{"id":5869,"date":"2017-11-14T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-14T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/market-minute\/the-bulls-should-have-nothing-to-worry-about\/"},"modified":"2017-11-14T07:30:00","modified_gmt":"2017-11-14T07:30:00","slug":"the-bulls-should-have-nothing-to-worry-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/the-bulls-should-have-nothing-to-worry-about\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bulls Should Have Nothing to Worry About"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>By itself, the daily chart of the S&amp;P 500 looks just fine. It shows a steady uptrend. There are no big moves in either direction. It\u2019s just a slow, grinding move higher \u2013 week after week, month after month.<\/p>\n<p>The bulls are firmly in control. And even when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/how-to-read-the-stock-markets-crystal-ball\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the stock market\u2019s \u201ccrystal ball\u201d<\/a> warns of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/another-crystal-ball-warning-sign\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">an impending decline<\/a>, the selling pressure is limited to just a few hours. Then the index gets back to marching higher.<\/p>\n<p>Take a look\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/assets.jeffclarktrader.com\/ee-assets\/channels\/articles\/Screen_Shot_2017-11-14_at_10.36.39.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s absolutely nothing wrong here. This chart is a picture of higher highs and higher lows. That\u2019s bullish. And, since we\u2019re in a seasonally strong period for stock prices, the bulls should have nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n<p>EXCEPT\u2026 (oh, come on, you knew that was coming)\u2026<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a whole bunch of other charts that don\u2019t look quite so bullish. For example, here\u2019s a chart of the Russell 2000 Index\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/assets.jeffclarktrader.com\/ee-assets\/channels\/articles\/Screen_Shot_2017-11-14_at_10.51.40.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While the S&amp;P 500 has been marching higher, the Russell 2000 has been declining.<\/p>\n<p>So has the Value Line Geometric Index\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/assets.jeffclarktrader.com\/ee-assets\/channels\/articles\/Screen_Shot_2017-11-14_at_10.52.20.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And it\u2019s not just the broader-based indexes that are diverging from the S&amp;P. Key sectors are trading lower, too.<\/p>\n<p>Look at the Dow Jones Transportation Average\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/assets.jeffclarktrader.com\/ee-assets\/channels\/articles\/Screen_Shot_2017-11-14_at_10.54.15.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u2026the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF)\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/assets.jeffclarktrader.com\/ee-assets\/channels\/articles\/Screen_Shot_2017-11-14_at_10.55.03.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u2026and the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB)\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/assets.jeffclarktrader.com\/ee-assets\/channels\/articles\/Screen_Shot_2017-11-14_at_10.55.59.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Of course, we also have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/a-big-caution-sign-for-stocks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the recent breakdown<\/a> in the iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond Fund (HYG), too\u2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/assets.jeffclarktrader.com\/ee-assets\/channels\/articles\/Screen_Shot_2017-11-14_at_10.56.58.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s rare for the action in so many sectors of the stock market to diverge so drastically with the action in the S&amp;P 500. At some point, either the strength in the S&amp;P is going to help turn all of these other sectors around and lead to a remarkable year-end rally\u2026 or, the weakness in all the other sectors is going to pull the S&amp;P lower and stocks will suffer a significant correction.<\/p>\n<p>It seems to me the odds favor a correction. But it\u2019s hard to bet that way until the price action on the S&amp;P 500 turns lower.<\/p>\n<p>Keep an eye on the 2566 level on the S&amp;P 500. That was last week\u2019s low. If the index breaks below that level without moving to new highs first, then we\u2019ll have a lower high and a lower low in place.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s a downtrend, and it will likely signal the elusive correction is underway.