for which no current services are performed. It consists of payments to individuals and to nonprofit institutions by Federal, state, and local governments and by businesses. The chart is courtesy of Charles Schwab)

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/10/10

You must be kidding

News. April 9 (Bloomberg) -- Obama Rallies Markets With Policies That Resemble Rubinomics.

My view. Make no mistake about it. The 1990s were an exceptional decade. It happens once in a generation.

We were blessed by the strong growth of the great spenders -- the 40-50 year old age group.

The politicians could do no wrong. The economy had to boom. They did not realize they were preparing the groundwork for the disastrous 2000s.

We are always ready to cheer. We need someone to cheer. The truth is that economic events happen not because of the decisions made by politicians. But because of demographic and market forces.

Rubinomics? You must be kidding. The markets are rallying because of the enormous liquidity injected by the Fed.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/9/10

This is the moral of the story

News. ATHENS, April 9 (Reuters) - Greek industrial output slumped in February and inflation spiked in March, data showed on Friday, raising further doubts about the government's ability to manage its deficit in a deepening recession.

My view. This is what happenes to a country where politicians give away benefits, people take evrything for granted without producing the wealth to justify the great benefits they receive.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/8/10

You have to read this study

You have to read this superb study. But do not panic after you are finished. Just click here.

The important message is that investment strategies have to rely on measures of risk. At any point in time you have to be able to answer these crucial questions. Should I increase my investments? Should I decrease my investments and raise cash? Which sectors should I buy/sell?

This is how I can be of assistance. In answering these questions.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

Observations

Events develop beyond our control. We seem to be smart. Nobel prizes. Plenty of PhD’s. Famous chairmen of the Fed adulated like gods. Presidents associated with the best of times. Executives thought to have exceptional managerial skills – to learn they left a company on the brink of bankruptcy.

We like to believe. We need to believe. We are afraid of “revolting”, as the French thinker Camus would say. Because we do not know the outcome.

Asking for more is an expression of revolt. We want more because survival and well-being is our priority. We ask those controlling wealth and power for help. They give because it is a way to keep our revolt in check. Controlling the flow of resources is the ultimate expression of power. Power and wealth, however, have to deal with the dynamics of the markets.

GM workers asked and “revolted”. Management gave, recognizing the consequences, but letting the problems fall on the shoulders of the next generation. The Greeks asked and achieved their objectives through “revolt” (strikes). Portugal, Spain, the UK, and Italy have followed the same path.

Now the markets are catching up with the generosity of those in power. Slowly, whatever resemblance of wealth these countries enjoyed is being destroyed by forcing the populace to pay the bondholders.

We thought to be wealthy. It was a mirage. The demographics and the politicians encouraged our beliefs. Standards were lowered. The “revolt of the poor” was recognized. More and more was given. Power was slowly concentrating in Washington. Not by design. By necessity. People asked. Laws were passed to give.

Governments now control incredible sums of money (deficits). They are the intermediaries between us and the bondholders. Trillions of dollars go through the capitals of Italy, France, USA, Spain, Greece,….

It is in the lenders’ interest to keep us paying the interest. It is good business practice. But we have to produce the wealth to pay. The alternative is incredible loss of standards of living (which is already happening). Will most of us depend on the government’s largesse?

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/7/10

The outcome of big spending

News. April 7 (Bloomberg) -- Europe’s economy unexpectedly stagnated in the fourth quarter as companies cut spending more than previously estimated.

My view. This is what happens to countries with high deficits -- sluggish growth.

High deficit countries are forced to raise taxes. Purchasing power declines. People spend less. The underground economy expands. Tax receipts decrease. The government becomes repressive to increase tax revenues. The economy suffers.

I have been there. I have seen it and lived it when I was in Italy. Let's hope our leaders have more foresight than the European ones.

You can rest assured that high government deficits and big popular social programs will cause the pie to grow much more slowly. It is not a political bias. It is the reality. And what is happening in Europe proves it.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/6/10

Time to pause?

This chart is from Strategas Research technician Chris Verrone. A very interesting technical indicator from a top technical analyst (click on the chart to enlarge it).

