Tuesday, Janet Yellen stated that “It may be that interest rates will have to rise somewhat to make sure that our economy doesn’t overheat.”
The market was already trending lower on the day after its recent teetering around new high territory. Clearly, Yellen did not help.
However, the main index to break down Tuesday was the tech heavy NASDAQ 100 QQQ).
The QQQs had been range bound between highs at $342.42 and $333.97 for most of April. Tuesday it gapped lower and continued towards its 50-day moving average at $324.91.
This will be the next support area to watch for the major index to hold.
Let us check how the other indices fared through Tuesday.
- Russell 2000 (IWM) Barely held over its 50-DMA at $223.27.
- Dow Jones (DIA) Sitting roughly $1 away from new highs at $242.43.
- S&P 500 (SPY) Holding over support at $410.59.
The key takeaway is that other indices were still at or over their support areas.
Additionally, Monday, we talked about the importance of the transportation sector IYT) holding near the highs as an indicator for underlying market strength.
Now with two of the major indices lingering near their 50-DMA, we can test our theory if the IYT continues to help the market hold, or if it begins to selloff.
We would be way more negative had IYT closed under yesterday’s low after making new all-time highs. But it held and therefore, remains the leader.
Furthermore, junk bonds (JNK) were holding their 50-DMA, which is where we look for risk appetite.
Therefore, we could see a turnaround today, or, if IYT and JNK gap lower, a much uglier continuation downward.
ETF Summary
- S&P 500 (SPY) Resistance 420.72.
- Russell 2000 (IWM) Watching to hold over 50-DMA area at 223.27.
- Dow (DIA) Needs to clear 342.43.
- NASDAQ (QQQ) Next support at 324.91.
- KRE (Regional Banks) Support 67.41.
- SMH (Semiconductors) Watching to fill gap at 239.42.
- IYT (Transportation) Held over yesterdays low.
- IBB (Biotechnology) Next support 146.73.
- XRT (Retail) Held the 10-DMA at 93.90.
- Volatility Index (VXX) Watching to hold over the 10-DMA at 39.67.
- Junk Bonds (JNK) Watching 50-DMA to hold as support at 108.52.
- {{45385|XLU} (Utilities) Support 65.29.
- SLV (Silver) 23.97 the 50-DMA.
- VBK (Small Cap Growth ETF) Needs to hold over today’s low at 274.87.
- UGA (US Gas Fund) 34.68 resistance.
- TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasuries) Doji day.
- USD (Dollar) 91.40 pivotal area.
- MJ (Alternative Harvest ETF) 19.83 support.
- LIT (Lithium) next support 60.48.
- XOP (Oil and Gas Exploration) support the 10-DMA at 79.44.
- DBA (Agriculture) Holding over the 10-DMa at 18.32