Lets take our monthly look at ten of the world equity markets
USA - Dow
The mighty Dow battled to 18167 - just 1% shy of the May'2015 high (18351), but cooled into the April close, settling +0.5% @ 17773.
Underlying MACD (green bar histogram) ticked higher for the second consecutive month, but remains negative. Considering current price action, a bullish cross looks unlikely in May.
Best guess: short term downside to the 17500/200 zone.. then a bounce into mid May.. before losing the very important 17K threshold by end May.
A break under 17K will open up a test of the Aug'2015 low of 15370. If that fails to hold, there is 'fast and furious' downside to the 14000/13800 zone, and then 12500/400s.
Germany
The economic powerhouse of the EU - Germany, saw a moderate gain of 0.7% @ 10038, having cooled from an intra month high of 10474. The monthly 10MA will be in the 10500s in early May, and it would seem the DAX will remain stuck under it, if not eventually losing the 10K threshold.
Those equity bears seeking broader world equity market weakness, should be seeking further DAX weakness to the 9400s by end May. From there, next downside target would be rising trend around 9K. Any price action in the 8500s would be highly suggestive of the 7000/6500 zone.
Japan
Like most other world markets, the Nikkei unravelled into end month, as the BoJ refrained from announcing any further increase in QE, resulting in a net decline of -0.5% @ 16666. The important 10MA will be around 17500 to begin May. There is viable downside to the 13-12K zone... which is a clear 20% lower.
China
The Chinese market continues to struggle, with a net monthly decline of -2.2%, settling @ 2938, notably under the 10MA of 3165. Renewed downside to the 2300/200s looks probable within the next few months.... regardless of any further easing from the PBOC. Things only get 'real interesting' on a monthly close under the giant psy' level of 2K. For now.. that looks difficult, as the communists leadership will fight every single point decline.
Brazil
The Bovespa climbed strongly for a third consecutive month, settling +7.7% @ 53910. Next resistance is the 56-58K zone.
Brazil remains problematic, but has clearly benefited from the recent rally in commodities. If commodities start to cool, much of the recent gains are going to be negated. Equity bears should be seeking a monthly close back under 45K. If that is achieved, there is viable downside to 30K.
Can the summer Olympics* inspire hope amongst the Brazilian populace, and indeed the world? There is the deteriorating Zika viral issue, and ongoing political turmoil, either of which would be a valid excuse for renewed equity downside this summer.
*it is notable that the Chinese Olympics of Aug'2008 - which despite being a huge (and inspiring) success were followed by a financial collapse wave.. mere weeks later.
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Russia
The Russian equity market climbed for the third consecutive month, settling +8.2% @ 949 - the best close since June 2015. There is powerful resistance around the giant psy' level of 1K. There is no doubt that a major part of the equity rally is due to the massive increase in oil prices. If Oil prices start to decline (not least if the USD strengthens back toward the DXY 100 threshold), then the Russian market will lose most, if not all of the gains into the late summer.
UK
The UK market saw a net monthly gain of 1.1%, settling @ 6241, having cooled from an intra high of 6427. The FTSE remains notably unable to re-take the monthly 10MA, which will be in the 6200s in early May. First key support is the 6K threshold. Any May close <6K would bode for a massive upset in June to the 5000/4800 zone.
The BREXIT vote will be June 23rd, and unquestionably, it will have a massive impact on the UK, and most other world markets. If the UK populace vote to leave, it would likely lead to major upset in currency markets, and then mainstream chatter would swing to which other EU states might want to vote to exit.
On the flip side, a 'stay' vote would be a valid excuse for the UK - and other world markets to rally.. at least initially.
France
The CAC saw an April gain of 1.0%, settling @ 4428, notably below the 10MA. The French market remains struggling since the spike high of 5283 in April 2015. Equity bulls need a close back above the giant psy' level of 5K to be confident again. Bears should be seeking a May close <4250, which will open up the 3500/3250 zone.
Spain
The largest and most problematic of the EU PIIGS - Spain, saw a sig' net monthly gain of 3.5% @ 9025, however that was still well below the key 10MA, which will be in the 9500s in early May. Equity bulls need to re-take the key 10K threshold this summer, but that is a clear 10% higher, and looks out of range. Bears should be seeking a weekly/monthly close <8500, which will open up a move to 6K.
Greece
The economic basket case of the EU - Greece, saw the Athex attain a gain of 1.1%, settling at 583. The Greek market remains within a strong downward trend, having recently broken a new multi-decade low of 420. Renewed downside to the 300s seems probable. Considering the Greeks will eventually have to revert back to the Drachma - which will no doubt cause huge societal/economic upset, the Athex might even trade <100 before a grand new growth cycle begins.
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Summary
So, a mixed month for most world equity markets, with some distinct cooling into end month.
The rise in oil prices has unquestionably been one of the leading variables that has helped 'inspire' a great many markets.
Despite almost all markets settling April net higher, it should be clear that most markets remain significantly below the spring/summer 2015 levels. It could easily be argued that the next wave lower will break new multi-year lows.
As ever though, the lower equities fall, the greater the likelihood that central banks will respond with increasing QE and lower/negative rates.
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Looking ahead
M - PMI/ISM manu', construction
T - -
W - ADP jobs, intl' trade, prod/costs, Factory orders, PMI/ISM serv', EIA report
T - weekly jobs
F - monthly jobs, consumer credit
*there are a great many fed officials speaking across the week. Notably, Thursday in AH, a quartet of Fed presidents will be discussing monetary policy at a conf' at Stanford.
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Back on Monday :)