Dr. Duke's Blog

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 16 July 2021

The Standard and Poors index (SPX) posted a very bearish day today, closing at 4327, down 33 points or -0.8%. SPX opened the week at 4372 for a weekly loss of 1%, with most of that loss occurring today. SPX set a new all-time high on Monday, but weak trading followed the rest of the week. The trading volume of the S&P companies continued to run below the 50-day moving average (dma).

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, teased with a relatively low level of volatility around 16% all week, but spiked up to 18.5% today. That gives us something to think about over the weekend.

The Russell 2000 index has been trading much more weakly over the past four months when compared to the large cap stocks that dominate the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ Composite. The ETF for the Russell 2000, IWM, posted a particularly bearish week, closing today at 214.95, down 1.2% on the day and posted a 4.7% loss for the week. Look out below!

The NASDAQ Composite index posted a very bearish week, similar to the Russell 2000 index. NASDAQ closed at 14427, down 116 points or -0.9% and down 2.2% for the week. Similar to the S&P 500, NASDAQ’s trading volume continued its below average track record and decreased significantly today.

This year has been a story of fits and starts with traders being whipsawed in and out of the markets. The bears took a firm hold on the markets this week and very few stocks could resist the pull. AAPL posted positive gains earlier in the week, including a strong gap opening higher on Wednesday, but finally succumbed today.


I started the week 50% in cash and ended the week at 58%. With a week like this one, I was closing more trades than opening them. This market remains nervous and twitchy. Be very cautious.

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 09 July 2021

The Standard and Poors index (SPX) posted a very strong day today, closing at 4370, up 49 points or +1.1%. But today’s gains barely pushed SPX back into the positive column since SPX opened the week at 4356. SPX did set a new all-time closing high today, but that followed an extremely weak day yesterday. The markets essentially made a round trip this week and the trend of consistent below average trading volume continued.

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, spiked up over 21% yesterday and pulled back a bit to close at 19%. VIX opened today at 18% and closed at 16.2%, a little more reasonable level of volatility.

I was concerned about the Russell 2000 index earlier this week as it sold off much more strongly than its big brothers, SPX and NASDAQ. The ETF for the Russell 2000, IWM, gapped down on Thursday but recovered most of that loss by the close. IWM opened today with a gap opening higher and continued its climb all day, closing at its high for the day. IWM also recovered its 50 dma today for a dramatic two day recovery of a substantial portion of its earlier losses this week.

The NASDAQ Composite index posted a strong two-day run, closing at 14702 today, up 142 or 1%. However, that barely put NASDAQ in the black for the week, up only 0.3%. Today’s close posted a new closing high for NASDAQ (Wednesday’s open was higher, but it couldn't hold it). Similar to the S&P 500, NASDAQ’s trading volume continued its below average track.

What a difference a week makes! Last week it seemed the market was just continuing a steady climb higher. Thursday’s significant gap opening lower certainly got my attention. But today’s strong performance across the board essentially returned us to the starting gate. The whipsawing of traders in and out of this market continues.

This is a nervous market. It doesn’t take much for the large institutional traders to hit the sell button. That makes it extremely difficult for you and me. It is easy to be crushed when that herd stampedes. We have to stay alert and remain focused on the risk.

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 03 July 2021

Last week’s strong bullish run higher continued with The Standard and Poors index (SPX) closing the week at 4362, up 77 points or +1.8%. The pace accelerated Thursday and Friday with two gap openings higher each morning. SPX did not post a neutral or negative day all week. In addition, new all-time highs were set every day this week. That must be a record. However, this week’s steady march higher occurred on below average and steadily declining trading volume.

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, opened the week at 16.1% and steadily declined to close today at 15.1%, a new low for 2020. Intraday trading took VIX down as far as 14%.

The IWM ETF, based upon the Russell 2000 index, was the black sheep among the broad market indices this week, closing the week at 229.19, down 1.3% for the week. We watched IWM lead the markets higher, but it appears to be sending a different signal this week. Maybe some players are taking profits by selling their high beta stocks.

The NASDAQ Composite index posted a strong bullish week, although not as steady and consistent as the S&P 500. NASDAQ opened the week at 14417 and closed at 14639, for a 1.5% increase on the week. NASDAQ also posted two 
all-time highs this week with a gap opening higher this morning. Similar to the S&P 500, NASDAQ’s trading volume steadily declined this week after trying to reach above average values on Wednesday.