<\/p>\n<p>Best regards and good trading,<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 150px; width: 150px;\" src=\"https:\/\/casey-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/images\/misc\/jeff-clark-signature.png\" width=\"150\" \/><\/div>\n<p>Jeff Clark<\/p>\n<p><strong>P.S. <\/strong>My <em>Delta Report<\/em> subscribers take advantage of divergences like these every week\u2026 and it all comes back to <a href=\"https:\/\/secure.jeffclarktrader.com\/chain?cid=MKT341952&amp;eid=MKT342077&amp;step=start&amp;plcid=PLC027684\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a \u201csecret key\u201d I developed 17 years ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>After almost losing my entire life savings in a single day, I used this technique to turn the trade around\u2026 and it completely changed my life.<\/p>\n<p>To read about how this \u201csecret key\u201d can work for you, <a href=\"https:\/\/secure.jeffclarktrader.com\/chain?cid=MKT341952&amp;eid=MKT342077&amp;step=start&amp;plcid=PLC027684\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">click here<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n<h2>Reader Mailbag<\/h2>\n<p><em>In today\u2019s Mailbag, Jeff answers a couple of subscriber questions\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote id=\"feedback\" style=\"padding: 10px 20px; margin: 0 0 20px; font-size: 17.15px; border-left: 5px solid #eee;\"><p>Jeff, can you recommend a service for real-time quotes and charts to use with your trading recommendations?<\/p>\n<p align=\"right\"><span style=\"width: 100%; display: block; clear: both; float: right; text-align: right;\"><strong style=\"width: 100%; clear: both; display: inline !important;\">\u2013\u00a0 Robert G.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Jeff&#8217;s response:<\/strong> Just about every brokerage firm offers real-time quotes. Most also offer charting services. Some brokerage firms might charge clients a small monthly fee for quotes and charts. But, when trading options, it\u2019s crucial to have information in real time. So, it\u2019s worth paying a bit for it.<\/p>\n<p>I prefer to have a few extra bells and whistles on the charts I use. So, I subscribe to <a href=\"http:\/\/stockcharts.com\/\" target=\"_BLANK\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stockcharts.com<\/a>. They also offer a free service.<\/p>\n<blockquote id=\"feedback\" style=\"padding: 10px 20px; margin: 0 0 20px; font-size: 17.15px; border-left: 5px solid #eee;\"><p>Wow! I\u2019m in my second month with your service; it just surprises me about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/you-and-i-are-on-the-same-team\" target=\"_BLANK\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the complaining about your advice<\/a>. Your pick of SPY from last Friday was clearly labeled high-risk. I got in Wednesday at $0.40 and out at $1.10 on Thursday. Your pick clearly stated \u201crisk\u201d and I was willing to wait until I got my price.<\/p>\n<p>Your information helps me connect the dots. Thank you! No one can know with 100% what is going to happen; I\u2019ll take your thoughts every day. I\u2019m going to lose on ABX and I\u2019m still very happy with your system. 3 out of 4 winners works for me. I just didn\u2019t want any more risk with ABX\u2026 next trade please! Very happy after almost 2 months!<\/p>\n<p align=\"right\"><span style=\"width: 100%; display: block; clear: both; float: right; text-align: right;\"><strong style=\"width: 100%; clear: both; display: inline !important;\">\u2013\u00a0 Jeff R.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Jeff&#8217;s response:<\/strong> Thanks for your email, Jeff. I\u2019m glad you\u2019re enjoying and profiting from the <em>Delta Report<\/em>. I do read all the feedback we receive. It\u2019s usually FAR more positive than negative. But, I\u2019ll often respond publicly to the negative feedback when the response can reinforce a trading discipline, or give me a chance to explain a strategy in more detail.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for letting me know how you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n<p><em>And we heard from a few more on the recent <\/em>Delta Report<em> trade action\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote id=\"feedback\" style=\"padding: 10px 20px; margin: 0 0 20px; font-size: 17.15px; border-left: 5px solid #eee;\"><p>In contrast to John taking a 50% loss on the recent SPY put trade, here is how I managed it.<\/p>\n<p>When Jeff put on the trade, he said he may be a bit early, and I agreed so I waited (I also don&#8217;t like putting on trades on a Friday). Jeff provided updated commentary every day in <em>Delta Direct<\/em>. As the market moved higher, I waited.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jeffclarktrader.com\/jeff-clark-direct\/morning-update201\" target=\"_BLANK\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">in the morning report<\/a>, Jeff wrote &#8220;We are very near a reversal point \u2013 at least for a short-term move lower. I won&#8217;t be surprised if that reversal gets started today.