Market View

The U.S. market remains in a Confirmed Uptrend. The S&P 500 narrowly regained its 200-DMA (3,981) this week, with the next level of resistance at 4,100. The Nasdaq regained its 50-DMA (10,866) and is now testing resistance at the falling 100-DMA (11,058). The distribution day count remains unchanged at two and one, respectively.

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Key points from this report:

  • Ideas are showing positive technical trends, holding above key price and/or moving average support.
  • Ideas also have positive fundamental ratings and rankings and/or accelerating annual EPS growth.
  • Included are 20 annotated charts.

O’Neil Health Care Weekly

XLV fell 13bps last week, underperforming the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. This lag resulted in its Relative Strength line (vs. the S&P 500 or Nasdaq) ticking lower for the first time since early November which warrants a slight reduction in sector weight. There is support at $133.71, followed by the 200-DMA at $131.08. Resistance remains $140 to $142.

Market View

The U.S. market remains in a Confirmed Uptrend. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed the week strong, with the Nasdaq staging a Day 6 follow-through day Friday. The S&P 500 is now trading just below 50-DMA (3,904) resistance, while the Nasdaq faces resistance at its 21-DMA (10,627) before the 50-DMA (10,873). The distribution day count stands at two and one, respectively.

O’Neil Health Care Weekly

XLV fell 17bps last week, in-line with the S&P 500 which kept its relative strength (RS) line at new highs. The sector is
now testing 50-DMA ($134.62) support with the next level below this at the flattening 200-DMA ($131.11). Resistance
remains ~$140 to $142. With an RS line remaining at new highs, an overweight sector positioning remains warranted.

Market View

The U.S. market is in a Confirmed Uptrend. The S&P 500 staged a Day 5 follow-through Thursday, resulting in a rules-based upgrade of the market status. To remain intact, the S&P 500 should hold the December 22 low of 3,764. Despite the move and subsequent upgrade, there remain multiple levels of near-term resistance, including the 10- 21-, 50-, and 100-DMA, which are trading between 3,851 and 3,903. Further, the Nasdaq has yet to stage a FTD, still trading just 3% from year-to-date lows. The earliest a FTD can take place on this index is Wednesday. The 50-DMA (10,911) remains primary resistance despite the 10- and 21-DMA now trading below that level.

O’Neil Health Care Weekly

XLV gained 42bps last week, outperforming the S&P 500 for a sixth straight week and sending it RS line to another new
high. On an absolute basis, the 50-DMA ($133.79) is acting as logical near-term support with resistance still at ~$141.
We would expect further consolidation around current levels. With an RS line continuing to make new highs, an
overweight sector positioning remains warranted.

Market View

The U.S. market remains in a Downtrend. The S&P 500 traded relatively flat this week, remaining just below primary near-term resistance at its 50-DMA (3,886) and just above support near 3,800. The Nasdaq fell another 1.9% and now is trading only 4% from year-to-date lows. Support is between 10,088 and 10,262, before the Covid pivot of 9,838. Primary near-term resistance remains the 50-DMA (10,930). The earliest a follow-through day can take place is Wednesday on the S&P 500 and Thursday on the Nasdaq (Monday holiday).

O’Neil Health Care Weekly

XLV fell 1.8% last week, outperforming the broader market for a fifth straight week and sending its RS line to a higher
high. On an absolute basis, XLV, like the market, is pulling back, breaking near-term 21-DMA ($137) support which may
act as near-term resistance before ~$141. Support is now the rising 50-DMA ($132.52). With an RS line continuing to
make new highs, an overweight sector positioning remains warranted.

Market View

The U.S. market has been downgraded to Downtrend. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed below 50-DMA (S&P 500: 3,864; Nasdaq: 10,928) support this week. Both are again trading below all key moving averages with multiple levels of resistance just above current prices. The next level of support is 3,806 and 10,262, respectively.