One of my pieces I wrote for the Kx Systems Insights blog: "For this month’s blog post we will delve into the mysteries of technical analysis of financial markets.  Kx Dashboards come with two built-in financial charting packages which can be used to demonstrate technical analysis. In this article we will use the Financial Chart component. Our next article will look at some of the tools in ChartIQ." Read More

Since the last update we have seen significant technical improvement, even if the indices registered losses over the last couple of days. The S&P is now resting near its 50-day MA but there may not be sufficient wiggle room for it to be held as support. If this was to fail then next would be former channel resistance now support.

The S&P and Nasdaq were last to follow the lead of the Russell 2000, Dow and Semiconductor Index. It's now looking like respectable swing lows are in effect for all lead indices. For the S&P there was a close above the 50-day MA in addition to the follow through breakout. Technicals returned net bullish, making the 52-week high of 2,954 as the next challenge for the index.

It was a bit of a mixed bag, although the basis for a probable swing low for markets is in place. Best of the action was in the Semiconductor Index where there was a clear break from the downward channel, which also coincided with a return above the 200-day MA. The consolidation below - and move above - the 200-day MA has the makings of a 'bear trap'. Next challenge is getting past the 20-day MA and if it can do this on the back of a MACD trigger 'buy' it will set things nicely for a challenge of the 50-day MA, then a larger challenge of the 52-week high at 1,604.