Making this mistake could cost you double-digit gains in 2019...
I'm talking about staying on the sidelines of today's rally. If that's you, listen up... You haven't missed it.
Sure, it's been a record-setting year in the markets so far.
We experienced the best January for equities in 30 years. February led to more of the same, with stocks continuing higher. And recently, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index moved higher for 10 weeks in a row.
But that doesn't mean the rally is over. If you stay on the sidelines today, you could be leaving double-digit gains on the table, based on this rare event...
Recently, the extended rally hit another incredible mark we haven't seen in nine years. It has only happened 11 other times since 1928.
The S&P 500 closed above its 10-day moving average for 40 trading days in a row. That's a rare but powerful event...
You see, following the trend is at the core of our investment criteria. Without an uptrend, we're not interested.
One way to define an uptrend is by tracking stocks against a moving average. This tool tracks the average closing prices over a given period to "smooth out" volatility. If the stock price is above its moving average, that signals an uptrend. And if the stock price is below its moving average, the trend is down.
You make the most money when prices are above the long-term moving average (usually the 200-day moving average). But looking at short-term moving averages is useful, too.
That's where we find today's rare event. The S&P 500 Index recently closed above its 10-day moving average for 40 consecutive trading days. Take a look...
Stocks stayed above this short-term moving average for most of January and all of February.
Since 1928, buying the S&P 500 after similar occasions would have led to winning trades one year later 64% of the time. And importantly, history shows a 10%-plus rally is possible from here.
Here's what happened one year after each of the 11 events we've seen throughout history...
Only four of these instances led to losses a year later. And the biggest was a loss of just 7%.
That means the risk of a major decline is small, and the possible upside is large. You see, the winning trades outweighed the losers. Seven of the 11 extremes led to double-digit rallies over the next year. And the biggest return was 22%.
So, it's true that U.S. stocks have had a stellar start to 2019. We saw the best January for stocks in more than 30 years.
But that doesn't mean the fun is over. This occurrence is one more reason the gains in stocks should continue this year – and this decadelong bull market isn't finished yet.
Don't let fear keep you on the sidelines today. You want to own U.S. stocks right now. And history says double-digit gains are possible from here, thanks to this rare event.
Good investing,
Brett Eversole
Further Reading
"Some folks assume the market can't be in a better spot after a rally than it was before it began," Steve writes. "This thinking may seem to make sense... But it's wrong." Get the details on one of his favorite indicators of market health here: U.S. Stocks Are as Healthy as Ever... Seriously.
"It's become an old cliché... 'Buy low and sell high,'" Brett says. "But investing doesn't usually work that way." Read more about a recent event that points to an opportunity to "buy high and sell higher" right here.
The rally in U.S. stocks likely isn't over. And this active fund manager is a great opportunity to own a strong business while earning a 4.7% dividend yield...
MORE GAINS FOR THE 'WORLD DOMINATOR' OF PAYROLL
Today, we're looking at a company that dominates its field...
Regular readers should recognize the term "World Dominators" – a phrase coined by our colleague Dan Ferris. These companies boast strong financials and huge, global brands that allow them to stand at the top of their industries. Today, we'll highlight one such company that has led to big gains for Dan's subscribers...
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is the largest payroll provider in the world. It's where businesses go to outsource their payroll and tax-filing needs. More than 740,000 clients rely on ADP to handle these crucial services – so it's no wonder the revenue keeps rolling in... In the second quarter, ADP reported sales of $3.5 billion, up 8% from the same period in 2017.
As you can see in today's chart, ADP shares are in a long-term uptrend. Shares are up almost 20% in 2019 alone, and they recently hit a fresh all-time high. Readers who followed Dan's 2008 recommendation are sitting on massive 527% gains so far. Congrats to Dan and his team on another great call...
