NASDAQ 100 Index: Above 200 Day Moving Average

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QQQQ Overview

The NASDAQ 100 Index is traded as the Powershares ETF QQQQ.  QQQQ is up +1.69% for the week, down -7.39% for the month, down -0.33% for the year, but still up an amazing +77.16% since the March 9, 2009 market bottom. In addition, QQQQ is down -9.74% from the April 23, 2010 YTD closing high of 50.52.  QQQQ, along with the Russell 2000 ETF "IWM", are leading market indicators.  IWM and QQQQ  have led the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrials 30 upwards since the March 2009 market bottom.

QQQQ Daily Chart

Below is the QQQQ daily chart for 2010.

Noteworthy Closing Prices on Daily Chart below:

Current Close 45.60 (Higher yellow horizontal line)

YTD 4-23-10 High 50.52

YE 12-31-09 45.75

10 Month EMA 44.21 (Lower yellow horizontal line)

QQQQ: Above 200 Day Moving Average

Intermediate-Term Trend

The intermediate-term signal, the comparison of the 25 day and 50 day simple moving averages, signalled a bear market for QQQQ on Friday, May 21.  That is, the 50d sma is greater than the 25d sma. An intermediate term bull market had previously been in effect since March 15.

Resistance

The current closing price, the higher yellow horizontal line, has pulled back from the April 23 YTD high of 50.52, a -9.74% decrease.  There are now multiple levels of recent resistance above, including the late December 2009 and January 2010 peaks and topping action in the 46.00 range.  Higher above, the benchmark price of 50.00 has had a lot of price interaction as short, intermediate, and long term resistance.

Support

QQQQ is at the very early March 20010 trading area.  There are multiple levels of support below.  There is also long term support from the June through early August 2008 sideways trading range, where QQQQ is trading just above presently.  However, with the recent price volatility, support may be tenuous.

Moving Averages

QQQQ is below the 25, 50, and 100 day simple moving averages and has closed above the 200d sma for the last two trading days.  The 25d sma is now descending sharply and below the 50d sma.  The 50d and 100d sma's are descending, yet the 200d sma continues to ascend.

Uptrend Line

The yellow uptrend line, a rate of price ascent, is from the March 9. 2009 closing low of 25.74 up through the February 4, 2010 closing low of 42.62. The February 4 closing low was the bottom of the previous 2010 pullback. QQQQ plunged downwards through this uptrend line on Flash Crash Thursday, May 7.  QQQQ has now remained below since Friday, May 14. 

Downtrend Line

The yellow downtrend line, a rate of price descent, is from the October 31, 2007 peak closing high of 55.03 down through the April 23, 2010 closing high of 50.52, the peak YTD closing high so far. QQQQ has remained below this downtrend line.

Long Term Downtrend Line

The lavender downtrend line, a rate of price descent, is from the March 27, 2000 all-time adjusted closing high of 114.30.  QQQQ has remained below this downtrend line.

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

RSI 14 day = 37.49 is marginally oversold, but higher than the recent 27.99 low on May 7

RSI 28 day = 39.66 is marginally oversold, but higher than the recent 35.33 low on May 25

The RSIs indicate marginally oversold conditions.

MACD (12,26,9)

The MACD has been bearish since April 27 but is uptrending.

Long-Term Trend

The lower yellow horizontal line is the 10 month exponential moving average from the monthly chart, which I have overlayed on this daily chart. That is the line in the sand, so to speak, for the long term signal of a bear market. QQQQ has been able to stay above this signal at the current close, the higher yellow horizontal line.

Conclusion

QQQQ set a 2010 YTD high on April 23 and then was pulled down by the overall market downdraft.  The overall market has been volatile, so high beta QQQQ is bouncing up and down accordingly.  The technology sector Q1 revenues, earnings, and outlook have been very good.   I remain bullish on QQQQ in 2010 and still predict there will be more 2010 YTD highs.  The RSI 14d & 28d indicate marginally oversold conditions.  The MACD is bearish as a result of the general market pullback. The intermediate-term trend is now bearish and the long-term trend remains tenuously bullish.

Economic and Market Commentary

For a review of the general fundamentals of the USA and Global economies, click here.  For a review of Nouriel Roubini's summary of the EU Crisis, click here.

QQQQ ETF Portfolio Holdings

The NASDAQ 100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international nonfinancial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. The QQQQ will, under most circumstances consist of all the stocks in the Index.  The QQQQ portfolio is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted annually.. The Powershares QQQQ portfolio holdings are here.  QQQQ is heavily weighted to the Information Technology sector (62.94%), then Consumer Discretionary (15.16%), then Health Care (14.87%).  Those 3 sectors comprise 92.97% of the entire portfolio.  Therefore, the QQQQ is a tech weighted, nonfinancial Index and related ETF.  Also, Apple Inc., AAPL, is the most heavily weighted stock in QQQQ at 19.10% and is reviewed in detail here.

