Foreign Stocks ETF (EFA) Relative Strength Ratio (EFA/SPY) fell below its lowest levels of the previous 11 years on 3/19/14, thereby reconfirming its preexisting major long-term downtrend.
Consumer Staples stock sector ETF (XLP) Relative Strength Ratio (XLP/SPY) turned systematically bearish (from neutral) on 3/19/14, when it whipsawed back down below its 50-day SMA.
The S&P 500 Composite Index (SPX: 1,860.77, down 0. 61%) absolute price opened slightly higher but immediately turned choppy, trading flat in a narrow range until 2:00 pm ET, when The Federal Open Market Committee released its latest policy directive. Prices fell on that report. SPX closed below the open, below the midpoint of the day’s high-low range, and below the closing price levels of the previous trading day.
NYSE total volume rose 12% to a level 1% below 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 181 from 225 the previous trading day. 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 Index turned down on 3/11/14 after 4 weeks of sluggish performance lagging the price index itself. 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 3/7/14 and both fell to their lowest levels in more than 14 months on 2/3/14, thereby demonstrating bearish divergence.
The minor trend of the stock market appears uncertain after a 4-week rally from 2/3/14 to 3/7/14. 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. If both Averages close below their lows of 2/3/14 without the Industrial Average confirming the March higher high of the Transportation Average, that could be a significant sell signal.
NASDAQ 100/S&P 500 Relative Strength Ratio (QQQ/SPY) whipsawed back up above its 50-day SMA on 3/17/14, thereby turning systematically bullish (from neutral). Absolute price of QQQ crossed 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 3/13/14, 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 9 months on 3/13/14, 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 3/13/14, thereby reconfirming 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 11 years on 3/19/14, thereby reconfirming its preexisting major long-term downtrend.
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 broke down below the lows of the previous 2 years on 3/14/14, thereby confirming a long-term downtrend. On 2/7/14, price crossed below its 50-day SMA 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. UUP has been consolidating secular trend losses since bottoming at 20.84 on 5/4/11. Support 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 50-day SMA rose above the 200-day SMA on 3/4/14, thereby turning systematically bullish (from neutral). Previously, 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 up above its 50-day SMA on 3/18/14, thereby turning systematically neutral (from bearish). Support 34.97, 34.00, 32.53, 32.12, 30.79, 29.02, 26.28, and 22.74. Resistance 39.54, 39.64, 40.29, 41.38, 42.30, and 45.60.
Gold, SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) price rose above its highs of the previous 6 months on 3/14/14, reconfirming a medium-term uptrend. GLD turned systematically neutral (from bearish) on 1/23/14 when it crossed above its 50-day SMA. The 50-day SMA is rising up toward the still-declining 200-day SMA, and the distance between the two SMAs is narrowing. Support: 127.15, 114.46, 113.08, and 102.28. Resistance: 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 is rising up toward the still-declining 200-day SMA, and the distance between the two SMAs is narrowing. 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 19.87, 18.26, 17.75, 16.73, 14.37, 12.27, 11.64, and 8.45. Resistance: 21.30, 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 broke down below the lows of the previous 4 years on 3/19/14, thereby reconfirming its preexisting major long-term downtrend. “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
