Lets take our regular look at six of the main US indexes
sp'500
A net weekly decline of -9pts (0.4%), settling at 2381. However, the week did begin on a positive note, with a new historic high of 2405.77. Underlying MACD (blue bar histogram) remains negative, as price momentum is leaning to the bears.
Best guess: another brief washout to fully fill the gap zone of 2348 - before Memorial day, and then leaning back upward into end May. If the fed raise rates in June (or July), the market should be able to continue broadly climbing. The 2500s seem a realistic target by late September, when a moderate 5% retrace is just about viable. The year end target of 2683 remains on track.
Equity bears have nothing to tout unless a break of the mid term rising trend. That will be in the 2290s next week, and in the 2350s by late July.
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Nasdaq comp'
The Nasdaq started the week on a positive note, with a new historic high of 6170, but then swinging to an early Thursday low of 5996, settling net lower by -0.6% at 6083. There remains a notable unfilled gap at 5910. Underlying MACD has a divergent cycle high relative to the Feb' peak. There is a threat of a bearish cross before end month. Things would turn bearish with any closes <5900. Rising trend from summer 2016 will be around 5800 as at end May.
Dow
The mighty Dow declined for a second consecutive week, settling -0.4% at 20804. Its notable that we've not traded under 20k since late January. Indeed, first big support is the 20k threshold, and that does look secure for the mid term. Any price action under 20k from June onward would merit alarm bells.
NYSE comp'
The master index settled -0.1% at 11542, having also filled the big price gap from April 24th. Renewed weakness to the 11300/200s seems probable, before another swing upward into June, and across the summer. Things would turn very bearish with any price action <11200.
R2K
The second market leader - R2K, settled lower for a third consecutive week, -1.1% at 1367 (intra low 1351). Underlying MACD remains negative. Things would turn provisionally bearish <1315. Alarm bells would need to sound on any daily/weekly closes <1280.
Trans
The 'old leader' - Transports, remains the market laggard, with a net decline of -1.3%, settling at 8879. The weekly close <9k is rather bearish, and is supportive of the notion that the US market will see another sig' wave lower before memorial day (May 29th). Next support is the 8600/300 zone. Alarm bells would need to sound on a break <8k, but that is another 10% lower.
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Summary
All US equity indexes are holding their mid term upward trends from early 2016.
The Nasdaq remains the market leader, with the Transports still lagging.
Most indexes have around 4% of downside buffer before the mid term trends are challenged.
Equity bears have nothing to tout unless a break of the mid term trends, with a monthly close under the 10MA, which for the sp'500, is currently in the 2260s.
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Looking ahead
M -
T - New home sales, Richmond Fed' manu'
W - FHFA house price indx, Existing home sales, EIA Pet' report, FOMC Mins
T - Weekly jobs, intl' trade
F - Durable Goods orders, GDP (second est'), corp' profits, consumer sent'
*Monday May 29th, the US market will be CLOSED, and thus the Friday May 26th session will be inclined to be very subdued once the econ-data is out of the way by 10am.
**there are a great many fed officials on the loose next week. Mr Market will be listening for any sign of dithering about a June rate hike, which would be a prime excuse for another wave lower.
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Have a good weekend
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The next post on this page will appear Monday at 7pm EST.