Disclosure

We are long AAPL which is in the QQQQ portfolio, but do not have any long or short position in QQQQ stock.

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NASDAQ 100 Index: -11.24% Below 2010 High

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QQQQ Overview

The NASDAQ 100 Index is traded as the Powershares ETF QQQQ.  QQQQ is down -4.45% for the week, down -8.94% for the month, down -1.94% for the year, but still up an amazing +74.34% since the March 9, 2009 market bottom. In addition, QQQQ is down -11.24% from the April 23, 2010 YTD closing high of 5.52.  QQQQ, along with the Russell 2000 ETF "IWM", are leading market indicators.  IWM and QQQQ  have led the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrials 30 upwards since the March 2009 market bottom.

QQQQ Daily Chart

Below is the QQQQ daily chart for 2010.

Noteworthy Closing Prices on Daily Chart below:

Current Close 44.84 (Higher yellow horizontal line)

YTD 4-23-10 High 50.52

YE 12-31-09 45.75

10 Month EMA 44.07 (Lower yellow horizontal line)

QQQQ: Down -11.24% Below 2010 High

Intermediate-Term Trend

The intermediate-term signal, the comparison of the 25 day and 50 day simple moving averages, signalled a bear market for QQQQ on Friday, May 21.  That is, the 50d sma is greater than the 25d sma. An intermediate term bull market had previously been in effect since March 15.

Resistance

The current closing price, the higher yellow horizontal line, has pulled back from the April 23 YTD high of 50.52, a -11.24% decrease.  There are now multiple levels of recent resistance above, including the late December 2009 and January 2010 peak.  The benchmark price of 50.00 has had a lot of price interaction as short, intermediate, and long term resistance.

Support

QQQQ is at the small peak of February 18 and 10 which were 44.85 and 44.83, respectively.  There are multiple levels of support below.  There is also long term support from the July and early August 2008 sideways trading range, QQQQ is trading presently.  However, with the recent price volatility, support may be tenuous.

Moving Averages

QQQQ is below the 25, 50, and 100 day simple moving averages and closed just above the 200d sma on Friday, May 21, after closing below the previous day.   The 25d sma is now descending and below the 50d sma.  The 50d and 100d sma's are descending and the 200d sma has almost leveled off.  QQQQ had remained above the 200d  sma since May 18, 2009 until the one day breakdown on Thursday, May 20, 2010.

Uptrend Line

The yellow uptrend line, a rate of price ascent, is from the March 9. 2009 closing low of 25.74 up through the February 4, 2010 closing low of 42.62. The February 4 closing low was the bottom of the previous 2010 pullback. QQQQ plunged downwards through this uptrend line on Flash Crash Thursday, May 7.  QQQQ has now remained below since Friday, May 14. 

Downtrend Line

The yellow downtrend line, a rate of price descent, is from the October 31, 2007 peak closing high of 55.03 down through the April 23, 2010 closing high of 50.52, the peak YTD closing high so far. QQQQ is below this downtrend line.

Long Term Downtrend Line

The lavender downtrend line, a rate of price descent, is from the March 27, 2000 all-time adjusted closing high of 114.30.  QQQQ is below this downtrend line.

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

RSI 14 day = 30.26 is oversold, but higher than the recent 27.99 low on May 7

RSI 28 day = 38.27 is oversold, just higher than the recent 37.49 low on May 20

The RSIs indicate marginally oversold conditions.

MACD (12,26,9)

The MACD has been bearish since April 27 and is downtrending.

Long-Term Trend

The lower yellow horizontal line is the 10 month exponential moving average from the monthly chart, which I have overlayed on this daily chart. That is the line in the sand, so to speak, for the long term signal of a bear market. QQQQ is just above this signal at the current close, the higher yellow horizontal line.

Conclusion

QQQQ set a 2010 YTD high on April 23 and then was pulled down by the overall market downdraft.  The overall market has been volatile, so high beta QQQQ is bouncing up and down accordingly.  The technology sector Q1 revenues, earnings, and outlook have been very good.   I remain bullish on QQQQ in 2010 and still predict there will be more 2010 YTD highs.  The RSI 14d & 28d indicate marginally oversold conditions.  The MACD is bearish as a result of the general market pullback. The intermediate-term trend is now bearish and the long-term trend remains tenuously bullish.

Economic and Market Commentary

For a review of the general fundamentals of the USA and Global economies, click here.  For a review of Nouriel Roubini's summary of the EU Crisis, click here.

