After reaching record highs last Thursday, June 11, global financial markets have corrected with some of the sharpest sell-offs since late March. Many of your Global Stock Investor positions are now as oversold as they have been since early May. But after a three-month bull run, such a correction is not only expected, but also welcome.

Why do I think this not the start of a sharp and sustained correction? Trading volumes have been relatively light. That indicates that investors aren’t dumping assets en masse. If history is any guide, the recent consolidation probably just marks the start of the traditional quiet period in the summer. With so much cash sitting on the sidelines, it is high likely that institutional investors will take advantage of the recent correction to enter the market at lower levels. That may not happen tomorrow. But it is likely to come before the end of the quarter “window-dressing” period ends in two weeks time.

The bottom line? Hold off on adding to your positions in your Global Stock Investor portfolio this week and keep an eye out for your stops — the iShares MSCI Taiwan Index (EWT), in particular.

The one exception to this advice is your position in the UltraShort Lehman 20+ Treasury ProShares ETF (TBT). Last week’s sharp drop in TBT offers you a second bite at the apple in your bet against Treasuries. The London Financial Times today reported that the U.K. government had to use a syndicate of banks to place government debt. That’s a strategy that is normal for low-grade corporate debt — but not for creditworthy governments. With borrowing requirements hitting $3.25 trillion in 2009, the United States can’t be too far behind. Use positive news of moderate inflation today to add to your position in TBT here.

Portfolio Update

The WisdomTree Dreyfus Chinese Yuan Fund (CYB) stayed flat this week. The People’s Bank of China set the central parity rate for the dollar-yuan pair at 6.8340. The yuan is allowed to strengthen or weaken 0.5% from the parity rate, so it won’t go too far either way. CYB remains a defensive BUY.

The iShares MSCI Taiwan Index (EWT) fell below the $10 level for the first time since late April. Wait for the market to settle before you enter this position at current levels. But with Taiwan probably now the most oversold among the major emerging markets, EWT remains a long-term BUY.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) broke through the $60 level on Thursday, before correcting sharply during the last three trading days. Sharp corrections are not unusual for commodities stocks highly geared to the price of copper. FCX is a BUY.

Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) corrected as the price of gold fell back to the $932 per ounce level. Short-term movements don’t change the long-term argument for this month’s Global Stock Investor pick. GDX remains a BUY.

ICICI Bank Ltd. (IBN) pulled back just below the $30 level this week, as India corrected along with the other major emerging markets. The Indian stock market is now at around 15,000, almost double from the bottom hit in November 2008. IBN remains a BUY.

Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile Inc. (SQM) dropped back this week. But the company has more than one arrow in its quiver. Not only is it a leading fertilizer company, but it also is the world leader in Lithium supply. SQM remains a BUY.

The UltraShort Lehman 20+ Treasury ProShares ETF (TBT) tumbled from a high of $58.77 last week as inflationary expectations over the next 10 years soared to 2.13%. That’s a 10-month high. Inflation is coming. This sell-off is a good time to add to your position. TBT remains a BUY.

P.S. The constantly changing market environment continues to present investors with some of the most challenging times in recent history. Not since the Industrial Revolution has the financial landscape seen such major shifts in how wealth is held today. The MoneyShow is the only forum where you’ll meet, hear from, and find out how to profit from leading experts. Join me at this year’s MoneyShow San Francisco, August 21-23, 2009, at the San Francisco Marriott, where I will address some of the most pressing issues facing us today and introduce you to the newest and most successful tools and strategies for managing your portfolios in these challenging times. I urge you to attend and I look forward to meeting you personally. Register FREE by calling 800/970-4355 (priority code 014319) or by going online at The Money Show San Francisco!

Nicholas Vardy

Nicholas Vardy has a unique background that has proven his knack for making money in different markets around the world. He was the Editor of The Global Guru, a free weekly e-newsletter, and also edited the trading services Momentum Trader Alert, which focused on making short-term profits in the hottest markets in the world, and The Alpha Algorithm, which was designed specifically to deliver big, fast triple-digit winners, month after month. He was also the editor of Smart Money Masters, a monthly service focused on longer term investments recommended by the brightest minds in the business. Mr. Vardy has been a regular commentator on CNN International and the Fox Business Network. He has also published articles in The New Republic, The World and I, and The Baker & McKenzie Legal Review. The Global Guru/Nicholas Vardy has been cited in The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Fox Business News, CBS MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance, and MSN Money Central. Mr. Vardy graduated from Stanford with a B.A. — with honors and distinction — in both Economics and History, and he also earned an M.A in Modern European Intellectual History. After winning a Fulbright Scholarship, he earned a J.D. degree at Harvard Law School where he was an editor of the Harvard International Law Journal. When not uncovering investment opportunities for his subscribers and investors, Mr. Vardy is a keep-fit enthusiast and an avid student of classical music.  

Recent Posts

Markets Embrace Hope of Second-Half Rate Cuts

Over the past two weeks, investors have been on the receiving end of several key…

6 hours ago

Could Inflation Become Permanent?

Do you know what inflation and the recent college protests have in common? They’re the…

15 hours ago

The Difference Between SPX and SPY – Options Trading

When looking to invest in the S&P 500, SPX and SPY options are similar assets…

4 days ago

Index Options – Explained and Simplified

An index option is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the…

4 days ago

The Most Hated Adage on Wall Street

“There’s more wisdom in your book than four years of college education!” -- Subscriber Back…

5 days ago

ETF Talk: Being Prepared for Anything with an Insurance ETF

There is a famous saying that has been floating around the internet regarding the “Five…

5 days ago