Saturday 18 April 2015

Weekend update - US weekly indexes

It was a week for the equity bears, with significant net weekly declines for most of the main US indexes, ranging from -1.4% (Trans), -1.0% (sp'500, R2K), to -0.5% (NYSE comp'). Near term outlook is uncertain, but with the R2K and NYSE Comp' breaking new historic highs, the broader trend remains bullish..


Lets take our regular look at six of the main US indexes

sp'500


The sp' slipped -1.0%, having swung from 2111 to a Friday low of 2072. Broader trend remains bullish... unless the 2039 low is taken out.

Underlying MACD (blue bar histogram) cycle ticked lower, and remained negative for a sixth week. It should concern equity bears that all this down cycle has managed to do is keep the sp' a mere 2% from making a new historic high.

There is viable upside to the 2130s in the near term... and if the market can hold together into the FOMC of June 17'th, the 2170/80s will be possible.


Nasdaq comp'


The tech saw a sig' net weekly decline of -1.3%, but like many other indexes, remains very close to recent highs. Short term support are the 4800s, with broader trend support at 4500. New historic highs... >5132 look viable in May/June.


Dow


The mighty Dow also fell -1.3%, and has remained in a rather tight range for the past ten weeks. Critical rising support is now at the 17K threshold. It would seem extremely unlikely that the Dow will be <17k in the near term. Weekly/monthly cycles are both offering the 18400s in May/June.


NYSE comp'


The master index saw a moderate net weekly decline of just -0.5%. Far more notable though, the NYSE comp' broke a new historic high of 11203. Near term support is around 10900, with secondary at 10400. Underlying MACD cycle remained positive for the fifth consecutive week. There is very little bearish here.


R2K


The second market leader saw a net weekly decline of -1.0%. However, like the NYSE comp', it is highly notable that the R2K broke a new historic high 1278. Key support is now the 1200 threshold, and it would seem unlikely that will be lost any time soon. Underlying MACD cycle ticked lower, but has remained positive for 24 consecutive weeks.... unquestionably bullish.


Trans


The 'old leader' fell a net -1.4% this week. Underlying MACD cycle ticked lower, and has now been negative cycle for 15 consecutive weeks - a stark contrast to the R2K. Critical rising support is at 8450... which links back to the low from late 2012. If trans loses the 8400s, it would bode for further weakness to the Oct' low of 7700... that is some 8% lower.


Summary

So, net weekly declines for all the main US indexes. However, equity bears should be very concerned that the R2K and NYSE Comp' both made new historic highs this past week. Broadly, such bullish events are strongly suggestive against any further downside.

One key aspect remains the USD....

USD, weekly


A break into the DXY 96s next week would be a clear break of rising trend/channel, and bode for the 93/92s. If that is the case, a weaker USD would be bullish for all US asset classes, not least the equity market. Further, Oil prices would surely continue rising, helping kick higher energy stocks.. and further 'inspiring' the broader equity market.

*I remain of the opinion that the USD will cool down into the early summer... flooring somewhere in the low 90s.. .before a powerful hyper-ramp to the 120s.. into year end.


Looking ahead

There is of course a truck load of corporate earnings, but in terms of scheduled econ data/events.. there is very little of significance next week.

M - -
T - -
W - existing home sales, EIA oil report
T - weekly jobs, PMI manu', new home sales
F - Durable Goods Orders

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Back on Monday :)