THE APPLE BEAR MARKET OPTIMIZED MOVING AVERAGE UPDATE MARCH 1, 2013: I have devised a new indicator for Apple which I call the “Apple Bear Market Optimized Moving Average“. It is a 50-day exponential moving average of the price of Apple. It currently has 3 points that served as the top of small rallies since early October 2012. This will help those who want to buy the stock low but want to get out before it turns down again. As of today, the moving average is at 482 and dropping rapidly.
With today’s AAPL price of 434, the spread between the Optimal Moving Average and current price is 48 points. Until the price of AAPL breaks convincingly above the Optimal Moving Average with increased volume, expect the bear market in AAPL to continue….much to the chagrin of those who purchased the stock during the height of its popularity last year.
Until the weaker hands give up on the stock, the bear market in AAPL should continue. The first clue would be a clear oversold buy signal in the “Money Flow Indicator” which has called each of the last three rally in AAPL.
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Right now, the Money Flow Indicator is at 23.51 which is in my estimation about one to three days away from flashing a buy signal. With AAPL’s current level of investor apathy, it would not be surprising to see a bottom in the next few days. Manage your chips wisely by taking a small pilot position in AAPL when the Money Flow Indicator reads below 30.
Update March 2: The Money Flow Indicator hit 13.66 with Friday’s close. This is a clear buy signal and the first chance to take a position in Apple. Both the RSI and ULT Indicators are in the low 30s which are also very close to flashing buy signals on any further weakness. Now is the time to gradually wade into this undervalued, oversold, and under-loved high-quality stock!
MARKET OBSERVATIONS FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2013: The stock market hit a new high last Tuesday before embarking on a sharp decline. Friday’s advance recovered most of the previous two-day decline. The market is in the unique position to either test last Tuesday high or test last Thursday low. Don’t be surprised if the market follows a common pattern of heading down towards the end of the month (and rallying in the beginning).
Key market indicators show the following:
With many key breadth indicators near buy signal levels, I would welcome a return to last Thursday’s low with a chance to go long towards an intermediate top in March.
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THE APPLE BEAR MARKET OPTIMIZED MOVING AVERAGE UPDATE FEBRUARY 19, 2013: I have devised a new indicator for Apple which I call the “Apple Bear Market Optimized Moving Average“. It is a 50-day exponential moving average of the price of Apple. It currently has 3 points that served as the top of small rallies since early October 2012. This will help those who want to buy the stock low but want to get out before it turns down again. As of today, the moving average is at 498 and dropping rapidly.
With today’s AAPL price of 460, the spread between the Optimal Moving Average and current price is 38 points. Until the price of AAPL breaks convincingly above the Optimal Moving Average with increased volume, expect the bear market in AAPL to continue….much to the chagrin of those who purchased the stock during the height of its popularity last year.
Until the weaker hands give up on the stock, the bear market in AAPL should continue. The first clue would be a clear oversold buy signal in the “Money Flow Indicator” which has called each of the last three rally in AAPL.
Key Apple indicators show the following:
- Relative Strength Indicator: “42” reading & is more than a week from a buy signal
- Ultimate Indicator: “42” reading and is also more than a week away from a buy signal
- Money Flow Indicator: “55” reading which is far from being a buy signal under 20
Until the “Apple Bear Market Optimized Moving Average” is broken to the upside, the trend is down for this popular stock. And until the Money Flow Indicator gets near 20, it still hasn’t gone enough to an extreme in this most accurate forecasting timer for buying Apple.
Special Note: It looks like a retest of the lows is about to happen. I would look to accumulate AAPL on this retest as it has a good chance of being successful. I would expect a negative “cover story” to cause the weak hands to capitulate on this retest. It may pay to be a day early on your buying of these pilot positions. AAPL has a habit of making huge jumps to the upside when bottoms are reached. Being a day or two late may cost you 30-50 points!
THE APPLE BEAR MARKET OPTIMIZED MOVING AVERAGE UPDATE FEBRUARY 4, 2013:I have devised a new indicator for Apple which I call the “Apple Bear Market Optimized Moving Average“. It is a 50-day exponential moving average of the price of Apple. It currently has 3 points that served as the top of small rallies since early October 2012. This will help those who want to buy the stock low but want to get out before it turns down again. As of today, the moving average is at 517 and dropping rapidly.
With so many traders, investors, and institutions having paper losses in this popular stock, it appears that the one thing that people don’t expect is a bear market in this issue. Almost all of the fundamental projections for the stock are in the 700-800 price range. Until these weak hands get scared out of the stock, my technical and behavioral indicators point to lower prices.
Some key Apple indicators show the following:
- Relative Strength Indicator: “34” reading and not far from a buy signal under 30
- Ultimate Indicator: “31” reading and close to a buy signal under 30
- Money Flow Indicator: “43” reading which is far from being a buy signal under 20 (Note: This indicator has been the most timely and reliable of the three mentioned above!)
