The Standard and Poors 500 index (SPX) closed today at 3973, up 74 points on the day or +1.9%. Today’s impressive gain salvaged the week for the S&P 500 with a loss of 0.7%. Yesterday’s close would have left the index down 2.5% for the week. SPX broke out above the 50-day moving average (dma) today and closed just above the 200 dma. We have a new resistance level defined by Tuesday and Wednesday’s highs around 4100. Support may be found at the lower edge, 3782, of the sideways consolidation from 12/19 to 1/5. If SPX breaks down through 3782 and then 3700, we could be headed for support at the earlier low at 3497, or even break down for a new low for this bear trend. Trading volume continues to be rather anemic, running along the 50 dma again this week. This suggests that a large amount of cash remains on the sideline and also that a capitulation low has not yet been reached.

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, closed today at 19.9% after opening the week at the same level of 19.9%, and then spiking to a high on Thursday of 21.7%. The disappointment of another failure to break out higher isn’t apparent from the VIX levels. The bulls have not yet given up hope. The flat trading volume in the S&P 500 tells me they are largely still on the sidelines and remain fully hedged. On the other hand, the bears have not really taken control of this market. Yesterday was their opportunity but they could not follow through today.

The NASDAQ Composite index closed at 11,140 today with a gain of 288 points or +2.7%. NASDAQ closed above its 50 dma today but remains well below its 200 dma at 11,567. NASDAQ’s trading volume spiked to six billion shares today, well above the 50 dma at 4.9 billion shares. NASDAQ has taken the largest hit in this bear market and traders are looking for an opportunity to get back in the high-tech stocks at attractive prices.

The most negative evidence for this market is the long string of market rallies that have failed to break resistance and then have fallen to new lows. I was able to capitalize on the brief rally this month in AAPL, BA, CAT, and WYNN, but I closed for gains at the first sign of weakness. However, one has to take account of today’s strong rally into the close. If there are any remaining bulls out there, that has to be encouraging. 



I remain cautious.