“Demystifying the world of Classical Charting”
– AKSEL KIBAR
Richard W. Schabacker discussed the importance of chart patterns in the averages, in his book Technical Analysis and Stock Market Profits. He concluded that if many individual issues were to make strong Head and Shoulders formations at exactly the same time, the average chart would, obviously, show a similar Head and Shoulders. However, since the many different stocks do not, as a rule, make their ‘‘peaks and valleys’’ on precisely the same days, the average chart is likely to show a less specialized and distinct pattern. We should, for this reason, expect the averages to show Common or Rounding Turns more often than do the charts of individual issues at times of important reversals.
Most stocks sooner or later will follow the major swings of the market. Individual stocks in a sector or industry group might form similar chart patterns due to economic cycles or sector rotation. These individual stocks can be affected by other factors such as commodity prices.
One should stay alert and start anticipating a major shift in the direction of the trend after finding similar chart patterns developing in a specific sector or industry group. It is important to note that these chart patterns are usually well-defined on the individual stocks when compared with the chart patterns on the averages.
The video tutorial discusses what can be next for the European banks by giving examples from the two major trading themes in energy sector equities and mining companies. Read MoreIt has been a strong week for equities in emerging Asia and also a strong start for the month of May. South Korea KOSPI index is breaking out to all-time highs by clearing its 6 year-long horizontal resistance at 2,210 levels. The index possibly formed a multi-year long bullish ascending triangle. A strong monthly close will signal positive performance for the coming months. The ascending triangle chart pattern price target stands at 2,750 levels. Emerging Asia is a big component in the MSCI Emerging Markets index. As of May 11, 2017 the top 3 counties in the index are China (26.92%), S.Korea (15.34%) and Taiwan (12.20%).
While the local currency stock market index South Korea KOSPI is breaking out to all-time highs, the U.S. Dollar denominated MSCI S.KOREA price index is few percentage points away from reaching new all-time high levels. The price action is clearly positive. The 9 year-long downward sloping trend line is standing at 460 levels. MSCI S.KOREA index is trying to break out of its multi-year sideways consolidation range.
All eyes will be on the French election this weekend. The two candidates will face off in the second round on May 7. European equities have been strong since the first round election results. Two benchmark indices on Euro Stoxx 50 and Euro Stoxx 600 can put the European equity performance into perspective. Both charts show that uptrends have been intact for some time. Euro Stoxx 50 index broke out of its multi-month base in December 2016 and now very close to reaching its possible price target around 3,285 levels. The price target for the Euro Stoxx 50 Index is calculated by taking the width of the multi-month consolidation and adding it to the breakout point. 3,285-3,300 area is also the upper boundary of the parallel trend channel. On the other hand Euro Stoxx 600 Index is very close to its multi-year strong horizontal resistance at 400 levels. Both indices will face strong technical resistance in the following trading days/weeks. Performance around these strong technical resistance will shed more light on the long-term direction of the European equity performance.
The first round of the 2017 French presidential election was held on 23 April 2017. As no candidate won a majority, a run-off election between the top two candidates, Emmanuel Macron of En Marche! and Marine Le Pen of the National Front (FN), will be held on 7 May 2017. Global equity markets reacted positively after centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of the weekend’s French presidential election. European equities have been performing poorly since the beginning of the global financial crash in 2008. Any positive political and economic development is likely to help European equities to catch up in the relative performance. Though, European equities might need more catalyst than an election result to reverse long-term relationships.
Two charts below show the massive under performance of the European equities vs. the U.S. equities over the past 9 years. Both the relative performance ratio between MSCI EUROPE vs. MSCI U.S. and EUROSTOXX 600 Index vs. S&P 500 Index shows a multi-year downtrend. This long-term relationship is something that we should keep a close eye on, as any major turnaround in European indices performance will result in more breakout opportunities in the European equities.
Relative performance ratio between the two indices is converted into an index to better visualize the change in value in percentage terms. 1.00 is an index value of 100. 0.42 is an index value of 42. The chart shows the index losing more than half of its value from the highest level in 2008. In other words MSCI EUROPE underperformed MSCI USA by 58% over the past 9 years. Data used for MSCI EUROPE and MSCI USA are price index in U.S. Dollar.
