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Overbought market does not mean sell...yet

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The Fed’s announcement that they were not going to taper was a big sigh of relief for many traders, and the resulting buying explosion was powerful.  Short covering was certainly prevalent as well.  $SPX and other major indices blasted through to new all-time highs.  In doing so, there were a number of overbought conditions that were triggered, but on such a powerful breakout, an overbought condition is actually conducive to higher prices – for a while.

Weekly Stock Market Commentary 9/13/13

By Lawrence G. McMillan

$SPX made a strong upside push this week and that closed the downside gap from nearly a month ago. That officially terminated the "bearish" status of the $SPX chart. It's hard to say that the chart has turned bullish, though, since there is still overhead resistance at 1700- 1710. Underneath, there is support at 1660 and then stronger support at 1630-1640.

A close above $SPX 1680 would be bullish

By Lawrence G. McMillan

Stocks gapped higher on the open yesterday and just kept going higher all day. $SPX has now closed above its declining 20-day moving average for the first since the market topped out just over a month ago.  Oversold rallies – which this still may proved to be (although it seemed stronger than that on Monday) – usually die out at about this level: just beyond the declining 20-day moving average.  Chart-wise, $SPX is now at the 1670 resistance area.

Weekly Stock Market Commentary 9/6/13

By Lawrence G. McMillan

At this point, the $SPX chart is still bearish, because it has a sequence of lower highs and lower hows.

The equity-only put-call ratios continue to remain on sell signals. The weighted ratio continues to move higher almost every day, thus confirming its bearishness.

Market breadth is the lone positive area right now.  Both breadth indicators improved enough this week to generate buy signals.

An upside breakout would be significant

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The market continues to fluctuate, seemingly with news about Syria. Dovish news is bullish; hawkish news is bearish. However, given the fact that there are intermediate-term sell signals in effect, there is a lot more going on than merely reacting to news about possibly attacking Syria’s chemical weapons delivery systems. $SPX rallied strongly, but failed near 1650.

Weekly Stock Market Commentary 8/30/13

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The stock market has continued lower, after first breaking significant support at 1680 about two weeks ago.   With the further breakdown this week, below the next support level at 1640, there is a distinct pattern of lower highs and lower lows.  That makes the $SPX chart bearish.

Equity-only put-call ratios are both on sell signals.

Yesterday's move clearly makes the $SPX chart bearish

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The market is using the excuse of potential Syrian bombing to sell off sharply.  Yesterday was one of the ugliest days of the year, but still wasn’t all that negative in terms of pushing indicators into oversold territory. $SPX broke down what had been potential support at 1640 (last week’s lows).  This now brings support at 1620, and then at 1600 into play.

Weekly Stock Market Commentary 8/23/13

By Lawrence G. McMillan

Nearly all of our indicators turned bearish in the last two weeks. The breakdown of the Standard & Poors 500 Index ($SPX) below support at 1680 was the trigger that turned the $SPX chart negative.

However, market breadth is already oversold, and buy signals are beginning to appear from these indicators.

Weekly Stock Market Commentary 8/16/13

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The Standard & Poors 500 Index ($SPX)) broke down below the important support level of 1670-1680 today and, in doing so, unleashed a torrent of sell signals.  The picture has changed to intermediate-term negative.

The equity-only put-call ratios are split.  The weighted ratio made new lows recently, trading at its lowest prices in over a year.  Then it curled up, in a sell signal.  The standard ratio remains on a buy.

Weekly Stock Market Commentary 8/9/13

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The overbought conditions that had existed a couple of weeks ago were largely worked off by a sideways to slightly down stock market, as measured by the Standard & Poors 500 Index ($SPX).  It seems that the bears had their chance, but didn't seize it once again.  There is strong support in the 1670-1680 area.

Equity-only put-call ratios remain on buy signals.  Note the charts if Figures 2 and 3.

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