It's holiday season and blog traffic is way down, but while people are away enjoying their vacation those traders left behind have decided to drive a break of resistance in the Russell 2000. There is no confirmed accumulation, but there was a new 'buy' trigger in the MACD and an outperformance relative to the S&P. 

While the Russell 2000 (IWM) was making its move, both the Nasdaq and S&P were making their own gains. The S&P is closest to getting past 4,450 after bouncing off the 20-day MA in a successful support test. Again, buying volume was low, but there was still enough to see a new 'buy' trigger in On-Balance-Volume. Having said that, the latter indicator has effectively flatlined since March, despite the price rally, so it needs to kick on if it's to support the action in price.

The Nasdaq also closed higher on the day, also successfully defending its 20-day MA, but not quite reaching resistance. It too enjoyed a new 'buy' trigger in On-Balance-Volume, but has the same lack of trend that volume is experiencing in the S&P. 

The Semiconductor Index didn't quite make it out of its consolidation triangle, but today's 'hammer', while not in the traditional reversal position, does indicate the underlying demand for semiconductor stocks.

With vacation season in full swing, we are not going to see the volume moves to back breakouts of support or resistance, so we just have to take things at face value. Let's see how action in the Russell 2000 evolves. 

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