Fireworks In The Small Caps

 | Jul 03, 2018 07:50AM ET

The small cap Russell 2000 Index broke out of its stagnation in May. It ran to the upside into late June and then became exhausted. After 14 record closing highs it topped out on the last full day of spring. Since then it has pulled back, giving up much of the break out. But Monday may have lit a fuse just in time for the Fourth of July celebrations.

The chart below shows the price action. the break out to new highs actually started at the beginning of May. And the pullback retraced just over 38.2% of the move higher. Support came at the lower Bollinger Band® and just above the 50 day SMA into the weekend. The weakness Friday posed a dilemma after a strong start to the day faded.