Copper, iPath DJ-UBS Copper TR Sub-Index ETN (JJC) price broke down below the lows of the previous 4 years on 3/11/14, thereby confirming a 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.
Emerging Markets Stocks ETF (EEM) Relative Strength Ratio (EEM/SPY) fell below its lows of the previous 8 years on 3/11/14, thereby reconfirming its preexisting long-term downtrend.
iShares MSCI BRIC Fund (BKF) Relative Strength Ratio (BKF/SPY) fell below its lows of the previous 8 years on 3/11/14, thereby reconfirming its preexisting long-term downtrend.
The S&P 500 Composite Index (SPX: 1,867.63, down 0.51%) absolute price opened higher, peaked above the previous day’s intraday high at 10:57 am ET, and then fell most of the day before attempting a partial recovery in the final 47 minutes. SPX closed below the open, below the midpoint of the day’s high-low range, and below the closing price levels of the previous 5 trading days. It was a wide-range Outside Day and a Bearish Engulfing Line.
NYSE total volume rose 12% to a level 2% 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) rose to 137 from 107 on 3/10/14. 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 Index turned down on 3/11/14 after 5 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 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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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) remains systematically bullish but has lost momentum since rising to a 22-month high on 2/18/14. Any further relative underperformance by the NASDAQ 100 would turn the Relative Strength trend neutral. 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 3/11/14, 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 3/11/14, 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 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).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 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 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 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. 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: 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 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 21.30, 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 broke down below the lows of the previous 4 years on 3/11/14, thereby confirming a 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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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
3.76% , MCD , MCDONALDS
2.97% , LVLT.K , LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS
1.47% , LBTYA , Liberty Global Inc. (LBTYA)
2.97% , JCP , JC PENNEY
1.67% , MRVL , MARVELL TECHNOLOGY
0.84% , PDCO , Patterson Dental Company
2.79% , DGX , QUEST DIAG
2.00% , SBUX , STARBUCKS
0.71% , RWR , REIT Wilshire, RWR
0.96% , ECL , ECOLAB
2.02% , EA.O , ELECTRONIC ARTS
0.95% , CNP , CENTERPNT ENERGY
2.09% , AA , ALCOA
0.66% , WMT , WAL MART STORES
0.97% , AAPL , APPLE COMPUTER
0.45% , SH , Short 100% S&P 500, SH
1.40% , NSC , NORFOLK SOUTHERN
0.96% , THD , Thailand MSCI iS, THD
1.08% , KSU , Kansas City Southern, KSU
0.26% , WAT , WATERS
0.73% , PCG , PG&E
0.38% , CL , COLGATE
0.67% , DE , DEERE & CO
0.87% , QID , Short 200% QQQ PS, QID
0.95% , MAS , MASCO
0.57% , SNV , SYNOVUS
1.23% , MZZ , Short 200% MidCap 400 PS, MZZ
0.49% , COH , COACH
0.24% , ATI , ALLEGHENY TECH
1.77% , LH , LAB CRP OF AMER
0.32% , MDT , MEDTRONIC
1.02% , HOG , HARLEY DAVIDSON
0.10% , IEF , Bond, 10 Year Treasury, IEF
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bearish Stocks: Falling Price and Rising Volume
Ranked by Price Change * Volume Change
% Price Change, Symbol, Name
-0.23% , EWK , Belgium Index, EWK
-6.78% , UIS , UNISYS
-4.27% , URBN , Urban Outfitters Inc.
