Another bright start to the week on more positive Covid19 vaccine news. Today's gain was accompanied with higher volume accumulation across indices, setting them on course to negate the ultimate bearishness of last Monday's candlesticks - despite the initial positive vaccine news then.   For the S&P, while today's gains pushed it well inside the spike high of the inverse bearish hammer, relative performance against the Russell 2000 took a big step lower. Under these circumstances, this may be seen as bearish but Small Cap leadership is critical to the success of any long term bull market. We will have to wait and see what the rest of the week brings. 

I've mentioned the importance of Friday's close on the Russell 2000 here , but the S&P finished the week doing its own thing as it worked to reverse the dominant bearish inverse hammer. This particular candlestick is of particular concern, not just because of the pattern but the huge volume which went with it. However, the end of week finish was positive as the index was able to poke its head into the spike high of the inverse hammer. 

Markets yet to deliver on fresh breakouts as they linger near resistance but they are making heavy weather of it. Triple tops are rare patterns and the Russell 2000 is signalling a breakout but hasn't quite done enough to confirm it yet.  Technicals for the Nasdaq are bullish with the exception of relative performance to the Russell 2000. 

It was another struggle for the S&P and Nasdaq as they tried to get past the swing high of September. Only the Russell 2000 is showing signs of relative and price strength, which is good, but broader participation is required if those gains are to stick.  The Nasdaq has fallen inside the prior trading range established from September. While triple tops are rare we are looking at the possibility of one here. Today's bullish 'hammer' may offer a launch point to challenge the bearish engulfing pattern high - which would be enough to restate a breakout.  Not surprisingly, there was a large drop in relative performance to the Russell 2000.