ChartSmarter Monday Game Plan 11/30/15

Markets concluded the holiday shortened week Friday with lukewarm gains, in a period historically more robust. The Nasdaq gained .4% for the week, the S&P 500 scored a fractional gain and it was the small cap index that was the standout higher by 2.4% via the IWM. The ETF is now just below its 200 day SMA and the round 120 handle and could be purchased with a buy stop above and then added to through a cup base trigger of 129.20. This week interrupted a one up and one down week for the ETF since the week ending 10/9 which roared higher by nearly 5%. The week ending 8/28 lows were retested the week of 10/2 and passed with flying colors producing a very bullish hammer. With this weeks gain it is now UNCH YTD and needs to continue to play catch up with the S&P 500 up 1.5 and the Nasdaq up 8.3% with one month left to go in 2015. Energy was one of the better performers for the week up 1.3%, although Friday was soft, and healthcare was not far behind with an advance of .8%. Below is a natural gas utility play that scored a 5th consecutive weekly gain, higher by 14% in the process. It was higher by 2.4% Friday showing excellent relative strength within the group and Monday took out a cup base trigger of 18.48, best viewed on its weekly chart, in huge volume (albeit the stock trades illiquid). It is in a sweet spot hailing from the energy group, which has come under accumulation recently, and a small cap whose space is also on the move. Retail continued its advance with Black Friday taking the spotlight Friday and over the weekend. The XRT rose 3.2% this week after the prior week rose by 4.2% in the heaviest weekly volume in all of 2015. The ETF’s recent fortunes began with a bullish piercing line pattern on 11/16. The funds 3 top holdings, ANF is up 32% over the last 2 weeks, PBY was recently purchased and AMZN is up 117% YTD. Will be an interesting holiday shopping season with such bifurcating action within the sector.