Russell 2000 breaks free of congestion

It was a good day for markets, but it was the Russell 2000 that went on a bender, pushing itself out of its scrappy, multi-week base and slicing through its 200-day MA. Not only that, it managed to clear $180 resistance, which means it's now in the process of shaping a right-hand-side base.  This is important development as other indices are challenging resistance on weekly timeframes.  There is room for the Russell 2000 to test support, and an intraday spike below $180 would be acceptable, as long as the index ends the day above $180. 


With the Russell 2000 making strong gains, we can see key developments in the S&P and Nasdaq.  The Nasdaq has managed to clock an end-of-week close above 13,000 resistance, marking its as a breakout, which incidentally was the swing high of last summer. Next up is 14,500 - although it could take until the end of the year before it gets there. 


The S&P is also challenging last summer's high as it closed the week on resistance.  If there is a chance for bears it will be a reversal based on a end-of-week close below 4,300, but with technicals net positive the probability of a resistance reveral is low.  

The breakout in the Semiconductor Index is consolidating after the initial 15% gain. Assuming it can hold the breakout it will continue to feed the key weekly breakout in the Nasdaq.


The end-of-week finish will be key, particularly for the S&P.  With the positive move in the Russell 2000 there isn't a bearish index in the near term, and I suspect, this will evolve into a more bullish stance on longer time frames across all indices. 

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