Markets rebound except for ASX

  • US stocks continue their bull-trend
  • European stocks strengthen
  • China likewise
  • ASX Energy and Materials sectors under pressure

The S&P 500 broke through the upper border of its broadening wedge formation, signaling a fresh advance with a target of 2300*. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying support. Reversal below 2000 is unlikely, but would warn of another correction.

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  • US stocks continue their bull-trend
  • European stocks strengthen
  • China likewise
  • ASX Energy and Materials sectors under pressure

The S&P 500 broke through the upper border of its broadening wedge formation, signaling a fresh advance with a target of 2300*. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying support. Reversal below 2000 is unlikely, but would warn of another correction.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 2050 + ( 2050 – 1800 ) = 2300

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) at 13 continues to reflect low risk typical of a bull market.

S&P 500 VIX

Germany’s DAX broke through resistance at 9400/9500, signaling another test of 10000. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow refllects medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 9400 is unlikely at present, but would warn of another test of primary support at 9000.

DAX

* Target calculation: 9000 – ( 10000 – 9000 ) = 8000

The Footsie is also headed for a test of its long-term high at 6900/6950. The sharp rise on 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow indicates strong medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 6500 is unlikely.

FTSE 100

China’s Shanghai Composite Index respected support at its 2013 high of 2440, signaling a fresh advance. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow respect of its rising trendline confirms (medium-term) buying pressure.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2300 ) = 2500

The ASX 200 is weaker, undergoing another correction. Respect of support at 5250/5300 would indicate the primary up-trend is intact — as would a 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero. Penetration of primary support at 5120/5150, however, would signal a primary down-trend.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5650 + ( 5650 – 5300 ) = 6000

ASX 200 Materials (15.7%) and Energy (6.0%) sectors have commenced a down-trend. This is in sharp contrast to the Financial (46.2% including REITs) and Health Care (5.2%) sectors which continue in a healthy up-trend. It is possible for the first two sectors, with a combined weighting of 21.7%, to reverse the broad index, but is not likely unless the contagion spreads to the Industrial and Financial sectors. Increased risk-weightings for home mortgages and stronger capital ratios for major banks are likely recommendations of the Murray inquiry. These will improve the long-term strength and growth prospects for Financials, but a negative reaction in the short-term could tip the sector into a down-trend.

ASX 200 sectorstitle=”S&P 500 Index” alt=”S&P 500 Index” src=”https://www.incrediblecharts.com/images/2014/2014-11-24-spx.png” />

* Target calculation: 2050 + ( 2050 – 1800 ) = 2300

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) at 13 continues to reflect low risk typical of a bull market.

S&P 500 VIX

Germany’s DAX broke through resistance at 9400/9500, signaling another test of 10000. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow refllects medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 9400 is unlikely at present, but would warn of another test of primary support at 9000.

DAX

* Target calculation: 9000 – ( 10000 – 9000 ) = 8000

The Footsie is also headed for a test of its long-term high at 6900/6950. The sharp rise on 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow indicates strong medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 6500 is unlikely.

FTSE 100

China’s Shanghai Composite Index respected support at its 2013 high of 2440, signaling a fresh advance. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow respect of its rising trendline confirms (medium-term) buying pressure.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2300 ) = 2500

The ASX 200 is weaker, undergoing another correction. Respect of support at 5250/5300 would indicate the primary up-trend is intact — as would a 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero. Penetration of primary support at 5120/5150, however, would signal a primary down-trend.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5650 + ( 5650 – 5300 ) = 6000

ASX 200 Materials (15.7%) and Energy (6.0%) sectors have commenced a down-trend. This is in sharp contrast to the Financial (46.2% including REITs) and Health Care (5.2%) sectors which continue in a healthy up-trend. It is possible for the first two sectors, with a combined weighting of 21.7%, to reverse the broad index, but is not likely unless the contagion spreads to the Industrial and Financial sectors. Increased risk-weightings for home mortgages and stronger capital ratios for major banks are likely recommendations of the Murray inquiry. These will improve the long-term strength and growth prospects for Financials, but a negative reaction in the short-term could tip the sector into a down-trend.

