The State of the Markets:

Good Tuesday morning and welcome back. Last week, I took a just-for-fun stab at modeling expectations for what calendar year 2020 might look like in the U.S. stock market. And since stocks seem to only go up these days, the question of the day isn't whether or not the S&P 500 will advance on the year, but rather by how much.

If you recall, my just-for-fun model's "final answer" last week suggested the S&P 500 would close the year at 3618.47, which would represent a gain on the year of a nice, round, 12%. Given that the average return of the venerable index has been almost 9% since 1980 (8.93% to be exact, according to Ned Davis Research) and nobody sees a recession in sight, I'm happy leaning toward the bullish end of the projection spectrum these days.

While hardly scientific, I arrived at my official guesstimate by taking the average returns projected by my models (which included models on the economy, the technical health of the market, monetary conditions, inflation, leading indicators, the average election year return, and a composite of earnings models) assuming each model moved up and down one notch from current levels. It seemed to make sense to me at the time.

This week, I'd like to take a different tack and look at what some of the classic historical cycles project for the coming year.

What Do The Cycles Say?

Long-time readers of my oftentimes meandering morning market missive are very familiar with something called the "Cycle Composite." This is a computerized mash-up of the one-year seasonal, the four-year Presidential, and the ten-year decennial cycles created by the good folks at Ned Davis Research.

As I have stated a time or twenty, I don't manage money based on predictions, prognostications, gut hunches, or projections. However, I have learned over the years that stocks do often follow the seasonal cycles and as such, the cycle projection can be quite good at times. As in scary good. And at other times, it can be, well, utterly useless. After all Ms. Market does tend to have a mind of her own!

But the bottom line is the various cycle projections are inputs in my daily/weekly/monthly work. So, without further ado, take a peek at this year's projection from the cycle composite:

View Full Size Chart Online
Source: Ned Davis Research Group

From my seat, this year's projection is interesting on a couple fronts. First, while I'm sorry to disappoint our furry friends in the bear camp, the projection once again suggests the S&P 500 will sport a plus sign at the end of the year.

Second, note the relatively large swoon projected to take place from mid-April through early July. This tends to be due in large part to the tendency for uncertainty to enter in the game as it relates to the Presidential election - and specifically political convention season. However, once the market gets a feel for who will be in the race, stocks tend to recover.

From there though, some additional uncertainty tends to creep in prior to the actual election. This is followed by a sigh of relief as traders realize that no matter who wins, a new President can't really get that much done on their own.

It is also interesting to recognize that the Presidential cycle tends to vary widely depending on whether or not the incumbent can be expected to win. But since I try my darndest to keep my political views out of the game, the average of the election year cycles is applied here.

My Current Market Take

Turning to the current market action, I was asked last week for my take on the state of the rally. So, I thought I'd share my response...

I'll start by saying that I had been feeling pretty good about the market - well, until recently, that is. To be sure, I enjoy a good rally as much as the next guy. But as most of my colleagues will likely agree, this "joyride to the upside" looks to be getting a little ridiculous.

It seems the macro argument is that the phase one trade deal can be expected to release the demand that has been building/pent up over the course of the trade war with China. I.E. Investors expect to see economic growth pick up in the future and are discounting the theme with higher prices. The problem here is there are no real metrics to use in the near term for how much discounting is enough. So, there is the risk that Wall Street might be overdoing it a bit – again.

Make no mistake about it; my market indicators remain solidly green. However, it is important to note that our "Early Warning" board is screaming for attention right now. As such, some sort of pause/pullback would seem to be in order. The question is, what will be the catalyst?

For me, the key to the next couple months will be how investors act during the much-anticipated pullback (assuming we get one, of course!). I know lots of folks that have money on the sidelines are currently sitting on their hands. Thus, the next dip could easily be short and sweet as the dip-buyers might all bomb in at once.

So, for "traders," it’s time to get ready for the next pullback. But for long-term investors, the plan is to ride out the pullback and see where we are after it occurs.

The bottom line is there is no threat of recession, inflation remains in check, unemployment is low, and the Fed is friendly (or at least not antagonistic). So, from a big-picture perspective, I have to continue give the bulls the benefit of the doubt.

