All last week we talked about the importance of the Transportation Sector ETF (NYSEARCA: IYT), as a lead indicator.
To repeat, “If IYT closed above the 50 weekly moving average, we surmised that that could be the start of a much larger rally into December.”
And so IYT did and here into December, IYT held onto gains closing up .23%.
However, we also said that, “IYT needs the other members of the Family to join in.”
Let’s focus today on the Granddad Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA: IWM), or the small caps. The IWM continues to trade as the weakest of the four stock market indices, which is concerning.
I inferred that, “By the time (if it does) this gets to its 50 WMA at 159.50, it’ll be time to go short.”
Why are the Russell’s so important, and can they continue to run up to the real test of resistance?
The Russell 2000 index is extremely important to the U.S. economic picture.
Since all 2000 stocks are manufactured within the domestic U.S., it is the most accurate way to measure supply.
And, as far as the tariffs go, IWM is the most likely the clearest way to gauge the impact on U.S. goods.
Whereas Transports stocks and the IYT represent movement of goods or demand, the small cap stocks and IWM represent the supply of goods.
Today, IWM rallied with the rest of the indices.
Nevertheless, it was still the weakest of the bunch and sits in a Bearish Phase.
Examining the periphery factors, rates eased some more. The US Dollar closed strong and Oil (NYSEARCA: USO), rallied by nearly 5%.
This does potentially set the stage for inflation to well, inflate.
IWM and IYT both will be impacted by each one of these factors.
Lower rates=better for supply/demand-to a point. If rates ease too much, then the dollar will go back down.
That’s initially better for supply/demand unless-
Oil continues to move higher.
Then, that puts pressure on both supply and demand and the Fed’s current hands-off policy concerning raising the rates.
Where does that leave IWM?
For now, ok since a one-day move, especially in oil, does not a new trend make.
Technically, IWM must clear 159.50 the 50-week moving average. If it does, we could start to believe that the promises about tariffs are real, and the market still has legs.
Then of course, that will embolden the Fed to raise rates. But, let’s not worry about that until we have to.
If IWM does not clear 159.50, then I would expect IYT to begin to struggle. 193.94 its 50-WMA, is not too far away.
In the meantime, watch for IWM to catch up more, or stall and IYT to begin to slip.
Until such time, I still look at this rally as a big one in a bear phase.
Perhaps some of you did not watch the recent video I did with CEO MONEY. Please click here to watch.
Stock Market ETFs Trading Levels & Analysis:
S&P 500 (SPY) – Unconfirmed bullish phase. 276 the big support now. Last swing high off the lows was 281.22 now resistance.
Russell 2000 (IWM) – Still by far the weakest which is concerning. By the time (if it does) this gets to its 50 WMA at 159.50, it may be time to go short. And now must hold 150.50.
Dow Jones Industrials (DIA) – Unconfirmed bullish phase. Making 255.50 pivotal support
Nasdaq (QQQ) – Death cross with the price right at the moving averages. If history serves us well, should this fail 171.80 area and not get back over 172.50, could be a low risk short using QID.
KRE (Regional Banks) – 55.00 pivotal support as this closed red.
SMH (Semiconductors) – Unconfirmed return to Recovery or Recuperation. That means must hold and close above 97.00. Furthermore, still under the 50-WMA at 103.22-way far away making this a great short candidate if rolls over.
IYT (Transportation) – 193.94 area huge support to hold
IBB (Biotechnology) – 111.23 is where this 50 WMA lives
XRT (Retail) – 45.00 pivotal support with 47.50 resistance
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The authors 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.
