Possible hanging man Candlesticks on Several ETF Indices

There exists several possible hanging man candlesticks on several indices as of the close today.  The nasdaq composite in particular has a very potentially bearish looking hanging man candlestick.  It also has a red real body.  Hanging man candlesticks are points in the market that offer potential turning points however they are not bearish until … Read more

It has been a Frustrating Up Down Market

This has been a very frustrating market period.  August was down.  And now here we are in Mid September and the market is not falling apart, just bouncing. I guess markets are supposed to frustrate people, that is just what they do.  Sideways trading ranges have a tendency to make the sentiment very bearish.  But … Read more

QQQ is Showing a Bullish Spring Based on Volume and Price

I do not know why I did not notice this before.  Perhaps it is because I have not been following the markets as closely as usual.  I have been a bit pre occupied with other business lately and have not gone into as much depth on various market indices as I normally do. 

But I just pulled up a chart of the QQQ and it has me now thinking that this market has bottomed out based on volume.  Yes, just 2 postings ago I wrote a post on how the market now looks like a 50 50 proposition in either direction.  But after looking at the QQQ, it makes me think the market is already saying it has rejected the lows today based on volume and price.

Look at the chart below to see what I am talking about.  This is basically what market analysis boils down to, volume and price.

We today tested a very important previous March 13, 2011 high volume swing on 63% less volume and then closed back up inside the range.  That is a bullish spring based on volume and says the bottom is in.

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Game Set and Match all Riding on the QQQQ and AAPL Inc

Apple Inc. makes up quite a large percentage of the QQQQ ETF  and makes it hard for the QQQQ or Nasdaq to outperform if AAPL is trading extra weak on any given day.  This is what appeared to be happening last Friday 3/18/2011.   Apple was trading weak for a good portion of the day and it did not allow the Nasdaq or QQQ ETF to get as much bounce as several other popular indices.

Apple Inc. without a doubt has been the ‘lead sled dog’ in the huge market run up since 3/ 2009.  It has been the ultimate momentum stock and trading machine.  A lot of traders have expressed the thought that there really cannot be any market top or major correction unless the big Apple falls from grace.  This has proven to be very true since 3/ 2009.

Apple seems to have been the ‘bubble stock’ that everyone looked towards for leadership.  The literal obsession with iphones and ipads reminds me of the internet euphoria of the 2000 era.

But now there seem to be some headwinds for Apple Inc.   Inflation is starting to surge.  Crude oil is spiking higher.  Competition is heavy and increasing.  And Steve Jobs does not appear to be ready to return to run the company any time soon.  Could it be that AAPL is at an juncture where growth is going to start to slow down slightly?  If this holds true then it would seem reasonable for the stock to take some what of a breather and head into a trading range again.

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Nasdaq Monthly Price Chart Showing Shooting Star Reversal Candlestick

There are two trading days left in February and currently the nasdaq composite index is showing a very bearish looking monthly shooting star reversal that has formed after testing the old 2007 all time highs.  This is clearly a sign of supply coming into the market and suggests we will have more downside in March … Read more

Nasdaq Composite on a Date with Destiny

This may be one of the most important posts and charts I have posted in a long time. Market index analysis has a habit ( at least to me) of being MOST of the time fuzzy around the edges.  But occasionally it starts to crystallize into a clearer picture and better form that helps build confidence on a certain forecast.  It is a matter of making speculative forecasts, trying to identify key levels and then attempting to see whether the tape action starts to confirm your own forecast.  If it does not then one must change tack and work with alterative scenarios.  It is always good to have a small handful of scenarios to work with, both bullish and bearish otherwise it may leave you in a vulnerable position.

The current market is akin to a 200 car train that has no braking ability.  It is sheer price force and momentum and this is to be respected and acknowledged before anything else.  Having said that, it is also well known that no market can continue to go vertical forever.  There must be a pause so that the market can form a pivot point for a new base that can eventually push the market higher.  Markets build cause and then use it up.  When they are done using it up, they need to build new cause.  Of course after being in a market that seeming only goes up, it is always EASY to forget about any necessary looming correction.

I have been picking on the nasdaq composite a lot lately and for good reason.  The nasdaq composite index is approaching a key level that represents the start of one of the greatest bear markets of all time.  This level was of course the late October 2007 peak in the market that preceded a long duration persistent trend bear market.

The key with the Nasdaq is the issue of how this 2007 peak will be dealt with?

  • Will it simply be exceeded and ignored ?
  • Will it turn on the exact tick of the previous 2007 high at 2861.51 ?
  • Or will it AT FIRST be exceeded and then eventually succumb to supply forces at a later time?

Unfortunately we will not know the exact answer until it actually happens, but we can come up with some scenarios and attempt to get a better feel for the market as we approach this previous all time high level.

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Nasdaq Composite Likely Headed for 2850 to 2900 Range Before True Reversal

The Nasdaq Composite appears to be on a mission for 2850 to 2900 range, possibly in blow off or parabolic fashion.  The nasdaq today did a key reversal hammer after a several week consolidation and could imply a big move up that kicks off tomorrow. I am considering the possibility that the nasdaq will ‘run’ … Read more