Lets take our regular look at six of the main US indexes
sp'500
A net weekly gain of 33pts (1.6%), settling @ 2080. Most notable, a new high of 2087, the highest level since Dec'7th.
Underlying MACD (blue bar histogram) cycle is at levels (17.583) not seen since June 2009.
It could be argued this is a sign the market is moving back to the 'crazy times' price action of 2009/08, or is an early bullish sign that the broader market is headed to new historic highs in the coming months.
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Best guess: some near term/end month cooling to the 2030/20s. Right now, an April close under the monthly 10MA (2020/15 zone) looks very difficult.
Even if the market does eventually break a lower low (<1810), since we've just broken a new high, some weeks of significant chop is to be expected, before any realistic chance of sustained/significant downside to the 1950/1900 zone.
Any price action in the 1800s looks out of range until late May at the earliest.
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Nasdaq comp'
The tech' saw a net weekly gain of 1.8% @ 4938. There are multiple aspects of resistance around the giant psy' level of 5K. By early May, the weekly upper bollinger will be around 5100.
Dow
The mighty Dow gained 320pts (1.8%), settling @ 17897. Most notable, a new multi-month high of 17962, just 15pts shy of the critical Nov'2015 high. Any price action >18K would be a major bullish sign, and suggest further upside in May/June to at least test the historic high of 18351.
If the bull maniacs can't keep pushing higher, first soft downside is the 17500/400 zone. The 17k threshold has been very important for around 18mths, any sustained price action <17K will open the door to much lower levels for the summer.
NYSE comp'
The master index settled +2.3% @ 10355. Next resistance is the 10500/600 zone. Any price action >10700 would be suggestive ALL US indexes will eventually break new historic highs before year end. Equity bears need to see a break back under the 10K threshold to have renewed confidence.
R2K
The second market leader managed a net weekly gain of 33pts (3.1%) at 1130, having finally tested the 200dma (1132). There is strong resistance in the 1140/80 zone. Right now, price action >1200 still looks very difficult.
Trans
After three consecutive weeks of declines, the 'old leader' climbed 241pts (3.1%), with a weekly close of 7978. The 8K threshold offers some distinct resistance, if that fails to hold, next upside zone is 8200/300s.
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Summary
As a collective, US equity indexes are maintaining a broad climb from the Jan/Feb lows.
To have renewed confidence in the broader bearish outlook, equity bears need to see most indexes fall 4-5% just to begin to stall the current rally.
On the flip side, equity bulls could be content to merely see a few more weeks of chop.. before renewed upside in May/June.
Considering the sp'500 and Dow have already come within just 2-3% of new historic highs, it is understandable how many of the bulls are now very confident again. Yet... the equity bulls have been battling to break new highs for almost a full year.
Another failure to break new historic highs should (in theory) result in a much stronger down wave than seen in Aug'2015 or Jan'2016.
Either way... a big move is due.
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Looking ahead
Sunday will be important, as a number of the oil producers will have representatives/delegates meeting in Doha. As things are, a significant agreement to freeze (never mind actual cuts) seems doubtful. There will be high potential for a Monday market upset if WTIC Oil implodes back under the $40 threshold.
There is also an important political vote due in Brazil this Sunday, on whether to impeach President Rousseff.
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M - housing market index
T - housing starts
W - existing home sales, EIA report
T - weekly jobs, phil' fed'
F - PMI manu'
*the only scheduled fed officials are on Monday, notably Dudley in early morning.
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Back on Monday
