The terrorist attack this morning in Belgium once again brought home the fragility of the world we live in. This attack in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is the headquarters of NATO and the symbolic heart of Europe. The attack on Brussels, in essence, is the equivalent of an attack on Washington D.C.
The reaction of the European markets today was surprisingly modest as the European indices lost only an average 0.50%.
In today’s video, I will be looking at how this vicious attack could impact the major indices, gold and crude oil here in the U.S.
DOW
Based on the long-term monthly Trade Triangle, the long-term trend remains negative for the DOW (INDEX:DJI). The intermediate weekly Trade Triangle is positive and has been since 2/18 at 16,510. When there is a conflict between Trade Triangles, it indicates a broad trading range and a sidelines position.
S&P 500
Much like the DOW, the S&P 500 (CME:SP500) is in a broad trading range based on conflicting signals between the weekly Trade Triangle that has been positive since 2/25 from 1947.20 and the monthly Trade Triangle that remains negative.
NASDAQ
Unlike the DOW and the S&P 500 that have exceeded their Fibonacci retracement levels, the NASDAQ (NASDAQ:COMP) reached its 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level Monday. The NASDAQ index should be viewed as the weakest of the three indices. Nonetheless, it remains locked in a broad trading range.
Gold
Based on the Trade Triangle technology, gold (FOREX:XAUUSDO) is on the sidelines. Based on the long-term monthly Trade Triangle, the major trend for gold remains positive. I like the way that gold is consolidating at its current levels for a move higher in the weeks ahead. Watch the RSI line for the next few days and when you see the daily Trade Triangle turn green BUY.
Crude Oil (May)
Our weekly Trade Triangle determines the trend for crude oil (NYMEX:CL.K16.E) and it remains positive, indicating higher prices in the weeks ahead. The only dark cloud I see at the moment is a small divergence in the RSI, indicating that oil may have topped out.
Stay focused and disciplined.
Every success with MarketClub,
Adam Hewison
President, INO.com
Co-Creator, MarketClub
Don't "they" always say that the Market is "forward looking" and that certain events are "baked in"? Following that line of theorizing, the behavior of the Markets could be said to be "unaffected" by some events and hugely affected by others. Hence, the lack of "affect", behaviorally speaking, suggests that Mr. Market does not view terrorist events on this scale as "standing out against the background". Therefore, no " fight or flight response" is evident at this time. We don't "hear" the footprints of a predator "closing in on us" and threatening our security (chomp).
But......there are predators out there "lurking"........this just isn't one of them. Guess what/who the "real predators" are.......you'll know if everyone starts running. But you can guess, in advance, who they might be. And position yourself accordingly.
Thanks again Adam, for your insight. Your blog title is perfect because it really shows the state of affairs -
the complacency continues unabated! When I caught the news this morning I expected a reaction to it and wow - what a reaction! the vix went up 50 cents to just over the 14.25 level, the S&P sank an astonishing $12 at it's worst and the poor dow dropped like a feather holding on to a helium ballon. - And strangely I found out through someone who watches such things (I'd like to say who but not clear of the legality, but many of you know who I mean) that there were huge block trades on the TVIX before the attacks.
Seriously and not sarcastically, I've got to wonder what trigger event is this market waiting on? or are we just going to sit +/- 20 on the S&P indefinitely?