The 200-day moving average has a history of being a key signal for the S&P 500 and stocks. Bull markets tend to trade well above it; bear markets below it. Time spent trading around the 200-moving average usually indicates a period of transition. It is a signal that the factors responsible for driving the market are either changing or have changed. What it is telling us now is that the bear, quieted by Fed Chairman Powell’s capitulation to Wall Street, could begin roaring again soon.

The price action we currently see in the E-Mini S&P 500 indicates a market in transition. Contrary to popular belief, bear markets don’t always begin with a crash. In a mid-February blog post we examined the 2008/2009 crash and highlighted the similarity of that price action to the price action now. The market is testing the 200-day moving average again – only this time to the downside. It closed just above it yesterday.

Data Source: Reuters

The market’s inability to make higher highs, following four upward thrusts through the 200-day moving average (see chart below,) is not a good sign.  The path of least resistance is shifting further south with each failure. Our near-term downside targets are old swing lows at 2680, 2600, 2450 and 2300 in the front-month E-mini S&P 500 futures. These levels match downside Fibonacci projections nearly perfectly.

We believe a series of lower closes beneath the 200-day moving average (currently 2752 in the March futures) could be enough to awaken the sleeping bear from his short hibernation. This would put all these targets within reach in short order as the market adjusts to changing economic and political realities. We’ll be monitoring this market for downside entry opportunities.  Go to www.rmbgroup.com to learn more.

Please be advised that you need a futures account to trade the markets in this post. The RMB Group has been helping its clientele trade futures and options since 1991 and are very familiar with all kinds of option strategies. Call us toll-free at 800-345-7026 or 312-373-4970 (direct) for more information and/or to open a trading account. Or visit our website at www.rmbgroup.com.

 

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The RMB Group

222 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606

 

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