Q2 Earnings: Volatility Incoming

In January, I told you to rebalance to reduce equities. In March, I told you to rebalance to get longer equities. Today I’m telling you to make sure you rebalance again. Q2 Earnings Season is likely to cause a lot of volatility.

Why? Because analysts and the market really have no idea what earnings are going to be.

Here’s a chart showing the expected change in earnings over time from Factset Insight.

While you may look at the total lack of change since May as evidence we know EXACTLY what is going to happen, it’s really the opposite!

Most firms pulled guidance for the year. So analysts have nothing to go on. That will make earnings even more volatile than normal.

Given the market is close to all time highs, I think the “whisper” earnings expectations may be a little high for the rest of 2020 and 2021, which could led to a pullback. Especially in names with nosebleed valuations.

Are You Not Entertained?

A lot of talk about Robinhood users. The question is why has there been such an increase in the number of users the last few months? I’ve heard the suggestion (and personally thought) it was gambling related. However, it’s almost certainly just people looking to be entertained.

In this graph, I’ve plotted the change in Robinhood positions (weekly smoothed) and some of the major events in 2020.

Changes in RH user positions. Week over Week change in Orange.

If you follow the lines, you can pretty much see the story: People were bored and were looking for entertainment.

Just in case, you don’t believe me, here is the Google Trend for Banana Bread (You can use stay at home or puzzles or whatever COVID entertainment search term you want) and RH user changes.

Trading was just another form of entertainment. We’ll look at how much the game cost soon.