In this lesson you will learn how to trade the news.
Successful traders classify news into one of three categories: noise, signposts, and catalysts. I will talk about each category and give you a few recent real life examples.
Noise News
Learning to separate out noise from a genuine catalystA stock catalyst is an engine that will drive your stock either up or down. A catalyst could be news of a new contract, SEC filings, earnings and revenue beats, merger and acquisit... is so important. Noise news usually includes fear headlines, because fear sells news and draws in readers. Noise news stories get lots of attention but do not drive stock market action.
For example, when the Ukraine news first hit, I categorized it as a catalyst. I thought sanctions against Putin, or the New World Order’s “full spectrum dominance” agenda was going to cause the stock market to sell off so I bought TVIX. The market didn’t care about Ukraine and I failed to realize that early on and so I lost money. Ukraine, President Obama, and President Putin, were merely distractions in terms of the stock market. Such news stories were noise because they were meant to scare people into buying or tuning in because of the potential for a World War III or nuclear holocaust.
To avoid losing money due to mis-categorizing noise as a stock market catalyst, look at how the stock market responds to the news. If the market does not respond to a scary headline, that’s telling you something. Listen to the market. No response to the news means it’s probably just noise.
Signposts News
Signposts news stories are valuable because the suggest a catalyst is coming. Think of signposts as early warning signs of a trend change in the economy or stock you are trading. Signpost news stories are difficult to trade because it’s hard to know how investors and traders will respond to the new information.
An example of a signpost is how certain states are legalizing marijuana. The federal government’s response is not known yet nor is the SEC’s ruling on illegal marijuana stocks. This news is valuable and does not constitute noise because it is about an actual change in policy that may directly affect marijuana stocks.
Another recent example is the EPA initiative to reduce power-plant emissions. The court ruling isn’t final yet. This news is valuable and should not be classified as noise because it is about an actual change in policy that may directly affect coal producers and power-plants.
Another example was the threat of Ebola from Africa. The threat of Ebola spreading across the United States caused Ebola drug stocks to soar. This news is valuable and should not be classified as noise because it is about an actual threat that may come to America.
Another example was the fatal shooting of a black man by the name of Michael Brown, on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri by a local police officer who was white. Blacks in the area felt the shooting was racially motivated while the police officer’s account of events clearly described self-defense. While this seemed like it should be classified as noise at first, calls for justice prompted new legislation for police officers to wear body cameras. Body camera maker stocks soared on the news.
Catalyst News
Catalyst news refers to an event, data release, or policy change, that will have a material impact on a stock’s price. The difference between a signpost and a catalyst is that a signpost hints at or points to an upcoming event where as a catalyst is the actual event. Catalysts impact expectations.
An example of a catalyst is the ECB‘s decision to lower rates from 0.25% to 0.15% in an effort to spur economic growth. ECB President Draghi repeatedly hinted (signposts) that stimulus measures were coming. So the signpost was Draghi suggesting that stimulus policies were needed while the actual announcement of lower rates was the catalyst.
An example of a catalyst was Ebola actually infecting someone in the United States. Ebola drug stocks, and hazmat suit makers exploded higher on the news. So the signpost was Ebola spreading across Africa and the increased threat of it reaching the United States. The catalyst was Ebola actually infecting someone in the United States.
Another example of a catalyst was the Ferguson police department deciding on September 1, 2014 to mandate body cameras on their street police force. This prompted police departments across the United States to purchase body cameras for their street officers. Body camera maker stocks have exploded higher. So the signpost was the Ferguson shooting and the calls for officers to wear body cameras and the catalyst was police departments ordering body cameras for their officers.
Filtering the news you read as either noise, signposts, or catalysts will make you a better, more profitable stock trader.
