Boxed In...6th January 2023🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ S&P500 gapped lower and did not recover. It finished the day sitting on the support level. Price is clearly boxed in a consolidation phase as illustrated.
➤ Exponents of Elliott Wave Theory could interpret the current price action in two ways. In the Bullish case, price is developing an ABC corrective pattern after the 5 wave impulsive move off the October 2022 bottom. The Bearish interpretation is that price is in a wave 2 retracement as part of a 5 wave impulsive move lower from the December high. In either case, it points to a choppy period with a resolution soon.
➤ I currently hold a moderately sized long position.
➤ Conclusion: Who's right and who's wrong?
Russell2000
First Opportunity...5th January 2023🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ Once more optimism helped equities start higher in morning trade. Not surprisingly, that enthusiasm waned again as price filled the opening gap by falling back to the support level. The difference today was that the price recovered to close the day above the opening.
➤ Given the strength, I have taken this opportunity to open my first trades of the year. I'm looking for continued strength. The first hurdle is to break above the consolidation high at 387.3 on the $SPY, 390 is then the second hurdle. I don't expect to hold this buy position for long especially if price stays within the consolidation or fails to the downside.
➤ I currently hold a moderately sized long position.
➤ Conclusion: We're off to the races.
New Year, Same Same...4th January 2023🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ First day of US trading in the New Year displayed the same volatility as we have come to enjoy/get used to. A firm positive start filled with promise faltered to finish in the red. I hate to repeat it, but once again the support level held.
➤ A break up or down from this small consolidation/sideways market since mid-December should have some legs. The Bearish scenario should be favoured given the lack of bounce to the upside after the recent sell-off in recent weeks.
➤ Value/Mega-cap stocks like the DJIA index hover above the 200-day moving average. Still displaying strength relative to growth/smaller-cap stocks.
➤ I currently hold no positions.
➤ Conclusion: No let up on volatility. Opportunities are coming.
New Year, New Start...3rd January 2023🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ S&P500 is still holding the support level. The longer this goes on, the more favourable it is for the Bears. Without a notable bounce after the steep sell-off since the December high, this shows that Bulls have little conviction to push prices higher.
➤ Still, it is a new year and historically January is a positive month due to the "January Effect". Of course, this didn't work out last January.
➤ The broader picture also shows a holding pattern. The S&P500 has made little headway up or down since May of 2022. It has spent much of that time gyrating +/-10% from current levels. The longer this pattern lasts, the larger the resulting directional move. We have no influence on that direction nor the timing.
➤ I currently hold no positions.
➤ Conclusion: It's going to be another great trading year (hopefully).
⇄ Sideways...30th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ Equities bounced nicely. S&P500 recovered above the support level. European indices bounced off the 50-day moving average.
➤ Sideways would be the appropriate term to sum up the price action for 2/3 of the year. If we look backwards to May, the S&P500 has not made any progress up or down. Price has oscillated around current levels by +/- 10%.
➤ It feels like we are in a holding pattern. The longer this pattern lasts, the larger the resulting directional move. We have no influence on that direction nor the timing. Only the Market can decide on the when and where.
➤ The Bulls could argue that despite all the negativity, the equity price has held up well. The Bears would argue that only one shoe has dropped, the other shoe is about to. Either way, next year will be intriguing.
➤ I currently hold a +68% long exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Intrigue is good, but making money is better. Let's do it together next year!
Final Trade...29th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ The last trading days of the year are upon us and the state of the equity market are very different to preceding years. It's time to waive goodbye and say good-riddance. Let's cheer for a sea change in the New Year.
➤ I made one last Trade to see out the year. Although the S&P500 broke below the support level it has not broken below the recent low of the last week. There's a good probability of a bounce here.
➤ The European indices are sitting just above their respective 50-day moving averages. They too may bounce.
➤ I currently hold a +68% long exposure. My US positions were cut today. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Back in the action.
Low Low Low Low...28th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
"Shawty had them apple bottom jeans (jeans)
Boots with the fur (with the fur)
The whole club was lookin' at her
She hit the floor (she hit the floor)
Next thing you know
Shawty got low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low"
➤ That's the lyric from the song by Flo Rida. I had to look up the meaning of "Shawty". It is usually a reference to a young and attractive woman. Sexist or not this term nicely describes what's happening with the NASDAQ and the sexier (ahem...speculative) tech names. It looks like it wants to finish the year low low low low.
➤ The whole club (market) was indeed lookin' at her. All imagining the boundless future you could have together...except like many, we were late to the party and the music was about to stop. She's been dancing on the floor this whole time. Next thing you know, she literally did hit the floor in the most unflattering way along with all our dreams.