QQQQ ETF Portfolio Holdings

The NASDAQ 100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international nonfinancial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. The QQQQ will, under most circumstances consist of all the stocks in the Index.  The QQQQ portfolio is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted annually.. The Powershares QQQQ portfolio holdings are here.  QQQQ is heavily weighted to the Information Technology sector (62.56%), then Health Care (15.30%), then Consumer Discretionary (15.10%).  Those 3 sectors comprise 92.96% of the entire portfolio.  Therefore, the QQQQ is a tech weighted, nonfinancial Index and related ETF.  Also, Apple Inc., AAPL, is the most heavily weighted stock in QQQQ at 18.27% and is reviewed in detail here.

Disclosure

We are long AAPL which is in the QQQQ portfolio, but do not have any long or short position in QQQQ stock.

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NASDAQ 100 Index: -7.11% Below Year-To-Date High

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QQQQ Overview

The NASDAQ 100 Index is traded as the Powershares ETF QQQQ.  QQQQ is up +3.35% for the week, down -4.69% for the month, up +2.58% for the year, and still up an amazing +82.32% since the March 9, 2009 market bottom. QQQQ, along with the Russell 2000 ETF "IWM", are leading market indicators.  IWM and QQQQ  have led the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrials 30 upwards since the March 2009 market bottom.

QQQQ Daily Chart

Below is the QQQQ daily chart for 2010.

Noteworthy Closing Prices on Daily Chart below:

Current Close 46.93 (Higher yellow horizontal line)

YTD 4-23-10 High 50.52

YE 12-31-09 45.75

10 Month EMA 44.45 (Lower yellow horizontal line)

QQQQ: -7.1% Below YTD High

Intermediate-Term Trend

The intermediate-term signal, the comparison of the 25 day and 50 day simple moving averages, signalled a bull market for QQQQ on March 15, which is still intact. That is, the 25d sma is greater than the 50d sma.

Resistance

The current closing price of 46.93, the higher yellow horizontal line, has pulled back from the April 23 YTD high of 50.52, a -7.11% or -3.59 decline.  There are multiple levels of recent resistance above..  The benchmark price of 50.00 has had a lot of price interaction as short, intermediate, and long term resistance.

Support

There are multiple levels of support below, and there appears to be some recent support from November and December 2009 from about 22.22 to 22.42.  There is also long-term support from the August, 2008 price peaking and decline, where QQQQ is trading presently.  However, with the recent price volatility, support may be tenuous.

Moving Averages

QQQQ is below the 25 day and 50 day simple moving averages and closed just above the 100d sma on Friday, May 14.  The 25d sma is now descending, even though the other sma's are still ascending.  QQQQ has remained above the 200d  sma since May 18, 2009.

Uptrend Line

The yellow uptrend line, a rate of price ascent, is from the March 9. 2009 closing low of 25.74 up through the February 4, 2010 closing low of 42.62. The February 4 closing low was the bottom of the previous 2010 pullback. QQQQ plunged downwards through this uptrend line on Flash Crash Thursday, May 7.  QQQQ closed below yet again on Friday, May 14. 

Downtrend Line

The yellow downtrend line, a rate of price descent, is from the October 31, 2007 peak closing high of 55.03 down through the April 23, 2010 closing high of 50.52, the peak YTD closing high so far. QQQQ is below this downtrend line.

Long Term Downtrend Line

The lavender downtrend line, a rate of price descent, is from the March 27, 2000 all-time adjusted closing high of 114.30.  QQQQ is below this downtrend line.

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

RSI 14 day = 36.78 is oversold, but higher than the 27.99 low on May 7

RSI 28 day = 44.50 is leaning oversold, but higher than the 38.74 low on May 7

The RSIs indicate marginally oversold conditions.

MACD (12,26,9)

The MACD has been bearish since April 27, but is uptrending.

Long-Term Trend

The lower yellow horizontal line is the 10 month exponential moving average from the monthly chart, which I have overlayed on this daily chart. That is the line in the sand, so to speak, for the long term signal of a bear market. QQQQ is above this signal at the current close, the higher yellow horizontal line.

Conclusion

QQQQ set a 2010 YTD high on April 23 and then was pulled down by the overall market downdraft.  The overall market has been volatile, so high beta QQQQ is bouncing up and down accordingly.  The technology sector Q1 revenues, earnings, and outlook have been very good.   I remain bullish on QQQQ in 2010 and still predict there will be more 2010 YTD highs.  The RSI 14d & 28d indicate marginally oversold conditions.  The MACD is bearish as a result of the general market pullback. The intermediate-term trend and long-term trend remain bullish.

