Commentary:
Stocks showed strength on Monday but volume was light. Early morning action was choppy, but by 10:30 am the major indices stabilized and rallied to close near the session highs. The Nasdaq led the advance by finishing 1% higher yesterday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a healthy 0.9% gain, while both the small-cap Russell 2000 and the S&P MidCap 400 rose by 0.8% day over day. The S&P 500 rallied 0.6% on the day.
Market internals ended the day mixed. Turnover was lower on both major indices. However, the NYSE saw a dramatic decrease in volume of 25%, while trade on the Nasdaq fell by a modest 1.3%. Advancing volume was higher across the board. The ratio of advancing to declining volume ended the day at 1.8 to 1 on the NYSE and 3.0 to 1 on the Nasdaq.
Trading has been somewhat of a challenge lately. There have been many failed breakouts and a lack of follow-thru with normally dependable trading setups. Although it is a contradiction in terms, it feels as if we are in a “range bound uptrend”. Below are a series of charts that might help to explain the recent lack of conviction in the market. From our daily research we are coming across hundreds of ETFs and stocks that are exhibiting divergence between price action, and the Accumulation/Distribution (Acc/Dist) technical indicator. As we have discussed in recent newsletters, a protracted divergence between price and Acc/Dist is often a leading indicator for trend reversal (or consolidation). The charts below are self explanatory.
The S&P Select Healthcare SPDR ETF (XLV) has maintained support and has consolidated during the recent market correction. This exhibition of relative strength suggests that a move above the January 12th high of $32.36 could provide a buying opportunity in XLV. Since most breakouts have failed recently, a strong increase in volume will likely be needed to carry XLV higher.
The iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors ETF (ICF) has attempted to rally above $67.00 three times in the past five days. A volume fueled advance above this key mark could present a buy trigger for this ETF. entry.
As demonstrated by abundant examples of divergence between price action and Accumulation/Distribution, the market appears to be at an important crossroad. Quality setups are far and few between and we are inclined to be cautious in the current environment.
Today’s Watchlist:
TBT
Long
Shares = 300
Trigger = 39.97
Stop = 38.22
Target = 43.70
Dividend Date = n/a
Notes = see commentary from the Jan. 21 report
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
We sent out a text alert yesterday covering 150 shares of GDXJ at 34.11. However, the text alert was not accompanied by an email alert. For those who did not receive a text alert please cover 150 shares of GDXJ at market on the open. We remain short 100 shares with no change in stop. We aplogize for the confusion.
- 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.
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Notes:
Edited by Deron Wagner,
MTG Founder and
Head Trader