S&P 500 new high close–but divergences remain.

The S&P 500 Composite Index (SPX: 1,854.29, up 0.49%) absolute price was choppy (up and down) in the first 45 minutes but managed to close with a moderate gain. SPX closed above the open, above the midpoint of the day’s high-low range, and above all previous closing prices. SPX remains below its intraday high of 1,858.71 recorded on 2/24/14.

NYSE total volume fell 4% to a level 6% above its 200-day SMA. Generally, rising volume confirms the direction (up or down) of a price move, but falling volume may indicate diminishing power behind a price trend, which can suggest a price reversal ahead.

The Number of Daily Net New Highs on the NYSE (New Highs minus New Lows) fell to 243 from 288 on 2/26/14. These levels compare to peaks above 800 recorded in 2012 and 2013, when the S&P 500 was lower than it is now. So, this indicator still is diverging bearishly relative to last year’s levels.

Momentum oscillators RSI and MACD based on the S&P 500 have continued to lag relative to that price index. Both momentum oscillators failed to rise above their highs of 2013 as the S&P 500 price rose to a higher closing price high on 1/15/14 and again on 2/27/14, both fell to their lowest levels in more than 14 months on 2/3/14, and both failed to fully recover their losses in the recent stock price bounce since 2/3/14.

The minor trend of the stock market has been up since 2/3/14, but momentum divergences, generally low trading volume on up days, and excessive bullish sentiment remain challenges to a sustainable upside trend. On the other hand, the bullish case appears to rest primarily on continuation of central banks’ highly-accommodative monetary policies and hopes for faster economic recovery.
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Stock Market Indicators

The Dow Theory reconfirmed a Primary Tide Bull Market on 12/31/13 when the Dow-Jones Industrial Average and the Dow-Jones Transportation Average both closed at new closing price highs. The Averages have been diverging since 12/31/13, however, suggesting that all the parts of the stock market may not be in gear and pulling together in the same direction.

NASDAQ 100/S&P 500 Relative Strength Ratio (QQQ/SPY) rose to a 22-month high on 2/18/14 and has remained systematically bullish since 11/26/13. Absolute price of QQQ whipsawed back up above its 50-day SMA on 2/7/14, thereby turning systematically bullish (from neutral).

iShares MSCI BRIC Fund (BKF) Relative Strength Ratio (BKF/SPY) fell below its lows of the previous 8 years on 2/26/14, thereby reconfirming its preexisting long-term downtrend. BKF/SPY turned systematically bearish (from neutral) on 10/31/13 by crossing below its 50-day SMA. The 50-day SMA remains below the 200-day SMA. BKF/SPY has underperformed since it peaked on 10/14/2010. Absolute price of BKF fell below its lows of the previous 7 months on 2/3/14, thereby reconfirming its preexisting downtrend. Price peaked at 42.29 on 2/1/13, fell to a 20-month low at 32.62 on 6/24/13, and remains stuck in that trading range.

Emerging Markets Stocks ETF (EEM) Relative Strength Ratio (EEM/SPY) fell below its lows of the previous 8 years on 2/25/14, thereby confirming its preexisting long-term downtrend. EEM/SPY turned systematically bearish (from neutral) on 10/31/13 by crossing below its 50-day SMA. Long term, EEM/SPY has underperformed since the ratio peaked on 10/14/2010. Absolute price of EEM fell below its lows of the previous 7 months on 2/3/14, thereby reconfirming its preexisting downtrend. Price peaked at 45.34 on 1/2/13, fell to a 19-month low of 36.16 on 6/24/13, and remains stuck in that trading range.

Foreign Stocks ETF (EFA) Relative Strength Ratio (EFA/SPY) fell below its lowest levels of the previous 5 months on 12/18/13, thereby reconfirming its preexisting major downtrend. For nearly 6 years, from 11/27/07 to 7/9/13, EFA/SPY substantially underperformed, and that secular downtrend may still be in effect.

The Largest Cap S&P 100/S&P 500 Relative Strength Ratio (OEF/SPY) turned systematically bearish (from neutral) on 1/7/14 by crossing below its 50-day SMA. Large Caps tend to underperform Mid Caps and Small Caps in bullish general market trends as investors seek greater potential returns in more volatile, smaller stocks. On the other hand, Large Caps tend to outperform in bearish general market trends as investors seek the perceived relative stability and safety of large size.

The Small Cap Russell 2000 Index/Large Cap Relative Strength Ratio (IWM/SPY) whipsawed back up above its 50-day SMA on 2/20/14, thereby turning systematically bullish (from neutral). Absolute price crossed back up above its 50-day SMA on 2/13/14, thereby turning systematically bullish (from neutral).

