The U.S. market was upgraded to a Confirmed Uptrend. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq each staged a follow-through day this week and remain under heavy accumulation. Each index has cleared multiple levels of resistance including its 50-DMA ( S&P 500: 4,348; Nasdaq: 13,425), which now is a level of short-term support. The next level of resistance is near the 100-DMA (S&P 500: 4,403; Nasdaq: 13,620).
Author: Raj Gupta
O’Neil Health Care Weekly
XLV declined 3.8% last week, breaking to year-to-date lows. The next level of support below current levels is ~$120. Its RS line
remains rangebound, warranting an equal to underweight sector positioning. Along with XLV, the majority of Health Care industry
groups are trading at year-to-date or multi-year lows, including Equipment (XHE), Biotech (XBI), Pharma (PPH), Medical Devices
(IHI), Services (XHS), and Small Caps (PSCH).
Market View
The U.S. market remains in a Downtrend. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq declined 2.5% and 2.6%, respectively, for the week. Both breached early-October lows, which had held for the prior three weeks. The S&P 500 faces resistance at the 200-DMA and has support near ~4,050 level (-1%), or the lows of the April/May consolidation. The Nasdaq breached its 200-DMA for the first time since March and now has immediate support at ~12,270 level (-3%). The Nasdaq could generate a follow-through day as early as Wednesday if the 12,544 low from this week holds.
O’Neil Health Care Weekly
XLV declined 1.6% last week reversing from 200-DMA ($131.54) resistance. The next level of support is ~$126. Its RS line did rise last
week, but remains rangebound and unable to make a higher high still warranting an equal- to underweight sector positioning.
Managed Care (IHF), Medical Distribution (CAH, COR, MCK), and Pharma (PPH) continue to prop the sector up, while the majority of
other groups including Equipment (XHE), Biotech (XBI), Devices (IHI), and Small Caps (PSCH) are trading around year-to-date
lows.
Market View
The U.S. market remains in a Rally Attempt. Both S&P 500 and Nasdaq traded lower in four of five sessions this week, and closed down 2.4% and 3.2%, respectively. The indices are trading below 21- and 50-DMAs, which now may act as resistance to the upside. On the downside, the S&P 500 broke below major support at its rising 200-DMA (4,233), its first breach in seven months. The Nasdaq is testing support near its recent lows (12,963) with the 200-DMA (12,732) 2% further below. We will shift both indices to a Downtrend if they breach their recent lows (S&P 500: 4,216; Nasdaq: 12,963).
O’Neil Health Care Weekly
XLV gained 14bps last week, trading just below its first level of resistance at its 200-DMA followed by its 50-DMA (~1.5% above).
There is support around current levels as shorter-term moving averages have curled up in recent days. Its RS line has been
rangebound for the last few months, still unable to make a higher high, warranting an equal-weight sector positioning. Medical
Distribution, Managed Care (supported by beat and raise Q3 results of UNH), and Pharma are holding the sector up, while other
groups are trading around year-to-date lows. Medical Devices (IHI) took another huge hit last week on the back for more NVO/LLY, as
well as poor results from SILK.
Market View
The U.S. market remains in a Rally Attempt. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq faded off 50-DMA (4,404/13,591) resistance after bouncing into this level earlier in the week. Both indices remain open for a follow through day as long as the consolidation remains above the recent lows (S&P 500: 4,216; Nasdaq: 12,963).
O’Neil Health Care Weekly
LV rose 99 bps last week and regained its 10-DMA on above average volume last Friday. It is testing its first level of resistance at its 21-DMA followed by the 50-and 200-DMA (~1.5% above). The next level of support is around current levels followed by $126.05. Its RS line has come off lows, but has yet to make a higher high, warranting an under- to equal-weight sector positioning. Medical Distribution (COR, MCK), Managed Care (IHF), and Pharma (PPH) are holding the sector up, while other groups are still trading around year-to-date lows.
Market View
The U.S. market remains in a Rally Attempt. The Nasdaq rose 1.6% for the week, slightly retaking its 21-DMA (13,399) after having
held onto lows for the past eight days. It is about 1.6% below next resistance at the 50-DMA (13,655). The S&P 500 rose 1.2% and
bounced off support near the 200-DMA (4,208) but remains slightly below the 21-DMA (4,341) and 2.6% below the 50-DMA (4,425).
Both indices could see a follow-through day (FTD) on any day going forward if the recent lows are not undercut (S&P 500: 4,216;
Nasdaq: 12,963)
O’Neil Health Care Weekly
XLV declined 1.08% last week and is trending downward along its rolling 10-DMA ($130.24) with multiple levels of resistance between
$130 to $137. The next level of support is around current levels followed by $126.05. Its RS line has come off lows, but has yet to
make a higher high, warranting an under- to equal-weight sector positioning. Medical Distribution (COR, MCK), Managed Care (IHF),
and Pharma (PPH) are holding the sector up, while other groups are trading around year-to-date lows.