Bearish candlesticks on tags of indices resistance

Today's action finished with low level losses.  Candlesticks were bearish, but this wasn't surprising given the tags on resistance.  Overall, I'm still bullish on markets, but it may take a little longer before we see resistance breakouts.

The Nasdaq started the day just below 12,250 resistance as it remains inside its mini-handle.  On-Balance-Volume remains on a 'sell' trigger and the index is still underperforming the S&P, but other technicals are positive.  I would be looking for a breakout over the coming days.


The S&P closed the day with a bearish 'black' candlestick. At the end of a rally, the 'black' candlestick has a higher probability of acting as a reversal, so one needs to be cautious here because we have a strong possibility of some downside action in the coming days. Technicals are net positive and the index continues to outperform the Russell 2000. 


The Russell 2000 continues to be rebuffed by its 200-day MA. Technicals are still mixed, not helped by the MACD below the bullish zero line and stochastics below the 50 mid-line.  Each of on-balance-volume and the ADX are on the verge of fresh 'sell' triggers.  While the long suffering relative performance against Nasdaq is changing in favor of Small Cap stocks, it hasn't fully reversed yet.


While I remain positive on the Nasdaq breaking resistance, I do find the Russell 2000 problematic. I wouldn't be committing to the Nasdaq without the Russell 2000 getting above its 200-day MA.  The S&P is a bit of a "man-in-the-middle" and could go either way, but I don't really see it as an index to watch at the moment.

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

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