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Technically Speaking, June 2020

As I write this, the Nasdaq has completely erased its pandemic drop and most everything else looks pretty good. Overbought, but better than any of the so-called economists had predicted.

There is one thing we technicians need to watch and that is trying to put the market’s action since February in a neat little box. I am not saying that this time is different – because it never is different – but that really only applies to the forces that govern free markets. What happened was entirely created by the governments around the world. Don’t get me wrong – with the information we had at the time, it seemed like the right move.

In other words, to avoid being political, it was not the free market that caused the market to fall. We did not see breadth divergences that tipped off the arrival of the bear. We did not see any “nifty fifty” behavior where the entire market’s gain was due to a handful of stocks (don’t debate me on this; I know the extended FANG bunch was responsible for large percentages). The yield curve was right again. And money was still flowing – liquidity is bullish.

What we had were businesses being forced to close and people getting laid off through no fault of the companies for which they worked. But that is all starting to reverse, as we knew it would.

So why, then, should we be able to look at a chart pattern and expect it to predict as similar patterns created by true market forces? No, I am not saying supply and demand don’t work – they do. What troubles me is looking at trendlines and support and resistance levels and hoping they will work in the same way as they would during “normal” volatility, free market times.

Use your tools. Just remember the environment we are all in, and give them a little slack.

This month, we are light on content from chapters and committees, thanks to the lockdown, although the Minnesota Chapter remained quite active. However, you will see that the Association is implementing virtual meetings, which means that any member can attend any chapter meeting. That is a good idea!

This month’s interview is with Theodore Krintas, co-chair of the Hellenic Chapter in Greece. We’ve got an article connecting seasonality with the pandemic, which is very interesting but a little off of our technical analysis mission. And we also have to say goodbye to another long-time member and CMT contributor, Dick Dickson, who passed away suddenly on June 1.

Don’t forget to check out the new educational content in the video archives with links at the bottom of this edition.

We hope you are all coping with the lockdown and the slow reopening. Be safe.

What's Inside...

President’s Letter

by Scott G. Richter, CMT, CFA, CHP

Technically Speaking Readers – Join the exclusive “Uptrend” Discussions Starting in July! In last month’s issue, I suggested that I wanted to give you more of an incentive to read Technically...

In Memoriam – Richard “Dick” Dickson

by Michael Kahn, CMT

Editor’s Note – Portions of the following were taken from a Technically Speaking interview he did for us in the April 2019 issue. Read the full text in the newsletter archive. Dick Dickson passed...

Bear Markets and Winter Flu Season: Chronobiology of Financial Market Distress

by Roy Barzilai

Editor’s Note – The subject matter here is outside of the Association’s purview; the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author. Be forewarned that it makes claims on market...

The Association Deals with the New Normal

by Barbara Terry

The CMT Association has been putting into place the infrastructure and policies to conduct our “new normal” Chapter Meetings. We will have virtual meetings until at least August,...

Member Interview

by Theodore N. Krintas, Ph.D

Please tell us what you do professionally. I head a boutique behavioral consulting partnership called Koubaras Ltd, in Cyprus and Greece. We offer management services, corporate finance and estate...

Minnesota Chapter Speaker Summary

by Mahesh Johari, CFA

The Twin Cities Chapter was pleased to host Doug Ramsey, CFA CMT, as our guest speaker for our May 19th meeting.  Doug is the Chief Investment Officer of the Leuthold Group.  For some context, the...

"Wall Street Bound” Founder Connects Students With Finance Opportunities

by Marianna Tessello

Troy Prince, CAIA, is a member of the CMT Association community and CEO of the nonprofit organization Wall Street Bound, recently featured on CNBC. Wall Street Bound seeks to connect underserved...

Membership News

by Marie Penza

Members on the Move The CMT Association would like to congratulate the following members on their new positions: Michael A. Gayed, Portfolio Manager at Toroso Asset Management Ehtesham Khan, CMT,...

New Educational Content This Month

In addition to a new informational discussion with Stan Dash, CMT Program Director, we’ve added the last few educational webcasts and a recording of the virtual India chapter meeting to our archive this month. See the most recent additions below.

