Airline Index Losing Altitude

06/01/04 09:11:57 AM

by Gary Grosschadl

With oil prices in a rising trend, the Airline Index ($XAL) has been taking a beating.

Security: $XAL
Position: Sell

The principle of previous resistance-turned-support can be seen in the formation of the large descending triangle on the XAL's chart. Last March the XAL broke out of this bearish pattern when it slipped below $57. Since then, two unsuccessful attempts were made to stay above the triangle's lower trendline. Now it appears that the current attempt has failed just short of that trendline, establishing a weakening trend.

The downside target for this pattern failure is the $45 area, this being equal to the distance of the maximum height within the triangle, as applied to the downside measure below the base of the triangle.

Daily chart shows the declining trend in this airline index.

Graphic provided by: Stockcharts.com.

The 200-day EMA (exponential moving average) also figures prominently in this picture. This major moving average is watched by many a chartist and fund manager as a major bear/bull indicator. Bullish potential or trend is generally above this mark and likewise a move below this threshold is often a sign of a major shift in trend. The green arrows show how support held very near the 200-day EMA until it finally broke through in March. Now the moving average is acting as upside resistance as shown by the red arrows. This last failure just shy of the 200-day EMA could characterize the XAL as being in a "failure mode." As long as this index remains below this mark, a bearish trend remains in place. This past failure could have attracted short sellers-- those that read the pattern as a triangle failure or a significant moving average failure.

Several indicators are also worth considering. The ADX component (top graph) shows weakening trend strength. Although there has been a bullish DI reversal, the weakening ADX shows the DI reversal as being suspect or potentially short-lived. The MACD or moving average convergence/divergence shows a pattern of failure at or near the often crucial zero line. However the most ominous indicator displayed is the stochastic indicator. Stochastic downturns from above the 80 level often lead to a significant downleg. During periods considered "non-trending" --such as when there are low ADX values-- stochastic downturns and upturns become a better indicator of market moves with less whipsaws or false moves. The last stochastic downleg coincided with a sizable decline and this one can be similar.

Either way you view the recent XAL downturn, because it is below the descending triangle and the 200-day EMA, brings the spectre of a significant change in trend. A move back above the 200-day EMA could mean a test of the upper triangle trendline but this seems rather unlikely for now.

Gary Grosschadl

Independent Canadian equities trader and technical analyst based in Peterborough
Ontario, Canada.


Website:	www.whatsonsale.ca/financial.html
E-mail address:	gwg7@sympatico.ca

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DESCENDING TRIANGLES

Airline Index Losing Altitude

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