Over the past few weeks, our market has been rising steadily & making new high nearly everyday. On everyone's mind is the question: What's happening?! We are making new high as the global economy is weakening, with Chinese economy on the cusp of a hard landing, Eurozone on the edge of sovereign debt crisis and US economy teetering into another recession. Our market indices (FBMKLCI & FBMEMAS) are higher today than three months ago, contrary to the perfomance of indices of the stock markets in US, Singapore & Hong Kong.
Deja Vu, All Over Again
Don't fret! We have seen this situation before. It happened in early 2008 when our market was higher than its recent high in October 2007 as well as threading into the new high territory. At that time, the main indices in US, Singapore & Hong Kong was lower than their respective high in October 2007. See the table below.
Table: Indices in Early 2008 & Today
(Note: Indices for Dow Jones, Strait Times & Hang Seng are rounded up)
Back Then...
The reason for this exceptional performance is probably the final pre-election rally! In 2008, we had a rally into new high, against the run of play in global equity markets because the ruling party planned to call an election a few weeks later. Go the 2012 & 2008 calenders to crosscheck on the dates mentioned. The pertinent dates are:
- FBMKLCI & FBMEMAS made new highs in first week of January 2008
- Parliament was dissolved on February 13, 2008
- Election Commission announced nominations would be held on February 24, 2008
- General polling set for March 8, 2008
Chart 1: FBMEMAS's weekly chart as at July 18, 2012_11.45am (Source: Quickcharts)
Chart 1: FBMKLCI's weekly chart as at July 18, 2012_11.45am (Source: Quickcharts)
Technically Speaking
FBMKLCI & FBMEMAS are both pressing against the line connecting the 'high' over the past 18 months. From the FBMKLCI weekly chart, we can see the uncanny similarity in the price chart & the indicators between the current period & that's experienced in early 2008.
What to do?
If this is the final pre-election rally, then we must be careful not to hold too much shares when the local funds pull the plugs or take their profit. If the previous election can be a guide, the profit-taking will come before the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament. With Hari Raya Aidilfitri likely to be celebrated on August 19-20, National Day will fall on August 31 & Malaysia Day will fall on September 16, I think the dissolution of Parliament will only happen in late September. If that is the case, then the current rally could last for a few more weeks. On the other hand, if the Government planned to dissolve Parliament right after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, then the rally could end much earlier.
Based on the above analysis, you should reduce your exposure to the market or take profit steadily during the interim period of 1-3 weeks. Good luck!
This analysis makes a lot of sense. Although it is nice to see our market bucking the trend compared to most others, there is also worry that we might be set up for a big fall.
ReplyDeleteThe rise mostly benefits the blue chips and index-linked while only a few selected second-liners are seeing significant rises. But when there's a fall, almost all will be affected. For the moment, I'm focusing on quick trades; taking profits even when they are small and also cutting losses instead of having the capital getting locked. Don't want to have too many positions when the fund managers start selling.
Thanks for the heads up
ReplyDeletei can't help but agree with Mat cendana. i'm looking forward to the next Monday rally (hopes) and then sell, sell, sell
ReplyDeleteKLCI only includes 30 company, so it does not really reflect the whole market.
ReplyDeleteInitially I was also thinking that this is an election driven rally. However, when I do some work on Plantation stocks listed in Singapore(because I thought Singapore stock market not rallying and plan to do a swap), they are not cheaper than Malaysia peers.
I don't think we need to sell everything. It all depends on what counter you are holding on to.
Hi Big See and Mat cendana,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I agree with Big See that we need not sell everything. Just don't over trade at this time.
Rough day today. But our BSKL just can't ignore Hang Seng's sharp fall, and Europe starting poorly.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in a way, the fact that most counters didn't fall that sharply says something about our own market. There is still resilience. And after last week's rise, there is bound to be some correction.
For the moment, I'm just observing. But if there are bargains, then that's an opportunity to buy and wait this out. If Mudajaya goes near 1.50, that would be attractive. Remember that period after the JP Morgan problem in May? Well, those who picked up the fundamentally sound counters made tidy profits just two or three weeks later.