The market made strong gains this past week and a review of the first six months of 2021 illustrates a remarkable period of time in the markets. The S&P 500 index of companies has gained 15.6% this year. Even more remarkable is the 4.3% gain since June 21st. That period comprises ten trading sessions, but only one down day occurred within those sessions.

When I review that performance, I find the results testing my credulity. Why does it seem like the market has not performed as well as those numbers suggest? The answer is that traders have been whipsawed in and out of this market. We have experienced five pull backs during this six-month period. That probably sets a record.

Don’t be misled into thinking you just aren’t sufficiently savvy to navigate this market. The editors and staff at Investors Business Daily (IBD) have been studying the markets and advising traders for many years. They publish a daily market commentary, The Big Picture, that includes a discussion of that day’s markets and ends with a market assessment, such as Confirmed Uptrend or Market In Correction. Normally those assessments don’t change quickly. IBD has shifted its assessment seven times this year. I don’t know if that is a record, but I am confident it is close.

Where does this market discussion leave us? Last week, I gave my own market assessment: schizophrenia. Traders have been spooked repeatedly. They are determined to avoid losing the gains that were achieved in 2020 (that was my best year ever). Consequently, it doesn’t take much to push the sell button. The state of the economy makes us even more cautious. It is as though we have emerged from our bomb shelter to find a devastated landscape. The economy is rebuilding, but none of us have seen anything like this in our lifetimes, so it is hard to get our footing and invest confidently.

I have often had a mental image of myself in the markets as a mouse scurrying about on the ground amid a herd of elephants. That image reminds me to stay alert and remain focused on the risk. It is easy to be crushed when that herd of elephants stampedes.


The bottom line? I remain cautious but I can’t just hide under the bed and avoid these opportunities. I am focused on risk management even as the market seems to be setting records daily. I started the week 60% in cash and ended the week at 48%. I am cautiously returning to the table while limiting any potential downside damage.

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 25 June 2021

It would be hard to find a stronger week for the market than the one we just completed. The Standard and Poors index (SPX) opened the week at 4173 and closed today at 4281, up 2.6% for the week. Wednesday was the only day of rest. Trading on Thursday and Friday set new all-time highs for SPX. However, this week’s steady march higher occurred on below average trading volume. Today’s trading of 2.6 billion shares was the lone outlier this week to exceed the 50-day moving average (dma) at 2.2 billion shares.

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, opened the week at 21.7%, reflecting the lingering effects of last Friday’s severe decline. VIX declined four points in a single day on Monday and continued to soften the balance of the week, closing today at 15.6%. The low close for VIX this year occurred last week at 15.7% before the market melted down after the Fed meeting. Today’s close edged that out for this year’s lowest reading in volatility.

The IWM ETF, based upon the Russell 2000 index, took the record among broad market indices this week, posting gains each day, including two gap openings higher Thursday and Friday. IWM closed today at 232.28, up 3.7% for the week. I watch the Russell 2000 carefully because these are the high beta stocks that lead bull markets higher and also lead bear markets lower. This was the strongest bullish signal I observed this week.

The NASDAQ Composite index also posted a strong bullish week, closing at 14360, up 2.2% for the week. NASDAQ set three all-time highs this week and gapped open higher twice before taking a breather today and pulling back nine points. This week’s trading culminates a steady recovery since early May for this index, which suffered significant losses earlier this year.

This market continues to whipsaw traders in and out of the market. Last week, the Fed meeting spooked traders, although they apparently were imagining a monster in the closet. The bulls staged a coup over the weekend and the future is rosy again. I am being sarcastic; this week’s run was a remarkable turnaround that is difficult to explain rationally.

I have never seen the IBD's market assessment change signals so often. Last Friday, IBD shifted their assessment from Confirmed Uptrend to Uptrend Under Pressure after the market closed. They reversed themselves once again on Tuesday, returning to Confirmed Uptrend. That makes seven reversals this year. We aren’t alone in our being whipsawed in and out of this market.

I remain very cautious. I doubt the prospect of a severe correction, but this market is schizophrenic. I started the week 92% in cash and ended the week at 60%. I am cautiously returning to the table.

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 18 June 2021

The Standard and Poors index (SPX) fell out of bed this week, with the largest loss occurring today with a loss of 1.3%. Today’s trading closed at 4166, down 1.9% for the week. SPX bounced off the 50-day moving average (dma) this morning and appeared to be stabilizing. You may recall that the 50 dma was the support level for the market’s earlier pull backs this year. But that proved to be wishful thinking as trading became more bearish this afternoon. Today’s close at 4166 was well below the 50 dma at 4182. Trading volume was below average Monday and Tuesday but accelerated the balance of the week, gaining steam each day.

