From yesterday on @realmoney @WilfredFrost @andrewrsorkin @beckyquick
Jan 14, 2021 | 07:50 AM EST DOUG KASS
The Easy Money Has Been Made in Banks
* The setup into the current reporting period is poor

* With bank stocks elevated, in-line to slightly lower reports, relative to

consensus expectations, could modestly disappoint traders and investors - particularly if my market concerns pan out

* Consider hedging bank stocks or writing calls against positions now

There was near a universal view that bank stocks were unattractive in March-April last
year.

When the ($XLF) was about $21, and I was buying, it was over $31.50 in pre-market trading, one analyst on our site said it was patently foolish to expect a rally in the sector. As to leading the market it was next to unimaginable to that observer.

A well-known
commentator on CNBC said banks were uninvestable because of some vague theory and narrative that they have permanently lost their competitive advantage. (He is now long!)

Others have just wobbled back and forth without any conviction.

I spent months in my Diary, in the media
and in speeches, outlining the merits - both short and long term - of the banking industry and stocks. I am sure, as the stocks traded near their lows, many were fed up with my own theories on the banking industry's attraction.

The rest is history.

Of late, bank stocks have
led the markets with large absolute and relative gains.

* Net interest margins are benefiting from economic optimism. 2s/10s are widening, interest rates are rising and inflation breakevens are hitting multi year highs.

* As well, many now recognize that loan loss
provisioning may have been excessive and that reserve reversals may lie ahead.

* Meanwhile, the Feds have taken their feet off the banking industry's necks and are now permitting share buybacks.

While it has paid to be anticipatory in the group I am fearful that we are now
in a sell on the news situation for financials. Expectations, so low in 1Q2020, are so high in 1Q2021.

I make this statement because I believe the next six months or so represent a fundamental risk that global economic growth may not live up to expectations. Already Europe is
sinking (as I have discussed in my Diary) and domestic economic activity is failing to meet consensus expectations in the current quarter. Moreover, the challenges of gutted industries - like hospitality, travel, education, etc. - represent a near term and intermediate term
challenge.

I also make this statement because I believe the broad market is vulnerable for the many reasons mentioned recently in my Diary.

As to the reports coming up over the next week, given the continuing macro economic headwinds, I, importantly, expect most EPS reports
will be only in line to slightly below consensus expectations. While capital market activity should beat projections, aggregate revenues will be down sequentially, fourth quarter expenses will be higher and loan loss provisioning will be flat to slightly higher from the third
quarter.

With bank stocks elevated, in-line to slightly lower reports, relative to consensus expectations, could modestly disappoint traders and investors - particularly if my market concerns pan out.

When the stocks traded at their lows nine months ago I predicted that, in
a market dominated by programs and algos, traders, who abandoned the bank sector would embrace the stocks later in the year as "buyers live higher and sellers live lower". And that is exactly what has happened. Traders, strategists, technicians all love the group now.

I have
already taken profits in ($MS) , ($GS) and ($XLF) , but still have medium-sized long positions in ($C) , ($BAC) , ($JPM) and ($WFC) .

And I am now considering taking an XLF short hedge against my "forever" holdings in banks to insulate me from some turbulence over the next few
months. (Later in day I shorted XLF)

As an alternative, I am also considering writing calls in my four bank holdings to protect me from the downside, to take in some premium and to avoid large taxable gains.

Stay tuned... @jimcramer @tomkeene @riskreversal @ScottWapnerCNBC
@convertbond @EpsilonTheory @guyadami @joeterranova @threadreaderapp unroll

More from Finance

I'm lucky to attain financial freedom before 30.

I credit Fintwit for my learnings.

Here's 10 key concepts every investor must know:

1. $$ needed to retire
2. Researching a business
3. Reading annual reports
4. Reading earnings calls
5. Criteria of a multi bagger

(Read on...)

6. Holding a multi bagger
7. Economic moats
8. When to buy a stock
9. Earnings vs cashflow
10. Traits of quality companies

Here's my 10 favourite threads on these concepts:

1. How much $$ do you need to retire

Before you start, you must know the end game.

To meet your retirement goals...

How much $$ do you need in your portfolio?

10-K Diver does a good job explaining what's a safe withdrawl rate.

Hint: It's NOT


2. Research a business

Your investment returns are a lagging indicator.

Instead, your research skills are the leading predictor of your results.

Conclusion?

To be a good investor, you must be a great business researcher.

Start with


3. Reading annual reports

This is the bread and butter of a good business analyst.

You cannot just listen to opinions from others.

You must learn to deep dive a business and make your own judgments.

Start with the 10k.

Ming Zhao explains it

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Recently, the @CNIL issued a decision regarding the GDPR compliance of an unknown French adtech company named "Vectaury". It may seem like small fry, but the decision has potential wide-ranging impacts for Google, the IAB framework, and today's adtech. It's thread time! 👇

It's all in French, but if you're up for it you can read:
• Their blog post (lacks the most interesting details):
https://t.co/PHkDcOT1hy
• Their high-level legal decision: https://t.co/hwpiEvjodt
• The full notification: https://t.co/QQB7rfynha

I've read it so you needn't!

Vectaury was collecting geolocation data in order to create profiles (eg. people who often go to this or that type of shop) so as to power ad targeting. They operate through embedded SDKs and ad bidding, making them invisible to users.

The @CNIL notes that profiling based off of geolocation presents particular risks since it reveals people's movements and habits. As risky, the processing requires consent — this will be the heart of their assessment.

Interesting point: they justify the decision in part because of how many people COULD be targeted in this way (rather than how many have — though they note that too). Because it's on a phone, and many have phones, it is considered large-scale processing no matter what.