After an incredible rally phase that initiated just one day before the US elections in November 2020, we’ve seen certain sectors rally extensively. Are the markets starting to warn us that this rally phase may be stalling? We noticed very early that some of the strongest sectors appear to be moderately weaker on the first day of trading this week. Is it because of Triple-Witching this week (Friday, March 19, 2021)? Or is it because the Treasury Yields continue to move slowly higher? What’s really happening right now and should traders/investors be cautious?
The following XLF Weekly chart shows how the Financial sector rallied above the upper YELLOW price channel, which was set from the 2018 and pre COVID-19 2020 highs. Early 2021 was very good for the financial sector overall, we saw a 40%+ rally in this over just 6 months on expectations that the US economy would transition into a growth phase as the new COVID vaccines are introduced.
We are also concerned about an early TWEEZERS TOP pattern that has set up early this week. If price continues to move lower as we progress through futures contract expiration week, FOMC, and other data this week, then we may see some strong resistance setting up near $35.25. Have the markets gotten ahead of themselves recently? Could we be setting up for a moderately deeper pullback in price soon?....Read More Here.
Trade ideas, analysis and low risk set ups for commodities, Bitcoin, gold, silver, coffee, the indexes, options and your retirement. We'll help you keep your emotions out of your trading.
Showing posts with label XLF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label XLF. Show all posts
Monday, March 15, 2021
Are The U.S. Markets Sending a Warning Sign?
Labels:
Chris Vermeulen,
investing,
money,
SP500,
SSO,
stocks,
The Technical Traders,
XLF
Monday, January 21, 2019
Why You Should Be Paying Attention to the Russell and Financial Sectors
For those that still believe the U.S. markets are weak and poised for a total collapse, we want to bring something to your attention. Throughout weeks of uncertainty about China trade deals, the US government shutdown, continued Brexit issues and who knows what else… oh yeah US Q4 Earnings data, guess what has been taking place in some US sectors?
That’s right, a rather solid price recovery.
Two of our favorite sectors to watch for signs of strength and weakness have been rocketing higher over the past few weeks after setting up a very deep price low near Christmas 2018. The Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and the Financial Sector ETF (XLF). While the ES, NQ, and others are still waffling around trying to find the momentum to break out to the upside, pay attention to the other sectors that could be leading the way.
This first Weekly IWM (Russell 2000) chart clearly shows the support zone that was set up in early 2018 after the February 2018 price collapse. Yes, the recent October 2018 price collapse drove price below that support level, but it appears this is a “wash out” low price reversal where traders panicked on the news and other events. The fact that this recovery has taken place may cause some to consider this a “dead cat bounce”, but we’re not seeing that in our research. This could/should be the start of something that pushes prices sideways/higher for a few months, at which time we will need to see to these sectors and the rest of the markets are performing to determine if the overall market is still I a bull market or about to drop into its first bear market leg down.
This next chart is a Weekly XLF (Financial Sector) ETF showing our Fibonacci price modeling system and a similar Support Zone. One thing that is rather interesting about these charts is that they are both moving substantially higher this week while recently breaking above our Fibonacci bullish trigger level (shown near the right side of the chart as a GREEN LINE). The XLF chart also shows that the current price is well above the BLUE and CYAN Fibonacci projected target levels. This indicates that price may be attempting to move back into the earlier Fibonacci price range (retracement range) to establish more rotation. This new price rotation will set up new Fibonacci modeling system trigger points and tell us where the next move is likely to target.
Yes, we do expect some downside rotation near current levels. We don’t expect this rotation to be very deep or concerning. Price must move in waves, up and down, to support future momentum higher or lower. Our Fibonacci modeling system is suggesting any current downside rotation will likely result in a new momentum move to the upside. Still, these sectors are on fire right now and we urge traders to be cautious of any longs because we are expecting some downside price rotation over the next week or two before the next rally.
Pay attention to these markets moves. 2019 is poised to be a very exciting and profitable year for skilled traders and wise investors. Visit The Technical Traders to get our daily and weekly analysis forecast complete with long term investing swing trading, and index day trade signals.
53 years experience in researching and trading makes analyzing the complex and ever changing financial markets a natural process. We have a simple and highly effective way to provide our customers with the most convenient, accurate, and timely market forecasts available today.
