Market sell-off despite improved job numbers
By Colin Twiggs
April 7th, 2014 3:00 am EDT (6:00 pm AEDT)
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Research & Investment: Performance update
Our ASX200 Prime Momentum strategy returned +42.10%* for the 12 months ended 31st March 2014, outperforming the benchmark ASX200 Accumulation Index by +28.64%.
* Results are unaudited and subject to revision.
The S&P 500 Prime Momentum strategy has only been running five months, since November 2013, but returned 8.73%* for the period, compared to 6.28% for the S&P 500 Total Return Index.
S&P 500 breakout
The market experienced a strong sell-off Friday, despite signs that the Winter slowdown in job creation has ended. Nelson Schwartz at the New York Times writes:
The latest numbers are likely to be revised significantly as more information flows into the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even so, they suggest that the economy is not achieving what economists call escape velocity, something that policy makers have long sought. Neither is it falling into the rut some pessimists feared was developing early in 2014.
The S&P 500 retreated below its latest support level of 1880. Follow-through below 1840 would signal a correction, while respect of support would suggest an advance to 1950*. Bearish divergence on 21-day Twiggs Money Flow continues to warn of medium-term selling pressure and reversal below zero would strengthen the signal. An early correction (without a decent advance above the January high) would be a bearish sign, indicating that long-term sellers outnumber buyers.
* Target calculation: 1850 + ( 1850 - 1750 ) = 1950
CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) at 14 continues to indicate low risk typical of a bull market.
The Nasdaq 100 indicates long-term selling pressure, with a sharp fall following bearish divergence on 13-week Twiggs Money Flow. Breach of the (secondary) rising trendline and support at 3550 warns of a correction to primary support at 3400. Recovery above 3650 is unlikely, but would suggest a bear trap.
* Target calculation: 3750 + ( 3750 - 3550 ) = 3950
The primary trend remains upward and none of our market filters indicate signs of stress.
Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.
~ Babe Ruth