Posts

Russell 2000 Reverses Off 20-Day MA As S&P And Nasdaq Breakout

Image
Markets are breaking two ways - Small Caps heading south while Tech and Large Caps head north, but even Small Caps have reason for optimism. The Russell 2000 ($IWM) bounced off its 200-day MA, reaching its 20-day MA until today's reversal dragged it back with a bearish engulfing pattern. Despite the bearish candlestick the MACD still managed a 'buy' trigger and selling volume was light. I would be looking for a bullish test and buyers to step in. Momentum is slowly improving, so I'll be watching for bullish divergence in technicals.
Read more

Popular posts from this blog

Bulls Were Unable To Build On Morning Optimism

Image
After the Fed driven sell-off that delivered support breaks for some of the indices there was an attempt by bulls to stage a bounce, but traders weren't able to build on the sizable opening gaps, and some indices drifted lower by the close. The Russell 2000 ($IWM) lost the most ground off the open. However, today's close was enough to regain support, leaving yesterday's action as a potential 'bear trap'. Technicals are net bearish oversold. And today's buying volume was below yesterday's selling (distribution). The S&P finished the day where it started, which is also 20-day MA resistance. Aggressive traders could go with a swing trade as the next move could be sizable (particularly if the move is higher). The Nasdaq is dominated by the trading range, but within that we have a consolidation triangle. As it stands, the index is at resistance of this triangle, and given recent selling volume I would be looking for a move to close today...
Read more

Swing Low Bounces Struggle For Traction

Image
Markets swing lows were undone by early enthusiasm failing to build on opening gaps. The Russell 2000 ($IWM) had looked the most likely to shape a bounce worthy of note, but the early gap higher was the extent of the gains and by the close of business we had an indecisive 'black' candlestick style 'spinning top' - not a candle to get excited about. Buyers of the bounce will need to be ready for a move down into the gap, and maybe as far as a second test of the 200-day MA. Technicals are net negative.
Read more

Bitcoin Makes Second Attempt At Rally Off Breakout Support

Image
The last couple of days for Bitcoin had pointed to indecision on a series of doji, but today's white candlestick above 82.5K breakout support suggests we may yet get another kick on higher. In a manner, it's a victim of its own success as market indices have headed in the other direction. On a positive note, 82.5K should be strong support. If there was a concern, it's that On-Balance-Volume is running below its 20-day MA which may suggest undercover distribution is at work; if 82.K support is lost then further loses are likely.
Read more

Markets Mixed Bag As Bitcoin Breakout Holds

Image
We have a bit of a mixed bag. Markets which were oversold and developing swing lows are now struggling to mount a bounce. Those in trading ranges are still in the upper bounds of those ranges, and could still breakout, but are likely to be influenced by their much weaker brethren. Bitcoin is holding its breakout, but today's doji after yesterday's move lower doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence. Starting with the Russell 2000 ($IWM), we have an index on a fast track to test the 200-day MA. The early September swing low failed and we don't really have a reversal candlestick here, but we could see an attempt at one, once the index tests its 200-day MA. What we need to be careful of is a crash scenario that can emerge in a scenario like this (deeply oversold and net bearish).
Read more

Nasdaq Challenges "Bull Trap" As S&P Gains

Image
Tomorrow we are going to see how strong the 'bull trap' is in the Nasdaq as Friday's finish tagged resistance. Volume was down, although technicals are net bullish. More likely, we will see some 'pennant' like formation over the coming week, before get another another solid white candlestick.
Read more

Russell 2000 ($IWM) Attempts Another Swing Low

Image
The first attempt to rally off a bottom stalled out at its 20-day MA. We now have invalidated that low, so are looking for the next one. Today's dragonfly doji on higher volumem distribution is another such attempt. We have oversold momentum and bearish net technicals. It's only worth it if the index rallies from the open; a close into the spike low negates the reversal play - we really want to see a gap higher and a solid white candlestick.
Read more

Nasdaq Surge Delivers Breakout

Image
So much for the questionable breakout in the Nasdaq or the potential short play in the S&P, both were swotted away with substantial gains in each index. There remains doubt across both indices, but if each are able to retain the bulk of their gains over the coming days then the bearish thesis will be much weakened. The Nasdaq was the biggest mover over the past couple of days was the Nasdaq. The doji breakout was a non-issue and those who bought the 26K tests will be sitting pretty. Today's gain was enough to register a new high breakout, but it's vulnerable to a 'bull trap', particularly if sellers are able to drive the index back below 27K. However, we did see a new MACD, On-Balance-Volume, and +DI/-DI 'buy' signals, returning technicals to a net bullish state.
Read more

Archive

Show more