The Dow was the lead index on the day as it marked a new closing high and kept the rally on course to test its accelerated upper channel. Technicals are bullish with the exception of the MACD which is on the verge of a new 'buy' trigger.

Tech and Small Caps are starting to slip from their summer advances. This may be a simple change in pace but longs for these indices will be looking to 50-day MAs to attract buyers; if these are swept it will leave support lacking until July swing lows and/or 200-day MAs. The Nasdaq fell outside of its rising channel after three prior successes. Volume climbed to register as distribution.

There wasn't a whole lot to Friday's action but two indices which were struggling a little did benefit. The Semiconductor Index gained 1% as it bounced strongly off the bullish 'morning star'. The consolidation triangle looks to be shifting to another pattern but resistance from triangle swing highs remains in effect and is the next challenge of the index.  Technicals are net bearish and relative performance, while recovering, hasn't yet undone the most recent 'sell' trigger.

Thursday offered a bright start for markets but the Russell 2000 struggled to enjoy the fruits and by market close things were looking a little more somber. Best of the action belonged to Large Caps but it was Tech indices which started the day brightest. The Semiconductor Index gapped higher and returned inside the consolidation triangle. Had it closed near the day's highs it would have ranked as a bullish 'morning star' candlestick pattern but instead it registers as a 'bear trap'. However, this wasn't enough to stop a net turn in technicals in favour of bears. A loss tomorrow would put the 'bear trap' under threat