ASX 200 sectors

Gold breaks support

Gold broke support at $1200/$1180 per ounce, signaling another (primary) decline. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum peaks below zero strengthens the signal. The long-term target is $1000*. Recovery above 1200 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

Spot Gold

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

Dow and S&P 500 make new highs

  • US stocks have reaffirmed their bull market
  • European stocks are recovering
  • China and Japan signal up-trends
  • ASX is rising
  • Gold is falling

The new reporting season is under way and fund managers are now looking for opportunities rather than selling off under-performers.

Dow Jones Industrial Average made a new high, above 17300, signaling a primary advance. Reversal below 17000 and the rising trendline is most unlikely, but would warn of another correction. Target for the advance is 18000*.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 17000 + ( 17000 – 16000 ) = 18000

The S&P 500 similarly made a new high, signaling a fresh advance. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow (above zero) indicates medium-term buying pressure. Target for the advance is 2150*. Reversal below 2000 and the rising trendline is unlikely, but would signal another correction.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 2000 + ( 2000 – 1850 ) = 2150

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) at 14 indicates low risk typical of a bull market.

S&P 500 VIX

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 continues to advance above its former primary support level at 3000. Long tails on the weekly candlesticks and recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicate buying pressure. Expect another test of 3300. Reversal below 3000 is less likely, but would signal a primary down-trend.

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50

* Target calculation: 3000 – ( 3300 – 3000 ) = 2700

China’s Shanghai Composite Index rallied above its recent high at 2400, confirming a primary up-trend. Target for the new advance is 2500*. and the rising trendline, warning of a correction. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough (above zero) indicates medium-term buying pressure; completion of a trough high above zero would signal trend strength.

Shanghai Composite Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2300 ) = 2500

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index broke resistance at 16300, signaling an advance with a long-term target of 18000*. Reversal below 16000 is unlikely, but would warn of another correction.

Nikkei 225 Index

* Target calculation: 16000 + ( 16000 – 14000 ) = 18000

The ASX 200 is headed for a test of resistance at 5660. Brief retracement at 5440 and rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow (above zero) both indicate medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 5440 is unlikely, but would indicate a test of 5250. I have lowered the target to 6000* because of constant back-filling in recent months.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5650 + ( 5650 – 5300 ) = 6000

October correction nearing end

  • DAX and FTSE in a down-trend
  • China and Hong Kong retreat
  • US stocks remain in a bull market
  • ASX ends correction

The new reporting season is under way and fund managers are now looking for opportunities rather than selling off under-performers.

The S&P 500 broke resistance at 1900 and 1925. Penetration of the descending trendline suggests that the October correction is over. Recovery of 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicates medium-term buying pressure. Expect a test of resistance at 2000 followed by consolidation or retracement to confirm support at 1925. Narrow consolidation below 2000 would be a bullish sign.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 2000 + ( 2000 – 1850 ) = 2150

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) at 16 again indicates low risk typical of a bull market.

S&P 500 VIX

The Nasdaq 100 recovered above resistance at 4000, indicating a fresh advance. Penetration of the descending trendline signals that the correction is over. Completion of a 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough high above zero would indicate long-term buying pressure. Reversal below 4000 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of support.

Nasdaq 100

* Target calculation: 4100 + ( 4100 – 3800 ) = 4400

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 recovered above its former primary support level at 3000, suggesting a bear trap. The primary trend remains downward, but recovery of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero would suggest another test of 3300.

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50

* Target calculation: 9000 – ( 10000 – 9000 ) = 8000

China’s Shanghai Composite Index retreated below support at 2340/2350 and the rising trendline, warning of a correction. A 13-week Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero would confirm the primary up-trend, while reversal below zero would warn of a bear market.

