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An Infrequent Buy Signal

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The recent sharp, 3-day decline in stocks produced very divergent readings in the breadth oscillators that we follow.  Such divergences  are rare – occurring about twice per year.  When they do occur, though, they are generally a good buy signal for both the short- and intermediate-term.  

Bears have pushed the bulls to the limit

By Lawrence G. McMillan

Fear was strong in the market yesterday, as selling ballooned by early afternoon.  The losses were larger and increasing when a rumor started that the Fed is close to taking more action.  That news reversed the market upward, cutting some of the losses about in half.  But then, after the close, Apple (APPL) reported a slight earnings miss, and S&P futures plunged another 7 points in after-hours trading.

No one believes in this market - MarketWatch article

By Lawrence G. McMillan

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (MarketWatch) — As you may be aware, we’ve been bullish on the broad stock market since shortly after the early June lows.

Weekly Commentary 7/20/2012

By Lawrence G. McMillan

$SPX exceeded its early July highs today.   That is a new high for this recovery rally that began in early June.  As a result, the classic bullish pattern of higher highs and higher lows on $SPX has expanded and been strengthened by adding this new high (see Figure 1).

Equity-only put-call ratios remain strongly on buy signals.  They continue to decline, and that is bullish for stocks.

Market breadth has been reasonably strong of late.  Breath indicators are on buy signals, and they are modestly overbought.  

In focus: Pessimism continues

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The Standard &Poor’s 500 Index traded right up to its recent highs today, continuing the rally that began in early June. However, for the most part, the rally has been accompanied by doubt from many areas of the investing community. As a result, by contrarian thinking, this market should have more room to go on the upside.

Our indicators remain bullish and so do we

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The market sold off sharply on Tuesday when Fed Chairman Bernanke spoke, but then staged a strong reversal rally – closing hear the highs of the day.  This continues the strong pattern on the $SPX chart, and we expect a successful challenge of the 1375 resistance area shortly.

Equity-only put-call ratios continue to decline, and that is bullish for stocks.  They have not declined so far that they would be considered overbought.  Therefore, these intermediate-term indicators are pointing strongly higher.

Weekly Commentary 7/13/2012

By Lawrence G. McMillan

In late June and early July, $SPX staged a strong upside breakout, taking the average to new relative highs (and most other major averages followed).  This created the very bullish pattern of higher highs and higher lows on the $SPX chart, after the bottom in early June.  As the market made these new relative highs, it became extremely overbought. $SPX has backed off about 50 points since July 3rd, alleviating that overbought condition. 

Equity-only put-call ratios remain on buy signals.

In focus: Gathering strength

By Lawrence G. McMillan

The stock market has now pulled back for five straight days. This came after a strong upside breakout.

On the surface, it is disappointing that the upside breakout momentum faded and gave way to this decline. However, the market was very overbought a week ago, and it was inevitable that a decline was to take place to alleviate that overbought condition. It is our viewpoint that this pullback is a healthy one, and it will lead to higher prices soon — certainly over the intermediate term.

Buy signals remain in place

By Lawrence G. McMillan

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (MarketWatch) — Three week ago, we wrote that strong buy signals were in place . For the most part, those buy signals remain in place today. Therefore we continue to look for higher prices ahead.

Weekly Commentary 7/6/2012

By Lawrence G. McMillan

$SPX broke out on June 29th, and has since added togains, exceeding the early June highs. This creates the bullish pattern of higher highs and higher lows on its chart. $SPX could easily challenge resistance at 1390-1400 in the immediate future.

Equity-only put-call ratios remain on buy signals.

Market breadth was very strong again, and now the breadth indicators are on buy signals but are quite overbought.

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