GLOBAL EQUITY MARKETS – May 20, 2017
The Russell 2000 Index is the recognized benchmark measuring the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000 Index is a subset of the Russell 3000 Index, representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes 2000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of market cap and current index membership. The index is maintained by FTSE Russell, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group. The Russell 2000 is by far the most common benchmark for mutual funds that identify themselves as "small-cap", while the S&P 500 index is used primarily for large capitalization stocks.
RUSSELL 2000 INDEX (.RUT)
Since the beginning of 2017, the small-cap segment of the U.S. equities had a volatile price action. The swings on the Russell 2000 index possibly formed a very rare chart pattern called a Broadening Top. Richard W. Schabacker in his book Technical Analysis and Stock Market Profits explains the Broadening Top chart pattern as below:
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GLOBAL EQUITY MARKETS – May 13, 2017
It 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.




