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SPDN: An Inexpensive Way To Profit When The S&P 500 Falls

Summary
SPDN is not the largest or oldest way to short the S&P 500, but it’s a solid choice.
This ETF uses a variety of financial instruments to target a return opposite that of the S&P 500 Index.
SPDN’s 0.49% Expense Ratio is nearly half that of the larger, longer-tenured -1x Inverse S&P 500 ETF.
Details aside, the potential continuation of the equity bear market makes single-inverse ETFs an investment segment investor should be familiar with.
We rate SPDN a Strong Buy because we believe the risks of a continued bear market greatly outweigh the possibility of a quick return to a bull market.
Put a gear stick into R position, (Reverse).
Birdlkportfolio

By Rob Isbitts

Summary
The S&P 500 is in a bear market, and we don’t see a quick-fix. Many investors assume the only way to navigate a potentially long-term bear market is to hide in cash, day-trade or “just hang in there” while the bear takes their retirement nest egg.

The Direxion Daily S&P 500® Bear 1X ETF (NYSEARCA:SPDN) is one of a class of single-inverse ETFs that allow investors to profit from down moves in the stock market.

SPDN is an unleveraged, liquid, low-cost way to either try to hedge an equity portfolio, profit from a decline in the S&P 500, or both. We rate it a Strong Buy, given our concern about the intermediate-term outlook for the global equity market.

Strategy
SPDN keeps it simple. If the S&P 500 goes up by X%, it should go down by X%. The opposite is also expected.

Proprietary ETF Grades
Offense/Defense: Defense

Segment: Inverse Equity

Sub-Segment: Inverse S&P 500

Correlation (vs. S&P 500): Very High (inverse)

Expected Volatility (vs. S&P 500): Similar (but opposite)

Holding Analysis
SPDN does not rely on shorting individual stocks in the S&P 500. Instead, the managers typically use a combination of futures, swaps and other derivative instruments to create a portfolio that consistently aims to deliver the opposite of what the S&P 500 does.

Strengths
SPDN is a fairly “no-frills” way to do what many investors probably wished they could do during the first 9 months of 2022 and in past bear markets: find something that goes up when the “market” goes down. After all, bonds are not the answer they used to be, commodities like gold have, shall we say, lost their luster. And moving to cash creates the issue of making two correct timing decisions, when to get in and when to get out. SPDN and its single-inverse ETF brethren offer a liquid tool to use in a variety of ways, depending on what a particular investor wants to achieve.

Weaknesses
The weakness of any inverse ETF is that it does the opposite of what the market does, when the market goes up. So, even in bear markets when the broader market trend is down, sharp bear market rallies (or any rallies for that matter) in the S&P 500 will cause SPDN to drop as much as the market goes up.

Opportunities
While inverse ETFs have a reputation in some circles as nothing more than day-trading vehicles, our own experience with them is, pardon the pun, exactly the opposite! We encourage investors to try to better-understand single inverse ETFs like SPDN. While traders tend to gravitate to leveraged inverse ETFs (which actually are day-trading tools), we believe that in an extended bear market, SPDN and its ilk could be a game-saver for many portfolios.

Threats
SPDN and most other single inverse ETFs are vulnerable to a sustained rise in the price of the index it aims to deliver the inverse of. But that threat of loss in a rising market means that when an investor considers SPDN, they should also have a game plan for how and when they will deploy this unique portfolio weapon.

Proprietary Technical Ratings
Short-Term Rating (next 3 months): Strong Buy

Long-Term Rating (next 12 months): Buy

Conclusions
ETF Quality Opinion
SPDN does what it aims to do, and has done so for over 6 years now. For a while, it was largely-ignored, given the existence of a similar ETF that has been around much longer. But the more tenured SPDN has become, the more attractive it looks as an alternative.

