While Monday, Granddad Russell (IWM) was offering a helping hand to his wife, Granny Retail (XRT), today, they both looked more vulnerable.
Just as the S&P 500 failed to clear its 23-month moving average, we are hoping that IWM not only holds its 80-month MA (green on the monthly chart) but also holds its 50-DMA (blue on the daily chart)
Our proprietary indicator which lets you see hidden strengths or weaknesses during market trends, shows momentum still above its 50 and 200-DMAs.
It also remains, despite the price drop, in a bullish diversion meaning momentum is ok.
Yet, with today’s sell-off, and considering we might have hit the top of this year’s trading range in SPY, Granny remains a concern.
Granny XRT fell in price closer to the March low.
Momentum though is now going sideways, sitting on the Bollinger band, perhaps getting ready for a mean reversion.
That would be a better sign for everyone if XRT holds here and turns higher.
These two key Family members in the Economic Modern Family are not only telling a story-they are the story.
That story reflects a thin veil of optimism but with enough doubt that unless both move higher from here, the market could return to risk-off.
That is until SPY tests the lower regions of its persistent trading range.
ETF Summary
- S&P 500 (SPY) 23-month MA 420 Support 415
- Russell 2000 (IWM) 170 support - 180 resistance
- Dow (DIA) 336 the 23-month MA
- Nasdaq (QQQ) 336 cleared or the 23-month MA-now its all about staying above
- Regional banks (KRE) 42 now pivotal resistance-37 support
- Semiconductors (SMH) 23-month MA at 124 now more in the rear-view mirror
- Transportation (IYT) 202-240 biggest range to watch
- Biotechnology (IBB) 121-135 range to watch from monthly charts
- Retail (XRT) This could be the new harbinger like KRE was in March. Poor Granny.