Pension and 401K Holders Need to Up Their Contributions

Published 09/04/2025, 02:33 pm

If there is one thing recent volatility is offering people, it is a fantastic opportunity to increase their pension contributions or start a pension if they haven't already. Nobody knows what will come next, but what we do know is that markets are offering a steep discount and, therefore, an opportunity for us to benefit. Pension contributions come with tax breaks, which anyone can take advantage of, and the dollar-cost-average approach works best in this situation.

If we want to consider a deep swing low, when the S&P 500 gets 30% below its 200-day MA, we have a major low, which, based on the current 200-day MA, is around 4,029.

A more positive spin on recent volatility is to look for a rally to the swing low of 5,500 before a retest of the current low at 4,835 (or lower if we break it today).SPX-Daily Chart

The Russell 2000 (IWM), like the S&P 500, retraced most of yesterday's trading action, although trading volume was well down on the last couple of days. Crash action did kick in on an oversold momentum state, so on the next rally (out of an oversold state), we need to be careful the next move to an oversold momentum state doesn't trigger another deep wave of selling, similar to what we saw in 2009.

IWM-Daily Chart

The Nasdaq is outperforming relative to its peers and should have the *best* opportunity to lead out if buyers return today.

If looking for a swing trade, then a rally to 17,000 looks like a good play if you can get a fill near 15,000 with a stop below Monday's low.

COMPQ-Daily Chart

The main concern with yesterday's action was the broad red candlesticks that look destined to deliver another set of similar candlesticks today and, therefore, new lows.

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