Strawberry Blonde's Market Summary: Volatility Rises as Major Indices & Sectors Extend Their Gains

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Friday, January 12, 2018

Volatility Rises as Major Indices & Sectors Extend Their Gains

As can be shown on the following Year-to-date percentage gained/lost graphs, U.S. Major Indices and Sectors extended their gains into Friday's close, except for Utilities and Consumer Staples.

However, they did so on rising volatility, as shown on the following SPX:VIX Daily ratio chart.

As I mentioned in my post of December 30, it will be important for price on this ratio to remain above 280 in support of a convincing argument that favours the entry of the SPX into a new bull-market phase, as shown on the following Monthly ratio chart. However, there's not a lot of wiggle room, since major resistance looms overhead at 300 (the upper edge of a long-term rising channel). So, the SPX may see some whip-saw action in the coming days/weeks...two levels to watch on this ratio.

It looks as though all 3 technical indicators are about to align and form a "SELL" signal on the daily timeframe. Watch for the RSI to drop and hold below 50, for a bearish crossover to form and hold on the PMO, and for the recent bearish crossover to hold on the MACD. Plus, if price holds below 280, we could see some weakness creep in on the SPX. Otherwise, we could see volatility drop, once more, while the SPX continues to rally.