Our index, stock and ETF trading alerts are readily available through our exclusive membership service via email and SMS text. Our newsletter, Technical Trading Mastery book, and 3 Hour Trading Video Course are designed for both traders and investors. Also, some of our strategies have been fully automated for the ultimate trading experience.
Chris Vermeulen
That’s right, a rather solid price recovery.
Two of our favorite sectors to watch for signs of strength and weakness have been rocketing higher over the past few weeks after setting up a very deep price low near Christmas 2018. The Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and the Financial Sector ETF (XLF). While the ES, NQ, and others are still waffling around trying to find the momentum to break out to the upside, pay attention to the other sectors that could be leading the way.
Weekly IWM (Russell 2000) Chart
This first Weekly IWM (Russell 2000) chart clearly shows the support zone that was set up in early 2018 after the February 2018 price collapse. Yes, the recent October 2018 price collapse drove price below that support level, but it appears this is a “wash out” low price reversal where traders panicked on the news and other events. The fact that this recovery has taken place may cause some to consider this a “dead cat bounce”, but we’re not seeing that in our research. This could/should be the start of something that pushes prices sideways/higher for a few months, at which time we will need to see to these sectors and the rest of the markets are performing to determine if the overall market is still I a bull market or about to drop into its first bear market leg down.
Weekly XLF (Financial Sector) Chart
This next chart is a Weekly XLF (Financial Sector) ETF showing our Fibonacci price modeling system and a similar Support Zone. One thing that is rather interesting about these charts is that they are both moving substantially higher this week while recently breaking above our Fibonacci bullish trigger level (shown near the right side of the chart as a GREEN LINE). The XLF chart also shows that the current price is well above the BLUE and CYAN Fibonacci projected target levels. This indicates that price may be attempting to move back into the earlier Fibonacci price range (retracement range) to establish more rotation. This new price rotation will set up new Fibonacci modeling system trigger points and tell us where the next move is likely to target.
Yes, we do expect some downside rotation near current levels. We don’t expect this rotation to be very deep or concerning. Price must move in waves, up and down, to support future momentum higher or lower. Our Fibonacci modeling system is suggesting any current downside rotation will likely result in a new momentum move to the upside. Still, these sectors are on fire right now and we urge traders to be cautious of any longs because we are expecting some downside price rotation over the next week or two before the next rally.
Pay attention to these markets moves. 2019 is poised to be a very exciting and profitable year for skilled traders and wise investors. Visit The Technical Traders to get our daily and weekly analysis forecast complete with long term investing swing trading, and index day trade signals.
53 years experience in researching and trading makes analyzing the complex and ever changing financial markets a natural process. We have a simple and highly effective way to provide our customers with the most convenient, accurate, and timely market forecasts available today.
Our index, stock and ETF trading alerts are readily available through our exclusive membership service via email and SMS text. Our newsletter, Technical Trading Mastery book, and 3 Hour Trading Video Course are designed for both traders and investors. Also, some of our strategies have been fully automated for the ultimate trading experience.
Chris Vermeulen
Labels:
Chris Vermeulen,
financial,
IWM,
NASDAQ,
NQ,
Russell 2000,
stocks,
The Technical Traders,
XLF
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Mish's Mid Week Market Minute $SPY $IWM $DIA $QQQ
Michelle "Mish" Schneider gives a quick run down of this market like no one else can. Here's her Free Market Minute for Wednesday....
Flat has several meanings. 1. Smooth and even, without marked lumps or indentations. I wonder how many can say that about their equity after Tuesday’s session? 2. Lacking interest or emotion; dull and lifeless. That’s a yes! 3. In or to a horizontal position. Describes the market internals or McClellan Oscillator.
The S&P 500 is flat. Flat as a word has several more urban definitions; but I will leave that to your own curiosity to look up online. Speaking of, Google (GOOG), far from flat, did make new highs.
Volume equally flat with an exception to the small caps, Russell 2000s, which posted a rather small distribution day. Remember, when you’re flat on your back, everything looks up!
S&P 500 (SPY) Held the fast moving average, which by the way, is flat.
