Russell 2000, Nasdaq Look to Escape Bull-Trap; S&P 500 Eyes Positive Open
Declan Fallon | Mar 18, 2024 07:18
Options expiration will have clouded Friday's volume, but Friday's buying in the Russell 2000 (IWM) did not do enough to challenge the "bull trap" or the loss of the 20-day MA.
The index deals with 'sell' triggers in the MACD, On-Balance-Volume, and relative performance against the Nasdaq.
The expected result of the 'bull trap' is a move back to - then below - support defining the trading range off which the original breakout emerged. For the Russell 2000 ($IWM), this means a move back to $188s.
The Nasdaq has just drifted below breakout support and its 20-day MA, enough to count as a "bull trap". If there isn't a return above 16,055 today it will effectively confirm the "bull trap", but there is still time for the index to get out of this.
The S&P 500 was the index not to flag a 'bull trap' and could potentially lead a recovery off its 20-day MA. If there is a long play today it will be in this index.
For today, we will want to see a positive open, especially in the S&P 500. Given the vulnerabilities of the Nasdaq and Russell 2000, a gap higher on the open would likely lead to more selling, so a slow-and-steady approach is perhaps preferred.
As the Russell 2000 ($IWM) is furthest away from prior breakout resistance, it's most likely to see a short-attack on a return to this level.
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