Right now, it feels like darn near everyone is expecting the great bull market in stocks to end...
During October, stocks were down on 16 trading days – the second-highest number of losing days on record.
After so many down days lately, it's no surprise investors are feeling fearful. But market volatility like we've seen is actually pretty normal...
Last month, we said you can expect up to five corrections on the way to the top.
Today, let's step back a bit from the near-term fears... And let's look at the bigger picture.
Is a recession and stock market bust imminent? Based on history, the answer is no...
At least, that's what our best bear market indicator is saying. It has flashed warnings before every recession over the last 40 years. And today, it's signaling something investors aren't expecting...
The end isn't here... yet.
In fact, the end has been pushed out further into the future. Here's why...
The bear market indicator I'm talking about is what's known as the "Fed spread."
When we talk about the Fed spread here in the office, we're talking about the difference between long-term (10-year) interest rates and short-term (two-year) interest rates.
Longtime DailyWealth readers know all about how this works. We've checked in on this indicator many times...
You see, typically, long-term rates are higher than short-term rates. That's because investors demand to be paid more for locking their money away for a decade or longer – the longer duration means they are taking on more risk.
When we end up in the opposite situation – that is, when short-term interest rates rise above long-term interest rates – it means the Federal Reserve has pushed short-term rates to that level.
The intention of this is to "put the brakes" on the economy. And it works, all right. When short-term rates rise above long-term rates, the economy slows down, and – typically – heads into recession.
The two-year interest rate rising higher than the 10-year interest rate has preceded every recession since 1970.
Back in July, we showed you it was getting close to the line again.
But here's the thing: Getting close to the line isn't the same as crossing it.
And now we're seeing something history has shown us before...
In 1994, it looked like we were racing toward recession. We were quickly nearing a point where the yield on the two-year bond would be higher than the 10-year bond.
It was about the same setup as today. But just when it looked like rates were about to cross over, the situation changed.
Here's what it looked like then:
We're seeing that same scenario today. After racing toward recession for months, the Fed spread changed direction. It is now widening, not narrowing. And we're getting further from crossing the line that leads to recessions and bear markets.
Here's where the spread has headed over the past few months:
This is great news for us. History tells us that after short-term rates rise above long-term rates, we've got about 18 to 24 months left of gains in the market. But the clock hasn't even started yet.
The stock market sure has been volatile lately. But the most powerful predictor of recession we've got says we're not at the end.
Now is not the time to panic out of the market. Now is the time to stay invested and catch the potentially life-changing run-up ahead.
Good investing,
Vic Lederman
Further Reading
"We need to take advantage while everyone is still afraid of the markets," Steve says. Learn why he thinks now is the time to be invested right here: How the 'Melt Down' Begins – And Why It's Not Here Yet.
"For many investors, the recent market action has their fear centers lighting up like a pinball machine," Alan Gula writes. "Lots of folks are thinking about fleeing the stock market." Get the details on how fear and volatility can fuel powerful rallies right here.
The bull market in U.S. stocks isn't over yet. And this trophy-asset company will likely soar as stocks move higher...
HIGHS AND LOWS
NEW HIGHS OF NOTE LAST WEEK
McDonald's (MCD)... fast food
Coca-Cola (KO)... soft drinks
Dine Brands Global (DIN)... IHOP, Applebee's
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA)... drugstores
AstraZeneca (AZN)... prescription drugs
Aetna (AET)... health insurance
Procter & Gamble (PG)... "selling the basics"
Clorox (CLX)... "selling the basics"
Helen of Troy (HELE)... "selling the basics"
Lamb Weston (LW)... "selling the basics"
Ulta Beauty (ULTA)... makeup, skin care, and more
Burlington Stores (BURL)... "everything" stores
Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS)... sporting goods
Advance Auto Parts (AAP)... auto parts
O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY)... auto parts
AutoZone (AZO)... auto parts
Monro (MNRO)... car repairs
Verizon (VZ)... Internet "toll bridge"
NEW LOWS OF NOTE LAST WEEK
Barclays (BCS)... financial services
Citigroup (C)... financial services
Goldman Sachs (GS)... financial services
General Electric (GE)... caught in a "death spiral"
JC Penney (JCP)... dying department store
Activision Blizzard (ATVI)... video games
Electronic Arts (EA)... video games
Royal Dutch Shell (RDS-A)... oil and gas
Valero Energy (VLO)... oil refiner
Halliburton (HAL)... oilfield services
Schlumberger (SLB)... oilfield services
British American Tobacco (BTI)... tobacco
