Kevin Davitt | Dec 03, 2013 04:04AM ET
There is an important distinction to be made between "investing", where an individual makes decisions and allocates capital based on a longer term outlook and "trading". That is fairly self-evident, but I feel the need to clarify because for the most part, my ideas are efforts to identify potentially profitable trading (shorter term) opportunities.
For our sake, let's consider a TRADE, a position with a time frame with an expected duration of less than 1 month (30 calendar days). A TREND is a position that looks out 3+ months (at least 90 days). Whereas a TAIL or INVESTMENT is expected to be held for at least a year.
Before ANY capital is put to work, it's imperative that you consider the duration, percent of overall money dedicated to the idea, and your risk parameters. Get in the habit of asking yourself:
The most successful people in this business are not necessarily the smartest or luckiest. They are, at least in my experience, the most disciplined.
When I started in this business (1999) the market was the place to be! Everyone was talking about it and options still had a bit of niche mystique. There were plenty of guys that just happened to be in the right place at the right time and made a bunch of money being part of a raging bull market. That happens. It's happening RIGHT NOW. Equities are up about 300% since early 2009. However you slice it..... that's a pretty good run. The major US Indices are up between 25% and 35% year to date.
However, I saw countless guys that had great years in the mid/late 90's looking for jobs by late 2000. It was ugly, but that also happens. It's how markets work - they are in a NEVER-ENDING dance between fear and greed. At the moment, Gordon Gecko's mantra is ringing out from Japan, to New York.
Greed (with some help from really cheap money) is GOOD!
There were plenty of exceptions when the dot com boom came to an end, and one in particular in my office. (I worked at a firm that had about 150 guys in Chicago and many others in NY, Philly, and San Francisco). I will never forget how well this particular guy did in 2000. Let's just say his bonus check would make most professional athletes blush. He was unequivocally the MOST DISCIPLINED guy at the firm. He was in early in the morning and stayed late. He knew his market inside and out and boy did he understand how volatility worked.
Moving on.......I feel very strongly that Equity markets may suffer a substantial setback in the coming year. This is NOT a trading idea - it's a trend > tail event. Those that read me regularly know that I often fall in the Contrarian Camp. This is no different. I would strongly encourage DE-RISKING in the coming weeks and months. I would also recommend hedges and owning "tail risk" (cheap 3+ standard deviation OTM options out in time). As a general rule of thumb, Insurance is considerably more expensive after your house is on fire.
From a TRADING standpoint, my inclination is to be SHORT PREMIUM and attempt to operate like the Insurance company. However, cheap money and long bull runs lends itself to complacency as evidence by the preponderance of optionable products trading at volatilities that are WELL BELOW multi year averages.
If you would like examples - feel free to ask. I really enjoy talking about implied vols. My wife is less enthusiastic. I digress.
Now for some facts that may or may not change your perspective:
We work with an incredibly bright CTA with a Treasury market focus who has been growing assets over the past 12 months and, perhaps most important, the manager has unequivocally put his money where his mouth is- considering the percentage of AUM represented by his own investment. I rarely advocate for specific Commodity Trading Advisors, but I genuinely believe in Jim's trading thesis and ability to execute/perform. Feel free to send me an email if you would like to know more about Jim Daehler and Infinity Advisors Treasury Trading program.
The most recent Commitment of Traders report shows speculators with a sizable short position in the US Bond market. Current positioning (ahead of the November Non Farm Payroll data) is one of the most pessimistic in the past 5 years.
My primary focus at the firm has been on the Energy and Metals markets which have been volatile and regularly present potential entry and exit points.
While the Precious Metals get most of the attention as we plumb near multi year lows in Gold and Silver, the Industrial Metals have also come under substantial pressure. What does that say about growth prospects in 2014?
Finally, a look at the Gold selloff compared to other bear markets in the barbaric relic and one time reserve currency (pre US Dollar and pre Bitcoin....smirk).
I agree with ole Samuel Langhorne Clemens.
At some point in the coming months I expect Equities to make a meaningful top and Gold and Silver to present very attractive LONG TERM buy levels. Picking tops and bottoms is a fools errand, but being disciplined and being proactive...... that's often rewarded.
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