Technical indicators (daily chart)

S&P 500 is slightly below its 50-day MA = Neutral

MACD (S&P 500; 19,39,9) is even with the zero line = Neutral

MACD (S&P 500; 19,39,9) is below its signal line = Bearish

S&P 500 support is 2,150 and 2,126 (100-day MA).

 

Sentiment indicators

II survey: (Sept. 20) 44.6% Bulls; 24.3% Bears = Neutral

AAII survey: (Sept. 21): 24.8% Bulls; 38.3% Bears = Neutral

VIX: @ 12.29 = Bearish

RSI: (S&P 500) @ 51.52= Neutral

 

Comment: The indexes can go in either direction this week based on clues and indicators. The odds favor the bears but not by much. Best advice: Wait on the sidelines until a trend is established. 

Here are the latest technical and sentiment indicators: 

Technical indicators

S&P 500 (daily chart) is below its 50-day MA and pointing down = Bearish

MACD (S&P 500; 19,39,9) is slightly above the zero line and pointing down = Neutral

MACD (S&P 500; 19,39,9) is below its signal line = Bearish

S&P 500 support is 2,122 (100-day MA), 2,050, and 2,000. 

 

Sentiment indicators

II survey: (Sept. 13) 49% Bulls; 22.6% Bears = Bearish

AAII survey: (Sept. 14): 27.9% Bulls; 35.9% Bears = Neutral

VIX: @ 15.37 = Neutral

RSI: (S&P 500) @ 42.91 = Neutral

 

Comment: Market is down but not out. The Fed and BOJ have market-moving meetings and statements this week. It’s a good idea to sit on the sidelines and watch to see if market continues to retreat, or if the central bank can keep markets calm. The odds are good volatility will continue during the week. Nevertheless, market typically moves higher right before and during Fed meeting. 

To summarize, here are the technical and sentiment indicators from Friday’s close: 

Technical indicators

S&P 500 is below its 50-day moving average and pointing down = Bearish

MACD (S&P 500; 19,39,9) is above the zero line but pointing down = Neutral

MACD (S&P 500; 19,39,9) is below its signal line = Bearish

S&P 500 support is 2,120 (100-day moving average), 2,050, and 2,000 (i.e. 10% correction). 

Sentiment indicators

II survey: (Sept. 6) 52.5% Bulls; 22.8% Bears = Bearish

AAII survey: (Sept. 7): 29.8% Bulls; 28.5% Bears = Neutral

VIX: @ 17.50 = Neutral

RSI: (S&P 500) @ 31.94 = Oversold

Comment: What a difference a day makes! It’s too early to proclaim a trend change as this could be only a one-day pullback. I used some cash to probe the market with SPY put options. I’m looking for clues, i.e. if volatility continues to spike, if there is an intraday reversal, and if market continues to sell off at end of day. Prepare to go long if selloff is extreme. 

My most recent MarketWatch column is here: goo.gl/vJpVya

 

To summarize, here are the technical and sentiment indicators from Friday’s close: 

Technical indicators

S&P 500 SPX, +0.42%  is above its moving averages but moving sideways = Neutral

MACD (S&P 500; 19,39,9) is above the zero line but pointing down = Neutral

MACD (S&P 500; 19,39,9) is below its signal line = Bearish

S&P 500 is near support @ 2,170 = Neutral (2,150 next support level)

Sentiment indicators

II survey: (Aug. 30) 55.9% Bulls; 20.6% Bears = Bearish

AAII survey: (Aug. 31): 28.6% Bulls; 31.5% Bears = Neutral

VIX: @ 11.98 = Bearish

RSI: (S&P 500) @ 55.25 = Neutral