The major indexes (S&P500, Dow Jones & Nasdaq) break above the 200-sma on lower volume.

So far, half way through earnings season, roughly 78% of the S&P 500’s companies have beaten their earnings estimates. Two out of three companies have beaten sales estimates.

Raymond James strategiest, Jeff Saut noted “The July Jump has had another endearing feature in that the three consecutive 100-point “up days” in the D-J Industrial Average (DJIA/10465.94) catapulted the Dow above its June closing high of 10450.64 last Monday. Simultaneously, the D-J Transportation Average (DJTA/4422.94) closed above its June high of 4433.60, thus registering a Dow Theory “buy signal,” at least as I interpret Dow Theory. Ladies and gentlemen, a same day confirmation from both averages is a rare event and suggests a fairly powerful “up move” is underway. That said, Dow Theory signals often come after a significant rally (or decline) has already taken place and hence has expended a lot of energy.

Also worth noting is that a number of other Dow Theorists opine an upside signal has not yet been registered. They need a close above the Dow’s April 23rd price of 11204.28, with a confirmation by the Transports above its May 3rd closing high of 4806.01, for a Dow Theory “buy signal” to be rendered. Alas, “listening” to the market is an art, not a science, and Dow Theory is interpreted differently by many practitioners. Nevertheless, by my pencil a “buy signal” has been registered and I am a buyer on weakness with fairly close stop-loss points to manage the risk.

Also noted by Lowry ‘s research “In summary, as the major price indexes have moved sideways since the May 25th low, market conditions have showed clear signs of strengthening, not weakening. While overbought readings on short-term indicators suggest the potential for a near-term pullback, any decline should act only as a temporary setback in the rally from the July 2nd low and is unlikely to represent the next leg of a more prolonged move lower.”

Below are the charts of the S&P500, Dow Jones & Nasdaq.

Every mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied — Pearl Buck

We have changed our market outlook from bullish to cautious for a number of reasons:

The major indexes were rejected at the 50-SMA resistance. As of today’s close, all three indexes (S&P500, Dow Jones & NASDAQ) all closed at May & June ‘s lows.

In particular, the S&P500 drops to fourth test of 1,040 support; If the S&P500 breaks support at 1,040, it may follow to the 1,007 area, matching a 38% retracement of the rally from the 2009 low; Also, the Dow Jones must hold support at 9,818; A break below this level will trigger the “sell signal” according to the Dow Theory where the primary trend is now down!
Below is a chart of the S&P500 courtesy from Reuters.

Furthermore, the S&P500 & Dow Jones are showing an ominous head-and-shoulder pattern & potential “death-cross” where the 50-sma crosses below the 200-sma.

An interesting article from Jeff Saut, Investment Strategist from Raymond James “suggested the equity markets were likely going to be in a trading range pattern similar to the 1966 – 1982 affair. Clearly, that is what has occurred over the last 10 years. Most recently, the 54% slide from The Dow’s October 2007 peak into its March 2009 low has been followed by a 70%+ rally that ended in April of this year. Subsequently, the senior index experienced it first double-digit decline since the March 2009 bottom, ushering in cries of “the bear market rally is over!” To me, however, all that’s transpired is another decline within the context of the broad trading range the Dow has been in since the turn of the century“; Below is a chart from Jeff Saut showing 13 rallies/declines of more than 20% from 1966 – 1982.

Below are the charts for the DJIA, SPX & NASDAQ.

SPX — prior support at 1,040

DJIA — prior support at 9,760

We are flipping bullish and starting to nibble on the long side. Multiple bullish indicators are in-play.

1. Bearish Magazine cover — Bloomberg magazine cover

2. Put/Call Ration approaching extreme — investors display extreme fear by purchasing protection at/near short-term extreme. Here is the link to Barron’s article for more details
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As expected, the EU/IMF approved Greece’s bailout package to the tune of over $140 billion. However, the problem now has spread to Portugal & Spain as costs to insure Portugal & Spain spiked upward.

The New York Times posted a nice chart detailing the contagion with the PIIGS countries.

AN — Autonation (Car Sales)

MWW — Monster Worldwide (Temp Agency)