Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Market Commentary: Stocks in the US closed higher after the latest round of economic data was released. Volume, an important indicator of institutional sponsorship, was lower than Monday’s levels. Advancers led decliners by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 16-to-11 ratio on the Nasdaq exchange. There were…
It was very encouraging to see the Nasdaq breakout of its current trading range and hit a new 2009 high on Monday! It is also very encouraging to see the Philly Semiconductor Index (SOX) gap higher and hit a fresh 2009 high as well. Meanwhile,the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 closed just below 10,500 and 1,120, their respective resistance levels. Apple Inc. (AAPL) closed above its 6-week downward trendline and above its 50 day moving average line which is a healthy sign and bodes well for this 42-week rally.
Friday, December 18, 2009 Market Commentary: The major averages ended the week mixed as the US dollar continued to rally and investors digested a slew of economic data. Stocks closed higher on Friday as volume, an important indicator of institutional sponsorship, jumped above Thursday’s levels due to quadruple witching. Advancers led decliners by an 11-to-8…
The US dollar dominated the headlines on Thursday, and sent a slew of dollar denominated assets lower (mainly stocks and commodities). The major averages continued pulling back from important resistance levels and appear to be headed for support (just above their respective 50 day moving average lines). Until either support or resistance is breached, expect this bracketed (sideways) action to continue.
On Wednesday, the major averages closed near important resistance levels as leading stocks were mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and benchmark S&P 500 index closed below 10,500 and 1,115, their respective resistance levels. The Nasdaq composite closed just above 2200 which has served as an important level of resistance for the tech heavy index in recent months.
At this point, the action remains healthy as long as the major averages remain above their respective 50-day moving average lines. So far the market has held up rather nicely to the slew of economic data that was released this week. As long as this action continues, the major averages deserve the bullish benefit of the doubt.
On Tuesday, each of the major averages pulled back from logical resistance levels as leading stocks were mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and benchmark S&P 500 index closed just below 10,500 and 1,115, their respective resistance levels. The Nasdaq composite closed just above 2200 which has served as an important level of resistance for the tech heavy index in recent months.
Looking at the recent action in the market, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and benchmark S&P 500 index enjoyed their best close of the year as they continue flirting with important resistance levels (10,500 and 1,115 respectively.). The major averages continue acting well as they remain perched just below resistance (their respective 2009 highs) and above their respective 50-day moving average lines. Both these factors are considered healthy and bodes well for this 8-month (41-week) rally. It was also encouraging to see the Nasdaq close above 2,200 which has served as formidable resistance over the past few months. A slew of economic data is slated to be released this week and, as always, it will be very important to see how the market reacts to that news.
Looking at the recent action in the market, the major averages continue acting well as they remain perched just below resistance (their respective 2009 highs) and above their respective 50-day moving average (DMA) lines. Both these factors are considered healthy and bodes well for this 8-month rally. The Nasdaq continues to experience formidable resistance just above 2,200 while the benchmark S&P 500 Index faces resistance just above 1,115. The blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average remains the strongest of it peers and currently faces resistance just above 10,500. Until the major averages close above or below support or resistance, expect the bracketed (sideways) action to continue.
Stocks rallied on Thursday after healthy trade data helped offset concerns about an increase in weekly unemployment claims. Volume, an important indicator of institutional sponsorship, was mixed when compared to Wednesday’s levels; lower on the NYSE and higher on the Nasdaq exchange.
Around 2pm EST the greenback started to fall and U.S. stocks started to rally. Apple Inc. (AAPL) vaulted +$7.66, or +4.18%, and closed above its 50 DMA line on above average volume. Apple has been a strong leader since the March lows and the fact that it quickly repaired the damage is a bullish sign for this rally. A new crop of high ranked stocks are currently working on new bases (Read:10 Stocks on My Watchlist 12.09.09) as the major averages continue consolidating their recent gains above their respective 50 DMA lines. It was encouraging to see the benchmark S&P 500 bounce off support (shown above) for the fourth time in the past few weeks. To be clear, the bulls deserve the bullish benefit of the doubt until the major averages close below their respective 50 DMA lines. At this point, they are acting well and appear to want to move higher.