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The Wagner Daily ETF Report For August 23
http://www.tigersharktrading.com/articles/19117/1/The-Wagner-Daily-ETF-Report-For-August-23/Page1.html
By Deron Wagner
Published on 08/23/2010
 

As Deron Wagner anticipated, the semiconductor sector remains weak. Consequently, the inversely correlated UltraShort Semiconductor ProShares (SSG) has performed well.


The Wagner Daily ETF Report For August 23

The major indices managed to fight back after early losses on Friday. It was a typical "whippy" trading day as is often associated with options expiration. The market gapped down and sold off until 12:00 pm and rallied the remainder of the day. The Nasdaq Composite and Small-Cap Russell 2000 both finished flat on the day. The S&P Mid-Cap 400 was slightly down giving back 0.1%. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average exhibited more weakness closing down 0.4% and 0.6% respectively.

Total volume in the NYSE jumped by 7% while Nasdaq volume was 9% lighter than the previous day's levels. Based on volume & price action we would consider this to be a mild accumulation day based on the afternoon reversal. Although NYSE declining volume surpassed advancing volume by 2.5 to 1 this was well below the worst levels of the day recorded at 9 to 1. The Nasdaq exhibited the same trend. Early in the day declining volume outpaced advancing volume by 4.5 to 1 but ended the day at parity of 1 to 1.

As anticipated the semiconductor sector remains weak. Consequently and as expected the inversely correlated UltraShort Semiconductor ProShares (SSG) performed well. On light volume it tested the 200-day moving average and managed to close just 4 cents below Thursday's closing price.



On a significant burst of volume the PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund (UUP) rallied strongly off of the 20-day EMA. This followed four days of light volume consolidation. Since the August 6 low UUP has broken its downtrend by setting a higher low and a higher high. Again, it is important to note that the current advance has been on very strong volume.



The iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures (VXX) is setting up for a potential buy entry. The VXX recently set a higher low and looks to be a buy entry over the prior swing high of 24.10. The setup would be confirmed by a move above the "dirty" downtrend line and the 50-day moving average (see chart below). The anticipated target would be a rally into the 200-day MA.



Open ETF positions:

Long - TLT, DBA, UUP
Short (including inversely correlated "short ETFs") - SSG

Deron Wagner is the Founder and Head Trader of both Morpheus Capital LP, a U.S. hedge fund, and MorpheusTrading.com, a trader education firm.