Shanghai Composite Starts To Lag

07/23/07 09:06:38 AM

by Arthur Hill

The Shanghai Composite led the world from March to May, but this key index is lagging in July and a failure at the 50-day looks ominous.

Security: $SSEC
Position: Sell

While the Standard & Poor's 500 broke above its June highs with a surge over the past week, the Shanghai Composite ($SSEC) remained well below its June highs, showing relative weakness. The Shanghai Composite was actually leading the S&P 500 in March when it broke above its February highs well before the S&P 500 did. Now, the index cannot keep up, and relative weakness is often the first sign of trouble. See Figure 1.

FIGURE 1: S&P 500 VS. $SSEC. The Shanghai Composite was actually leading the S&P 500 in March when it broke above its February highs well before the S&P 500 did.

Graphic provided by: MetaStock.

Support turns into resistance. This key tenet of technical analysis can apply to the price support from a reaction low or indicator support from a moving average. In this case, the 50-day moving average provided support during the advance with successful tests in February, March, and June. The index actually broke below the 50-day moving average on June 5 (intraday), but recovered by the end of the day and closed above the 50-day MA. Because the moving average is based on closing prices, we should also base signals on closing prices.

FIGURE 2: MACD VS. $SSEC. The MACD peaked in May and moved lower in June.

Graphic provided by: MetaStock.

The index broke below the 50-day moving average in late June and closed below this key indicator during the last 13 days. The average now offers resistance around 4000, and it would take a close above this level to revive the bulls. As long as the break holds, I view it as bearish and expect a move lower. The next support zone is around 2800–3000, and this is the target.

Momentum confirms weakness. The moving average convergence/divergence (MACD) peaked in May and moved lower in June (Figure 2). The indicator formed a lower high in late June and moved into negative territory for the first time since August. The move into negative territory is bearish for momentum and the bears have the edge. Look for a break back above zero to revive momentum and call for a reassessment of my bearish stance.

Arthur Hill

Arthur Hill is currently editor of TDTrader.com, a website specializing in trading strategies, sector/industry specific breadth stats and overall technical analysis. He passed the Society of Technical Analysts (STA London) diploma exam with distinction is a Certified Financial Technician (CFTe). Prior to TD Trader, he was the Chief Technical Analyst for Stockcharts.com and the main contributor to the ChartSchool.

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Shanghai Composite Starts To Lag

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