A noteworthy observation in the stock market this year is that popular technology stocks are outperforming broader indexes.
Could 2020 be the year of FAAMNGs — Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix and Google parent company Alphabet?
The answer is “yes” if current trends continue. However, the year is still young. There is many a slip ’twixt the cup and the lip, as they say.
To gain an edge, let’s look at segmented money flows. Segmented money flows are like an X-ray of stocks. Just like a doctor uses an X-ray to see what is going on below the surface, prudent investors can do the same with stocks.
A once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence has just happened in popular tech stocks. Let’s explore the issue with the help of a chart.
Chart
Please click here for a chart showing segmented money flows in 11 popular tech stocks. Due to the significant outperformance of these stocks, it makes sense to look at them in addition to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and broad ETFs such as S&P 500 ETF, Nasdaq 100 ETF and small-cap ETF.
Note the following:
• The single most important observation from the chart is that, of the 33 money-flow-related data points, not a single one is neutral or negative. This happens only once in a blue moon.
• As shown on the chart, short-squeeze flows are extremely positive in Tesla stock. Momo (momentum) crowd money flows are also extremely positive. Even the smart money has jumped on Tesla stock with mildly positive money flows.
• Nvidia, AMD and Netflix stocks are also undergoing short squeezes and short squeeze flows are extremely positive.
• Apple stock has doubled from its low. In spite of the rise, momo crowd money flows are extremely positive in Apple.
• Facebook stock has the top risk-adjusted ranking while Tesla has the top non-risk-adjusted ranking.
• Traditionally, momo crowd flows have been negative in Intel stock but now the momo crowd has jumped on board Intel too. In the past, the momo crowd has mostly been focused on AMD stock in the semiconductor sector.
• Google has the No. 2 risk-adjusted ranking.
• After stagnating late last year, Amazon stock is on the move again. As shown on the chart, smart money flows are mildly positive, momo crowd money flows are very positive and short-squeeze flows are positive.
• Chinese stocks are on the move too. For U.S. investors, it is easiest to focus on Alibaba stock. Smart money flows are positive in Alibaba stock.
• Microsoft has become the darling of Wall Street. Smart money flows are mildly positive, and momo crowd money flows are very positive.
Short-squeezes
The chart shows potential for a short squeeze in 11 popular tech stocks.
A short squeeze occurs when short sellers either panic or are compelled to buy to cover shares that were previously short sold. This leads to a lot of artificial buying that is not based on fundamentals.
A trigger for a short squeeze can be slightly good news.
Stock rankings
The chart also shows the relative rankings of the 11 popular tech stocks. These rankings are based on the six screens of the ZYX Change Method. (Please click here to learn about the six screens.)
Risk-adjusted rankings are more useful for medium- and long-term positions. Non-risk-adjusted rankings are more useful for short-term or trade-around positions.
Extremes in the market
We do know that when smart money flows, momo crowd money flows and short-squeeze money flows reach extremes, it is a contrary signal. In plain English, it means that when everybody becomes extremely bullish, it is a sell signal. So far the totality of the data does not show extreme. However, in the past this level of bullishness has led to shallow pullbacks.
