Showing posts with label Kitchin Cycle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kitchin Cycle. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

2025 Outlook on S&P 500, Cryptos, Currencies, Metals & Energy │ Namzes

In 2025, the S&P 500 is expected to head toward a multi-year major market top. The overall structure of the S&P 500 is forecasted to rise until mid-January, followed by a correction of more than 10% into late February or mid-to-late March, and then a melt-up into a major top in mid-July or late-August. This will be followed by an approximately 17% drop into late October that will trigger a bear market.


The S&P 500 is projected to rise until around January 17, reaching approximately 6,250, then experience a 10%+ correction by the end of Q1, targeting around 5,600. Key buy points are expected around February 26 and in the second half of March, with the ideal date being March 28, which will set up the final leg up. A minor buy point is likely around June 27. 
 

The major top is anticipated around July 17, with the possibility of a lower high or a double top/divergent high by August 22, with a minimum target of 6,500 and an upside target of approximately 7,000. After this, the market is expected to drop into a low around October 27, aligning with seasonal and nested cycle lows, followed by a bounce that ultimately fails. The S&P 500 is expected to end the year in the red, setting up for a challenging 2026, with a year-end target of 5,650.
 
In 2025 we face a conflict between the Decennial Cycle (years ending in "5"), which is typically the best year, and other cycles that suggest the market will peak in 2025. I will provide commentary on each cycle, starting with the 3.5-Year Kitchin Cycle (41-Month Cycle)
 
1.) The current Kitchin Cycle began in October 2022 (when we accurately called the bear market low), and 2025 will be year 3, which usually marks the peak. After that, the market is expected to decline into late 2026, which aligns with the ideal low of the next 3.5-year cycle. 
 
 2025 will be year 3 of the 3.5-year Kitchin cycle.

2.) Looking at the 4-Year Presidential Cycle, 2025 (the first year) is expected to follow a pattern of a spring dip, a summer rally, and a fall crash. I believe this is the key setup for next year, followed by the second year (2026), which is typically the weakest in the 4-Year Cycle. 
 
3.) The longer 18.6-Year Cycle is entering its peaking window in 2025, or possibly 2026. We are entering year 17 of the cycle, so we should begin watching for signs of a top, such as a marquee event like the SpaceX IPO. Market tops are a process, but we should start looking for indicators like weakening economic data, deteriorating market breadth, and earnings rolling over.
 
 The 18.6-Year Cycle is peaking in 2025, or possibly 2026.
 
4.) The Decennial Cycle shows that years ending in "5" are typically the most bullish in the 10-Year Cycle and rarely have negative returns. However, I believe we may have pulled some of the gains from 2025 into 2024 (since year 4 usually experiences sideways consolidation, setting up a blow-off top in 2025). Given the strength of the Decennial Cycle, we must be mindful that the fall of 2025 could be stronger than I currently anticipate. The average seasonality for year 5 is shown in the second chart.
 
 Years ending in "5" are typically the most bullish in the 10-Year Cycle.
 
 A close-up of the typical Year 5 seasonality.

5.)
I analyzed the years within the 4-year cycle pattern and identified the 11 most similar years, based on a high correlation score and comparable structure. From this analysis, I created a composite historical projection, shown in green. I’ve also included the composite 4-year cycle for reference, and you can see that the best-matching years closely follow the typical 4-year path.
 
The green composite line represents a historical projection based on 
the 11 most similar years within the 4-year cycle pattern.

6.) The 5-Year Liquidity Cycle, proxied by the M2 year-over-year (YoY) change, is expected to peak in the second half of 2025 and then decline until late 2028 or early 2029. The Reverse Repurchase Agreement (RRP) is nearly drained, and while the Treasury General Account (TGA) could provide a temporary boost if it’s spent down, the Fed will soon halt Quantitative Tightening (QT). However, other central banks can't ease much due to the strong U.S. dollar. Maintaining historically overvalued equities will require a significant liquidity injection.
 
 Maintaining historically overvalued equities will require a significant liquidity injection.

The ideal bottom of the 5.3-year inflation cycle falls around the end of 2025. It largely depends on oil, which should begin its multi-quarter run sometime in 2025:
 
 The bottom of the ideal 5.3-year inflation cycle falls around the end of 2025.

7.) On the macro front, GDP growth is expected to peak in mid to late 2025, with rising unemployment signaling a recession in early 2026 or late 2025. The 5-year liquidity cycle is expected to peak around mid-2025 and roll over, which will create challenges for overpriced equities and crypto. The Fed’s actions regarding liquidity will be crucial, particularly if it continues supporting asset prices without real economic justification. 
 
 GDP peaking phase around mid to late 2025.

