Tuesday saw the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:TLT) close underneath its 50-Day moving average for two consecutive days confirming a cautionary phase. TLT's trend has been relatively dormant for the past four months with multiple failed attempts to clear the $151.80 price area.
However, this recent breakdown shows a risk on scenario as traditionally long-term bonds tend to move inverse to the general market. Additionally, if TLT breaks under its 200-DMA at $143.68, it will enter a distribution phase giving more strength to the bullish picture.
On the other hand, though TLTs are looking weak, we like to pair long-term bonds with High Yield Corporate Bonds via SPDR® Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (NYSE:JNK) for a more in-depth risk view. We watch JNK along with TLT because high yield corporate debt is risky higher yielding debt. It helps show investor's appetite for risk compared to the less risky TLTs.
Although TLT has broken under a major moving average, JNK should now rally back over the 10-Day moving average at $108.78. However, if JNK breaks down any further, it has key support at $108.06. Therefore, if we are watching for the ideal bullish sign, it would show JNK rallying while TLT stays under its 50-DMA or breaks under its next major moving average.
Now that we have identified risk parameters involving JNK and TLT, we should watch for major indices to confirm the risk on environment with prices pushing recent highs.
Looking at the above chart of S&P 500's SPDR® S&P 500 (NYSE:SPY) and the Small-Cap index Russell 2000 iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:IWM), we have clear levels of support and resistance.
These will be our indicators for the coming week as we watch for a continuation of the bullish trend. However, if TLT gathers strength and JNK breaks down any further, stay cautious.
ETF Summary
- S&P 500 (SPY) 467.38 support. 470.65 high to clear.
- Russell 2000 (IWM) 236.31 support.
- Dow (DIA) 359.38 support. Flirting with the 10-DMA at 361.88.
- NASDAQ (QQQ) 387.53 support. 400.99 high to clear.
- KRE (Regional Banks) 75.59 high to clear and hold over.
- SMH (Semiconductors) 291.55 support. 305.95 to clear and hold over.
- IYT (Transportation) 275.11 minor support.
- IBB (Biotechnology) Holding general support area. Needs to get back over 154.48.
- XRT (Retail) 99.80 support.
- Junk Bonds (JNK) 108.06 support.
- SLV (Silver) 23.51 resistance from 200-DMA.
- USO (US Oil Fund) 54.53 support. Watching to clear the 10-DMA at 56.27.
- TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasuries) 143.68 next support area.
- DBA (Agriculture) 19.57 new support area.