After drifting towards a period of under performance relative to the S&P and Nasdaq, the Russell 2000 was finally able to post same gains to at least stall the weakening momentum. The Russell 2000 was able to make its stand at its 20-day MA on higher volume accumulation. However, it still has 'sell' triggers in the MACD and On-Balance-Volume.

A third day of selling for indices saw some preliminary support get tested.  In the case of the Nasdaq it was converged support established from the January swing high and its 20-day MA.  It did come on the back of a MACD trigger 'sell', but other technicals are in good shape. Plus, there is a new relative performance 'buy' signal relative to the Russell 2000.  There may be a short term 'buy' available given the relatively light selling volume which took it there.

We are not seeing a whole lot from either side of the market, just a mixed sequence of low key buying and selling which so far has edged in bulls favor, but there would be no give aways on the daily reporting - only by looking at the weekly charts would you see the benefits of this action. For the Nasdaq we are seeing is a general drop in trading volume after a steady build up since early November. Whether this is a sign of things to come remains to be seen. The index is slowly building towards a period of potential relative outperformance, which should help it attract buyers. Other technicals are net bullish with On-Balance-Volume going particularly well despite the recent drop in trading volume. 

Just as sellers were trying to exert some control in the market, along come buyers to soak up the supply and then add to demand. There wasn't a whole lot of buying volume on Friday, but there was enough to at least leave indices near weekly highs.  The Nasdaq didn't close at a new all-time high, but it did enough to pressure the early week high with technicals all net bullish. The relative loss against the Russell 2000 is slowing, but it hasn't yet generated a trigger which would mark relative outperformance