Russell 2000 (IWM) Broke the fast moving average with 111 an important support level
Dow (DIA) Closed just shy of the fast moving average but also on support. Also have to mention that IWM SPY and DIA did not make new highs recently while QQQs did
Nasdaq (QQQ) Marginally worked off overbought conditions
XLF (Financials) Volcker rule announcement had an impact. Sitting on support
SMH (Semiconductors) Holding the runaway gap
XRT (Retail) With a 6 day correction, 85.60 is pretty much the risk should this start to turn up
IYT (Transportation) Marginally held 128.40
IBB (Biotechnology) Held 219 and still digesting
IYR (Real Estate) 63.20 is the place to hold now
XHB (Homebuilders) Floundering around above the 50 DMA
GLD Gapped up so that reversal candle was good after all-now, 122 great resistance
USO (US Oil Fund) Cleared the 200 DMA-and baby, it’s cold outside!
XLE (Energy) 2 inside days-good one to focus on for range break
TBT (Ultrashort Lehman 20+ Year Treasuries) TLTs doesn’t believe taper talk it seems
EWG (Germany) 30.33 is the low of the island top to clear to negate that pattern
Click here...To Get Michelle's Market Minute in your inbox every morning.
Get our "Gold and Crude Oil Trade Ideas"
Flat has several meanings. 1. Smooth and even, without marked lumps or indentations. I wonder how many can say that about their equity after Tuesday’s session? 2. Lacking interest or emotion; dull and lifeless. That’s a yes! 3. In or to a horizontal position. Describes the market internals or McClellan Oscillator.
The S&P 500 is flat. Flat as a word has several more urban definitions; but I will leave that to your own curiosity to look up online. Speaking of, Google (GOOG), far from flat, did make new highs.
Volume equally flat with an exception to the small caps, Russell 2000s, which posted a rather small distribution day. Remember, when you’re flat on your back, everything looks up!
S&P 500 (SPY) Held the fast moving average, which by the way, is flat.
Russell 2000 (IWM) Broke the fast moving average with 111 an important support level
Dow (DIA) Closed just shy of the fast moving average but also on support. Also have to mention that IWM SPY and DIA did not make new highs recently while QQQs did
Nasdaq (QQQ) Marginally worked off overbought conditions
XLF (Financials) Volcker rule announcement had an impact. Sitting on support
SMH (Semiconductors) Holding the runaway gap
XRT (Retail) With a 6 day correction, 85.60 is pretty much the risk should this start to turn up
IYT (Transportation) Marginally held 128.40
IBB (Biotechnology) Held 219 and still digesting
IYR (Real Estate) 63.20 is the place to hold now
XHB (Homebuilders) Floundering around above the 50 DMA
GLD Gapped up so that reversal candle was good after all-now, 122 great resistance
USO (US Oil Fund) Cleared the 200 DMA-and baby, it’s cold outside!
XLE (Energy) 2 inside days-good one to focus on for range break
TBT (Ultrashort Lehman 20+ Year Treasuries) TLTs doesn’t believe taper talk it seems
EWG (Germany) 30.33 is the low of the island top to clear to negate that pattern
Click here...To Get Michelle's Market Minute in your inbox every morning.
Get our "Gold and Crude Oil Trade Ideas"
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Dollar, Weak Earnings Indicate a Top is Near For The S&P 500
Earnings season is now upon us and so far the only major earnings component that has been released is the J.P. Morgan earnings report that came in Friday before the market opened. After the report was digested by the marketplace, prices fell dramatically.
While the charlatans in Washington try to sell the American public into believing that the U.S economy is starting to firm up, the underlying truth is that the recovery has been relatively weak. If it were not for the massive liquidity injections provided by the Federal Reserve through multiple quantitative easing adjustments, risk assets would likely be priced significantly lower.
Inquiring minds combed through the data provided in the J.P. Morgan earnings release and a few major outcomes were placed front and center. Earnings disappointed overall due to a massive decline in investment banking activity. Investment banking profits represent a large portion of all of the major banks’ earnings.
On Friday the guys at Zero Hedge provided the following chart in its article titled, “Charting Disappearing Investment Banking Revenues And Profits, JPM Edition.” The chart below illustrates the massive decline in investment banking revenue:
To make the chart a bit easier to follow, the blue bars represent investment banking revenue. It is rather obvious that investment banking revenue is in free fall having dropped nearly 50% since the first quarter of 2011. In addition, I would point out the sharp declines in total net income (purple) and the massive decline in equity market revenue (green).