Until the “Apple Bear Market Optimized Moving Average” is broken to the upside, the trend is down for this popular stock. And until the Money Flow Indicator gets near 20, it still hasn’t gone enough to an extreme in this most accurate forecasting timer for buying Apple. For now, my crystal ball says that a turn to the upside in Apple will have to wait until mid-to-late February (approximately Feb. 18-23).
MARKET OBSERVATIONS FOR JANUARY 28, 2013: The stock market’s advance continues its relentless push to new rally highs. According to my count, Friday’s advance was the 13th successive new high on this march up. This usually equates to a point of exhaustion and a period of non-advance. My guess is that we will see a high level consolidation in this area before a continuation of the advance. I don’t think that the market internals are overbought enough to warrant a decline. In fact, the internal breadth indicators are surprisingly neutral. It’s the price and behavioral indicators that are showing extremes.
Key market indicators show the following:
Like last week, my advice is to stay or move to the sidelines and let the market set itself up for a possible buying opportunity. The stock market may surprise the public by continuing to rally instead of decline over the intermediate term. Don’t be surprised if the next phase of the market is a short squeeze inspired narrow advance. But right now, the rally is still broad-based and solid.
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MARKET OBSERVATIONS FOR AUGUST 22, 2012: The stock market went to new rally highs today before settling back. This intraday high will probably be tested within 5 trading days. If this new high is not confirmed by a majority of indicators, I will go on the assumption that the rally has seen its peak. Investors and traders can expect either a short-shallow correction that sets up a top or a deeper correction that sets up another leg up. Either scenario is possible. The key is not to fall in love with any particular scenario & read the correction accurately for clues.
Key market indicators show the following:
- McClellan Summation Index – appears to be reforming in order to support another leg of this rally. This could mean that the current correction serves to eliminate the excess bullishness and refuel the market for more higher highs.
- Investor Sentiment – is in the mid-range area with no clear signal (more room on the upside)
- NYSE Breadth Oscillator – Ultimate Indicator reading of 47 and may flash a possible buy signal on a short-term correction.
- Nasdaq Breadth Oscillator – Ultimate Indicator reading of 56 and may flash a buy signal on a short-term correction
- Risk On/Risk Off Indicator – has a reading of 68 and has recently flashed a short-term sell warning
- Volatility Indicator – had a recent reading over 100 which is a clear sell warning
For now, the best advice is to remain on the sidelines getting ready for a near term correction in the stock market. If we get a buy signal from the NYMO and NAMO, then it might be prudent to put a small wager on some quick upside action (Example: QQQ). But large long positions should look to lighten up as the market retests the highs within the next 7-10 trading days.
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In regards to Apple (AAPL), the stock has had a big run-up on anticipation of the new iPhone release and other fundamental reasons. It is reaching overextended levels and smart investors should consider taking some chips off the table at this very opportune time. Note: The “Money Flow Indicator” and “Ultimate Indicator” are both flashing very clear “sell signals” right now.
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MARKET OBSERVATIONS FOR JULY 30, 2012: The stock market threw the proverbial “curveball” at traders the last six trading sessions by going down 300 points and then returning up even more. The ideal time to have bought was intraday on Tuesday but that would have required one to perform the difficult and risky task of “catching a falling knife.”
The McClellan Summation Index looked like it was about to come crashing down on Tuesday but instead is now in a hesitation pattern, giving no clear-cut signals as to the future direction of the market. Since its time in the rally phase has been relatively short, there is still plenty of room to go up in terms of time.
Other key market indicators show the following:
For now, the best advice is to remain on the sidelines getting ready for a possible retest of last Tuesday’s low. Otherwise, expect another day of strength before a correction takes place. We will monitor the correction in order to determine if the rally has legs to it. Based on the long stretch of negative breadth days, it would not surprise us to see the stock market go into the “climb the wall of worry” phase to new highs in terms of price and several more weeks of rallying in terms of time.
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In regards to Apple (AAPL), the stock had a big one-day correction which broke the back of its recent rally. This sets up the possibility of the stock traversing its trading range towards a possible buy point in the next month. The Money Flow Indicator has a reading of 41 after hitting a short-term upside target of 80. It now has a good chance of reaching a buy signal under 20 in August. The “Full Stochastics Indicator” has already approached a buying area and is the first indicator to signal that a buyable low is not too far away in time. The price to buy Apple will probably be on the day it tests its previous low at 522 as well as the 200-day moving average which now stands around 520. I’d start making small bets on any move under 535 if that should occur. The last move down could turn out to be a brief one-hour intraday spike.
Note: The news and price action of Apple proved to be a distraction during this past week. It confirms my “Wall Street Craps Rule: Don’t Play Your Favorites.” When an investor pays too much attention to one stock, it prevents that person from reading the overall market correctly. That’s how this last buying opportunity was missed last Tuesday.
MARKET OBSERVATIONS FOR JULY 15, 2012: The stock market staged a big “relief rally” last Friday which quickly alleviated the oversold condition of the general market. In fact, the TRIN Indicator was negative 10 days in a row which is extremely one-sided in terms of breadth. The only thing that was missing from a good buy signal was a more downside action in terms of price. For more nibble traders, the ideal time to have bought was mid-day on Thursday. That bottom sets up a 5- day retest of the intraday lows that is expected around Thursday of this coming week. Be prepared to buy on weakness backed by “obvious bad news” into the Wednesday-Friday time period.
