Week-In-Review: Bulls Defend Critical Support

Bulls Defend Critical Support

Stocks ended mostly higher last week after the bulls showed up and defended critical support. As we have said since the beginning of June, the 50 day moving average line is the critical line in the sand to watch for the major indices. It was encouraging to see that important level defended, especially for the Nasdaq and Nasdaq 100. Once again, the latest pullback has been very shallow in both size (small percent decline) and scope (short in duration). The Nasdaq is not out of the woods just yet, but the bulls remain in clear control as long as the 50 DMA line holds. So far, this appears to be a perfectly normal and healthy pullback after a big run. Underneath the surface we are seeing big money rotate into undervalued sectors which bodes well for this strong bull market. Looking ahead, the next important areas of support to watch are: Russel 2000: 1351, then 1335, then 1308. The Dow Industrials: 20.6K, then 20.4k, S&P 500: 2352, then 2322.25, Nasdaq Composite: 5995, then 5805, then 5769.39. Until those levels are breached on a closing basis, the bulls remain in control on a short, intermediate, and long term time-frame. Remember, next week is the end of the month which normally has a slight upward bias. Keep in mind, if the selling gets worse, a defensive stance is warranted.

Mon-Wed Action:

The bulls showed up on Monday and successfully defended the 50 DMA line for the Nasdaq and Nasdaq 100. That was extremely important and that helped the Dow Jones Industrial Average & the benchmark S&P 500 jump to a fresh record high. Stocks ended a little lower on Tuesday after oil officially fell back into a bear market (defined by a decline of 20% below a recent high) and investors continued to rotate into several undervalued areas in the market, namely biotech and health care stocks. Biotechs caught a very nice bid last week as big money searched for value. Stocks ended mixed on Wednesday as investors digested the latest round of economic data. Weekly mortgage applications grew by +0.6%, which was lower than last week’s +2.8% gain. Separately, existing home sales came in at 5.62M, beating estimates for a gain of 5.55M.

Thur & Fri Action:

Stocks were quiet on Thursday as investors digested the latest round of economic data. Weekly Jobless claims came in at 241,000, beating estimates for 240,000. The FHFA House Price Index grew by +0.7%, beating estimates for +0.5%. Leading indicators grew by +0.3%, matching estimates for +0.3%. The Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Index came in at 11, higher than the last reading of 8. Stocks were quiet on Friday after New Home Sales came in at 610k, beating estimates for 590k.

Market Outlook: Bulls Defend Support

The bulls showed up and defended important support last week (50 dma line). As long as support holds, the bulls remain in clear control of this market. As always, keep your losses small and never argue with the tape. Get Our Free e-Book: Learn How To Buy Leading Stocks…EARLY. Get It Here…

Similar Posts

  • Stocks Snap 4-Day Losing Streak

    Market Outlook- Rally Under Pressure:
    The major averages confirmed their latest rally attempt on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 which was the 11th day of their latest rally attempt. It is important to note that all major rallies in history began with a FTD however not every FTD leads to a new rally (i.e. several FTDs fail). In addition, it is important to note that the major averages still are under pressure as they are all trading below their longer and shorter term moving averages (50 and 200 DMA lines) and are all still negative year-to-date. Our longstanding clients/readers know, we like to filter out the noise and focus on what matters most: market action. This rally will fail if/when several distribution days emerge or August’s lows are breached. Until then, the bulls deserve the benefit of the doubt. If you are looking for specific help navigating this market, please contact us for more information.

  • Happy Birthday Bull Market!

    Market Action- Rally Under Pressure; Week 28
    It was encouraging to see the bulls show up and defend the major averages’ respective 50 DMA lines in November, January, late February, and early March. From our point of view, the market remains in rally-mode until those levels are breached. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite and small-cap Russell 2000 indexes continue to lead evidenced by their shallow correction and strong recovery. If you are looking for specific high ranked ideas, please contact us for more information.
    Have You Seen Our New Site?

  • Week In Review: S&P 500 Forming Bullish Double Bottom Pattern; Leaders Are Strong

    STOCK MARKET COMMENTARY: FRIDAY, September 06, 2013   Stocks have been under pressure (pulling back) since early August as a slew of external “fears” continue to plague Wall Street. Here are some of the “fears:” Attack on Syria (will it esclate?), Fed Taper, Lackluster earnings growth, Debt limit, & higher energy prices, to name a…

  • Week-In-Review: Another Record Setting Month On Wall Street

    Another Record Setting Month On Wall Street The market remains exceptionally strong as the bulls remain in clear control and stocks refuse to fall in a meaningful fashion. Every time the market hints at pulling back, almost immediately, the bulls show up (buy the dip crowd) and send stocks soaring. The two largest “down” days…

  • Strong Start To Q2

    The benchmark S&P 500 Index currently has 4 distribution days while the Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average have 3 since the March 1, 2010 follow-though-day (FTD). These distribution days have not been damaging, and normally it is considered healthy for the major averages to have less than 4 distribution days in a four week period. It is also a welcome sign to see the market continue to improve as investors digest the latest round of stronger than expected economic and earnings data. Remember that now that a new rally has been confirmed, the window is open to proactively be buying high quality breakouts meeting the investment system guidelines. Trade accordingly.

  • Dow & Nasdaq Jump Above 50 DMA Line; Where's The Volume?

    Wednesday marked Day 3 of the current rally attempt which means that as long as Monday’s lows are not breached the earliest a proper follow-through-day (FTD) could emerge will be this Thursday. In order for a proper FTD to emerge one would have to see at least one of the major averages rally at least +1.7% on higher volume than the prior session as a new batch of high ranked leaders trigger fresh technical buy signals. Once that occurs, then the current rally attempt will be confirmed and the ideal window for accumulating high ranked stocks will be open. However, if Monday’s lows are breached, then the day count will be reset. Trade accordingly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *