Exactly a year ago today the stock market was celebrating first-quarter earnings reports, reaching for new highs, after recovering from a stumble in February on concerns about situations outside the U.S., notably rising inflation in Asia and the debt crisis in Europe.

This week the stock market is celebrating first-quarter earnings reports, reaching for new highs, after recovering from a stumble in February on concerns about situations outside the U.S., notably inflation in Asia, the return of the debt crisis in Europe, and the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan.

Exactly a year ago U.S. economic reports, particularly from the housing industry, consumer confidence, and GDP growth, were starting to weaken as government stimulus efforts, including the home-buyer rebates and ‘cash for clunkers’ programs expired. And economists were beginning to lower their estimates of second quarter GDP growth.

Currently, for the last several months there have been a string of negative economic reports from the housing industry, consumer confidence, and slowing GDP growth. Economists are dramatically lowering their forecasts of first-quarter GDP growth. On Thursday it was reported that the Federal Reserve’s Philadelphia Index of manufacturing activity slumped significantly in April, from 43.4 in March to 18.5, a five-month low.

Exactly a year ago, as the Fed’s April, 2010 FOMC meeting approached, and in spite of the return of negative economic reports, the Fed was saying QE1 had worked and the economy was looking good. And it began preparing markets for unwinding of the stimulus efforts and its easy money policies.

Currently, the Fed is saying the same thing about the economy, in spite of the return of negative economic reports. In its announcement after its March FOMC meeting it said “The economic recovery is on firmer footing, and overall conditions in the labor market appear to be improving gradually.” And it’s widely expected that at its FOMC meeting next week the Fed will decide it’s time to begin preparing markets for the expiration of its QE2 program in June, and the exit from its easy money policies.

Exactly a year ago, oil had spiked up from $72 a barrel in February to almost $90 at the end of April (a high not seen again for 7 months), raising concerns that high oil prices would be a problem for the economy.

Currently, oil has spiked up from $84 a barrel in February to $112 a barrel, raising concerns that high oil prices could be a problem for the economy.

Exactly a year ago, gold was in a nice rally after a pullback low in February. Currently, gold has been in a nice rally after a pullback low in February.

A year ago, the respected Shiller ‘Cyclically Adjusted P/E Ratio’ (CAPE) indicated that the S&P 500 was 30% overvalued. It currently shows it to be 40% overvalued.

A year ago, the Investors Intelligence sentiment survey of investment newsletters had climbed into its historic danger zone of more than 50% bullish. Last week it reached 55.4% bullish, only 16.3% bearish, the largest spread since the bull market top in 2007, and higher than its level in late April last year.

A year ago today, the VIX Index (also known as the Fear Index), which measures the sentiment of options players, was at an extreme low 16.3, showing a total lack of fear or bearishness (high level of bullishness and complacency), a level usually seen at market tops.

The VIX today is at 14.7, an even more extreme low, showing even less fear.

A year ago today we were approaching the market’s ‘Sell in May and Go Away’ unfavorable season, and complaining about the low trading volume. The market rally this week, as we approach this year’s ‘Sell in May and Go Away’ unfavorable season, has been with low volume of fewer than 1 billion shares traded daily on the NYSE.

That’s not even a complete list of the similarities to a year ago today.

And it’s uncomfortable. Because exactly a year ago today, in the midst of the excitement over earnings reports, the market was just three trading days from topping out into the scary April-July correction of last year.

By the time the correction ended in July, GDP growth had slowed to just 1.7% in the second quarter, and the Fed panicked, reversed its plans to end the stimulus efforts, and began promising another round of quantitative easing (QE2).

There’s no guaranty the last two situations will also be similar. But the similarities up to this point are spooky and worthy of investors’ attention.

Sy Harding is president of Asset Management Research Corp, publishers of the financial website www.StreetSmartReport.com, and the free daily market blog, www.SyHardingblog.com.

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

Comments

peter
23 Apr 11, 00:51

similarities

thanks for that...i was wondering the same thing these past weeks and was wondering why this market hasn't cracked yet. But were still a few days early yet.

SC
23 Apr 11, 12:46

How not to work the markets

If there is one thing I avoid doing it is looking back at market action and using that as a basis for putting together what my thoughts are for the period ahead simply on a repeat action basis. Even when such an approach works out it is no better than a random coin toss that would be better ignored if you are to avoud creating a bad habit. Markets really are not that predictable indeed it's arguable that people who try to work the market like that do more to create the alternative outcome because invariably they end up wrong and cover trading to put their mistake right.

The reality as we speak is liquidity is still king in forming the trend we are in and that is it until it isn't.

For proof of that you only need to look at market action in the face of any bad news.

Only logged in users are allowed to post comments. Register/ Log in

The Market Oracle is a FREE Financial Markets Forecasting & Analysis web-site.
(c) 2005-2024 MarketOracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd) - Market Oracle Ltd asserts copyright on all articles authored by our editorial team and all comments posted. Any and all information provided within the web-site, is for general information purposes only and Market Oracle Ltd do not warrant the accuracy, timeliness or suitability of any information provided on this site. nor is or shall be deemed to constitute, financial or any other advice or recommendation by us. and are also not meant to be investment advice or solicitation or recommendation to establish market positions. We do not give investment advice and our comments are an expression of opinion only and should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as recommendations to enter into a market position either stock, option, futures contract, bonds, commodity or any other financial instrument at any time. We recommend that independent professional advice is obtained before you make any investment or trading decisions. By using this site you agree to this sites Terms of Use. From time to time we promote or endorse certain products / services that we believe are worthy of your time and attention. In return for that endorsement and only in the cases where you purchase directly though us may we be compensated by the producers of those products.