With the Russell 2000 breaking out over the 50 and 200-week moving averages, we should see nothing but blue skies, right? Maybe.
We have lots of positives based on hope, of course. The SPDR® S&P Retail ETF (NYSE:XRT), as featured a while back, is doing well.
Sister VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (NYSE:SMH) is on the road less traveled to new all-time highs.
The iShares Transportation Average ETF (NYSE:IYT) faces a critical test at the 200-WMA.
The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB) consolidates over the 5-year breakout.
So, what’s up with Prodigal Regional Banks? Should we worry?
Regional Banks, via SPDR® S&P Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:KRE), are in a bearish phase. The sector is having two inside weeks.
Two scenarios are likely from here:
- First, yields rise a bit, dollar strengthens, and the banking sector sees money rotation into it.
- Second possible scenario is that as the bankruptcies increase, the corporations get stronger while the populace gets poorer, KRE reflects the more insidious potential of the market-the one where an increasing jobless market coupled with social unrest becomes the “storm the Bastille” of the 21st century.
Or, the one where the house of cards comes tumbling down.
There is a third possibility that does not entail money rotation or a market crash.
The end of banking as we know it, where alternative currency replaces paper money and folks find new ways to borrow and save…
Key Levels
S&P 500 (SPY) 325 now pivotal support 332.58 a gap to fill
Russell 2000 (IWM) 150 pivotal
Dow (DIA) 270 resistance 262.50 support
NASDAQ (QQQ) Low volume on new highs 170 pivotal
KRE (Regional Banks) 38-40 resistance to clear
SMH (Semiconductors) 165-168 pivotal support as it busts out of an ascending channel
IYT (Transportation) 179-180 resistance
IBB (Biotechnology) 142 resistance 136 support
XRT (Retail) 50.00 resistance
Volatility Index (VXX) 27.92 the 200-DMA broke today
Junk Bonds (JNK) Risk appetite on but not as hungry
LQD (iShs iBoxx High yield Bonds) 137.50 support