Dow Low Volumes

By Colin Twiggs
April 07, 2007 1.00 a.m. ET (5:00 p.m. AET)

These extracts from my trading diary are for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as investment advice. Full terms and conditions can be found at Terms of Use.

USA: Dow, Nasdaq and S&P500

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is trending upwards, having respected the 100-day moving average. The rally is headed for a test of the upper border of the trend channel (drawn at 2 standard deviations around a linear regression line). A fall below 12000, though not expected, would signal a secondary correction. Continued long-term bearish divergence on Twiggs Money Flow (21-day) warn us to exercise caution when the index approaches its recent high of 12800.

dow jones industrial average long-term

Long Term: The primary trend is up. The first line of support is at the May 2006 peak of 11600, while a fall below the June 2006 low of 10700 would signal reversal to a down-trend.

Short Term: The Dow is consolidating above 12500, maintaining a healthy up-trend. Thursday's volume is low because of the long weekend. A fall below 12300 is unlikely at present, but would warn of another test of 12000.

Low volumes over the past 3 weeks are similar to the start of the last (August 2006) primary up-swing. Activity tends to later increase near resistance at the previous high (e.g. 12800), then continue in short surges on subsequent rallies before eventually drying up ahead of a secondary correction.

dow jones industrial average short term





The Dow Jones Transportation Average continues to respect the long-term (green) trendline and is now headed for a test of resistance at 5000. Breakout above 5000 would signal continuation of the bull market.

dow jones transport average

Fedex and UPS also appear to be finding support. Reversal to a primary down-trend would warn that economic activity is slowing.





The Nasdaq Composite completed a bullish short retracement and is headed for a test of resistance at 2500. Twiggs Money Flow (21-day) is rising, signaling short-term accumulation.

Breakout above 2500 would be a bullish sign for the entire equity market; a fall below 2350 would be bearish, warning of a test of primary support at 2000.

Long Term: The primary trend is up.

nasdaq composite

The S&P 500 is headed for a test of the upper border of the trend channel (drawn at 2 standard deviations around a linear regression line), but long-term divergence on Twiggs Money Flow (21-day) continues to warn of distribution.

Long Term: The primary trend is up, with support levels at 1325 and 1220.

standard and poors 500





LSE: United Kingdom

The FTSE 100 is headed for a test of resistance at 6450 after a brief consolidation. A rise above 6450 would signal a test of the upper border of the trend channel, with a target of 6900 ( 6450 + [6450 - 6000] ). Twiggs Money Flow (21-day) completed a bullish trough high above zero at [A]. A fall below 6000 is unlikely, but would signal a test of primary support at 5500.

Long Term: The primary up-trend continues.

ftse 100

Nikkei: Japan

The Nikkei 225 short retracement below resistance at 17500/17600 is a bullish sign. Breakout would signal a target of 21000 [ 17600 + ( 17600 - 14200 )]. Twiggs Money Flow (21-day) shows short-term weakness, but holds above zero.

Long Term: The primary trend remains up, with support at the June 2006 low of 14200.

nikkei 225





ASX: Australia

The All Ordinaries broke through resistance at 6000 and is headed for a test of the upper border of the trend channel. The target is 6350 ( 6000 + [6000 - 5650] ). Having respected the zero line, Twiggs Money Flow (21-day) is rising, signaling accumulation. Reversal below 5650, though unlikely, would be a strong bear signal.

Long Term: The primary up-trend continues, with the first line of support at the May 2006 high of 5300. A fall below the June 2006 low of 4800 would signal reversal to a down-trend.

all ords medium-term

Short Term: Monday's retracement [M] failed to shake out many positions, with low volume and reversal just out of reach of a rich vein of stop orders below 5900. Wednesday's large volume signals resistance, confirmed by Thursday's red candle and narrow range. A retracement that respects support at 6000 would be a bullish sign, while a fall below 5900, though unlikely, would warn of a test of 5650.

all ords short-term

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