It is without question that the other major banks that have a large investment banking presence are likely to experience similar revenue losses. A significant reduction in investment banking gross revenue puts tremendous pressure on total bank revenues in this quarter and looking ahead.
I am of the opinion that major money-center banks like Bank of America and Citigroup are likely to experience similar revenue reductions. We will know for sure in the coming weeks as most of the large banks are set to report earnings in the near term. Clearly this expected reduction in overall revenue will likely have a major impact on the financial sector of the economy.
The financial complex is absolutely critical when looking at broad index returns. It is common knowledge that broad indexes such as the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average struggle to rally when the financial complex lags. The same can be said for the semiconductor sector as well.
Recently financials (XLF) and the semiconductor (SMH) sectors have worked considerably higher on relatively light volume. Both XLF and SMH are trading into major resistance and both are starting to show signs that they are nearing a potential top The daily charts of XLF and SMH are shown below:
XLF Daily Chart
SMH Daily Chart
Both the XLF and SMH daily charts illustrate that a major top may be forming in both sectors. It is widely noted that if the financials and semiconductors are not showing strength in a rising market, a correction or major reversal may not be far away.
I have been writing about the potential for a major top to be forming for several weeks now and I find that I am not in the majority in this viewpoint. Recent sentiment and momentum in U.S. equities demonstrate that we are very overbought at this time. Retail investors are extremely bullish and the Volatility Index (VIX) is trading near recent lows.
I am unsure whether this is a major top that leads to strong selling pressure or whether a correction is a more likely outcome. What I do know is that tops are a process, not a singular event and at this point more and more evidence is supporting the viewpoint that equities may be getting tired and some profit taking is likely.
In addition to the lackluster price action in the charts above, earnings releases have been revised lower in the 4th quarter of 2011. In fact almost 3.5 companies have announced earnings revisions to the downside for every company that has indicated a stable to rising earnings announcements. This type of scenario has not been present since the first quarter of 2008 which as we know was not exactly a great time frame to be looking to put cash into risk assets.
Furthermore, Goldman Sachs analysts came out with the following commentary, “While the 4th Quarter is typically the strongest quarter for earnings, estimates have fallen 9% since the summer and are now below both realized 2nd and 3rd Quarter results.” Goldman Sachs is also expecting significant price pressure coming from a weak U.S. economy and the fears of a European recession in 2012. Overall, the estimates are far from bullish and are in fact quite concerning when looking at the current valuation of U.S. equities.
The impact that a stronger U.S. Dollar will have on domestic companies which are used to having a competitive advantage when looking at earnings due to currency adjustments could produce negative surprises. Typically positive earnings adjustments are likely to be revised to the downside as the U.S. Dollar has rallied sharply higher in light of the weakening Euro currency. The weekly chart of the U.S. Dollar Index is shown below:
The U.S. Dollar Index is consolidating directly beneath resistance which is generally seen as a bullish development. I expect a breakout over new highs is only a matter of time. It is unlikely that in the long term the U.S. Dollar can rally while stocks trade flat or work their way higher. While this is always possible, the likelihood of that scenario is unlikely due to earnings pressures that would occur if the Dollar pushes higher in the intermediate term.
In addition to the variety of above mentioned factors which could have a major impact on equity valuations, the S&P 500 Index is trading into major resistance. Unless the S&P 500 Index can work above the 1,325 area it is unlikely that a new bull market has begun.
If the S&P 500 Index manages to work above the 1,325 level then my analysis may be proven completely incorrect. However, right now the S&P 500 Index has a lot of overhead resistance at the 1,292, 1,300, and 1,310 price levels. The daily chart of the S&P 500 Index is shown below’
Ultimately we are coming into the final week for the January options contracts which are set to expire at the close of business this coming Friday. I would not be shocked to see some volatility late this week and potentially even higher prices for equities.
However, my expectation is that once the January expiration hangover is behind us, increased volatility and lower prices are likely ahead for U.S. equities. The earnings announcements this week will likely have a large impact on the price action. Heads up, risk is exceptionally high!
