The S&P 500 upswing didn’t materialize on Friday, and our decision to go short has paid off handsomely. Taking stocks to new 2020 lows on both intraday and closing basis, the bears clearly had a field day. As the S&P 500 closed the week near its lows, which way next for the badly battered stocks?
Let’s start our analysis with the weekly chart examination (charts courtesy of
https://stockcharts.com).
Prices broke down below the red
support zone marked by the December 2018 lows. This is an important technical development that attests to the bears’ strength just as much as the sizable weekly
volume. As the weekly indicators continue to heavily favor the bears, it might seem that we’re in for a one-way move lower in the coming days.
Not so fast. Consider the below weekly chart that takes a detailed look at the market breadth indicators.
While they all confirm the bears as being in the driving seat, new highs minus new lows reveals that the sellers aren’t as strong as they appear to be when one looks at price action only. The bullish percent index has also curled higher despite new 2020 lows being hit.
As a result, the market breadth indicators indicate a high likelihood of pause in the trend of continuously lower prices. Be it in the form of a sharp rally that runs out of steam relatively fast, or a somewhat more prolonged sideways trading with a bullish bias, it nonetheless justifies
our decision earlier today to take the 168-point profit on our short positions off the table.
As a reminder, we opened the wildly profitable short just as the upswing attempt was fizzling out on Friday when stocks were trading at 2385, and today’s decision to cash in profits went out as the futures were trading at 2217. Since then, the upswing indeed materialized and reached almost 2240 before pulling back and spurting over 2270 as we speak.
Let’s check the daily chart’s closing prices for more insights.
While the volume of Friday’s downswing hasn’t been outrageously high, it has still been elevated. Coupled with the price action, it doesn’t scream that a lasting reversal higher is imminent. On one hand, the CCI points to gradually decreasing selling pressure. On the other hand though, both
RSI and Stochastics keep flashing their extended readings to the downside.
Summing up, while the bears have the upper hand, the potential for a temporary upswing hasn’t decreased despite Friday’s slide. Quite to the contrary, and we plan to take advantage of it and position ourselves accordingly for the next big trade. Quite to the contrary, and we plan to take advantage of it and position ourselves accordingly for the next big trade. We will keep our subscribers informed as it unfolds.
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Thank you.
Monica Kingsley
Stock Trading Strategist
Sunshine Profits - Effective Investments through Diligence and Care
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All essays, research and information found above represent analyses and opinions of Przemyslaw Radomski, CFA and Sunshine Profits' associates only. As such, it may prove wrong and be subject to change without notice. Opinions and analyses were based on data available to authors of respective essays at the time of writing. Although the information provided above is based on careful research and sources that are believed to be accurate, Przemyslaw Radomski, CFA and his associates do not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the data or information reported. The opinions published above are neither an offer nor a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. Mr. Radomski is not a Registered Securities Advisor. By reading Przemyslaw Radomski's, CFA reports you fully agree that he will not be held responsible or liable for any decisions you make regarding any information provided in these reports. Investing, trading and speculation in any financial markets may involve high risk of loss. Przemyslaw Radomski, CFA, Sunshine Profits' employees and affiliates as well as members of their families may have a short or long position in any securities, including those mentioned in any of the reports or essays, and may make additional purchases and/or sales of those securities without notice.