Cyprus has just a few days left - to dominate the news. Yes, once again, last-minute negotiations produced a bailout deal in the 13th hour. What a surprise. Cyprus will officially move to the back burner on Tuesday and we can get back to the real business at hand. US... READ MORE
DGX moved sharply lower in January and February, but found support in late February and started a consolidation. The resolution of this consolidation will provide the next directional blue. A upside breakout would be bullish, while a downside break bearish. Click this image for a live chart... READ MORE
The major index ETFs hit new highs in March, but trading has been relatively flat the last two weeks. Even though the uptrends are firmly in place, flat trading indicates that the market may be moving into corrective mode. As we have seen this year, it is hard to time... READ MORE
The major index ETFs continue to trade within narrow ranges. SPY has been stuck between 154 and 156 the last two weeks and QQQ has bounced between 67.5 and 68.8 since the gap on March 5th. After edging higher on Wednesday, stocks gave it back on Thursday and... READ MORE
Stocks are under pressure on Thursday and the tech sector is also feeling the heat. Even so, three of the five biggest gainers in the S&P 500 come from technology. Electronic Arts, Yahoo and BMC Software are all trading higher. Click this image for a live chart... READ MORE
Stocks surged on the open and then moved into a relatively tight trading range. It is positive that the gains held, but lack of follow through suggests that the bulls are getting a little fatigued. The Nasdaq 100 Equal-Weight ETF (QQEW) and the S&P MidCap 400 SPDR (MDY)... READ MORE
ANN Forms Flag Near Key Trend Line. APA Consolidates after Gap. Plus FNSR, IACI, LH, S, TE This commentary and charts-of-interest are designed to stimulate thinking. This analysis is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or sell short any security (stock ETF or otherwise). We all need to think... READ MORE
The Commodity Index Fund (DBC) broke down with a sharp decline in February and then rebounded in March. This rebound was cut short when the ETF hit broken resistance and turned down on Monday-Tuesday. Last week's highs now mark the first resistance level to watch. Click this image... READ MORE
Let the volatility begin. The situation in Cyprus remains fluid and the news flow is providing a great excuse for volatility. Again, I do not think the situation in Cyprus will affect consumer spending and housing in the US. The Fed finishes its two day meeting today with a policy... READ MORE
The Healthcare SPDR (XLV) is the top performing sector in 2013. Yes, XLV is even outperforming the Finance SPDR (XLF). Note that the PerfChart below shows relative performance. Sectors with positive relative performance are up more than the S&P 500. Sectors with negative relative performance are up less... READ MORE
Stocks opened weak on news of the Cyprus bail-in plan, but quickly found their footing and bounced. Nevertheless, the major index ETFs ended the day with small losses. The Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) held up well because Apple and Microsoft advanced. Note that tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of... READ MORE
CAT Forms Engulfing Pattern at Key Retracement. CVC Firms at Long-term Support. Plus DANG, NTAP, RAI, TJX This commentary and charts-of-interest are designed to stimulate thinking. This analysis is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or sell short any security (stock ETF or otherwise). We all need to think... READ MORE
Stocks opened weak, but quickly recovered with techs leading the way. Microsoft (MSFT) opened at 27.81, firmed and then surged with a move above 28.2 by midday. This keeps the rising channel alive. Last week's low marks support on the price chart. The February lows mark... READ MORE
Look out below. Cyprus is getting the blame for today's move to risk-off. In short, the unprecedented decision to tax bank deposits in an EU country is putting the scare into markets. Cyprus is tiny, but the ramifications are being felt across the world today. Asian and European... READ MORE
The Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) and the Technology SPDR (XLK) have been underperforming the broader market, but both remain in uptrends since mid November and are holding their March gaps. Relative weakness stems from Apple, which is the biggest component for both ETFs. Microsoft, which accounts for over 7% of... READ MORE
Spot Gold ($GOLD) forged a Double Top Breakout with a surge this month, but remains well short of a bigger breakout that could have medium-term consequences. Notice that February X-Columns marking resistance at 1615. A break above these would forge a Triple Top Breakout and be medium-term bullish for bullion.... READ MORE
Stocks extended their March surged this week as the major index ETFs moved to new highs. The AD Lines and AD Volume Lines confirmed these moves with new highs of their own. The Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), the Consumer Discretionary SPDR (XLY) and the Finance SPDR (XLF) are the leaders... READ MORE
Stocks extended their gains on Thursday as the S&P 500 moved within spitting distance of its 2007 high. Small-caps led the way as the Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) surged 1%. All sectors were up, but their gains were muted. The Energy SPDR (XLE) was the only sector SPDR... READ MORE
SCTR scores provides a technical ranking for all 500 stocks in the S&P 500. Chartists can view the complete ranking in table format and sort by change to find the biggest movers. Fossil and Ebay are showing big moves today, which means their price charts could warrant a... READ MORE
Boosted by a better-than-expected retail sales report, overbought stocks extended their advance with small gains. The major index ETFs were up fractionally with the S&P Small Cap iShares (+.55%) leading the way. The sectors were mixed with the Consumer Discretionary SPDR (XLY), Industrials SPDR (XLI) and Utilities SPDR... READ MORE