&#8221; In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jeffclarktrader.com\/jeff-clark-direct\/1040-update6\" target=\"_BLANK\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the 10:40 update<\/a>, Jeff stated that the market had reached the 2595-2600 target and he would not be surprised if the market lost a lot of ground later in the day. When the market turned at that point, I bought my SPY $259 puts at 10:48 am. When Jeff said to sell half, he also stated he thought the market could still move down a bit more, so I waited. Friday morning I sold my puts for a $0.50 gain in two days.<\/p>\n<p>To me, the actual commentary is as important as the trade parameters. Ultimately, we are responsible for our own trades, whether we follow Jeff&#8217;s suggestions directly or modify them. Jeff&#8217;s commentary is invaluable and the trades are an added benefit. Then end result is always on us whether a good trade or bad. Accept the end result and move on.<\/p>\n<p align=\"right\"><span style=\"width: 100%; display: block; clear: both; float: right; text-align: right;\"><strong style=\"width: 100%; clear: both; display: inline !important;\">\u2013\u00a0 Tim H.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote id=\"feedback\" style=\"padding: 10px 20px; margin: 0 0 20px; font-size: 17.15px; border-left: 5px solid #eee;\"><p>I love the honest commentary that you provide. Keep doing exactly what you do. You explain your thoughts and position very well and I appreciate the time and effort you provide in giving us, your subscribers, a clear path to understanding why you do, or do not, make your recommendations.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks, and I look forward to more of the same.<\/p>\n<p align=\"right\"><span style=\"width: 100%; display: block; clear: both; float: right; text-align: right;\"><strong style=\"width: 100%; clear: both; display: inline !important;\">\u2013\u00a0 Dean S.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote id=\"feedback\" style=\"padding: 10px 20px; margin: 0 0 20px; font-size: 17.15px; border-left: 5px solid #eee;\"><p>Hi Jeff, your recent bearish put trade was a real winner for me. When you presented the trade I looked at it and decided you were too early, as the market seemed at the time to be on a one-way bus. I realized I might miss the boat if I didn&#8217;t put it on.<\/p>\n<p>A day or two later I bought the $257.50 SPY put for $0.72. Two days later I sold them all when you said sell half, for a 71% gain in two days. Now, I only did 5 contracts because I take it to heart what you say about the potential of losing all your money on a trade, so I never bet big on these kinds of trades. I absolutely love your service, but fully realize it&#8217;s up to me if I put the trade on or not.<\/p>\n<p align=\"right\"><span style=\"width: 100%; display: block; clear: both; float: right; text-align: right;\"><strong style=\"width: 100%; clear: both; display: inline !important;\">\u2013\u00a0 Gene M.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote id=\"feedback\" style=\"padding: 10px 20px; margin: 0 0 20px; font-size: 17.15px; border-left: 5px solid #eee;\"><p>That&#8217;s another reason I like you Jeff. No trade this week or last week is fine with me. No trade in a month is fine if you\u2019re not convinced of its merit.<\/p>\n<p align=\"right\"><span style=\"width: 100%; display: block; clear: both; float: right; text-align: right;\"><strong style=\"width: 100%; clear: both; display: inline !important;\">\u2013\u00a0 Gene M.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><em>Are you trading around the divergences in the market right now? Have you been able to do so in the past?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>If you have any trading experiences you\u2019d like to share, or just a question or comment about the <\/em>Market Minute<em> or <\/em>Delta Report<em>, let us know <a href=\"mailto:feedback@jeffclarktrader.com\">right here<\/a>\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The S&#038;P 500 looks fine, but everything else\u2026? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"service":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"publication":[10],"person":[7],"newsletter-type":[],"ticker":[],"class_list":["post-5869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-market-minute","publication-market-minute","person-jeff-clark"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5869\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5869"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=5869"},{"taxonomy":"person","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/person?post=5869"},{"taxonomy":"newsletter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newsletter-type?post=5869"},{"taxonomy":"ticker","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffclarktrader.com\/market-minute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ticker?post=5869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}