-0.91% , IYM , Basic Materials DJ US, IYM
-2.82% , JCI , JOHNSON CONTROLS
-1.11% , IXC , Energy Global, IXC
-1.45% , HSP , HOSPIRA
-2.30% , C , CITIGROUP
-2.39% , APC , ANADARKO PETRO
-1.14% , IGE , Energy & Nat Res iS GS, IGE
-1.99% , DD , DU PONT
-3.30% , MPEL , Melco Crown Entertainment, MPEL
-2.01% , RSX , Russia MV, RSX
-2.18% , PMCS , PMC SIERRA
-1.07% , R , RYDER SYSTEM
-2.09% , GS , GOLDMAN SACHS
-0.99% , IJR , SmallCap S&P 600, IJR
-2.00% , PH , PARKER HANNIFIN
-0.97% , VAW , Materials VIPERs, VAW
-2.08% , CECO , CAREER EDUCATION CORP
-0.33% , IYC , Consumer Cyclical DJ, IYC
-1.39% , PPG , PPG INDUSTRIES
-1.05% , EWM , Malaysia Index, EWM
-0.66% , EFV , Value EAFE MSCI, EFV
-1.57% , FXI , China 25 iS, FXI
-0.99% , EWA , Australia Index, EWA
-2.48% , ZEUS , Olympic Steel, ZEUS
-0.38% , EWD , Sweden Index, EWD
-1.33% , HAL , HALLIBURTON
-0.52% , PWB , Lg Cap Growth PSD, PWB
-0.31% , PST , 200% Short Bond 7-10 Yr T, PST
-0.58% , VTV , Value VIPERs, VTV
-0.38% , IDX , Indonesia MV, IDX
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
One-Day Ranking of Major ETFs, Ranked from Strongest to Weakest of the Day:
% Price Change, ETF Name, Symbol
0.96% , Thailand MSCI iS, THD
0.88% , Agriculture DB PS, DBA
0.75% , Realty Cohen & Steers, ICF
0.71% , REIT Wilshire, RWR
0.63% , REIT VIPERs, VNQ
0.57% , Gold Shares S.T., GLD
0.55% , Real Estate US DJ iS, IYR
0.45% , Bear, Short S&P 500, SH
0.26% , Bond, 20+ Years Treasury, TLT
0.15% , Silver Trust iS, SLV
0.10% , Bond, 10 Year Treasury, IEF
0.09% , Bond, Muni S&P ATM-Free iS, MUB
0.05% , Preferred Stock iS, PFF
0.05% , Bond, High-Yield Junk, JNK
0.04% , Commodity Tracking, DBC
0.03% , Bond, Long-Term Corp iBoxx iS, LQD
0.00% , Financial Preferred, PGF
0.00% , Bond, 1-3 Year Treasury, SHY
-0.01% , Bond Treasury Short-Term iS, SHV
-0.01% , Bond, Intermediate US Aggregate iS, AGG
-0.03% , Bond, TIPS U.S. Treasury iS, TIP
-0.05% , Consumer Staples SPDR, XLP
-0.05% , Metals & Mining SPDR, XME
-0.10% , Telecom DJ US, IYZ
-0.11% , Bond, High Yield Corp iBoxx iS, HYG
-0.13% , Frontier Markets Guggenheim , FRN
-0.17% , Bond Ex-US Treas, BWX
-0.19% , Bond, Emerging Mkt JPM iS, EMB
-0.20% , Germany Index, EWG
-0.20% , Health Care SPDR, XLV
-0.22% , Technology SPDR, XLK
-0.23% , Belgium Index, EWK
-0.24% , Canada Index, EWC
-0.25% , Dividend SPDR, SDY
-0.27% , Dividend Appreciation Vipers, VIG
-0.27% , Netherlands Index, EWN
-0.28% , Utilities SPDR, XLU
-0.31% , Technology DJ US, IYW
-0.31% , Transportation Av DJ, IYT
-0.33% , Latin Am 40, ILF
-0.34% , Dividend High Yield Equity PS, PEY
-0.35% , DIAMONDS (DJIA), DIA
-0.35% , Utilities VIPERs, VPU
-0.36% , Info Tech VIPERs, VGT
-0.36% , Homebuilders SPDR, XHB
-0.36% , LargeCap Growth Russell 1000 iS, IWF
-0.37% , LargeCap Growth S&P 500 iS, IVW
-0.38% , Indonesia MV, IDX
-0.38% , Growth VIPERs, VUG
-0.38% , Sweden Index, EWD
-0.40% , Hong Kong Index, EWH
-0.41% , Italy Index, EWI
-0.42% , Dividend U.S. DJ iS, DVY
-0.43% , QQQ Nasdaq 100 Trust, QQQ
-0.44% , Switzerland Index, EWL
-0.48% , United Kingdom Index, EWU
-0.49% , S&P 500 SPDRs LargeCap Blend, SPY
-0.50% , LargeCap Blend S&P 500 iS, IVV
