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Bearish engulfing pattern eats into Friday's Russell 2000 ($IWM) buying

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The Russell 2000 ($IWM) has been defending its 50-day MA over the early part of 2024, but the last few days have seen a shift in this support with 'sell' triggers in the MACD and On-Balance-Volume. The index is underperforming relative to the Nasdaq, but it has been a bit of a whipsaw scenario since early February. Buyers need to dig in soon because a loss of next support at the 50-day MA spells trouble and opens up for a test of the 200-day MA.

Higher volume buying doesn't negate Russell 2000 'bull trap'

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Options expiraton will have clouded Friday's volume, but Friday's buying in the Russell 2000 ($IWM) did not do enough to challenge the "bull trap" or the loss of the 20-day MA. The index is having to deal with 'sell' triggers in the MACD, On-Balance-Volume and relative performance against the Nasdaq. The expected result of the 'bull trap' is a move back to - then below - support defining the trading range off which the original breakout emerged. For the the Russell 2000 ($IWM), this means a move back to $188s.

Modest losses keeps indices near highs

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The earlier 'bull trap' risks look safely put to bed as today's losses just dipped into yesterday's gains. The S&P moved into a period of outperformance relative to the Russell 2000 ($IWM), although it came with higher volume (distribution) selling. The MACD is still on a 'sell' trigger, although it has flat-lined for most of 2024.

Minor losses don't deliver the reversal off bearish engulfing patterns

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Markets were set up for a sizable down day, or at least one to undercut breakout support, but this didn't happen. While there was no real change on the day the fact that there was no major losses should be viewed as a positive. The Russell 2000 ($IWM) finish right on $205 support with no technical change. The index is still outperforming the Nasdaq and the S&P. I'm watching for an intraday spike down to the 20-day MA, but would expect a close above $205 to maintain the story for a successful breakout.

Bearish Engulfing patterns undermine attempts to break 'bull traps'

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The 'bull traps' in the indies were on course to be negated by Friday's early surge, but by the close of business these potential follow on breakouts had morphed into more damaging bearish engulfing patterns. The good news is that breakout support levels remain intact, although a test of such supports should be seen as a minimum for Monday. In the case of the Russell 2000 ($IWM), Friday's selling also ranked as distribution. The index still benefits from net bullish technicals and is outperforming peer indices. Fixed

'Bull Traps' are still in play although today registered gains

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Today was a bit of a mixed bag with all recording gains (good), but the Russell 2000 ($IWM) finished with a 'black' candlestick (close lesss than open price) that leaves bulls pressured and vulnerable to additiona losses. In the case of the Russell 2000 ($IWM), the losses were not huge and selling volume was light and below the previous day's buying volume. Technicals remained net positive. The 'bull trap' is still the favored outcome following today's action

Warning! Potential 'Bull Traps' across Indices

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A couple of days ago we were looking at breakouts, now we need to be watchful for 'bull traps'. We had the first triggers for one with the undercut of breakout support. The next few days will be critical as to whether these undercuts end as 'bull traps', but for now, consider these short signals with stops above the breakout highs. For the Nasdaq, the 'bull trap' came with 'sell' triggers in the MACD, On-Balance-Volume and relative performance to the S&P.

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