Liquidity Trader

Lee Adler 2 - Technical Trader October 11, 2022

I was able to make this projection using a highly sophisticated algorithm developed by artificial intelligence, that being my brain drawing trendlines. It’s a technique that I have developed over my nearly 60 years of studying technical analysis, including 40 years of computer generated analysis. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Naturally this formula is far too simple, direct and obvious to be recognized by the high priests of Economism. But I have spent my life specializing in simple, direct, and obvious, which is all that I am capable of. And so, I will attempt to the best of my ability to illustrate it for you. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Using this secret algorithm I was able to determine that the Fed should announce a pause in rate increases next xxxxxxx. The market will briefly celebrate that, but that will be a big mistake. Because the Fed has never actually raised rates and rates aren’t the problem. They are a symptom. The market has driven rates up and the Fed has rubber stamped that, while never quite getting to where the market already was. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Now, for the illustration of how xxxxxxx was projected to be the point at which the Fed decides to pause. xxxxxx is when the trend of the Fed raising the Fake Funds rate intersects with a somewhat likely trend of the Fed’s favorite inflation measure, the Core PCE. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

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I use the just reported PPI for core final demand consumer goods (PPI-CFDCG) as a leading indicator of where the PCE is likely to be headed. The PPI-CFDCG dropped from an annual rate of +8.5% to +8% in September. This was the first decline in this series, which tends to lead CPI and the Fed’s favorite measure, core PCE, by anywhere from 3 to 12 months. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Note that this downturn follows the beginning of the Fed’s Quantitative Tightening or QT, by 6 months. That’s also normal. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

I then drew a trendline extrapolating this downturn into the future. The validity of doing that is supported by the fact that the upswing rose on nearly a straight line basis as it followed Fed pandemic era QE with a lag of about 6 months. As goes the money supply, so goes inflation, the one thing that Milton Friedman got right. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

By the way, “inflation,” doesn’t mean only consumer prices. Inflation is classically defined as a rise in the general level of prices. General means everything. That includes asset prices. Modern priests of Economism exclude asset prices from the definition of inflation, so that they can conveniently ignore the jillion percent increase in asset inflation we’ve seen over the past 13 years. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The only inflation they accepted as real was consumer price inflation. And that is utter nonsense. The refusal to recognize asset price inflation as an element of general inflation is at the very crux of the intractable problem we face today. Now we must pay the price for that willful ignorance. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

So now we see the impact of reducing money supply on both types of inflation. The problem the central banks have in their drive to reduce consumer price inflation is that asset prices react immediately and directly to tightening money supply. Consumer prices react with a lag. Asset prices, both stocks and bonds, have already collapsed. Consumer prices haven’t budged yet. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

And now we can see that this process will continue for months. It has the potential to cause unfathomable financial destruction. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

This is a huge problem for Wall Street. Because of the nature of the Fed’s inflation fight, the tightening of money supply versus rising money demand, is absolutely destroying asset prices in a process that will continue until the Fed stops tightening. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Again, the Fed Funds rate is irrelevant. To halt the downtrend in asset prices, the Fed must stop reducing the money supply and must start increasing it again by an amount sufficient to absorb almost all Treasury issuance. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The Fed pretends that it will only stop tightening when the Funds rate that it sets every 6 weeks is supposedly neutral. The Fed’s focus is on the PCE, and the PCE follows the curve of the PPI finished core consumer goods series by a few months, at a lower level. We can therefore project the trend of PCE by mimicking our favorite PPI trend as I showed in the chart above. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

In so doing, the falling core PCE would meet the rising Fed Funds rate in xxxxxx. The Fed will yell “Pause” in a crowded theater, and everybody will rush into the market. There will be a buying panic when that happens. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

But the buying panic will quickly die and the collapse of asset prices will resume unless the Fed also reverses from QT back to QE. Because the money market would otherwise continue to tighten, and short term rates would resume rising. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The markets get a break in xxxxxxx because the US Treasury xxxxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxxx xxx then. That enables the Treasury to pay down T-bills in xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxx x xxxxxxxx. This will take the pressure off the money market for a few weeks in this coming xxxxxxxx. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

But supply pressure will explode in xxxxxxx because the xxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx that month, while at the same time tax revenue xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxpoints of the year. The government’s cash need will soar, and so will its short term borrowing. At that point the markets are very likely to crash again. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

