The major stock indexes traded back and forth the unchanged level once again today, with a mixed close run on slightly lower volume.
Officially, the Dow Industrials rose a scant 0.02% on NYSE volume of 5.5 billion shares, while the NASDAQ fell 0.3% on 2.3 billion. The leadership profile continues to accelerate its positive tone, with 798 stocks making new highs versus 73 making new lows.
The short term momentum oscillators remain positive, confirming the bullish stance of the AlphaKing Trading Indicator. We have no new trades at this time.
The market is fast approaching a make or break decision, with the reaction to Friday’s jobs report the likely D-Day for that decision. The market responds well, then the number of stocks making new highs should explode over the 1000 mark, something we haven’t seen for many years. The market responds poorly and a major top may be in, potentially a life-changing one.
The NASDAQ is slowly closing the gap left by the surging Monday open, and that technical line in the sand should highlight the bull or bear win. The low of the gap is at 2285, and we closed at 2301 today (see intraday chart over the past 10 trading days below.) Any opening gap below 2285 would leave an Island reversal pattern, where excited traders bought in a hurry to create the gap, before trading ran out of steam, with any ending gap leaving a ton of traders trapped and wanting out, which usually prevents and reverses any future rally attempt. Island reversal moves are some of the most important and clear technical events seen at important tops and bottoms. Overall the trend remains the bulls to lose, though risk of a reversal remains extreme, and either the bulls or the bears are slated to land a massive victory going into the weekend. So buckle up, lads, as things are about to get a whole lot more interesting.
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.
The Index portfolio is ½ invested in QQQQ with the other ½ remaining in cash.
Kevin Wilde, Chief Trading Strategist AlphaKing.com.