investor confidence
Is Your Portfolio Protected Against the Tensions in Asia?
By Sasha Cekerevac for Investment Contrarians | Mar 13, 2013
It’s clear that the global economy has been in a weak state for an extended period of time. However, investor confidence has rebounded over the past few months in anticipation that the global economy can regain past momentum.
Numerous problems remain across various sectors in the global economy, and they are preventing an increase in growth. Yet one risk that could severely impact investor confidence is the possibility of war in Asia.
Many people quickly dismiss the idea that yet another war could ignite. Investor confidence clearly doesn’t see this as a probability, considering how high the stock market is. However, as a prudent investor, one must evaluate every potentiality.
There are two areas of concern: North and South Korea, and China and Japan.
The situation between North and South Korea is quickly deteriorating. This past Monday, both nations staged war games, while increasing threats. South Korea has troops on high alert, while North Korea claims it has nullified the armistice.
North Korea is increasing its aggressive stance in the hopes that the world will back down and cave in to its demands. The nation has repeatedly warned that it will use nuclear weapons.
Tensions are also increasing between Japan and China, the catalyst being three tiny islands in the East China Sea.
Both nations claim territorial rights to the islands, with each nation increasing its aggressive stance. On January 10, two Japanese F-15s intercepted a Chinese plane flying in the vicinity of the islands, an action to which China retaliated by sending its own fighter jets.
Japan is now considering firing warning shots if any further Chinese aircraft encroach … Read More
Why Government Bailouts Actually Lower GDP Growth Potential
By Sasha Cekerevac for Investment Contrarians | Jan 17, 2013
What does it take to create and sustain long-term gross domestic product (GDP) growth in an economy?
One of the most important factors is a high level of investor confidence.
Investor confidence throughout the economy can help support the formation and expansion of businesses and the development of new technologies and ideas.
GDP growth, as we all know, does not originate from government-led initiatives, but from businesses creating new innovations and technologies.
One of the problems with government intervention is that GDP growth is actually stifled and reduced due to a misallocation of resources. This misallocation of resources occurs when weak firms are supported or bailed out due to poor management decisions.
The funds allocated to support weak or underperforming companies are then unable to flow into stronger corporations that can expand, innovate, and make the economy fundamentally stronger, lowering GDP growth potential and ultimately weakening investor confidence.
Over the last few years following the financial crisis, many have thought about ways to prevent such an outcome. One of the more original writers of our time is Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
Author of the famous books Black Swan and Antifragile (both of which I highly recommend), Taleb recently suggested several ideas, with which I completely agree, to reduce the possibility of another financial crisis, while helping restore investor confidence.
One of the most interesting ideas I’ve heard to restore investor confidence is to remove the incentive for firms to become too big to fail. Instead of forcing companies to be broken up, Taleb suggests that any firm deemed “too big to fail” should pay its staff no more than a corresponding … Read More
What Investor Confidence Is Telling Us About the S&P 500
By Sasha Cekerevac for Investment Contrarians | Jan 16, 2013
There are various measures to determine investor sentiment regarding the general market. The most obvious is to take a look at a broad index, such as the S&P 500, and see where it’s currently trading. Because price is truth, the market does not lie. If people are bullish or bearish, their actions in buying and selling shares within the S&P 500 will be translated into corresponding price moves.
However, it is interesting to look at corollary indications to determine how strong the underlying trend really is. Investor sentiment is extremely difficult to predict, as is anything in life. While the future is unknown, by understanding the strength of current investor sentiment, we can help form a picture about what the future holds for the S&P 500.
State Street has an Investor Confidence Index, developed by Kenneth Froot, a Harvard University professor, and Paul O’Connell of State Street Associates. According to State Street, “The State Street Investor Confidence Index measures investor confidence or risk appetite quantitatively by analyzing the actual buying and selling patterns of institutional investors.” (Source: State Street, last accessed January 14, 2013.)
Let’s take a look at this metric of investor sentiment in relation to the S&P 500.