President’s Letter

President’s Letter

Technically Speaking Readers – Join the exclusive “Uptrend” Discussions Starting in July! In last month’s issue, I suggested that I wanted to give you more of an incentive to read Technically Speaking and give the CMT Association some feedback.  Here is your opportunity to do just that and have some real fun doing it. Starting in July, I will be launching a new and exclusive event – “Uptrend.”  These short and engaging meetings will occur on the monthly basis and be an open forum to discuss markets, investing, trading, the industry, and careers.  If the subject matter is in the realm of technical analysis and markets then no questions or discussion will be off limits.  Sessions will be approximately 45 minutes long. I will be hosting guests from all over the industry and the world. In our discussions we will provide you with answers to your questions, insights to markets, and a view

To view this content you must be an active member of the CMT Association.
Not a member? Join the CMT Association and unlock access to hundreds of hours of written and video technical analysis content, including the Journal of Technical Analysis and the Video Archives. Learn more about Membership here.

Contributor(s)

Scott Richter, CFA, CMT, CHP

Scott G. Richter, CMT, CFA, CHP

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In Memoriam – Richard “Dick” Dickson

In Memoriam – Richard “Dick” Dickson

Editor’s Note – Portions of the following were taken from a Technically Speaking interview he did for us in the April 2019 issue. Read the full text in the newsletter archive. Dick Dickson passed away suddenly on June 1. After a career spanning nearly four decades as a technical analyst and strategist, he was only a few weeks into his partial retirement. However, even on his days off he was still the overriding presence at Lowry Research, often sending in his thoughts via email. When the other analysts were having disagreements on the interpretation of market conditions, it was not unusual to end with “What would Dick do?” After serving in the U.S. Air Force and a few years in graduate school, he started working as a broker in 1979 with Thomson McKinnon Securities in Richmond, Va. During his first year, he decided to begin working toward the CFA designation.  Using the

To view this content you must be an active member of the CMT Association.
Not a member? Join the CMT Association and unlock access to hundreds of hours of written and video technical analysis content, including the Journal of Technical Analysis and the Video Archives. Learn more about Membership here.

Contributor(s)

Michael Kahn, CMT - 2023

Michael Kahn, CMT

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Bear Markets and Winter Flu Season: Chronobiology of Financial Market Distress

Bear Markets and Winter Flu Season: Chronobiology of Financial Market Distress

Editor’s Note – The subject matter here is outside of the Association’s purview; the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author. Be forewarned that it makes claims on market performance that haven’t been empirically tested. However, I found it to be quite interesting and timely, making it fodder for further discussion. Introduction In this article, I wish to explain the interrelated nature of seasonal patterns of climate and weather, chronobiological cycles (how solar activity effects human behavior) with respect to economic activity, and financial market cycles, in view of recent winter trends of a pandemic, leading to a great recession and even depression in social and economic life. Chronobiology is the science that studies how our natural hormonal cycles are synchronized in response to changes in solar activity, such as the circadian rhythm of day-night, or even seasonal patterns of sunshine during summer versus cold winter conditions. In financial markets, bear

To view this content you must be an active member of the CMT Association.
Not a member? Join the CMT Association and unlock access to hundreds of hours of written and video technical analysis content, including the Journal of Technical Analysis and the Video Archives. Learn more about Membership here.

Contributor(s)

Roy Barzilai

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The Association Deals with the New Normal

The Association Deals with the New Normal

The CMT Association has been putting into place the infrastructure and policies to conduct our “new normal” Chapter Meetings. We will have virtual meetings until at least August, depending on the re-opening plans for the world.  Everyone’s safety is very important to us.  Working with our chapter chairs, we are monitoring government mandates regarding group meeting limits. New information regarding Chapter Meetings: We will be using the GoToWebinar platform to hold the meetings Meetings will begin in June The following future Chapter Meetings have been scheduled: June 16th – Minnesota Chapter Meeting w/ Rob Sluymer, CFA June 23rd – Richmond Chapter Meeting June 24th – No. Ohio Meeting w/ Katie Stockton, CMT July 14th – Hong Kong & Singapore Joint Chapter Meeting July 21st – Minnesota Chapter Meeting w/ Sam Stovall, CFP Process of Chapter Meetings on the administration side: Registration will be the same as with live face-to-face meetings Registration will close two hours before each event An email will be sent one hour in advance of meetings with call-in/link

To view this content you must be an active member of the CMT Association.
Not a member? Join the CMT Association and unlock access to hundreds of hours of written and video technical analysis content, including the Journal of Technical Analysis and the Video Archives. Learn more about Membership here.

