Forum Clusters 111212.xlsx
IWM recovered most of Thursday’s pullback with a pocket pivot volume signature (volume higher than on any of the past ten days lower close). Friday’s RT 20DMF strength of large players was 99% above average and showed some weakness only in the last 30 minutes of profit-taking trading.
IBD’s Accumulation/Distribution ratings structure keeps improving on a weekly close basis. If 9% of all stocks are already under best accumulation with an A rating, 46% are rated with a B and it confirms widespread institutional support. These totaling 54% of stocks with strong accumulation/distribution ratings is an ideal backdrop for successful breakouts and emergence of strong leading stocks based on price-volume analysis alone.
On the price trend front, stage analysis remains our best guide. The percentage of stocks in weekly accumulation and mark-up stages closed above 50% for the first time since June 17 and is at a 26-week high with strong momentum. It means that a majority of stocks have now a positive alignment of their key moving averages on the weekly timeframe and the number is growing fast. This is most positive in the context of a consolidation week and shifts the intermediate term risk-reward ratio to the long side.
On the daily timeframe, the buy signal discussed last week remains fully valid and offers a good short term reward-risk outlook to the long side. The percentage of stocks in daily accumulation and mark-up stage is approaching fast the 50% threshold where price momentum to the upside can be expected as it would be coincident with a decisive crossing above the major indices’ 200-day moving averages.
The long position of the IWM robot was entered at 73.14 in the lower end of the trading range and the optimal ATR-adjusted trailing stop (71.02) is just below the 50-day moving average (71.25). This new week will start with two strong floor support clusters totaling a strength of 36 (15+21). They are offering a positive reward-risk ratio compared to the first two floor resistance clusters with a strength of 30 (22 +8). But the first resistance cluster is stronger than the first support cluster with a ratio of 22 to 15 and some catalyst will be needed to make real progress. Such catalyst might come from the FOMC meeting on Tuesday or from any other macro news. Some initial weakness can be expected without such catalyst. The current robot settings are favoring holding the existing position with the active trailing stop but don’t find any edge for entering a new position on Monday. The 20 DMF remains in a buy signal since 11/28/2011 but is showing signs of fatigue in the commodities/energy/gold sectors. In conclusion, one or two strong days supported by large players are all that’s needed to propel the market much higher within very positive intermediate term outlook developments. Downside risk is bounded by the 50-day moving average.
The GDX robot is in neutral settings and waiting for the next official trade setup.
Billy
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