Technical update of the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dax

Technical update of the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dax

Equities 5 minutes to read
KCL
Kim Cramer Larsson

Technical Analyst, Saxo Bank Group

Summary:  Is this is? The big dive at the end of the mother of all bull runs? And is the 'sell in May and stay away" adage kicking in earlier than usual this year? Let's see what the charts have to say.


As mentioned during Friday's morning call the  S&P 500 formed a bearish engulfing candle on May 1 (circled) which is an indication of a top and reversal. Over the past couple of months the Index has formed a wedge-like pattern where is tested the lower rising trend line on Thursday. 

Stock markets have been ripe for a correction and with the news coming out this morning regarding US/China trade talks and Trump's tweets, now seem to be the time. Volume has been falling during the uptrend, which is a sign of imbalance in the market – fewer and fewer buyers pushing market higher.

Interestingly, there is no RSI divergence which some bulls might pin there hopes on. However, we can still see a top and reversal without RSI divergence. 

Today, US stock markets are indicated to open lower after Asian and European markets have all been hard hit. Sell in May and go away seems to come early this year!

Whether or not this will be a larger correction is still too early to call but a drop over the next few weeks to around the 200-day simple moving average is not impossible. However, there will be some support at around the 2,800 level which is also the 0.618 retracement of the wedge. 

For the market to show more of a correction and turn bearish again, a close below March low at around 2,722 is needed. 
S&P 500 daily chart. Source: Saxo Bank
We can see an identical wedge pattern and falling volumes in both the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq 100. The latter index broke out bearishly from its rising wedge last week and combined with RSI divergence,  this supports the top and reversal picture mentioned in Friday's morning call. 

For the top and reversal pictures that we see across the major Indices to be demolished, a close above highs from last is needed. For the S&P 500, a close above 2,954 would reverse the correction picture.  
Nasdaq 100 daily chart. Source: Saxo Bank
Contrary to the big caps which have tested all-time highs, small caps have been struggling lately and have been nowhere near all-time highs.

The Index of US mid- and small caps, the Russell 2000, has formed what appears to look like an inverted Shoulder-Head-Shoulder pattern. It is not yet confirmed however, as the index hasn’t closed above the neckline. It was close on Friday but with markets indicating a lower opening that break seems to have been postponed (if not totally cancelled – time will tell).
The trend is still bullish but a close below 1,550 could lead to a further sell-off. Bear market if below 1,500. 
Russell 2000 daily chart. Source: Saxo Bank
The Dax touched the 12,430 resistance level on Friday and has opened significantly lower this morning with a huge gap. A correction down to 11,825 i.e. around the gap in April, is not unlikely. A close above 12,430 is needed to reverse the correction picture.  
Dax daily chart. Source: Saxo Bank

Tip: Did you notice there are colours added to the x-axis making it easier to read. It’s a new feature. You can find in the chart configuration dialog on SaxoTrader.

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperfo...
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynami...
  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    Explore the "two-lane economy," European equities, energy commodities, and the impact of US fiscal p...
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Quarterly Outlook

    Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain ...
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities i...

Disclaimer

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website. This content is not intended to and does not change or expand on the execution-only service. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Bank Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Bank Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Bank Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Please read our disclaimers:
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
- Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-gb/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

Saxo
40 Bank Street, 26th floor
E14 5DA
London
United Kingdom

Contact Saxo

Select region

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Trade Responsibly
All trading carries risk. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more
Additional Key Information Documents are available in our trading platform.

Saxo is a registered Trading Name of Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd (‘Saxo’). Saxo is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 551422. Registered address: 26th Floor, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DA. Company number 7413871. Registered in England & Wales.

This website, including the information and materials contained in it, are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in the United States, Belgium or any other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

It is important that you understand that with investments, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether or not to invest with us. If you are still unsure if investing is right for you, please seek independent advice. Saxo assumes no liability for any loss sustained from trading in accordance with a recommendation.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

©   since 1992