Nasdaq Rebuffed By Resistance

Yesterday's gains in the Nasdaq pushed above resistance to challenge the April 'bull trap', but there wasn't the follow through needed to maintain the breakout. Technicals are net positive including relative performance versue the Russell 2000.

The S&P maintained its edge breakout, with technicals net bullish, but the index relative performance to the Russell 2000 still below the average. Prior gains were enough to keep the breakout intact despite today's loss. 

The Russell 2000 stayed within its range, poised to breakout.


It was only the Nasdaq which got knocked back today.  Long term health of the rally will be determined by the Russell 2000, and presumably a breakout in the latter index in the days to follow.

You've now read my opinion, next read Douglas' blog.

Share on StockTwits

---

Accepting KIVA gift certificates to help support the work on this blog. All certificates gifted are converted into loans for those who need the help more.

Follow Me on Twitter


Investments are held in a pension fund on a buy-and-hold strategy.

.

Popular posts from this blog

S&P "Bull Trap"?

Image
I thought there was sufficient evidence to argue against a "bull trap" in the S&P, but it would appear the market wasn't interested in such thoughts and sellers were quick to reverse the initial push above 4,200.  Adding to the pain were new 'sell' triggers in MACD and On-Balance-Volume, although the former occurred above the 'bullish' zero line, making it a weak signal. Selling volume ranked as distribution as selling momentum picked up speed.  The index is also underperforming relative to the Russell 2000. 
Read more

"Black Candlesticks" are a concern for the S&P and Nasdaq

Image
A bright start for bulls on the back of positive $NVDA earnings wasn't enough to generate a day of meaningful gains.  However, it did help stall the losses of the last couple of days. The Nasdaq was the biggest beneficiary of today's action, but not enough to see an end-of-day finish that cleared last week's swing high, nor delivery of a large white candlestick, despite the morning breakout gap.  Technicals are net bullish and relative performance against the S&P has become consistently stronger since the start of May.  While today's candlestick I would view as typically 'bearish', today's volume ranked as confirmed accumulation (bullish). Overall, I would be looking for higher prices from here. 
Read more

Round 2 for the bearish "black" candlestick in S&P and Nasdaq

Image
The Nasdaq started brightly but ended up closing below its open price, but above yesterday's close. The S&P did something similar, although the intraday range is narrower. These two setups are somewhat complicated by the new 'buy' triggers in On-Balance-Volume for both the Nasdaq and S&P. And the new MACD trigger 'buy' for the S&P. Price action is key, so I would expect the candlestick to trump the technical picture; watch for lower prices tomorrow.
Read more

Archive

Show more