The weight of the evidence shifted to the bears over the last few weeks. First, the major index ETFs reversed their long-term uptrends with Bollinger Band signals, our breadth models turned net negative and yield spreads widened. This report will focus on the breakdown in the S&P 500 SPDR (SPY), which represents the single most important benchmark for US stocks.

The SPY chart below shows weekly candlesticks and the 40-week SMA, equivalent to the 200-day SMA. On the top right, we can see a break below support from the January low and a break below the 40-week SMA with an outsized decline. An outsized decline is an exceptionally sharp and deep decline that can derail an uptrend. As of Thursday’s close, SPY had fallen over 9% in 15 trading days, the largest 15 day decline since September 2022. This exceptionally strong selling pressure pushed prices below the demand line (support) and a key long-term moving average. Note that a similar break occurred in January 2022, which we covered in a report and video on Friday.