I say again, because the supply demand imbalance in the financial markets between now and xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx will be the worst it has been in this market. There will be immense pressure on asset prices for the next xxx months. The conditions for a crash are in place. That may force the Fed to act weeks before it gets Fed Funds to a so-called “neutral” rate, which looks like x.x%. A xx and a xx would get us there. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Surprise, surprise, surprise! This is essentially the consensus outlook. But so what! Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The destruction of stock and bond prices will be epic by the time this rate path is complete in January. Might that be enough for the Fed’s resolve to crack before they’ve gotten to x.x%? Of course. Or might the Fed hold out until that x.x% rate is reached? Sure. We just don’t know. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

But remember, the Fed merely follows market interest rates, such as on the 13 week T-bill. That rate is merely a meter of just how tight the money market supply-demand balance is. And it is the imbalance of supply of securities over effective demand for them that causes falling prices, and their mirror, rising short term rates and bond yields. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The dynamic of prices trending lower WILL NOT CHANGE until the Fed reverses from QT, back to QE. And it must do so in enough size to once again absorb most Treasury issuance as it did during the 12 years of the bull markets. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Anything less than aggressive QE will not end the bear markets in stocks and bonds. It may alter their courses. It will generate rallies on the bear market slope of hope. But it will not end the bear markets. That would take a massive policy reversal by the Fed. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The other thing to keep in mind is that it will do us absolutely no good to anticipate this so called Fed “pivot.” Markets turn on money flows. The bear market will end when the Fed supplies enough money to end it. Any speculation on when it will end, even if the guess is correct, will hold no advantage whatsoever. What’s the point of being early? Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Buy the markets when the monetary facts change. Not before. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Simple, direct, obvious.

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Swing Trade Screens – Plunging in on the Short Side

I am adding 8 shorts to the chart pick list this week.

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Lee Adler 2 - Technical Trader October 10, 2022

Subscription Plans

The strategy and tactics opinions expressed in this report illustrate one particular approach to trading. No representation is made that it is the best approach, or even suitable for any particular investor. This is a developmental and experimental exercise, for the purpose of providing experienced chart traders with ideas and concepts to use or not use as they see fit.

Nothing in this letter is meant as individual investment advice and you should not construe it as such. These picks are illustrative and theoretical. The method behind these picks is experimental, and may change over time. I may trade my own account, and may buy, sell, sell short or cover short, or have positions in any of the stocks on the list at any time, based on a particular trading style that is unique to me. My entry and close out levels are likely to differ from those published due to the exigencies of my trading style and time constraints. I post these items in good faith for informational and educational purposes, and do not take positions in opposition to those which are published. All chart picks are actively traded stocks, and I assume that no subscriber to these reports, nor the total of all subscribers taking positions, would do so in a size that would influence the market price.

Performance tracking assumes 100% cash basis, no margin, no options. You should not assume that recent performance as reported can or will be repeated in the future. Trading involves risk of loss. In the case of options, the loss can be 100% of the amount invested. When leverage is used the loss can exceed the account equity under certain conditions.

The opinions expressed here assume that readers are experienced investors or are working with an investment advisor.

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Market Reaches Do or Die, Right Here

And that’s for both parties to the conflict. Bears could be in charge for a very long time if this breaks down. Bulls would gain only a foothold, nothing more. Here are the keys to the outlook.

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These reports are not investment advice. They are for informational purposes, intended for an audience of investment and trading professionals, and other experienced investors and traders. Chart pick performance changes week to week and past performance may not indicate future results, as you know. Trading involves risk, and these reports assume that you understand those risks and manage them according to your tolerance.

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Start of Something Good for Gold

Lee Adler 3 - Gold Trader October 7, 2022

The 13 week cycle has turned up, but the 9-12 month cycle remains uncertain. Here’s what to look for to tell if this is more than another dead cat bounce.

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The strategy and tactics suggestions in this report are informational and general in nature, and illustrative of one approach. They are not investment advice. No representation is made that it is the best approach, will be profitable, or even suitable for any particular investor.

Nothing in this letter is meant as personalized investment advice and you should not construe it as such. Trading involves risk of loss, and in the case of options, the loss can be 100% of the amount invested. Any trading that you do with reference to strategies and tactics suggested in this report should be done only after consulting with your financial adviser. Trade at your own risk.

