Still there are some brave souls out there who are either keeping their retirement contributions or even increasing them.
With the stock market charts drawing steep vertical declines for September and October, and the VIX reaching multi-decade highs many investors are wondering if we have reached a bottom. Fundamentals might be deteriorating in the near term; however that shouldn’t mean that the stock market should keep going lower. When the stock market hit its all time highs in early October 2007 almost everyone was bullish on stocks. Furthermore the financial crisis was still in its infancy as few investors had the vision to foretell the complete meltdown of the system including failures at Lehman, Bear Stearns, AIG or Fannie and Freddie. So what are the charts saying?
The market has been in a consolidation mode ever since it hit its lows for 2008 in October. The market is over 15 % above its lows for the year as of now. The major market indexes ignored the news about the contraction of the US economy in the third quarter and the slump in consumer spending by recording their biggest weekly advance since 1974. The rosy short term situation would definitely end on a decisive move below the year lows at $83.58.
During bear markets there usually are several bear market rallies which cause major market indexes to rise significantly off their recent bear market lows. Another feature of most bear markets is analysts trying to time to bottom at the expense of investors. I did try doing exactly the same in March as well. The thing is that as long as the market keeps making lower highs and lower lows, then the technical picture is bearish. If the market breaks the pattern of lower highs and lower lows, it could then start charting a bullish picture for equities.
Levels to watch on the upside include 105.53, which was a reaction high straight from October lows and is close to a 50% retracement of the last leg of the bear market from the August lows. Other levels to watch on the upside include 113.15 as well as the 120-124 area. I see the 120-124 area as the toughest to break out of as it previously marked 3 intermediate term bottoms in 2008.
Full Disclosure: Long S&P 500
During bear markets there usually are several bear market rallies which cause major market indexes to rise significantly off their recent bear market lows. Another feature of most bear markets is analysts trying to time to bottom at the expense of investors. I did try doing exactly the same in March as well. The thing is that as long as the market keeps making lower highs and lower lows, then the technical picture is bearish. If the market breaks the pattern of lower highs and lower lows, it could then start charting a bullish picture for equities.
Levels to watch on the upside include 105.53, which was a reaction high straight from October lows and is close to a 50% retracement of the last leg of the bear market from the August lows. Other levels to watch on the upside include 113.15 as well as the 120-124 area. I see the 120-124 area as the toughest to break out of as it previously marked 3 intermediate term bottoms in 2008.
Full Disclosure: Long S&P 500
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