➤ OK, that's a bit over dramatic but you get the point. As usual, the masses piled on late to an overinflated market and that meant the party was about to end.
➤ With today's price action, once again we had a false dawn. Pre-market was firmly positive only to see it whither away by US market open. NASDAQ leading the indices lower. It's not pretty and getting tiresome.
➤ I currently hold 0% exposure. My US positions were cut today. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Back on the sidelines.
Same Same, 27th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ Thing's pretty much look the same as expectations prior to the Christmas Holidays. I'm expecting equity prices to bounce higher. The extent of which will tell us if the Bulls can regain a foothold or the Bears once again take control.
➤ Price again bounced off the Support level at 379/380 on the SPY. Pre- US Market Trade in Asia is firmly positive. Pre-hours have been wildly unpredictable of actual direction during US Trading hours.
➤ I currently hold +34% long exposure. My European positions were cut but I may re-enter depending on today's action. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Watch for the Bounce (if any).
Cheerless, 23rd December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ Equity prices made no further headway. Instead, a large Bearish day threatened to add to a Cheerless Christmas. Price managed to recover some losses by end of trading day leaving things in the lurch.
➤ NASDAQ is performing miserably. It's almost back to the lows of the year. One shouldn't be surprised it is lagging so badly. Used to being valued with a zero % interest/discount rate the exact opposite narrative of higher borrowing costs for longer is now firmly entrenched.
➤ I currently hold +68% long exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Belated Christmas Rally anyone?
Inspired, 22nd December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ If yesterday's bounce was uninspiring, the Bulls were clearly inspired today. It's almost Christmas Cheer time after all. The VIX has collapsed back to the pink highlighted zone in the chart. Let's see if the Bulls can break below. It's been bound by this zone since the start of the year!
➤ I'm not looking for a big aggressive bounce. Although that would be a nice surprise. There has been a change of momentum in the rally since the Oct bottom. 390/3900 resistance looms large. The European indices are acting relatively stronger bouncing off the 50-day moving average.
➤ I currently hold +68% long exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Back in the action. Rally time?
US Small Cap 2000 - Bears are in controlUS2000 - Intraday - We look to Sell at 1785 (stop at 1805)
Buying pressure from 1720 resulted in prices rejecting the dip. The current move higher is expected to continue. The bias is still for lower levels and we look for any gains to be limited. We therefore, prefer to fade into the rally with a tight stop in anticipation of a move back lower.
Our profit targets will be 1730 and 1630
Resistance: 1780 / 1830 / 1875
Support: 1725 / 1630 / 1530
Please be advised that the information presented on TradingView is provided to Vantage (‘Vantage Global Limited’, ‘we’) by a third-party provider (‘Signal Centre’). Please be reminded that you are solely responsible for the trading decisions on your account. There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading. Any information and/or content is intended entirely for research, educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or consultation advice or investment strategy. The information is not tailored to the investment needs of any specific person and therefore does not involve a consideration of any of the investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any viewer that may receive it. Kindly also note that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking or past performance statements. We assume no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information and/or content provided herein and the Company cannot be held responsible for any omission, mistake nor for any loss or damage including without limitation to any loss of profit which may arise from reliance on any information supplied by Signal Centre.
Russell 2000 Index Descending Triangle to cause a major breakdowDescending Triangle has formed on Weekly for the Russell 2000 Index.
The moving averages are all touching and seem to be at deciding point 200 = 21 =7 MA
We need to wait for the official breakdown which will take the price to a target of 828.
There are major warning signals for a Recession in 2024 with the inflationary pressures in the US, UK and Russia.
We haven't seen these levels in decades and with interest rates on the constant rise, this will attract investors to fixed income assets and deposits int he bank.
However, the Recession is one aspect. The markets are actually setting up for a meltdown. We just need to wait for the catalyst to send it.
Until then, we keep our eyes opened for possible opportunities.
Russell 2000 Index - EXPLAINED - What, Why, Where, How?Small cap stocks, Penny stocks and pink sheets are the high adrenaline stocks investors play games in.
They are generally the cheaper, highly volatile, some are illiquid and can fluctuate 50% - 1,000% a day.
From the Wolf of Wallstreet glamorizing the potential returns for investors to your every day salesman broker trying to sell you the next winner.
But what is the Russell 2000 Index and what should we know about it?
I’m going to sum it up a bit of information about how it works and important facts you need to know
Enjoy!
WHAT IS IT?
