Wilmar: Mr. Market reacts to weaker earnings.

Wilmar's net profit for 1Q 2012 tumbled 34%, year on year. Mr. Market is showing his displeasure in the usual way.

Let us draw some Fibo lines. I am using the high of 15 February at $6.05 and the low of 9 April at $4.76. I am doing this in my office and cannot post the chart here. So, you would have to do it yourself if you want to see the chart.

It is interesting how price gapped down massively at the start of the trading session just now and hit the 138.2% Fibo line and bounced up. At this moment, we have a black hammer that fills the area between the 123.6% Fibo line ($4.46) and the 138.2% Fibo line ($4.26). Could we see price going to $4.11 which is where the 150% Fibo line approximates?

The very high volume up till now is ominous and if this continues throughout the day without price breaking resistance provided by the 123.6% Fibo line, it could herald further weakness to come. Momentum remains negative and the bearish crossover of the MACD with the signal line suggests that things could get worse. The OBV is in decline and it looks like distribution is ongoing.

Fundamentally, Wilmar's management has suggested that 1H 2012 is likely to be challenging. However, the longer term prospects for the company should remain positive as a growing middle class in emerging economies demand better nutrition. In fact, revenue improved 10% year on year which suggests that demand is robust. So, I will want to add to my long position when the dust settles.

Why not buy now? With price action wedged between 123.6% and 138.2% Fibo lines, anyone buying now would want to buy closer to the 138.2% line which is currently acting as support. Would it hold up or would we see the next golden ratio at 150% tested for support?

In any technical analysis book, we would find that a hammer either black or white is considered a bullish reversal signal. However, one stick patterns are not terribly reliable. Also, the trading session has only begun. How would things look at the end of the day?

I still like Wilmar's businesses and its large regional footprint. Its weakening share price presents a chance to accumulate which would allow me to benefit from the company's possibly stronger performance in future. I will keep an eye on things in the meantime.

See: 1Q 2012 Results Briefing.

Should have sold in May and gone away?

In The Straits Times and The Business Times today, there are at least three articles which mentioned "sell in May and go away" and whether it holds any water. Has anyone sold a large part or all of their investments in the last few trading sessions?

Well, today, global stock markets retreated as the Greeks and the French elected new leaders into government. They are sick of austerity measures and they spoke with their votes! European debt story is still very much the key sentiment driver for global stock markets, it would seem.

Asian markets and the euro slumped on Monday after voters in France and Greece voted out their ruling parties in a backlash against austerity measures aimed at battling the eurozone crisis. Read article here: CNA.

I am not an economist. I am not a political scientist. Some issues are definitely beyond me. So, what do I do?

Someone just told me that timing is everything and that now seems like the right time. Right time? For what? I replied that things are increasingly more volatile and I find it harder to time anything.

I am chanting the same mantra to myself and that is to stay invested for income while keeping a war chest ready. This is the only strategy I know which would work either way.

I know that the majority of my portfolio which is in S-REITs is actually doing better now than a few months ago. My more recent investments are not doing as well, notably China Minzhong, SoundGlobal and Wilmar. These investments were made as the counters' share prices retreated from recent highs. Do I press the panic button? I like their businesses and I believe they would probably be around for a long time to come. I like the investment themes of agriculture and water. So, I am staying vested. I would probably add to my long positions too if TA shows me clearer signals to do so.

Don't panic. Stay clear headed. Revisit reasons for being invested in the first place. Are the reasons still valid? Are the investments still fundamentally good? If you want to buy more, what does TA tell you? Think with our heads and not our hearts. Good luck.

Related posts:
1. Sleep well at night with a plan.
2. Why do I not panic?

STI declines 2.2% to 2,924.95 at closing
Monday, 07 May 2012

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