Current Position of the Market

• SPX Long-term trend: There is some good evidence that we are still in the bull market that started in 2009. 
• SPX Intermediate trend: New intermediate uptrend has been underway since hitting 2234.

Short-term Decision Time

• Cycles: Looking ahead. 90-year cycle – last low: 1932. Next low: 2022.
• Seven-year cycle – last low: 2016. Next low: 2023.

Market Analysis: SPX-IWM weekly charts

After its high of August 18, IWM began to lag SPX significantly. Since September 20, however, this has changed radically, with IWM taking the lead in a dramatic display of relative strength which continued into last week. This has brought the latter into what could be a resistance area, as some top channel lines converge. We’ll have to see if that stops its bullish advance, and for how long.  

SPX daily chart

Last week had the markings of a potential correction; but, instead, the index surged to close near its high, with DJIA reaching 30,000 for the first time. The altered course of the market can easily be attributed to the announcement of a new vaccine, which is purported to be as effective as the previous two, yet it can be stored much more easily and will cost very little.

This has brought SPX to a technical point which will be discussed in more detail in the hourly chart section. While the trend remains bullish and the index looks close to making new all-time highs, the drawback is the behavior of the indicators which, so far, are not confirming. If these do not do so by early next week, we could be looking at the pull-back, which was expected a week ago and was simply delayed.  

All three oscillators were still bullish at the end of the week, but they are not keeping up with the price index. This can always be a warning that a momentum shift is taking place and, if not rectified immediately, will lead to a correction.  

SPX hourly chart

There are two interpretations to this chart pattern which may not be all that different, except that one would lead to a minor pull-back and the other to something more substantial.  

In the more bullish interpretation, the pattern since November 10 can be construed to be one large re-accumulation base (blue-green span) which produces a count to 2810. On the other hand, if the second small base (light green) is only a confirmation of the first one, this rally can come to an end at about 3660, followed by a correction proportional to what the pattern really represents.

Also, instead of being a re-accumulation phase, if the entire pattern turns out to be distribution, then what could follow is what was expected last week: a potential .382 to .50 retracement of the rally from 3234. In structural terms, this could then be a wave 2 correction of the new uptrend before wave 3 kicks in.  

As mentioned above, negative divergence is showing in the daily oscillators and, unless this improves quickly, it gives more credibility to the bearish interpretation of the pattern which the market is making. After Friday’s limited trading session, SPX looks on the verge of rolling over, with negative divergence in the CCI, and the other two oscillators are already negative. 

UUP (dollar ETF) ($USD chart not available from this data provider)

After reaching the three-month cycle low, which has been very regular and dependable, UUP had a small bounce, which quickly ended and was followed by continued selling to a slightly new low. This is bearish action which suggests that, after a brief respite, UUP may now be ready to continue the downtrend that started at 28.90. This is not yet assured, but it may be if the weakness continues below the dashed red line. 

GLD (gold-weekly), GDX (gold miners-daily)

Last week, GLD sold off sharply to the bottom of its corrective channel, demonstrating – unless this is a climactic sell announcing the end of the correction – that it is not ready to resume its uptrend and could still drop lower to an area of support provided by a former consolidation pattern and its blue 50-MA.  

GDX followed GLD with a sharp drop of its own, barely holding in the support band and breaking below its 200-dma -- which could be a problem if it does not get back above it soon. It had a minor bounce over the past two days, but it will have to do better and show that it is ready to hold at this level and climb back to higher ground.

SIL (silver-weekly), PAAS (Pan American Silver Corp-daily)

SIL corrected along with GLD, but it did not give up quite as much ground, retaining the RS which it acquired after the March low. Unless a sudden wave of buying in silver occurs, the correction can last a little longer before the index is in a position to reverse its downtrend.   

PAAS is finding support on its 200-dma and, with some positive divergence appearing in its CCI, may soon attempt to reverse its trend.

BNO (U.S. Brent Oil fund)

BNO has made a clean break-out above its moving averages and base, but it is ready for a consolidation after completing a five-wave uptrend.

SUMMARY

SPX started a new intermediate uptrend which was followed by a period of consolidation that has now lasted several weeks. It can either continue its uptrend from here, or pull back before being ready for the next buy phase. We could know its decision by next week.