The Russell 2000 Index (listed in 1984) is a stock market index that tracks the performance of small-cap publicly traded companies in the United States.
It is named after the Russell Investment Group, which operates the index.
The share price can vary significantly, as it is made up of a diverse range of small-cap publicly traded companies.
MARKET CAP
Small-cap stocks are generally ones with a market capitalization of between:
$50 million and $2 billion.
CRITERIA TO LIST STOCKS
There are a few criteria that needs to be met to qualify for the inclusion in the Russell 2000 Index:
• The company must be a publicly traded U.S. company.
• It must market capitalization of at least $50 million.
• Must be ranked in the bottom 2,000 of the Russell 3000 Index, based on market capitalization.
• Must meet certain liquidity requirements, including having a minimum average daily trading volume of at least 250 shares over the previous six months.
• Must have a minimum of one year of trading history.
WHAT IT CONSISTS OF
The index is made up of the smallest 2,000 publicly traded companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 98% of the total market capitalization of all publicly traded companies in the United States.
HOW IT OPERATES
The index is reconstituted annually, with new companies added and removed based on their market capitalization and other factors.
VOLATILITY & LIQUIDITY
The Russell 2000 Index has a high level of volatility (greater price swings) and low liquidity (ease of flow of orders) compared to other large cap stocks.
DANGERS WITH THE INDEX
Currency risk: When the US dollar drops the index can follow
Diversification: There is no sector for the stocks. When the index drops the stocks follow.
Liquidity: You might find difficulties finding buyers or sellers to ease in or out of your positions.
Volatility: The jumpiness in the market is highly erratic.
Lack of analyst analysis: You’ll hardly see news coverage via the media which means, you could be left in the dark with what is going on in the companies.
Liquidation risk: You have a higher chance at being in a company that is about to be liquidated due to financial issues, no growth, manipulation and cooking the books.
Economic issues: When global economies collapse, stocks drop with it. Small cap stocks are no exceptions. This can affect the investment prospects
.
Uninspiring, 21st December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ We saw the smallest of bounces in the S&P500. It was uninspiring. Still, an upward move has to start from somewhere. Today may be the day to risk some capital.
➤ Uninspiring too is the Poll I took about people's opinions on which group of market participants might do well next year. 45% voted for "Everyone is a Loser". The contrarian in me would suggest that gives hope for a decent positive performance for equity markets in 2023.
➤ I currently hold zero exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Waiting on the sidelines for an imminent trading signal.
Where are the Bulls? 20th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ Equities continued their free-fall. It has now given back 50% of the gains as measured from the Oct bottom to Dec top. Price has reached a support zone. This is an ideal area for prices to rebound higher.
➤ Can you believe it? There are only 8 trading days left in the year. It's been such a tumultuous year that I can't even recall all the ups and downs. As a Trader, I can normally replay all my trades in my mind. With the roller coaster nature of the price movements, those trades have all been mashed up. That being said, I can't wait to see what surprises the market will throw at us next year.
➤ I currently hold zero exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Waiting on the sidelines for an imminent trading signal.
US Small Cap 2000 - Bears are in controlUS Small Cap 2000 - Intraday - We look to Sell at 1790 (stop at 1810)
Although the bears are in control, the stalling negative momentum indicates a turnaround is possible. A higher correction is expected. With the Ichimoku cloud resistance above we expect gains to be limited. We therefore, prefer to fade into the rally with a tight stop in anticipation of a move back lower.
Our profit targets will be 1730 and 1630
Resistance: 1780 / 1830 / 1875
Support: 1725 / 1630 / 1555
Please be advised that the information presented on TradingView is provided to Vantage (‘Vantage Global Limited’, ‘we’) by a third-party provider (‘Signal Centre’). Please be reminded that you are solely responsible for the trading decisions on your account. There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading. Any information and/or content is intended entirely for research, educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or consultation advice or investment strategy. The information is not tailored to the investment needs of any specific person and therefore does not involve a consideration of any of the investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any viewer that may receive it. Kindly also note that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking or past performance statements. We assume no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information and/or content provided herein and the Company cannot be held responsible for any omission, mistake nor for any loss or damage including without limitation to any loss of profit which may arise from reliance on any information supplied by Signal Centre.
1st Leg Down, 19th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ A Change of Character "CHoCH" has occured in S&P500 uptrend since the Oct bottom. The drop since 13th Dec looks to be the largest in size. This changes the momentum of the Bulls. Either Bulls will take pause with some sideways movement prior to igniting another run higher or the Bears will now come out to play. I favour the Bearish scenario right now.
