Tag Archive for 'rally'

Don’t get suckered in to this market – the FTSE could be about to change direction

Let’s begin by admitting that no analytical system of the Stock Market is perfect and always 100% right. But there are some technical signals that do tend to ‘work’ more often than not and it is, therefore, worth taking note of them as and when they occur and adjusting one’s trading accordingly.

One such technical signal is when the index (or stock price) meets the level of its 30 week moving average (‘MA’); when it does the index, or share price, will often change direction at, or near, the meeting point. If the price has fallen to the MA level then, often, it will turn back upwards; if it has risen to the MA level then, often, it will reverse and fall back.

As you can see from this chart over the last few years the FTSE has changed direction each time it has met with or come close to the level of its 30 wk  moving average and it is at that level again now -

So, it would be wise to take notice of this and to hold fire on any new share purchases or long trades of the FTSE until the picture becomes clearer.

Another point to bear in mind (no pun intended) is that the FTSE is currently in a technical downtrend and within any downtrend there will often be ‘bear’ trend rallies that last for between 3 and 5 weeks. This week is the 4th week of the current rally!

FTSE FORECAST

The latest forecast of where the FTSE is headed is now available and the future is not looking very bright.

FTSE on the edge

The FTSE continues to flirt with the 5000 level. This is a critical point as explained in our lates ‘The FTSE-Where Next?’ article.

From here the FTSE could bounce, it could crash, it could go sideways (before doing one or the other). Answers are in ‘The FTSE-Where Next?

The FTSE – Where Next?

This no-nonsense weekly guide based on experienced and well researched technical analysis  will give you the extra confidence of knowing what is happening to the FTSE and why.

Are share prices likely to continue to increase? How far is the FTSE likely to rise? Is the stock market really about to crash? When will it be a good time to buy or to sell-short? Might it be sensible to cash some of your funds or shares now?

These, and many other questions can be answered by – ‘The FTSE-Where Next?’

It will give you an insight into what is happening now on the Stock Market and what is likely to happen next.

With ‘The FTSE – Where Next?’ you will be able to make better investment decisions as well as developing a confidence and certainty from knowing what’s going on and what is about to happen.

The FTSE – Up or Down? Is it going to Crash?

Despite the doom and gloom in the press and all of the dire warnings of Armageddon to come (although there is no denying that is a possibility) all that has happened to the FTSE so far is that it has retraced back to its important support area of 5100/5000. Nothing new in that as it has been there 3 times in the last 3 months and, on each of those occasions, it has found support and rallied.

But this time it could be different, for the following (technical) reasons:

1. This time the FTSE has fallen below the level of its 30wk. moving average – a negative signal indicating a lack of support and

2. This is the 4th occasion that is has sought support at the 5100/5000 area – and historical records show that the 4th occasion at the same level usually results in a break of that level; (not only that but, after a 4th occasion, the following action can be fast and steep).

So, there is the possibility that the FTSE is going to plummet down to the 4747 level and, possibly, then a lot further (down to 3500) but, for the moment, we must wait to see if support is forthcoming because if it is – on this 4th occasion – then the FTSE could rally back up to the 5400 area.This scenario does not make for easy trading; ‘shorts’ look to be the order of the day but would be stopped out if a rally does ensue. ‘Longs’ are perhaps even more dangerous just now as a price rally may be very short lived as there is a real danger of a price collapse.

Of the other markets, the S&P 500 has tumbled back down to its important support level at 1100 and it is displaying signals of weakness so the danger is that it could, soon, take a nose dive down to the 940 level area if support is not forthcoming this week. Much the same dismal picture applies to the DJIA where increasing weakness is suggesting the index might collapse by over 1000 points, down to mthe 8860 area. The Nasdaq 100 is currently resting and testing for support at the level of its 30wk. moving average. If it breaks below this it is likely to slip all the way down to the 1629 level area.

Individual market commentary and illustrative charts are available at http://www.sharehunter.com/news/market-review/

Is the worst over for the stock market? Are shares now safe?

The answer to our question is…Perhaps, but the stock market is not out of the woods yet.

Over the last few weeks the risks have been much increased so we ceased to call new trade alerts just before the FTSE began to tumble. That does not mean that we are brilliant or clairvoyant but it does mean that our daily analysis of the market trends is accurate and effective.