Bitcoin will experience a deep retest into a March 2025 low, followed by one more run at the 2024 highs in early summer, after which crypto will enter a multi-year bear market. In my opinion, there is a high probability that the next 4-year cycle (2026+) will be left-translated, with Saylor and MicroStrategy (MSTR) being liquidated and the Tether-fraud (USDT) likely exposed. Meanwhile, almost all altcoins will lose 99-100%. It is currently unclear whether Bitcoin will act more as a NASDAQ proxy or a monetary hedge in the years ahead. Many altcoins may have already peaked for the cycle, but some, like Ethereum (ETH), still have more upside.
 
The Dollar is likely to remain in an uptrend into 2025-26. There is a potential pullback early in the year, helping risk assets push higher, followed by a rally into spring (and a subsequent sell-off in risk assets). Then, a big correction in the USD is expected into the July-August low, which should coincide with the stock market top.
 
In the Euro, an 18-month cycle low is due and will likely occur around March 2025. The subsequent 18-month cycle is likely to be left-translated, with a drop into the 2026 four-year cycle low, targeting below parity with the dollar.

The Yen is expected to begin a multi-year uptrend, leading to trillions in capital flowing back to Japan in the years ahead.
 
 » ¥ strength leading to repatriation or repatriation leading to strong ¥? «
 
Bonds remain in a secular bear market, so any rally in bonds will be cyclical (driven by a growth scare or recession), followed by a significant rally in rates. A potential counter-rally in bonds is expected in Q1 2025, but it is likely to fail. The technical target for TNX is 5.5%.

Given that 2022 was the 8-year cycle low in Gold, we now have a bullish intermediate and long-term bias. There is a potential low in the spring around the 2,400 support, followed by a push higher towards 2,800–3,000+ into 2026. Central banks won’t stop buying as the war cycle and geopolitical tensions intensify, while governments debase currencies.
 
Silver is expected to reach 38.00 within the next 6 quarters.

All energy should be in an uptrend over the next 6-8 quarters, with Natural Gas likely leading (reaching a new all-time high in 2026).  
 
 
The next best entry opportunity in Natural Gas is likely to occur
at the end of January to early February 2025, with a confluence of
the 100-day cycle low and the seasonal low. The above is composite
cycle chart from December 3, 2024 for reference.
 
The 3.5-YearCrude Oil cycle (left chart) is starting with long consolidation. 
Leading indicators (second chart) pointing to expansion move due in 2025-26. 
 
Crude Oil is expected to reach the 80 in the spring of 2025, then 100, and 150 by 2026. 
 
» Energy will outperform after big tech tops. «   

My Crude Oil leading indicators and cycles suggest a big move in the next 2 years, but the exact timing of the expansion is hard to pinpoint, potentially around the end of 2025 into 2026. [see also HERE]. Uranium is likely to return to 100+ in 2025, and Coal should also see gains.
 

Friday, December 13, 2024

US Stock Market at the Cliff — Don't Be a Lemming | Lars von Thienen

[...] The chart below depicts a composite model of all identified cycles in the P/E Shiller data from 1900-2024. Notably, the "cliff" phenomenon, where all cycles synchronize their peaks at a single point in time, has only occurred in 1929, 2000, and now appears to be happening again in 2024. 
 
 Composite Cycle Analysis Model for the P/E Ratio of the S&P500 from 1900-2024 | December 6, 2024.

[...] The 42-Month Cycle has the highest strength and is the dominant cycle in the dataset. This 42-Month Cycle is generally significant for financial markets, as it has been identified across numerous financial assets. Let's take a closer look at what makes this cycle so special in this case. Starting with the current situation, the 42-Month Cycle has topped at major market peaks, such as the internet bubble in 2000, the financial crisis in 2007, and 2021. Additionally, the bottoms of this cycle have been synchronized.
 
42-Month Cycle in the P/E S&P 500 Ratio | 1900-1950.

42-Month Cycle in the P/E S&P 500 Ratio | 1999–2024.

[...] A cycle that remains remarkably stable in length and phase over 120 years is quite uncommon. As shown in the upper chart, the 42-Month Cycle is also currently reaching its peak and transitioning into a downward phase, which is expected to continue into 2026.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

2025 in J.M. Funk’s '56-Year Cycle of Prosperity and Depression'

In J.M. Funk's chart of the "56-Year Cycle of Prosperity and Depression," the year 2025 belongs to the sequence of 1801-1857-1913-1969. This sequence is connected by a long clock hand or needle to the center of the chart, labeled "Panic. Dumping.
 
2025 in the 56-Year Cycle of Prosperity and Depression.
(J.M. Funk's original chart of 1932, redrawn by David Williams, 1982)
 
» A knowledge of the present and history is therefore a key to the future. Until Government Standards are based upon the recognition of exterior forces (which govern human conduct) history will repeat itself. THE CHART WILL PREDICT THE FUTURE because the human make-up includes, aspiration, greed, intemperance, fickleness, etc., which traits are governed by endurance; 
endurance is governed by exterior forces which fluctuate in rhythm and tempo 
as constantly as the Sun in its journey through the heavens. «  
James Morris Funk, 1932.
 