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, made the complete trip this week, opening Monday at 16%, near lows for the year, and closing today at 21%. We hit volatility lows for the year last week, but that is long gone.

The IWM ETF, based upon the Russell 2000 index, declined steadily through Thursday, but kept recovering from intraday lows, suggesting the bulls were buying the lows. That all changed today with a gap opening lower this morning and breaking the 50 dma at the opening trade, closing the day at 222.13, down 2.3% today and down 4.4% for the week. The small to mid-cap stocks that make up the Russell 2000 are the high beta stocks that tend to lead bull markets higher and bear markets lower. This could be a significant turning point, although we thought that back in early May as IWM collapsed.

The NASDAQ Composite index is the outlier this week, closing today at 14030, down 131 or 0.9%. NASDAQ opened the week at 14038, resulting in a decline of only 0.4% for the week, the strongest broad market index this week by far. The 50 dma is nearly 2% below today’s close. NASDAQ’s trading volume ran along the 50 dma most of the week and actually declined today. NASDAQ was punished in earlier pull backs this year, but not today.

What a difference a week can make. Last week, I noted that we had seen steady price rises since May 19th, SPX had set a new all-time high and both NASDAQ and IWM were nearing their all-time highs. What changed?

Worries about impending inflation have been brewing for a couple or three weeks and one might think the calming remarks from Yellen and Powell would have put that to rest, but, if anything, the concerns deepened.

I was surprised to see analysts focusing on the FOMC’s dot map, committee members' predictions for a variety of key economic indicators for the next two years. A couple of committee members predicted rate hikes in 2023 or perhaps as early as November 2022. Powell assured the press that the committee has not even begun to discuss interest rate hikes or the ending of the bond purchase program. He also saw inflation prospects as moderate and even explained how higher inflation would be a normal expectation as the economy reopens and begins to grow strongly. The FOMC even predicted GDP growth this year of 7.1%. Why are we so panicked?

This discussion gives the reader a reasonable synopsis of my thinking. However, this also shows why I found myself closing several positions today and taking larger losses than I should have because I waited too long. I was trading and managing my positions based on my rationale for the market and what made sense to me. I should be trading what the market gives me and not trying to rationalize the market’s moves. I know that rule, but...

The market this year has been characterized by several pull backs, followed by bullish recoveries. The result has been whipsawing traders in and out of the market and I am no exception.

Over the past two days I closed many positions for losses and several more positions will expire worthless this weekend. The end result is that my cash basis went from 39% to 92%. I was tempted to think today was a buying opportunity, but I resisted that temptation and decided it would be best to re-evaluate the markets next week. For now, cash is king. And this posture will make it easier to relax this weekend.

When I saw that IBD had shifted their assessment from Confirmed Uptrend to Uptrend Under Pressure after the market closed today, that reinforced my decision to step aside.

Be extremely cautious next week. Remaining on the side lines may be the wisest course of action.

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 12 June 2021

The Standard and Poors index (SPX) opened modestly higher yesterday, closing the day’s trading at 4247, up 9 points or 0.2% for the day. SPX opened Monday morning at 4229, so the index barely made it back to its starting point, up 0.4% for the week. Friday’s close was another all-time high and completes a slow and steady climb for the past three to four weeks. Trading volume declined all week.

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, was up and down this week, but declined strongly Thursday and Friday, closing yesterday at 15.7%. This is the lowest volatility reading this year.

The IWM ETF, based upon the Russell 2000 index, declined significantly Wednesday and Thursday, but still closed Friday up 2.42 at 231.70. IWM closed the week with a gain of 1.8%, a much stronger gain than the larger, more conservative S&P stocks. That suggests that a more bullish attitude is taking hold.

The NASDAQ Composite index closed Friday at 14069, up 49 points or 0.4%. NASDAQ posted the strongest and steadiest gains this week of the large cap indices, with a 1.8% gain. NASDAQ’s trading volume came to life this week, spiking above the 50 dma on Wednesday but declining the balance of the week.

This week in the market was a bit choppy, and trended steadily but modestly higher.

The overall market has been trending higher since May 19th:


•    The S&P 500 was up 1.2% and set a new all-time high.
•    The Russell 2000 was up 7.4% and is now 0.8% below its all-time high.
•    The NASDAQ Composite was up 7.6% and is now 0.5% below its all-time high.