The current state of play is that the FTSE is still below potential resistance (at the 5400 level) in spite of the big rise earlier this week. This resistance could send the index sharply back down again; otherwise, if 5400 is overcome then share prices should move strongly ahead again and back up to test the 5770 level resistance. All this can be seen from the chart –

Interestingly, and perhaps indicating that there is an underlying and growing strength in the market as a whole, the FTSE 250 index is far more positive than its big sister (the FTSE 100). The FTSE 250 has found and bounced up from support at the 9610 level and is racing back up to test the 10500 level again. This is shown on the chart below –

So, nothing is for definite just yet. Risk remains above the norm although not nearly so high as it has been recently. The answer has to be to invest cautiously (as you know we started again, gently, this morning) and to keep a very close eye on the likely future direction of all share prices.

The next 2 Weeks on the Stock Market

The Uptrends continue although the FTSE SmCap index is struggling (highlighting the dangers involved in trading smacap stocks in this time of uncertainty).

The FTSE 250 index has continued its recent new found good form and looks to be well on its way up to a test of the 10500 level and it has given us some cracking trades over the last couple of weeks.

The FTSE 100 just fell short of a serious test of the resistance at the 5770 level and will obviously have another go at this level next week. If it can break above 5770 then it should have a good ride up to the 6160 level but, if the 5770 resistance is too strong, a quick fall back to the 5540 is most likely.

As ever, it all comes back to the mighty S&P 500 index. Last week it failed its attempt to break above the 1167 resistance and, for its own sake as well as that of the FTSE indices, it has to get above that level or all markets will put in price corrections.

Individual market commentary and illustrative charts are available at http://www.sharehunter.com/news/market-review/

The FTSE to rise to 6160?

The S&P 500 is testing the strength of the lastest potential resistance at the 1167 level. With this index having shown some strength during the last few weeks it may well find that the 1167 level presents no problem to its further upward progress. If it breaks above 1167 then it should continue all the way up to the 1290 level. This would be a significant increase even if it does take a month or two to get there and it will have positive effect on the UK market indices.

The FTSE 100 is, at the same time, very close to a test of overhead resistance at the 5770 level. The FTSE has pushed up quite strongly over the past few weeks so it may well take a pause, and put in a correction, at this level but all the signals currently suggest that 5770 shouldn’t prove too much of a resistance hurdle to overcome. If the FTSE 100 can get, and stay, above 5770 then, as we showed in our recent blog report, there is the juicy prospect of it climbing all the way to test the 6160 level.

During the last few weeks the FTSE 250 has also come out of its 6 month sideways doldrums and moved ahead. It is displaying an intention of rising to test the 10500 level.

So, for the moment, the markets continue to look relatively benign – but that can be dangerous and we must not take further increases for granted as it is often that the steepest crashes occur when least expected. Our one overriding concern is the picture being painted by our Momentum Indicator (‘MI’) which continues to suggest that the markets may soon make a meaningful top. That could happen next week or in a month or two’s time – but happen it will if the MI doesn’t soon put in a rise. Generally the market’s rise is unsustainable if the MI does not also rise. Here is the chart again –

FTSE 100 + mi

Individual market commentary and illustrative charts are available at http://www.sharehunter.com/news/market-review/

Stock Markets Review


The current technical analysis of the-

  • FTSE 100, the FTSE 250
  • FTSE SmCap
  • S & P 500
  • DJIA
  • NASDAQ 100

ANALYSIS FOR THE PERIOD  – 6th September 2010 to 12th September 2010

The Overall Market Rating (OMR) , below, represents the percentage of stocks in each index in Stages 1 and 2 (a potential or an actual Uptrend);

An OMR below 50 indicates a ‘bear’ market and above 50 is an indication of a ‘bull’ market. (The figures in brackets show the OMR for the previous week) -

hisIn: Stage1 Stage2 Stage3 Stage4 Overall Mkt Rating
FTSE 100
22% 20% 33% 25% 43 (43)
S&P 500
25% 15% 26% 34  % 40(40)

The Overall Market Rating for the both FTSE 350 and the S&P 500 have swung away from being definitive indications of Uptrend to below the 50 rating and, as such, they now indicate a Downtrend and the possible start of a longer and steep down turn.