➤ Price has closed the 10th Nov price gap. There is an opportunity for price to rebound higher to relieve the recent selling. The resistance at 390/3900 would be an ideal stopping area for the next leg down if the Bearish scenario plays out.
➤ I currently hold zero exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Waiting on the sidelines for an imminent trading signal.
Hmmm... 16th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ I expected a move higher for equities given my long exposure. The exposure was relatively small reflecting an overall low level of conviction. The surprise to me was the extent of the negative move. This overshadowed my low exposure adding to the recent run of bad trading results.
➤ Technically, the uptrend since the October bottom looks to be over or on pause. The S&P500 has made a lower low. Price has fallen below the key support level at 390/3900 as well as the 50 and 200 day moving averages. A gap formed due to the lower open although it is small. Price need not levitate to close it. It may first gravitate lower to close the 10th Nov gap.
➤ More Bears will come out of hibernation if we see a lower high form to signal a medium-term downtrend that should last for a few months. This is within the context of the longer term downtrend of successive lower highs and lower lows since January.
➤ I currently hold zero exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: I was wrong, all the excitement is not just for the Football World Cup Final.
Back to Square 1, 15th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ If we took a two day view of events, the S&P500 managed to make little headway up or down. Pre-data release, I eluded to people getting a bit over excited by bidding up the VIX. Of course, there was the excitement of the CPI data intra-day. That has all fizzled out for now.
➤ Now that all the excitement is over for another month, I think there is some positive bias here. I will put a bit of money to work. I'm looking for VIX to continue lower in the very short-term.
➤ That being said, all other indices such as the NASDAQ, RUSSELL, DAX etc all look very "messy" in terms of their price structure. I will leave them alone for now.
➤ I currently hold a +33% long exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: All the excitement is now for the Football World Cup Final!
Closing the Gap, 14th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture
➤ Inflation data came in softer than expected and equities prices jumped with enthusiasm. By end of trade, much of the gains were given up.
➤ The result of the inflation data resulted in a huge price gap between the previous day's close and market open. Gaps like these tend to get closed over time or like today...immediately. Note that there is still an lower unclosed gap created on 10th Nov also due to the CPI data.
➤ That being said, S&P500 set a new high since the 13th Oct bottom. I don't yet see any signs that this uptrend is done. The Fed interest rate decision and subsequent price movement could change this. A significant Bearish bar may result in a Change of Character.
➤ I currently hold NO exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Time to be patient.
Remarkable similarities to February2020 & August-September 2008 The current rollover in the market, featuring a clear double top with negative RSI divergence, is remarkably similar to the February 2020 & August-September 2008 rollovers. My opinion is that the current rollover will resolve with a large move to the downside in similar fashion to the aforementioned time periods.
All About Support, 12th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ The S&P500 equity index is holding above the key support level at 390/3900. A confident break below will result in a Change of Character (CHoCH) in the uptrend since the Oct low.
➤ A CHoCH results in a significant pause in the uptrend or a reversal of the trend.
➤ By holding above the support level, there would not be a CHoCH. Hence the bias is for continued upside.
➤ Inflation data on 13th and the Fed interest rate decision on 14th Dec are clear catalysts for price movement.
➤ I currently hold a -17% short exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: Price is set-up perfectly for a binary outcome. I don't want to be heavily involved here.
Where to Now? 9th December 2022🖼 Daily Technical Picture 📈
➤ I'm back from my holiday and fully recharged. Since my last technical update, the equity market has made some interesting moves that we need to examine.
➤ Foremost in my mind is of a potential medium term top that has been reached.🔝 I'm using S&P500/SPY as the market proxy. If we look at the market since March 2022, there has been two previous occasions where this scenario has occurred: 29th March and 16th Aug. The VIX fell below 20 and then rebounded higher. S&P500 proceeded to then decline by around -20%. 📉
➤ This scenario has just played out with the peak on 1st Dec. VIX has bounced higher after falling below 20. IF history repeats/rhymes, we are looking for another 20% drop. 🙀 That would take us down to 330/3300 for the SPY/SPX500. Each drop occurred over a two month period. That would mean both an ugly end to this year and start of the next.
➤ For this to occur, the market will have to counter both the Christmas rally and a historically bullish January. Readers would point out Jan this year as the perfect counter example.
➤ I currently hold a -25% short exposure. The maximum portfolio exposure is +/- 200% on capital, the level of highest conviction.
➤ Conclusion: History does rhyme...but is it the Bullish or Bearish rhyme?