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StockCharts Blogs - Don't Ignore This Chart! |
The stock market is clearly in rally mode this year with the offensive sectors leading the charge. Notice that the consumer discretionary, industrials, finance and technology sectors are outperforming the S&P 500. In contrast, the consumer staples, healthcare and utilities sectors, which are defensive, are lagging the S&P 500.
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Despite all the “issues” surrounding Europe, the German DAX Index ($DAX) is going strong and outperforming the S&P 500. In fact, the DAX is outperforming the Shanghai Composite ($SSEC) and the Nikkei 225 ($NIKK) as well. The chart below shows that the DAX is up a whopping 14.76% year-to-date, mre than double the gain in the S&P 500.
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As the Sector Market Carpet shows, the finance sector has the biggest average gain (2.4%) thus far on Friday. Technology is second with the average stock gaining 1.9% on the day. Notice that the boxes are different sizes because of market cap mode. Stocks with the highest market caps have the biggest boxes. Click the icon in the far left corner to toggle between market cap and normal mode.
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According to the Wall Street Journal, "Caterpillar’s 20% stock surge this month contributed nearly 34% of the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s 415-point advance." As a price weighted "average" the highest priced issues in the Dow carry the most weight. This is also true for the Dow Transports and Dow Utilities.
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A look at the StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR) movers shows Quest Diagnostics with a big move (+37) on Tuesday. On the price chart, DGX broke ascending triangle resistance with a surge in volume today.
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While the German DAX Index ($DAX) and the French CAC Index ($CAC) languish well below their 2011 highs, the DJ Ireland Index ($IEDOW) shows strength with a break above its highs. Ireland was one of the first countries to get into trouble, but it appears that the tough medicine is working as the stock market shows relative strength now.
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John Murphy’s industry group PerfChart shows the Banking Index ($BKX) and the Biotech Index ($BTK) leading the market higher with the biggest gains. Also note that the Gold and Silver Index ($XAU) and the Broker Dealer Index ($XBD) are strong this year.
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The PerfChart below shows six intermarket related ETFs. The S&P 500 ETF (SPY), US Oil Fund (USO) and Gold SPDR (GLD) are positively correlated as all show gains in 2012. In an interesting twist, the Euro Currency Trust (FXE) and the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) are negatively correlated in 2012. SPY is up and FXE is down. Will this negative correlation last?
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Of the nine sector SPDRs, only two hit new 52-week highs last week: the Consumer Staples SPDR (XLP) and the Utilities SPDR (XLU). These two defensive sectors are clearly leading the market right now. The chart below shows XLP breaking its May highs and the Price Relative moving higher since February.
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Automatic Data Processing (ADP) may have an antiquated name, but the stock has outperformed Apple (AAPL) since mid September. On the chart below, ADP broke resistance from the October-November highs with a big move. Even though volume is light, the breakout is bullish as long as it holds.
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This blog contains charts that we think are 'interesting' from a technical analysis perspective. These charts are presented for educational purposes only. We are not making any buy or sell recommendations here. Terms of Service
