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How Does 2016 Compare To Stock Market Peaks In 2000 And 2007?

Today Chris Ciovacco of Ciovacco Capital Management looks at the current market situation of the S&P 500 using the 50 day and 200 day moving average… how does the current situation compare to previous crashes? ~Tim McMahon, editor.

A market’s 200-day moving average can assist in monitoring investors’ net aggregate tolerance for risk. Notice in the first chart below the S&P 500 was unable to recapture its 200-day after dropping below it in October 2000. Compare and contrast the top chart to the bottom chart; notice how unlike 2000, the S&P 500 was able to recapture its 200-day after the Brexit bottom was made on June 27, 2016.

How Can Trends And These Charts Help Us?

If Micheal Phelps was open to providing some insight into how to swim faster, most swimmers would be happy to listen. In a similar way, we can learn from the best money managers of our time. This week’s video covers many basic tenets of the “market wizards” and provides a clear example of how moving averages can be helpful in managing risk and reward.

After you click play, use the button in the lower-right corner of the video player to view in full-screen mode. Hit Esc to exit full-screen mode.

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2007-08 Financial Crisis Peak: 200-Day Was Helpful

The situation was similar in 2007-08. Notice in the first chart below the S&P 500 was unable to recapture its 200-day after dropping below it in December 2007. Compare and contrast the top chart to the bottom chart; notice how unlike 2008, the S&P 500 was able to recapture its 200-day after the Brexit bottom was made on June 27, 2016.

Removing Price Allows Us To Focus On Trends

The concept of trends is easier to see if we remove the day-to-day fluctuations in price from the equation. Notice how during the dot-com bust bear market, the S&P 500’s 50-day moving average (blue) was never able to recapture the 200-day moving average (red). Compare and contrast the present day look (second chart below) of the 50-day and 200-day to the look in 2000-2002.

In the 2016 chart above, two favorable things from a trend perspective have happened recently that never occurred during the dot-com bear market: (1) the slope of the S&P 500’s 200-day turned back up in a positive manner, and (2) the 50-day crossed back above the 200-day.

Similar Concepts 2007-08 vs. 2016

Notice how during the financial crisis bear market (top chart below), the S&P 500’s 50-day moving average (blue) was never able to recapture the 200-day moving average (red). Compare and contrast the present day look (second chart below) of the 50-day and 200-day to the look in 2007-2008.

In the 2016 chart above, two favorable things from a trend perspective have happened recently that never occurred during the financial crisis bear market: (1) the slope of the S&P 500’s 200-day turned back up in a positive manner, and (2) the 50-day crossed back above the 200-day.

How Can These Charts Help Us?

No chart from any period, including 2016, can predict the future. However, charts and moving averages can help us better understand the “probability of bad things happening” vs. “the probability of good things happening”.

Right now, given the look of the 2016 charts above, the probability of good things happening today is much higher than it was in early 2001 and early 2008. Nothing says the 2016 cannot breakdown and morph into a look similar to 2001 or 2008. However, that has not happened yet. Therefore, we will continue to hold positions in markets with positive trends, including U.S. stocks. The three charts below summarize the concepts presented above.

 

About Chris Ciovacco

Chris Ciovacco has been serving investors for over 17 years. He is a regular contributor to Financial Sense, Seeking Alpha, and Safehaven. Mr. Ciovacco has been quoted in several media outlets, including the Dow Jones Wire Service, MarketWatch, Fox Business News, the Atlanta-Journal Consitution, and Nasdaq.com. Chris Ciovacco began his investment career with Morgan Stanley in Atlanta in 1994. With a focus on global macro investing, Chris uses both fundamental and technical analysis to assist in managing risk while looking for growth opportunities around the globe in all asset classes.

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