What Is Not Seen

An econ log on financial markets and the global economy.

Extremely oversold

with 4 comments

Looking at the recent month’s panic, and the stock market cliff jump that followed, I think stock here may be in for a strong positive correction. While I am definetly more negative on a long term basis, certain signals have become more apperent than they ever have been in the last 10 year period of stock market corrections. In this type of market, where the sentiment is at record low levels, the effect of demand is usually stronger than supply, since most people that want to sell their stock already have. As the stock market plunges, more stocks are offered fore sale, pushing prices further down. As almost every stock in the broader stock market index are experiencing sharp declines, the pull of supply gradually diminish. It continues until we reach a point where demand once more gets a grip of price.

If we look at where we stand at the moment, and the Bullish percent indicator – that show the percentage of stocks on the NYSE that indicate some sort of buy signal – we see that the current 10 % is extremely low (by historical standards). Historically, a percentage below 30 has indicated an oversold market, with a strong likleyhood for a rebounce.

From the current depressed levels a slight increase in demand will act strongly for a positive correction. From a technical point of view the trigger for such an event usually happens when we see a reversal from a colum of O’s to a new column of X’s.

Written by Daniel Halvarsson

October 8, 2008 at 10:52 pm

Posted in Economic Analysis

4 Responses

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  1. step back from market mechanics for a moment and consider that many of these companies are as good as dead.

    Investor

    October 11, 2008 at 8:36 pm

  2. Hi Daniel!

    All other indicators have failed so far, and the rally should have started when the bullish percentage index was at 30. During the boom, the index stayed at very bearish levels (>70) for long periods. During the bust, we could see bullish levels (<30) for as long periods.

    As long as the TED spread remains high, I believe stocks will go sideways/down.

    Johan

    October 12, 2008 at 10:01 pm

  3. Hello Johan!

    I guess this Bloomberg headline vidicates the Bullish Percent, at least for now!

    U.S. Stocks Post Biggest Rally in Almost 70 Years; Dow Advances 936 Points

    http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=av8xySqNVwIE&refer=home

    While I also realize that the dollar borrowing cost decreased in tandem with the stock market surge, it does not counter the fact that stocks where really (only if temporarily) oversold and where destined to rise.

    Daniel Halvarsson

    October 13, 2008 at 10:37 pm

  4. Johan

    October 15, 2008 at 9:32 pm


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