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Look Out For the Real Fallout of Declining Withholding Tax Collections – Part 2

Lee Adler 1 - Liquidity Trader- Money Trends October 6, 2022

We track Treasury supply because Fed policy comprises only one side of the supply/demand equation. Treasury supply makes up the bulk of the other side. The information we have on Treasury supply is known, either in advance or at least in real time. Tax revenue is the primary determinant of changes in supply. We merely need to monitor the tax revenue trend, and legislation that affects the Federal Budget to get an idea where supply is headed in the near term.

We’ve now seen xxx months of falling withholding tax collections. That’s a xxxxx, but it was mitigated in September by very strong quarterly estimated individual and corporate taxes. But those are lagging because they are based on the third quarter as a whole, not just September. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

On the other hand, excise tax collections were up, an indication of strong retail consumption. So that’s a fly in the ointment in terms of the idea that the economy is contracting. But it’s too small an item to matter to total revenue. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

September revenues got a boost from quarterly estimated taxes, as always. We expected that. As a result, the Treasury paid down a significant amount outstanding T-bills during the month. Again, no surprise. But it certainly didn’t help the markets much. Maybe the Treasury market a little toward the end of the month. But if that’s all a “good” liquidity month can do, watch out for the next two months. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The point is that September was as good as it gets, and as good as it will be, until xxxxxxx, when the xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx will again create a temporary budget surplus. That will be used to pay down T-bills again. But xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx will be a drought, with heavy Treasury supply, which would be made worse by weakening tax revenues. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The Fed will exacerbate the problem with QT. It will tell the Treasury to redeem $60 billion a month of the Fed’s Treasury holdings. That’s an extra $60 billion a month in Treasury supply that the US government will need to issue so that it can repay the Fed. Investors and dealers will be forced to absorb that, because the Fed cavalry isn’t riding to the rescue to take up the bulk of supply. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The xxxx xxxxx months will be the worst supply demand imbalance we have seen so far in this bear market. I would expect both stock and bond prices to xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx. Any rallies should be xxxxx xxxxx, and should xxxxx be xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Furthermore, xxxxxx the xxxxxx will continue to be a really bad idea, just as it has been all year, unless you plan on, and in fact do, xxxxxx the xxxxx. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Lee Adler 1 - Liquidity Trader- Money Trends October 5, 2022

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Look Out For the Real Fallout of Declining Withholding Tax Collections

Federal withholding tax collections declined in September for the third straight month. Predicting the BLS jobs data is always a crapshoot, but after 3 months of real weakness in withholding taxes, this should be the month when reality catches up with the BLS.

But will the BLS report a decline, when the consensus is for a gain of 275,000 jobs? Not likely.

But more importantly, declining revenue means more harsh reality for the Treasury market in the form of more supply than the TBAC had forecast that the Treasury would issue. We can’t project that indefinitely, but at least in the near term it means additional supply on top of already heavy forecast supply. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

And that has implications for the market, which I cover for you in these reports. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

9/3/22 But the fact is that if tax revenues are weakening, Treasury supply will only increase, regardless of what Wall Street says about the economy. Treasury supply will increase just as the Fed requires the Treasury to add $60 billion a month in new debt sales to the public to pay off the Fed. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

In addition to that extra supply from QT, and a weaker economy, the Fed is causing demand to weaken. Not only is the Fed no longer the primary buyer and financing agent in the market, but it is also choking demand by removing the cash from the banking system that would otherwise be available to fund Treasury purchases. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

The accompanying weaker economic data will be spun as bullish, while in fact it will not be. At least at first. The bottom line is that the weaker tax revenues are not bullish. It will only be bullish when the Fed finally reverses policy. All I can say is, “xxxx xxxx xxxx!” Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Here’s how to view the data, and what it means for investment strategy and tactics. Non-subscribers, click here for access.

Lee Adler 2 - Technical Trader October 3, 2022

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Swing Trade Screens – Beware! This Swing is Old

For the week ended September 30, there were 19 charts with second or third buy signals on Thursday and Friday, and 35 with second or third sell signals. Bears still had an edge but it was slight, and turns often occur without warning, particularly as a swing ages. And this one is aged.

