Monthly Archives: September 2020

Potential Head And Shoulders Top Forming On The Dow Chart

The previous post looked at the possible formation of a bear flag on the NASDAQ Composite daily chart. It implied a decline that retraced 50% of the previous March/September rally range. Another bearish reversal formation is under construction and near completion on the Dow Jones Industrial Average chart. A classic head and shoulders pattern has developed over the last two months.

As the Dow chart clearly illustrates the August high formed the right shoulder, the head is the September high, and this week’s lower high may be the right shoulder. Neckline support is located at the 27500 level. This is an important support level because it intersects with the horizontal support line drawn off the June high, a three month uptrend line, and the 50 day moving average. If this nexus of support were to breakdown the head and shoulders pattern projects another approximate 6% decline from current levels. This would revert the average back just below its 200 day moving average.

A break below the neckline 50 day average would be a major technical moment. If accompanied by the NASDAQ taking out its key 10750 level the outlook for the broad market would be clearly negative. In both cases, however, confirmation is required just like any technical price pattern.

The Nasdaq “Bear Flag” Projects A 50% Retracement Of The March/September Rally

Last week the NASDAQ Composite broke the long term trend line that has defined the six month March/September rally. Since then it has been trading in a narrow range below that uptrend line and around its 50 day moving average.

The price action since the NAZ made its recent high and the consolidation after the trendline breakdown resembles a bearish flag pattern. A flag pattern suggests a measured move that is calculated by taking the height of the flag pole and subtracting it from the bottom of the flag itself. In this case, the target is measured by taking the September high/low range and subtracting it from the 10750 level. The NASDAQ measured move then projects down to and targets the 9500 area. This would be a 50% Fibonacci retracement of the March low and September high rally range. It would return the composite to its 200 day moving average.

On a percentage basis it is a 12% decline from current levels and more than a 20% pullback from its high this month. That would qualify as a correction in strict technical terms. At this point in time this bear flag analysis is speculation. Like all technical patterns it requires confirmation. But it is a textbook set-up. The Relative Strength Index has dropped below its centerline and the Money Flow Index is preparing to do the same. These readings represent a loss in positive price and buying momentum. They reinforce what is playing out on the chart.

A return to the 50% Fibonacci level, while temporarily painful for bullish investors, could be a healthy reversion. But it remains to be seen if the NASDAQ does in fact breakdown or, if it does, the pattern plays out as the chart so neatly outlines.

Did Snowflake Mark The Top Of This Market

There is always an event that we look back and say, “Yes, that marked the top.” The much celebrated Snowflake initial public offering may be such an event. It may not be a long term top but the charts suggest we could see a significant pullback.

Take a look at the seven month charts of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index. The rally has been underscored by a strong uptrend line. Over the last two week that support has been tested and appears to be giving way under the pressure.

If we zoom in on this chart we see that the price action over the last two weeks looks somewhat like a bear flag pattern. Also, yesterday’s candle on the industrial average formed a gravestone doji. That candle opens near the low of the day and explores higher levels and ends the day closing back on the low. The implications are clear an inability to hold those higher levels.

The 50 day moving average just below current levels could supply support. If this slide lower picks up speed, however, a deeper reversion possibly to the 150 day moving average would be a more likely target. That would represent about a 10% decline.

Take a look at some of the big technology names:

Apple (AAPL) has formed a bear flag pattern.

Amazon (AMZN) has broken its 50 dma and is testing support.

As solid a performer as Microsoft (MSFT) has broken below its 50 dma and formed a bearish engulfing candle on the daily chart.

The technology sector started this current market decline and there is no indication it has slowed down.

The stage is set for a meaningful pullback. It remains to be seen, of course, at what levels the sellers feel comfortable becoming buyers again.