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.

Nutritional Supplements and a Healthy Diet Plan – The Ticket For Optimum Nutrition

Many people think that they can get all the nutrients they need by following a healthy diet plan or on the other hand they believe it doesn’t matter what they eat as long as they take their multi vitamin tablet each day. Well unfortunately in both these scenarios their overall nutritional status will come up short.As a result of over processing and over planting the food we eat today has considerably less nutritional value than food we ate in the 20′s and 30′s, the only way an individual can really achieve a high nutritional status from their diet would be to eat 100% organic, this includes meat, milk, veggies, fruits and grains, a pretty difficult and expensive commitment.Alternatively just relying on a multivitamin and mineral nutritional supplement tablet may also leave the body wanting for more nutrition. The over all bioavailability of a tablet is questionable as is the potency. So how does one achieve optimum nutrition and not go broke? A quality nutritional supplement powder.Following a healthy diet plan is a good start, try to include organic when possible and limit the amount of processed foods you consume, knowing that not only are they not adding much nutritional value they often can contribute to the nutritional drain. But one of the easiest and economical things you can do to ensure optimum nutrition is to include a complete multi vitamin and mineral nutritional supplements powder as a regular part of your daily routine.Unlike tablets or pills, the powder form is high potency and easy for your body to digest and absorb. Nutritional supplements can play a significant role in ensuring your best nutritional status, by combining with a healthy diet plan you can rest assured you are doing what you can to stay at the top of your game.

Pharmacy Degree Education Options

Degree training opportunities are available for those looking to gain an education in the field of pharmacy. An education in this specific field will allow students to pursue a number of careers. Those who desire to be technicians, assistants, and pharmacists can gain the skills needed to enter the workforce. Students looking to enroll in an accredited school or college can do so to obtain a variety of degrees in this field. Pharmacy degree education options are available at an associates, bachelors, masters, and doctorates degree level.Associates degree training programs provide students with the means to obtain the education they desire. An education in pharmacy at an associate’s level will take students around two years to complete. Students will have the opportunity to study a variety of subjects including:Math
Physics
Humanities
With an accredited education at an associates level students can enter into careers working with:
Hospitals
Department stores
PharmaciesEducational programs at this level will allow students to decide if this is the career for them. An associate’s degree will prepare student who wish to obtain a bachelors degree in the field.Graduate degree programs include both a master’s degree and a doctorates degree. Students can earn these degrees in pharmacy from a number of accredited schools and colleges. A masters or doctorates degree typically takes students an additional two to four years of study to obtain. With either of these programs students will have the opportunity to learn:Pharmaceutical sciences
Communication
CalculusStudents who choose to earn a masters or doctorates degree in the field can look forward to working for:Pharmaceutical manufacturers
Government agencies
Health insurance companies
Colleges and universitiesGraduate degree training programs are available to assist students in preparing for the career of their dreams. With an education at a masters or doctorates level students will receive the pharmacy training needed for a lifelong career.With a bachelors degree program from an accredited school or college students can gain the knowledge needed for the career they desire. Degree programs at this level allow students to receive their training and degree in just four years. Students can learn biology, chemistry, business management, and more. Students can also complete health care training, recordkeeping, and terminology. The skills students can obtain at a bachelors level of study will help them to gain employment as pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, and pharmacy assistants. With a degree at this level students can train for various careers in the field. A bachelors degree can help put students into the working world or enter into a graduate degree program.Students looking to enter a career in the field of pharmacy will need to obtain a license in order to practice. Students will need to study for and pass the required examinations in order to receive their license. A variety of states also require that pharmacy assistant students pass a certification examination. With an accredited educational training program students can gain the knowledge and skills needed to enter into the career they desire in the field of pharmacy. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education ( http://www.acpe-accredit.org/ ) can approve quality pharmacy degree programs for full accreditation.DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by PETAP.org.