VIX CBOE Volatility Index Archives - the patient investor

August 18, 2013

S&P 500 breaks support

The S&P 500 broke support at 1675 and is testing 1650. Bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow warns of selling pressure. Breach of 1650 would test the rising trendline around 1625. Respect (of the trendline) would indicate a healthy up-trend, while failure would test primary support at 1560.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1680 + ( 1680 – 1560 ) = 1800

There is a lower trendline, however, on the monthly chart. Breach of support at 1560 would indicate a test of the (super) trendline.
S&P 500 Index

The VIX below 15 continues to indicate low market risk, favoring a primary up-trend. We need to watch this closely, however, as a spike above 0.20 may warn that something is amiss.

VIX Index

The TSX Composite Index rallied off support at 12400, indicating a test of resistance at 12900/13000. Rising 13-week Twiggs Money Flow above zero indicates medium-term buying pressure. Respect of resistance would suggest another down-swing to 12000/11750, but breakout above 12900/13000 is as likely and would offer a long-term target of 14000*.
TSX Composite Index

* Target calculation: 13000 + ( 13000 – 12000 ) = 14000

July 21, 2013

S&P 500 breakout

Short candles on the S&P 500 indicate some opposition, but breakout above resistance at 1675 indicates an advance to 1800*. Follow-through above 1700 would strengthen the signal. The 21-day Twiggs Money Flow trough above zero indicates medium-term buying pressure — and a healthy up-trend. Reversal below 1650 is unlikely, but would warn of another test of primary support at 1560.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1680 + ( 1680 – 1560 ) = 1800

The VIX below 15 suggests low market risk.

VIX Index

The TSX Composite Index is advancing towards resistance at 12900. Breakout would signal a primary advance, with a long-term target of 14000*. Follow-through above 13000 would strengthen the signal. Breach of the declining trendline on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow would also suggest improving buying pressure. Respect of 12900, however, and reversal of 13-week TMF below zero, would warn of another test of 11750.

TSX Composite Index

* Target calculation: 13000 + ( 13000 – 12000 ) = 14000

June 16, 2013

S&P500 up-trend despite test of support at 1600

A monthly chart shows 10-year Treasury yields continue to respect support at 2.00%, confirming the primary up-trend. Expect resistance at 2.50%, but the long-term (multi-year) target is 4.00%, where the 2009 high coincides with a descending trendline from the 31-year secular bear-trend. Rising yields reflect market expectations that the economy is recovering and the Fed will curtail further quantitative easing.

10-Year Treasury Yields

The S&P 500 is headed for a re-test of support at 1600, but recovery above 1650 would signal another advance — testing the upper channel around 1700. Declining 21-day Twiggs Money Flow continues to signal selling pressure.

S&P 500 Index
Breach of support at 1600 would warn of a correction to test the long-term rising trendline at 1500, but that would not alter the healthy primary up-trend.

The VIX is rising, but remains in the green zone, below 20, suggesting a healthy up-trend.

S&P 500 Index

May 20, 2013

VIX low S&P 500 high

The VIX CBOE Volatility Index is below 15%, indicating investor confidence.
VIX
But the risk premium on Baa-grade bonds (Moody’s lowest investment grade, compared to the 10-year Treasury yield) remains elevated. Corporate bond investors are still wary.
Baa Risk Premium
10-Year Treasury yields are headed for a test of resistance at 2.00%/2.10%. There is no sign of inflationary pressure, so outflow from Treasuries is more likely indicative of their extremely overbought position — with yields near record lows — and suggestions from FOMC minutes that quantitative easing may be scaled back later in the year. Breakout above 2.10% would signal a primary up-trend with an initial target of 2.40%.
10-Year Treasury Yields
The S&P 500 is advancing strongly. 6-Monthly Twiggs Money Flow rising strongly indicates a healthy primary up-trend. The index is overdue for a correction, but this is likely to be mild.

S&P 500 Index

* Target calculation: 1475 + ( 1475 – 1350 ) = 1600

Nasdaq 100 also signals a healthy up-trend, advancing towards a target of 3400*.
Nasdaq 100 Index

* Target calculation: 2900 + ( 2900 – 2500 ) = 3400

Bellwether transport stock Fedex respected support at $90. Recovery above $100 would confirm the primary up-trend is intact. A bullish sign for the economy.
Fedex

Follow the trend but keep an eye on risk measures like the VIX and Baa risk premium. These are uncertain times.