S&P500 daily at end of day

End of Day Update

MARKET BEHAVIOR
Stocks closed above 1,980 for the first time in a couple of weeks, leaving us within a few points of all-time highs.  While the market trades sideways, the upward sloping 50dma and 200dma are quickly gaining ground.

MARKET SENTIMENT
The market no one wants to trust keeps holding strong.  Many traders admit they think stocks have come too far, but they are reluctant to sell because every time they sold over the last year and a half, they watched the market rebound higher without them.

This is the foundation of the “next greater fool” theory in investing.  The logic goes, “I know this is overvalued, but I will buy it anyway because I know someone else will come along later and pay even more for it.”  Traders have a natural fear of heights, but this resilient bull market is making many are more afraid of being left behind than losing money.  This is why so many continue chasing all-time highs and not selling bearish headlines, even though they don’t trust this market.  But like every game of musical chairs, if you stick around too long, you’ll be the one that gets left out.

TRADING PLAN
Expected Outcome:
We are four points from triggering another short-squeeze.  While there is no reason to trust this market, it is giving us every indication it wants to go higher.  Even if we are setting up a bearish double-top, we still need to set new highs first.

Alternate Outcome:
At some point we will run out of dip-buyers.  Maybe that day is tomorrow.  Maybe it won’t happen until next year.  But every dip that gets bought brings us one step closer to the one that doesn’t.  Failure to set new highs this week will be an ominous sign.

Trading Plan:
Both bulls and bears should expect new highs in coming days.  The only disagreement will be what to do next.  Bulls should use a trailing stop to protect recent profits.  Bears should wait a couple of days before jumping in front of this bounce.

Plan your trade; trade your plan