Looking at the NASDAQ 100

As a sidenote, it can be mentioned that ATR is an interesting variable to use in intraday trading, as it gives a measure of what a "normal" price movement can be expected to be. This can help traders to not get a bad entry or exit of the stock. If a share looks strong but has already moved one ATR in relation to yesterday's opening and/or closing, it may be a bad risk/reward to buy it at this price and expect further upside. Likewise, there may be no point in selling a stock short for a possible intraday reversal before it has already moved an ATR. For those traders who use the Infront trading terminal, it is possible to retrieve values ​​and signals for ATR in the stock tables. It is a model I developed together with my son, and which Infront incorporated into its system. I use it every day.

Back to the NASDAQ 100. The chart below shows that the narrow trading range throughout the month was first broken on the downside in the last week of the month, and then barely broken on the upside at the close on the last day of the month. Taken in isolation, this is bullish technical behavior that could indicate a further move upwards as we enter May. Last year's price peak from August of 13720 points out as a possible short-term price target, 3.6% above April's closing price.

Throughout April, the top and bottom levels of the narrow trading range were tested several times, and each time prices reversed back. Sometimes intraday, but often overnight. For traders, this is difficult market behavior, as there is low accuracy both in positioning for continuation of strength/weakness the next day, or betting on reversals. You also don't have to go back more than 2-3 days before it looked like the consolidation would break on the downside and not the upside. The earnings season continues in full force this week, and giants such as Apple might give input that will trigger a new direction. But in isolation, April ended with a buy signal.

In the fundamentals too, one can perhaps find some support for an optimistic view. Interest rates have risen a lot, but there is a well-founded consensus view that we are nearing the end of rate increases. Likewise, weak quarterly numbers and guidance from the companies in the reporting season have been feared, while what has come so far has been mixed and at least not uniformly bad. As the companies finish reporting, many will also restart their share buybacks, which in isolation is a positive driver for prices.

At the same time, it is not difficult to find a negative angle. It is a fact that interest rates are high, and the effects of this are slowly but surely eating into the companies' and investors' calculations. Those who look at seasonal fluctuations point out, with some support in the statistics, that May and June tend to be among the weaker months of the year, and the reason why the phrase "sell in May and stay away" has stuck in the minds of many investors.

For a trader, it is important to follow which topics other players in the market are concerned with and assess whether the technical behavior paints a picture that supports this. At the same time, it is important not to overthink, and get too hung up on guesses about what you think "should" happen. Price trends are in force and show the direction until it changes. A look at the NASDAQ in a longer perspective with weekly candlesticks for the past 5 years gives a pretty clear picture at the end of April: The chart is bullish.

Disclaimer: After more than 20 years in the brokerage industry I started my own business in 2021. I published the book "Paleo Trading: How to trade like a Hunter-Gatherer” and launched Paleo Capital that manages a hedge fund according to the principles described in the book. I emphasize that nothing written on this blog is to be regarded as personal advice or a concrete call to take positions. Everyone must be responsible for their own decisions and familiarize themselves with the products they use.