ETF Investment Opinion

SPDN is rated Strong Buy because the S&P 500 continues to look as vulnerable to further decline. And, while the market bottomed in mid-June, rallied, then waffled since that time, our proprietary macro market indicators all point to much greater risk of a major decline from this level than a fast return to bull market glory. Thus, SPDN is at best a way to exploit and attack the bear, and at worst a hedge on an otherwise equity-laden portfolio.

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!

He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.

But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.

Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!

Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.

We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.

Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.

Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!

But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.

Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.

Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.

And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.

All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.

He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.

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An Anti Aging Skin Care Review Guide – 5 Highly Proven Ingredients and 3 Toxic Substances to Avoid

It is easier for people to gauge the effectiveness of any anti aging skin care review by simply reading the recommendations that evaluate products.  Like me, many of these people (and perhaps you) have struggled with lines and wrinkles, especially on the face and want a simple, yet effective system to remove these flaws.Many products, however, require frequent reapplication to make our skin look better and unfortunately, they do nothing to improve the state of our skin.  The “improvement” simply lasts until the skin lotion or cream fades or washes away.In this anti aging skin care review, we will look ways to use products that actually benefit and improve your skin, while avoiding those with chemical additives that irritate skin and could make you sick.Anti Aging Skin Care Review Tip #1 – Toxic SubstancesFirst in this anti aging skin care review, let’s consider the chemical additives.  Anything you apply to skin is literally ingested by it, which means that it is absorbed through the layers of the skin and makes its way to the blood stream. Parabens are preservatives designed to make skin products last longer.  Unfortunately, they are also linked to many cancers and are artificial substances you would never find naturally in the body.  Instead, look for natural preservatives such as natural Vitamin E, which also has some great health benefits.Mineral Oils are also known as petrolatum, liquid paraffin, and paraffin wax on the label.  These oils clog up the skin’s pores and disrupt the body’s ability to get rid of toxins, and can lead to serious acne problems.  It also leads to a faster aging and irritation of skin if used for a prolonged period of time.Fragrances are also another chemical added to most skin products to make them more appealable to consumers.  The problem is, these added chemicals irritate skin and detract from the benefits that the product provides.  When you really think about it, there is no reason you absolutely have to smell good on every square inch of your body.  And if you need to smell good, use a perfume or cologne, preferably on clothing.Anti Aging Skin Care Review Tip #2 – 5 Great Ingredients to Look ForWhen it comes to an anti aging skin care system, natural ingredients are what is most important.  Use ingredients such as Nano-lipobelle H-EQ10, which deeply penetrates all layers of skin, helping to replace the Coenzyme Q10 (an energy provider for cells) in skin as we age.  It also mentioned in an anti aging skin care review to be highly effective at preventing UV damage.Jojoba Oil is a highly effective oil that is extremely similar to human sebum, which is the oil produced by the skin.  With Jojoba Oil, your skin gets the right amount of oil regardless whether you have dry or oily skin.  It helps to moisturize and soften skin, while also helping to significantly reduce wrinkles and stretch marks.Natural Vitamin E is in this anti aging skin care review because it’s a well known antioxidant that helps protect skin from damaging free radicals which come from sun exposure and aging. As mentioned before, it is a natural preservative and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.Active Manuka Honey is a great skin healer and makes the elastin fibers within cells stronger.  It actively supports cell regrowth and regeneration.  Additionally, Active Manuka Honey nourishes and rejuvenates skin, making it look softer and younger, and is very effective at penetrating through all of the skin’s layers.Another key ingredient to look for in an anti aging skin care system is Cynergy TK.  It is highly effective at stimulating the body to naturally produce collagen and elastin, two crucial proteins when it comes to caring for your skin.  Cynergy TK promotes firmness and elasticity in skin while also stimulating new cell growth.  It is known for significantly reducing fine lines and wrinkles and making skin smoother and younger looking.That sums up this anti aging skin care review.  Keep these ingredients in mind when looking for your next skin care product.  Knowing what ingredients to look for and what to stay away from are equally important when it comes to caring for your skin.  Take care of your skin and your body, and you will see great results over time.

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