The S&P 500 set a new all-time high on Friday, but the Russell 2000 and the NASDAQ Composite are not far behind. Volatility is the lowest of this year. This is the bull market we have been hoping for in the midst of all of this whipsawing back and forth. But it still pays to be cautious; I don’t want to be one of the fools rushing in too soon.

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 04 June 2021

The Standard and Poors index (SPX) gapped open and headed higher this morning, closing the day's trading at 4230, up 37 points or 0.9% for the day. SPX opened Tuesday morning at 4217, so the index barely made it back to its starting point, up 0.3% for the week. It shows the volatility of this market when we see a gap opening lower on Wednesday and then a gap opening higher just two days later. Trading volume remained under the 50-day moving average (dma) all week.

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, declined strongly today, closing at 16.4%. This was the lowest close for VIX since April 16th. Will it hold or will traders find something new to worry about next week?

The IWM ETF, based upon the Russell 2000 index, rose only modestly today, closing at 227.40, up 0.98 or 0.4%. IWM opened the week at 227.46, so this index was essentially unchanged for the week. That observation takes some of the optimism out of today’s strong bullish move on the blue-chip stocks. If the large institutional firms were truly shifting to “risk on”, we should see these high beta stocks picking up steam.

The NASDAQ Composite index closed today at 13814, up 200 points or 1.5%. However, NASDAQ gapped open lower on Wednesday and then gapped open higher today, leaving the index essentially flat for the week, since opening Tuesday at 13829. NASDAQ’s trading volume came to life this week, moving above the 50 dma on Wednesday and Thursday. It is interesting to see today’s strong bullish move was not even quite up to the 50 dma.

Today’s strong market finally pushed the IBD market assessment back to Confirmed Uptrend. Let’s review the recent history:


•    May 4th: Confirmed Uptrend to Uptrend Under Pressure
•    May 7th: Uptrend Under Pressure to Uptrend Resumes
•    May 10th: Uptrend Resumes to Confirmed Uptrend
•    May 12th: Confirmed Uptrend to Uptrend Under Pressure
•    June 4th: Uptrend Under Pressure to Confirmed Uptrend

The fact that IBD’s rather conservative measure has been whipsawed back and forth over the past month is telling. It isn’t just you. This has been an extremely volatile market that has challenged even the most experienced analysts.

It is easy to focus on today’s positive market action and perhaps even become euphoric. After all, the market has worn us down.

Review this week’s performances for each of the broad market indices:


•    The S&P 500 was up 0.3%.
•    The Russell 2000 was down 0.03%.
•    The NASDAQ Composite was down 0.1%.

I hope today was indeed the sea change we want to see. But it pays to be somewhat circumspect. Caution and trading discipline still rule the day.

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 23 May 2021

The Standard and Poors index (SPX) tried to recover from its dramatic low on May12th but the recovery stalled this week. SPX closed Friday at 4156, down three points on the day or -0.1%. Friday’s close left SPX with a small decline of 0.3% for the week. Trading volume reached the 50 dma on Wednesday but remained below average the balance of the week.

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options had another volatile week, opening Monday at 20%, spiking to 26% on Wednesday and closing yesterday back at 20%.  VIX is often called the fear index and this market is twitchy. It can’t decide whether it is bullish or bearish.

The Russell 2000 index, as measured by the IWM ETF, tried to recover from the low set on May 12th but couldn’t quite make it. IWM closed Friday at 219.97, just a touch higher than Monday’s open at 219.78. IWM tested the 50 dma on Tuesday and again yesterday but pulled back to close below the 50 dma both times.

The NASDAQ Composite index closed at 13471, down 65 points but the index managed a positive increase for the week of 0.8%.  NASDAQ tried to recover its 50 dma on Friday but pulled back before the market closed. NASDAQ’s trading volume remained below average and declined all week.
Last week’s report of the consumer and producer price indices resulted in talk of runaway inflation and spooked the market. The market attempted a recovery move this week, but feel short.

NASDAQ remains weak and Friday’s failed attempt at breaking out above the 50 dma was disappointing. This week’s trading with its retest of last week’s low was disconcerting. Likewise, the Russell 200 can’t recover its 50 dma. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrials are the only major market indices trading higher than the 50 dma. I found myself closing several trades on Friday rather than risking the weekend and Monday’s open.

The cash basis of my trading accounts moved higher this week, from 75% to 92%. I didn’t open many new trades this week and I was cautious when rolling out current income positions. I continue to focus on stocks that appear to be weathering these transient storms well. There is nothing wrong with cash.

