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Video Review of the Indexes 12-20-2009

December 20, 2009 at 2:49 pm

The bulls remain in the driver’s seat as we close in on the end of the year, but do they plan to finish strong?  An opportunity certainly awaits them if they can produce a breakout, but with light volume and a holiday-shortened trading week, expectations may be low.

As we head into a brand new week of trading, let’s examine some important levels in the indexes to keep an eye on in the days ahead. That will have the greatest influence on how individual stocks are going to move, so it’s where the trading week begins.

This clip was also posted over on the Trading Videos site (as always), and perhaps you’ve seen it there – but in case you didn’t, I wanted to put it here on the blog for you.

Let me highly suggest clicking the “HD” on the video player and then going full-screen for best quality.

Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you here soon with more.

Until then… Trade Like a Bandit!

Jeff White

Are you following me on Twitter yet?

Video Review of the Indexes 12-13-2009

December 13, 2009 at 3:08 pm

This market is at home on the range, and just one glance of the daily charts over the past several weeks makes it clear that the standoff between buyers and sellers is still in effect. The bulls have maintained control for 9 months and counting, yet with a wonderful opportunity to produce a breakout and stretch their legs a bit, they’re hesitating.  Why?

Who knows.  The fact of the matter is that as traders, you and I must recognize such things as a trading range, and adjust as needed in order to survive.  For me, that has meant keeping tighter stops and staying selective until better momentum surfaces.  Eventually, this too shall pass, so hang in there!

As we head into a brand new week of trading, let’s examine some important levels in the indexes to keep an eye on in the days ahead. That will have the greatest influence on how individual stocks are going to move, so it’s where the trading week begins.

This clip was also posted over on the Trading Videos site (as always), and perhaps you’ve seen it there – but in case you didn’t, I wanted to put it here on the blog for you.

Let me highly suggest clicking the “HD” on the video player and then going full-screen for best quality.

Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you here soon with more.

Until then… Trade Like a Bandit!

Jeff White

Are you following me on Twitter yet?

Video Review of the Indexes 12-6-2009

December 4, 2009 at 10:22 pm

The major averages each pushed north of new highs last week, but only temporarily.  Intraday milestones simply don’t carry the same weight as those which occur on a closing basis, and last week proved to be no different as resistance was cleared, only to be given right back by the end of the session on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Will this next week prove to be any different, or will the trading ranges persist yet again?

As we head into a brand new week of trading, let’s examine some important levels in the indexes to keep an eye on in the days ahead. That will have the greatest influence on how individual stocks are going to move, so it’s where the trading week begins.

This clip was also posted over on the Trading Videos site (as always), and perhaps you’ve seen it there – but in case you didn’t, I wanted to put it here on the blog for you.

Let me highly suggest clicking the “HD” on the video player and then going full-screen for best quality.

Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you here soon with more.

Until then… Trade Like a Bandit!

Jeff White

Are you following me on Twitter yet?

Video Review of the Indexes 11-22-2009

November 22, 2009 at 3:50 pm

A push to new highs just happened once again, and the bulls remain in control of the tape despite the weak finish which erased the gains from earlier in the week.  Higher highs in place means the uptrends are still intact, and that certainly deserves our respect.

Speaking of respect, this week we’re very likely to see some extremely light volume as the Thanksgiving holiday rolls around.  With the market closed on Thursday and open for a 1/2 day on Friday, the end of the week could be extra quiet.  Before then though, it’s wise that we remember the light activity we’ll probably see, and trade smaller as a result.  Throwing caution to the wind and pressing forward as if it’s a typical week isn’t the way to go, so respect the lack of participation out there and make adjustments accordingly.

As we head into a brand new week of trading, let’s examine some important levels in the indexes to keep an eye on in the days ahead. That will have the greatest influence on how individual stocks are going to move, so it’s where the trading week begins.

This clip was also posted over on the Trading Videos site (as always), and perhaps you’ve seen it there – but in case you didn’t, I wanted to put it here on the blog for you.

Let me highly suggest clicking the “HD” on the video player and then going full-screen for best quality.

Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you here soon with more.

Until then… Trade Like a Bandit!

Jeff White

Are you following me on Twitter yet?

Video Review of the Indexes 11-8-2009

November 8, 2009 at 2:39 pm

After a pretty decent pullback from the October highs, the dip-buyers were faced with another opportunity, and last week they began to do their thing once again.  An upside reversal on Monday paved the way for higher prices to come, and by the end of the week a respectable bounce was here.

