This week, we would like to turn our attention to the Economic Modern Family. On Tuesday, Mar. 7, there will be a perfect alignment of the sun and the full moon.
The “Worm Moon” is named for the worms that are due to appear in the soil as temperatures rise into spring. As we ended the trading week, there were a few other such “worms” that appeared in the market soil.
They, too, seemed to awaken from hibernation as the indices’ prices rose. Are the components of the Economic Modern Family ready to howl at the Worm Moon?
Before we examine the family and their weekly charts, look at the S&P 500 monthly chart. The 23-month moving average or a 2-year business cycle-particularly important this year after a big up then down year-looms large.
The rally that began Thursday and continued Friday came as no surprise, considering the internals were pretty good. Yet as we examine the Mod Fam-we have to keep in mind the notion of a trading range.
SPDR® S&P 500 (NYSE:SPY) has yet to clear 420. Just as Grandpa Russell (IWM) gave us an impressive performance above the 50 and 200-week moving averages, IWM’s 23-month MA comes in higher at 200.
The same is true with Granny Retail (XRT), testing and closing above the 50-WMA. Granny remains far from the top of her trading range.
Regional Banks (KRE) sit below the 50-WMA and, noteworthy, below the 50-DMA. With folks not depositing money due to high credit card debt and with mortgage rates so high, it is no wonder our Prodigal Son struggles.
A key question, of course, is, will that struggle ultimately put pressure on the stronger members of the family and the SPY? Biotechnology (IBB) is another weaker link. With a nice pop-off of the 50-WMA support-that sector has hurdles as well.
Interestingly, Transportation (IYT) looks healthy. We would think this sector will tell us a lot this coming week if IYT can maintain good health.
The same with Sister Semiconductors (SMH). With all things AI, SMH could clear the 2-year business cycle and help the growth of stocks. Can she lead, though, if the rest of the Family does not follow? For a time, but not for long.
Interest rates are a factor-and the mad rush to guess the Fed’s next moves is on. Only we believe a potential misstep by the Fed can crush the family quickly. While at the same time, it will spark more inflation.
The full worm moon astrologically is a time when we're more sensitive to emotional undercurrents and the allure of fantasies and magic. We are all about magic, but the family should keep us steeped in reality.
ETF Summary
- S&P 500 (SPY) 390 support with 405 closest resistance
- Russell 2000 (IWM) 190 is now the pivotal point to hold 200 resistance
- Dow (DIA) 326 support 335 resistance
- Nasdaq (QQQ) 284 big support 300 resistance
- Regional banks (KRE) 60 pivotal for this week
- Semiconductors (SMH) 240 pivotal 248 key resistance
- Transportation (IYT) 240 resistance and 230 support
- Biotechnology (IBB) 130 pivotal 133 resistance
- Retail (XRT) Clutch support held-watch 66-68 next