KEY
TAKEAWAYS
- Main market peaks typically characteristic a “bearish momentum divergence” the place costs transfer larger on weaker worth momentum.
- A bearish divergence this week suggests an analogous lack of upside follow-through after a powerful uptrend part.
- Until we see the divergence negated with larger momentum readings, a tactical pullback might be the most definitely situation.
With Friday’s pullback after a comparatively sturdy week, the S&P 500 chart seems to be flashing a uncommon however highly effective sign that’s fairly widespread at main market tops. The bearish momentum divergence, shaped by a sample of upper highs in worth mixed with decrease peaks in momentum, signifies weakening shopping for energy after an prolonged bullish part.
Right now, we’ll share a quick historical past lesson of earlier market tops beginning with the COVID peak in 2020. And whereas we do not essentially see a sudden downdraft because the most definitely consequence, this bearish worth and momentum construction suggests restricted upside for the S&P 500 till and until this divergence is invalidated.
First, let’s overview some basic market tops, see how divergences are shaped, and study what typically comes subsequent. The yr 2020 began able of energy, persevering with the uptrend part of 2019. However circumstances quickly deteriorated, with weaker momentum and breadth alerts flashing cautionary patterns.
Right here we will see the upper highs and better lows in worth motion in January and February 2020. Discover how the RSI was overbought on the January peak however not overbought on the February high? This sample of upper costs on weaker momentum is what we’re on the lookout for, because it implies an absence of shopping for energy and subsequently restricted upside.
Nearly two years later, the market had been pushed larger on account of an unprecedented quantity of liquidity injected into the monetary system. However towards the tip of 2021, we noticed the acquainted bearish divergence flash once more.
Right here we will see the upper worth highs in November 2021 via January 2022 had been marked by decrease readings on momentum indicators like RSI. It is price noting right here that these divergences do not occur in a vacuum. In different phrases, we will use different instruments within the technical evaluation toolkit to judge the pattern and decide if the worth is reacting as anticipated to the bearish divergence.
Within the weeks after the 2022 peak, we will see that the worth broke down via an ascending 50-day transferring common. The RSI ultimately broke under the 40 stage, confirming the rotation from a bullish part to a bearish part. So whereas the divergence itself doesn’t suggest a selected path within the months after the sign, it alerts us to make use of different indicators to validate and monitor a subsequent downtrend transfer.
Extra lately, the February 2025 market peak featured some basic momentum patterns going into the eventual high.
Beginning in August 2024, we will see a collection of upper worth highs that had been accompanied by bettering RSI peaks. In order the worth was transferring larger, the stronger momentum readings confirmed the uptrend part. Then beginning December 2024, the subsequent couple worth peaks had been marked with weaker momentum readings. This bearish divergence with worth and RSI as soon as once more signalled waning momentum going into a serious market peak.
That brings us to the present S&P 500 chart, that includes one more bearish momentum divergence. And based mostly on what we have reviewed up to now, you possibly can in all probability perceive why I am a bit skeptical going into subsequent week!
To be honest, I’ve highlighted worth and momentum divergences from important market tops, lots of which got here after prolonged bull market phases. On this case, we’re nonetheless solely two months off a serious market low. Nonetheless, I’d argue the essential premise nonetheless holds true. With Friday’s pullback, the S&P 500 seems to be flashing this identical sample of upper costs on weaker momentum. Given this unfavourable rotation on momentum, I’d anticipate at the least a retest of the Could swing low round 5770.
What would change this tactical bearish expectation? The one means for a bearish divergence to be negated is for the worth to proceed larger on stronger momentum. So till we see the worth make a brand new peak, mixed with the RSI pushing again as much as overbought ranges, a pullback could be the most definitely situation within the coming weeks.
RR#6,
Dave
PS- Able to improve your funding course of? Take a look at my free behavioral investing course!
David Keller, CMT
President and Chief Strategist
Sierra Alpha Analysis LLC
https://www.youtube.com/c/MarketMisbehavior
Disclaimer: This weblog is for academic functions solely and shouldn’t be construed as monetary recommendation. The concepts and methods ought to by no means be used with out first assessing your personal private and monetary scenario, or with out consulting a monetary skilled.
The creator doesn’t have a place in talked about securities on the time of publication. Any opinions expressed herein are solely these of the creator and don’t in any means signify the views or opinions of some other particular person or entity.
David Keller, CMT is President and Chief Strategist at Sierra Alpha Analysis LLC, the place he helps lively traders make higher selections utilizing behavioral finance and technical evaluation. Dave is a CNBC Contributor, and he recaps market exercise and interviews main specialists on his “Market Misbehavior” YouTube channel. A former President of the CMT Affiliation, Dave can also be a member of the Technical Securities Analysts Affiliation San Francisco and the Worldwide Federation of Technical Analysts. He was previously a Managing Director of Analysis at Constancy Investments, the place he managed the famend Constancy Chart Room, and Chief Market Strategist at StockCharts, persevering with the work of legendary technical analyst John Murphy.
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