Shanghai Composite Index

The ASX 200 recovered above resistance at 5250 and 5350 and the descending trendline, indicating that the correction is over. Breach of resistance at 5450 would signal another test of 5650. Bullish divergence and rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow (above zero) indicate medium-term buying pressure. Reversal below 5350 is unlikely, but would indicate another test of 5120.

ASX 200

Robert Shiller’s CAPE

I have long held the view that using Robert Shiller’s CAPE to determine whether stocks are under- or over-priced is misleading. Average levels for CAPE have shifted over time, and one cannot rely solely on historic highs and lows as a measure of whether the market is over-bought or over-sold.

So I was interested to learn that Robert Shiller currently maintains 50% of his investment portfolio in stocks. From an interview with Jason Zweig at WSJ:

Today’s level “might be high relative to history,” Prof. Shiller says, “but how do we know that history hasn’t changed?” So, he says, CAPE “has more probability of predicting actual declines or dramatic increases” when the measure is at an “extreme high or extreme low.” ….Today’s level, Prof. Shiller argues, isn’t extreme enough to justify a strong conclusion. So, he says, he and his wife still have about 50% of their portfolio in stocks.

October sell-off: Drawing to a close?

  • DAX and FTSE find support, but remain in a down-trend
  • China is bullish, but Japan bearish
  • US stocks find support and continue to indicate a bull market
  • ASX respects primary support

The S&P 500 found support at 1820 and is testing resistance at 1900. Breach of resistance would suggest that the correction is over. 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow below zero, however, continues to warn of medium-term selling pressure. Respect of resistance is more likely, indicating another test of support at 1800*.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1900 – ( 2000 – 1900 ) = 1800

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) retreated to 22, indicating moderate risk, but nowhere near the 30+ levels typical of a bear market.

S&P 500 VIX

Dow Jones Industrial Average recovered above resistance (the former support level) at 16300, the long tail indicating short-term buying pressure. Follow-through above the descending trendline would signal that the correction is over. Recovery above the recent highs at 25% on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow would suggest that buyers have regained control.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

Germany’s DAX is retracing to test resistance at 9000. Respect would confirm a primary down-trend. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero strengthens the bear signal. Target for the decline is 8000*. Recovery above 9000 remains unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50

* Target calculation: 9000 – ( 10000 – 9000 ) = 8000

The Footsie displays a similar long tail, indicating buying pressure. Recovery above 6500 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap. Respect of resistance would offer a target of 6000*.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 6400 – ( 6800 – 6400 ) = 6000

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is testing support at 2340/2350. Breach would warn of a correction. But the primary up-trend remains and rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow signals medium-term buying pressure.

Shanghai Composite Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index plunged through support at 14800, warning of a test of primary support at 13900/14000. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero indicates (long-term) selling pressure.

Nikkei 225 Index

The ASX 200 recovered above resistance at 5250 and the descending trendline, suggesting that the correction is over. Bullish divergence and a rising 21-day Twiggs Money Flow (above zero) indicates medium-term buying pressure. Recovery above 5350 would confirm that buyers are back in control, while reversal below 5250 would indicate another test of 5000/5050.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5350 – ( 5650 – 5350 ) = 5050

ASX 200 VIX remains below 20, indicating low risk typical of a bull market.

ASX 200 VIX

October sell-off continues

  • DAX and FTSE break support, signaling a down-trend
  • China is bullish, but rest of Asia is bearish
  • US stocks are correcting, but continue to indicate a bull market
  • ASX testing primary support

The quarter-end sell-off has been exacerbated by weakness in Europe.

Germany’s DAX broke primary support at 8900/9000, signaling a (primary) down-trend. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero strengthens the bear signal. Target for the decline is 8000*. Recovery above 9000 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50

* Target calculation: 9000 – ( 10000 – 9000 ) = 8000

The Footsie displays similar weakness, breaching primary support at 6400/6500. Target for the decline is 6000*. Recovery above 6500 is unlikely, but would warn of a bear trap.