The S&P Mid Cap 400/Large Cap Relative Strength Ratio (MDY/SPY) crossed back up above its 50-day SMA on 2/12/14, thereby turning systematically bullish (from neutral). Absolute price crossed back up above its 50-day SMA on 2/11/14, thereby turning systematically bullish (from neutral).
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Tangible Assets, Commodities

U.S. dollar ETF (UUP) price whipsawed back down below its 50-day SMA on 2/7/14, thereby turning systematically bearish (from neutral). UUP has whipsawed between systematically neutral and bearish since 9/12/13, when the 50-day SMA crossed down below the 200-day SMA. Longer term, UUP has been consolidating secular trend losses since bottoming at 20.84 on 5/4/11. Support 21.32, 21.07, and 20.84. Resistance 21.96, 22.34, 22.98, 23.14, 23.52, 25.84, 27.19, and 28.97.

Agriculture, PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund ETF (DBA) price rose above its 50-day SMA on 1/31/14, thereby turning systematically neutral (from bearish). DBA had been in a cyclical bear market for nearly 3 years, from a peak at 35.58 on 3/4/11 to a low of 24.04 on 1/22/14.

Crude Oil, United States Oil ETF (USO) price whipsawed back above its 50-day SMA on 1/28/14, thereby turning systematically neutral (from bearish). Support 34.00, 32.53, 32.12, 30.79, 29.02, 26.28, and 22.74. Resistance 37.59, 39.54, 39.64, 40.29, 41.38, 42.30, and 45.60.

Gold, SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) price turned systematically neutral (from bearish) on 1/23/14 when it crossed above its 50-day SMA. Support: 114.46, 113.08, and 102.28. Resistance: 131.44, 137.62, 143.43, 149.44, 153.85, 156.80, 164.40, 166.94, 170.01, 174.07, 175.46, 177.40, and 185.85.

Gold Mining Stocks ETF/Gold Shares ETF Relative Strength Ratio (GDX/GLD) turned systematically neutral (from bearish) on 1/13/14 when it crossed above its 50-day SMA. The 50-day SMA remains in a weak position below the 200-day SMA. Previously, GDX/GLD fell below its lows of the previous 7 years on 12/23/13, thereby reconfirming its preexisting major long-term downtrend. GDX/GLD has stayed systematically bearish most of the time since absolute price peaked at 66.98 on 9/9/11.

Silver, iShares Silver Trust ETF (SLV) price turned systematically neutral (from bearish) on 2/5/14 when it crossed above its 50-day SMA. Support 18.26, 17.75, 16.73, 14.37, 12.27, 11.64, and 8.45. Resistance: 22.23, 23.84, 25.34, 27.14, 27.35, 28.50, 28.61, 29.73, 31.41, 32.72, 33.31, 34.08, 36.44, 40.23, 41.49, 42.30, 42.78, 44.71, and 48.35.

Silver/Gold ETFs Ratio (SLV/GLD) turned systematically bearish (from neutral) on 2/26/14 when it crossed below its 50-day SMA. Longer term, SLV underperformed GLD substantially for 27 months from 4/28/11 to 7/30/13, but the trend has turned uncertain since 7/30/13.

Copper, iPath DJ-UBS Copper TR Sub-Index ETN (JJC) price appears to have entered into a neutral trading range since making a low on 6/24/13. Longer term, JJC price was in a persistent downtrend for more than 27 months from its peak of 61.69 on 2/14/11 to its low of 36.87 on 6/24/13. “Dr. Copper” is widely accepted as one of the better indicators of investor confidence (or lack thereof) in the global industrial economy.
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Spotlight on event stocks: Here is a stock screen I designed to pick out potential event stocks, both Bullish and Bearish. Sometimes, stocks with large changes in price and volume are later revealed to be deal stocks or are the subject of some other extraordinary events, positive or negative.

