Six Reasons Stocks Could Tank Soon

Posted by Wealth Wire – Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

Six Reasons Bulls Should Be Very Concerned:

1. Gridlock remains in Washington.
2. Fiscal cliff negotiations could be messy.
3. The VIX is sending up warning flares.
4. Europe’s economy and debt markets remain shaky.
5. Commodities are questioning Fed’s effectiveness.
6. Technical evidence overwhelmingly shows bullish deterioration.

Gridlock and Long To-Do List

After endless media coverage, countless speeches, and millions spent to influence voters, little has changed since the polls were opened on Tuesday. From the Washington Times:

An angry electorate begging for change did little to upset the balance of power in Washington, where gridlock has reigned and shows no signs of letting up. he agenda is extensive and seemingly growing longer every week: Another trillion-dollar deficit is looming in 2013, debt has topped $16 trillion, the immigration system is broken, the tax code needs an overhaul, gas prices and unemployment remain stubbornly high, Iran’s nuclear program looms ever larger, and al Qaeda may be resurgent in parts of the Middle East.

Numerous Obstacles To New Highs

Investing is about understanding probabilities. We have been concerned about the deteriorating prospects for investors for some time, pointing out slowing momentum in technology stocks on September 10. On September 24, we asked Are Stocks Beginning to Peak? Currently, the odds are stacked heavily in the favor of lower lows in stocks over the coming weeks.

Could we see an oversold bounce? Sure, but the evidence says any rally would most likely be an opportunity to reduce our risk exposure rather than increase it. Using the S&P 500 support and resistance chart below, we can see seven forms of possible resistance standing between the S&P 500 and higher highs. The door to higher highs still has a small crack in it, but any rally could be greeted with institutional selling between 1440 and 1480. S&P 500 scenarios based on DeMark exhaustion counts are outlined at the 00:30 mark of a recent video.

Warning: Cliff Ahead

Politicians kicked the fiscal can down the road in late 2011. Since then, little-to-no progress has been made regarding our unsustainable budgetary path. From MSNBC:

Congress will remain split between the two parties, keeping open the likelihood of messy negotiations to avert the looming “fiscal cliff” – nearly $600 billion worth of spending cuts and tax increases that risk pushing the economy into deep recession.

Fear Is Increasing, Risk Appetite Waning

The chart below shows the performance of the S&P 500 relative to the VIX Fear Index (VXX). When the ratio is rising, risk-on is in favor. When the ratio drops, investor concerns about future market volatility are increasing. Point A shows a bearish signal for bullish momentum that came in April 2012. Point E highlights the weakness in stocks that followed. Notice the current market (point B) looks similar to April 2012 (point A). At point C, risk-on broke support relative to risk-off, which foreshadowed further declines in stocks (point E). A similar break of risk-on support is trying to take hold this week (compare point D to C). The ratio has also dropped below its 22-week moving average, which all things being equal is a bearish sign.

Europe: The Never-Ending Debt Saga

We outlined the big picture issues in Europe in a 2011 video, which means we have a good understanding of the severity of excessive debt. Other than talk, very little action has been taken by policymakers or the European Central Bank (ECB). A simple Q&A helps illustrate:

• Has Spain requested a formal bailout opening the door to ECB bond buying? No
• Has Italy requested a formal bailout? No
• Has the ECB implemented the much-publicized and game-changing bond buying program? No
• Is the situation in Greece improving? Not yet
• Have France and Germany been able to sidestep economic weakness? No

Story continues here: http://www.wealthwire.com/news/equities/4152?r=1