Stocks jumped on Feb. 1, with the S&P 500 rising by around 1.6%, recovering from Friday’s losses. It managed to close at 3,775. It’s hard to know what today was about. Was it a relief that we survived the weekend with “bad” news, the short-squeeze slowed, or just a flat out technical gap fill? At this point, I’m leaning toward the technical gap fill.
If that is the case, that resistance around 3,775 should continue to hold, and we should see lower prices tomorrow. If that is the wrong call, well, then you will know if the market rallies further.
Most Shorted Index
The most shorted index actually increased by 2.25%, so it wasn’t as if the group just stopped rising. Remember that short-interest has about a two-week lag, so while the number of shares short for GameStop (NYSE:GME) fell to 122%, that is from Jan. 15. The Jan. 29 number won’t come until around Feb. 15.
Yields
The rally seemed a little surprising because the ISM manufacturing report was worse than expected, and prices paid were much higher than expected. Maybe one month isn’t enough to make people worry. It is an inflationary signal and the highest reading since 2011. But still, bonds and equities cared not.
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
ACADIA (NASDAQ:ACAD) has really been getting beaten up the last few trading session, and I’m not sure why. They always take a long time to report the first quarter number, generally because they give full guidance. But I also know that the stock typically trades ahead of the news, which makes me worry that someone knows something. Dementia-related psychosis approval news doesn’t come until April.
I thought there was a cup and handle pattern, but that is shattered at this point. Right now, we have to hope $44.50 and holds.
Walmart
Walmart (NYSE:WMT) continues to struggle, and as I noted several weeks back, I think the stock will continue to have a tough time moving higher. It just isn’t a cheap stock, and the technicals look horrible, with $137 still on target.
Costco
Costco (NASDAQ:COST) may have formed a head and shoulders reversal pattern, and it appears to be confirmed with a break of the neckline at $359. If that is the case, than a drop back to $334 seems possible.
That’s all for today.