Some times in history, investors feel so confident about the future of stocks, they actually use up all their available cash and then borrow money to invest in the stock market.  Now is one of those times!!!

The chart below was created by Doug Short, see his outstanding work here.

CLICK ON CHART TO ENLARGE

Positive net worth takes place when.….Investors have little money borrowed and plenty of cash in their brokerage accounts.  (2003 & 2009)

Negative net worth takes place when.…Investors have large amounts of money borrowed (on margin) and little cash in there brokerage accounts. (2000, 2007, 2011 & now)

The above chart reflects that only one other time in history has negative net worth been this low, which was the tech bubble back in 2000. The prior two times that negative net worth were this low was 2007 (50% S&P 500 decline) and 2011 (17% S&P 500 decline). 

The above chart of Credit Balance/Net Worth shouldn’t be used as a market timing tool, yet it history holds true, it has reflected times when investors should load up the truck in stocks (Positive net worth was high at the 2003 & 2009 lows) and it did reflect times when investors should have lowered stock exposure (Negative net worth was low in 2000 & 2007).

I believe the top will be in when…. high yield funds, shoe box indicator (only available to members) and advance/declines show weakness in combination with the above net worth figures!   Stay tuned to see if its different this time!

 

How The Recent Decline In Stocks Looks "Eerily" Like Major Bear Markets Of The Past