Will the Stock Market be Lower in October?

The stock market often closes a week in the middle of a "perceived primary-trend range." SPX closed at about 1,234 Fri, which is between a multi-year Fibonacci level at 1,253 (i.e. 38.2% retracement level from the peak in 2000 to the trough in 2002) and the 20 day MA at 1,212 (which was general support over a recent rally).

It's possible, SPX can rally to 1,253 short-term. However, longer-term (perhaps in Aug and Sep), SPX seems destined to fall sharply. A Goldilocks economy (of neither too hot nor too cold) is priced-into the stock market, and if any future economic data show either output growth has slowed more than expected or inflation has risen more than expected, then massive selling may take place.

There are several intermediate-term technical indicators that make me cautious. VIX (S&P 500 Volatility Index) shows an extreme level of complacency. VIX fell below 10 last week, to a 12-year low. Consequently, the SPX to VIX ratio hit an all-time high last week. Moreover, both the Transport and Utility Indices to VIX ratios have rocketed at parabolic rates recently, to over 50% beyond previous year's highs. Also, a ratio of large cap to small cap stocks (e.g. S&P 100 to Russell 2,000) is near a multi-decade low, which indicates big institutions, who tend to buy large cap stocks, are not convinced of the rally. Moreover, the SPX to U.S. Dollar ratio is near a historically high level. There's typically an inverse relationship between the U.S. stock market and the U.S. dollar, because a weaker dollar spurs export growth, which is normally bullish for the stock market. The high ratio indicates it's more likely the stock market will fall, since the dollar depreciation has stabilized for over six months, at far lower levels than a few years ago, and then risen somewhat recently.

SPX has open gaps at 1,221, 1,174, 1,143, and 1,138. Nasdaq also has several open gaps, including one at 1,905, which is currently 275 points lower. The stock market has been a market of deep rises and deep falls. For example, just over the past 13 months, Nasdaq fell 305 points (in two months), then rose 440 points (in four months), then fell 300 points (in four months), and then rose 300 points (in three months). Moreover, VXN (a Nasdaq volatility index) rose only six to nine points over the two deep falls, and declined from 28 to 12 (an all-time low), over the past 13 months, which made it a particularly unforgiving short-term trading market.

Economic reports next week are: Mon: Existing Home Sales, Tue: Consumer Confidence, Wed: Durable Goods Orders, New Home Sales, and Fed's Beige Book, Thu: Unemployment Claims, Fri: GDP and GDP Price Deflator, Employment Cost Index, Michigan Consumer Sentiment, and Chicago PMI.

Notable earnings next week include:

Mon: AXP TXN XRX PBI CEGE CD

Tue: AMZN DD SEBL WWY BIIB IMCL X N VLO LMT BDK GLW SUNW SE SWY MDG RFMD MCHP SSTI NANX

Wed: BA AHC COP CSX CL SBUX K KMG MSO NEM CHIR OSIP CRA FON HMC HCA

Thu: BMY GSK ELN GP XOM APA KLAC SYMC XMSR WMI BR RTN AET PD AU ABX KGC PAAS ZEUS GR WEN JNS DCX

Fri: CHV BHI AEP ADM BWNG

Large caps may outperform small caps over the next few months, i.e. small caps may fall greater than large caps. So, IWM (Russell 2000) and SPX (S&P 500) puts may be better than QQQQ (Nasdaq 100) and OEX (S&P 100) puts. With volatility levels at all-time or multi-decade lows, the steep decline in volatility, since the cyclical bull market began in Oct 2002, may shift into an uptrend. So, market conditions may improve for short-term traders, including daytraders.

Arthur Albert Eckart is the founder and owner of PeakTrader. Arthur has worked for commercial banks, e.g. Wells Fargo, Banc One, and First Commerce Technologies, during the 1980s and 1990s. He has also worked for Janus Funds from 1999-00. Arthur Eckart has a BA & MA in Economics from the University of Colorado. He has worked on options portfolio optimization since 1998.

Mr Eckart has developed a comprehensive trading methodology using economics, portfolio optimization, and technical analysis to maximize return and minimize risk at the same time. This methodology has resulted in excellent returns with low risk over the past three years.

tidy up service Glenview ..
In The News:

Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.
New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.
FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.
New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.
OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALLĀ·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.
Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.
Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.
NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.
Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.
Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.
Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.
Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

The Inside Scoop on Mutual Fund Rip Offs

The bear market that showed up at the end of... Read More

Will the Stock Market be Lower in October?

The stock market often closes a week in the middle... Read More

Your Job

There are so many kinds of work that needs to... Read More

Maximizing a Stock Market Investment

Maximizing a stock market investmentThere are several factors an investor... Read More

Selling

The stock market has been going up for more than... Read More

Take The Time

You must take the time once a month to review... Read More

What To Buy?

Now that you have some money burning a hole in... Read More

Trading Tips No 8: Picking the Best Stock Market Price

Carefully thinking through your goal as a trader is of... Read More

Market Timing?

The recent criminal fiasco in the mutual fund industry is... Read More

Laws and Efficiencies and Theories of Diminishing Returns

The basis of diminishing return discussions surround such simple notions;... Read More

Choosing A Fund

For years I have been saying you must have a... Read More

NASDAQ 800?

In November of 2000 when the NASDAQ was trading at... Read More

On Line Stock Trading: Small Cap & Micro Stocks Go Up and Down - How Can You Profit?

Success in small cap & micro cap stock trading like... Read More

Online Investing & Online Stock & Share Trading: Difficulty in Taking Stop Losses in the Market

This is an extract of an article which was first... Read More

It Cant Be Done

Wouldn't it be nice if you were only in the... Read More

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mutual Funds

Outlined below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of... Read More

Complacency Indicator

If you haven't heard of the technical indicator with the... Read More

A Triple Dipper: How to Make 3 Profits on 1 Stock Trade

This is a rather simple strategy with which I am... Read More

Getting Even

I know there are a lot of you out there... Read More

The 401(K): How The Insider Has Stolen Your Retirement!

Mutual funds were moderately successful in creating a presence in... Read More

Trading For A Living - Part 1

There can't be many traders who haven't at least considered... Read More

Trapeze Artist - Swinging with the Stock Market

When we go to the circus we see a trapeze... Read More

You Don?t HAVE To Be Trading

As a novice trader, you'll often feel the need to... Read More

Dont Ask Your Broker

Unfortunately, most of you who are reading my column are... Read More

War Market

There is no question that the stock market is being... Read More

full-service cleaning Mundelein ..