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On Friday on a standalone basis there were 13 buys and 9 sells. This is still nothing to get excited about for either side. Without a more lopsided advantage on both the multiple signal look, and the last day look, I want to tread lightly. This decline is already mature, and I’m concerned about a short covering spike, despite the lack of evidence. Non-subscribers click here for access.

Looking at the scoreboard, September showed an average gain of 3.3%, on an average holding period of 13 calendar days. All of the 17 picks closed out in September have been shorts. Of the 16 picks closed in August, 11 were buys and 5 were shorts. Non-subscribers click here for access.

The percentage gain is based on 100% cash positions, with no margin and no use of leverage or options. Non-subscribers click here for access.

9/5/22 16 picks were closed out in August. The average gain was 3.4% with an average holding period of 2 weeks. Since last November, when I last tweaked the screening and selection methodology, 108 picks were closed out with an average gain of 2.9% and an average holding period of 17 calendar days. Non-subscribers click here for access.

8/1/22 July had been a narrowly rangebound meatgrinder market until last week. Only two picks were closed out during the month for an average loss of 2.6%. Non-subscribers click here for access.

7/4/22 Picks closed out in June averaged a gain of 10.1% on an average holding period of 17 calendar days. That works out to an average of 4.1% per week. There were 12 closed picks. The win rate was 75%. I would hope to continue that, but it is by no means a given. Non-subscribers click here for access.

June’s performance is not something we should expect to duplicate too often, if at all. The average weekly gain since I tweaked the methodology in mid January is just 1.29%, while trending upward lately. Non-subscribers click here for access.

6/6/22 Picks closed out in May averaged a gain of 3% on an average holding period of 2 weeks. That worked out to an average of 1.5% per week. There were 28 closed picks. 25 were shorts. Non-subscribers click here for access.

5/9/22 April was a challenging month. The final tally of closed picks in April had an average loss of 0.4% with an average holding period of 11 calendar days. My system does not do well when the average low to low cycle duration drops below 4 weeks. Non-subscribers click here for access.

March was better. Picks closed in March had an average gain of 4% with an average holding period of 23 calendar days. Non-subscribers click here for access.

After visually reviewing the charts of this week’s multiple buy and sell signals, I was underwhelmed on both sides. So I’ll stand pat and ride with what remains on the list after two picks hit their trailing stops last week. Non-subscribers click here for access.

The four remaining picks have gained an average of 4.7% on an average holding period of 7 calendar days as of today (Monday). The normal maximum number of picks is 12, so with 4 currently open, that implies just a 25% capital commitment with the rest assumed to be cash. Non-subscribers click here for access.

9/26/22 Would be nice to have had more shorts out, but with a schedule of only once a week, sometimes the swing trade turn gets missed, particularly when they happen on a V reversal. These are common at lows but rare at highs. Rare doesn’t mean never, however, and we got one two weeks ago. Non-subscribers click here for access.

But there’s something to be said for spending a few minutes a week on trading, rather than hours in front of a screen. Life must be lived! Non-subscribers click here for access.

Lee Adler 2 - Technical Trader October 2, 2022

Subscription Plans

The strategy and tactics opinions expressed in this report illustrate one particular approach to trading. No representation is made that it is the best approach, or even suitable for any particular investor. This is a developmental and experimental exercise, for the purpose of providing experienced chart traders with ideas and concepts to use or not use as they see fit.

Nothing in this letter is meant as individual investment advice and you should not construe it as such. These picks are illustrative and theoretical. The method behind these picks is experimental, and may change over time. I may trade my own account, and may buy, sell, sell short or cover short, or have positions in any of the stocks on the list at any time, based on a particular trading style that is unique to me. My entry and close out levels are likely to differ from those published due to the exigencies of my trading style and time constraints. I post these items in good faith for informational and educational purposes, and do not take positions in opposition to those which are published. All chart picks are actively traded stocks, and I assume that no subscriber to these reports, nor the total of all subscribers taking positions, would do so in a size that would influence the market price.

Performance tracking assumes 100% cash basis, no margin, no options. You should not assume that recent performance as reported can or will be repeated in the future. Trading involves risk of loss. In the case of options, the loss can be 100% of the amount invested. When leverage is used the loss can exceed the account equity under certain conditions.

The opinions expressed here assume that readers are experienced investors or are working with an investment advisor.

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Stocks Have Much At Stake Right Now

For example, it could be a stake in the heart depending on whether xxxx holds or breaks.

