Breadth Still Healthy

There really isn’t anything significant happening in market internals lately. From all appearances the market wants to go higher, but probably needs to consolidate a bit before another rally. If the market dips keep an eye on breadth to see if anything changes from bullish to bearish for early warning of a significant decline. Here’s an update of some of the breadth measures I follow. They all have healthy readings, but with a few nuances.

The NYSE Advance / Decline line (NYAD) is confirming the recent move to new highs. This is the most healthy sign of breadth I’m watching.

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Breadth between the most bullish stocks on Twitter and StockTwits and the most bearish stocks is also showing readings that are consistent with a bullish trend. However, it is now at levels that have often preceded a short term decline.

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The bullish percent index (BPSPX) has historically strong readings above 60%, but is down from the giddy readings during the rally in 2013. The highs over the past six months are being contained by the lows of 2013. I consider the current reading closer to “normal” than the 2013 prints.

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The percent of stocks in the S&P 500 Index above their 200 day moving average (SPX200) has been making lower highs since July of 2014. Like BPSPX this indicator is coming down from extreme highs into a more normal range.

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Bottom line, breadth is healthy, but the market may need a rest before continuing higher. Watch breadth to feel confident any decline will be contained.

Disclosure: None.

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