For the month of December, the Investor Confidence Index moved upward, just slightly higher than November, which was the low of 2012. Professor Froot commented, “As has been true for some months now, global institutional investor confidence remains weak as institutions continue to shy away from equities.” (Source: “Investor Confidence Index rises slightly in December by 0.4 to reach 80.9,” State Street, December 26, 2012, last accessed January 14, 2013.)… Read More
How Confusion About the Chinese Economy Is Hurting Your Stocks
By Sasha Cekerevac for Investment Contrarians | Nov 14, 2012
With investor confidence still relatively weak, many are looking for any signs of a rebound in the global economy. One area many are looking to is the Chinese economy. Not only has the Chinese economy become a greater force within the world economically, but many U.S.-based companies are generating a significant amount of earnings from that nation. Investor confidence is partially being predicated on the hope that the Chinese economy can offer some glimmer of optimism, as opposed to the still anemic gross domestic product (GDP) growth levels in America.
Recent data from China offers a bit of a mixed picture. Exports in October rose at the fastest pace in five months, coming in 11.6% higher than the previous year. This compares to 9.9% year-over-year growth for September. That is certainly a good sign for the Chinese economy, and some investor confidence might be rallied off such figures. (Source: “China Exports Exceed Estimates in Sign of Global Pickup,” Bloomberg, November 10, 2012.) However, the sky is not all clear yet.
The head of the National Development and Reform Commission, Zhang Ping, stated that he believes the Chinese economy must be prepared for increased turmoil from various nations around the world. In addition, domestic issues still are quite serious. (Source: “China Exports Exceed Estimates in Sign of Global Pickup,” Bloomberg, November 10, 2012.)
This is a difficult way to build up investor confidence. On the one hand, there are some signs the Chinese economy and the global economy might be moving upward off the floor. However, there are still numerous indicators pointing to the fact that things could quickly unravel and … Read More
What’s Around the Corner Now the U.S. Election’s Over
By George Leong for Investment Contrarians | Nov 8, 2012
Investors bid up stocks prior to the presidential election on Tuesday, when President Barack Obama won his second term. Investor confidence was due to some uncertainty eliminated with the election, but the nervousness quickly resurfaced on Wednesday morning, impacting investor confidence; stocks plummeted on the realization that Obama still has many hurdles to overcome and the fact that the global economy, namely in Europe and China, may be prone to more weakness that will negatively impact investor confidence.
I’m sure President Obama is relieved that the election is over; but I can tell you, it’s only the beginning of some difficult times ahead that will challenge his patience and fortitude, while also impacting investor confidence.
While the uncertainty of the election is over, there is a lot of work ahead for Obama, as he now needs to immediately deal with the pending fiscal cliff. This will not be an easy feat, but it must be done to instill some investor confidence in the equities market.
The major problem is that President Obama must be careful, as he will need to cut and control the deficit and national debt of over $16.0 trillion, while at the same time not allowing the full extent of the $607.0 billion in broad budget cuts to take place on January 1; if he doesn’t balance the two, he will likely kill the economic recovery, 2013 and 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) growth, and investor confidence.
Moreover, any agreements or decisions made by President Obama will need to be agreed upon by the House. This will be problematic, given the continued political gridlock, as the Republicans … Read More
What’s Really Driving the Latest Economic Report?
By Sasha Cekerevac for Investment Contrarians | Sep 28, 2012
The latest data regarding the economic growth rate of America came from the Commerce Department’s durable goods report, and the headline numbers weren’t good. The total orders for durable goods in the month of August fell 13%, primarily due to a massive drop in civilian aircraft.
This report, however, was not a surprise. While it may be a hit to investor confidence, the truth is that economic growth has been slowing and we’ve been aware of this from the numerous comments made by a large numbers of CEOs in interviews. The main concern is the “fiscal cliff.” The more people talk about the fiscal cliff and the more inaction by Congress, the less likely it is that businesses will expand. Would you increase your capital expenditures not knowing what will happen in just a few months? I certainly wouldn’t. This uncertainty is what’s really holding back jobs growth.
The economic growth forecast for next year without a deal to avert the fiscal cliff is bleak for America. Under such a scenario, jobs growth will continue to lag, as businesses have to adjust their projections of what is attainable with declining economic growth downward. A lack of economic growth will trickle down and affect many businesses. The continued lack of progress by Congress is clearly hurting the economy, and it has been for the last couple of months. As long as there is no deal in sight, I believe that we will continue to see worse economic data and a continued lack of jobs growth.