Bullish Stocks: Rising Price and Rising Volume
Ranked by Price Change * Volume Change
% Price Change, Symbol, Name
25.34% , JCP , JC PENNEY
17.09% , CECO , CAREER EDUCATION CORP
3.10% , LAMR , Lamar Advertising Company
3.48% , BIDU , Baidu, Inc., BIDU
2.68% , GRMN , GARMIN LTD
3.12% , EWZ , Brazil Index, EWZ
6.46% , SHLD , SEARS HOLDINGS
2.63% , FAST , Fastenal Company
5.98% , RSH , RADIOSHACK
0.52% , ACWX , Global ex US ACWI iS, ACWX
1.78% , PGJ , China LargeCap Growth G D H USX PS, PGJ
1.95% , SRE , SEMPRA ENERGY
0.67% , EWN , Netherlands Index, EWN
3.10% , ADBE , ADOBE SYS
2.22% , IPG , INTERPUBLIC GRP
3.14% , IDX , Indonesia MV, IDX
2.39% , KSS , KOHLS
0.23% , DGT , Global Titans, DGT
0.46% , VV , LargeCap VIPERs, VV
2.48% , VZ , VERIZON COMMS
0.47% , IXJ , Healthcare Global, IXJ
0.25% , EWP , Spain Index, EWP
0.79% , PHO , Water Resources, PHO
2.76% , FXI , China 25 iS, FXI
0.80% , ODP , OFFICE DEPOT
2.75% , BLK , BlackRock Inc.
0.49% , EWQ , France Index, EWQ
0.72% , T , AT&T Corp., T
0.37% , JKF , Value LargeCap iS M, JKF
1.74% , EBAY , EBAY
1.82% , MBI , MBIA
0.56% , IYT , Transportation Av DJ, IYT
1.17% , ORCL.K , ORACLE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bearish Stocks: Falling Price and Rising Volume
Ranked by Price Change * Volume Change
% Price Change, Symbol, Name
-4.36% , VLO , VALERO ENERGY
-0.80% , ADSK , AUTODESK
-1.07% , RIG , TRANSOCEAN
-0.35% , PST , 200% Short Bond 7-10 Yr T, PST
-0.97% , BBY , BEST BUY
-0.79% , BBT , BB&T
-2.05% , FLEX , Flextronics International Ltd
-1.10% , TBT , 200% Short US T Bond, TBT
-2.75% , AES , AES
-0.37% , NI , NISOURCE
-1.14% , WY , WEYERHAEUSER
-0.20% , RL , Polo Ralph Lauren
-0.52% , GPS , GAP
-0.12% , MU.O , MICRON TECH
-1.12% , NVDA , NVIDIA
-1.09% , BBBY , BED BATH BEYOND
-0.42% , SRCL , Stericycle, SRCL
-0.10% , LNC , LINCOLN NATL
-0.08% , XSD , Semiconductor SPDR, XSD
-0.03% , MTB , M&T BANK
-0.03% , STT , STATE STREET
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One-Day Ranking of Major ETFs, Ranked from Strongest to Weakest of the Day:
% Price Change, ETF Name, Symbol
3.14% , Indonesia MV, IDX
3.12% , Brazil Index, EWZ
2.81% , WilderHill Clean Energy PS, PBW
2.76% , China 25 iS, FXI
2.60% , Thailand MSCI iS, THD
2.51% , South Africa Index, EZA
2.46% , Turkey MSCI iS, TUR
2.46% , Latin Am 40, ILF
2.00% , Metals & Mining SPDR, XME
1.98% , Emerging VIPERs, VWO
1.90% , Emerging Markets MSCI iS, EEM
1.85% , Emerging 50 BLDRS, ADRE
1.78% , China LargeCap Growth G D H USX PS, PGJ
1.56% , Hong Kong Index, EWH
1.56% , India Earnings WTree, EPI
1.54% , India PS, PIN
1.51% , Malaysia Index, EWM
1.35% , Telecom DJ US, IYZ
1.33% , Frontier Markets Guggenheim , FRN
1.22% , Mexico Index, EWW
1.14% , South Korea Index, EWY
1.02% , Chile MSCI iS, ECH
0.95% , Singapore Index, EWS
0.93% , Taiwan Index, EWT
0.88% , Capital Markets KWB ST, KCE
0.88% , Microcap Russell, IWC
0.83% , Basic Materials DJ US, IYM
0.81% , Technology SPDR, XLK
0.79% , Materials SPDR, XLB
0.79% , Water Resources, PHO
0.74% , Info Tech VIPERs, VGT
0.71% , United Kingdom Index, EWU
0.71% , Switzerland Index, EWL
0.71% , Homebuilders SPDR, XHB
0.67% , Netherlands Index, EWN
0.65% , LargeCap Growth S&P 500 iS, IVW
0.65% , Belgium Index, EWK
0.65% , QQQ Nasdaq 100 Trust, QQQ
0.64% , Technology DJ US, IYW
0.63% , LargeCap Growth Russell 1000 iS, IWF
0.61% , Growth VIPERs, VUG
0.59% , Financial Services DJ, IYG
0.58% , Industrial SPDR, XLI
0.58% , Dividend International, PID