FTSE 100 Index

* Target calculation: 6400 – ( 6800 – 6400 ) = 6000

China’s Shanghai Composite Index is holding above its new support at 2340/2350, but expect retracement to at least 2250 in response to US/European weakness.

Shanghai Composite Index

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index broke medium-term support at 15500 and the rising trendline to warn of a correction. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would strengthen the signal. Breach of 14800 would indicate a test of primary support at 14000.

Nikkei 225 Index

The S&P 500 is testing primary support at 1900. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of selling pressure. Reversal below zero would indicate a down-trend, offering a target of 1800*.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1900 – ( 2000 – 1900 ) = 1800

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) rose to above 20, indicating moderate risk, but nowhere near the levels typical of a bear market.

S&P 500 VIX

The ASX 200 broke support at 5250/5300, suggesting a test of long-term support at 5000. Declining 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero indicates strong selling pressure. Recovery above 5350 is unlikely, but would suggest that the correction is over.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5350 – ( 5700 – 5350 ) = 5000

Gold breaks support

Spot gold broke support at $1200/ounce, warning of a primary down-trend to test $1000*. Follow-through below $1180 would confirm. 13-Week Twiggs Momentum below zero already signals a primary down-trend.

S&P 500 VIX

* Target calculation: 1200 – ( 1400 – 1200 ) = 1000

Spot silver has already broken primary support and gold is expected to follow.

S&P 500 VIX

US job growth rebounds

  • US job growth rebounds, halting the correction
  • Gold and crude oil are falling
  • European stocks remain bearish
  • Asian stocks are bearish
  • US stocks continue to indicate a bull market

We are at the September quarter-end and stock weakness is likely to continue into October.

From the Wall Street Journal:

U.S. job growth rebounded in September and the jobless rate fell below 6% for the first time since mid-2008, suggesting the labor market is improving faster than previously thought. Nonfarm payrolls grew a seasonally adjusted 248,000 last month, the fastest pace since June, the Labor Department said Friday.

The S&P 500 broke downwards from its broadening wedge formation this week, warning of a correction to 1900. But Thursday’s long tail and Friday’s rally indicate buying support below 1950. Another test of 2000 is likely. Respect of resistance would warn of further weakness in October, while breakout would suggest a fresh advance; follow-through above 2020 would confirm.

S&P 500

* Target calculation: 2000 + ( 2000 – 1900 ) = 2100

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) remains below 20, typical of a bull market.

S&P 500 VIX

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 found support at 3100, but this is unlikely to hold. Expect another test of primary support at 3000. Breach would signal a down-trend. Fall of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would strengthen the bear signal.

Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50

* Target calculation: 3000 – ( 3300 – 3000 ) = 2700

Dow Jones Asia Index is headed for a test of 2800 on the weekly chart despite continued bullishness on the Shanghai Composite, reflecting strength in the US Dollar. Penetration of the rising trendline would strengthen the bear signal. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero also signals a primary down-trend.

Dow Jones Asia Index

The ASX 200 found support at 5250. Recovery above 5350 and the descending trendline would suggest that the correction is over. But respect of resistance remains as likely and breach of 5250 would warn of a test of 5000/5050. Recovery of 21-day Twiggs Money Flow above zero would indicate short-term buying pressure.

ASX 200

* Target calculation: 5650 + ( 5650 – 5350 ) = 5950

Australian investors

Australian stocks have taken a bit of a beating over the last few weeks, including a few of the momentum stocks in our portfolio. Risk of a bear market remains low, but a falling Aussie Dollar has prompted international investors to scale back exposure to Australian equities.

AUDUSD

This tends to become self-reinforcing as falling stock prices then prompt further sell-offs. And repatriation causes further weakness in the Aussie Dollar. The down-trend is likely to continue if support at $0.8650/$0.8700 is breached.

Investors who split their portfolio between the S&P 500 and the ASX 200 have been cushioned from the fall, with their US portfolio showing strong appreciation in Australian Dollar terms.