Market legend Robert Prechter's safe stock stance

“Extreme optimism has consequences. The last time we saw extreme optimism was late 2021, and that's when the broad market topped out and the blue-chip index temporarily topped out,” he noted.

Right now, Prechter believes that the behaviour of mutual fund managers is indicative of a period of extreme optimism.

“Two percent cash in mutual funds,” he emphasized, referring to the proportion of mutual funds’ total assets that are held in cash. “Now that is extremely low. It used to be when you got to 4% it was a bearish signal, and now we’re at half that.”

According to Prechter, such a minimal cash reserve is perilous. It suggests that mutual fund managers “can’t imagine” a market downturn that would offer a more favourable buying opportunity, prompting them to stay fully invested.

Investors might want to pay attention to Prechter's insights. After all, the founder of forecasting firm Elliott Wave International is famous for predicting the 1987 stock market crash.

‘Thinnest market’ on the upside: Why long-term stock holds are not your best bet

While the major stock market indices paint a rosy picture, Prechter warns of the subtleties obscured by these headline numbers.

He points out that the market’s gains are heavily skewed, driven predominantly by a handful of prominent names.

“The NASDAQ 100 is at a new all-time high, but the NASDAQ Composite is not. So even within the tech sector — which everybody loves — the leadership is extremely narrow,” he explained.

Turning his attention to the Russell 2000 Index, a broader market index comprising 2,000 small-cap companies, Prechter noted, “It's still down 20% from its high in 2021.”

He described the current market as the “thinnest” he has witnessed on the upside. While acknowledging that it could climb higher in the short term, he firmly stated, “I'm frankly just not interested in being long stocks right now.”

For investors who want to hedge against these thin margins, it's best to consider how to keep trading costs low. Ideally, the online trading platform you use will offer low or no-cost trading — or discounts on higher trade volumes. For instance, Qtrade customers get free trades on hundreds of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), while fees for stock trades can be as low as $6.95, for elite account-holders. The best part is by opening an new account, you get up to $150 cashback. Open a Qtrade account, today.

Another good option is Questrade. Trading fees range from $4.95 to $9.95 (depending on the account). With a Questrade account you won't have to pay a trading fee when you buy an ETF, a good option for investors not quite comfortable with short-term stock holds. Open a Questrade account today and get $50 in free trades.

For investors not concerned about timing the market and who may want a bit more oversight on how to construct a portfolio, Wealthsimple is a good option. This online brokerage offers free trades on stocks and ETFs — plus you get the option of crypto-trading. Open an account today and get a $50 bonus.

A better online investing experience

Easy to use and powerful, Qtrade's online trading platform puts you in full control with tools and resources that help you make well-informed decisions.

Invest Now

Earning a return with ‘no risk’ while ‘doing nothing’: The power of high-interest savings accounts

Prechter's assessment of the current market climate is unequivocal — he advocates for safety.

He underscored this stance by pointing to the bond market, particularly the narrow yield spread between junk bonds and 90-day Treasury bills (T-bills), as a sign of unwarranted optimism.

“Junk bonds, yielding only 2% more than 90 day treasury bills, which is another indication of a ridiculous optimism. I'd say you're in a situation where safety should be paramount,” he advised.

So, where should investors look?

According to Prechter, “You can get [higher returns] for doing nothing and no risk. And there's so much risk in the stock market right now.”

Prechter may have been alluding to high-yield savings accounts or safe fixed-income investment products, such as bonds or guaranteed investment certificates. Right now, high-interest savings accounts (HISA) can offer as much as 5% in interest earnings (when you factor in promotional offers), and GIC rates slid past 5% in 2024. These products enable investors to stash their cash, earn interest and still keep their principal savings safe.

In addition to savings accounts, investors nowadays also have the opportunity to earn substantial returns through money market accounts. These are deposit accounts that offer interest rates influenced by the prevailing rates in the money markets. Investors can buy shares in money market accounts through an online brokerage.

Still, Prechter hasn’t entirely written off stocks — the market veteran is just waiting for the dip. “I think we're going to have a great buying opportunity whenever the market decides to give us one,” he suggested.