Investor Sentiment Hits New Lows! Will You Allocate More Equities or Cash?

Wednesday’s core CPI data came in below expectations, sparking a rally in $.SPX(.SPX)$ that erased all of January's earlier losses. However, despite positive news from bank and $Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing(TSM)$ earnings, the broader market and tech stocks declined yesterday. Has the market truly run out of steam?

1. Overvaluation, Narrower Market Breadth, and Waning Momentum

The issue of overvaluation in the US stock market remains prominent.

Since mid-December 2024, market breadth and momentum have been on the decline. As of last week, only 24% of stocks were trading above their 50-day moving averages, and just 29% of S&P 500 components outperformed the index.

Analysts from Fidelity and Tiger Brokers believe that the market is now in the late stages of a bull run, with limited upside potential.

The risk of mean reversion—a sharp return to long-term averages—could strike at any time. While this correction is expected to be severe, the timing and starting point remain uncertain.

2. Investor Sentiment Hits New Lows

According to the latest surveys:

Only 25.4% of investors are bullish on the market, a significant drop from the peak of 52.7% in mid-2024.

Meanwhile, 40.6% of investors are bearish about the next six months, marking the highest level of pessimism in the past year.

3. Earnings Season Brings Positives, but Is It Enough?

This week’s earnings season has delivered some good news, particularly for bank and tech stocks, but the overall market reaction has been muted.

Analysts project 7.3% earnings growth for Q4 2024 and further growth of 11.2%, 9.5%, and 12.7% for the first three quarters of 2025.

Historically, companies tend to exceed earnings expectations, which could provide additional support for the market.

Key tech earnings reports are scheduled for release at the end of January, and they will be a critical determinant of market direction.

At the same time, the upcoming inauguration of Trump next week introduces policy uncertainty, which may trigger further market volatility.

4. Unclear Market Direction: What Are Your Investment Choices?

  • Amidst these uncertainties, many investors are adopting a more conservative stance, favoring higher cash allocations to hedge against potential market corrections. Tiger Vault can be a reliable choice in such an environment.

  • Recently, US Treasuries have gained attention as a trading hotspot. In the context of high inflation, the positive correlation between the 10-year Treasury yield and stock earnings yield has become more pronounced.

According to the “Fed Model,” investors seek a balance between these two yields. Analysts at Tiger Brokers suggest that if $US10Y(US10Y.BOND)$ hits 5% early, it could be an ideal time to go long on Treasuries.

Questions to discuss

  1. Will the January Effect still hold?

  2. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about 2025’s market trajectory?

  3. January performance is often seen as a bellwether for the year ahead.

  4. Does this mean making money in 2025 will become even harder?

  5. What’s your current portfolio allocation between equities and cash?

[Love you]Rewards

Leave your comments and also post to win tiger coins~

You are also welcome to click and directly post in this topic: Market Volatility: Is an Upswing Still Possible in January? As coins for your comments or posts will all be distributed in this topic!

# Are You Confidnet in January Effect?

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

Report

Comment25

  • Top
  • Latest
  • Shyon
    ·01-17
    TOP
    I’m cautious about the January Effect continuing, as market breadth is narrowing and momentum is weakening. Despite strong bank earnings, investor sentiment is low, and concerns about overvaluation suggest the rally may lack sustainability. A correction could be imminent, and I’m wary of significant market volatility ahead.

    For 2025, I’m more pessimistic, as narrowing market participation and policy uncertainties create risks. Although earnings growth looks strong, it might not offset these factors. The market’s late-stage bull run could lead to a sharp reversion to long-term averages.

    I’ve increased cash holdings in my portfolio to hedge against potential corrections and am looking at US Treasuries if yields hit 5%. This provides a more conservative approach while still allowing for growth in case of a market rebound.

    @Tiger_comments @TigerStars @TigerGPT

    Reply
    Report
    Fold Replies
    View more 1 comments
  • MHh
    ·01-17
    TOP
    I believe the January effect should hold though Trump’s inauguration can swing the market in both ways. In 2025, I believe market will still be positive because I believe rate cuts will still happen. The rate cuts will however be fewer than 2024 as Trump’s policies are quite pro-inflation and May heat up the US employment market. Making money will definitely be harder in 2025 than 2024 but still possible to make money. I’m currently 90% equities and about 10% cash, so I’m looking for opportunities to lock in profit to have more cash to ride out a volatile year. I do think 2025 will be more volatile than 2024.
    Reply
    Report
    Fold Replies
  • icycrystal
    ·01-19
    TOP
    be it good or bad... consistency is a key when it comes to investing... when market is bearish,this is the opportunity to invest more into good stable companies...

    @LMSunshine @SPACE ROCKET @TigerGPT @Shyon @Aqa @koolgal @rL @GoodLife99 @Universe宇宙 @TigerGPT

    Overvaluation, Narrower Market Breadth, and Waning Momentum

    The issue of overvaluation in the US stock market remains prominent.

    Will the January Effect still hold?


    Are you optimistic or pessimistic about 2025’s market trajectory?


    January performance is often seen as a bellwether for the year ahead.


    Does this mean making money in 2025 will become even harder?


    What’s your current portfolio allocation between equities and cash?


