From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

Key Takeaways:

• • Volatility shifts affect investor risk tolerances
  • Portfolios positioning reflects cautious message from weight of the evidence.
  • Watching to see if evidence argues for increasing exposure or getting more defensive

When volatility picks up, there can be a natural desire to review and reconsider or reduce all long exposure. This impulse reflects the reality that for many, risk tolerance is higher in periods of strength than in periods of weakness. Our view is that proactive risk management can lead to better outcomes than reactionary decision-making. 

That is a major reason why we spend so much time reviewing and discussing the weight of the evidence. We don't know what the future will hold, but we can increase the odds of looking in the right direction by watching where the wind is blowing. While always open to new information, we do not want to over-react to a situation that has already been accounted for.

• Financials moved back into the top spot in this week’s rankings. It holds the top spot in the equal-weight version of the large-cap rankings as well, suggesting broad strength within the sector. Utilities & Materials saw big drops in the rankings and relative weakness in those sectors is present across various capitalization levels.
• Sector-level weakness in Utilities is confirmed in our industry group heatmap. Other areas of broad deterioration include Capital Goods, Tech Hardware, and Real Estate.

From the desk of Steve Strazza @Sstrazza

Our Top 10 report was just published. In this weekly note, we highlight 10 of the most important charts or themes we're currently seeing in asset classes around the world.

Is This Drawdown Any Different?

The S&P 500’s 50-day moving average has garnered some attention this year, and for good reason.

During every month except April, the S&P 500 has tested its 50-day average. Only after the initial test in February did the index fall further below the moving average than where it is today. Every other instance has ended with a sharp reaction higher. Whether that happens this time remains to be seen. With investors re-evaluating their bullish views on stocks, the dollar pressing on new highs, and the action beneath the surface showing increasing vulnerability, bulls want to see more evidence of risk-seeking behavior. Seeing stocks dig in at this key level would be a great place for that to start.

From the desk of Steve Strazza @Sstrazza

Check out this week's Momentum Report, our weekly summation of all the major indexes at a Macro, International, Sector, and Industry Group level.

By analyzing the short-term data in these reports, we get a more tactical view of the current state of markets. This information then helps us put near-term developments into the context of the big picture and provides insights regarding the structural trends at play.

Let's jump right into it with some of the major takeaways from this week's report:

* ASC Plus Members can access the Momentum Report by clicking the link at the bottom of this post.

Macro Universe:

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

In 2021, every month except April has seen the S&P 500 testing its 50-day average. Only after the initial test in February did the index fall further below that average than it is doing in September. The pattern so far this year has been tests of the 50-day that ultimately resolve higher. Whether that happens this time remains to be seen. With investors re-evaluating their bullish views on stocks, bond yields starting to rise and the action beneath the surface showing increasing vulnerability, we want to see evidence of upside resolution rather than just assuming it is on its way. 

This is the video recording of the September 16th Weekly Town Hall w/ Willie Delwiche.

09/16/21 2PM ET

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

It was the final stretch of the last sailing race of the day on Lake Michigan. 

A couple of my good friends squeezed the race in just before the weather started to deteriorate. They could see clouds in the distance. The wind was picking up and gusts were intensifying. 

In the boat, the cool-handed skipper was catching as much of the wind as he dared, the boat heeling sharply to one side. Those on the high side were leaning over the edge as far as they could without losing their grip. Those on the low side worked their ropes, trying to avoid getting swamped as the rail dipped below the surface of the water.

But a huge gust came up as the finish line came into sight. 

It was powerful enough that those on board took a deep breath, expecting to soon find themselves tossed into the lake. If the boat was going to capsize, this would be the moment…

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

This All Star Charts +Plus Monthly Playbook breaks down the investment universe into a series of largely binary decisions and tactical calls. Paired with our Weight of the Evidence Dashboard, this piece is designed to help active asset allocators follow trends, pursue opportunities, and manage risk.

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

• If shopping in the Energy (or Consumer Discretionary) sectors, look in the mid-cap aisles. The Energy sector is near the bottom of the large-cap sector rankings, but at the top of the mid-cap rankings.
• Improving relative strength trends for large-cap Food & Staples Retailing and Utilities bear watching as index-level volatility picks up.

From the desk of Steve Strazza @Sstrazza

Check out this week's Momentum Report, our weekly summation of all the major indexes at a Macro, International, Sector, and Industry Group level.

By analyzing the short-term data in these reports, we get a more tactical view of the current state of markets. This information then helps us put near-term developments into the context of the big picture and provides insights regarding the structural trends at play.

Let's jump right into it with some of the major takeaways from this week's report:

* ASC Plus Members can access the Momentum Report by clicking the link at the bottom of this post.

Macro Universe: