The longer I’m in this business, the more I appreciate the Zen Buddhist philosophy – especially when applied to the markets. In fact, many years ago I used to attend a regular meditation group. I practiced meditation to help me develop a calmer mind for trading. The philosophy helped me deal with the neurotic behavior of the stock markets, and my own neurotic thoughts surrounding those behaviors.
Lately I find myself returning to some of the core lessons I learned while practicing meditation. Trading patterns, Trump Tweets, and market volatility surrounding the US / China trade deal certainly can drive one to try and maintain a calmer awareness. Part of the philosophy within Zen practice is to keep an open mind to any outcome.
Shunryu Suzuki’s famous book “Zen mind, beginners mind” illustrated the essence of keeping an open mind to all things.
“If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything.”
Examining the Shanghai index with an empty mind
Unlike the less complementary meaning of the term “empty mind”, Zen uses the term to describe an open mind with no preconditioned thoughts. Lets try to examine Shanghai with a Zen mind using technical analysis. Here’s the chart:
You’ll note back in April, the Shanghai tested an area of resistance of around 3300. At that time, momentum indicators on the weekly chart were overbought. I drew a vertical line lining up with that moment. The Shanghai couldn’t overcome that wall, which had been established in early 2017. Prices declined into the 2800 area.
Fast forward to July, and you will see an oversold stochastics signal. However, unlike the overbought sell signals of April, we didn’t get an oversold hook on the longer termed momentum indicators like RSI and MACD. In fact, MACD continues to trend down, in spite of a 200 point rally back to 3000 for the index. A small hook may be forming on MACD, but it has yet to prove valid. Current resistance lies around this 3000 area–illustrated by the chart as former support during the past 3 years.
The lack of conviction behind the recent move, illustrated by MACD and RSI’s lack of participation, suggest that the Shanghai may hesitate at current levels. China continues to underperform the SPX with no signs of changing. My Zen mind tells me to wait and see if 2800 breaks. That might suggest a return to 3000. My Zen mind also tells me that downside is also contained to the mid 2000’s. Either may happen. Or something different! However…Current patterns suggest a continuation of the sideways market.
At ValueTrend, we hold some Chinese stocks and ETF positions. Our opinion is that a trade deal will eventually be struck, and the market may react positively to such an occurrence. It could be a big move, albeit unpredictable as far as timing. So we’re in the trade, and we’re keeping an empty mind about it. Things change, we can react accordingly. For now, its best to keep an empty mind.
I’m at the MoneyShow next Friday!
Don’t forget to register early for the MoneyShow in the Metro Toronto Convention Center. I’m presenting on Friday September 20 at 4:15PM on something a little different. I’ll talk about trading capitulation candidates–higher risk/return plays. I’m looking forward to this talk! Here is a link to register, and find out more about my talk. Pre-registering doesn’t cost you anything, and helps you avoid the registration lineup.
4 Comments
Any thoughts on the attempt by the HKEX to take over the LSE? My own thought is that it’l never happen. At least the British government would be crazy to let it.
Nope–no knowledge on that situation – I am but a simple and humble technical guy.
Hi Keith,
On a more domestic note, I thought of you when I saw the chart of BCE today. I know your policy of not commenting on individual stocks but I’m hoping you will make an exception because this has been a subject of yours in several past blogs and BNN shows. You have often noted BCE’s sideways pattern and, though you hold it in your income platform, in your equity platform you tend buy in the $56 range and sell at the $62 or $63 range. As I write, I see it at $64.47 on decent volume and solid trend indicators. If it holds for several more days ( so it meets the rule of 3) at the all time highs that it is currently trading at, would you be buying?
As always, many thanks,
Joe
Joe–yes, I avoid individual stock commentary–but BCE is big and well followed so I can offer my two cents worth. First, disclosure: we hold it in our income platform.
That out the the way–yes, it broke out. Funny, we held it in the equity platform and sold it exactly as you noted–right at the top of the trading band. We continued to hold it in the income platform given its primary focus is on the dividend.
The breakout is very encouraging. Craig (resident CFA here) feels it doesn’t have a ton of fundamental catalysts behind it to merit it a growth stock. But, the company is sound, and that might inspire the breakout to hold and move slowly but surely in the right direction. So I have no plans on buying it in the equity platform, but if I did – I’d keep an eye on it to hold above $62 (stop point) and see what happens. Its certainly not an aggressive play. And you get a dividend. So, with the right trading plan, its likely a decent potential.