By Lawrence G. McMillan
While the $SPX chart remains bullish, in that it is in an upward-sloping channel, there are some troubling signs beginning to appear, including a verified "modified Bollinger Band" sell signal.
The $SPX chart itself has seen support at the 2800 level, or just below, on recent pullbacks. Below that there is major supoport at 2740.
The equity-only put-call ratios remain split in their outlook. The weighted ratio gave a buy signal a couple of weeks ago and remains on that buy signal. The standard ratio, however, is struggling to roll over to a "buy" and has not yet given a confirmed buy signal.
Market breadth has been rather lackluster. So, both breadth oscillators remain on sell signals. Again, this has not produced a large market decline, but it is another sign of trouble.
Volatility is much more positive, as far as stocks go. $VIX has remained below 15, and thus it is a bullish mode. As long as $VIX is trending lower or sideways, stocks can rally.
In summary, a good number of the indicators remain bullish, and that keeps the intermediate-term outlook bullish. However, the mBB sell signal and the persistence of lackluster breadth are indications that not all is well.
This Market Commentary is an abbreviated version of the commentary featured in The Option Strategist Newsletter.
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