S&P Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:KRE) is a key member of Mish’s Modern Family because KRE measures the health of not only the US financial system but the overall economic activity of rural America.
Regional banks have performed relatively well compared to larger, more prominent banking institutions over recent years.
This year though, Regional Banks (represented above by KRE) have declined steadily and underperformed Wall Street.
KRE tested pre-COVID price levels in July and is now retesting these lows. KRE is close to making a new 52-week low and is barely holding above the 200-week moving average, which it last crossed in March 2020.
This key area of support might present an opportunity for investors.
Regional banks are much cheaper now, and value is leading growth these days. Early in 2023, regional banks could potentially see a "mean reversion" trade.
The chart above displays the Regional Banking price spread over Wall Street Financiers since 2018.
KRE represents regional banks, and more prominent banking institutions are represented by the Financial Select Sector Fund (NYSE:XLF).
The price gap between these valuations is wide, and the ratio illustrates the dramatic underperformance of regional banking stocks relative to the broader financial sector.
As this ratio moves lower, KRE is underperforming, and XLF is gaining. We can't predict when KRE will regain price strength, but rising interest rates, loan growth, and potential M&A activity favor a possible mean reversion.
Regional banks represent a large part of the country's banking system by assets and play a crucial role in the US economy because they support capital lending in rural America, employment growth, and small company expansion.
The rise of big banks and their vast investments have allowed them to expand market share at an unimaginable scale. But just because these titans dominate the banking industry doesn't mean they will continue to do so.
Recession fears and high inflation have weighed on KRE, but rising interest rates have historically been good for regional banks.
They provide the loans that small businesses need to expand and create jobs. And they offer a place for individuals to park their savings, which helps fuel consumer spending.
Regional banks are reliable indicators of the economy's overall health. It is crucial to keep an eye on KRE price levels for a potential mean reversion trade in 2023.
KRE represents a crucial link between Main Street and Wall Street. As we enter an era of rising interest rates and higher inflation, it is essential to monitor the health of regional banks so that you can position your trading for success.
ETF Summary
SPDR® S&P 500 (NYSE:SPY): The 50-WMA looms above with resistance at 410; unless that level is cleared, SPY could fall to the 50-DMA support level at 380.
iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:IWM): 170 support and 176 resistance.
SPDR® Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (NYSE:DIA): 324 first level of support and 334 first level of resistance. The only index above its 50-WMA; Tuesday’s action may have spawned a key reversal top if DIA cannot reach 348 again.
Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ): Matched recent highs at 297 before selling off; 270 is support, and 278 is the first level of resistance.
Regional banks (KRE): 57 support was pivotal; now support is 53 and resistance 57-59.
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SMH): Support is 210 and 216 resistance.
iShares Transportation Average ETF (NYSE:IYT): Ran to its 50-WMA and sold off; 218 still had pivotal support, and then 213 had lower support; 223 is now resistance (was support).
iShares Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB): Best sector in a consolidation mode unless it breaks below 130. 130 is pivotal support, and 139 is resistance.
SPDR® S&P Retail ETF (NYSE:XRT): Never cleared over 67. We were watching 63 as major support. 60 is no pivotal support, 63 is now resistance, and 65 is the 2nd level of resistance.