CA Consolidates after Breakout. CAT Confirms Bearish Continuation Pattern. Plus FB, GT, MAR, NBR This commentary and charts-of-interest are designed to stimulate thinking. This analysis is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or sell short any security (stock ETF or otherwise). We all need to think for ourselves when... READ MORE
The Brent Crude ETF (BNO) plunged in February and then consolidated with a pennant in early March. This consolidation affirmed support near the trend line extending up from the early November low. With a sharp decline the last two days, BNO broke support to signal a continuation lower. Also notice... READ MORE
Stocks took a breather on Tuesday as the major index ETFs edged lower. The declines were small, very small. The sectors were mixed with the Basic Materials SPDR (XLB), Energy SPDR (XLE) and Healthcare SPDR (XLV) bucking the market and scoring small gains. XLV hit a new high as Merck... READ MORE
Point & Figure charts are great for identifying support and resistance levels. The chart below shows the Nasdaq 100 ($NDX) bouncing off the 2790 level four times in the past week as a consolidation takes shape. The bulls have a clear edge as long as this level holds. Note that... READ MORE
Stocks started the day weak with some selling pressure on the open, but quickly firmed as the major index ETFs worked their way higher the rest of the day. SPY and MDY closed near their highs for the day, which also happen to be 52-week highs. On a percentage basis,... READ MORE
ALTR Consolidates near Trend Line Support. AMCC Bounces off Key Retracement. KSS, MRK and RDC This commentary and charts-of-interest are designed to stimulate thinking. This analysis is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or sell short any security (stock ETF or otherwise). We all need to think for ourselves... READ MORE
The Silver Trust (SLV) has been working its way lower since early October with a falling channel taking shape. After plunging in February, the ETF firmed near the lower trend line with a pennant. A break below 27.50 would signal a continuation lower, while a break above 28.50... READ MORE
With a better-than-expected jobs report, stocks extended their gains on Friday and Treasuries dropped sharply. The S&P 500 ETF (SPY) hit another new high, while the 20+ Year T-Bond ETF (TLT) closed at its lowest level since May 2012. Stocks are as overbought as Treasuries are oversold, but... READ MORE
With a strong open and sharp move lower, Bank of America (BAC) is gracing the intraday candlestick scan with a dark cloud as we head into the close on Friday. Note that this bearish reversal pattern is taking shape near resistance from the prior highs. Also notice that a broadening... READ MORE
With a massive eight day surge, the major index ETFs moved to new highs and the offensive sectors got back in gear. The AD Lines and AD Volume Lines also moved to new highs, and Net New Highs expanded once again. New highs are bullish, but the size of this... READ MORE
Stocks continued on their merry Thursday with the Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) leading the way (+.61%). Note that IMW is up eight days straight. The S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is trading at its highest level of the year as the market went from short-term oversold to short-term overbought... READ MORE
60-minute P&F charts provide a nice medium-term perspective on broad market movements. This S&P 500 chart is based on 5-points per box and a 3-box reversal. Notice that it extends back to June and shows three big price swings. After the January surge, $SPX consolidated in... READ MORE
After big moves on Tuesday, stocks took a breather on Wednesday as the major index ETFs consolidated. The Dow SPDR (DIA) edged higher, while the Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) edged lower. The sectors were also mixed with the biggest moves coming from the Materials SPDR (+88%) and the Finance SPDR... READ MORE
ANF Bounces off Support with Rising Wedge. BRBR Breaks Resistance with Surging Volume. Plus BRCM, DNDN, HSL This commentary and charts-of-interest are designed to stimulate thinking. This analysis is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or sell short any security (stock ETF or otherwise). We all need to think... READ MORE
The Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is up seven days straight and is now trading near potential resistance from the February high. Notice that an indecisive doji formed on Wednesday. A doji and surge above 90 started this seven day rally. A doji and move below 90 would reverse this seven... READ MORE
Stocks surged out of the gate with big gains in the first 30 minutes. The ISM Services Index beat expectations at 10AM and this kept the bid in stocks for the rest of the day. The major index ETFs finished the day with gains ranging from .90% for the Dow... READ MORE
The Sector Market Carpet is showing lots of green as stocks surge with a broad-based rally. All sectors are up with industrials, finance and technology leading the way. Genworth (GNW) is the biggest gainer in the S&P 500, and Apollo (APOL) sports the second largest gain. Click this... READ MORE
You have to give the bulls credit for resilience. Stocks treaded water in the early going and then surged in the afternoon. The major index ETFs closed at or near their highs for the day. On the 60 minute charts, IWM broke falling channel resistance, SPY is challenging neckline resistance... READ MORE
ARIA Forms Bull Wedge Near Breakout. CTXS Bounces off Gap Support Zone. Plus BBBY, CTXS, F, PCS This commentary and charts-of-interest are designed to stimulate thinking. This analysis is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or sell short any security (stock ETF or otherwise). We all need to think... READ MORE
The Guggenheim Airline ETF (FAA) continues to lead the transports with another big move. Note that Delta (DAL) and United Continental Broke consolidations today. AMR has a falling wedge working and could be next. Click this image for a live chart... READ MORE