Weekly Market Model Review

Since it's the start of a new week, it's now time to put aside my subjective view of the action and to review the "state" of our indicator boards. Each week we do a disciplined, deep dive into our key market indicators and models. The overall goal of this exercise is to (a) remove emotion from the investment process, (b) stay "in tune" with the primary market cycles, and (c) remain cognizant of the risk/reward environment.

The Major Market Models

We start with six of our favorite long-term market models. These models are designed to help determine the "state" of the overall market.

There is one change to report on the Primary Cycle board this week. While not a game changer by any means, it is worth noting that our Leading Indicators Model, slipped to high neutral last week. This is one of my favorite models because is comprised of indicators that have historically shown tendencies to lead the market at major turning points. For example, the model gave a timely sell signal in the spring of 2015, when the "earnings recession" was getting underway. The model includes things such as the action in Financials, Volume Demand, A/D Lines, Momentum, Coincidental Economic Indicators, New Highs, Bond Yields, and of course, Sentiment. To be clear, the model is nowhere near issuing a sell signal. However, I will continue to monitor this model closely as I'd hate to see any further weakness creep in.

* Source: Ned Davis Research (NDR) as of the date of publication. Historical returns are hypothetical average annual performances calculated by NDR. Past performances do not guarantee future results or profitability - NOT INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT ADVICE.
View My Favorite Market Models Online

The State of the Fundamental Backdrop

Next, we review the market's fundamental factors in the areas of interest rates, the economy, inflation, and valuations.

Once again, there was no movement on the Fundamental Factors board. Personally, I'd like to see the Earnings Composite model gain some ground in the coming months. And based on the idea that trade war uncertainty has held the economy back, there is no reason not to expect improvement. However, if "reality" doesn't catch up to "expectations" by mid-year, the bulls could have a problem on their hands.

* Source: Ned Davis Research (NDR) as of the date of publication. Historical returns are hypothetical average annual performances calculated by NDR. Past performances do not guarantee future results or profitability - NOT INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT ADVICE.
View Fundamental Indicator Board Online

The State of the Trend

After looking at the big-picture models and the fundamental backdrop, I like to look at the state of the trend. This board of indicators is designed to tell us about the overall technical health of the current trend.

With the plethora of fresh all-time highs recently, it is beginning to feel a bit like 2017 here. It seems that the stock market is once again a one-way street and prices have nowhere to go but up. This is what happens when traders start to "discount" a theme. And make no mistake about it; the current theme is all about expectations for economic improvement due to the truce in the nearly two-year old trade war with China. In 2017, it was all about the benefits for tax cuts. But here's hoping that traders don't overdo it again (think January 2018) - that never happens, does it?

NOT INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT ADVICE.
View Trend Indicator Board Online

The State of Internal Momentum

Next, we analyze the "oomph" behind the current trend via our group of market momentum indicators/models.

There is some improvement to report on the Momentum board this week as two indicators upticked from neutral to positive - the Short-Term Trend & Breadth Confirm Model and the Intermediate-Term Breadth Thrust Indicators. However, both are pretty twitchy and could easily reverse at the first sign of weakness. But as I mentioned last week, the current state of market momentum remains supportive of the bull case.

* Source: Ned Davis Research (NDR) as of the date of publication. Historical returns are hypothetical average annual performances calculated by NDR. Past performances do not guarantee future results or profitability - NOT INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT ADVICE.
View Momentum Indicator Board Online

Early Warning Signals

Once we have identified the current environment, the state of the trend, and the degree of momentum behind the move, we then review the potential for a counter-trend move to begin. This batch of indicators is designed to suggest when the table is set for the trend to "go the other way."

The Early Warning board continues scream for some attention. And while I have been arguing that what we're seeing is a "good overbought" condition, the current joyride to the upside is, as I mentioned above, getting a little ridiculous. Although the bulls are clearly large and in charge here, a few days of sloppy action - including a scary down day or two - would go a long way towards making the current bull leg sustainable. As such, dip buyers should continue to stand at the ready with their shopping lists in hand.

