Commentary:
Stocks snapped back with a solid session of gains yesterday, as the S&P and Nasdaq contended with resistance of their four-month downtrend lines. The major indices trended higher in the morning, then chopped sideways to lower throughout the afternoon. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.9%, the S&P 500 0.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.5%. The samll-cap Russell 2000 and S&P Midcap 400 indices were higher by 0.8% and 0.6% respectively. Showing a lack of direction into the close, the main stock market indexes closed near the middle of their intraday ranges.
Total volume in the NYSE increased 6% above the previous day’s level, while trading in the Nasdaq ticked 19% higher. The higher volume across the board enabled both the S&P and Nasdaq to register a bullish “accumulation day.” On Tuesday, the Nasdaq declined on increased trade, so it was positive that even higher volume accompanied yesterday’s gains. Turnover in the Nasdaq also moved back above its 50-day average level, but volume in the NYSE remained lighter than average. Market internals were solid. In both the NYSE and Nasdaq, advancing volume exceeded declining volume by more than 5 to 2.
In our September 7 commentary, we said the S&P 500 SPDR (SPY) was approaching resistance of its 200-day MA, as well as its downtrend line from the April 2010 high. Because the index has oscillated in a tight, sideways range since then, the same resistance levels remain in effect. On the daily chart below, notice how the price of SPY is squeezing up against the four-month downtrend line, while the 200-day MA remains just above as well:
Notably, the Nasdaq Composite Index is displaying the same pattern:
The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 Index, the brother of the Nasdaq Composite Index, is already above its 200-day MA, but has bumped into resistance of its intermediate-term downtrend line as well. In yesterday’s session, PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQQ), a popular ETF proxy for the Nasdaq 100 Index, probed above its downtrend line on an intraday basis, but failed to convincingly close above it. Take a look:
Like the S&P 500, the blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average remains below both its 200-day MA and downtrend line. However, the 200-day MA, just above the three-day highs, is the first resistance level, and the downtrend line is further beyond. The daily chart of Dow Jones DIAMONDS (DIA) is shown below:
As these charts clearly illustrate, the major indices are once again at pivotal resistance levels. Since the resistance levels are quite obvious, a one or two-day “overcut” that probes above the downtrend lines and/or 200-day MAs would not be surprising. But the big question is whether or not such a “stop run” would be sustainable. While it may be tricky to initiate new short positions until near-term sentiment turns bearish again, it’s equally risky to be entering new long positions at pivotal levels in the broad market.
The bottom line is that a directionless, choppy trading range remains the dominant theme in the markets. Eventually, this will change, and great opportunities for trend trading will present themselves again. But right now, “SOH mode” (sitting on hands) may be the best plan of action. Alternatively, an ETF portfolio hedged on both sides of the market (long the relative strength, short the relative weakness) makes sense, but consider keeping a shorter than usual time horizon on profit taking.
Today’s Watchlist:
iShares Emerging Market Bond Fund (EMB)
Long
Shares = 250
Trigger = $109.85 (above the Sept. 8 high)
Stop = $107.65 (below strong support of the 50-day MA)
Target = new high (will trail stop)
Dividend Date = October 1
Notes = This setup from yesterday did not yet trigger, but remains on our watchlist going into today, albeit with a lower trigger price (above yesterday’s high for an “undercut” entry). See commentary in the September 8 issue of The Wagner Daily for explanation of the setup.
Daily Performance Report:
Below is an overview of all open positions, as well as a performance report on all positions that were closed only since the previous day’s newsletter. Net P/L figures are based on the $50,000 Wagner Daily model account size. Changes to open positions since the previous report are listed in red text below. Please review the Wagner Daily Subscriber Guide for important, automatic rules on trigger and stop prices.
- No changes to stops or targets on open positions at this time.
- Reminder to subscribers – Intraday Trade Alerts to your e-mail and/or mobile phone are normally only sent to indicate a CHANGE to the pre-market plan that is detailed in each morning’s Wagner Daily. We sometimes send a courtesy alert just to confirm action that was already detailed in the pre-market newsletter, but this is not always the case. If no alert is received to the contrary, one should always assume we’re honoring all stops and trigger prices listed in each morning’s Wagner Daily. But whenever CHANGES to the pre-market stops or trigger prices are necessary, alerts are sent on an AS-NEEDED basis. Just a reminder of the purpose of Intraday Trade Alerts.
- For those of you whose ISPs occasionally deliver your e-mail with a delay, make sure you’re signed up to receive our free text message alerts sent to your mobile phone. This provides a great way to have redundancy on all Intraday Trade Alerts. Send your request to [email protected] if not already set up for this value-added feature we provide to subscribers.
Having trouble seeing the position summary graphic above?
Click here to view it directly on your Internet browser instead.
Notes:
Edited by Deron Wagner,
MTG Founder and
Head Trader