3.22% , SCHW.K , CHARLES SCHWAB, SCHW.O
5.88% , KBH , KB HOME
1.81% , PST , 200% Short Bond 7-10 Yr T, PST
2.15% , FII , FED INVESTORS STK B
1.76% , SBUX , STARBUCKS
5.27% , SHLD , SEARS HOLDINGS
2.51% , UNH , UNITEDHEALTH GRP
2.59% , RF , REGIONS FINAN
3.09% , HUM , HUMANA
1.92% , CMA , COMERICA
1.82% , LEN , Lennar Corp. (LEN)
1.72% , ZION , ZIONS
0.79% , MYY , Short 100% MidCap 400, MYY
3.13% , NCR , NCR
3.33% , CI , CIGNA
2.31% , AMD , ADV MICRO DEV
2.09% , BK , BANK OF NEW YORK
1.47% , TBT , 200% Short US T Bond, TBT
1.65% , KEY , KEYCORP
2.63% , GNW , GENWORTH FINANCIAL
1.43% , MET , METLIFE
0.76% , STI , SUNTRUST BANKS
1.41% , DXD , Short 200% Dow 30 PS, DXD
1.66% , C , CITIGROUP
0.49% , SH , Short 100% S&P 500, SH
3.47% , HPQ , HEWLETT PACKARD
1.50% , RDC , ROWAN COMPANIES
1.40% , AET , AETNA
0.66% , NSC , NORFOLK SOUTHERN
0.67% , PHM , PULTE HOMES
1.33% , NTRS , NORTHERN TRUST
1.13% , SDS , Short 200% S&P 500 PS, SDS
1.24% , STT , STATE STREET
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Bearish Stocks: Falling Price and Rising Volume
Ranked by Price Change * Volume Change
% Price Change, Symbol, Name
-1.41% , EWN , Netherlands Index, EWN
-1.96% , IDX , Indonesia MV, IDX
-4.21% , SIL , Silver Miners Global X, SIL
-3.18% , ED , CON ED
-2.21% , AIV , APT INV MNGMT
-1.27% , BWX , Bond Ex-US Treas, BWX
-1.58% , XLU , Utilities SPDR, XLU
-2.63% , ADSK , AUTODESK
-2.01% , RWR , REIT Wilshire, RWR
-2.07% , ICF , Realty Cohen & Steers, ICF
-2.90% , CTSH , Cognizant Technology Solutions
-2.43% , AEP , AM ELEC POWER
-1.22% , WFC , WELLS FARGO
-1.42% , EZU , EMU Europe Index, EZU
-1.93% , EQR , EQUITY RESIDENT BEN INT
-1.94% , GLD , Gold Shares S.T., GLD
-0.66% , IJK , Growth MidCap 400 B, IJK
-1.46% , IDU , Utilities DJ, IDU
-0.73% , IXN , Technology Global, IXN
-2.76% , TE , TECO ENERGY
-1.46% , VPU , Utilities VIPERs, VPU
-1.89% , VNQ , REIT VIPERs, VNQ
-2.34% , SPG , SIMON PROP GRP
-0.77% , XLP , Consumer Staples SPDR, XLP
-1.49% , EPP , Pacific ex-Japan, EPP
-1.52% , SO , SOUTHERN
-0.72% , FRN , Frontier Markets Guggenheim , FRN
-1.38% , FEZ , Euro STOXX 50, FEZ
-4.07% , EZA , South Africa Index, EZA
-1.48% , AFL , AFLAC
-0.74% , TLH , Bond 10-20 Year US Treas, TLH
-1.86% , HSY , HERSHEY FOODS
-1.77% , FCX , FREEPRT MCMORAN STK B
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One-Day Ranking of Major ETFs, Ranked from Strongest to Weakest of the Day:
% Price Change, ETF Name, Symbol
0.49% , Bear, Short S&P 500, SH
0.40% , Brazil Index, EWZ
0.37% , Oil, Crude, U.S. Oil Fund, USO
0.26% , Networking, IGN
0.15% , Financial Services DJ, IYG
0.00% , Bond Treasury Short-Term iS, SHV
0.00% , Semiconductor SPDR, XSD
-0.04% , Commodity Tracking, DBC
-0.05% , Financial SPDR, XLF
-0.06% , Financial Preferred, PGF
-0.09% , Semiconductor iS IGW, SOXX
-0.09% , Bond, Emerging Mkt JPM iS, EMB
-0.11% , Oil Fund PowerShares, DBO
-0.12% , Homebuilders SPDR, XHB
-0.17% , Bond, 1-3 Year Treasury, SHY
-0.21% , Preferred Stock iS, PFF
-0.21% , Agriculture DB PS, DBA
-0.24% , Value LargeCap Dynamic PS, PWV
-0.30% , Latin Am 40, ILF
-0.30% , Health Care SPDR, XLV
-0.31% , Financial DJ US, IYF
-0.34% , Bond, High-Yield Junk, JNK
-0.35% , Financials VIPERs, VFH
-0.41% , Technology SPDR, XLK
-0.42% , Biotech SPDR, XBI
-0.44% , Bond, Intermediate US Aggregate iS, AGG
-0.45% , Bond, Muni S&P ATM-Free iS, MUB
-0.46% , LargeCap Value S&P 500 iS, IVE
-0.47% , LargeCap Value Russell 1000 iS, IWD
-0.48% , Value SmallCap VIPERS, VBR
-0.48% , Technology DJ US, IYW
-0.49% , Transportation Av DJ, IYT
-0.49% , Value VIPERs, VTV
-0.50% , LargeCap Blend S&P 100, OEF
-0.50% , Info Tech VIPERs, VGT
-0.51% , Telecom DJ US, IYZ
-0.51% , Bond, High Yield Corp iBoxx iS, HYG
-0.52% , Microcap Russell, IWC
-0.53% , S&P 500 SPDRs LargeCap Blend, SPY
-0.54% , Japan Index, EWJ
-0.54% , Capital Markets KWB ST, KCE
