Markets look to have found a new routine with 200-day MAs acting as working support. The 'bear flags' I had marked for the S&P and Dow Jones Industrial average look toast given the latter index has broken resistance from what now looks to be a horizontal consolidation. However, the larger consolidation from all-time highs has yet to be challenged but could see a test Friday or Monday.

Today's action didn't break the bounds of Friday's range but did create a scenario where solid swing lows develop; bullish harami crosses are one of the most effective swing low markers. The best opportunity can be found in the Nasdaq 100. A rally from here would suggest the makings of a trading range which I have marked in the chart below. The typical stop is a loss of 6,320 but I would use a decisive break of the 200-day MA as a stop.

Blog traffic has doubled over the last three days as 'panic reading' takes hold of the market. Such spikes in readership have in the past acted as good points for a near-term bottom, although today's action does not suggest as such. The S&P and Dow Jones both offered breakdowns from their respective 'bear flags'. The S&P broke from the 'bear flag' and closed just below its 200-day MA. Volume climbed in distribution although there is enough to suggest this could be a support level.

Tuesday's sell-off did much to rattle the confidence of bulls; Thursday's attempt to bid markets back to Tuesday's highs lacked confidence as demonstrated by the relative gain and the lighter volume. Friday is an opportunity to give markets a little boost heading into the Easter weekend.  Futures suggest a positive open so it will be a question as to whether markets can build on it. The S&P is still shaping a 'bear flag' on the bounce off the 200-day MA. While technicals are net bearish they are not oversold.