Saturday 24 October 2015

Weekend update - US weekly indexes

US equity indexes climbed for the fourth consecutive week, with net weekly gains ranging from 3.0% (Nasdaq comp'), 2.1% (sp'500), to 0.3% (R2K). Near term outlook offers first chance of a retrace beginning with the next FOMC/GDP data, but any such retrace will likely be brief and not much below the sp'2K threshold.


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

sp'500


The fourth consecutive net weekly gain, with the sp +42pts (2.1%), with a new cycle high of 2077. The Friday close above the 200dma was a particularly bullish aspect.

Underlying MACD (blue bar histogram) has turned positive (as expected), and there are a viable 2-3 weeks of further upside before a retrace will become due.

Next upside target will be the 2100 threshold, and then the May high of 2134. With momentum as it is.. it would seem new historic highs are likely before year end.

As an aside, what will be even more important is whether the market can attain a monthly close above the 10MA (currently @ 2049). Of course, this does not necessarily have to be achieved in October, but certainly, before year end.
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Nasdaq comp'


The tech' is leading the way, with a net weekly gain of 3.0%, back above the giant 5K threshold. Underlying MACD cycle is set to turn positive at next Monday's open. In theory, there is a viable 3-4 weeks of further upside. Next upside target is the July historic high of 5231.. a mere 4% higher, and that certainly appears likely before year end.


Dow


The mighty Dow gained another 430pts (2.5%), settling at 17646. Underlying MACD cycle is now positive, with next soft resistance at the 18k threshold. The May historic high of 18351 now looks within range before year end.


NYSE comp'


The master index gained 0.8%, back in the 10500s. Next resistance is around the 10600/800 zone. A break back into the 11000s looks very feasible before year end.


R2K


The second market leader was a laggard this week, gaining just 0.3% @ 1166. The weekly candle does sport a floor spike though, and this is bullish for next week.. with resistance at the 1200 threshold. At the current rate, it will be another two weeks before the MACD cycle turns positive.


Trans


The 'old leader' - Trans, saw a rather strong net weekly gain of 2.7% @ 8295. Next resistance is in the 8450/8550 zone. Underlying MACD cycle has now been positive for 3 consecutive weeks.. the first time since last December. It would seem likely that the Trans will get stuck around 8500.. and then some degree of retrace, probably no lower than 8000... (an 8% swing) and that probably equates to 4/5% for the sp'500.


Summary

A fourth consecutive week to the upside... and the floor spikes seen in late Sept' were indeed a very important signal of looming upside.

Right now, it would seem most indexes have high potential for further upside next week. Using the Transports as a guide... if the 8500s are hit - 2/3% higher... that might equate to sp'2090/2100.. and then a retrace into November.

Best guess... sp'2090/2100, with a retrace holding above the psy' level of 2000. I do NOT expect any sustained action in the sp'1900s for the remainder of the year.

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Looking ahead

Next week will be pretty busy... not least with another FOMC, but more so.. first reading for Q3 GDP.

M - new home sales
T - durable goods orders, case-shiller HPI, PMI serv', consumer con', Richmond fed'
W - EIA report, FOMC - announcement due at 2pm.. there is no scheduled press conf'
T - weekly jobs, GDP Q3, pending home sales
F - pers' income/outlays, employment costs, Chicago PMI, consumer sent'
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Back on Monday