Let's take a look at the Russel 2000. This index seems to be the only one between the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P that is failing to break to new ATH while they are.
What we're seeing is a triple top/triple resistance in Aug 2022, than again February 2023, and again August 2023 which was confirmed with a break down to the lows of October 2023 before more manipulation came into play. Some will say inflation is declining and talks of rate cuts seems to be the reason markets rose, but from what we are hearing today from the Fed is that rate cuts aren't likely as they continue to backtrack and downplay rate cuts.
Perhaps, they know something before we do... perhaps double peak inflation like the 1970s? Just as everyone believes its declining, surprising new data comes out that proves otherwise? Let's see.
Once again we see the Russel 2K failed more recently to break and hold above 2020 with constant rejections. This would be the 4th rejection and we could be on the 5th rejection. And why not? Banks once again are starting to shake, with JPMorgan losing deposits, NY Community Bank failing, banks invested in CRE are tanking and this before the big ending to their Bank Term Funding Programme (BTFP) officially ending. Look at the chart for it, it spiked in March 2023 with the failure of SVB, and it is spiking once again Jan and Feb of 2024. Something coming down the pipelines?
I shudder when I see markets breaking ATH, because it has ALWAYS meant markets are more vulnerable to bad news (be it financial, economical, or geopolitical). What we're witnessing is a market that is getting fundamentally weaker and weaker. The economy does not support equities hitting ATH, as earnings are revised lower, personal debt is $17 TRILLION dollars (an ATH) and personal savings are at an all time low. This is not including the decaying jobs market, retail, national debt, manufacturing, consumer sentiment and so on. The floor is a 1 centimeter sheet of ice and it's warming up. This bubble is poised to pop any moment now.
My advice
Obviously, be vigilant. If you are holding positions from a lower price point and you are making profit, I say hold until whatever event happens and breaks the glass floor. If you are new money looking to invest, I can not suggest investing now at the top with such toxic economy and financials. Do your own research, look at the economic data and see if any of it or at least majority of it gives you peace about investing. People are broke, debt is exploding so retail will inevitably collapse and since we're a retail based economy, you can imagine what comes next.
Targets for Russel 2K - IWM
1) 1915, if we break that then 2) 1730, if we break that then 3) 1680, if we break that then 4) 1630, if we break that then run for the hills.
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