CLIENT TALKING POINTS

RUSSELL 2000

The Russell 2000 got crushed into week’s end, taking it's correction  to -6.9% from its year-to-date high (much worse than SPX -2.5% from its year-to-date high). Small cap and high beta Style Factors are -7.7% and -9.3%, respectively, in the last 3 months – not bullish growth signals.

JAPAN

Japan is up +0.4% overnight and up for the 4th consecutive day –signaling almost as overbought now as the Russell 2000 is oversold, but this continues to be or favorite Global Equity market at +7.4% in the last 3 months vs. the mess that is the aforementioned factors in the U.S.

UST 2YR

The UST 2YR Yield is up at 0.74% this morning and this has been the alleged “breakout” level all year long (failed here every time); if the Fed breaks it out, they could easily be the catalyst for a flattening and/or recession – that’s what Mr. Market told you post jobs report.

TOP LONG IDEAS

HOLX

HOLX

HCA had some potentially chilling commentary on their earnings call this week and introduced a new term, #ACATaper. The pace of growth in the U.S. Medical Economy has been on a tear as the newly insured rolled into physician offices and hospitals. We’ve been highlighting in recent weeks the transition from an #ACATailwind to #ACAHeadwind, or as someone on the HCA call named it, the #ACATaper.   

In an analysis of the demographics of the newly insured, Pap testing, HPV, and mammography were at the top of the list of products that would be positively impacted by the ACA.  As we reach the #ACATaper stage, will HOLX take a hit to their Diagnostic segment? It is possible, in our view, but so far a minor risk.  As we learned last week from a lab operator, Qiagen is likely to continue to cede their 14% HPV testing share to HOLX. So while the #ACATaper appears to be finally here, there are offsets. 

On a disappointing note, our 3D Tomo Tracker update for July came in at 24 facilities. Down sequentially from June, and down from a peak of 54 in May. Our forecast algorithm, which is based on these updates, remains unchanged. While 20 is low, it is probably a blip in the longer term adoption cycle.  

PENN

PENN

PENN has emerged as the first domestic gaming growth story in 10 years with a new casino in Massachusetts this year and one in San Diego next year. Meanwhile, regional gaming trends have stabilized, providing near term earnings visibility and upside. Upcoming catalysts include the monthly release of State gaming revenues for July, including Massachusetts, and positive earnings revisions.

TLT

TLT

Sometimes the macro rotation and allocation playbook is relatively straightforward. As growth slows and "reflation" deflates, you want to be buying A) Long-term Bonds and B) stocks that look like bonds. Bond proxies and defensive yield consistently outperform alongside the dual deceleration in demand and prices and Utilities and REITS remain the go-to sectors for growth slowing, defensive yield exposure.  

Asset Allocation

CASH 60% US EQUITIES 6%
INTL EQUITIES 6% COMMODITIES 0%
FIXED INCOME 22% INTL CURRENCIES 6%

THREE FOR THE ROAD

TWEET OF THE DAY

VIDEO | History: Why People Are Angry  https://app.hedgeye.com/insights/45717-video-history-why-people-are-angry

@KeithMcCullough

QUOTE OF THE DAY

The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.

John F. Kennedy

STAT OF THE DAY

SeaWorld experienced an 84% drop in profits in the second quarter compared to the year before (still reeling from “Blackfish,” the documentary that raised questions about its treatment of animals) attendance dropped by 100,000 people, about 1.5%.