REVIEW
The week started off at SPX 2099. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the market moved higher, without dropping below SPX 2099, and hit SPX 2121. Then on Thursday and Friday the market pulled back to SPX 2090, before ending the week at 2096. For the week the SPX/DOW were -0.25%, and the NDX/NAZ were -1.0%. Economic reports for the week were light and mixed. On the downtick: investor holdings, consumer credit/sentiment. On the uptick: wholesale inventories, plus weekly jobless claims and the budget deficit improved. Next week will be highlighted by the FOMC meeting, and Industrial production.
LONG TERM: neutral
Last weekend we presented our opinion of the bifurcation between the futures driven and cash driven US indices. The SPX/DOW/NDX all appear to be in a bear market rally, while the NYSE appears to be in a Primary wave V. The latter count is probably the most popular among in the EW world. As a result of this bifurcation we shifted our long term view to neutral.
While it is easy to look at a chart, after a market has progressed, and label it with what appears to be the most obvious count. We do not have that option with medium and long term trends. The OEW model quantifies these trends, and we are forced to label waves where they have actually began and ended. As a result, our labeling is not always what appears to be the most obvious count. Sometimes a potential count arises that few, if any, have even considered. We currently have such a count, but will not present it at this time as we await additional market data. All we will say is that it is more bullish than either of the two counts presented above.
Currently the P5 scenario for the NYSE is progressing positively. As that index moved above the Major 1 high just this week, in Major 3, before the late week pullback. Potential upside P5 targets are posted on the chart: starting with a marginal new high, then NYSE 11,740 and NYSE 11,930.
Should any of these targets be reached, this would of course suggest new all time highs in the SPX. Whenever the SPX makes new highs the bear market rally count will have to be updated. The February SPX 1810 low would be relabeled Primary A, and the advance from that low an ongoing Primary B. When P5 in the NYSE completes, Primary wave C in the SPX and, a bear market in the NYSE would soon be underway.
MEDIUM TERM: uptrend
The current uptrend, from the recent SPX 2026 downtrend low, made a new high this week and a new high for the rally from the February SPX 1810 low. This suggests, like the NYSE, the overall market is currently in its third wave up from the February low. And, is likely to continue to move higher.
The internal count for the February to April uptrend has come under some scrutiny lately. We have been presenting it as a double three corrective advance. For a corrective bear market rally this seems appropriate. However, after a closer look, it is possible to count this uptrend as impulsive by adding just one small wave that we may have overlooked. While OEW does consistently quantify medium/long term trends. It does not consistently quantify small waves within medium term trends. Bull/bear market characteristics are different, due to volatility. Therefore, one must know exactly which is unfolding to apply the proper short term metric.
Currently we are watching the recent pullback with interest. As we think it will clear up the corrective/impulsive medium term question. For now we will leave the short term counts as presented, subject to change. Medium term support is at the 2085 and 2070 pivots, with resistance at the 2131 pivot.
SHORT TERM
As noted above there are two possible short term counts within the last uptrend, and this uptrend as well. Putting the last uptrend aside, we look at the current uptrend. We have been counting this uptrend, from SPX 2026, as an a-b-c. Yet when we include a small overlooked wave, using a bullish metric, we arrive at five waves up to SPX 2121: 2056-2047-2103-2085-2121. Which count is correct, the corrective or implusive? The current pullback, from SPX 2121, should provide the answer.
Short term support is at the 2085 and 2070 pivots, with resistance at SPX 2121 and the 2131 pivot. Short term momentum was quite oversold during Friday’s pullback. Best to your trading!