Monday, September 2, 2013

401K Analysis -The Trend is your Friend.. until the End 9/2/13

It is Labor Day. US Open Tennis matches are washed out with rain. The market is a mixed bag. August was the worst down month since back in November 2012. I am reminded of the saying “The Trend is your Friend” and let me add… (..Until the End). So are we at the end of the uptrend?  I don’t think my predictive values are any better than anyone else’ as no one really knows. I see divergence between the last two tops of indicators and the last two tops on prices. This can stretch to three tops but every corresponding weaker top on the indicator means there is more weakness. In fact if this happens again, it would be an excellent time to buy put options as the market reaches its highs but the indicators do not. But overall we are not in a very weak stage yet. Certainly not like bond funds or emerging markets. I feel the market will snort its way back and put up a fight against the bears. I am personally taking a cautious approach in my portfolio. When I see a down signal on the SPY, I abandon the equity funds in my 401Ks. And right now I see a down signal in SPY and also on Bond funds, so I am out of those as well. Still, for the more aggressive investors, my monthly 401K analysis of where to put our money follows for my current and past employer.

In my current employer’s 401K funds, the top funds are Fidelity Blue Chip Growth, Fidelity Large Cap and WFA SPL MidCap VL. Royce is strong as well but the short term redemption fees keep me away. I am staying in all cash till SPY flags an Up signal or exceeds the value at which it gave a down signal. Sere SPY chart below as well as a chart on Fidelity Blue Chip Growth.

In my previous employer’s 401K, the top picks are Vanguard Explorer Admiral, Fidelity Growth Company and Artisan MidCap Value INSTL. Again, I am exited all because of the down signal on SPY. My position is one of caution but I will go back in once SPY changes direction. Maybe I will be get whipped a little but that is better than getting frozen like a deer in headlights and seeing my portfolio drop 20-30%. That is not going to happen for me, if I can help it.




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