Biotech was much stronger than the broad markets between 2011 and 2015 at (1) above.
Once support broke and biotech kissed the underside of resistance at (2), sellers stepped in, driving this once-leading sector to the downside (as of July of 2015). Once weakness settled into biotech, the broad markets followed suit.
Key Test
Now iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (NASDAQ:IBB) could be forming a bearish descending triangle with a key test of support taking place right now at (3) above.
Make no mistake that support is support until it's broken and, in fact, it remains in play at (3).
But if sellers step in and IBB/SPX breaks support, it would reflect new-found downside leadership from this key sector, which could spill over into the broad markets.
We think that the next big move to take place at (3) could impact portfolio construction heading toward year's end.