Check out J.W.s latest articles
Labels:
Bank of America,
Crude Oil,
Dollar,
J.W. Jones,
JP Morgan,
Natural Gas,
risk,
SP 500,
SPY,
USO,
XLF
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Evidence Supports the Bears’ Case for the S&P 500
I am not one to discuss fundamentals or macro views, but this situation in Europe is beginning to morph into a media frenzy. Price action in the marketplace is changing rapidly in short periods of time based on the latest press releases coming from the Eurozone summit.
I cannot help but comment on the seemingly arbitrary actions coming from this high profile meeting. Nothing has happened that market participants were not already privy too. The European Union is going to strengthen their EFSF fund by levering it up roughly 4 : 1. I have yet to hear how exactly they plan on doing this, but this action was no surprise to anyone that has read an article about the sovereign debt crisis in the past month.
There was also discussion about backstopping European banks’ capital position. Since European banks are holding billions (Euros) of risky sovereign debt instruments, it would make sense that their capitalization is a primary concern of Eurozone leaders based on current fiscal conditions. I would argue that the banks should be well capitalized regardless of economic or fiscal conditions in order for a nation to have a strong, vibrant economy that has the potential to grow organically.
The final piece of this week’s political nonsense involves write-downs on Greek debt in the neighborhood of 50% – 60% in order to stabilize Greece’s debt to GDP ratio. Apparently Eurozone leaders want to structure the write down so as to avoid payouts by credit default swaps which act as insurance against default. How does a bond take a 50% – 60% valuation mark down without a creating an event that would trigger the payout of CDS swaps?
If a write down of that magnitude does not trigger the CDS swaps, then I would argue they are useless as a tool to hedge against the default risk carried by sovereign debt instruments. If the CDS swaps do not payout as projected by European politicians, the risk assumed by those purchasing government debt obligations around the world would be altered immediately.
The impact this might have on the future pricing of risk for government debt instruments could be extremely detrimental to their ability to raise funds in the private market. Additionally, the write downs would hurt European banks’ capital positions immediately. If the CDS swaps were to pay out, bank capital ratios would suffer as those who took on counter party risk would be forced to cover their obligations thereby straining capital positions even further potentially.
Price action today suggested that the equity markets approved of the package that European leaders were working on. However, the biggest push higher came when news was released that China was interested in purchasing high quality debt instruments as a means to help prop up poorly capitalized banks and sovereign nations in the Eurozone through an IMF facility.
The market did an immediate about face which saw the Dollar selloff while the S&P 500 rallied higher into the close reversing a great deal of Tuesday’s losses. Inquiring minds wish to know where we go from here? I would be lying if I said I knew for sure which direction Mr. Market favored, however that did not stop me from looking for possible clues.
It has been a while since I checked out the short-term momentum charts that are focused on the number of stocks in U.S. domestic equity markets that are trading above their 20 & 50 period moving averages. The charts below illustrate the current market momentum:
Equities Trading Above the 20 Period Moving Average
It is rather obvious that when we look at the number of stocks trading above their 20 period moving average that momentum is running quite high presently. This chart would indicate that in the short-term time frames equities are currently overbought.
Equities Trading Above the 50 Period Moving Average
A similar conclusion can be drawn when we look at the number of stocks trading above their 50 period moving averages. It is rather obvious at this point in time that in the short to intermediate term time frames, stocks are currently at overbought levels. This is not to say that stocks will not continue to work higher, but a pullback is becoming more and more likely.
Additional evidence that would support the possibility that a pullback is likely would be the recent bottom being carved out in the price action of the U.S. Dollar Index. The U.S. Dollar has been under selling pressure since the beginning of October, but has recently started to show signs that it could be stabilizing and setting up to rally higher.
The daily chart of the U.S. Dollar Index is shown below:
The U.S. Dollar Index is sitting right at major support and is oversold based on historical price action. If the Dollar begins to push higher in coming days and weeks it is going to push equity prices considerably lower. Other risk assets such as gold, silver, and oil would also be negatively impacted by higher Dollar prices.
Members of my service know that I focus on several sectors to help give me a better idea about the broader equity markets. I regularly look at the financial sector (XLF), the Dow Jones Transportation Index (IYT), emerging markets (EEM), and the Russell 2000 Index (IWM) for clues about future price action in the S&P 500.
