The chart of $SPX (Standard & Poors 500) continues to have a slightly negative bias to it. There is a clear series of lower highs on the chart. Moreover, the trend line from the January lows has been broken.
Equity-only put-call ratios are both technically on sell signals at this time, according to the computer programs that we use to analyze these charts. However, to the naked eye, they are more or less moving sideways.
Stocks appear to be struggling a bit, but there hasn't been a decisive breakdown. The $SPX chart shows some negative trend lines, but the important area is support at 2120. As long as that holds, the bulls will remain in charge.
This week, $SPX finally tried to break down. But support held at or near 2120, reinforcing that as a major support area. So that remains a key level the level at which the $SPX chart would turn bearish, if broken.
Equity-only put-call ratios are not buying into the bearish argument just yet. They are both moving lower on their charts, which maintains their buy signals.
Stock prices have dampened down into a very narrow trading range again. There is major support at 2120 and major resistance at the old highs (2195). A breakout from those levels would be significant.
Stocks have tried to find a catalyst to spur them in one direction or the other, but they have been unable to do so. $SPX is locked into the 2120 - 2195 trading range. A clear breakout in either direction should be respected.
Last Friday, the market broke down through support – and did so in a big way. This current breakdown has changed the status of the $SPX chart from “bullish” to “neutral” at best. One could make a case for $SPX now being volatile within a trading range of 2120 to 2160. But if that 2120 support area is taken out, the chart will definitely be in a “bearish” status.
A violent rebound occurred yesterday, signaling that either a) Friday’s move was an aberration, or b) volatility has returned with a vengeance. Today, S&P futures are down 17 points in overnight trading, for no specific reason. There has just been a continual erosion all night long. That would argue for b) above. We are now getting mixed signals from some reliable indicators. These will sort themselves out, but for now there is some conflict.
$SPX had remained in a trading range for nearly two months, but now it has broken support at 2160 and that is significant.
The only negative indicators that we had as of yesterday were the equity-only put-call ratios, but the others will join in today. As you can see from Figures 2 and 3, the put-call ratios have been edging higher since making their lows in mid-August. That puts them on sell signals.
