Trading Heuristics
- Utilize market indexes for macro level loss aversion and reversion to mean methodology
- US tech sector
- SQQQ – 3X short all mega cap tech stocks
- TQQQ – 3X long all mega cap tech stocks
- US small cap sector
- SRTY – 3X short Russell 2000
- URTY – 3X long Russell 2000
- Hedging against war
- OILU – 3X long oil
- Hedging against recession
- GLD
- US tech sector
- When SnP trades 10% range above 30SMA and 50SMA, open SRTY and SQQQ for 1/3 hedge of all open long positions engaged in loss aversion and reversion to mean methodology
- Close SRTY and SQQQ positions when SnP dips to 30SMA and 50SMA
- When SnP trades 10% below 30SMA and 50SMA, open URTY and TQQQ with entire 50% portfolio engaged inloss aversion and reversion to mean methodology
Chain of events and decision making
The decision making processes from June 2019 after the federal reserve signal likelihood of cutting interest rate leading up to the 2019 August downward mean reversion of the SnP.
19th June 2019, Federal Reserve signals for first time likely decrease of interest rates
Federal Chairman expresses concerns about potential cross winds caused by US trade policies and its impact on their dual mandate.
10th July 2019, news paper reports SnP reaches all time high
SnP on the cusp of crossing 3000 threshold for the first time to an all time high. Market is euphoric. Trade issue between US/China yet resolved but discussions are underway.
Short positions SQQQ and SRTY were utilized as hedges against downward macro environment reversion risk when the SnP extended beyond 3000 to reach an all time high
1st August 2019, US announcement of 10% tariffs on US300 billion imports from China starting September 2019
on 1st August, 24 hours after actual interest rates cut, Trump signaled 10% tariffs on USD300 billion Chinese import. SnP dropped.
Exited SQQQ and SRTY for 10% capital gain after reaching 30SMA and 50SMA range. Net combined loss to portfolio was 0.5%. Left remaining long positions open.
4th August 2019, Chinese response
On 4th Aug 2019, China’s exchange rate dropped for the first time below 7RMB/1USD.
5th Aug 2019 trading day
On 5th Aug 2019, China announced they will halt all imports of agricultural goods from US.
Portfolio continued declining an additional 2% on the trading day of 5th August 2019.
Closed all long positions with the exception of REITs
Decline overview
- SnP
- REITs
- Value shares
- Growth shares
6th Aug 2019 trading day
On the evening of 6th Aug 2019, China announced decision to control fluctuation of RMB exchange rates to USD
Bought into TQQQ and URTY at below 30SMA and 50SMA
7th Aug 2019 trading day
TQQQ and URTY automatically exited at the mid point between the two following highs and lows:
- highest point before Trump’s tariff announcement came into effect
- lowest point after China’s halt on US agricultural imports and RMB/USD breaking 7 came into effect
Related readings
- Loss aversion and reversion to mean methodology
- Aug 2019 US/China trade war skirmish
- Federal Reserve 19th June 2019 – announcement of interest rate decision
- Federal Reserve 10th July 2019 – testifies before congress
- Federal Reserve 1st August 2019 interest rate cuts
- Chronology of US/China trade war 2018 to 2019 May
- Portfolio allocation within a country, Gary Teh