Let the Melt-Up Begin

S&P500 daily at end of day

End of Day Update:

The S&P500 finished the week on a positive note. While Friday’s gain was less than 0.1%, it was enough to set another record close. We’re only up 0.3% for the week, but it was impressive because it includes recovering from Tuesday’s test of the 50dma.

A couple of months ago we had a right to be concerned when the market failed to extend a breakout to record highs, and these thoughts were justified as we watched prices retreat from the highs in following sessions. But like everything in this game, sometimes a certain behavior means one thing, while under different circumstances it tells us the exact opposite. This time around, pausing at 2,120 actually feels productive. We saw early distribution, but it was fairly muted and we recovered into the green by the close. Obviously demand remains weak near widely recognized resistance, but we climbed this high because most owners are confidently holding for higher prices. And at least to this point, tight supply trumps weak demand.

The interesting opportunity for bulls comes as we close in on the tipping point where reactive buying will boost demand for stocks. When the widely expected correction instead turns into a breakout, it forces pessimists to decide between buying in or being left behind. And that’s how melt-ups start.

Seeing the market pause, or even pull back modestly here is constructive. What we don’t want is a retest the 50dma so soon after bouncing off of it. Keep holding for higher prices as long as we stay above 2,100. On the other side, be wary of a sharp move higher next week since that signals buying capitulation and leads to exhaustion.

Jani

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