The bottom line is that number of stocks hitting new annual highs is falling, and that sort of thing has preceded some of the recent dips we’ve seen in stocks -- as in October 09 and January 10.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/5/10

An interesting trading pattern

XLE has been trading in a range since last September (click on the chart to enlarge it).

XLE declines when it reaches the resistance level and rises when it falls to the support level.

Another interesting pattern. Volume rising after a protracted decline is bullish. Beware of volume soaring following a sharp rally.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/4/10

The issue is not making money.....

...but knowing why you are making it.

A friend was telling us he made 45% last year by holding, without trading. The fact you made a lot of money without knowing why is dangerous.

I think it is much better do make little money and knowing why you are making it. Is it dividend re-investment? Is it trading? Is it momentum strategy? Is it sectors and business cycles? Is it market timing?

Knowing why you are making money (and you have to dig deep into yourself to find the reason) is important because it allows you to improve your strategy.

Buy-and-hold clearly does not work. It has been painfully proven a disaster in the last 12 years. Bogle of Vanguard was pushing the index fund idea with a lot of fanfare.

Now you know. Now you know you have to change. You have to answer to why you are making money. The next question is -- how can I improve?

The important issue is to know why -- why you are making it.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/2/10

The European problem

This is the bottom line of the excellent article by Martin Wolf on the FT.

The project of monetary union confronts a huge challenge. It has no easy way of resolving the Greek crisis. But the bigger issue is that the eurozone will not work as Germany wishes.

The complete article by Martin Wolf can be read here

My view. If you followed my writings, you know that I do not believe in the Europeam project. I lived there for too long to know that the Europeans have so many different genes, work habits, productivity values,....that make the whole European idea impossible.

Martin Wolf hints that the only way for Europe to survive is to become "Germanic". But this is impossible, of course.

A large economic area cannot exist with one currency when the members have so disparate values and productivity. The low productivity countries are bound to be crushed. See what is happening to Greece.

Why should investors put money in Greece where people work less and produce less than Germany?

The outcome is that Greece implodes and Germany flourishes. In the past, countries like Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Italy could defend themselves by devaluing their currency. Now they cannot because they have to live with the Euro.

These are the problems facing Europe. These are the reasons why the European experiment is doomed, as Milton Friedman also believed years ago.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.

4/1/10

Good point made by Peter Shiff

"Loaning directly to students while reducing the amount a student is required to repay will actually encourage colleges and universities to increase tuitions even faster, as students will be more willing to assume larger debts which they are not legally required to repay.

Not only will this bill cause tuitions to rise faster, but contrary to Obama's claim, it will substantially increase the cost to taxpayers who will be forced to pick up a much larger share of inflated tuitions and absorb bigger losses on defaulted loans."


My view. I could not agree more!

The next employment numbers will be bullish. This is why.

Norhtern Trust explains why the employment figures of the next few months will look great.

The employment report for March to be published on Friday, April 2, will contain hiring related to data collection for Census 2010. Hiring for the 2010 Census should result in wide swings of headline payroll estimates during the March-September period. Payroll information pertaining to Census 2000 is a good guide to the magnitude of temporary distortions that may occur this time around.

In 2000, hiring of census workers rose 117,000, 73,000, and 357,000 in March, April, and May, respectively. It should be noted that these numbers are as reported and do not reflect revisions. The loss of these census-related temporary jobs was spread over the June-September 2000, with the relatively larger losses occurring in June and September. This is a rough approximation of what is likely to occur in 2010.

George Dagnino, PhD
Editor, The Peter Dag Portfolio. Since 1977
Ranked Top Market Timer in 2009 and 2010 by Timer Digest

To find out more about my in depth views of the markets and my strategy just visit our website https://www.peterdag.com/ where you can subscribe to The Peter Dag Portfolio. You can also call me at 1-800-833-2782 to discuss your specific money management needs.

I will be happy to speak to your investment group on how the business cycle impacts investment strategies and the choice of asset classes.

Disclaimer. No material here constitutes "investment advice" nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Actions you undertake as a consequence of any analysis, opinion or advertisement on this site are your sole responsibility.