QQQQ ETF Portfolio Holdings

The NASDAQ 100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international nonfinancial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. The QQQQ will, under most circumstances consist of all the stocks in the Index.  The QQQQ portfolio is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted annually.. The Powershares QQQQ portfolio holdings are here.  QQQQ is heavily weighted to the Information Technology sector (62.70%), then Health Care (15.22%), then Consumer Discretionary (15.02%).  Those 3 sectors comprise 92.94% of the entire portfolio.  Therefore, the QQQQ is a tech weighted, nonfinancial Index and related ETF.  Also, Apple Inc., AAPL, is the most heavily weighted stock in QQQQ at 18.29% and is reviewed in detail here.

Disclosure

We are long AAPL which is in the QQQQ portfolio, but do not have any long or short position in QQQQ stock.

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S&P Technology Sector: XLK Update

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XLK Overview

XLK is up +3.91% for the week, down -3.38% for the month, down -1.44% for the year, and up +70.95% since the March 9, 2009 market bottom. XLK has been lagging other sectors and the major indexes this year, and declined on this most recent market pullback, including Flash Crash Thursday May 6 . The XLK is a general technology ETF designed to represent the technology sector of the S&P 500, which is approximately 21.47% of the S&P 500. This ETF also includes the S&P telecommunications sector, which is merged into this technology sector. See the XLK Technology portfolio holdings here. This is a very liquid ETF.

IYW Technology ETF

IYW is up +4.76% for the week, down +3.21% for the month, up +0.19% for the year, and up +86.87% since the March 9, 2009 market bottom. Overall, IYW has outperformed XLK. The iShares Dow Jones Technology Index ETF portfolio holdings are here. I like this ETF, but the 50 day average daily volume is about 390K+, compared to XLK of 10M shares. IYW trades similar to XLK.

XLK Daily Chart

Below is the XLK daily chart for 2010.

Noteworthy Closing Prices on Daily Chart below:

Current Close 22.60 (Highest yellow horizontal line)
YTD 4-23-10 High 24.08

YE 12-31-09 22.93

10 Month EMA 21.68 (Lowest yellow horizontal line)

XLK: Great Q1 Tech Revenues, Earnings, Outlook - So What?

Intermediate-Term Trend

The intermediate-term signal, the comparison of the 25 day and 50 day simple moving averages, signalled a bull market for the XLK on Thursday, March 18, which is still intact. That is, the 25d sma is greater than the 50d sma.

Resistance

The current closing price, the higher yellow horizontal line, has pulled back dramatically.  There are multiple levels of resistance above..  The benchmark prices of 23.00 and 24.00 have a lot of price interaction as short, intermediate, and long term resistance.

Support

There are multiple levels of support below, and there appears to be some recent support from November and December 2009 from about 22.22 to 22.42.  There is also long-term support from the July and August, 2008 price area, where XLK is trading currently.  However, with the recent price volatility, support may be tenuous.

Moving Averages

XLK plunged through the 25d, 50d, and 100d simple moving averages last week and bounced upwards just as the 200d sma was almost reached on Friday.  XLK has remained above the 200d  sma since May 22, 2009.  The 100d sma was briefly regained then lost on Tuesday.  At this point XLK remains below the 25d, 50d, and 100d sma's, which reveals price weakness.

Uptrend Line

The uptrend line, a rate of price ascent, is from the March 9. 2009 closing low of 13.22 up through the February 4, 2010 closing low of 20.86. The February 4 closing low was the bottom of the previous 2010 pullback. XLK descend to this uptrend line on Wednesday, May 6 and then plunged downwards through on Flash Crash Thursday, May 7.  XLK has yet to regain this trendline.

Downtrend Line

The downtrend line, a rate of price descent, is from the October 31, 2007 all-time closing high of 28.40 down through the April 23, 2010 closing high of 24.08, the peak YTD closing high so far. XLK is below this downtrend line.

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

RSI 14 day = 36.01 is oversold, but higher than the 23.91 low on May 7

RSI 28 day = 46.22 is reasonable, but higher than the 38.31 low on May 7

The RSIs indicate marginally oversold conditions.

MACD (12,26,9)

The MACD has been bearish since April 27.

Long-Term Trend

The lowest yellow horizontal line is the 10 month exponential moving average from the monthly chart, which I have overlayed on this daily chart. That is the line in the sand, so to speak, for the long term signal of a bear market. The XLK is above this signal at the current close, the highest yellow horizontal line.

Conclusion

XLK set a 2010 YTD high on April 23 and then was pulled down by the overall market downdraft.  A lot of the tech earnings were priced in advance of this current earnings season and expectations have been high.  The technology sector Q1 revenues, earnings, and outlook have been very good.   I remain bullish on XLK in 2010 and still predict there will be more 2010 YTD highs.  The RSI 14d & 28d indicate marginally oversold conditions.  The MACD is bearish as a result of the general market pullback. The intermediate-term trend and long-term trend remain bullish.

Disclosure

We are long AAPL and CRM which are in the XLK portfolio, but do not have any long or short position in XLK stock.

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