The combined assets of the nation’s mutual funds decreased by $219.2 billion, or 1.8 percent, to $12.009 trillion in July, according to the Investment Company Institute’s official survey of the mutual fund industry.
Europe consolidates
Dow Jones Europe Index ($E1DOW) recovered above 230 and is expected to consolidate between 230 and 250. The bear market remains strong, with 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero indicating selling pressure. Reversal below 230 would test the 2010 low of 205, though the calculated target is lower*.
* Target calculation: 230 – ( 265 – 230 ) = 195
Denial is not a river in Egypt
Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied, suggesting a second higher low above primary support at 10600/10800. Expect a test of 11900/12000, but this does not mean the bear market is about to reverse. We are still in the early “denial stage” of the bear market, identified by sporadic bargain-hunting, high volatility and a general lack of direction. Declining volume indicates a lack of enthusiasm from buyers and sellers. Failure of primary support would change that, leading to a sharp fall to 10000*.
* Target calculation: 11000 – ( 12000 – 11000 ) = 10000
Flight to safety
10-Year Treasury yields fell to a new low on Friday, warning of further falls in the stock market as investors seek save havens in Treasurys and precious metals.
DAX breaks support
Dow Jones Germany Index broke support at 210/205 Monday, warning of another sharp fall as the ECB ramps up bond purchases and German participation in the bailout program is challenged in their High Court. Plunging 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates strong selling pressure. Target for the fall is the 2009 low of 150*.
* Target calculation: 200 – ( 250 – 200 ) = 150
The DAX Index similarly broke support at 5500, offering a target of 4500*.
* Target calculation: 5500 – ( 6500 – 5500 ) = 4500
European rally meets resistance
The FTSE 100 index is meeting selling pressure in its rally to test resistance at 5600, evidenced by tall shadows on the last two candles. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would strengthen the signal. Failure of support at 4800 would offer a target of 4000*.
* Target calculation: 4800 – ( 5600 – 4800 ) = 4000
The DAX Index also displays tall shadows on the last two weekly candles. The rally to test 6400 is particularly weak, with decline of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero warning of strong selling pressure. Reversal below 5400 would offer a target of 4400*.
* Target calculation: 5400 – ( 6400 – 5400 ) = 4400
The CAC-40 displays similar selling pressure. Breakout below 2900 would offer a target of 2500*.
* Target calculation: 2900 – ( 3300 – 2900 ) = 2500
TSX60
TSX 60 Index is testing resistance at 725/735. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow oscillating around zero indicates hesitancy. Resistance is likely to hold and reversal below the week’s low at 700 would warn of another test of support at 650/660. In the medium term, failure of support would offer a target of 580*.
* Target calculation: 650 – ( 720 – 650 ) = 580
Dow runs out of buyers
Dow Jones Industrial Average failed to reach resistance at 11900/12000. Low volumes indicate a lack of interest from buyers rather than large numbers of sellers. Expect a test of support at 10600 to 10800. A strong surge in volume would indicate buying support, but failure is more likely and would offer a target of 9600*.
* Target calculation: 10800 – ( 12000 – 10800 ) = 9600
The S&P 500 Index is similarly headed for a test of support at 1100/1120. 21-Day Twiggs Money Flow peaking below the zero line [bear] warns of strong selling pressure. Failure of support would offer a target of 1000*.
* Target calculation: 1120 – ( 1260 – 1120 ) = 980
The Nasdaq 100 Index fared better over the last few weeks, but a failed breakout above 2200 warns of another test of 2000. 13-Week Twiggs Money Flow reversal below zero would further strengthen the bear signal.
* Target calculation: 2000 – ( 2200 – 2000 ) = 1800
Traders Don’t Care About Long-Term Problems, But You Should | Chris Ciovacco | Safehaven.com
We believe the psyche of investors is on the verge of reaching a tipping point, which could cause a very rapid decline in asset prices. It is next to impossible to know if and when they will reach for the sell button in unison, but the risk for such an event is elevated and must be considered in all portfolio management decisions. Stocks dropped 34% in twelve trading sessions in 1987. High volatility occurred before that drop, indicating an increased willingness to run for the exits. If you have not noticed, the markets have been volatile recently. An “Oh, my God” type event is difficult to predict, but the conditions are in place to make for an interesting next few months.
via Traders Don’t Care About Long-Term Problems, But You Should | Chris Ciovacco | Safehaven.com.
On High Correlations – Seeking Alpha
If the time horizons of investors are predominantly long, correlations on assets should be low in the short-run, because investors don’t make decisions to trade off of short-term macro factors. But when a large part of the investor base is skittish and is always running to or from the latest bit/byte/bite of data – that leads to high correlations.
ETFs aren’t necessary for high correlations, but they seem to help the process by creating easy ways for people to implement decisions that are a simple idea. “I want financials, I don’t want energy, buy the long bond, sell gold.”
Thus high short-term correlations indicate a momentum mindset in the investor base.