Contributor(s)

Barbara Terry - 2023

Barbara Terry

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Member Interview

Member Interview

Please tell us what you do professionally. I head a boutique behavioral consulting partnership called Koubaras Ltd, in Cyprus and Greece. We offer management services, corporate finance and estate planning. How did you get there? During my time in high school, I was lucky enough to meet a professor at Athens University of Economics and Business, so I worked towards my first degree in business administration (1988). It was followed by an MBA with Marketing specialization (1990) and then I started serving my military service in the Greek Navy. Once again, my good angel was there and when I decided to work in parallel, a fellow MBA colleague introduced me to my first boss, Phaedon Tamvakakis at Alpha Trust Investment Services. Finally, completing my studies, I earned my PhD in Behavioral Economics from University of Thessaly in 2006. Who was an early mentor in your career? Phaedon Tamvakakis was and still is my mentor. His work

To view this content you must be an active member of the CMT Association.
Not a member? Join the CMT Association and unlock access to hundreds of hours of written and video technical analysis content, including the Journal of Technical Analysis and the Video Archives. Learn more about Membership here.

Contributor(s)

Theodore N. Krintas, Ph.D - 2023

Theodore N. Krintas, Ph.D

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Minnesota Chapter Speaker Summary

Minnesota Chapter Speaker Summary

The Twin Cities Chapter was pleased to host Doug Ramsey, CFA CMT, as our guest speaker for our May 19th meeting.  Doug is the Chief Investment Officer of the Leuthold Group.  For some context, the S&P 500 was near 2900 on May 19th. Doug highlighted the unique nature of this decline, which was caused by a “sudden stop” of economic activity due to pandemic shutdowns.  The sharp recovery reflects the view that business activity will recover as businesses continue to reopen throughout May and June.  Prior to the downturn, the yield curve, credit spreads, and other leading economic indicators had been warning of a cyclical decline. During the decline, equity valuations remained higher on March 23rd than the highest historical bear market lows.  Doug was troubled by the idea that a bear market bottom could be formed at such a high valuation level within the first month of a decline.  However, all

To view this content you must be an active member of the CMT Association.
Not a member? Join the CMT Association and unlock access to hundreds of hours of written and video technical analysis content, including the Journal of Technical Analysis and the Video Archives. Learn more about Membership here.

Contributor(s)

Mahesh Johari, CFA

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"Wall Street Bound” Founder Connects Students With Finance Opportunities

Troy Prince, CAIA, is a member of the CMT Association community and CEO of the nonprofit organization Wall Street Bound, recently featured on CNBC. Wall Street Bound seeks to connect underserved young adults in urban areas with the financial training and internship experience they need to land entry-level jobs in the industry. “We know that talent and IQ is equally distributed,” said Prince in a recent CNBC interview. “Opportunity is not.” “This demographic, they do have the innate hunger [and] behavioral and cognitive abilities to succeed [… ] It is only a matter of connecting them with the opportunities through education and access,” Prince added. Wall Street Bound works with recent graduates and college students to develop the technical skills required to succeed as data and equity analysts, discretionary & quant traders and investors. Josh Brown, CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, featured Troy Prince on his blog earlier this month to discuss some

To view this content you must be an active member of the CMT Association.
Not a member? Join the CMT Association and unlock access to hundreds of hours of written and video technical analysis content, including the Journal of Technical Analysis and the Video Archives. Learn more about Membership here.

Contributor(s)

Headshot of woman in black dress with brown hair and brown eyes

Marianna Tessello

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Membership News

Membership News

Members on the Move The CMT Association would like to congratulate the following members on their new positions: Michael A. Gayed, Portfolio Manager at Toroso Asset Management Ehtesham Khan, CMT, Founder RoboCaprahul Mudliar, Algo Strategy Quant at Tradetron While working from home due, please take a few minutes to update your information at the CMT Association website. CMT Standard registration is open for the December 2020 test administration until August 31, 2020. If you need assistance registering for a CMT exam, please email admin@cmtassociation.org; in the email include your first and last name, and the exam for which you are registering. Online remote proctoring for all levels of the CMT exams is now available, for more information about remote proctoring, please click on the following link:  https://cmtassociation.org/chartered-market-technician/cmt-exams-remote-proctoring/. Should you need assistance with scheduling/rescheduling your exam, please email your questions to admin@cmtassociation.org.  Please include your first and last name and the exam you want to schedule in the email. If you

To view this content you must be an active member of the CMT Association.
Not a member? Join the CMT Association and unlock access to hundreds of hours of written and video technical analysis content, including the Journal of Technical Analysis and the Video Archives. Learn more about Membership here.

Contributor(s)

Marie Penza - 2023

Marie Penza

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New Educational Content This Month

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