ETF Charts and Setups – Timeframes and Market Caps Collide as Short-term Support Levels Emerge

The mixed market is reflected on the ETF charts with tech-related ETFs hitting new highs and underperforming ETFs testing support levels. Will the leaders pull the laggards up or will the laggards drag the leaders down? Or, do we just need to analyze each chart on its own merits? Probably the latter.

Several ETFs are at a moment of truth as their medium-term breakdowns collide with short-term support and reversal zones. These include small-caps (IWM), banks (XLF), industrials (XLI) and metals & mining (XME). Several others are above their 200-day SMAs and breaking out of consolidation patterns. These include healthcare (XLV), medical devices (IHI), housing (ITB) and retail (XRT).

There are a lot of cross currents in the market right now and earnings season gets underway soon. In addition to covid-related headlines, there are prospects for another stimulus package and hopes for a broader recovery (not just large-cap techs). SPY and RSP capture the cross currents. The cup is half full for the S&P 500 SPDR (above 200-day), but half empty for S&P 500 EW ETF (below 200-day). RSP represents the average stock and SPY represents large-caps. Watch these two for clues on which way the market will break. An RSP move above the 200-day would be broadly bullish, while an SPY move below would be broadly bearish.

Moment of truth for Small and Mid Caps

QQQ surged to another new high and SPY broke above its late June high, but the S&P 500 EW ETF (RSP), S&P MidCap 400 SPDR (MDY) and Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) continue to lag and test support. All three broke their wedge trendlines and are below their 200-day SMAs. Even though they are lagging and looking vulnerable, they are trading in potential bullish reversal zones and their Bollinger Bands are contracting. Basically, a medium-term breakdown is in the making, but short-term support is at hand and upside breakouts could overrule the medium-term breakdowns.  

The first chart shows RSP firming in a potential reversal zone with a bullish engulfing on Friday. I am calling this a potential reversal zone because broken resistance turns support and the decline retraced around 61.8% of the prior advance. This is the area to expect a decline to reverse in a two steps forward and one step backward sequence. A close above 106 would trigger a breakout (late June high, 200-day and upper BBand).

The indicator window shows RSI(14) moving into the 40-50 zone, which acts as momentum support in an uptrend. RSI ticked back above 50 on Friday and momentum could be turning back up. This is a real moment of truth. A bounce and breakout at 106 would negate the wedge break and call for a reassessment, while a break below the June lows would reinforce the wedge break. The next charts show MDY, IWM and XLI with similar characteristics.

Will Banks Play Catch Up?

The Finance SPDR (XLF) and Regional Bank ETF (KRE) are lagging, but also showing signs of resilience with big bounces on Friday. The first chart shows XLF failing at the falling 200-day SMA in early June and falling back to the 23 area. This decline retraced around 61.8% of the May-June surge and carried the ETF back to the breakout zone, which turns support. XLF formed a bullish engulfing on Friday and a breakout at 24 would be short-term bullish.

The indicator window shows RSI firming in the 40-50 zone over the last few weeks. RSI was overbought in early June with the move above 70 and this pullback alleviated oversold conditions. In fact, RSI became mildly oversold. Momentum could be poised to turn up as StochRSI surged above .80 on Friday. Notice how the surge above .80 in mid May preceded a big advance.

The next chart shows KRE hitting the 61.8% retracement level and bouncing on Friday with a long white candlestick. Note that I drew these retracements from the March low to the June high. Drawing on charts is subjective. Thus, it is possible that the falling wedge represents a correction after the May-June surge and a breakout would be bullish. Also notice that RSI is in the 40-50 zone and a StochRSI pop above .80 would show a bullish momentum thrust.

XLV and IHI Hold Breakouts

The Healthcare SPDR (XLV) and Medical Devices ETF (IHI) traded flat from April to June and sprang to life in early July with consolidation breakouts. Even though these two lagged SPY and QQQ from mid April to late June, they were consolidating above their 200-day SMAs and the cup was half full. Notice how RSI firmed in the 40-50 zone for both and StochRSI popped with a surge above .80 on June 30th. Breakouts are in the making and these breakouts signal a continuation of the bigger uptrends.

