Friday was Triple witching day, meaning that stock options, stock index options, and stock futures contracts were all due to expire.
This happens four times a year and can lead to increased volume as money is moved around resulting in sometimes unusual or spooky price action.
The S&P 500 (SPY), Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIA) all closed under their previous day’s close, while the Russell 2000 (IWM) held over it’s previous day close.
The odd behavior of these 3 indices on a triple witching day leads me to believe they might be the witches of today’s market.
This reminds me of a great satirical movie called Monty Python and the Holy Grail, where in one scene depicted in the 13th century, townsfolk use common logic to figure out if someone is a witch.
They decide that because it’s common practice to burn witches; witches must burn because they are made of wood.
Wood floats on water.
Ducks also float on water.
Therefore, if a person weighs the same as a duck, they are a witch!
Here is a link to the clip:
With that said, we should listen to what the indices have to say and decide for ourselves whether it’s meaningful or if they are speaking in tongues.
The QQQs broke to new highs last Wednesday when it cleared 308.60.
Though it dipped to 307.61 Friday, QQQs closed over the 308.60 support area.
SPY was also able to hold an important support level from the 10 day moving average at 368.50
Below that is support from the previous week’s low at 363.26
The DIA is also holding over its 10-DMA at 301.50 which means it’s safe for now.
Also seemingly safe, the IWM sits not far from the highs and is currently above the 10-DMA.
It looks as though the indices have passed their witch trial… for now.
A break of their key support levels would make them questionable and give us reasons (as in Monty Python) to weigh them against a duck.
Of course as the market obviously weighs considerably more than a duck, we do believe that the Friday sell-off could be nothing more than a one day event.
S&P 500 (SPY) Support 363.26 if can’t hold the 10-DMA at 368.50
Russell 2000 (IWM) Support 192.03 the 10-DMA
Dow (DIA) 298.68 support. 303.80 to clear.
Nasdaq (QQQ) Holding over 308.60. With more support the 10-DMA at 306.26
KRE (Regional Banks) Resistance 200 week moving average 52.70 to clear. Support 48.48
SMH (Semiconductors) 221.79 high to clear. Support 210.41 If cant hold 10-DMA at 216.82
IYT (Transportation) Looking for a close over the 10-DMA 222.90
IBB (Biotechnology) 152.13 level to hold. 156.40 high to clear.
XRT (Retail) 62.16 support.
Twitter: @marketminute
The author may have a position in the mentioned securities at the time of publication. Any opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author, and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of any other person or entity.
