Will Credit Markets Pull Stocks Down – Or Not?

Another day, another attempt at the Feb highs, and the upper knots of S&P 500 candlesticks give the daily chart a bearish look. How justified is that – are stocks about to move seriously lower?

In today's analysis, I'll present the outlook based on the many charts featured.

S&P 500 in the Short-Run

I’ll start with the daily chart perspective (charts courtesy of http://stockcharts.com ):

The S&P 500 didn't make it far yesterday, and both the upswings and downswings have been rejected. The volume declined, which means that most market participants are largely sitting on the sidelines.

However, this could cbange in a heartbeat. Will the bears be as strong so as to send the bulls packing?

According to the credit markets, it's a close or not so close tie – have your pick.

The Credit Markets’ Point of View

High yield corporate bonds (HYG ETF) recovery fizzled out yesterday, and prices closed at new lows. Does the high volume mean the bears are getting started, or that a meaningful accumulation is underway?

The next few days will be telling, especially when I look at investment grade corporate bonds (LQD ETF) (please see this and many more charts at my home site).They haven't found a bottom yet as the last five trading days in a row show.

Both leading credit market ratios – high yield corporate bonds to short-term Treasuries (HYG:SHY) and investment grade corporate bonds to longer-dated Treasuries (LQD:IEI) – are currently pointing down.

Will the investment grade bonds find the way higher first, just as they did in May or June – and will that be enough to promptly turn around their junk counterparts?

The overextension of the S&P 500 (black line) relative to the HYG:SHY ratio is even more striking now. But stocks still continue to defy gravity. Will a resolution with a stock move lower or ratio's move higher follow? I am leaning towards the latter, in its time that might be closer at hand than the bears think.

Smallcaps, Emerging Markets and Other Clues

The Russell 2000 (IWM ETF) is holding up quite well relative to the 500-strong index. No sign of profit distribution here.

Neither the emerging markets (EEM ETF) are signaling danger – after outperforming since the start of July, they're taking a breather currently.

The daily market breadth chart caption says it all. The deterioration is visible, and the question remains when would the bulls step in. Remember, the bullish percent index remains solidly in bullish territory (making corrections likely to be bought), and stock price action hasn't shown us that it's willing to roll over in earnest though.

The metal with PhD. in economics ($COPPER) has given up this week's gains, yet yesterday's lower knot indicates that the bulls have stepped back to a degree. That increases the probability that once trading leaves this flag, they will do so with a break higher.

Summary

Summing up, yesterday's S&P 500 session leaves stocks extended relative to the credit markets, and neither long-dated Treasuries are signaling an immediate turnaround just yet. Much depends upon today's trading in the debt instruments, and I think that the worst of the decline there is past, and that higher prices would follow and help put a floor behind the relatively very extended S&P 500 vs. HYG:SHY.

The same goes for the S&P 500 market breadth indicators, where I also see stabilization followed by an upswing in the advance-decline line as the more probable scenario. And that means that the bulls better approach any trading opportunities with tight trade parameters (just as I did throughout many recent sessions), because the air near the Feb all-time highs is quite thin.

Thank you for reading today’s free analysis. I encourage you to sign up for our daily newsletter - it's absolutely free and if you don't like it, you can unsubscribe with just 2 clicks. If you sign up today, you'll also get 7 days of free access to the premium daily Stock Trading Alerts as well as our other Alerts. Sign up for the free newsletter today!

Monica Kingsley

Stock Trading Strategist

Sunshine Profits: Analysis. Care. Profits.

* * * * *

All essays, research and information found above represent analyses and opinions of Monica Kingsley and Sunshine Profits' associates only. As such, it may prove wrong and be subject to change without notice. Opinions and analyses were based on data available to authors of respective essays at the time of writing. Although the information provided above is based on careful research and sources that are believed to be accurate, Monica Kingsley and her associates do not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the data or information reported. The opinions published above are neither an offer nor a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. Ms. Kingsley is not a Registered Securities Advisor. By reading Monica Kingsley’s reports you fully agree that she will not be held responsible or liable for any decisions you make regarding any information provided in these reports. Investing, trading and speculation in any financial markets may involve high risk of loss. Monica Kingsley, Sunshine Profits' employees and affiliates as well as members of their families may have a short or long position in any securities, including those mentioned in any of the reports or essays, and may make additional purchases and/or sales of those securities without notice.

*********