IWM (repre' Rus'2000 small cap)
The second leading index saw significant falls, closing the week -2.9%. Next key support is the old resistance highs in the 86/85 area - that's a good 5% lower.
Underlying MACD (blue bar histogram) cycle has conclusively rolled over, and is set to go negative this coming week. The rising 200 MA will be around 73/74 in May/June, and that is the ultimate objective for any bear who believes the indexes have just put in a multi-year cyclical top.
Nasdaq Composite
The laggy tech sector broke the weekly rising channel, and looks set to drop a further 3-4% to the 3100 level within the near term. The big 3000 level will be difficult to break though.
The 2800 level remains a massive problem for the doomer bears. Baring a break of that level by late May, we'll probably just start yet another multi-month up cycle across the summer.
Dow
The mighty Dow closed barely 0.1% lower on the week. It sure is one resilient index, and bears are having difficulty just keeping it from rising.
First objective is a weekly closing under the 10MA, which by the end of next week will be in the 14300s. That seems viable. After that, the 4-6 week downside target, best case is 13700/600. Right now, the notion of the Dow trading under the late Nov' low of 12500 seems impossible
NYSE Composite
The master index broke the rising channel, and is also showing conclusive signs of a rollover. First target is 8500, that's about 5-6% lower. Underlying momentum is set to go negative next week.
SP
I think its safe to conclude that the Sp' maxed out at 1573, a mere 4pts shy of its Oct' 2007 high. Certainly though, it was not the only index to not break into historic territory - namely the NYSE Comp, and the Nasdaq Comp.
First downside target is the 1480/70s. We'll probably see a notable bounce there, at least back to the 1520/30s.
For those doomer bears seeking more dynamic downside across May, it will indeed be critical to break the 1500s before April ends.
A hit of 1480/70 in April will offer the opportunity of much lower levels in May, perhaps as far down as the 1400 level - which would indeed get the market back to flat on the year to date.
MACD cycle is set to go negative in two weeks time, the week of April opex.
Transports
The old leader, - the Tranny, which lead the way up, continues to lead, and slipped a very significant 3.8% across the week - despite a Friday positive close. The trans has broken a tight weekly channel, but remains within a secondary looser channel
It looks like first support is the old resistance highs of 5600/5400, the latter of which is a very significant 10% lower. All the indicators look set to go very bearish within the next week or two.
A big down move looks very likely.
Summary
So...a down week for the indexes, although the Dow remains super tough to break. Overall, I'm very pleased with how the market is now looking.
We have some good breaks of the rising channel - from the November lows, on the Trans, R2K, NYSE Comp, Nasdaq. The SP' is 'borderline'.
In addition to the indexes, there are many other secondary issues out there to support a near term bearish outlook, not least the breakdowns in Copper, the precious metals, and even Oil which saw a severe two day snap lower this past week.
Keeping it simple
As I like to regularly highlight, the rainbow (Elder Impulse) charts often give some clarity, to what might seem a complex chart pattern..
sp'weekly2, rainbow
Again, the point I want to emphasise, is that of the rising lower bollinger on the weekly chart. It will be the PRIMARY target across April/May. Just look at the previous down cycles, even the one from May/June 2011.
A touch of the lower weekly bol' is a VERY valid target for this April/May. Right now, its @ 1377, but its rising, and by mid-May it will probably be in the 1470s.
Essentially, its a case of...'the faster we fall..the further we can fall'.
*Special note..
Those bears seeking much lower levels across this summer should indeed look to the April-July 2011 price pattern. A touch of the weekly lower band, a bounce, then flattop, and finally a collapse wave.
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An idea for April/May
sp'daily5a - H/S, with May snap
The above is just something I am going to keep in mind as one scenario across the next few weeks. It will probably need to be trashed if we don't break <1500 by end April.
The key issue is that if we can at least break down to the lows seen in late Feb - 1480, by the end of April, there is the possibility we'll set up a RS by mid May.
So long as we don't bust above the 1540s on any subsequent bounce, there will be a chance for a very significant snap lower, maybe even to the low 1400s.
Right now, this is indeed highly speculative, lets see how this looks at the end of April.
Looking ahead
In terms of US econ-data, there really isn't much of anything this week, aside from retail sales data on Friday. The most important issue for the market will be the FOMC minutes, to be issued Wednesday (2pm). Once again, it will probably be a case of Mr Market seeking to be reassured that its QE fix/prop won't be ending anytime soon.
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As ever, thank you to those who do comment, it is always good to hear from you. I'm hopeful next week - regardless of how Monday opens, will be a reasonably good one for those on the bearish side.
back on Monday :)