Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

Despite the bulls still being in control, we have several ongoing concerns and we cannot rule out the potential for a pullback. Below we highlight developments that are inconsistent with a major bottom in equities that suggests the broad equity market is not yet out of the woods.  In fact, during today's action, the 2760 support level on the S&amp;P 500 briefly held but ultimately gave way. With the SPX holding below 2760 today, we are looking for downside targets of 2650 first, and then potentially 2470 if that fails to hold.

Despite the bulls still being in control, we have several ongoing concerns and we cannot rule out the potential for a pullback. Below we highlight developments that are inconsistent with a major bottom in equities that suggests the broad equity market is not yet out of the woods.  In fact, during today's action, the 2760 support level on the S&amp;P 500 briefly held but ultimately gave way. With the SPX holding below 2760 today, we are looking for downside targets of 2650 first, and then potentially 2470 if that fails to hold.

U.S. Equity Strategy: Several Indicators Suggest a Pullback Likely

Now that the initial/primary low has been established and with the S&amp;P 500 roughly 20% off the lows, we believe it is time to map out potential areas where this rally could run into resistance. After this type of major waterfall decline there is often a test of the initial low - and there is often an undercut of the initial low. Barring approval of a first-line therapy for COVID-19 (chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine?) we are of the belief that a test of this initial low (likely 2-12 weeks out) and potentially an undercut of roughly 10% are likely.

Now that the initial/primary low has been established and with the S&amp;P 500 roughly 20% off the lows, we believe it is time to map out potential areas where this rally could run into resistance. After this type of major waterfall decline there is often a test of the initial low - and there is often an undercut of the initial low. Barring approval of a first-line therapy for COVID-19 (chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine?) we are of the belief that a test of this initial low (likely 2-12 weeks out) and potentially an undercut of roughly 10% are likely.

Nasdaq-100 Stock Index / Technical Analysis

In today’s report we outline  our belief that the combination of extreme oversold conditions and several key sectors/industries holding above major long-term support lead us to believe an important bottom has been established. We also highlight attractive Groups and stocks within Staples, Financials, and Health Care: Large- &amp; Small-Cap Soft Drinks &amp; Bottlers, Electronic Exchanges/Markets, and Large- and Mid-Cap Biotech.

In today’s report we outline  our belief that the combination of extreme oversold conditions and several key sectors/industries holding above major long-term support lead us to believe an important bottom has been established. We also highlight attractive Groups and stocks within Staples, Financials, and Health Care: Large- &amp; Small-Cap Soft Drinks &amp; Bottlers, Electronic Exchanges/Markets, and Large- and Mid-Cap Biotech.

A Bottom Has Been Established; Possible Retest?

We believe U.S. equities remain bullish but if they are to continue their ascent we would prefer that those areas also associated with economic expansion could also grab some of the upward momentum. This includes; Energy, Materials, Industrial Manufacturing and the Transportation Sector and even Small-caps. A narrowing of breadth as we have all seen in the past does not typically end well.  Open the attached file to read our complete U.S. Strategy document, and to find links to detailed comments and recommendations for each of our 12 Sectors.

We believe U.S. equities remain bullish but if they are to continue their ascent we would prefer that those areas also associated with economic expansion could also grab some of the upward momentum. This includes; Energy, Materials, Industrial Manufacturing and the Transportation Sector and even Small-caps. A narrowing of breadth as we have all seen in the past does not typically end well.  Open the attached file to read our complete U.S. Strategy document, and to find links to detailed comments and recommendations for each of our 12 Sectors.

U.S. Equity Strategy: Bullish, but Extended

Amid rising Middle East tensions, investors have moved to safe-havens including Treasuries and gold, all while having a muted effect on the US equity market. At this point in time, the rising tensions have done virtually no damage to the bullish trends and indicators that continue to dominate the market. In today’s report we highlight attractive Groups and stocks within Manufacturing, Services, Technology, and Transportation: Aero Defense, Large-Cap, HR &amp; Employment Svcs, Large-Cap, Optical Equipment, and Shipping, Energy

Amid rising Middle East tensions, investors have moved to safe-havens including Treasuries and gold, all while having a muted effect on the US equity market. At this point in time, the rising tensions have done virtually no damage to the bullish trends and indicators that continue to dominate the market. In today’s report we highlight attractive Groups and stocks within Manufacturing, Services, Technology, and Transportation: Aero Defense, Large-Cap, HR &amp; Employment Svcs, Large-Cap, Optical Equipment, and Shipping, Energy

U.S. Equity Strategy: Bullish Outlook Intact

United States

The Russell 2000 Index is comprised of the smallest 2000 companies in the Russell 3000 Index, representing approximately 8% of the Russell 3000 total market capitalization. The index was developed with a base value of 135.00 as of December 31, 1986.

Russell 2000 Index (RTY INDEX)

U.S. Equity Strategy: Several Indicators Suggest a Pullback Likely

Despite the bulls still being in control, we have several ongoing concerns and we cannot rule out the potential for a pullback. Below we highlight...

Vermilion Research

U.S. Equities: Test Of The Lows Coming?

Now that the initial/primary low has been established and with the S&P 500 roughly 20% off the lows, we believe it is time to map out potential...

Vermilion Research

A Bottom Has Been Established; Possible Retest?

In today’s report we outline our belief that the combination of extreme oversold conditions and several key sectors/industries holding above major...

Vermilion Research

U.S. Equity Strategy: Bullish, but Extended

We believe U.S. equities remain bullish but if they are to continue their ascent we would prefer that those areas also associated with economic...

Vermilion Research

U.S. Equity Strategy: Bullish Outlook Intact

Amid rising Middle East tensions, investors have moved to safe-havens including Treasuries and gold, all while having a muted effect on the US...

Vermilion Research