Weekly Market Update: Looking Good

The market held steady last week. The indicators remain positive.

Weekly Market Update: Sunny Weather

The market is looking pretty good! Even the global Dow is participating in the good performance. Here is a summary of the indicators.


 

Weekly Market Update: Signs of Slippage

Some of the indicators that popped up last week are back down this week signaling a possibility we might head back down into a bear market again. The Global Dow is back underneath its 30 week moving average and the NASDAQ is threatening to join it. Both NYSE DOW divergence indicators are down this week as well.

Remember to use stop-loss orders if you had bought any stocks in the last couple of weeks to protect your gains.

Weekly Market Update: Much Improvement

The market looks pretty good this week. We are back to 7 out of 9 indicators in positive territory. The Global Dow is just slightly above its 30 week moving average, so technically we should have 8 out of 9 indicators in the green, but I'd prefer to see it clearly above the line before I call it positive.

Are we climbing the Wall of Worry? Hope so, this could be a good sign the market is turning around.

Weekly Market Update: Caution

The positive gains of the last couple of weeks appear to be at risk for moving back into negative territory. If you bought during the last couple of weeks, remember the Sell Rules and make sure you have protective stops in place.

Weekly Market Update: Sunny

Once the NASDAQ moves above its 30 week moving average, we'll have 8 out 9 indicators in the green. The Global DOW pushed above its 30 week moving average for the first time since July 2015.  I don't foresee the Dow Dividend Ratio moving into the green anytime soon. 

At this point, I am moving cautiously back into the market. We are not firmly in an uptrend but signs are improving. I will feel better about it when the 30 week moving averages begin an upward slope. Most have flattened which is encouraging because it means they are no longer moving downward.


 

Broad Market Indicators  Rating  DOW Above 30 Week MA  Yes  S&P Above 30 Week MA  Yes  NASDAQ Above 30 Week MA  No - Almost  Foreign markets (GDOW) Above 30 Week MA  Yes  DOW vs NYSE Advance-Decline Line  Yes  Divergence: DOW vs NYSE High/Low  Yes  NYSE Advance-Decline Above 200 Day MA  Yes  NYSE  52 Wk Highs-Lows Differential Positive  Yes  DOW Price to Dividend Ratio  No

To see the some of associated charts, click on the following links:

DJIA S&P Nasdaq  Barrons charts this at this link. NYSE 52 High Low to the Dow Close   (GDOW)

Selling Rules

Stan Weinstein outlines the following steps for selling stocks in his book  Secrets For Profiting in Bull and Bear Markets.

The Don't List

1. Don't Sell for tax reasons.
2. Don't base your selling decision on how much the stock is yielding.
3. Don't hold onto a stock because the price/earnings (P/E) ratio is low.
4. Don't sell a stock simply because the P/E is too high.
5. Don't average down in a negative situation. Professionals average up, not down.
6. Don't refuse to sell because the overall market trend is bullish.
7. Don't wait for the next rally to sell.
8. Don't hold onto a stock simply because it is of high quality. 

The Do List

Use Protective Stop-Loss orders

Increased volatility in the market makes this tactic very important. Swings occur very quickly and a stop-loss can protect your position if a stock moves down quickly. A stop-loss sets the price at which you want to place a sell order. For example, if a stock is selling at $30 and you set your stop-loss at $25, the stock won't sell unless the prices moves to $25 or lower. I find stop-loss orders bring me peace of mind because I can go about my day without worrying about whether I am protected. There is no need to watch the market all day.

 

Setting the Stop-Loss Order

Set the initial Stop-Loss when entering position

When buying a stock, set your initial stop-loss order amount. You should always know your exit point when entering into a position.  Use the prior support level to set your first stop. Set the stop just above the prior support level.

 

Subsequent Stop-Loss Settings 

If your stock purchase has turned into a winner, set subsequent stop-loss orders. In both cases, you should move your stop-loss up as the stock advances and sets new floors.

• Investors (long term) - set just below the 30 week moving average. 
• It is okay if the stock slightly breaks the 30 week moving average as long the moving average is sloping up.
• Note there can be some stiff pull-backs if you are in for the long haul. 
• Get out of the stock if the 30 week moving average starts to slope down.
• Traders (short term) - set just below the prior bottom which might be above the 30 week moving average.
• Set the first stop closest to the prior floor. If there isn't one, set it to 4%-6% below.
• Do not pay attention to corrections less than 7%.
• Get out if the 30 week moving average starts to slope down.
• Take profits on the way up if your stock moves up very quickly and becomes overextended, i.e. far above the 30 week moving average.