The largest impact on the durable goods number in August came from The Boeing Company (NYSE/BA), … Read More
Investor Confidence Plummets as Companies Post Weakest Revenue Quarter Since 2009
By Sasha Cekerevac for Investment Contrarians | Jul 25, 2012
As we’re in the heart of corporate earnings season, the most striking thing to note is that many companies are posting weak revenue numbers. While they might be showing corporate earnings growth, this is coming on the back of cost cutting. While investor sentiment might be temporarily swayed by the appearance of strength through positive corporate earnings growth, one should look at the underlying situation to better extrapolate what is possible for future quarters.
Of the 119 S&P 500 companies that have reported corporate earnings, sales rose an average of 2.9% for the quarter. This is the weakest quarter since the third quarter of 2009. While 73.0% of reported companies have beaten corporate earnings estimates, only 42.0% have exceeded revenue guidance. Investor sentiment might pay attention to the corporate earnings, but I would suggest that at some point, this trend will end unless revenue also begins to increase. There are only so many ways to increase productivity before the options become exhausted.
This lack of revenue growth will feed into the economy with less spending on hiring and capital expenditures. Investor sentiment might be held off for a little while, but people would be foolish if they didn’t realize that, eventually, revenue needs to start growing again.
In addition to the global economic slowdown, part of the frustration is the lack of confidence in regards to the fiscal cliff. If companies knew that massive program cuts weren’t coming down the pipeline, they might be willing to start investing and spending again. This fear is also growing in investor sentiment, as we’re seeing firms that are sensitive to government contracts have … Read More
Why the Latest Short-selling Ban Is Futile
By Sasha Cekerevac for Investment Contrarians | Jul 24, 2012
This week, we have renewed fears that the financial crisis in Europe is worsening by the day, leading to a continued lack of investor confidence. Ten-year bond yields in Spain are surging to record interest rates of 7.6% on news that additional regions within the country are requiring bailout money. I’m not sure why this is a shock, as I’ve been talking about the fact that this financial crisis is only going to get worse before it gets better.
This latest surge in interest rates for debt obligations follows protests in Spain against the austerity measures, which are being enacted to avert a further financial crisis. Investor confidence is best viewed through what people and institutions are willing to pay. With investor confidence continuing to be weak, money is flowing out of questionable countries such as Spain.
The worry is that Spain is the fourth largest economy in the eurozone; this is not a small nation like Greece, but a significant contributor to Europe. Spain, Italy and their internal regions have such a large level of debt that the financial crisis could escalate to the point that it pushes the euro project over the cliff.
This year has led to an exodus of investor confidence, as more people are awakening to the fact that I’ve been talking about for months—there is no easy solution for the periphery nations of Europe, such as Spain.
To make matters worse and to further aggravate investor confidence, Spain enacted a short-selling ban. This is ridiculous and ultimately futile, as this stance basically tells the market that the government realizes investing in Spain is inherently … Read More
Financial Crisis Eroding U.S. Investor Confidence
By Sasha Cekerevac for Investment Contrarians | Jun 5, 2012
When do you know that the economic system is starting to crumble under the weight of a financial crisis? When people give up and leave the country. This has been happening with the rich in Greece and Spain for a few years and we’re now seeing this happen in the U.S. The U.S. has always had a reputation of having a high level of investor confidence and, as a country where people wanted to come and start businesses and make a new life for themselves and their families. The rapidly spreading financial crisis has completely changed this image and investor confidence in the U.S. economy is rapidly eroding.
The latest report of one of the cofounders of Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ/FB) Eduardo Saverin, renouncing his citizenship and permanently living in Singapore is yet another sign of the losing dominance of the U.S. economy. Yes, I do realize this is only one person; however, the trend is clear that many more Americans are renouncing their citizenship for good. Last year saw an increase of almost 140% in the number of Americans renouncing citizenship compared to 2009, according to the U.S. government.
So why would someone leave? Part of the reason Saverin left was tax-related, sure. However, there is more to this than meets the eye. He also mentions more business opportunities in Asia. This lack of investor confidence in the growth of the U.S. economy is a sign that the financial crisis continues to spread, as more people are worried about the future of our economy and are losing faith in the U.S. dollar. The financial crisis is hollowing out the core … Read More
