There were 7 new highs and 162 new lows in my universe of 4,000 stocks on Thursday. Only two of the stocks on my IBD100 lists hit a new high on Thursday: SXCI and HMSY. But the QQQQ was strong, and now 67% of the Nasdaq100 stocks closed above their 30 day averages, the most since January 9th. The GMI remains at one and the GMI-R at four. I do not know how long this up-trend will last but it pays to watch it closely. I have a very small position in QLD, the Ultra long QQQQ ETF, and will add to it if the trend continues. If the QQQQ up-trend fails, I will be stopped out with a small loss. The key is to keep doing this until I catch a real up-trend. I have learned from other bear market bottoms that when I give up in disgust, I miss the real turn.
ETF
New QQQQ short term up-tend? IBD100 stocks at new highs
The Nasdaq 100 Index, as measured by the ETF, QQQQ, looks as if it started a new short term up-trend. However, with the key moving averages being flat, I don’t trust these signals yet. But I remain vigilant for signs of a turn. There were 9 new highs and 107 new lows in my universe of 4,000 stocks on Wednesday. Interestingly, 60% of the Nasdaq 100 now have their MACD close above its signal line, the most since January 9th. A rise of the MACD above its signal line often occurs before a trend turns up. Four stocks at new highs were on my IBD100 lists: HMSY,MYGN,SXCI and CEPH. These stocks should be watched for possible leadership in a sustained rally. Meanwhile, the GMI and GMI-R increased on Wednesday. I prefer the GMI to be above 3 before I take large long positions. I remain mainly in cash.
All indicators negative; 12th day of QQQQ short term down-trend
All of my indicators have turned negative again and I am back to cash. I have considered buying some QID, but with my short term moving averages being flat, I will probably get repeatedly whipsawed as the indexes move above and below their averages. However, at some point a real tradable trend will develop. There were 3 new highs and 138 new lows in my universe of 4,000 stocks on Friday. Only 30% of the Nasdaq 100 stocks closed above their 30 day averages and the QQQQ just completed the 12th day of its short term down-trend.
One of the GMI’s components tracks the percentage of “successful” stocks that hit a new high 10 days ago that closed higher today than they closed 10 days ago. It is a useful indicator to see if break-out stocks are continuing to advance. This indicator has been negative since late October, largely because we rarely saw the required 20 new highs in a day. You can see this indicator is still negative in the GMI table below….