The Standard and Poors 500 index (SPX) put on quite a show today, running up 50 points or +1.2% to close at 4309. SPX opened the week at 4285 for a weekly gain of 0.6%. The low this week on Tuesday and each day afterward was just above the 200-day moving average (dma), so it appeared to be finding support, but today’s move was dramatic. Trading volume ran close to or just above the 50 dma all week.
VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, closed today at 17.5%, down significantly from the intraday highs this week around 21%.
I track the Russell 2000 index with the IWM ETF, which closed today at 173, up 1.7 points or one percent. IWM opened the week at 176 for a loss of 1.7% for the week. IWM is the weakest broad market index, having broken both the 50 dma and the 200 dma during this correction. IWM would have to gain nearly 5% just to recover its 200 dma.
The NASDAQ Composite index closed today at 13,431, up 212 points or
1.6%. NASDAQ opened the week at 13,218 for a weekly gain of 1.6%. NASDAQ appeared to find support near its lows from mid-August.
VIX, the volatility index for the S&P 500 options, closed today at 17.5%, down significantly from the intraday highs this week around 21%.
The broad market context for the past several weeks was ugly to say the least. All of the broad market indices had broken down through the 50 dma and the Russell 2000 had broken down through the 200 dma. S&P’s decline since 7/27 was 8.5%; that got my attention. I bought some SPX puts for protection, but today’s spike higher forced me out of those. Hopefully, it doesn’t whipsaw on me next week.
When I was a boy growing up in Florida, hurricane Donna came through Orlando. Dad built our house in preparation for that night, so we were quite safe. Suddenly the sound of the wind and rain stopped. We walked out into the yard. You could see the stars. It was eerie. We quickly went back inside. You don’t know the size the eye of the hurricane. This market reminds me of that night. Perhaps the storm is over, but the winds may come up again next week.
This is still a good time to be in cash.
