No single school of market analysis is foolproof, and market timing is no exception to the rule. While fundamental and economic analyses deal with rational expectations, market timing deals with the irrational; crowd psychology and emotional considerations are irrational, if not impulsive.
-- Michael E.S. Gayed, my father, in the second edition re-release of Intermarket Analysis and Investing
[More from Minyanville.com: SPX Update: Yesterday's 'Flash Crash' Fit the Wave Structure ]
Below is an assessment of the performance of some of the most important sectors and asset classes relative to each other, with an interpretation of what underlying market dynamics may be signaling about the future direction of risk-taking by investors. The below charts are all price ratios, which show the underlying trend of the numerator relative to the denominator. A rising price ratio means the numerator is outperforming (up more/down less) the denominator.
For a full version of the Lead-Lag Report, click here.
LEADERS: EXTREME DEFENSIVE STRENGTH
Health Care (XLV) – Ratio Bubble?
Comments: Health care has gone vertical in terms of dramatic outperformance, which is reminiscent of early 2011 prior to the summer crash. While the trend in leadership remains in place, this looks to be an extremely crowded defensive trade. Among the defensive bear trades, this seems the most extended.
Consumer Staples (XLP) – Is Mean Reversion Coming?
Comments: Consumer staples leadership has been nothing short of stunning, and the ratio is now at pre-fall melt-up of 2011 levels. Could mean reversion soon kick in, causing cyclicals to lead and defensive sectors to break down? The trend of leadership remains up, but this could be an important thing to consider.
Utilities (XLU) – Continued Defensiveness
Comments: Much like consumer staples and health care, significant outperformance in utilities has been a part of the defensive posture within markets. The trend remains up, but signs for a reversal in the weeks ahead should be carefully watched for. Dividend sectors are rather expensive at these levels.
LAGGARDS: CYCLICAL OVERSOLD
Small-Caps (SLY) – Crash
Comments: Small-caps relative to large-caps have crashed since the start of the second quarter as the deflation pulse beat and risk-aversion increased internally within the market. The extremeness of the move might indicate some outperformance could occur, but for now the trend remains down.
Energy (XLE) – Massively Oversold
Comments: The cyclical trade has been a poor performer, with energy looking like small-caps in terms of a severe breakdown this quarter. Further weakness might be limited as the move appears to look more like capitulation than anything else. Certainly downward pressure on commodities more broadly does not help, but this may be a bit more than is warranted.