Stocks End Q1 On Fire!

Stocks ended the first quarter of the year on fire! The Dow Jones Industrial Average (see chart here) closed Q1 up over 11%, the S&P 500 (see chart here) closed the first quarter up over 12% which is the best performing quarter in years for this bellwether, the Nasdaq Composite (see chart here) closed up more than 17% and the small-cap Russell 2000 (see chart below) closed out the first quarter of the year up over 14%. Yes folks these gains are incredibly impressive especially considering how global growth is slowing. That said, these eye-popping market gains are not too surprising considering the sharp sell-off that stocks experienced in that latter part of 2018. Without a doubt the aforementioned indexes were way oversold in late December and an oversold bounce of some sort was definitely in the cards. As we know, market swings can and do overshoot to downside such as what we saw in late 2018 and now the question is, will we overshoot to the upside?

It sure does not appear that way at least from a technical perspective and according to the Relative Strength Index (RSI). The Dow Jones Industrial Average (see chart here), the S&P 500 (see chart here), the Nasdaq Composite (see chart here) and the small-cap Russell 2000 (see chart here) are no where near overbought conditions yet. This despite all of these key indices rallying double digits in Q1. What’s more, all but one of these indices are also trading above their key moving averages including their 20-day, 100-day and 200-day with the lone exception being the small-cap Russell 2000. Now there could be some consolidation going on here over the next few weeks and up until first quarter earnings reporting season begins which would actually be healthy for the markets.

Speaking of the upcoming earnings reporting season, this could be the one catalyst that sheds the most light for the rest of the year on how stocks will fare. It is no secret global growth has slowed and I think corporate America will speak to whether this current global slowdown is just a blip on the radar or something much more meaningful.

Good luck to all 🙂

~George

Russell 2000 - Paula Mahfouz