Trend regime, momentum, risk — and what a rule-based system does about it. Computed daily by the IVEST research system. As of 2026-09-01.
1-year price (gold) vs 200-day moving average (dashed). Last close 149.86
These rules describe how systematic trend-following strategies typically operate — a framework, not a recommendation for any individual.
| Horizon | Return | Universe percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | +15.1% | 93 |
| 3M | +31.1% | 97 |
| 6M | +25.2% | 89 |
| 12M | +86.1% | 94 |
Cross-sectional percentile ranks MRK against ~200 liquid US names — a stock can be "up" and still lag the tape. Persistent top-quartile momentum across horizons is the profile trend systems allocate to.
Trend regime uses the 200-day moving average — the same gate the IVEST core applies before holding leveraged exposure. Residual momentum strips the market-beta component from returns before ranking — the single-factor edition of the signal the IVEST live book actually allocates on (the live version adds multi-factor residualization and earnings features under CPCV validation). Trend persistence measures how consistently the name held its regime over the last quarter. Composite score = 30·(trend) + 25·(raw momentum pct) + 25·(residual momentum pct) + 20·(1 − volatility pct): fully transparent. Every number regenerates daily from raw prices — no analyst opinion in the loop.
Yes — MRK trades +28.9% above its 200-day moving average, the classic systematic uptrend definition.
No page can answer that for you — but a trend system's checklist is public: regime ✅ above the 200-day line; momentum percentile 97/100; extension ⚠ stretched (+28.9% — pullback entries preferred); predefined exit at 116.24. If any of those words are unfamiliar, position sizing — not stock picking — is the first thing to learn (Kelly calculator).
116.24 as of 2026-09-01 (close 149.86, +28.9%). The 50-day sits at 132.16 — the 50/200 relationship is currently a golden cross.
Annualized volatility 51%, worst single day in the last year -4.1%, worst peak-to-trough -11%. Beta to SPY: 0.15. Size positions so that this drawdown profile is survivable — see the playbook above.