There are some mixed signals on a technical basis which are still worth noting here, and that should keep the trading environment an interesting one for the foreseeable future.  We have volatility starting to expand, stocks trending in different directions, and earnings season starting to wind down.

As we head into a brand new week of trading, let’s examine some important levels in the indexes to keep an eye on in the days ahead. That will have the greatest influence on how individual stocks are going to move, so it’s where the trading week begins.

This clip was also posted over on the Trading Videos site (as always), and perhaps you’ve seen it there – but in case you didn’t, I wanted to put it here on the blog for you.

Let me highly suggest clicking the “HD” on the video player and then going full-screen for best quality.

Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you here soon with more.

Until then… Trade Like a Bandit!

Jeff White

Are you following me on Twitter yet?

Video Review of the Indexes 11-1-2009

November 1, 2009 at 2:07 pm

The major averages sold off hard last week as profit-taking dominated the action.  The lone advance happened on Thursday, but Friday’s selling pressure alone had no trouble erasing it.

The NAZ is now facing a very critical level, and the overall character of this market is quickly changing.  Volatility is expanding, and suddenly traders are remembering that the market can indeed move both directions.

As we head into a brand new week of trading, let’s examine some important levels in the indexes to keep an eye on in the days ahead. That will have the greatest influence on how individual stocks are going to move, so it’s where the trading week begins.

This clip was also posted over on the Trading Videos site (as always), and perhaps you’ve seen it there – but in case you didn’t, I wanted to put it here on the blog for you.

Let me highly suggest clicking the “HD” on the video player and then going full-screen for best quality.

Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you here soon with more.

Until then… Trade Like a Bandit!

Jeff White

Are you following me on Twitter yet?

Oversold Bounce or Higher Low?

October 29, 2009 at 9:51 pm

Following an impressive surge higher from early October, the market has finally taken a breather.  The pullback of the past week has offered at least a short-term change of character that has my attention – and yours as well, I’m sure.

Downside follow through has been notably absent for some time now…until this week.  Four consecutive declines began with last Friday’s reversal from the highs in the NAZ (2190), and ended with Wednesday’s punishing selloff.  Thursday’s bounce was headlined by a near-200-point jump on the DJIA, but under the surface we saw the NAZ post an inside day.  The S&P 500 erased Wednesday’s losses, but on declining volume.  Mixed signals, to say the least.

Looking at the daily charts of the indexes, a case can be made for more than one scenario here.  We are in well-defined uptrends, and the dip of the past week could again get bought and prove to be yet another higher relative low within the trend.  But by the same token, the bounce we saw on Thursday could merely prove to be a relief rally after the harsh selling which put the market short-term oversold.  It’s hard to place my entire weight on either scenario just yet, as more technical evidence needs to be seen to support one or the other.

naz-10292009

Chart courtesy of Worden

So at this point, I’m making zero predictions.  This isn’t a spot to buy blindly and bank on another rally straight back up to new highs.  The selling intensity we just saw wasn’t like the modest pullbacks which preceded it.  It was a little more vicious and a little more ominous.  It could be the start of a change of character.  And this isn’t a time to call for a market top and start shorting the daylights out of every name out there.  The intermediate trend is still up, and that should be respected.

I’m expecting the next few days to carry some significance.  Either the bulls prove themselves yet again, or the bears build on their newfound confidence and we see another leg down begin to develop.  Personally, I don’t care which side wins out – I have no bias.

My approach is to stay very short-term for the next couple of sessions, day trading for quick moves in this increased volatility, and see what happens.  Many stocks broke down hard and have the potential to construct bear flags and rising wedges if the rebound loses momentum and volume continues to sag.  I’ll be watching those bounces intently.  Other stocks still aren’t far from their highs, so I’ll observe them closely for signs of real strength returning – not simply a relief bounce of one day.

Both the bulls and bears have something to prove these next few sessions, so it could wind up being a pretty good battle.  No matter what, volatility is picking up, and that’s a great thing for us as traders.

So stay objective out there, anything is possible.  Expect surprises in both directions.  We’re getting into the best season for trading in the next several months, and I’m excited about it!

Trade Like a Bandit!

Jeff White

Are you following me on Twitter yet?