Standard Error Channel on Russell 2000 ETF Shows How Oversold It Was
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's MACD Histogram crosses above signal line
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for IWM turned positive on June 26, 2025. Looking at past instances where IWM's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on June 26, 2025. 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 .
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where IWM advanced for three days, in of 315 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 258 cases where IWM Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 5 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
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 .
IWM broke above its upper Bollinger Band on July 02, 2025. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
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