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The magnificent 7 and equity markets - Review 5 (end of the year)

 We are now 10 month up after the trough reached on 9th March 2009. Following extremely oversold conditions in March, the marked forged ahead with a vengeance the MSCI World Freeindex having surged 76% (less in the Western world and more in the developing world). Themagnificent 7 are telling us that there is no reason for the markets to pause beyond short termoverstretched valuations (I recommend the reader to go to the GTI web site(http://www.global-thematic.com/ - if you want to subscribe, mention Markets & Beyond) fortheir monthly newsletter, one of the best available).

S&P 500 Banks index: For 5 month the index has traded in a narrow 120-140 band. Theindex and the 200 days moving average are converging after the latter turned up in July and isnow positive. The index is still 70% below the nadir reached in February 2007. The 120 supportis holding very well. Positive.

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Global 1200 financial index: The world financial sector broke multiplied its value 2.5 timessince it trough in March this year, to trade between 930-1040 since July. As for the S&P Banksindex the 200 days moving average turned positive and is converging with the index.Positive. 

TED spread (LIBOR USD 3 mth - US 3 mth T-bills): The spread is back to normal - nostress showing at +/- 20 basis points (0.20%). The interbank market shows no stress.Positive.

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USD bank BBB 10 yr - US 10 yr yield: Whilst still high and above historical average, thespread has steadily decreased since July and is nearly 3% below the highest point reached inMarch standing at 4.5%. Positive. 

OEX volatility : OEX volatility has continued it downward trend and is now hovering around20% well below the stress times of Q4 2008 and Q1 2009, and at the level I wanted to seeduring my lats review in October. We need this indicator to stay at or below 20%. Positive.

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S&P Case Shiller house price index: The latest data (October) published 29th December(see my comment yesterday ) showed a picture at best flat, stopping a series of solid gains.There is a clear dichotomy appearing between existing homes where the market improves andnew homes that is still very weak:

Composite-10: October 2009: +0.01%, y/y: -6,4%Composite-20: October 2009: -0.05%, y/y: -7,3%

Signs are becoming more positive but still ambivalent. Slightly positive.

Oil price: The oil prices seems to be capped at +/- $80/b. Higher oil prices can be absorbed by economies it if the pace of increase is not sharp. For example, the doubing of prices sincethe low reached in March has not impaired the "recovery". If the economy gains impetus thingsmay however look different however: beware of a sudden and sharp rally.Positive for the time being.

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Conclusion: All these indicators are positive. I have been dead wrong to get out of equity markets in July but jeopardizing 20-25% gain between early April and late June for a possible15% additional profit did not appeal to me. I still believe that there are strong headwindsahead: unemployment not going down as fast as wished (and its psychological effect onconsumers), the private sector unable to take the relay from the public sector leading to asecond package in the US (and as a slump in the USD as collateral damage), additionaldelinquencies on residential, commercial and credit cards damaging the recovering (but still weak) bank's balance sheets, etc.

I am not (yet) in the camp of the commentators that see the current rally being a bear marketrally. Liquidity is still huge and on the sideline: this should continue to spur equity markets. I

however expect a 20-25% correction in equity markets by 2010 H1 but a real andfundamental improvement in company results.