During my regular evening scan I noticed that all 4 sector/index ETF’s are trading at or near major overhead resistance. With the exception of the Dow Jones Transportation Index (IYT), the other 3 underlying assets have yet to breakout over their August 31st highs. The significance of August 31st is that is the date when the S&P 500 Index put in a major reversal right at the 1,230 price level before turning lower. It took nearly two months to regain the 1,230 level and its significance continues to hold sway.
The daily chart of IWM is shown below illustrating its failure to breakout over the August 31st highs:
The chart above illustrates clearly that IWM has failed to breakout above the August 31st highs. I am going to be watching IWM, XLF, & EEM closely in coming days to see if they are able to breakout similarly to the S&P 500. If they start to rollover, it will not be long before the S&P 500 likely follows suit.
Currently the underlying signals are arguing for lower prices in the short to intermediate term. While it is entirely possible that the S&P 500 rallies higher from here, it is without question that current market conditions are overbought in the short to intermediate terms.
Key sectors and indices are not showing follow through to the upside to help solidify the S&P 500′s recent break above the key 1,230 price level. Additionally, the U.S. Dollar Index is currently trading right at key support in addition to being oversold. At this time I am not playing the S&P 500 in either direction, but I will be watching the underlying price action in the U.S. Dollar Index closely. I will be watching for additional clues in the days ahead.
Market and headline risk is high presently.
Subscribers of OTS have pocketed more than 150% return in the past two months. If you’d like to stay ahead of the market using My Low Risk Option Strategies and Trades check out OTS at Options Trading Signals.com and take advantage of our free occasional trade ideas or a 66% coupon to sign up for daily market analysis, videos and Option Trades each week.
Chris Vermeulen & J.W. Jones
Friday, October 7, 2011
Is The SP 500 About to Stage a Multi Month Rally?
J.W. Jones of Options Trading Signals tells us where he sees this market headed......
The S&P 500 must have taken notice of the multitude of headlines coming at market participants and proceeded on a path of pure chaos. Since October 4th, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) managed to trade in a range that spanned from 1,074 to as high as 1,171 in 4 days. To put the past 4 days price action into perspective, the S&P 500 Index rallied 97 points or 9% in less than 96 hours.
Since late July, market participants have been dealing with a whipsaw that has been wrought with headline risk coming from Europe and huge swings in the price action of the volatility index. A few short days ago I was calling for a bounce higher in the SPX as every time frame was oversold. After the jobs number came out Friday morning domestic equities rallied sharply higher and in the short term prices were excessively overbought prompting some profit taking.
Around lunch time the news wires broke that Spain and Italy had their sovereign debt downgraded by Fitch Ratings. The downgrade put U.S. banks under pressure quickly and the price action started to rollover. By the end of the day price action was starting to work higher but a sharp selloff played out in the final 30 minutes of the session putting the major indices back into the red at the closing bell. So the real question that lies ahead is where do we go from here?
There is no easy answer to that question as the headline risk coming out of Europe over the weekend could have a dramatic impact on prices on Monday. Just as a reminder, U.S. bond markets will be closed on Monday for Columbus Day, but equities markets will be open as usual. At this point in time my short term bias is to the downside.
It would be healthy to see the S&P 500 roll over here and find a key support level where buyers step in and support prices. A higher low would be constructive and could lead to a more prolonged intermediate term rally which could last into the holiday season. However, before we can see any sort of rally we need to see a bottom form. While I do believe we have initiated that process, until I see a higher low carved out on the daily chart I will consider the current price structure to remain bearish.
In order to break to new lows, the SPX would have to push through several layers of support. I am of the opinion that we are unlikely to see the recent lows broken, but the chart below illustrates the key support levels going forward. A test of the 1,040 – 1,050 price range remains possible, but the price action the past week makes it seem less likely. Within the context of a hyper volatile period of time, just about any possible outcome remains feasible. The daily chart of the SPX below illustrates key support levels for the index:
In addition to the weak price action into the close on Friday, several other clues are pointing to potentially lower prices in the near future. Members of my service know that I focus daily on several underlying ETF’s which help me get a grasp of the overall market conditions. On Friday, the financials (XLF), the Dow Jones Transportation Index (IYT), and the Russell 2000 Index (IWM) all showed relative weakness against the S&P 500. The chart below illustrates the relative performance on Friday:
The financials and the Dow Jones Transportation Index are excellent sectors to monitor when trying to determine the future price action of the S&P 500. Most of the trading session on Friday the financials (XLF) were exhibiting relative weakness versus the S&P 500 Index. Later in the session, the Dow Jones Transportation Index (IYT) started to roll over as well and once both ETF’s were under pressure it was not long before the S&P 500 Index flipped the switch to the downside.
