Indices Gap Higher But Fail To Build On Opening

It was a bit of a so-so day for markets. The Russell 2000 ($IWM) had the best of the action as it negated a nasty bearish engulfing pattern from Friday, and now has a new opportunity to make a run at the $225-7 zone that delivered the October reversal. It will need an improvement in supporting technicals for the challenge to succeed as the MACD, On-Balance-Volume and +DI/DI all on 'sell' signals, along with an underperformance relative to the Nasdaq.

The S&P was unable to clear the narrow 'bull flag' it looks to be shaping - as long as the 20-day MA remains as support. There is a worrying expansion in the 'sell' trigger for On-Balance-Volume, indicating a shift towards distribution that price action has yet to confirm. The MACD is on a 'sell' signal, but this signal has occurred well above the bullish zero line, so it's not a strong signal. ADX and Stochastics are firmly bullish, so broader momentum still lies in bulls favor. However, I would like to see a solid white candlestick tomorrow, because this apathy will only lead to downside.

The Nasdaq finished with a bearish 'black' candlestick just below resistance. It's still on a 'sell' trigger on the MACD, but this trigger has effectively flatlined. Other technicals are positive, feeding into the possibility of a break to new highs soon. Despite today's trading, I still think a break higher is in the works.

With U.S. elections next week there is a "wait-and-see" aspect to current action, although in J.C. Parets latest newsletter, he is of the opinion markets have priced in a Trump win. If Harris wins, then can we expect a "sell off"? Or will see a general sell-the-news in markets on election results.

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

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