-0.50% , Europe 350 S&P Index, IEV
-0.51% , MidCap Russell, IWR
-0.51% , LargeCap Blend S&P 100, OEF
-0.51% , LargeCap VIPERs, VV
-0.51% , LargeCap Blend Russell 1000 iS, IWB
-0.51% , Financial DJ US, IYF
-0.52% , LargeCap Blend S&P=Weight R, RSP
-0.52% , European VIPERs, VGK
-0.52% , Growth MidCap Russell, IWP
-0.53% , Value MidCap Russell, IWS
-0.53% , Global 100, IOO
-0.55% , Semiconductor iS IGW, SOXX
-0.55% , Global LargeCap Blend MSCI iS, ACWI
-0.56% , LargeCap Blend Russell 3000 iS, IWV
-0.56% , MidCap S&P 400 SPDRs, MDY
-0.56% , Value LargeCap Dynamic PS, PWV
-0.56% , Blend Total Market VIPERs, VTI
-0.58% , Consumer Discretionary SPDR, XLY
-0.58% , Value VIPERs, VTV
-0.59% , MidCap Blend S&P 400 iS, IJH
-0.60% , EMU Europe Index, EZU
-0.60% , MidCap Value S&P 400 iS, IJJ
-0.63% , South Korea Index, EWY
-0.63% , Brazil Index, EWZ
-0.63% , Singapore Index, EWS
-0.64% , Financials VIPERs, VFH
-0.65% , LargeCap Value S&P 500 iS, IVE
-0.66% , Mexico Index, EWW
-0.66% , Value EAFE MSCI, EFV
-0.67% , MidCap Growth S&P 400 iS, IJK
-0.67% , LargeCap Value Russell 1000 iS, IWD
-0.67% , Water Resources, PHO
-0.67% , Financial SPDR, XLF
-0.67% , Global ex U.S. LargeCap Blend, ACWX
-0.72% , Industrial SPDR, XLI
-0.72% , SmallCap Blend EAFE MSCI iS, SCZ
-0.73% , Foreign LargeCap EAFE MSCI iS, EFA
-0.76% , Dividend International, PID
-0.78% , Taiwan Index, EWT
-0.79% , Growth EAFE MSCI, EFG
-0.79% , Dividend ex-U.S. DJ iS, IDV
-0.83% , Value SmallCap VIPERS, VBR
-0.83% , Emerging 50 BLDRS, ADRE
-0.83% , India Earnings WTree, EPI
-0.84% , Small Cap VIPERs, VB
-0.87% , Pacific ex-Japan, EPP
-0.88% , Growth SmallCap VIPERs, VBK
-0.89% , SmallCap Value Russell 2000 iS, IWN
-0.89% , Spain Index, EWP
-0.89% , France Index, EWQ
-0.91% , Basic Materials DJ US, IYM
-0.91% , SmallCap Value S&P 600 iS, IJS
-0.93% , Microcap Russell, IWC
-0.95% , Financial Services DJ, IYG
-0.96% , Pacific VIPERs, VPL
-0.99% , Semiconductor SPDR, XSD
-0.99% , SmallCap Blend S&P 600 iS, IJR
-0.99% , Australia Index, EWA
-0.99% , SmallCap Growth S&P 600 iS, IJT
-1.00% , Austria Index, EWO
-1.01% , Biotech SPDR, XBI
-1.03% , Materials SPDR, XLB
-1.04% , Japan Index, EWJ
-1.04% , SmallCap Blend Russell 2000 iS, IWM
-1.05% , Malaysia Index, EWM
-1.06% , SmallCap Growth Russell 2000 iS, IWO
-1.09% , Capital Markets KWB ST, KCE
-1.11% , Energy Global, IXC
-1.12% , Emerging Markets MSCI iS, EEM
-1.13% , Oil Fund PowerShares, DBO
-1.13% , Energy SPDR, XLE
-1.14% , Energy & Nat Res iS GS, IGE
-1.16% , Emerging VIPERs, VWO
-1.27% , Energy DJ, IYE
-1.29% , Energy VIPERs, VDE
-1.35% , Oil, Crude, U.S. Oil Fund, USO
-1.39% , Chile MSCI iS, ECH
-1.56% , India PS, PIN
-1.57% , China 25 iS, FXI
-1.63% , Networking, IGN
-1.92% , Turkey MSCI iS, TUR
-1.94% , South Africa Index, EZA
-2.01% , Russia MV, RSX
-2.24% , China LargeCap Growth G D H USX PS, PGJ
-3.07% , WilderHill Clean Energy PS, PBW
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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
1828.30, 50-day SMA
1815.52, low of 1/13/2014
1813.55, high of 11/29/2013
1737.92, low of 2/5/2014
1734.47, 200-day SMA
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
