Having hit 1,150 on Friday, the S&P 500 is now at a crossroad: Will it fall back, or continue marching up to the next technical target around 1,200? No one chart can say for sure, but here are some points to be aware of -- and to watch in coming days.
Since the S&P finally rose past the key 1,130 level on Monday, stocks have languished rather than rapidly advance. That's because volume is anemic. And without volume, the market is said to lack the conviction needed to actually create a definitive trend.
Investors might be atwitter over the so-called Hindenburg Omen, a technical indicator flashing a red alert for an imminent market crash. But the odds of it being right are long to non-existent, experts say.
The frustrating truth about technical analysis is that it requires interpretation. Ideally, a stock chart would only be able to be viewed one way, shouting "buy" or "sell." But as the saying goes, "If it were that easy, we'd all be millionaires."
Wall Street is whispering about the "Hindenburg Omen," a technical indicator that's supposed to signal an upcoming stock market crash. Some brokers are warning their clients. Others dismiss it as too much drinking.
Should it matter to U.S. investors that Middle East stock markets are among the worst-performers this year, with many trading at or near 52-week lows? Hard to know for sure, but here's why this is a development that bears watching.
The Elliott Wave Theorist has predicted that the Dow Jones will tumble more than 90% by 2016 as the market suffers a cataclysmic collapse. Is this piece of technical analysis worth worrying about?
For investors seeking guidance on what lies ahead for the market, a look at past bubbles and their post-bust trends is revealing. If previous bubbles are any indication, investors should be wary.
Rather than try to forecast whether corporate profits will exceed heightened expectations or disappoint in the second half, let's turn to a few basic technical charts for a (possibly) more objective view of where stocks might be heading.
Although small-cap stocks are the darlings of many investment analysts, large-cap stocks should not be overlooked by investors seeking to beat the market. In fact, they just may be gearing up for superior returns in the coming quarters.
Technical analysis avoids examining news and fundamentals -- it just looks at various trends and levels. And right now, the movements of key technical signals in the U.S. stock market are extremely negative.
The drooping stocks of investment banks and brokerages have been diverging from the wider market in the last few months. Back in 2007, a similar trend preceded the market crash. Now, the sector's pattern could hold a wider warning for investors.
After the market's recent roller-coaster ride, many wonder if the year-long stock rally has come to an end. But recognizing market tops is a tricky business -- here are some charts to show why.
Gains in the VIX Volatility Index are an expression of investor unease. Two weeks ago, its movements suggested stocks had peaked, and the Dow followed with sharp losses. The VIX also holds clues to whether stocks have now entered a long-term downtrend.
Water utilities are the only companies on the Standard & Poor's 1500 that haven't seen double-digit percentage growth in the last year. Are they ready to start catching up with the rest of the economy at last? Valuation and technicals tell an interesting story.