0.58% , Pacific ex-Japan, EPP
0.58% , Health Care SPDR, XLV
0.57% , SmallCap Value Russell 2000 iS, IWN
0.57% , LargeCap Blend S&P 100, OEF
0.56% , Transportation Av DJ, IYT
0.56% , LargeCap Blend Russell 1000 iS, IWB
0.56% , Global LargeCap Blend MSCI iS, ACWI
0.56% , SmallCap Growth Russell 2000 iS, IWO
0.55% , SmallCap Value S&P 600 iS, IJS
0.55% , Bond, 20+ Years Treasury, TLT
0.55% , SmallCap Blend Russell 2000 iS, IWM
0.54% , Europe 350 S&P Index, IEV
0.54% , Value SmallCap VIPERS, VBR
0.53% , LargeCap Blend S&P 500 iS, IVV
0.53% , Blend Total Market VIPERs, VTI
0.52% , S&P 500 SPDRs LargeCap Blend, SPY
0.52% , Small Cap VIPERs, VB
0.52% , Global ex U.S. LargeCap Blend, ACWX
0.52% , LargeCap Blend Russell 3000 iS, IWV
0.51% , Financial SPDR, XLF
0.49% , Italy Index, EWI
0.49% , France Index, EWQ
0.48% , Financials VIPERs, VFH
0.47% , MidCap S&P 400 SPDRs, MDY
0.47% , Financial DJ US, IYF
0.47% , Bond, Emerging Mkt JPM iS, EMB
0.46% , SmallCap Blend EAFE MSCI iS, SCZ
0.46% , Value VIPERs, VTV
0.46% , LargeCap VIPERs, VV
0.46% , Dividend SPDR, SDY
0.45% , Consumer Staples SPDR, XLP
0.45% , European VIPERs, VGK
0.45% , Growth MidCap Russell, IWP
0.44% , SmallCap Blend S&P 600 iS, IJR
0.44% , DIAMONDS (DJIA), DIA
0.42% , Bond Ex-US Treas, BWX
0.42% , Growth SmallCap VIPERs, VBK
0.42% , Pacific VIPERs, VPL
0.42% , Sweden Index, EWD
0.41% , LargeCap Blend S&P=Weight R, RSP
0.41% , MidCap Russell, IWR
0.41% , Growth EAFE MSCI, EFG
0.41% , Consumer Discretionary SPDR, XLY
0.40% , Dividend Appreciation Vipers, VIG
0.40% , Value MidCap Russell, IWS
0.38% , Biotech SPDR, XBI
0.38% , MidCap Value S&P 400 iS, IJJ
0.37% , LargeCap Value Russell 1000 iS, IWD
0.37% , LargeCap Value S&P 500 iS, IVE
0.37% , MidCap Blend S&P 400 iS, IJH
0.37% , Global 100, IOO
0.34% , Foreign LargeCap EAFE MSCI iS, EFA
0.34% , Dividend ex-U.S. DJ iS, IDV
0.34% , Dividend U.S. DJ iS, DVY
0.34% , EMU Europe Index, EZU
0.31% , Value EAFE MSCI, EFV
0.29% , MidCap Growth S&P 400 iS, IJK
0.29% , Bond, Muni S&P ATM-Free iS, MUB
0.28% , Networking, IGN
0.26% , Dividend High Yield Equity PS, PEY
0.25% , Spain Index, EWP
0.24% , SmallCap Growth S&P 600 iS, IJT
0.23% , Financial Preferred, PGF
0.21% , Value LargeCap Dynamic PS, PWV
0.20% , Silver Trust iS, SLV
0.19% , Bond, High-Yield Junk, JNK
0.19% , Bond, High Yield Corp iBoxx iS, HYG
0.17% , Bond, Long-Term Corp iBoxx iS, LQD
0.16% , Preferred Stock iS, PFF
0.15% , Agriculture DB PS, DBA
0.14% , Bond, TIPS U.S. Treasury iS, TIP
0.14% , Canada Index, EWC
0.12% , Bond, 10 Year Treasury, IEF
0.10% , Energy DJ, IYE
0.10% , Energy SPDR, XLE
0.10% , Bond, Intermediate US Aggregate iS, AGG
0.07% , Gold Shares S.T., GLD
0.04% , Australia Index, EWA
0.02% , Energy VIPERs, VDE
0.02% , Energy & Nat Res iS GS, IGE
0.00% , Japan Index, EWJ
0.00% , Bond Treasury Short-Term iS, SHV
-0.01% , Bond, 1-3 Year Treasury, SHY
-0.01% , Semiconductor iS IGW, SOXX
-0.02% , Energy Global, IXC
-0.06% , Germany Index, EWG
-0.08% , Semiconductor SPDR, XSD
-0.10% , Real Estate US DJ iS, IYR
-0.16% , Oil, Crude, U.S. Oil Fund, USO
-0.17% , Oil Fund PowerShares, DBO
-0.25% , Utilities SPDR, XLU
-0.26% , Realty Cohen & Steers, ICF
-0.27% , REIT VIPERs, VNQ
-0.27% , Utilities VIPERs, VPU
-0.28% , REIT Wilshire, RWR
-0.31% , Commodity Tracking, DBC
-0.36% , Russia MV, RSX
-0.56% , Bear, Short S&P 500, SH
-0.72% , Austria Index, EWO
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The S&P 500 Composite Potential Resistance
1858.71, high of 2/24/2014