* Source: Ned Davis Research (NDR) as of the date of publication. Historical returns are hypothetical average annual performances calculated by NDR. Past performances do not guarantee future results or profitability - NOT INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT ADVICE.
View Early Warning Indicator Board Online

Thought For The Day:

Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth. -Albert Einstein

The ALL-NEW 2020 Daily Decision Model Portfolio

NEW PORTFOLIO STRATEGY FOR 2020!

About The Portfolio: The Daily Decision Model Portfolio is an aggressive, actively risk-managed, multi-strategy, multi-manager approach. The primary objective of the portfolio is to stay in tune with the major market cycles - both bull and bear. However, the portfolio will, at times, actively manage exposures based on shorter-term moves. In addition to "timing" moves, the portfolio will utilize levered positions via ETFs and may hold an effective net short position during negative cycles.

Strategy Diversification: The 2020 DD Portfolio utilizes a well diversified approach. The management strategy incorporates multiple trading strategies so as to avoid the "singular failure" problem that can occur when a single strategy is out of sync. There are a total of 9 different trading strategies working in the 2020 DD Portfolio. Three "turbo-charged" aggressive beta strategies. Three mean reversion strategies. And three risk-management strategies. In addition, there are three separate managers working in the portfolio.

An Actively Traded Approach: We anticipate the portfolio will trade 2-3 times a week and hold between two and four ETF positions. Finally, please note that the Daily Decision Portfolio strategy is aggressive in nature and thus, drawdowns can and will occur. However, we believe the strategy will rebound quickly after temporary pullbacks.

Current Positions

Below are the current positions for the 2020 Daily Decision Model Portfolio.

Testing The Trading Systems

In my humble opinion, it would be foolish to utilize any trading approach without first testing the strategy. However, when you combine strategies that have never been combined before, you have a hypothetical strategy. As such, you must do a back test on the combination.

There is a well known saying in the investment management business relating to hypothetical tests of trading systems that goes a little something like this: "Back tests are bull*#$!"

To be sure, there are problems involved with back testing, not the least of which is curve fitting. I.E. making your system fit the data provided. This is what happens when inexperienced traders try to develop systems that would have done well historically.

However, our approach here is different. We aren't using back testing to develop strategies to trade the market. No, we are testing a combination of EXISTING systems in effort to create "proof of concept." In other words, does a certain combination of systems developed by different managers work well together over time?

Wishing You All The Best in Your Investing Endeavors!

The Front Range Trading Team

NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. The analysis and information in this report and on our website is for informational purposes only. No part of the material presented in this report or on our websites is intended as an investment recommendation or investment advice. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed nor any Portfolio constitutes a solicitation to purchase or sell securities or any investment program. The opinions and forecasts expressed are those of the editors and may not actually come to pass. The opinions and viewpoints regarding the future of the markets should not be construed as recommendations of any specific security nor specific investment advice. Investors should always consult an investment professional before making any investment.

Position Disclosure:At the time of publication, the editors hold long positions in the following securities mentioned: SSO, QLD - Note that positions may change at any time.

Important Disclosures Relating to the Limitations of Back Testing:

The preceding summary of hypothetical performance is for illustrative purposes only and is not a solicitation or recommendation of any investment strategy.

There is no guarantee that investment results portrayed in this illustration will yield similar future results. All investments and/or investment strategies involve risk including the possible loss of principal. Consult an investment professional before investing in any investment program.

In the illustration we have utilized hypothetical back testing to create the performance record to reflect the manner in which an account could be managed. Hypothetical back tested performance results have many inherent limitations and do not reflect the actual results of any client account.

Hypothetical performance results are achieved by means of the retroactive mixing of portfolio strategies that was designed and prepared with the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any strategy will or is likely to achieve profits or have losses similar to those shown. Hypothetical testing may not reflect the impact that any material market or economic factor may have on investment decision making. Further, the performance record in this illustration may have under or over compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors (e.g. lack of liquidity, trading costs, etc.). The conditions, objectives or investment strategies may have changed materially during the time period, or after the time period, portrayed in this performance record, and the effect of such change is not portrayed in the performance record.

Hypothetical back tested performance results are shown gross of management fees. Hypothetical back tested performance results are before trading and other custodian costs and do not consider the impact of taxes.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS