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Stocks Cling To Oversold Conditions

Published 02/13/2018, 04:09 AM
Updated 07/09/2023, 06:31 AM

AT40 = 18.1% of stocks are trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) (oversold day #3)
AT200 = 43.9% of stocks are trading above their respective 200DMAs
VIX = 25.6 (range from 24.4 to 29.7)
Short-term Trading Call: bullish

Commentary
My favorite technical indicator made a valiant effort, but it could not quite break out of oversold territory. AT40 (T2108), the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs), bounced as high as 20.2%, marginally above the 20% oversold threshold, but closed at 18.1%. This is day #3 of the oversold period. Since the typical oversold period only lasts 1 or 2 days, I am posting the chart below as a reminder of the S&P 500’s worsening performance the longer it stays oversold. A downward bias first appears after day #4.

S&P 500 Price Change By Duration Below T2108

The performance of the S&P 500 for a given oversold duration (T2108 below 20%).

For reference, the S&P 500 (via SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE:SPY)) is up 2.9% for this oversold period so far. So if the oversold period ends after three days, the index’s performance is roughly in-line with historical patterns. For now, the S&P 500’s 1.4% gain confirmed the 200DMA as support but still left the index with the challenge of 50DMA overhead resistance.
S&P 500 Chart

The S&P 500 (SPY) continued its bounce off 200DMA support.

The volatility index finally had a relatively calm day. The VIX dropped from 29.1 for a 11.9% decline. This is the VIX’s lowest close since a week ago when it soared for its largest percentage gain in its history.
VIX Chart

The process of receding fear has likely begun as the volatility index, the VIX, fell 11.9% to its lowest post-panic close.

My trading strategy for this oversold cycle remains the same. I will eagerly buy another dip inside oversold conditions, but I will be looking to sell those trades on a test of 50DMA resistance. A close AND follow-through above 50DMA resistance will be very bullish especially given AT40 would likely be surging out of oversold conditions at that point. A failure at 50DMA resistance would put a “cautiously” handle on my bullish short-term trading call. A breakdown below 200DMA support would put fresh concerns on my table.

CHART REVIEWS
United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) is on the move again and back on my shopping list. On Monday, it broke out above 50DMA resistance. The stock looks like it formed a new base from last week’s selling and churn, so I will likely accumulate from current levels down to about 33.


U.S. Steel Chart

U.S. Steel (X) looks ready for another run at higher prices after a small 50DMA breakout

“Above the 40” uses the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 40-day moving averages (DMAs) to assess the technical health of the stock market and to identify extremes in market sentiment that are likely to reverse. Abbreviated as AT40, Above the 40 is an alternative label for “T2108” which was created by Worden. Learn more about T2108 on my T2108 Resource Page. AT200, or T2107, measures the percentage of stocks trading above their respective 200DMAs.

Active AT40 (T2108) periods: Day #2 under 20% (oversold), Day #5 under 30%, Day #6 under 40%, Day #6 under 50%, Day #7 under 60%, Day #13 under 70%


Daily AT40 (T2108)

Daily AT40 (T2108) Chart

Black line: AT40 (T2108) (% measured on the right)

Red line: Overbought threshold (70%); Blue line: Oversold threshold (20%)

Weekly AT40 (T2108)

Weekly AT40 (T2108) Chart

Be careful out there!

Full disclosure: long UVXY puts, long SVXY calls

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