Lackluster S&P 500 and Dow Industrials

The S&P 500 Index is currently consolidating between 1400 and 1420. Lackluster momentum suggests another correction; confirmed if Twiggs Momentum (63-day) reverses below zero. Breakout above 1420, however, would signal an advance to the 2007 high of 1560*.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1420 + ( 1420 – 1280 ) = 1560

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is similarly testing support at 13000 on the weekly chart. Downward breakout would penetrate the rising trendline, suggesting another correction. Weak volume signals a lack of interest from buyers rather than resistance from sellers. Upward breakout above 13300 is unlikely, but would indicate an advance to the 2007 high of 14200.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

S&P 500 and Dow: correction is over

The S&P 500 closed Friday above resistance at 1340, confirming the bullish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow (hat tip johnb). Expect retracement to test the new support level, followed by a rally to the March/April high of 1420. Wait for breakout on the Nasdaq 100 to confirm the Dow and S&P 500 signals.

S&P 500 Index

Dow Jones Industrial Average broke medium-term resistance at 12600/12700, indicating a rally to 13300. Expect retracement to first test the new support level. A bounce off the zero line by 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure — and a likely rally — but the long-term bearish divergence remains and suggests strong resistance at 13300.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

Nasdaq 100 has penetrated its descending trendline, signaling a bottom, but has yet to break resistance at 2580 — which would signal an advance to 2800 and confirm the Dow/S&P signals. Bullish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure.

Nasdaq 100 Index

Selling pressure warns of correction

Medium-term selling pressure, signaled by bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow, continues to warn of a correction in US and Asia-Pacific markets. The Dow Jones TSM (formerly “Wilshire”) Asia-Pacific Index displays a bearish divergence since mid-February. Reversal below 1280 would confirm a correction.

Dow Jones TSM Asia-Pacific Index

Dow Jones Industrial Average shows a similar bearish divergence, though the latest down-turn was exaggerated by triple-witching hour [TW] on Friday. Reversal below 12750 would confirm a correction.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

US stocks bullish

Dow Jones Industrial Average consolidating in a narrow range below resistance at 13,000 suggests an upward breakout and continuation of the primary up-trend. Strong values on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow indicate buying pressure.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 12200 + ( 12200 – 11200 ) = 13200

The S&P 500 displays a strong primary up-trend on 63-day Twiggs Momentum. Breakout above 1370 would complete the picture, offering a medium-term target of 1450*.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1300 + ( 1300 – 1150 ) = 1450

The Nasdaq 100 is building up a head of froth and is due for a correction to test support at 2400. Breach of the secondary rising trendline would give an early warning. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow continues to warn of long-term weakness.
Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2150 ) = 2650

Bellwether transport stock Fedex continues in a primary up-trend, though rising oil prices could spoil the party. Respect of the rising trendline would reinforce the up-trend.

Fedex

Bear in mind that we are experiencing a lot of window-dressing ahead of the November election. The Fed is suppressing long-term interest rates, making stocks a more attractive alternative (the lesser of two evils). While ECRI’s Lakshman Achuthan points out that retail sales, the true driver of economic recovery, remain soft. There are some positive signs, however, so follow the rally by all means — but with caution. This is not another massive bull market like the 1990s. Not without a strong rise in debt levels — which is most unlikely. Markets will remain risk-averse for most of this decade — as long as it takes to clean up the mess.

Dow and S&P 500 test key resistance

Dow Jones Industrial Average is testing resistance at 12800. A large bearish divergence would be completed if 13-week Twiggs Money Flow retreated below 10% — and would warn of a bull trap. Reversal below medium-term support at 12300 and the rising trendline would also warn of trend weakness, while respect of these levels would indicate a primary advance to 13400*.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 12300 + ( 12300 – 11200 ) = 13400

The S&P 500 displays similar weakness on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow, but rising 63-day Twiggs Money Flow indicates trend strength. Breakout above 1370 would indicate an advance to 1450*.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1300 + ( 1300 – 1150 ) = 1450

The Nasdaq 100 made a strong breakout above 2400, indicating a primary up-trend. Expect a retracement to test the new support level (2400); respect would confirm the up-trend.

Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2150 ) = 2650

Bull market signaled as liquidity soars

Central banks are flooding the markets with liquidity, causing stocks to rise despite weak fundamentals. Large bearish divergences on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow for Dow Industrials and the Nasdaq 100 highlight the precarious nature of the current rally. But, as I said earlier, don’t bet on this ending before the November election.

Dow Jones Industrial Average broke resistance at 12800, joining the Nasdaq 100 above its 2011 high. All four major indices display a primary up-trend, collectively signaling a bull market. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure on the Dow and target for the initial advance is 13400*.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 12300 + ( 12300 – 11200 ) = 13400

The S&P 500 is a little way behind, but rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates buying pressure. Breakout above 1370 is likely to confirm an advance to 1450*.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1300 + ( 1300 – 1150 ) = 1450

The Nasdaq 100 index followed through above 2500, confirming the primary up-trend, while rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicates medium-term buying pressure.

Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2150 ) = 2650

Dow Jones Transport Average is also in a primary up-trend; and headed for a test of resistance at 5600. New highs on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow indicate long-term buying pressure.

Dow Jones Transport Average

* Target calculation: 5000 + ( 5000 – 4500 ) = 5500

Dow and S&P bearish divergence

Dow Jones Industrial Average is already in a primary up-trend, having completed a higher trough late last year, and is now testing the 2011 high of 12800. Retracement to 12300 and the rising trendline is likely. Respect would confirm the new up-trend, but a large bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of failure and a cross below zero would indicate reversal to a primary down-trend.

Dow Jones Industrial Average


The Nasdaq 100 displays a similar bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow, warning of strong selling pressure. Retreat below 2400 would indicate a bull trap.

Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2150 ) = 2650

The S&P 500 has not yet reached its 2011 highs but retreat of 13-week Twiggs Money Flow below zero would warn of strong selling pressure and a primary trend reversal.

S&P 500 Index

Dow warns of correction

Dow Jones Industrial Average reversed below short-term support at 12000. Bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow warns of medium-term selling pressure — and a correction to test primary support at 10600. Reversal (of TMF) below zero and follow-through (of DJIA) below 11900 would strengthen the signal.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

Dow, Nasdaq diverge

Dow Jones Industrial Average is testing resistance at 12300. Breakout would signal a primary advance to 13400 and an end to the bear market. Rising 63-day Twiggs Momentum is encouraging but will only be significant if retracement respects the zero line.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 12300 + ( 12300 – 11200 ) = 13400

The Nasdaq 100, however, displays a large bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow, warning of selling pressure. Reversal below 2040 would confirm a primary down-trend. Breakout above 2400 is less likely, but would suggest an advance to 2800*.

Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2000 ) = 2800

US markets show promise of recovery

We are not out of the woods yet, but the S&P 500 weekly chart is starting to diverge from its mid-2008 pattern. Headed for a test of the descending trendline and resistance at 1300, an index breakout would signal a primary advance to 1450* and the end of the bear market. Recovery of 63-day Twiggs Momentum above zero would support this.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1300 + ( 1300 – 1150 ) = 1450

Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, displays short-term resistance between 12000 and 12300 on the daily chart. Reversal of 21-day Twiggs Money Flow below zero would warn of rising selling pressure.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

* Target calculation: 12300 + ( 12300 – 11200 ) = 13400

Nasdaq 100 Index is headed for resistance at 2400. Upward breakout would offer a target of 2750*. Bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow warns of selling pressure, but breakout above the descending trendline would negate this.

Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2400 + ( 2400 – 2050 ) = 2750