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 15 May 2021

After trading sideways for over a month, the Standard and Poors index (SPX) dramatically fell out of bed this week, closing at a low on Wednesday of 4063, down 2.7%. The market recovered somewhat on Thursday and then gapped open and traded higher Friday. However, even Friday’s strong move higher of 1.5% was not enough to result in a positive week for the S&P 500, down 1.3% for the week. Wednesday’s low almost reached the 50-day moving average (dma). Trading volume reached the 50 dma early in the week but declined Thursday and Friday.

VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options took a wild ride this week, opening Monday at 17%, spiking to 28% on Wednesday and closing today just under 19%. VIX appears to suggest the market’s temper tantrum is over…

The Russell 2000 index, as measured by the IWM ETF, opened the week at 225.03 and hit a low on Wednesday of 211.85. IWM gapped open this morning and closed at 221.02, up 2.4% on the day, but down 1.9% for the week. IWM remains below its 50 dma at 222.98.

The NASDAQ Composite index closed at 13430, up 305 points or 2.3%, but the index remains down 1.9% for the week. The damage to this index has been significant, losing 8.3% since April 29th. Today’s close leaves NASDAQ well below its 50 dma at 13540. NASDAQ’s trading volume remained below the 50 dma all week and declined even farther today.

This week’s report of the consumer and producer price indices resulted in talk of runaway inflation and spooked the market. The reaction in the markets this week may have been excessive, but the potential of excessive inflation is real. The government has been printing money throughout this pandemic and talk of additional spending in the form of minimum wage increases and infrastructure spending are on the front page. Just as the pandemic stimulus bills contained little to support those actually hurt by the pandemic, I fear the same for an infrastructure bill.

The rotation out of high tech into classic industrial stocks is evident as we compare the S&P 500 with the NASDAQ Composite. But we cannot ignore the high-tech stocks that make up the NASDAQ. They now make up a large portion of our economy. NASDAQ has corrected by 8% and that will have ripple effects in the economy. In summary, there are many negative factors that cannot be ignored. On the positive side, it is remarkable that we have now had four pullbacks since the first of the year and each time the bulls have taken the opportunity to buy the lows. I worry about the possibility of the bulls losing heart.

This week’s market has taken its toll on my “slightly bullish perspective” on the market. I will be watching very carefully as next week unfolds.

The IBD market assessment reaffirms what we traders are feeling. That assessment moved from Confirmed Uptrend to Uptrend Under Pressure to Uptrend Resumes and then back to Uptrend Under Pressure in 7 trading sessions. We are being whipsawed in and out of this market.

The cash basis of my trading accounts moved significantly higher this week, from 47% to 75%. I didn’t open many new trades this week and was cautious when rolling out current income positions. I continue to focus on stocks whose price charts show them to be weathering these transient storms well. There is nothing wrong with cash.

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Written by Dr. Duke

Created: 02 May 2021

The markets have plateaued for the past eleven trading sessions. The Standard and Poors index (SPX) closed Friday at 4181, down 30 points on the day, but SPX opened the week at 4185, so the index was essentially flat for the week. Trading volume finally reached the 50-day moving average (dma) Thursday and Friday.

The volatility index for the S&P 500 options, VIX, closed Friday at 18.6%, up one point on the day and also up one point on the week.

The IWM ETF, based on the Russell 2000 group of companies, has traded higher for the past couple of weeks, but that ended Thursday and Friday. IWM closed Friday at 224.89, down 3.10 points.

The NASDAQ Composite index closed at 13942, down 120 points, and down about 0.8% for the week. NASDAQ’s trading volume trended higher this week but remains well below the 50 dma.

Recent talk of increased taxes and new taxes seems to have stalled the bullish market trend, resulting in the flat, sideways trend of the past couple of weeks.

I remain with a slightly bullish perspective on the market. The market dipped a couple of times last week but recovered quickly. After all the talk of corrections since the first of the year, I took those recoveries as an encouraging sign.

The cash basis of my trading accounts hasn’t changed much this week, moving from 44% up a bit to 47%. I continue to trade, but cautiously. I am closing as many trades as I open. I closed my SBUX trade early and could have made more money if I waited until Friday, but I am locking in gains when I can and closing out trades at the first sign of trouble.

With a sideways market, it is crucial to only trade stocks that are bucking the trend. Look for charts of stocks that are up on down or flat market days. Be cautious and disciplined. Cash positions minimize your risk.