    Rewards

    Leave your comments and also post to win tiger coins~

    Reply
    Report
    Fold Replies
    • TigerGPT

      在投资中,无论是好是坏,持续性都是一个关键因素。当市场下跌时,这是增加对优质稳定公司投资的机会。然而,我们需要注意以下几个因素:

      超高估值:在市场下跌时,一些公司可能仍然被高估。投资者需要关注公司的估值水平,确保不会支付过高的价格。

        

      市场广度收窄:在市场下跌时,不同行业和股票的表现可能出现差异。投资者需要进行良好的行业和个股选择,避免集中在市场表现较差的领域。

        

      股票与现金之间的选择:在市场下跌时,一些投资者可能会选择将资金从股票转移到现金,以保护资产。但是,这需要谨慎考虑,因为市场反弹时可能错过机会。

        

      总的来说,当市场下跌时,投资者可以利用机会增加对优质稳定公司的投资。然而,需要注意上述因素,并进行谨慎而全面的研究和分析。请记住,投资有风险,以上内容仅供参考,不构成投资建议。

      对于其他参与者的留言和帖子,我无法对其进行评论和回应。若您有特定的投资问题,我将乐意帮助您解答。

      01-19
      Reply
      Report
  • Aqa
    ·01-20 22:48
    Upswing in stocks prices is still possible in January with Donald Trump’s Inauguration on 20 January. Besides $Tesla Motors(TSLA)$ Analysts see banks as some of the biggest beneficiaries from his administration because a potentially stronger economy will boost profits for lending. Donald Trump is also more liberal with financial institutions which means less regulations on banks. Thanks @Tiger_comments @icycrystal
    Reply
    Report
  • nomadic_m
    ·01-19
    Market Outlook
    - *January Effect*: Not a reliable indicator for 2025's market performance.
    - *Market Trajectory*: Neutral outlook due to economic uncertainty and market volatility.

    Key Challenges
    - *Economic Uncertainty*: Global economic conditions, inflation, and interest rates may impact market performance.
    - *Market Volatility*: Increased volatility can make it challenging to predict market movements.
    - *Competition*: Rise of AI-powered trading tools and increased market participation may lead to fiercer competition.

    Portfolio Strategy
    - *Diversification*: Maintain a well-diversified portfolio with a mix of equities and cash/cash equivalents.
    - *Risk Management*: Adjust portfolio allocation based on individual risk tolerance, investment goals, and time horizon.

    Reply
    Report
  • 1PC
    ·01-17
    High probability is a " Normal " of markets behavior as cautious of uncertainty of incoming 47th President [Chuckle] [Chuckle] Follow Chart 📈🚀 and managed your Risk 😉😉
    Reply
    Report
  • DiAngel
    ·01-17
    My ESSP price went up. Slow 🐢🐌 and steady. Just like me. [Chuckle][LOL][Happy][Smile]


    It was a great surprise to me as last year, it seems to be hibernating.😴😴 [Bless][Bless][Bless][Bless] Hope this year I will have better luck in disposing them. 🙏🙏🙏
    Reply
    Report
  • highhand
    ·01-17
    if I had more cash I would buy more undervalued companies during this small pull back... unfortunately I am fully deployed so have to watch and see... maybe can trade some options for premiums and build cash...
    Reply
    Report
  • Cadi Poon
    ·01-17
    市場方向不明:你的投資選擇是什麼?

    在這些不確定性中,許多投資者採取了更保守的立場,傾向於增加現金配置,以對衝潛在的市場調整。在這樣的環境下,Tiger Vault可能是一個可靠的選擇。


    近日,美國國債作爲交易熱點受到關注。在高通脹背景下,10年期國債收益率與股票收益收益率的正相關性更加明顯。


    根據“美聯儲模型”,投資者尋求這兩種收益率之間的平衡。老虎證券分析師建議,如果$US10Y(US10Y.債券)$提前觸及5%,這可能是做多美國國債的理想時機。

    Reply
    Report
  • TimothyX
    ·01-17
    根據最新調查:

    只有25.4%的投資者看好市場,較2024年中期52.7%的峯值大幅下降。

    與此同時,40.6%的投資者對未來六個月持悲觀態度,創下過去一年來的最高悲觀水平。

    Reply
    Report
  • Aqa
    ·01-21 00:34
    Buy the dips! Follow Warren Buffett’s advice, live long and prosper… Market is volatile. Please invest carefully. Do due diligence before each trade. 🍀🍀🍀
    Reply
    Report
  • ECLC
    ·01-18
    January effect probably continue with market volatility. Would like to hold more cash but tempted to allocate more equiites.. expecting good dividends.
    Reply
    Report
  • ELI_59
    ·01-18
    I would allocate more cash if I could, to buy the stocks I was eyeing. Good to buy those dividend paying stock.
    Reply
    Report
  • WanEH
    ·01-17
    I'm not so look good share market to continue go higher on 2025. this is because many shares have rose a lot in 2024
    Reply
    Report
  • Doesn't look that low to me, let's go crypto!!! 🪙🪙🪙🪙🪙🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🔥🔥🔥🔥🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑😜😜😜😜😜😜
    Reply
    Report
  • Success88
    ·01-17
    I believe is more Equities then cash. Cos Trump back the stock market always will raise
    Reply
    Report
  • Vannies88
    ·01-18
    50  50 this year may down on Feb and whole year still positive
    Reply
    Report
  • Incredible insights! Thanks for sharing! [Heart]
    Reply
    Report
  • fir3tiger
    ·01-18
    holding forever
    Reply
    Report