50% Off! Beat the market in 2025 with InvestingProCLAIM SALE

S&P 500, Nasdaq Need to Close Above Bull Trap Levels; Russell 2000 Still Lagging

Published 08/03/2024, 06:30 pm
US500
-
US2000
-
IWM
-
IXIC
-

Yesterday was a bit of a mixed bag with all recording gains (good), but the Russell 2000 (IWM) finished with a 'black' candlestick (close less than open price) that leaves bulls pressured and vulnerable to additional losses.

In the case of the Russell 2000 ($IWM), the losses were not huge and selling volume was light and below the previous day's buying volume. Technicals remained net positive. The 'bull trap' is still the favored outcome following today's action.

IWM-Daily Chart

Things are more bullish for the S&P and Nasdaq. Both indices had registered potential 'bull traps', but both were able to post gains to challenge - and possibly negate - these traps. In the case of the Nasdaq, gains were enough to return a 'buy' trigger for On-Balance-Volume.

The worst of the "bull traps" are behind these indices, but it will take a close above the 'bull trap' high to negate the bearishness of this pattern.

COMPQ-Daily Chart

The S&P 'bull trap' is holding to a flatlined 'sell' trigger in its MACD but has otherwise bullish technicals.

The index is underperforming relative to the Russell 2000 ($IWM) although this relationship too has flat-lined.

SPX-Daily Chart

The likelihood is that all indices will continue their rallies and that the bearishness exhibited in the Russell 2000 will be negated by the more bullish setups in the Nasdaq and S&P.

None of the indices are signaling blow-out tops, where I would expect the angle of ascent to sharpen beyond the steady 45 degrees we are seeing now.

Latest comments

Loading next article…
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.