Master Rider Blog

Up-Trend?

April 9th, 2008 NW Teong

Nasdaq and STI index (see charts below) have both surged between 8% to 10% since the recent low registered on 17 March. A very decent gain in slightly more than two weeks’ time, or about 200% gain in annualized term. This is impressive under a bearish backdrop. For those who have attended my Investment Seminar on 22 Oct or have read my last blog on 25 March, I hope you have made some good profits.

However, I must warn all investors that the down-trend of the markets (be it Nasdaq or STI index) has not been broken. In short, as far as charts are concern, the down-trend is still intact! As I mentioned in my last blog, market would still be volatile in the next few months (please refer to point 5 in previous blog) and I urge investors to invest with great caution, especially in the next few weeks!

Even on the macro picture, this calls for more monitoring and careful analysis and of course utmost prudence in investments. Yes, the macro picture is likely to deteriorate, and this is going to continue to reflect in the employment data, then in the revenue and P&L of the corporate (especially in US). The only positive out of US, perhaps is the likelihood of both positive fiscal and monetary policy. We shall continue to see interest rates falling, albeit at a smaller drop, we shall continue to see more jobless numbers….. All these would be played out in the next few months. Things would be clearer (hopefully) by end of third quarter of this year.

While Asia is more immune to US sub-prime loan saga, Asia economies are not totally immune to slow down in US economies. As I said many times before, it is not a matter of Asia economies de-coupling from US or not (don’t ever waste time argue on this!). Common sense would tell you that the impact from US on Asia is diminishing, however, US economy still exerts considerable impact on Asia economies. It is like you are being shifted further from the epic center and whether you get impacted or not really depend on the degree of the earth quake. Hence, if US has a big economy earth quake (like current situation), we in Asia would surely feel the impact. Of course, if US is only catching a minor cold, then we are alright. Despite the big earth quake in US, Asia economies are still expecting some decent economic growth. However, we should know that investors never like slow growth, especially one that comes from a higher growth before. Remember what I said about earnings and multiple expansions during high growth period? We have to watch out on earnings and multiple contractions during the small or no growth period.

In summary, I urge investors to exercise great caution in the next few weeks! Oh yes, on commodities, I have urged investors to be caution in my previous blog. I am cautious on my short-term (three-six) view on commodities, but remain bullish on my long-term view. By the way, I have just come back from Japan last week, the cherry blossom and Ryokan onsen at Hakone are superb. Please visit Japan on the 1st week of April, it is simply marvellous! Cheers!

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Entry Filed under: US Stocks, Commodities, Macro, Stocks, Singapore, US Options