IWM - Looks like small caps might be in for a bit more hurtThe daily chart from the Covid crash to the peak of the Covid recovery paints a picture of the Russell 2000 that is eerily similar to a textbook sketch of Wyckoff's distribution theory.
For the bulk of 2021 IWM respected a very clear support line that has been crashed through in 2022. Recent price action shows that old support being tested as a new resistance and buyers attempting to push prices through that level were flatly rejected. Furthermore, volume began spiking on drops in price below the 200 day moving average and any movement above it recently was met with anemic volume. This is not the excitement that we've been accustomed to in the small caps of 2020.
The game has changed.
With 1/3 of the Russell (at least) being non-revenue producing speculative companies that were exponentially over-valued during the 2020 bull run, it's hard to imagine that the grounding of the Russell isn't real and that it isn't coming. In today's market, giants like TSLA, AAPL, and MSFT are being dragged down to fundamental value. The small caps aren't immune, unfortunately. What's even worse is that a correction to AAPL's charts isn't as ghastly as some small caps that are trading at tens or hundreds of millions above their quarterly earnings.
The Russell is an important index to watch if one is interested in small cap boomers. It serves as not only a tradable ETF but as a thermometer for the sentiment toward speculation. Right now, it appears that bullish sentiment and risk taking is waning and bearish sentiment is growing. This could lead to a gut wrenching performance for small caps going forward into 2022 and larger drops in former penny stocks that retail investors drove to epic heights in 2020 and early 2021. Many of these companies are still heavily overvalued after 50%+ drops in share prices.
I'd expect volatility in the coming months as tax returns are pumped into these old favorites with the rallying cries of "buy the dip" and "moon next PR" on the breath of most novice investors and traders, especially those who are holding bags likely exponentially higher than current share prices. Once that surge of small money ends I would think that an abysmal summer is approaching for many of these strongholds.
Most of the companies have made lofty promises and many of them have targeted this summer for validation of their business models and strategies. But in the face of generationally high inflation, wars, rate hikes, and supply chain disruptions along with a pandemic that is cyclically impacting humanity, will it matter?
If Mr. Russell is any indication of what is to come, that answer is likely no. Spiking prices will likely be met with hard sell-offs and shorts that start to feel the squeeze will get a layer of protection from the trapped bulls just looking to get their money back out of the markets.
It's not the best of news, but it shouldn't be considering that we aren't in the best of economic situations currently. Of course this is the markets and the markets have a mind of their own. It's wise not to get too caught up in bias and predictions to the point where you are unable to react appropriately and according to your plans.
Good luck out there and God bless!!
