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S&P 500 index technical outlook: key barrier broken

The S&P 500 has broken above key resistance; the break implies that the short-term trend remains up and what is the outlook and what are the signposts to watch?

Source: Bloomberg

S&P 500 technical outlook – neutral

Thursday’s jump in the S&P 500 index confirms that the short-term trend remains up. The index hit a new two-month high, keeping the higher-highs-higher-lows pattern remains intact. This is a reassertion that the month-long uptrend has not changed.
The sharpest rally in two years negated a potential crack in the rise that developed earlier this week after the index posted a lower high.

However, as this column noted yesterday, the US benchmark index continues to hold within a rising channel and – on its own – a lower peak wouldn’t necessarily imply bearishness. Prices rebounded from near quite-strong support on the lower edge of the channel, coinciding with the 200-hour moving average.

S&P 500 hourly chart

Source: TradingView

The S&P 500 index has broken above key resistance at the early-November high of 3912, opening the way toward the 200-day moving average (now at 4083). This hurdle will be tough to cross, at least in the first attempt. That’s because corrective rallies this year have terminated around converged moving average resistance: the 89-day moving average and the 200-day moving average (see chart).

For now, the short-term trend remains up.

Beyond the immediate term, momentum on longer-term charts hasn’t turned up yet. A sustained rebound could correct some of the weakness on higher timeframe charts.

For this, the index needs to break a series of resistance levels, that is, keeping the higher-highs-higher-lows pattern in place. In this regard, a break above the 200-day moving average could be the first sign that medium-term bearishness is reversing. Subsequent resistance is at the August high of 4325.

On the downside, the index needs to hold above key support at the early-November low of 3698 if the month-long uptrend must hold.

S&P 500 daily chart

Source: TradingView

This information has been prepared by DailyFX, the partner site of IG offering leading forex news and analysis. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.


This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
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