The Markets
Back on February 22, my Weekly Chart Analysis outlined three conditions that would signal increased caution or outright bearishness in the markets:
Resolutions lower in relative strength (RS) charts.
A selloff exceeding seasonal norms.
Deeper disruptions to buying rotation.
As of March 1, only one of these boxes was checked (see my post here). Fast forward to today, March 10, and all three have now been triggered. The relative charts closed last week at critical junctures, and today’s action didn’t inspire confidence. Let’s break it down.
The Charts
SPY craters below the 200-day moving average (MA) on heavy volume, slicing through the Fibonacci retracement level at $565.06. The next support sits at $551.47. RSI is oversold at 30.07, hinting at potential exhaustion—but no reversal yet.
QQQ Relinquished over half its gains from the April-to-December 2024 bull run. It’s found no footing at recent pivot levels, with the next retracement target at $461.23. Volume nearly reached August selloff levels, and the RSI is lower than it was then.
IWM Lower prices, lower RSI, and above-average volume paint a bearish picture. Potential support looms at $196.70, but momentum isn’t promising.
DIA hit the $416.55 pivot and closed just barely above the 200-day MA. RSI is 33.77 and volume is just a touch above average.
TLT Bonds stayed steady, hugging the 8-day MA and holding recent gains—a rare bright spot.
DXY The Dollar hinted at stabilizing, closing in positive territory and within Friday’s range after weeks of selling pressure.
BTCUSD Pierced the February 28 reactionary low after dropping below the 200-day MA and AVWAP. A slight bullish RSI divergence offers a glimmer of hope, but volume confirms selling pressure.
The Trade
Key questions —
Last week (March 8 post), I flagged several potential “make or break” moments:
Can growth reclaim leadership over value?
Will tech buying (e.g., QQQ, MAGS, NVDA) sustain its recent flickers of life?
Are we still tracking the seasonal roadmap with an early March bottom?
Today’s selloff leans toward “no” on all fronts. Relative charts are breaking down, rotation has stalled (note weakness in DIA, XLF, etc.), and selling has blown past seasonal expectations.
Caution flags are piling up.
The breakdown in relative strength, absent rotation, and outsized selling could spell trouble for the bull market’s longevity in 2025. That said, short-term oversold conditions (e.g., RSI readings) suggest a bounce or relief rally might be brewing. We’re missing a catalyst, though—watch for one this week.
Maybe CPI/PPI?
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