S&P 500 Market Strength & New Trading Tool
Greetings Friends ,
I hope your new year is off to a great start!
While I’ve been quiet on publishing 👻, I’ve been closely tracking the markets and their breadth.
Today, I want to share a few key points that will help you navigate the upcoming weeks with clarity and confidence. Mostly a reiteration of previous post.
This update includes:
A quick market overview
1. A tool I developed to supercharge your trading journey.
2. Actionable strategies for making better decisions.
3. Article / Video Recommendations
Introducing: Journal 1.0 (Free)
Tool Summary: Journal 1.0 is a customizable Notion-based tool designed to help you track pivotal trading data.
From managing trades to reviewing your performance, this journal provides everything you need to succeed as a trader.
Feel free to adapt it to your workflow.
Notion
Tool Link: www.notion.so
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Key Calendar Events for January
Stay aware of these significant red-flag events that could impact market volatility:
1. January 14 – 8:30am Core PPI
2. January 15 - 2:30am Core CPI
3. January 16 - 8:30am Retail Sales
4. January 16 - Unemployment Claims
5. January 29 – FOMC Press
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Where Are We in the Broader Market?
To keep things simple: KISS METHOD 💫
As long as S&P 500 price is trading below the major EMAs (20, 50, 100) and remains under significant key levels, you should focus on selling or staying out of the market.
Remember: Sitting on your hands can sometimes be the best strategy.
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When to Change Strategy
Key Signal: Price breaks above a major resistance level and holds the EMAs while continuing to bounce higher.
Pro Tip: Watch out for whipsaws – instances where the price temporarily reclaims a level but quickly fails again. These can trap traders into false breakouts.
Indicators to Watch:
Relative Strength Index (RSI): Ensure momentum aligns with price action; look for divergences.
Moving Averages: Watch for golden crosses/death crosses.
Market Breadth: Monitor advancing vs. declining stocks.
Volume: Higher volume confirms breakouts; low volume may signal a fakeout.
Trading for me is part of a larger holistic approach to life.
Attached below are some additional resources that will make you and your family both wiser and healther in 2025.
Recommended read:
1. tradefundrr.com
2. www.history.com
3: www.morpher.com
4. Let Food be thy medicine t.co
5. drruscio.com
Closing Thoughts
The market will always challenge your discipline, especially during corrective cycles. Stay patient, stick to your strategy, and don’t hesitate to adjust as the data changes.
SPY trade ideas
Market Insights: Preparing for 2025 with Key ETF TrendsHey Friends ,
I’ve refined this idea to invite you into my world, helping you see my perspective so you can shape your own. — This is a long read but well worth it.
Dropbox link for Valuable charts & supplementary Information: The folder will continuously be added to over the next 5 days.
www.dropbox.com
Before we begin, a quick disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. This update is provided for informational purposes only, and any financial decisions you make are solely your responsibility.
My Current Market Approach
Recent market price action has left me skeptical about its health and bullish narrative.
In response, I’ve adopted a more defensive stance with a time-based reevaluation strategy. . This approach prevents me from “throwing money into the fire” during periods of uncertainty.
I’ve converted the majority of my positions into a 4% yield cash ETF and am actively exploring opportunities outside the market to deploy this cash.
This decision comes despite:
• The anticipated Christmas rally many retail investors expect.
• Fear-driven market sentiment, often seen as a buying opportunity.
- New 52 week highs for big players (Apple, Google, Tesla)
For now, patience and caution are my only priorities.
ETF Market Update
Today, I’ll analyze the major ETFs — SPY, QQQ, and IWM — while also highlighting key insights from the VIX.
Let’s dive in!
Understanding the VIX: Signals of Renewed Volatility
The recent VIX sell-off suggested further declines, but instead, it’s showing renewed signs of volatility, indicating we’re not in the clear just yet.
Earlier today, the VIX tried to complete a bear flag that could have pushed it lower. However, it reclaimed a critical horizontal support level in a break-and-retest pattern, signaling that the market sell-off might only be in its infancy.
Key Takeaway:
1. With fintwit investors scaling in for this “Xmas” rally it could get painful real fast.
2. Watch for increased volatility heading into early 2025, as the VIX’s behavior often serves as a leading indicator for market turbulence.
Trend Analysis: SPY
Since the August 2nd lows, SPY has been forming a wedge pattern. Last week’s sharp correction broke the wedge decisively, and bulls have since failed to reclaim the broken level. This confirms a break-and-retest pattern, favoring further downside levels pressure.
Key Observations:
• Notice the Triangle Topping Pattern: Formed between December 2nd and 18th.
