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TSP Risk Manager Report - October 20, 2010

by Don Moenning



The first step to Successful Investing is to identify the Market's "Big Picture" Environment in terms of risk versus reward. This is critical to success over the long term because different "environments" require different strategies. For example, in Bull Markets the objective is to maximize returns, while success in Bear Market Environments demands an emphasis on capital preservation. By reviewing the Environment every single week, we are assured that we will remain "in-tune" with conditions and not be surprised by environment changes.

At the center of our risk management work are our TopStock Exposure Models (see below). The models detail the current conditions for the Trend and Momentum of the Market and help guide us to the proper exposure to market risk.

Executive Summary For October 20, 2010

  • Current Environment:

    Stocks continue to push higher this week as earnings season kicks off. The rally appears to be overbought, and the small amount of data available over the past week has been of the negative variety. The Fed has all but officially announced that it plans to engage in another round of quantitative easing, which seems to be the backbone for the bulls at this point. However, caution is warranted moving forward, as the market media has already taken to the growing skepticism over the effectiveness and time span of QE2.

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Risk Management Models Summary

Our disciplined approach to managing risk is designed to keep our Portfolios "in-line" with the major trends of the market. We strive to keep portfolios mostly invested during Positive Environments and to Reduce Exposure to Market Risk during Bear Markets and severe corrections.

At TSP, we focus on our two proprietary Risk Management System Models. Both systems are robust market models incorporating the entire spectrum of market indicators. In short, our disciplined systems act as our primary guide to exposure to market risk. (For more details on each risk management system, see model summary below)

Current Readings - TSP Risk Management Systems

  • Graduated Risk Management System
    Recommended Exposure to Market Risk (Short-Term): 70.00%
  • Long-Term "Big Picture" Trend Management System
    Current Signal: Buy

Graduated Exposure System (Intermediate Term Time Frame)

The Graduated Exposure Risk Management System is our guide to determining the appropriate exposure to market risk.

The system is a "Model of Models" comprised of of 11 independent Models. Each model includes has proved successful in its own right and gives separate buy and sell signals, which effects a percentage of our exposure to the market. Our Trend models (Short-Term Trend, Intermediate Term Trend, and Trend & Breadth Confirm and Investor Sentiment models) control a total 40% of our exposure. The 3 Momentum Models control 10% each and our 4 Environment Models each controls 7.5% of the portfolio's exposure to market risk. The model's "Recommended Exposure to Market Risk" reading (at the bottom of the Model) acts as our longer-term guide to exposure to market risk.

TSP Risk Management Models
(Our Guide to Intermediate-Term Market Exposure)
 

Trend Signals (40%)

Signal
Portfolio
Exposure

Rating
S.T. Trend Outlook Model Sell 0.00% Moderately Negative
Int. Trend System Buy 10.00% Moderately Positive
Trend and Breadth System Buy 10.00% Moderately Positive
Investor Sentiment Hold 5.00% Neutral
 
Momentum Signals (30%)
Market Diffusion Index Buy 10.00% Positive
Short-Term Momentum Buy 10.00% Positive
Long Term Momentum Buy 10.00% Positive
 
Mkt Environment (30%)
Monetary Conditions Buy 7.50% Moderately Positive
Economic Model Sell 0.00% Moderately Negative
Inflation Model Buy 7.50% Moderately Positive
Valuation Model Buy 7.50% Moderately Positive
  
Recommended Exposure to Market Risk: 70.00%


Long-Term "Big Picture" Trend System

Designed for Long Term Investors who do not wish to make a lot of adjustments to their holdings (i.e. 1 to 2 adjustments per year), our "Big Picture" Trend System focuses on the overall Environment of the market. The goal is to identify the "Major Trend" of the market and keep portfolios on the "right side" of the market's current cycle. The Model includes hundreds of indicators (both long term and short term) in the areas of "the tape," monetary conditions, investor sentiment, economics, valuation, overbought/oversold conditions, and industry leadership.

When the Environment is rated as "positive" (about 32% of the time) our studies have shown that the S&P has advanced at a rate of +38.4% annually. However, when a negative environment exists (about 20% of the time) the S&P loses almost -21% per year. The Model recently switched to a Buy signal on November 12, 2008 in response to the model registering an extreme oversold condition.

"Big Picture" Trend System

Signal Analysis

Current Signal Buy
Date of Last Signal 11-12-2008
Buy Price (S&P 500 Index) 852.3
Gain/Loss +38.45%

Model Analysis

Model Score (out of 10) 7.4
Rating Moderately Positive
Projected Annual Return +10.10%

Model History (From June 1982)

% of Trades Profitable 87%
Model Gain Per Year +16.7%
S&P 500 Per Year +10.0%

Recommended Exposure to Market

100%
(For Long Term Accounts Seeking Minimal Trading)

What To Do With The Data?

Would like to know when our exposure levels change in our Top 5 Portfolio or the Top 10 Portfolio?

Would like to know EXACTLY when our TopStock Trading team makes a move in the TSP Active Trader, the TSP MacroTrade, or TSP Insider Portfolios?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, be sure to treat yourself to a FREE TRIAL of any of our services. Even Free Trial Members receive ALERTS! telling you exactly what we are going to do BEFORE we make actually make a move.

Free-trial members receive COMPLETE ACCESS to every trade we make. Just click on the FREE TRIAL button at the top of the page and then select one of our TopStock services. Give us a shot, I think you'll like our style.

The analysis and information in this report and on our website is for informational purposes only. No part of the material presented in this report or on our websites is intended as an investment recommendation or investment advice. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed nor any Portfolio constitutes a solicitation to purchase or sell securities or any investment program. The opinions and forecasts expressed are those of the editors of TopStockPortfolios and may not actually come to pass. The opinions and viewpoints regarding the future of the markets should not be construed as recommendations of any specific security nor specific investment advice. Stocks should always consult an investment professional before making any investment.

Any investment decisions must in all cases be made by the reader or by his or her investment adviser. Do NOT ever purchase any security without doing sufficient research. There is no guarantee that the investment objectives outlined will actually come to pass. All opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Neither the editor, employees, nor any of their affiliates shall have any liability for any loss sustained by anyone who has relied on the information provided.

The analysis provided is based on both technical

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