In preparation for July I’m going to start looking into 2x inverse ETF’s such as those from Rydex, Direxion and ProShares Ultra. Primarily Investor Sector ETF’s like SZK – 2x Inverse Consumer Goods and SKF – 2x Inverse Financials (nothing like betting against the banks). There’s a few reasons I’m going to gamble against the markets:
- On June 30, the Federal Reserve is expected to shut the door on the quantitative easing program QE2. It seems universally agreed this will lead to market volatility.
- There will be a sell off in stocks. Oil prices are starting to dig in now causing Bear Sterns to issue a recommendation to go light on commodities. If the stock and commodities markets fall together a good ETF is where to be.
- Bond yields will go through the roof when QE2 ends. That will mean very few bond buyers. Bond prices will fall and US Treasury yields will spike. A bond sell-off in the U.S. could result in sovereign debt fears of the type seen in Greece.
- Last but not least, the 10,000 pound elephant in the room: The Debt Ceiling. If for some reason we even get close to August 2 without an increase in the debt ceiling the end of QE2 will look like a tiny market adjustment. Markets will panic, sell-offs will ensue.
Just today the ProShares UltraPro ETF’s such as SRTY (Short Russell 2000) and Powershares Crude Oil Double (DTO) closed up 9.3 and 4.91% respectively. Due to recent successes in the market they are at or near their 52 week lows making them good deals right now. If the politicians live up to the credit I give them they will argue the debt ceiling until the last minute or not raise it at all. I want some of the Sept. and Oct. 2009 short fund action after Paulson’s famous “we won’t have an economy on Monday” speech. The end of QE2 combined with the debt ceiling could make this looming “catastrophe” even more profitable.