• MACD Weakness: SPY’s MACD is struggling to cross above the zero line, further confirming bearish momentum.
Trend Analysis: QQQ
The QQQ chart mirrors SPY closely.
Key Observations:
• Bearish EMA Crossover 5EMA&9EMA
• Lack of Market Independence: QQQ and SPY’s alignment raises concerns for investors relying on diversification. Amplified Risks: The lockstep movement during corrections suggests heightened risks for broader markets.
Trend Analysis: IWM
Small-cap stocks continue to underperform, even with positive macro signals like rate cuts and declining inflation.
Key Levels and Patterns:
• a sharp correction right now would Help IWM in developing its and Handle Formation:
- The $313 target cup& handle target is still viable but faces strong resistance.
• Bearish EMA Crossover: A developing 5 & 9 EMA death cross signals further downside potential.
TA- What’s an EMA Death Cross?
A death cross occurs when a shorter-term EMA (like the 5-day) crosses below a longer-term EMA (like the 9-day). This is a bearish signal that often predicts sustained downward momentum.
Key Takeaway:
IWM’s persistent weakness highlights broader market hesitation toward risk-on assets, despite improving macroeconomic conditions. Is this a repeat of the …..
Trading Setup
Trading Wedge Patterns: A Quick Guide
Wedge patterns, like the one seen in SPY, can be powerful trading signals:
1. Breakout Direction: Watch for the price to decisively break above (bullish) or below (bearish) the wedge.
2. Volume Confirmation: A breakout accompanied by higher volume increases its validity.
3. Break-and-Retest: After the breakout, a retest of the wedge’s boundary often confirms the direction.
4. Stop Loss Placement: For bearish patterns, stops can be set above the upper wedge boundary; for bullish patterns, below the lower boundary.
In SPY’s case, the break-and-retest to the downside suggests continued bearish pressure.
Stay Tuned for Ticker Insights
I’ll dive into CVNA, MSTR, and TSLA, providing a detailed breakdown of their price action and what they might signal for 2025.
If you found this update helpful, leave a like, comment, or reply with your thoughts or questions!
Thanks for reading,
CL
Market Pulse: ETF Insights, Vix Strength & Going ForwardHey Friends ,
Here’s your market update! Today, I’ll be covering the three major ETFs — SPY, QQQ, and IWM — and sharing key insights to help you prepare for 2025.
To provide additional depth and context, I’ll also discuss three popular Twitter tickers: CVNA, MSTR, and TSLA, in a post or two later by December 28.
Key Observations: VIX Behavior
The recent VIX sell-off led to expectations of a continued decline, but instead, we’re seeing signs of a bottoming RSI — an early warning of potential turbulence ahead.
This suggests a possible continuation of the violent correction we’ve seen recently. Today, the VIX flirted with completing a bear flag, which could have driven it lower. However, it fought back and rallied higher instead.
Key Takeaways:
• VIX remains at a critical inflection point.
• Watch closely for signals of increased volatility going into early 2025.
Trend Analysis: SPY ETF
Over the last five months (since August 2nd lows), SPY formed a wedge pattern. However, last week’s sharp correction saw that wedge break down decisively.
Bulls have since failed to reclaim the broken level, confirming a break-and-retest pattern of the wedge.
Key Observations:
• December 5th & 18th Triangle Patterns: These eerie formations preceded sharp corrections and signal continued market instability.
• SPY’s inability to reclaim the wedge may indicate further downside pressure.
Trend Analysis: QQQ ETF
The QQQ chart mirrors SPY almost identically, showing how supposedly independent markets align during or after significant moves. This synchronicity raises concerns for those banking on diversification.
Key Observations:
• QQQ and SPY are moving in lockstep, signaling a lack of market independence.
• Further alignment during corrections could amplify downside risks.
Trend Analysis: IWM ETF
Small caps are struggling. Even with “good news” — potential rate cuts and falling inflation — IWM has remained underperforming.
Key Levels and Patterns:
• Key Weekly Zone to Hold: $162-$245 base breakout area.
• Cup and Handle Formation: While the base is forming, the handle has yet to develop. The $313 target is still in play but faces significant resistance.
• Bearish EMA Crossover: Currently developing a 5 & 9 EMA death cross, which could signal further downside.
Key Takeaway:
IWM’s weakness suggests broader market hesitancy in risk-on assets, despite macro improvements.
Stay Tuned
Later today, I’ll share more detailed insights into CVNA, MSTR, and TSLA, breaking down their price action and what they might signal for 2025.
If you found this useful, leave a like, comment, or reply with your thoughts or questions!
Thanks for reading,
Coi Lemard