The S&P 500 bounced from the 4,500 level on Thursday as it retraced most of its Wednesday’s sell-off. Was it a reversal or just another upward correction?
The broad stock market index gained 1.42% on Thursday after opening slightly lower and bouncing from the new local low of 4,504.73. The index fell the lowest since Oct. 19 and it went below its early September local high of around 4,546. Overall, it lost 5.04% from the Nov. 22 record high of 4,743.83. But Thursday’s trading session was bullish and stocks were gaining. Was it an upward reversal?
This morning stocks are expected to open 0.3% higher after the mixed monthly jobs data release. For now, it looks like a correction within a downtrend. We may see a short-term consolidation following the recent declines. The nearest important support level is now at 4,500. On the other hand, the resistance level is at 4,580-4,600, marked by the recent local lows. The S&P 500 remains below its short-term downward trend line, as we can see on the daily chart:
Nasdaq 100 Remains Close To 16,000 Level
Let’s take a look at the Nasdaq 100 chart. The technology index remains relatively stronger than the broad stock market, as it is still trading above the early September local highs of around 15,700. However, the technology index gained just 0.7% yesterday, as we can see on the daily chart:
Apple Remains Volatile After Reaching New Record High
Let’s take a look at biggest stock in the S&P 500 index: Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL). Apple accelerated its uptrend once again, and on Wednesday it reached the new record high of $170.30. Apple’s market cap reached almost $2.8 trillion. But on Thursday, the stock was 7.3% below its Wednesday’s high, before bouncing back above the $160 level. So the stock price remains very volatile and we may see a medium-term topping pattern.
Conclusion
The S&P 500 index is expected to open 0.3% higher this morning after the mixed monthly jobs data release. We may see a consolidation and some more volatility following the recent declines. There have been no confirmed positive signals so far.
Here’s the breakdown:
- The S&P 500 slightly extended its short-term downtrend yesterday before bouncing from the 4,500 level.
- A speculative short position is still justified from the risk/reward perspective.
- We are expecting an over 5% correction.