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The market is extremely weak and in some respects the technical are similar to when the Fed stepped in to save the market in March 2020. But stock prices didn’t begin to rally until 10 days after the Fed first intervened with massive cash injections. So we probably shouldn’t think about a bottom here until the Fed reverses course and pumps in enough cash to make a difference. Non subscribers click here to access.

Unlike in 2020 however, this would be a policy 180. Back then, the Fed was already in a program of “enhancing” the market with QE. It just massively expanded it. I cover these issues in the Money Trends reports. Non subscribers click here to access.

In view of that context, any readings of extreme technical weakness might be the precursor to a xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx rally, but there’s no reason to be xxxxxx xxxx stocks yet. On the other hand, it’s a little late in this move to be xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx on a swing trade basis. For nimble scalpers, I’d call it a “maybe.” Non subscribers click here to access.

Cycles- By one count, the 10-12 month cycle could be at a low, with a potential to turn up for a few months. However, a breakdown below xxxx would suggest that this cycle is early in a down phase, projected to last until at least next xxxx. That would imply the likelihood of much lower prices over the next xxx months. Non subscribers click here to access.

There’s a tentative 6 month cycle projection of xxxx-xxxx. Non subscribers click here to access.

A 4 week cycle low is due xxxx xxxx, at just xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx. If the market bounces early in the week, that scenario is in play. But if the 6-7 week variant is dominant, this week will get xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx. That cycle has a projection of xxxx, with the expected low in the last xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx. Non subscribers click here to access.

The 13 week cycle remains in a xxxxxxxxx window, with a projected low of xxxx-xxxx. With liquidity scarce, there’s potential for a vicious bounce driven by short covering at any time. But the question is whether it will come from this xxxx-xx area, or equally likely xxxx. Non subscribers click here to access.

Third Rail To break the 2 steepest downtrend channels the SPX would need to end this week above xxxx. The top line of the third channel will be at xxxx on Friday. Non subscribers click here to access.

There’s a support convergence around xxxx at midweek. That’s a likely short term pivot area. If it breaks instead, the next target would be xxxx. And if that broke, we’d be looking for xxxx as the next likely target. Non subscribers click here to access.

Long Term Weekly Chart – The support convergence at xxxx now looks critical. The next target would be xxxx-xxxx if that breaks. Non subscribers click here to access.

Monthly Chart – SPX has broken long term trend support and is now targeting xxxx-xxxx either by the end of October. The xxxx range should now be resistance. Non subscribers click here to access.

Cycle Screening Measures – Cycle screening measures plunged to extremes but suggest the possibility of xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx ahead for at least several more weeks. Non subscribers click here to access.

Technical Trader subscribers click here to download the complete report.

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These reports are not investment advice. They are for informational purposes, intended for an audience of investment and trading professionals, and other experienced investors and traders. Chart pick performance changes week to week and past performance may not indicate future results, as you know. Trading involves risk, and these reports assume that you understand those risks and manage them according to your tolerance.

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Gold Reason to Hope No Reason for Optimism

Lee Adler 3 - Gold Trader September 30, 2022

Gold rebounded after hitting trend support. There’s regularly been an 8 week cycle pattern over the past year, and this fits that bill. The 13 week cycle projection has been reached. But the burden of proof is on the bullish case until gold clears xxxx. Otherwise the downtrend will remain in force, and we can expect lower lows.

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Subscription Plans

The strategy and tactics suggestions in this report are informational and general in nature, and illustrative of one approach. They are not investment advice. No representation is made that it is the best approach, will be profitable, or even suitable for any particular investor.

Nothing in this letter is meant as personalized investment advice and you should not construe it as such. Trading involves risk of loss, and in the case of options, the loss can be 100% of the amount invested. Any trading that you do with reference to strategies and tactics suggested in this report should be done only after consulting with your financial adviser. Trade at your own risk.

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Swing Trade Screens – Getting Shorter, Life Must be Lived!

Lee Adler 2 - Technical Trader September 27, 2022

As of the week ended Monday, September 26 closing prices, there was only 1 chart with second or third buy signals over the past two trading days, and 53 with second or third sell signals. That compares with 64 multiple sells at the end of the week before. For the week, the bears still had it, but that can turn on a dime. On Monday on a standalone basis there were 9 buys and 9 sells. Nothing to get excited about for either side.

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