The major stock indexes traded back and forth the unchanged level once again today, with very modest gains going into the close run on very low volume. Officially, the Dow Industrials closed up a scant 0.03% on NYSE volume of 2.6 billion shares, while the NASDAQ rose 0.1% on 1.3 billion. The leadership profile remains positive, with 257 stocks making new highs versus 46 making new lows.
The short term momentum oscillators remain positive, confirming the bullish stance of the AlphaKing Trading Indicator for the NASDAQ. We have new trades below.
The bulls are determined to end the year on a high, fighting all attempts at a sell-off. All eyes are on the start to January, which should be very interesting, and potentially very volatile, as traders all return from the holidays and tip their hand to how they believe 2010 will go. Volume has been missing in action for many months, and that should end starting Monday next week. A rapid blow-off advance to Dow 12,000 remains very much on the trading cards, though only if next week avoids heavy distribution selling. We will continue to hold a high cash position until the risk of a harsh reversal diminishes.
401K investors should have ½ of their portfolio invested in a stock index, or aggressive growth, mutual fund, with the other ½ remaining in a money market fund.
Kevin Wilde, Chief Trading Strategist AlphaKing.com.