Decision Point®: Chart Spotlight 1/22/2010

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FINALLY A BREAKDOWN

1/22/2010

Finally A Breakdown
by Carl Swenlin
January 22, 2010

The S&P 500 has finally decisively broken down through the support formed by the rising trend line that marks the bottom of the ascending wedge formation. This was the technical expectation, but the market sure did fight it. The break has also carried the price index through the 20- and 50-EMAs. I have drawn a dashed line from the November low, parallel with the upper boundary of the wedge to suggest a possible bottom of a rising trend channel. This line is not drawn by strict technical rules, just a bit of speculation on my part.

The first obvious support is at about 1030, not a real problem; however, the next obvious support is at about 870. That would be great in terms of a substantial correction, and it would raise fear levels to the point where a good buying opportunity might appear.

The weekly-based chart of the S&P 500 shows that the PMO has topped at a very overbought level, hinting that we may be at an important top. On the positive side, the price index is holding above the long-term declining tops line.

In the short term the market is very oversold, as illustrated by the Participation Index chart below. This could represent an initiation thrust for a decline that will last a lot longer, or it could mark the end of the decline altogether. The latter does not seem likely, but it would be consistent with the market action we have observed in recent months.

Bottom Line: We have just witnessed the worst three-day decline since the March 2009 bottom. I think it is the beginning of a more substantial decline, but short-term indicators are so oversold that the next thing we will probably see is a bounce. The most important thing to watch in the medium term is for 20-EMAs to cross down through 50-EMAs. In most cases, this will change buy signals to neutral signals, except where the 50-EMA is below the 200-EMA at the time of the 20/50-EMA crossover. That would be a sell. In the event that the S&P 500 bounces high enough to exceed the January highs, I would have to assume that the presently anticipated correction has run its course.

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Technical analysis is a windsock, not a crystal ball. Be prepared to adjust your tactics and strategy if conditions change.

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2009 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#9 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (TD Index 129.36 Vs. SPX 123.45)
#8 Intermediate-Term Stocks (5 Years) (TD Index 147.81 Vs. SPX 92.01)

#18 Bond Timer (*TD Index: 87.7 Vs. Bonds 83.86)
#5 Bond Timer (10-Years) (*TD Index: 127.25 Vs. Bonds 127.51)

#9 Gold Timer (TD Index: 115.30 Vs. Gold 124.00)
#3 Gold Timer (3 Years) (TD Index: 181.56 Vs. Gold 169.92)
#3 Gold Timer (10 Years) (TD Index: 322.74 Vs. Gold 375.51)

#6 Long-Term Timer (2 Years) Stocks (TD Index 136.41 Vs. SPX 75.94)
#7 Long-Term Timer (3 Years) Stocks (TD Index 141.22 Vs. SPX 78.62)
#2 Long-Term Timer (5 Years) Stocks (TD Index 165.27 Vs. SPX 92.01)
#5 Long-Term Timer (10 Years) Stocks (TD Index 162.51 Vs. SPX 75.90)

2008 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#17 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (TD Index 111.9 Vs. SPX 61.51)

#4 Bond Timer (*TD Index: 112.32 Vs. Bonds 118.26)

#5 Gold Timer (TD Index: 126.33 Vs. Gold 104.61)

#9 Long-Term Timer (2 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 132.35 Vs. SPX 63.69)
#2 Long-Term Timer (3 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 150.38 Vs. SPX 72.36)
#2 Long-Term Timer (5 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 168.82 Vs. SPX 81.23)
#3 Long-Term Timer (10 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 159.36 Vs. SPX 73.48)

2007 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#40 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (TD Index 91.9 Vs. SPX 103.28)

#5 Bond Timer (TD Index: 105.85 Bonds 104.39)

#2 (Tied) Long-Term Timer (2 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 117.63 Vs. SPX 117.63)

2006 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#11 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (TD Index 111.3 Vs. SPX 113.6)

#3 Bond Timer (TD Index: 112.32 Vs. Bonds 97.46)

2000 TIMER DIGEST GOLD TIMER of the YEAR

*All timers and the benchmark index are assigned a starting TD Index of 100 at the beginning of the year. The amount above or below the starting index indicates the percentage gain or loss for the year.

Beginning in 2006 we began using mechanical models -- the Trend Model for Bonds, Gold, and Long-Term Stocks, and the Thrust/Trend Model for Intermediate-Term Stocks. Prior to 2006 we used discretionary signals.

Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Past performance does not indicate future results.

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BIO: Carl Swenlin is a self-taught technical analyst, who has been involved in market analysis since 1981. A pioneer in the creation of online technical resources, he is president and founder of DecisionPoint.com, a premier technical analysis website specializing in stock market indicators, charting, and focused research reports. Mr. Swenlin is a Member of the Market Technicians Association.

Caveat: Charts featured in the Chart Spotlight are intended as
examples of how to use technical analysis, not as trading recommendations.

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