2019 has been a mixed bag for Canadian investors, to say the least.
On one hand, the TSX recovered admirably from its beatdown in 2018, having rallied from roughly 14,000 last December to around 17,160 on Friday. Despite its stellar 2019, analysts see further growth on the horizon for Canada’s main exchange. According to a recent article by the Financial Post, institutions like the Bank of Nova Scotia and BMO Capital Markets are eyeing upwards of 18,000 for the TSX in 2020.
On the other hand, Canada’s junior exchanges — my focus — continue to languish amidst a prolonged selloff in the marijuana sector. After a meteoric rise (2017 – 2018), it crashed in 2019… like a meteor.
Canada’s preeminent junior exchange, the TSX Venture, meandered throughout much of 2019. The TSXV Index fell from its calendar year high of 641 in March to a 52-week low of 521.63 by November 19, 2019. It closed this past Friday at 548.84, approximately 1.5% below where it was on the last day of December 2018. Relatively flat on the year, the TSX Venture was spared much of the carnage its counterpart, the CSE, suffered in 2019.
The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) is the most heavily weighted marijuana exchange in the world. As a result, the CSE is now down approximately 60% from its 2019 high.
The Canadian Marijuana Index (CMI) was crushed in an eerily similar way, having fallen approximately 57% since January 2, 2019.
1-Year Chart of the Canadian Marijuana Index (2019)
The CMI has declined approximately 57% since January 2, 2019. Whereas 2018 was a volatile year for marijuana stocks, presenting opportunity for traders, 2019 was a bloodbath, with shorts almost exclusively being the winners.
But this isn’t all bad news for Canadian investors. As we’ve seen in many years past, a beaten market — particularly at this time of year — may be worth looking into for opportunity.
Let me explain…
With many junior exchange listed companies now trading at severe discounts compared to where they were a couple of quarters ago, history shows that a significant buying opportunity for the TSX Venture may be upon us.
December 22: The Best Time to Buy on the TSX Venture
Long-time readers will remember my extensive research on TSX Venture seasonality factors. According to this research, the best time to buy the TSX Venture has historically been December 22nd — give or take a few days.
Why?
For the past sixteen years, on average, the TSX Venture has increased approximately 12.73% within 60 days following December 22nd. In almost a third of those years, the highest level hit for the Venture during those 60 days came in January (2008, 2010, 2013, 2015 and 2018).
Keep in mind, however, that the timing of this phenomenon is variable. For example, this past year, the Venture rose from 530.20 on December 21, 2018 to 625.26 on February 4, 2019. Following December 22, 2016, the high within the 60 days occurred on the final day, February 22, 2017.
In summary, if you had bought the TSX Venture Index on December 22nd (give or take a day) over the past sixteen years, you would have had the opportunity to sell within the next 60 days for a handsome profit — 100% of the time.
Take a look at the chart below, which illustrates the potential gains within this coming 60-day period for the last sixteen years:
This chart is for illustrative purposes only and not indicative of any actual investment. These returns were the result of certain market factors and events which may not be repeated in the future. Past performance is no guarantee of future
results.
Wrapping Up
While many investors have already packed it in for the year, those looking to make the most out of 2019 — and Q1 2020 — would be wise to stick around for another day. After all, this is literally the most bullish time of year to be a TSX Venture trader.
I myself am scouring the Venture for oversold companies that have a stout management team, ambitious growth plans for 2020, and a healthy treasury. Junior gold companies are of particular interest right now, given the likelihood that gold M&A will continue well into the New Year… and I haven’t written off, for trading purposes, select marijuana stocks.
Here’s to 2020: a new decade to learn, grow, and discover more of the undervalued.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones,
Aaron
PINNACLEDIGEST.COM
