Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Portfolio Update

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Excessive volatility has made it very difficult to establish any real trend in the markets.  I was wrong in betting against the materials sector in advance of its period of seasonal strength which normally starts in the middle of November.


The end of October begins the period of seasonal strength for the major stock markets. Materials, Information Technologies, and Agriculture tend to outperform other sectors between now and the end of the year.  All three have already rallied from their summer lows. Still, I am wary of the affect of politics and tax-loss selling on these markets as the end of the year approaches.     


The return I am showing for XIU (iShares TSX 60 ETF ) remains at the same level as July (when it crossed the 200-day moving average) since it continues to be at a price below its 200-day moving average. 


Ten month return for TSX @ October 31, 2011 = -8.68 percent
Ten month return for Basic Timing Model using XIU = -0.98 percent
Ten month return for Advanced Timing Model (my returns) = -1.45 percent
Money for charity = $411.27 


Are you expecting a year-end rally?

2 comments:

  1. Hi Ian:

    I understand that the 'Basic Timing Model' is buying when below the 200 day moving average and selling when above. Would you please explain what you mean by the 'Advanced Timing Model'?

    Thanks,
    CJD

    ReplyDelete
  2. The "Advanced Timing Model" is the method I, personally, use. It is a combination of technical and fundamental analysis. It is loosely based on the approach taken by Phil Town in "Rule #1 Investing". My goal is to buy low and sell high, but cut losses very early. With the current market volatility it is more of a trading strategy than being in longer term holds with Horizon's BetaPro ETF products being my instruments of choice. They also allow me to play the downward trend by buying high and selling low using their inverse funds. (Until people are familiar with how the BetaPro ETF's work and have some trading experience, I wouldn't recommend their use - hence the name "advanced" approach).

    Thanks for asking.

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