Identifying the Trend -diagram

Stage 1 - Accumulation/Stock Basing                           Stage 3 – Distribution/Topping out

Stage 2 – Uptrend/Rising Prices                                     Stage 4 – Downtrend/Declining Prices

Below, we provide two charts for each of the five market indices analysed. The shorter term (3+ year) chart allows easier recognition of some of the more recent features that we may comment on and then a longer term (8+ year) chart which shows the important highs and lows of previous years. We have provided longer term charts this week (up to 13 years) as it helps to illustrate the comaprative performance and absence of long term growth in the markets. Please click on each chart to enlarge.


FTSE 100
-   In a  ‘Stage 3′ Distribution/Topping Trend  – (selling or buying but great care needed) -

With an increase of some 226 points the index benefitted from some good  support last week and it now remains to be seen if this will lead to further rises in the coming weeks or if the support was but temporary.  The key support area remains as 5010 to 5350. If the index can stay above 5350 then the rally will continue and the trend should change back to an Uptrend but, if it falls below 5010 then (considerably) lower prices will follow. The bias of our analysis still suggests that the index is likely to return to the 4750 level area but, after the confirmation of support over the past few weeks the possibilty of a rise to the 6000 level is showing itself.

Chart (3+ year) -

Chart (8+-year) -

FTSE 250 – In a ‘Stage 3′  Distribution trend ( buying or selling but great care needed) -

This index has managed, so far, to stay above the support level at 9610 and last week it showed an impressive bounce up from that level. Importantly, it is staying above the level of its 30wk moving average which, itself, is continuming to slope upwards. This index is continuing to hold its own and, so far, has not succumbed to a swing towards a Downtrend but it is very important that the index stays above the level of its moving average. Should it weaken and fall below it then that could be the start of an eventual slide down to the important support level at 8888. But, in continuing to stay above it the index is showing that a rise to the 10,500 level is more than likely.

Chart(3+ year) -

Chart(8+ year) -

FTSE SmCapIn a  ‘Stage 3′ Distribution trend  (buying or selling  but only very selectively and care is needed) –

The index is still travelling sideways between the  support level at 2700 and the resistance level at 2910 as it has been for almost a year now.  If the 2700 support level should fail then this index is very likely to next visit the 2425 level to look for support there and could fall all the way down to the 2300 area. This index does not look strong; it is currently straddling (and testing)  its 30wk moving average (currently at the 2815 level). To rise above it will show sttrength and potential for further rises; to fall back below it will show weakness and potyential for a fall. Great care is needed as individual stocks may be difficult to trade at a reasonable price if a slide does get going. Even without a slide, this index is suggesting that little is likely to be gained from trading smaller cap stocks at the present time.

Chart(3+ year) -

Chart(8+ year) -

S&P 500 -In a ‘Stage 3′ Distribution?Topping Trend – (buying or selling but great care needed) –

It is a significant warning that the index is now, for the third time inrecent months, testing the strength of the resistance created by the important 1111-1122 area. If it can get above that area then it could resume an Uptrend but to stay below the 1111 level, especially after a third test of it, would be a signal of significant weakness and the propensity for a steep fall. It also continues to remain below the level of its 30wk moving average (which is now at the 1115 level) which signals weakness so the bias is still, at the moment, to the downside.

Chart(3+ year) -

Chart(8+ year) -

DOW JONES INDIn a ‘Stage 3′ Distribution trend – (buying or selling but care needed) -

Five weeks ago this index succeeded in breaking out above the resistance of the 10370 level after 12 weeks of trying but it then failed to find support to sustain the rally and it fell back below it;last week it mounted another attack at the resistance created by this level. It’s problem is that this index is still below the level of its 30 wk moving average as this indicates an underlying weakness.  There is potential for the index to rise above the 10370 level but to sustain that break, should it occur, it has to break above its moving average as well. Otherwise there is  potential for a bigger fall.

Chart (3+ year) -

Chart(8+ year) -

NASDAQ 100 - In a ‘Stage 3′  Distribution trend  ( buying or selling but great care needed) -

The rally up from the support of the 1740 level has taken the index up to meet the level of its 30wk moving average (currently at the 1877 level) to a test of the resistance there. Should it manage to break above it then higher prices would follow as the index should then rise towards the 2040 level but, should this attempt fail, then the price is likely to fall back sharply to the 1740 level.

Chart (3+ year) -

Chart (8+ year) -

If you have any questions or would like more information or would like to discuss market trends then do please email us at

sharehunter@btinternet.com

06/09/2010