The S&P 500 Composite Potential Support
1819.48 50-day SMA
1815.52, low of 1/13/2014
1813.55, high of 11/29/2013
1737.92, low of 2/5/2014
1729.86, high of 9/19/2013
1726.06, 200-day SMA
1711.57, high of 10/15/2013
1709.67, high of 8/2/2013
1703.85, high of 9/26/2013
1700.18, high of 8/8/2013
1698.78, high of 7/23/2013
1696.81, high of 8/13/2013
1696.55, high of 10/1/2013
1695.93, low of 10/15/2013
1687.18, high of 5/22/2013
1687.11, low of 9/27/2013
1676.03, low of 7/26/2013
1674.99, low of 9/30/2013
1672.40, high of 9/9/2013
1671.84, low of 7/16/2013
1670.36, low of 10/3/2013
1669.51, high of 8/26/2013
1654.19, high of 6/18/2013
1654.18, high of 7/9/2013
1652.61, low of 8/16/2013
1646.47, low of 10/9/2013
1629.05, low of 8/27/2013
1560.33, low of 6/24/2013
1536.03, low of 4/18/2013
1530.94, high of 2/19/2013
1485.01, low of 2/26/2013
1474.51, high of 9/14/2012
1451.64, low on 1/8/2013
1448.00, high of 12/19/2012
1440.24, high of 5/19/2008
1439.15, high of 9/12/2012
1438.59, high of 12/12/2012
1434.27, high of 11/2/2012
1432.82, low of 12/20/2012
1430.53, low of 9/26/2012
1426.76, low of 12/12/2012
1425.53, low of 10/12/2012
1423.73, high of 12/3/2012
1422.58, low of 12/21/2012
1422.38, high of 4/2/2012
1422.06, low of 10/22/2012
1421.12, high of 10/25/2012
1420.34, high of 12/7/2012
1419.70, high of 11/29/2012
1418.71, high of 8/17/2012
1415.32, high of 5/1/2012
1409.16, high of 11/23/2012
1403.28, low of 10/26/12
1401.58, low of 12/28/12
1398.11, low of 12/31/2012
1397.68, low of 11/26/2012
1396.56, low of 9/4/2012
1391.04, low of 8/6/2012
1388.71, low of 5/3/2012
1385.43, low of 11/28/2012
1380.39, high of 7/19/2012
1374.81, high of 7/3/2012
1370.58, high of 5/2/2011
1363.49, high of 6/19/2012
1357.38, low of 4/10/2012
1343.35, low of 11/16/2012
1340.03, low of 3/6/2012
1335.52, high of 6/11/2012
1334.93, high of 5/31/2012
1329.24, low of 7/24/2012
1329.05, high of 6/7/2012
1328.49, high of 5/22/2012
1325.41, low of 7/12/2012
1306.62, low of 6/12/2012
1291.98, low of 5/18/2012
1266.74, low of 6/4/2012
1265.26, low of 1/5/2012
1262.30, low of 12/27/2011
1244.80, low of 12/7/2011
1239.73, low of 12/1/2011
1234.81, low of 11/3/2011
1231.04, high of 12/16/2011
1226.64, low of 11/9/2011
1224.57, high of 12/19/2011
1215.20, low of 12/16/2011
1202.37, low of 12/19/2011
1158.66, low of 11/25/2011
1074.77, low of 10/4/2011
1010.91, low of 7/1/2010
991.97, low of 9/2/2009
978.51, low of 8/17/2009
956.23, high of 6/11/2009
869.32, low of 7/8/2009
666.79, intraday low of 3/6/2009