The Permabear Predicament: A Ballet of Bearish Beliefs

Being a permabear is akin to a unique form of folly that even countless harsh lessons fail to rectify. It seems permabears harbour a desire for financial ruin, as this is the only plausible explanation for such myopic thinking. A glance at any long-term financial chart will conclusively demonstrate that maintaining a permabear outlook is a losing strategy. No historical chart can validate the notion that a consistently bearish stance yields long-term profits.

Regardless of the trend line you choose, the above 100-year chart of the Dow Jones Industrial Average unequivocally shows that permabears are misguided in their investment approach.

The remedy is straightforward.

Concentrate on the basic elements that help identify the trend—elements like mass sentiment and extreme patterns (technical analysis) visible on the charts. News is not a critical factor; in fact, it holds less significance than toilet paper; at least the latter serves a practical purpose, which cannot be said about the news.

Anyone who promotes succumbing to fear should be metaphorically expelled from your life and mind; fear never yields profits; only those who peddle fear profit, while the purchasers lose everything.

Marc Faber: The Hazard of Being A Permabear

This individual has been forecasting the most significant market crash since the beginning of this bull market (2009), but the only thing that has crashed so far is his crash predictions. He might have a promising career as a science fiction author, given his penchant for devising scenarios with a minuscule chance of actualization.

During a heated debate, a frustrated nation challenged Faber’s consistent bearish forecasts since 2012. Nations pointed out that those who invested in stocks during that period realised substantial gains, casting doubt on Faber’s precision. Faber defended his predictions, citing a 2012 correction as proof. He remained steadfast, believing that his warnings would eventually be vindicated. Faber shrugged off the criticism, stating he is no stranger to detractors. The confrontation underscored the divergent views on market trends, leaving the question of who will be proven correct.

“I assure you that when all is said and done, people will appreciate me warning them not to invest all their money in stocks,” Faber added. “I’m accustomed to people like you who constantly criticise me.”

“You’re accusing me of being incorrect? I find it amusing,” Faber concluded. –CNBC

Here, he predicted a significant recession in 2018

As it turns out, the only recession was in his predictions—the only thing that has been in a bear market for now. Therefore, it could be profitable if you are a permabear in his ability to predict market direction.

Then, he goes on to state the party will end in 2018. Random Thoughts on Being a Permabear.

Firstly, we hope most of our subscribers begin to understand that giving in to fear is perilous. Life and investing should not be stressful; stress is something that every tactical investor should avoid. Moreover, remember, stress is a matter of perception; change the perception, and one can transition from being stressed to being calm.

Experts often argue that investing is difficult and that mastering this art takes a lifetime. Remember that investing is an art, not a science, and art is meant to be enjoyed. So are the masses starting to jump on the bandwagon after this strong turnaround? The obvious answer would be yes. The not-so-obvious answer would be no. Continue reading. At least in the first half of 2019, the not-so-obvious answer would be the correct choice. The masses are still anxious, and until they start to celebrate in the streets, every strong correction should be viewed from a bullish perspective.

The Current Bull: Unlike Any Other Bull Market

This bull market is unique; before 2009, one could have relied on extensive technical studies to more or less predict the top of a market with a margin of error of a few months; after 2009, the game plan changed, and 99% of these traders and experts failed to factor this into the equation. Technical analysis as a standalone tool would not work as well as before 2009 and, in many cases, would lead to an incorrect conclusion.

In short, there are still too many pessimists (experts, average Joes, and everyone in between), and until they start to embrace this market, most pullbacks, mild to wild, will be mistakenly identified as the big ones.

The results are self-evident; most of our holdings were in the red during the pullback, but now they are in the black, proving that one should buy when there’s panic in the streets. It’s a catchy and easy phrase to utter but very challenging to implement because the masses will choose to be pushed when faced with a push or shove situation.

Stock Market Update March 2023

In times of crisis, such as the current coronavirus pandemic, it can be prudent to nibble at stocks with a long-term perspective. Instead of investing all your funds at once, consider investing in smaller increments to average your entry price and protect against stock market dips.

At the Tactical Investor, we focus on longer-term plays that typically span several months. However, in times of crisis like these, we’re seeing a surge in the potential for huge profits, so our time frames have lengthened accordingly. While the short-term market may seem like a massacre, it’s also a hotbed for exceptional opportunities that can herald the next bull market.

Investing is easy when everything appears to be going well, but unfortunately, that’s when most assets are already overpriced. When times seem grim, that’s precisely when the best bargains can be found. So, consider examining the market more closely during these volatile times, and you may uncover some hidden treasures.

FAQ

Q: What is a permabear? A: A permabear refers to an investor who consistently maintains a bearish outlook on the market, predicting downturns and advocating for a defensive or negative investment strategy.

Q: Why is being a permabear criticised? A: Being a permabear is often criticised because historical data shows that the stock market tends to rise over the long term. Critics argue that Permabears misses out on potential gains by constantly expecting market declines and failing to take advantage of positive trends.

Q: What evidence is provided against being a permabear? The text suggests that examining long-term charts and trends reveals that being a permabear does not pay off. It emphasises that stock market charts demonstrate consistent upward movement, and taking a bearish stance is unlikely to yield positive results over time.

Q: What factors should be considered in determining investment trends? A: The text suggests focusing on mass sentiment, extreme patterns (through technical analysis), and long-term chart trends. It argues that news is less relevant and that fear-based decision-making is discouraged, as fear rarely leads to favourable outcomes.

Q: Who is Marc Faber, and what are his views on market predictions? Marc Faber is mentioned as someone who has consistently predicted significant market crashes, but these predictions have not materialised. The text implies that Faber’s accuracy has been questioned, with critics suggesting his scenarios have a low probability of occurring.

Q: How did Marc Faber defend his bearish predictions? In response to criticism, Faber defended his predictions by citing a 2012 correction as evidence of his accuracy. He expressed confidence that his warnings would eventually be appreciated and dismissed the criticism, stating that he is accustomed to facing detractors.

Q: What is the perspective on investing during times of crisis? A: During times of crisis, the text suggests that it can be wise to take a long-term perspective and consider investing in smaller increments to average the entry price. It highlights that volatile times often present exceptional profit opportunities and recommends exploring the market during such periods.

Q: What is the suggested approach to investing during market downturns? A: The text advises considering investments when the market appears bleak, as it is often when the best deals can be found. It encourages investors to look for hidden gems and emphasises that the short-term market turmoil may present opportunities for substantial gains in the long run.