Index in Focus: S&P 500

As volatility runs rampant in stocks indices, the S&P 500 has become our most widely traded stock index.  The Average True Range for the S&P 500 over the last 14 days is 111 handles, as shown at the bottom of the chart below. 

Guide to the S&P 500

Why has the S&P 500 been so volatile?

1. Yields on the 10-year Treasury are at 3-year highs, currently above 2.12%, and rising.Stock markets tend to price in the value of future events. Therefore, the higher interest rates discount the price of future cash flows for companies, helping to push stock prices lower.
2. In addition, the FOMC meets on Wednesday, which is sure to add more volatility to the index.See our FOMC Meeting Preview here.A 25bps hike is expected.Traders will also be watching the Summary of Economic Projections (dot plot). This will give traders insight as to what Fed members are thinking in terms of future rate hikes, inflation and growth.Finally, the FOMC may discuss the timing of when the Fed will begin to unwind it balance sheet.The sooner the Fed reduces its bond holdings, the more hawkish the sentiment and presumably the worse it is for stocks.
3. The Russian/Ukraine conflict is also weighing on the S&P 500.With every new headline comes market volatility.The latest headlines suggest that talks have been halted until tomorrow and that China has signaled it is willing to provide military support to Russia.With each passing day it seems there are new sanctions placed on Russia, which is driving commodity prices higher and stocks lower.In addition, more and more companies are pulling out of Russia, such as McDonald's, Pepsi, and Starbucks.These bellwether stocks are leaving millions on the table, which is also pushing their stock prices lower.

The S&P 500 index is approaching last week’s lows at 4138.8, which is also horizontal support.  Below there is the 50% retracement from lows in the fall of 2020 to the high on January 4^th, near 4027.  Since the all-time high on January 4^th, price has been moving lower in an AB=CD pattern.  The target for the pattern is near 4000, which is also psychological round number support.  The 61.8% Fibonacci retracement from the same timeframe comes is below there, near 3839.8.  Also notice that the 50 Day Moving Average has crossed below the 200 Day Moving Average.  This is know as a “Death Cross”, and indicates that that the S&P 500 may continue lower.

Source: Tradingview, Stone X

First resistance is at Friday’s high of 4334.6.  Above there is a confluence of resistance at the 50- and 200-Day Moving Averages, and horizontal resistance, between 4450.8 and 4492.2.  The next resistance level is at the highs at point C at 4591.4.

The S&P 500 has been extremely volatile over the last few weeks, primarily due to rising interest rates and the Russian/Ukraine war.  The FOMC meeting this week should also add volatility to the stock index. Expect the volatility to continue in the near-term.

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