Lets take our regular look at six of the main US indexes
sp'500
So.. a 6% drop from the 1850 high to 1737, and that looks to be it for this multi-week down cycle. Indeed, it is bizarre to already see a February net gain of 0.8%. The monthly 10MA wasn't even tested this past week, and again, its testament to the underlying upside pressure.
Upper bollinger is offering the 1890s, but that seems unlikely until March, if not April. As a fair few others have also noted, there looks to be viable upside by late spring into the low 1900s. Right now, the big 2000 level does not seem possible before a 'major correction'.
Of course, this 'major correction' is something that many (myself included) thought viable in 2012, 2013..and here we are...still broadly climbing.
Nasdaq Comp'
The tech' managed to re-claim the 4000 level, and with the weekly cycles starting to turn, first upside target are the 4300s. Best case for the bulls is probably 4450/4500 by April. What does seem out of range, are the 3000s. At best, perhaps downside the 3400/3200 zone is possible this summer, if the market is 'spooked'.
Dow
The mighty Dow is notable in that it has broken the trend/support that stretches all the way back to 2009. However, that trend itself was adjusted (by many, not just me!), after a similar marginal break in Nov'2012. The Dow remains weaker than most indexes, and bears should be cautious in placing too much emphasis on it.
As for upside, first target will be the December high of 16588, that seems viable in March, with a likely top, somewhere in the 17000/500 zone.
NYSE Comp'
The master index looks strong, and has managed a successful test of the rising 10MA. With the market rallying into the Friday close, the NYSE Comp' reclaimed the giant 10k psy level, and looks set to make a break for new highs in the weeks ahead. Upside looks to be 10700/11000.
R2K
The second market leader is still looking weak, but is importantly holding above the 10MA. Equity bulls should be seeking the R2K - and the Trans, to both flip at least moderately positive by end month. The 1200s should be possible in March/early April.
Trans
The old leader - like the R2K, is looking weak, but is holding the broader up trend. Despite the major declines earlier this week, the Trans held the big 7k level, and now looks set to make a play for the 7750/8000 zone.
Summary
So...what can we make of this? January saw some rather significant declines, and the first half of this past week was most certainly providing strong follow through to the downside. Yet, the VIX has now collapsed from the 21s to the 15s, and the smaller weekly cycles are turning back to the upside.
The two QE-tapers have unquestionably been one major catalyst for the recent US and world equity declines. It is not so much the actual decline in 'new money/liquidity', but the signal from the Fed itself, that 'you're going to be on your own later this year'. That has certainly lead to some major global capital flows, from the emerging markets..back into the US/EU.
It would seem there will be a QE-taper'3 at the next FOMC, but that is not until March'19, almost 6 weeks away. It will be most interesting to see how the market reacts when the QE fuel is reduced to a mere $55bn a month (or so), although yes, that still amounts to a huge annual injection of $650bn.
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Looking ahead
Next week will be largely about the Yellen. She will be giving testimony to the US house/senate next Tues/Thursday, and that will no doubt get blanket coverage on clown finance TV.
The only major econ-data is retail sales on Thursday. The week concludes with consumer sentiment and indust' production. Friday will probably be kinda quiet though, since the following Monday is closed for 'Presidents day'.
*the only sig' QE-pomo is Monday, $2-3bn.
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Normal service resumes
Considering the provisional turn seen in the weekly charts (although not yet in the two leaders - Trans/R2K), we now seem likely to resume the original up trend from late 2012.
I suppose the bears could justifiably highlight the Dow for breaking a key trend/support, but its just one index. The other indexes - not least the NYSE Comp' are comfortably holding within their broader up trends.
I myself have been somewhat 'lost in bearish hysteria' this past week. I had noted many times in late 2013, to be mindful of a fall in late Jan/early Feb. As it is, I'm still kinda surprised at the size of the two major declines (sp'500, -38pts, and -40pts) that we saw, along with a VIX surge into the 21s.
It would seem my original 'bullish' weekly8 chart was right all along.
With the failure to hit the lower weekly bollinger in the current multi-week down cycle, I won't call sp'1850 a key top. Indeed, I'll revert to seeking a multi-month peak, somewhere in the 1880/1920 zone...no later than late April.
back on Monday :)