Weekly Market Review: Week 16 of 2024
Market Overview: A Turn to the Bears
In the 16th week of 2024, the market notably favored bearish trends, marking the third consecutive week of declines—a significant pattern highlighted by the formation of a "Three Black Crows" candlestick pattern in the weekly charts.
This pattern, consisting of three long-bodied candlesticks that close progressively lower, is a bearish indicator suggesting a strong reversal in the market.Last week, major indices reflected this downturn:
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average up by 3 points.
- The Nasdaq Composite was down by 893 points.
- The Russell 2000 Index declined by 55 points.
- The S&P 500 dropped by 156 points.
Volatility and Market Sentiment
The Volatility Index (VIX) fluctuated within the 18-21 range but closed the week slightly lower at 18.71, suggesting an increase in market uncertainty yet without reaching panic levels. The SKEW Index closed at 133, indicating potential risks from rare events, though no immediate panic is evident in the market.
Historically for 2024, the VIX has mostly closed between:
- 12-13 for 42 days,
- 14-15 for 26 days,
- 16-17 for only 3 days,
- 18-19 for 5 days.
The Fear and Greed Index, another measure of market sentiment, stood at 31 by the end of the week, down from the 40s the previous week, indicating increased fear among investors. Historically, this index has ranged from 20 to 82, with the current score leaning towards a more fearful market environment.
S&P 500 Technical Analysis
The S&P 500 closed at 4967, approaching a significant Fibonacci retracement level. From the October 2023 low, the 23.6% retracement level stands at 4816, suggesting potential further declines. However, the path to this level may not be direct due to expected volatility between 5100 and 4947, indicating a choppy market ahead. Market exhaustion indicators suggest that prices might stabilize temporarily, allowing for some consolidation before any further downward movement. This volatile trend is anticipated to continue into at least mid-May.
Expected Price Range for Next Week
Symbol | Up | Down | Delta |
---|---|---|---|
SPX | 5048 | 4884 | 82 |
NDX | 17400 | 16708 | 346 |
RUT | 1989 | 1901 | 44 |
Conclusion: Navigating a Bear Dominated Market
As the market continues to display bearish tendencies, it is crucial for investors to remain vigilant and responsive to both technical indicators and broader economic signals. The current market environment calls for a cautious approach, with a focus on strategic asset allocation and risk management to navigate potential further declines and volatility. Keeping an eye on macroeconomic trends and upcoming economic data will be key in predicting market movements and making informed investment decisions.