The financials (XLF), the Russell 2000 (IWM), and the Dow Jones Transports (IYT) all put in large reversal candlesticks on the daily chart by the close of business on Friday. This is an ominous signal that lower prices for domestic equities may be forthcoming. The fact that key sectors are showing signs of weakness is a negative omen for the S&P 500 and the early part of next week. However, there is a bright side to this scenario.
If support levels can hold up prices next week and we see a higher low on the daily chart form, the bottoming process could be underway which could lead to a strong rally into year end. Obviously a probe to new lows is possible, but I believe that we are in the beginning stages of forming a bottom and a base for a rally to take shape.
If support levels hold up prices, a bottoming formation will likely get carved out on the daily chart of the SPX. The chart below illustrates two potential outcomes that could cause prices to rally sharply. In one case, a higher low is formed and we see prices take off to the upside. The other scenario involves an intraday selloff down to the 1,040 – 1,050 price level that gets snapped back up and a huge reversal candlestick would be formed. These scenarios are common during bottoming processes. The daily chart of the S&P 500 Index is shown below with the two scenarios highlighted:
The other scenarios would involve prices blowing through support and possibly knifing down to test the S&P 500 1,000 – 1,008 support area. While I find this scenario to be less likely at this time, anything could happen in this trading environment.
The key in the short run is the utilization of defined risk through the use of stop orders. In addition, a trading plan with stop orders and profit taking levels planned ahead will help remove emotion in a volatile tape. The price action is wild, but from my perch the likely scenarios all involve some short term selling pressure. If my analysis is right, this could be a huge turning point for price action the rest of the year.
The next few weeks are going to provide us with clues about the rest of 2011.
The question traders should really be asking is whether support will hold, or will we break below the recent lows? Right now, the upside looks limited, but in this trading environment the best thought out plans can turn out to be useless if price action does not cooperate. Be nimble and define your risk, as volatility is not likely to subside anytime soon.
Subscribers of OTS have pocketed more than 150% return in the past two months. If you’d like to stay ahead of the market using My Low Risk Option Strategies and Trades check out OTS at Options Trading Signals.com and take advantage of our free occasional trade ideas or a 66% coupon to sign up for daily market analysis, videos and Option Trades each week.
The Latest Options Trading Signals Articles
Labels:
banks,
Fitch Ratings,
Italy,
IYT,
options,
Russell 2000,
sectors,
Spain,
SPY,
XLF
Monday, June 20, 2011
Is This Market Flashing a Buy Signal or Another Market Collapse?
Since the first trading session in May we have seen the stock market sell off. The old saying “sell in May and go away” was dead on again this year. Here we are 7 weeks later with the stock market continuing to lose ground. This extended sell off has everyone all worked up that this is the beginning of another market collapse.
Let’s take a quick look at the SP500 hourly chart covering the month of June.
As you can see, price is still falling but every couple of trading sessions we get some big money players nibbling on stocks accumulating shares and running the market higher. This type of price action is typically an early signal that the market is trying to bottom.
There are two key ingredients for a higher stock market and both have been missing from the mix for a couple months. The two key sectors which have a significant weighting in terms of the broader market are the financial and technology stocks.
Let’s take a look at the financial sector:
As you can see on the bottom of this chart, financials started to lag the market in late January. Ever since then this sector has been in a strong downtrend pulling the broad market averages lower with it. The good news is that this sector has just reached a major support zone and is looking ripe for a bounce and possible rally.
As you can see on the bottom of this chart, financials started to lag the market in late January. Ever since then this sector has been in a strong downtrend pulling the broad market averages lower with it. The good news is that this sector has just reached a major support zone and is looking ripe for a bounce and possible rally.
The other main ingredient to a higher stock market is the technology sector.
Looking at the technology sector:
Here we can see technology stocks have been pulling back for several weeks. Tech stocks are now trading down at a major support zone and they look oversold. A bounce from this level is very likely in the coming week.
