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Margin debt at record levels - Is another stock market crash imminent?

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    Margin debt at record levels - Is another stock market crash imminent?

    The record amount being borrowed by investors is a worrying sign for markets

    ‘Margin debt’ is the term used to describe money investors borrow from their stockbroker in order to buy shares. Naturally enough, when people feel bearish about markets, they tend not to borrow anything while, by the same token, the more bullish they feel the more they are inclined to borrow. As a result, margin debt levels are viewed by some as a way of gauging market sentiment.

    Keen students of behavioural finance may not be too surprised to learn that, over time, margin debt levels have tended to be at their highest just before markets crash while, just before markets take off, investors tend to have net cash in their trading accounts. According to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which publishes monthly data on the subject, net debt currently stands at record levels.

    Now, in theory, investors could borrow money from their brokers and just let it sit in cash and the NYSE would still report that as a build-up of margin debt. To take this possibility out of the equation, therefore, a better way of considering the issue is to look at investors’ ‘free credit balance’, which – put simply – shows how much money they have borrowed specifically to buy shares.

    This is what Advisor Perspectives has done in the chart below, where the red areas indicate a negative credit balance – and by extension bullish sentiment. ...
    The article is six weeks old, granted, but by now the situation could be even more extreme.
    Work in the public sector? Read the IR35 FAQ here

    #2
    OTOH

    2014-06-27 Why "Margin Debt" Is Meaningless In The New Shadow Banking Normal
    Work in the public sector? Read the IR35 FAQ here

    Comment


      #3
      Its different this time. Due to QE.

      Comment


        #4
        QE just helps make the eventual explosions all the flashier.

        Comment


          #5
          Don't care anymore. Just less for the government to steal in inheritance tax or care home fees.
          bloggoth

          If everything isn't black and white, I say, 'Why the hell not?'
          John Wayne (My guru, not to be confused with my beloved prophet Jeremy Clarkson)

          Comment


            #6
            "The record amount being borrowed by investors"

            That makes no sense. If you don't have money to invest you borrow it?

            Super doomed.
            "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by scooterscot View Post
              That makes no sense. If you don't have money to invest you borrow it?
              Precisely...

              Although in the good ole property speculation days, it was also known as a "100% mortgage". Buy a house with no deposit, don't bother letting it out - too much hassle, sell it a year later at a profit.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by centurian View Post
                Precisely...

                Although in the good ole property speculation days, it was also known as a "100% mortgage". Buy a house with no deposit, don't bother letting it out - too much hassle, sell it a year later at a profit.
                100% mortgage? Only for pussys. Those with balls went for 125%. Northern Rock? That ended well didn't it....

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by scooterscot View Post
                  "The record amount being borrowed by investors"

                  That makes no sense. If you don't have money to invest you borrow it?

                  Super doomed.
                  I think the problem is more that the investments to which the money is going are going to be exposed for shams once interest rates normalise, as were many "investments" during the more recent crash. It's funny how the current nascent boom, not even a few years after the previous one, is a rinse-repeat of it.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I'm surprised northern folk aren't richer.

                    BBC News - World record price paid for Belgian racing pigeon Bolt

                    All this funny money is going into non productive asset booms.

                    No investment, just speculation.

                    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24922106
                    http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/20...p-for-auction/
                    http://www.thompson-morgan.com/world...-snowdrop-bulb
                    http://www.theatlantic.com/internati...r-fish/282826/
                    Last edited by DimPrawn; 29 June 2014, 10:47.

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