What’s going on in the major indices and sectors? Well….. of the eleven Indices I follow, five were positive and six were negative. The SP-500 Value Index (IVE) was not only last week’s best performer, up .53%, but the last two weeks as well. Check out the first attachment to see results. The worst performer was SP-600 Small Cap Growth (IJT) down -1.18%. The worst performing Index year to date is SP-600 Small Cap Value (IJS) only up 9.02%, compared to the Nasdaq 100 which is up 30.45% YTD.
Best of the 22 Sectors was Retail (XRT), up 3.24 %. Retail was also the best performer two weeks ago but is only up 6.03% YTD. If it’s just getting some traction it could be a big mover going into next year. Additionally, you can see on the attached that it moved from Neutral to Bull a week and a half ago. Worst in Sectors this past week was Telecom (IYZ) down -4.01% and -16.09% year to date. Telecom is battling Oil & Gas Equipment (OIH) for worst performing year to date. OIH is down -25.76% YTD.
Volatility, as measured using a 20 day ATR; along with standard deviation and multi-year look back, has moved up a skosh in a few of the sectors. You can see on the attached that Banks (KBE), Biotech (XBI), Semiconductor (SMH), Software (IGV) and Technology (XLK) have recently moved from a long time “Quiet” to “Normal”.
This week, take a minute to look at Figure 4 of the last attachment (SP-500 Market Type and Volatility Statistics) and specifically the Neutral/Normal box. Out of 13,981 days, Neutral/Normal accounted for 1,039 days (or 7.4%) and had an average daily price change of .092%. Okay ….. but remind me where we are today? We’re in the Strong Bull/Quiet box, 1,494 days (10.7%) with an average daily % change of .127% (see 2nd attachment).
Bottom line: The market is very strong, and I’m fully invested.