Double Divergence And Resistance In The S&P 500

Structurally, after the recent rally from the 875 lows, the S&P 500 is challenging possible resistance at the 955 level which comes from both the January and June 2009 highs.  We’re also picking up an internal negative momentum divergence along with a TICK (high) divergence at these levels which should call our attention.  Let’s look at the structure.

Let me begin by saying there’s absolutely no guarantee price will inflect downwards off these levels, but due to these developments, it would seem that risk is to the upside and opportunity might be to the downside.

As price swung upwards off a clean positive momentum divergence into the July 8th lows, we had a new TICK High of 1,400, which was a first sign of strength.  As price swung back to form a higher low - complete with 60min dojis at those lows - we then began the large momentum move up that we see to this day.

However, the momentum may be trailing off as the 3/10 Oscillator is showing divergences (which isn’t as significant as the TICK divergences - oscillators can give false overbought readings on a powerful up-move).

More importantly, the TICK is showing internal divergences with the daily high TICK reading as price has continued higher - both of these serve as non-confirmations of the recent highs.

Now that price has come into prior resistance - which also reflects roughly the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement from the May 2008 highs to the March 2009 lows - odds have shifted to favor a downside move, or at least a low-risk (stop slightly above the highs), high-reward trade opportunity.

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