A Test of the Stock Market’s Most Predictable Pattern – The Market Breadth

Stock Market Commentary The S&P 500 (SPY) is a key driver of the stock market’s most predictable pattern. The index’s relentless rise this year has held the majority of the trading action above the 20-day moving average (DMA) (the dotted line in the chart below). Brief dips below the 20DMA set up tests of the … Read more

New Stock Rotations Pressured Market Breadth – The Market Breadth

Stock Market Commentary August was a breeze, and the stock market strolled in September. A few pebbles rolled into the path this week. The indices delivered divergent behavior which brings up familiar themes of rotation. Most notably, the rotations pressured market breadth as small caps in particular displayed fresh signs of weakness. The Stock Market … Read more

Warnings from Early Divergences in the Oversold Bounce – Above the 40 (July 23, 2021)

Stock Market Commentary The oversold bounce last week exceeded my expectations. I did not expect the week to end with the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ hitting fresh all-time highs. Both indices seemed to offer limited upside for trading oversold conditions.The oversold bounce also disappointed me. I looked to beaten up stocks as the source … Read more

How Declining Market Breadth Delivered A Beating On Stocks – Above the 40 (July 16, 2021)

Stock Market Commentary The stock chickens have come to roost on declining market breadth. The stock market indices still generally appear fine, but an ever growing swath of individual stocks have fallen further and further behind. Last week in particular, sellers delivered an extended beating on individual stocks. The signs of waning confidence in the … Read more

A Stock Market Melt-Up With Shrinking Participation – Above the 40 (July 2, 2021)

Stock Market Commentary A stock market melt-up is in full effect. Investopedia defines a melt-up as “…a sustained and often unexpected improvement in the investment performance of an asset or asset class, driven partly by a stampede of investors who don’t want to miss out on its rise, rather than by fundamental improvements in the economy.” … Read more

The Follow Through Premiere: A Video Narration for the Latest Stock Charts

The Follow Through Intro In this premiere edition of “The Follow Through”, I review the latest trading developments in stocks and indices covered in my last Above the 40 blog post: “No Deal for a Confirmation of the Market Breadth Breakout.” This format will focus on video as a quick way of sending out new … Read more

No Deal for a Confirmation of the Market Breadth Breakout – Above the 40 (June 4, 2021)

Stock Market Commentary I fully anticipated follow-through to the breakout of market breadth that started trading last week. Instead, trading on the major indices wavered going into a mini pullback on Thursday. As a result, Friday’s rally following the May jobs report failed to generate a confirmation of the market breadth breakout. With job creation … Read more

Small Cap Stocks Lead Important Breakout for Market Breadth Indicator – Above the 40 (June 1, 2021)

Stock Market Commentary A meme rush pushed the stock market toward summer trading. A breakout for market breadth launched summer trading. Small cap stocks appeared to lead the way even as the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ wilted for the close of trading. The divergence still leaves the stock market poised for an eventual rendezvous … Read more

Buyers Follow Through On Latest Bullish Signals Despite Targeted Carnage – Above the 40 (March 26, 2021)

Stock Market Commentary Many stocks rebounded sharply from intraday lows on Thursday. The flurry left behind key bullish signals. Buyers did not disappoint on Friday. They delivered strong follow through on the latest bullish signals even as sections of the market suffered targeted carnage. Indeed, the ability to ignore the targeted carnage was itself another … Read more

Sharp Rebound in Stocks Flashed Signs of Refreshed Bullishness – Above the 40 (March 25, 2021)

AT40 (T2108) sharply rebounded off a 5-month intraday low.

Stock Market Commentary After today’s open, the rolling interruption to the reopen trade started to look like the beginning of a real pullback. Sellers got about 90 minutes to enjoy the pressure before buyers took control. The back and forth between selling pressure and buying relief has taken a toll on a swath of the … Read more