Housing and Retail Hold 200-day SMAs

The Home Construction ETF (ITB) and Retail SPDR (XRT) represent core parts of the economy and their performance could affect small-caps. Notice that these ETFs are consolidating above its 200-day SMAs as triangles formed. In addition, the Bollinger Bands narrowed as volatility contracted. Both ETFs broke out of their triangles last week, RSI bounced off the 40-50 zone in late June and StochRSI surged above .80 on July 8th. These breakouts are bullish until proven otherwise and breaks below the 200-day SMAs would be bearish.

XME Firms at Support

The Metals & Mining SPDR (XME) is showing signs of resilience as it firms in a potential reversal zone. As with IWM above, XME failed near the 200-day and has a bearish wedge working. Short-term, however, the ETF found support near broken resistance and the 61.8% retracement area. RSI also firmed in the 40-50 zone. Buyers stepped in on Friday with a bullish engulfing and StochRSI surged above .80 to signal a momentum thrust.

Thanks for tuning in and have a great day!

Weekend Videos – Breadth Model Review, ChartBook and Seasonality

The weekend video starts by reviewing year-to-date performance for the major index ETFs, some key groups, the sector SPDRs and the equal-weight sectors. It is mixed, at best. We then turn to the breadth models. The Nasdaq 100 is the only one of the four breadth models that is bullish. Two of the three medium-term indicators are bullish as SPY consolidates above the 200-day and support. I will then update the Fed balance sheet, the yield spreads, the ETF ranking tables and the ChartBook.

Weekend Videos – Breadth Model Review, ChartBook and Seasonality Read More »

ETF Ranking and Grouping – Lots of Consolidations Appear and Bond ETFs Remain Strong

There is a lot of stalling going on out there. A stall can be the pause that refreshes or it can signal a stalemate that leads to a trend reversal. Several ETFs broke their mid June lows, but the tech and healthcare related ETFs are holding up and have yet to break their mid June lows. Some tech-related ETFs are even trading well above these lows. Outside of tech

ETF Ranking and Grouping – Lots of Consolidations Appear and Bond ETFs Remain Strong Read More »

Weekend Video – Weighing the Evidence Breadth Models, EW Sectors and Medium-term Indicators

Today’s video starts with the four long-term breadth models, of which three are in bear mode. We then turn to the three dynamics at work in the stock market: the broad market environment, the medium-term trend and the short-term condition. I will review the weight of the evidence with the equal-weight sectors and intermediate-term indicators. And finally, we will finish with the Fed, yield spreads, the ETF rankings and the ChartBook.

Weekend Video – Weighing the Evidence Breadth Models, EW Sectors and Medium-term Indicators Read More »

Timing Models – Large-cap Techs Continue to Lead, but Breadth Indicators Weaken Elsewhere

The rock and the hard place is back. The major index ETFs are in medium-term uptrends that started in late March and have yet to reverse. These uptrends, however, are hitting resistance as the 200-day SMAs come into play for SPY and IWM. QQQ left its 200-day in the dust a long time ago.

Timing Models – Large-cap Techs Continue to Lead, but Breadth Indicators Weaken Elsewhere Read More »

ETF Ranking and Grouping – Tech ETFs Holding Up, but other Groups Breaking Down

QQQ, XLK and some tech-related ETFs moved to new highs again this week, but these new highs were not matched elsewhere and non-confirmations are building. For example, QQQ forged a higher high from June 10th to June 24th, but SPY and IWM did not. QQQ and techs have been leading for some time, and they continue to lead. However,

ETF Ranking and Grouping – Tech ETFs Holding Up, but other Groups Breaking Down Read More »

Weekend Video – Breadth Models, Supports, Wedges, Bullion, Bonds and Biotechs

The weekend video starts with long-term and short-term breadth models for four major indexes: Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600. Only one of the four long-term breadth models is bullish – and no prizes for guessing which one. This week’s bounce established uniform support levels in dozens of ETFs to watch next week. There are ominous wedges in

Weekend Video – Breadth Models, Supports, Wedges, Bullion, Bonds and Biotechs Read More »

Timing Models – Nasdaq 100 Breadth Model Carries the Day as Intermediate Uptrends Dominate

Today we will dive into long-term and short-term breadth models using the same indicators for four different indexes. These models cover the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600. Looking at a market of 1500 stocks, the evidence is mixed, at best. Three of the four long-term models are net bearish and all four short-term models are net bullish.

