Russell 2000 Remains in Trading Range, Semiconductors Shine
Michele Schneider | Mar 16, 2023 01:38AM ET
We begin with the Granddad of the Family-Russell 2000 (IWM). In December 2022, we wrote this:
“The Russell 2000 IWM is the granddad of the Family. Hence, we take his performance seriously."
At the start of 2022, iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:IWM) was already breaking down, well ahead of the SPY.
The monthly chart is the best one to use for a longer-term outlook for 2023.
The green line, or 80-month moving average, represents a typical business cycle. The 80-month moving average is the megatrend identifier.
Should any of the key components fail the 80-month MA in 2023, the calls for “recession” or more pain from stagflation will only get more painful for the market.
As such, IWM only broke it once since September 2011, and that was during the pandemic. So, if we discount that time as unusual, we can say that it has been 12 years in a bullish megatrend.
In October 2022, IWM touched it exactly.
Now, coming into the new year, that October low is key. If IWM holds and gets back through the 23-month MA or blue line, then a bullish trend will continue.
Should the 80-month breakdown, I would prepare for a tough time with pandemic levels in focus.”
And here we are at the Ides of March. IWM could not clear the 23-month moving average.
And, with the recent news, IWM has fallen in price but is still considerably above the 80-month moving average.
Neither indicative of growth nor recession, we’d call that a trading range. We also call it stagflation.
With PPI and CPI coming in softer, on the heels of banks in crisis, the market turned its attention to the notion the Fed will reduce rates this year.
In fact, some predict the FED will lower rates by 2% come December 2023. Sorry, but this resonates with the chaos theory, and gold is near $3000 per ounce.
IWM held (although still the weakest of the indexes), and NASDAQ plus tech stocks took off.
This brings us to Sister Semiconductors.
Get The News You Want
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SMH) has not traded below the 80-month MA since October 2010.
In fact, the U.S. tech sector and the survival of chip technology have been the bright spot for 13 years!
Even the pandemic did not bring this sector below the 23-month MA, as we are heavily reliant on tech for everything.
- Will that continue if the rest of the family fails, and
- If SMH remains strong, can it ease the pain of recession?”
With March half over, we will see what our Sister Semiconductors are made of. Over the 23 months, making money will be easier.
However, without Gramps in tow, it will be a short-lived rally.
Lastly,
Our two tech stock picks. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and Intuit (NASDAQ:INTU).
2 Tech stocks that should benefit if this chip rally sustains.
h2 ETF Summary/h2- S&P 500 (SPY) 390 remains highly pivotal especially on a closing basis 380 support
- Russell 2000 (IWM) Calendar range support level at 172.00 and resistance 180
- Dow (DIA) 310 support 324 resistance
- Nasdaq (QQQ) Wow-290 key and 300 next area to pierce
- Regional banks (KRE) 44 support 50 resistance
- Semiconductors (SMH) 240 pivotal support-strongest yet still below the 2-yr biz cycle
- Transportation (IYT) 218-219 so pivotal
- Biotechnology (IBB) 126.50 moving average resistance
- Retail (XRT) 60 big support and 64 big resistance
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