  • The Panic of 1801 marked the end of the first phase of the Napoleonic Wars and brought an abrupt halt to the prosperity the US had been experiencing from the carrying trade. Stock prices on the NYSE fell by about 25%.
  • The Panic of 1857 was caused by bank failures, railroad overextension, and falling commodity prices, leading to a financial collapse. The stock market lost about 30%, and numerous businesses and banks failed. The crisis resulted in a severe recession, which lasted until 1859.
  • The Panic of 1913-14 was triggered by the Balkan Wars (1912-13), which foreshadowed war among Europe's major powers. This resulted in a gradual liquidation of US securities by European investors, culminating in a 40% loss by August 1914, when the NYSE closed for four months.
 
 DJIA (daily closes) 1912-1915.
  • Throughout 1969, the S&P 500 continued to decline from its November 29, 1968 peak, falling by 37% to its low on May 25, 1970 (18 months)—marking the worst bear market since 1937-38.  
 
  DJIA (daily bars) 1965-1973.

 Through the 9-year subcycle, 2025 is also related to 2016, 2007, 1998, etc. 
 
There are two other long needles extending from the center of Funk's chart, pointing to the sequences 1817-1873-1929-1985 and 1837-1893-1949-2005: According to Funk, in each 56-year period three major panic periods occur at 20-20-16 year intervals.  
 
So, was there a panic or significant decline in 1985? No. The DJIA closed the year up by 28%. But then in fact, 2005 was the first "fifth year" of any decade in the history of the DJIA to close in the negative, with a shocking decline of 0.6%. Since the 1880s, the fifth year in each Decennial Cycle has been, on average, the most profitable year of the entire cycle, and this pattern may well repeat itself in 2025 as well. The best argument against a positive outlook for 2025 is the fact that the US stock markets have already surpassed the crest of the 42-month cycle, which is expected to bottom out in the first quarter of 2026.
 
 Dow Jones industrial Average 1985 and 2005 (weekly bars).

Then there is this needle from the outer white ring, pointing to 2024, with the label
"High Prices. Sell Save" (which corresponds to the major high of November 29, 1968 and, as expected, a major high in December 2024), and another needle from the inner white ring, pointing to around the cusp of 2026-2027 is labeled "Low Prices. Buy" (which corresponds to the January and May 1970 major lows in the S&P 500 – for more details, see the monthly chart below).
 
Since the 1760s, all major financial crises in the US and Western Europe have consistently clustered around Funk's 56-Year Cycle and its subcycles, which all appear to be closely connected to Moon-Sun tidal harmonics. David Williams concluded: "The results show conclusively that regardless of wars, rebellions, population changes, industrialization, technological, and monetary changes, American business has been dominated by a 56-year rhythm." 
 
The 56-Year Pattern of American Business Activity since 1761 vs. Planetary Cycles & Table with the
Accuracy of Major Planetary Aspects of the Jupiter-Uranus Cycle and the Jupiter Saturn Cycle at 
Business Cycle Turning Points 1929-1982 (Williams, 1982).
  
However, also note that the projections of the Four Year Presidential Cycle (see also HERE), the Decennial Cycle (see also HERE), and the Benner Cycle present distinctly different scenarios and outcomes for 2025 and the coming years. And, by the way, BlackRock just canceled the Business Cycle.
 
Reference:
J.M. Funk (1932) - The 56-Year Cycle in American Business Activity. Privately published. Ottawa. IL.
LCdr. David Williams (1947) - Rhythmic Cycles in American Business. 
LCdr. David Williams (1959) - Astro-Economics.
LCdr. David Williams (1982) - Financial Astrology
 S&P 500 Index (daily bars) vs 56 Year Cycle.
December 11, 1968 to December 11, 2024 = (365.2422 * 56) = 20,454 days apart.
Blue line = S&P 500 daily closes shifted forward 20,454 days = Funk Cycle.

  S&P 500 Index (monthly bars) 1966 - 1972.
» Throughout 1969, the NYSE continued to decline from its December 1968 peak 
[= December 2024], falling by 37% to its low in May 1970 [= May 2027]. «

See also: 
 

Friday, December 6, 2024

Due to 'Mega Forces': No More Bust, Only Boom | BlackRock Outlook 2025

In its 2025 Global Outlook, BlackRock states that the global economy has moved beyond the cycle of 'boom and bust,' driven by a fundamental shift fueled by the rise of "mega forces." BlackRock argues that the world economy is currently undergoing a transformation shaped by five new "mega forces:" (1.) the transition to net-zero carbon emissions, (2.) geopolitical fragmentation, (3.) demographic changes, (4.) the digitization of finance, and (5.) AI.