The McClellan Summation Index appears to be in a topping formation. This occurs whenever you see a cluster of dots after an extended period of advance like we’ve seen over the past month. So this indicator is preparing us for a large decline (the primary signal now) or a confusing pause before resuming the current uptrend.
Other key market indicators show the following:
- Investor Sentiment – is in the mid-range area with no clear signal
- NYSE Breadth Oscillator – gave a buy signal after Thursday’s close in the “Ultimate Indicator” – the “Full Stochastics” still need to move down to the lower parameter near -80
- Nasdaq Breadth Oscillator – also gave a buy signal after Thursday close in the “Ultimate Indicator” – the “Full Stochastics” still need to move down to the lower parameter near -80
- Risk On/Risk Off Indicator – a reading below 30 is needed for a buy signal – the current reading is only 44
For now, the best advice is to remain on the sidelines getting ready for a near term bottom in the stock market. The NYSE Breadth Oscillator and Nasdaq Breadth Oscillator have already given buy signals in the “ULT” indicator. The “5-Day Retest Pattern” tells us to be prepared to buy on weakness backed by obvious bad news into the Wednesday-Friday time period of this coming week.
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In regards to Apple (AAPL), the stock is coming off of a top at 619 and is expected to retest that high. It is anyone’s guess whether it will succeed or fail at this resistance. Sorry, but there isn’t much to say about trading this stock at this particular time. Savvy traders will stay away and let APPL set up for its next big move.
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In the event of a general stock market buy signal, prime candidates for participating on the upside include the QQQ, DIA, DDM, and SSO Exchange-Traded Funds.
MARKET OBSERVATIONS FOR JULY 11, 2012: The stock market has been in a steady decline for the past 9 sessions according to the daily TRIN indicator which reads the undercurrent in terms of breadth and volume. This sets the stage for a short-term tradable rally between July 17 and July 19 if this current trend continues in this “slow drain” (in price, breadth, and behavioral psychology) fashion.
The McClellan Summation Index appears to be topping out or setting up for one more run to the upside. For right now, I would not interpret this indicator as signaling anything in particular. (Note: Sometimes, even the best indicators do not have definitive readings.)
Other key market indicators show the following:
For now, the best advice is to remain on the sidelines getting ready for a near term bottom in the stock market. During this correction, watch the NYSE Breadth Oscillator and Nasdaq Breadth Oscillator for oversold readings in the “ULT” and “Full Stochastics” indicators for a possible short term buying opportunity. (Note: This may be only a minor movement which would call for making only small side bets on the upside.)
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In regards to Apple (AAPL), the stock has shown strength apart from the general market. In market declines, the strongest sectors tend to be the last ones to drop. The stock of Apple has become sort of an asset class all by itself! The Money Flow Indicator has a reading of 54 and has hardly moved since last week’s update. The “Full Stochastics Indicator” and the “Ultimate Indicator” have already reached overbought readings and a decline to at least the mid-range would be expected before another run to the upside begins.
In the event of a general stock market buy signal, Apple would be one of the prime candidates for participating on the upside along with the QQQ, DIA, DDM, and SSO Exchange-Traded Funds.
MARKET OBSERVATIONS FOR JULY 4, 2012: The stock market rally continued its move upwards climbing the proverbial “Wall of Worry.” It is now reaching an overbought area of resistance and is not likely to move much further on the upside without some consolidation first over the next couple of weeks.
The McClellan Summation Index continues to give a clear reading that shows a strong rally based on breadth. This indicator cuts through the market B.S. of news and opinions and lets investors see and know whether the Bulls or the Bears are in control. Right now, the Bulls are running the show!
Other key market indicators show the following:
- Investor Sentiment – is close to being in the area of “Extreme Optimism”
- NYSE Breadth Oscillator – clearly overextended and due for a breather
- Nasdaq Breadth Oscillator – not as overextended as the NYSE breadth indicator
- Risk On/Risk Off Indicator – confirms the Summation Index and indicates a major move from safety to risk. This could be a major shift from the safety of Treasury Bonds to riskier asset classes such as corporate high-yield bonds or equities.
For now, the best advice is to remain on the sidelines getting ready for a near term correction in the stock market. After a week of consolidation or lower prices, you can reasonably expect a retest of the recent highs. We will have to reassess that top when it comes. But in the correction, watch the NYSE Breadth Oscillator and Nasdaq Breadth Oscillator for oversold readings and a possible short term buying trade.
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In regards to Apple (AAPL), the stock took off to the upside despite what many would consider “bad news” concerning competition from Microsoft and Google with tablet computers. The Money Flow Indicator has a reading of 52 and has hardly moved up in the last rally phase. The “Full Stochastics Indicator” and the “Ultimate Indicator” have much more room to the upside and both indicate that a retest of the old highs around 644 is a distinct possibility now.