October seemed to suggest that investors shifted to a more risk-averse mindset. The Nasdaq Composite and the Russell 2000 are considered to be riskier than the S&P 500 and both took much bigger losses than the S&P 500 did during October.
The Russell lost 10.91% in October and the Nasdaq lost 9.2%. For the Russell, October’s loss was the worst monthly loss since September 2011. The Nasdaq’s loss was its worst since November 2008.
The Russell also lost ground in September and that put the index in oversold territory based on a couple of indicators. Using the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE: IWM) as a barometer for the index, we can see just how oversold the Russell was. The chart below shows that the 10-week RSI and the weekly stochastics both hit their lowest levels since early 2016.
You can see that the RSI hit oversold territory for the first time since February ’16 and so did the stochastic readings. Both indicators registered slightly lower readings two weeks ago than they did in 2016.
While these indicators suggest that a bounce is due, there is another type of chart that really shows just how oversold things seemingly got two weeks ago. The chart below shows the standard error channel for the IWM over the last four years. The center line is a regression line and the outer lines are one standard error from the regression line.
As you can see, the IWM was trending higher from that early 2016 low and it was doing so in a very tight range around its regression line. The recent six-week selloff took the IWM below the lower standard error line. This was happening as the oscillators were reaching their lowest readings in almost four years.
If you are an investor who believes that stocks and markets will eventually revert to a mean, the standard error chart suggests that a rally by the IWM is due -- or at least that it is more probable than further losses.
Then again, there is also that old saying that “oversold can always become more oversold.”
IWM may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In of 39 cases where IWM's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where IWM's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, of 29 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on April 29, 2024. You may want to consider a long position or call options on IWM as a result. In of 89 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for IWM just turned positive on April 29, 2024. Looking at past instances where IWM's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in of 47 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where IWM advanced for three days, in of 325 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
IWM moved below its 50-day moving average on April 12, 2024 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for IWM crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on April 16, 2024. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In of 16 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where IWM declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator for IWM entered a downward trend on April 30, 2024. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
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