 Finally, a world forever rosy: No more bust, only boom.

BlackRock, which oversees $11.5 trillion in assets, believes that this "economic transformation" has broken the global economy free from "historical trends" that have seen markets cycle through boom and bust for centuries. "Mega forces are reshaping economies and their long-term trajectories—it's no longer about short-term fluctuations in activity leading to expansion or recession. [...] 2024 has reinforced our view that we are not in a business cycle: AI has been a major market driver, inflation fell without a growth slowdown, and typical recession signals failed." BlackRock anticipates that stocks will benefit from this ongoing global transformation, which will require massive investments from capital markets, potentially rivaling the investments seen during the Industrial Revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries.

If Schumpeter knew: Economy now free of cycles.
 
As a result, BlackRock suggests investors should rethink their strategies, focusing on long-term opportunities, such as capitalizing on the infrastructure needed for this emerging future. "We think investors should focus more on themes and less on broad asset classes as mega forces reshape whole economies. [...] Infrastructure is at the intersection of mega forces—like AI. The AI buildout is creating a huge and immediate need for data centers. Demand for new-build green infrastructure is skyrocketing as countries and tech companies race to reduce emissions."

In the short term, BlackRock expects US stocks to continue their rally in 2025, in line with trends showing US companies outpacing global competitors over the last decade. "We see the US still standing out versus other developed markets due to stronger growth and its ability to better capitalize on mega forces. We’re increasing our overweight position in US equities and expect the AI theme to broaden." A positive US economic growth outlook for 2025, combined with Donald Trump’s tax cuts and deregulatory initiatives, could further boost the prospects for US stocks.

Meanwhile, US-China tensions are expected to intensify competition for resources, such as "copper," as both nations vie for a competitive edge in AI. New import tariffs imposed by Trump could exacerbate the situation. BlackRock also points to aging global populations, which are likely to push up labor costs and keep inflation high, a trend that could be worsened by potential new limits on immigration introduced by Trump.

Monday, November 18, 2024

US Stock Market Nearing a Top Similar to 1929 │ Tom DeMark

The stock market has been charging along for months. Perhaps not for much longer. Tom DeMark, an award-winning technical analyst who has advised investors such as Paul Tudor Jones, Leon Cooperman, and Steven A. Cohen, believes a market top is imminent.

DeMark highlights that the Dow Jones Industrial Average, from its December 1914 low to its September 1929 high, rallied 624%. From the 2009 low to this week’s high, the Dow has gained 587%. He notes that the current price action mirrors the patterns from the earlier period.  
 
DeMark focuses on trend exhaustion, with the guiding principle that "markets top on good news and bottom on bad." He uses sequences of 9 and 13 daily, weekly, or monthly bars, which need not be consecutive but must exceed the performance from 4 sessions ago in the 9-model or 2 sessions ago in the 13-model. For more information on DeMark's Sequential 9-13 Setup, visit his website [HERE], and [HERE].

 DJIA (1913-1933, and 2008-current; monthly bars).
"On the daily charts of the Dow and S&P, two new all-time highs are needed to trigger a sell signal."
DeMark suggests the Dow’s optimistic upside potential is 47,045, and for the S&P 500, it is 6,118.
"This could lead to a 5% to 10% pullback or a full breakdown."
 
 DJIA (2019-2024; monthly bars).

He also compares the current rally to the one from 2020 to early 2022. The multi-month advance from late 2022 shows a potential upside projection identical to that earlier move.  
 
 DJIA (Q4 2024; daily bars).

For the S&P 500, DeMark reports that the monthly sequential model countdown is at 12 or 13, with an upside potential of 6,118. The S&P 500 closed Thursday, November 14, at 5,949, unable to maintain gains above the 6,000 mark. 
 
On the daily charts, both the Dow and S&P are at sequential countdown 11, meaning two new all-time highs are needed to trigger a sell signal. This could lead to a 5% to 10% pullback or a full breakdown. "The past two weeks' rally has been precarious. A sudden halt in buying—without selling pressure—could undermine the rally and shift the market into a sellers’ phase."
 
"While good news may last until Trump's inauguration, once buying interest fades, any subsequent rallies are likely to be short-lived." 

  Nvidia (February-November 2024; daily bars).
"A new closing high would mark the end of its rally."

DeMark is also cautious about Nvidia, the key microchip maker driving the AI revolution, which reports results next week. The stock is at countdown 12, and a new closing high would mark the end of its rally. DeMark projects Nvidia’s upside potential at $154.50 but warns the downside risk 
"could be significant."
 
 
 
 
Trends and turning points are more important than levels. 60-, 80-, or 120-Year Cycle?