Timing Models – Nasdaq 100 Breadth Model Carries the Day as Intermediate Uptrends Dominate Read More »

ETF Ranking and Grouping – Intermediate Uptrend Dominates the Charts – Focus on GLD and TLT

The intermediate trend is the dominant force at work for most stock-related ETFs and this trend is up. This is basically the uptrend from late March to mid June. The bears fired a shot across the bow last week with a sharp decline, but the bulls answered with a reversal day on Monday and pop on Tuesday. Most importantly, price action on Monday-Tuesday affirmed support for several ETFs and established a reaction low for others.

ETF Ranking and Grouping – Intermediate Uptrend Dominates the Charts – Focus on GLD and TLT Read More »

SPY Update and the
Preferred Moving Average Combo

This is just a short update for SPY and a decision on the preferred moving average combo for the S&P 500. After a plunge on Thursday, stocks firmed on Friday and forged an intraday reversal on Monday. This firmness is occurring near short-term support for many ETFs and the major index ETFs held their intermediate uptrends, which have been in place since late March. Small-caps, housing, biotech, gold miners and corporate bonds led the advance.

SPY Update and the
Preferred Moving Average Combo
Read More »

Weekend Video – Breadth Model Indicators, the SPY/TLT Reversals and the ChartBook

Today’s weekend video starts with the indicators that make up the breadth model and their individual signals. We then add some basic market timing and show the model signals over the last 20 years. I will also provide a preview of a short-term breadth model. Attention then turns to potential reversals in SPY and TLT, the rising wedges in RSP and IWM, the StochClose rankings and the ChartBook

Weekend Video – Breadth Model Indicators, the SPY/TLT Reversals and the ChartBook Read More »

Timing Models – Here we Go Again – Models Flip as Outsized Declines Hit Key Areas

Stocks took it on the chin Thursday with the biggest weekly decline since declines began (March). Once again, small-caps and mid-caps led the way lower with outsized declines. Even more disconcerting, we saw outsized declines in some key large-cap sectors as the Consumer Discretionary SPDR fell over 5%, the Industrials SPDR fell over 8% and the Finance SPDR fell 7%.

Timing Models – Here we Go Again – Models Flip as Outsized Declines Hit Key Areas Read More »

ETF Ranking and Grouping – Volatility and Risk Remain High as Bonds and Gold Perk Up

The broader environment for stocks is technically bullish, but risk remains well above average. The S&P 500 moved above its 200-day SMA and the 5-day SMA moved above the 200-day SMA. The %Above 50-day SMA indicators surged above 80% to trigger bullish and the Index Breadth Model based on StockCharts data triggered bullish on June 5th with five of nine indicators on bullish signals. That’s the bullish part.

ETF Ranking and Grouping – Volatility and Risk Remain High as Bonds and Gold Perk Up Read More »

Knowing When to Add Risk and When to Reduce Risk

The S&P 500 is the most widely used benchmark for the US stock market and the 200-day SMA is perhaps the most widely used moving average. These two came together again in late May as the index crossed back above on May 27th. Today we quantify the performance of prior signals and show how a little smoothing can go a long way. Furthermore, a simple market timing mechanism can tell investors when to add risk and when to seek alternatives to stocks.

Knowing When to Add Risk and When to Reduce Risk Read More »

Models and Weekend Video – Breadth Model Flips as Participation Widens and Yields Spreads Plunge

It was a big week on Wall Street as stocks surged with the biggest weekly gains since the initial lift off started (late March and early April). Small-caps and mid-caps led the way with gains exceeding 8%. Large-caps lagged as SPY gained a measly 5% and QQQ advanced a paltry 2.71%. These moves triggered

Models and Weekend Video – Breadth Model Flips as Participation Widens and Yields Spreads Plunge Read More »

Testing a Medium-term Breadth Thrust Strategy and Adding a Timing Mechanism to Soften the Blow

The market is a forward looking beast and we are seeing some pretty strong signals from short-term and medium-term breadth indicators. The long-term breadth indicators, however, are still lagging and have yet to trigger. Today I will put a medium-term breadth model to the test and show how to improve results with a simple timing mechanism.

Testing a Medium-term Breadth Thrust Strategy and Adding a Timing Mechanism to Soften the Blow Read More »

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