It was a second consecutive bearish week for US equity indexes,
with net weekly declines ranging from -6.5%
(Nasdaq comp'), -5.9% (sp'500), to
-4.7% (NYSE comp'). Near term outlook offers a marginally higher low, relative to the Feb' low.
Lets take our regular look at six of the main US indexes
sp'500
The sp'500 saw a Monday high of 2741, but settled the week on a very bearish note, net lower by -163pts (5.9%) at 2588, having effectively tested the 200dma. Note the lower bollinger at 2536, which is just 4pts above the Feb' low. Underlying MACD (blue bar histogram) is the lowest its been since Feb'2016
To be absolutely clear, this is a very borderline situation. Either the market reverses from around current levels, or the Feb' low is going to be taken out, and that would offer further downside to (at least) the mid/low 2400s. My guess is that we do battle back upward. Earnings and econ-data are certainly supportive of such a view. Other world markets are a concern though.
Right now, the most bullish outlook is the original big target of the 2950/3047 zone. Clearly, even if the trend does resume upward, that will take some months to be seen.
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Nasdaq comp'
Tech lead the way lower this week, settling -6.5% at 6992. Indeed, the weekly close under the 7k threshold justifiably caught some mainstream attention. Note the Feb' low of 6630, which is close to the lower bollinger. On balance, the Nasdaq shouldn't break <6600.
Dow
The mighty Dow settled -1413pts (5.7%) to 23533. Keep in mind the Feb' low of 23360. Underlying MACD (blue bar histogram) cycle is the lowest its been since October 2008, which is pretty incredible to reflect upon. The VIX certainly isn't reflective of such cyclical weakness, and does give credence to the notion that the Dow will resume back upward across the spring.
NYSE comp'
The master index settled -4.7% at 12177. A break <12k would offer 11250/11000. Whilst there is currently zero sign of a floor/turn, I don't expect any sustained price action <12k into end month.
R2K
The second market leader - R2K, settled -4.8% at 1510. Its notable that last week saw the R2K almost follow the Nasdaq comp', coming close to breaking a new historic high. Right now, first big support is 1500/1490s. The Feb' low of 1436 still looks set to remain intact.
Trans
The 'old leader' - Transports, saw a net weekly decline of -520pts (4.9%) to 10163. The Feb' low of 9806 is still another 2% lower. Cyclically, the tranny is on the very low end.
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Summary
A very bearish week, with all six of the main indexes rather powerfully lower.
Weekly price momentum for the Dow is at the lowest level since Oct'2008, although that is not being confirmed via the VIX.
The week settled at the lows, and there is currently zero sign of a floor/turn.
Best guess: renewed upside across the spring/early summer, but that (overly bullish?) outlook would have to get dropped if the majority of indexes break the Feb' low, and see a weekly close under. As many now recognise, how next week trades and settles, will be massively important. The fact it will be end month and Q1, merely make it even more important.
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The monthly settlement
sp'monthly1b
Regular readers will be well aware that I place a fair amount of importance on the monthly 10MA. That stands at sp'2590, and indeed, we're currently fractionally under it, with just four trading days left of the month. If the sp' unravels into end month, it would bode badly for the spring ahead.
For those of you who believe 2872 was the conclusion of the rally from March 2009, your natural first target should be the lower monthly bollinger, which will soon be in the 2100s. That is of course... a very long way down. The most optimistic bulls could seek the 2675/700 zone, that would still make for a net monthly decline... but nothing 'critical'. Yours truly will be very much focused on how March settles this coming Thursday.
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Looking ahead
It will be a short four day week
.
M -
T - Case-Shiller HPI, consumer con', Richmond Fed'
W - Q4 GDP (third/final est'), intl' trade, pending home sales, EIA Pet'
T - Weekly jobs, Pers' income/outlays, Chicago PMI, consumer sent'.
F - CLOSED
*there are just a few fed officials scheduled, and none will likely be of any importance.
**as the US (and most other world markets are closed for 'Good Friday'), once the econ-data is out of the way, Thursday will tend to be rather subdued. It will notably be the end of the trading month/Q1.
***UK/EU clocks move forward 1hour at 1am Sunday. Yours truly will be pleased to return back to trading hours of 2.30pm>9.00pm.
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Have a good weekend
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*the next post on this page will likely appear 6pm EST on Monday.
