Russell 2000 a Rare Bright Spot as S&P 500, Nasdaq Break Below Key Levels
Declan Fallon | Oct 27, 2023 03:07AM ET
For a change it wasn't the Russell 2000 taking the bear market highlight report, but the S&P 500 and Nasdaq instead.
It was always going to be hard for indexes trading near prior swing lows to hang on to those lows with the peer Russell 2000 (IWM) in freefall.
Today saw a decisive break of the 20-day MA for the Nasdaq, with only the (generally) light volume acting as some succor, while the S&P 500 registered a firm distribution day.
h2 Nasdaq/h2Starting with the Nasdaq, the measured move target that had offered some support alongside the 200-day MA is no more.
We can now start tracking the percentage loss relative to this moving average before we get to a major swing low, although a loss greater than 10% against its 200-day MA is needed before we get to a period of historic weakness greater than 90% of past price action dating back to 1971.
It's looking tougher for the S&P 500. Today marked a clear distribution day after the Monday break of its 200-day MA.
Technicals are firmly in bear territory and the MACD trigger 'sell' below the bullish zero line is a harbinger of quick losses. The drop below 0% in Rate-of-Change is another marker of a longer-term bearish shift.
The daily chart for this index is looking ugly, although the weekly chart still has avenues for support but for how long is anyone's guess.
The Russell 2000 (IWM) was a rare bright spot, churning on heavy volume on a neutral 'doji'. There is the potential here for a swing low and with a stop below $163.20, with the risk/reward quite favorable (an initial target of the 20-day MA for starters).
Get The News You Want
However, with the book the S&P 500 and Nasdaq looking like they are still only in the early phase of a decline, it might be a hard buy.
It felt inevitable that the S&P 500 and Nasdaq would follow the Russell 2000 ($IWM) lower. The question now is whether the selling in the Russell 2000 ($IWM) is done, or if the conditions for a crash are still in play?
While I like the daily picture in the Russell 2000 for a bottom, the weekly chart looks horrible.
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.