-0.54% , QQQ Nasdaq 100 Trust, QQQ
-0.55% , LargeCap Blend S&P=Weight R, RSP
-0.55% , LargeCap Blend S&P 500 iS, IVV
-0.57% , LargeCap Blend Russell 1000 iS, IWB
-0.57% , Blend Total Market VIPERs, VTI
-0.58% , LargeCap Blend Russell 3000 iS, IWV
-0.59% , SmallCap Value S&P 600 iS, IJS
-0.61% , MidCap Russell, IWR
-0.62% , SmallCap Value Russell 2000 iS, IWN
-0.63% , Value MidCap Russell, IWS
-0.63% , MidCap Blend S&P 400 iS, IJH
-0.64% , LargeCap VIPERs, VV
-0.65% , LargeCap Growth Russell 1000 iS, IWF
-0.65% , SmallCap Blend Russell 2000 iS, IWM
-0.65% , WilderHill Clean Energy PS, PBW
-0.66% , MidCap Growth S&P 400 iS, IJK
-0.66% , Consumer Discretionary SPDR, XLY
-0.66% , MidCap S&P 400 SPDRs, MDY
-0.67% , DIAMONDS (DJIA), DIA
-0.67% , Small Cap VIPERs, VB
-0.68% , Growth MidCap Russell, IWP
-0.70% , SmallCap Growth S&P 600 iS, IJT
-0.70% , SmallCap Blend S&P 600 iS, IJR
-0.71% , LargeCap Growth S&P 500 iS, IVW
-0.72% , SmallCap Growth Russell 2000 iS, IWO
-0.72% , Bond, Long-Term Corp iBoxx iS, LQD
-0.72% , Frontier Markets Guggenheim , FRN
-0.75% , Energy SPDR, XLE
-0.75% , Basic Materials DJ US, IYM
-0.76% , Growth VIPERs, VUG
-0.77% , Consumer Staples SPDR, XLP
-0.77% , Mexico Index, EWW
-0.78% , Bond, 20+ Years Treasury, TLT
-0.78% , Emerging 50 BLDRS, ADRE
-0.78% , Energy DJ, IYE
-0.79% , MidCap Value S&P 400 iS, IJJ
-0.82% , Energy VIPERs, VDE
-0.82% , Water Resources, PHO
-0.84% , Dividend Appreciation Vipers, VIG
-0.87% , Hong Kong Index, EWH
-0.87% , Dividend SPDR, SDY
-0.88% , Materials SPDR, XLB
-0.90% , Growth SmallCap VIPERs, VBK
-0.91% , Energy Global, IXC
-0.92% , Bond, TIPS U.S. Treasury iS, TIP
-0.93% , Bond, 10 Year Treasury, IEF
-0.93% , Dividend U.S. DJ iS, DVY
-0.94% , Global LargeCap Blend MSCI iS, ACWI
-0.96% , Energy & Nat Res iS GS, IGE
-0.99% , Dividend International, PID
-1.03% , Pacific VIPERs, VPL
-1.03% , Industrial SPDR, XLI
-1.04% , SmallCap Blend EAFE MSCI iS, SCZ
-1.04% , Global 100, IOO
-1.09% , Chile MSCI iS, ECH
-1.10% , Silver Trust iS, SLV
-1.11% , Germany Index, EWG
-1.13% , China LargeCap Growth G D H USX PS, PGJ
-1.16% , Canada Index, EWC
-1.17% , United Kingdom Index, EWU
-1.20% , Growth EAFE MSCI, EFG
-1.22% , Value EAFE MSCI, EFV
-1.22% , Foreign LargeCap EAFE MSCI iS, EFA
-1.24% , Dividend High Yield Equity PS, PEY
-1.27% , Belgium Index, EWK
-1.27% , Bond Ex-US Treas, BWX
-1.33% , Global ex U.S. LargeCap Blend, ACWX
-1.41% , Metals & Mining SPDR, XME
-1.41% , Netherlands Index, EWN
-1.42% , EMU Europe Index, EZU
-1.43% , Singapore Index, EWS
-1.44% , Switzerland Index, EWL
-1.45% , European VIPERs, VGK
-1.46% , Utilities VIPERs, VPU
-1.47% , Europe 350 S&P Index, IEV
-1.49% , Pacific ex-Japan, EPP
-1.50% , Austria Index, EWO
-1.58% , China 25 iS, FXI
-1.58% , Utilities SPDR, XLU
-1.58% , Australia Index, EWA
-1.59% , France Index, EWQ
-1.59% , Dividend ex-U.S. DJ iS, IDV
-1.73% , Italy Index, EWI
-1.77% , Real Estate US DJ iS, IYR
-1.80% , Spain Index, EWP
-1.80% , South Korea Index, EWY
-1.82% , Sweden Index, EWD
-1.89% , REIT VIPERs, VNQ
-1.94% , Gold Shares S.T., GLD
-1.96% , Indonesia MV, IDX
-1.96% , Taiwan Index, EWT
-1.97% , Emerging VIPERs, VWO
-2.01% , REIT Wilshire, RWR
-2.02% , Malaysia Index, EWM
-2.07% , Realty Cohen & Steers, ICF
-2.13% , Emerging Markets MSCI iS, EEM
-2.26% , India Earnings WTree, EPI
-2.74% , Turkey MSCI iS, TUR
-2.89% , India PS, PIN
-3.00% , Thailand MSCI iS, THD
-3.53% , Russia MV, RSX
-4.07% , South Africa Index, EZA
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The S&P 500 Composite Potential Resistance
1,883.57, high of 3/9/2014
The S&P 500 Composite Potential Support
1834.44, low of 3/3/2014
1830.88, 50-day SMA
1815.52, low of 1/13/2014
1813.55, high of 11/29/2013
1740.80, 200-day SMA
1737.92, low of 2/5/2014
1729.86, high of 9/19/2013
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
