Last weekend, I forecasted:
"For the new week, it will be about the earnings. If the earnings are strong and confirm the strength in the economic recovery, the market can continue to rally. Otherwise, the market could turn down to test the recent lows again. On Monday, we'll hear from AA and CSX after the market. On Tuesday, INTC and YUM will report. Thursday brings JPM in the morning and GOOG in the afternoon. On Friday, C, BAC, and GE wil present their quarterly reports."
It was indeed all about the earnings. On Monday, the market was hesitanct ahead of earnings from AA and CSX. After the market, both AA and CSX gave solid reports. On Tuesday, the market rallied. INTC delivered its best quarter in a decade! On Wednesday, the market traded flat, waiting for the numbers from JPM and GOOG. We locked in some superb profits on ISRG! JPM delivered a good quarter on Thursday morning, and the market closed higher on BP capping the well and GS getting a favorable settlement with SEC. However, after the market GOOG missed its earnings estimates. On Friday, both BAC and C reported disappointing results. The market was on the defensive right from open and sank lower until the close.
For the week, the Dow was down 100.13 points; SPX fell 13.08 points; Nasdaq slipped 17.4 points. Oil traded flat, but, gold sank below $1200/ounce. At the time of this writing, Asian markets were mostly down, following the performance of the US market on Friday...
SPX

On Friday, SPX dropped 31.6 points to close at 1064.88. It closed just below its daily MAs. The MACD flattened.
Nasdaq

Nasdaq fell 70.03 points to close at 2179.05. It closed right at its 10-day MA. Its MACD fell flat.
The market rose higher to test SPX 1100, but, ended losing all of last week's gain on Friday. VIX rose briefly above 28 before closing at 26.25. For the new week, a whole lot more earnings reports are coming in. Here are some notable earnings:
Monday: IBM, HAL, TXN
Tuesday: GS, BTU, YHOO, AAPL, GOLD, VMW, STLD
Wednesday: WFC, MO, FCX, EMC, FFIV, NFLX, MS, QCOM, SBUX
Thursday: T, CMG, DO, NUE, PNC, MOS, AMZN
Friday: F, SLB, VZ, NFX
The market is barely being supported by its daily MAs. A quick dip could send it to test SPX 1040 again. It'll be up to the earnings again. Monday and Tuesday could induce big market moves with IBM, TXN, GS, YHOO, and AAPL in the spotlight. This market is still very much range-bound. On the upside, SPX will have to break above that 1100 level. Above 1200, SPX could break out. Most sectors are on the weak side, especially the financials. Let's take a look...
Sector Watch
XLF (financials)

XLF sank to almost $14 again on Friday. Even though GS pushed higher on its SEC settlement, BAC and C's earnings were enough to drag the whole sector lower. Credit card companies have fallen hard, especially MA and V. Exchanges continue to break down. Both CME and ICE fell hard on Friday. WFC's report on Wednesday will be very important.
XME (metals and mining)

XME barely held above the support at $46. Coals continue to be weak. Steels have not seen much strength. Gold miners sank on Friday. BTU will give the first clue on Tuesday.
INX2 (internet)

INX2 dropped on Friday as GOOG missed its earnings estimates. However, it did manage to stay above its 20-day MA. YHOO's earnings is on Tuesday and AMZN reports on Thursday.
OIH (oil services)

Oil services could provide the market some strength if BP can continue to be on top of its well. OIH's daily chart still holds a bullish formation. DO and SLB will report on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
In this range-bound market, the market will likely move with the earnings. Friday has provided some downward momentum. So, the market will need some good news to stop from falling through the support levels.
Good night and HappyTrading! ™
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