Here we can see technology stocks have been pulling back for several weeks. Tech stocks are now trading down at a major support zone and they look oversold. A bounce from this level is very likely in the coming week.
Weekend Trading Conclusion:
In short, I continue to feel the market is trying to bottom here and we are at the tipping point when things get volatile and choppy just before we get a trend reversal in the S&P 500. Keep an eye on the short term charts of financials and technology sectors. Once they start making higher highs and higher lows on the 60 minute charts I believe it will be the start of a nice bounce and possible rally.
In short, I continue to feel the market is trying to bottom here and we are at the tipping point when things get volatile and choppy just before we get a trend reversal in the S&P 500. Keep an eye on the short term charts of financials and technology sectors. Once they start making higher highs and higher lows on the 60 minute charts I believe it will be the start of a nice bounce and possible rally.
Get Chris Vermeulens free weekly technical analysis on sectors here at The Gold and Oil Guy.Com
Share
Labels:
financials,
markets,
SP 500,
volatile,
XLF
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Are You Ready for a Market Bounce?
During the past 4 months we have seen the financial sector (banks) under selling pressure. With real estate prices continuing to fall and foreclosures picking up speed again investors have not been that interested in holding bank stocks. And we all know that without the financial sector moving higher we cannot expect the broad market to make any significant moves higher either.
If you take a look at the financial sector ETF XLF you will notice that it’s now trading near a major support level (fair value) where most shares changed hands in the past. With this sector sliding 13% from the highs in February and the fact that it’s making a parabolic drop into a support zone I can’t help but think a bounce is very likely to form soon.
SP500 Futures – 10 Minute Chart
With the financial sector nearing major support and the SP500 staring to show signs of a bottom forming I will admit my heart is starting to pound in excitement for an entry point. I am really hoping that this week we see another sharp drop in the stocks which should spikes the volatility index up (VIX) to 21 or higher. If we can see this take place, then I will be taking a long position to catch a 2-15 days bounce in the broad market.
With the financial sector nearing major support and the SP500 staring to show signs of a bottom forming I will admit my heart is starting to pound in excitement for an entry point. I am really hoping that this week we see another sharp drop in the stocks which should spikes the volatility index up (VIX) to 21 or higher. If we can see this take place, then I will be taking a long position to catch a 2-15 days bounce in the broad market.
The chart of the past 10 trading sessions below shows a price and volume pattern which typically leads market bottoms. I’m keeping a close eye on things these days…...
Silver 2 Hour Chart
Silver took a big hair cut last month falling from $50 down to $33 per ounce. Ever since then it has been trying to form a base which will act as the next launch pad for higher prices. So far it is looking good but there is a key resistance level to breakthrough before fireworks. Keep your eye on the silver bullet.
Silver took a big hair cut last month falling from $50 down to $33 per ounce. Ever since then it has been trying to form a base which will act as the next launch pad for higher prices. So far it is looking good but there is a key resistance level to breakthrough before fireworks. Keep your eye on the silver bullet.
Gold 2 Hour Chart
Gold is back trading up near its high but is starting to struggle with resistance (sellers). We could easily see gold pullback to the $1520 area before taking another run at resistance.
Mid-Week Update Conclusion:
In short, I feel investors are getting very nervous because of the 6 week sell off in stocks. There have been some technical support levels broken on the SP500 and other indexes and its these broken levels which have investors running for the door. The thing is, this type of selling happens every year and generally 2 -3 times. During a bull market I like to see fear in the eyes of investors. Until we are proven wrong about buying extreme oversold dips, they continue to be my focus.
In short, I feel investors are getting very nervous because of the 6 week sell off in stocks. There have been some technical support levels broken on the SP500 and other indexes and its these broken levels which have investors running for the door. The thing is, this type of selling happens every year and generally 2 -3 times. During a bull market I like to see fear in the eyes of investors. Until we are proven wrong about buying extreme oversold dips, they continue to be my focus.
Also if the financial sector can find a bottom and start to rally, then we will see higher stock prices across the board in the coming weeks. I am currently neutral on metals, oil and the dollar. But am getting bullish on financials and the SP500 as they move lower.
Get free weekly reports from The Gold and Oil Guy.Com
Share
Labels:
banks,
Brent Crude Oil,
stocks,
XLF
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)