The Russell 2000 (IWM) has reached a point where it has successfully rebuffed the bearish inverse hammer with a series of narrow range candles near its highs, and is now ready to challenge the all-time high. Technicals are net bullish; On-Balance-Volume is in an accumulation trend as the index outperforms the Nasdaq and S&P.
The S&P posted a small gain although this will have hit the headlines as a new all-time high. Where the index is losing ground is in its relative performance against the Russell 2000 ($IWM) and Nasdaq. However, this should be viewed as net bullish as money rotates into more speculative equities.
The Nasdaq registered a new breakout on the back of a new trigger ‘buy’ in the MACD. On-Balance-Volume is trending higher (as with peer indices) and it’s also attempting a new run of relative outperformance against the S&P.
The Semiconductor Index (SOX) finished at moving average resistance after looking ready to push through. I think it will be hard for the indices to sustain extended advance without participation from Semiconductors, but I’m happy for the market to prove me wrong here. On a positive note, there was a MACD trigger ‘buy’, but there is a whole pile of resistance still to overcome.
On a positive note, the Dow Transports Index is working a breakout in alignment with the Dow Industrials Average – so the tenets of Dow Theory are aligned in favor of bulls. A measured move target for the Dow Transports is 22K, and as long as the index continues its upward ascent it will bring the Dow (and S&P) with it.
The next move I’ll be watching for is for the Russell 2000 ($IWM) to eat into the spike high from the inverse hammer. For this to happen, the S&P and Nasdaq will need to maintain their current form. If it can do this, then maybe even the Semiconductor Index won’t get in the way.More By This Author:Russell 2000 Blows Out As Dow Industrials Leads Charge
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