Ulta Beauty Gets Ultra Ugly

I first wrote about Ulta Beauty (ULTA) in early September, 2016 after it confirmed a bearish breakdown from support at its 50-day moving average (DMA). I never traded the stock and missed the entire recovery and 31% gain to the last peak and all-time high in early June, 2017. It took another bearish breakdown for … Read more

Above the 40 (September 22, 2017) – Apple Falls from the Tree, the Stock Market Bends Without Breaking

AT40 = 63.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 54.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 9.6 Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary The stock market stubbornly held onto its bullish positioning despite the tumble of one of its biggest stalwarts: Apple (AAPL). AAPL … Read more

Above the 40 (September 8, 2017) – Lingering Tensions for the Stock Market

AT40 = 44.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 48.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 12.1 (up 4.9%) Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary The market has made no progress since my last Above the 40 post which covered the volatility and fizzle from … Read more

Above the 40 (September 5, 2017) – A Different Kind of Volatility and Fizzle for the Stock Market

AT40 = 44.1% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 48.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 12.2 (was as high as 14.1) Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary Another North Korean nuclear power move caused more rattling in financial markets. The last time the market … Read more

Above the 40 (August 29, 2017) – More Stock Market Volatility and Fizzle

AT40 = 37.1% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 46.7% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 11.7 (was as high as 14.3) Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary North Korea launched a ballistic missile over northern Japan, bot no fire and fury ensued. What happened … Read more

Above the 40 (August 25, 2017) – No Follow-Through for the S&P 500’s Reflex Bounce

AT40 = 38.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 48.0% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 11.3 Short-term Trading Call: neutral Commentary The S&P 500 (SPY) is suddenly struggling at its 50-day moving average (DMA). The big reflex bounce from Tuesday, August 22nd has … Read more

Above the 40 (August 15, 2017) – The Retail Wreck Runs Over Strong Data

AT40 = 39.5% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 50.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 12.0 Short-term Trading Call: bullish Commentary Urban Outfitters (URBN) notwithstanding with its 19.5% after hours surge, Tuesday, August 15, 2017 was a signature day for the weakness engulfing … Read more

Above the 40 (July 26, 2017) – A Stock Market Floating Higher And Still On the Edge

AT40 = 63.6% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 60.3% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 9.6 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary The stock market had a relatively bland day that matched a relatively bland statement on monetary policy from the … Read more

Above the 40 (July 21, 2017) – A Stock Market Soaring High But On the Edge

AT40 = 64.0% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 60.4% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 9.4 (volatility index) (2nd lowest VIX since at least 1990!) Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary The S&P 500 (SPY) is soaring high since its impressive breakout two … Read more

Above the 40 (July 18, 2017) – A Food-Borne Breakdown and Classic Post-Earnings Gaps

AT40 = 61.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) AT200 = 59.8% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs VIX = 9.9 (volatility index) Short-term Trading Call: cautiously bullish Commentary The S&P 500 (SPY) closed effectively flatline with a point and a half gain. The NASDAQ returned to the … Read more