Dear Tech Charts followers,
The Tech Charts blog started back in 2011 as a platform to share ideas and connect with like-minded analysts and traders from around the world. And writing publicly about the markets has kept me motivated, structured, and focused on my technical analysis and trading.
In recent years, more and more traders and investors have gained access to global equity markets through either ETFs or directly via their broker accounts. This expanded access has allowed me to multiply my search for classical charting opportunities in the global equity space.
It was a mixed week for Global equity market performance due to each countries own political and geopolitical developments. However, the benchmark for Global equities, the MSCI ALL COUNTRY WORLD INDEX still shows a clear uptrend. MSCI ALL COUNTRIES WORLD INDEX captures large and mid cap representation across 23 Developed Markets and 23 Emerging Markets countries. With 2,481 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the global investable equity opportunity set. iShares has an MSCI ACWI ETF that seeks to track the MSCI ALL COUNTRIES WORLD INDEX. The ETF is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
Since the beginning of 2016, MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI.O) is in a clear uptrend. Over the past two months the price has been challenging the resistance at 63 levels. The continuation of the uptrend will depend on the strength around this resistance level.
Last one month's price action can be identified as a possible pennant formation. Pennants are short-term continuation patterns that mark a small consolidation before the previous move resumes. Pennants, which are similar to flags in terms of structure, have converging trendlines during their consolidation period and they last from one to three weeks. Breakout above 63 levels can renew upside momentum both on daily and weekly scale. Strong support area remains between 62 and 62.5.
This week there are 3 new chart pattern breakout signals.
Up trends are still intact on the financial stocks in the U.S. A quick look at U.S. banking stocks can help us put things into perspective on the medium/long-term charts. This update reviews 6 different U.S. commercial banks. As you go through the charts of these commerical banking stocks you will find similar technical outlook as outlined below.
A relatively short but eventful trading week is behind us. Volatility increased due to geopolitical tensions. Equity indices came under pressure with bonds moving higher. There were 4 new chart pattern breakout signals during the week. Irrespective of general market direction, I try to feature those breakouts and breakdowns from well-defined trading ranges as they develop.
Over the past 5 months, the VIX consolidated between 10 and 15 levels. Price tested the horizontal resistance at 14.75 for 3 times over the course of the 5 month-long consolidation. Since the beginning of April, volatility index has been inching higher towards the strong resistance. The daily close above 15.15 levels completed the 5 month-long consolidation. Our focus is now on two important levels. First one is 14.75, that will act as support during any possible pullback. Failure to hold above 14.75 will put the interpretation of higher levels into question. Second one is the chart pattern price target at 19 levels. Price target is calculated by taking the width of the 5 month-long consolidation and adding it to the breakout level.
Strong technical support & resistance levels are formed after consecutive tests of the same price level. Support/resistance areas show the battle between the buyers and the sellers. The strong resistance for the CBOE VOLATILITY INDEX (VIX) stands at 14.75 levels. Over the past 5 months, the VIX consolidated between 10 and 15 levels. Price tested the horizontal resistance at 14.75 for 3 times over the course of the 5 month-long consolidation. Since the beginning of April, volatility index has been inching higher towards the strong resistance. A daily close above 15.15 levels can complete the 5 month-long consolidation and result in a spike in volatility. A spike in volatility can put downward pressure on global equity indices. This chart should be on your radar in the coming weeks.
Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holdings Corp. is a Hong Kong-based investment holding company principally engaged in the production and sales of instant noodles, beverages and instant food products. The stock is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Price chart formed a 15 month-long H&S bottom with the right shoulder in the form of a 6 month-long rectangle. The neckline of the H&S bottom standing as a resistance at 9.85 has been tested for 4 times over the past year. The daily close above 10.15 confirmed the breakout from the multi-month base formation. 9.85 levels will now become support. Possible chart pattern price target stands at 13.15 levels.