Indexes of big companies like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 neared record highs in July, but not the small cap Russell 2000. Today we’ll use a weekly chart to consider how it’s leading to the downside.
The first pattern is the series of lower highs starting in August 2022. RUT unsuccessfully tested that area in January and again in July, which could suggest it’s become resistance.
The price action is noteworthy because SPX and NDX both cleared those respective levels from the summer of 2022. With relative strength already negative, will the weak get weaker?
Second, the 1650 area was resistance in late 2020. RUT bounced there in June 2022 and again last October. Traders may now view that level as a downside target.
Third, consider the macro environment. Some strategists have recently noted that small caps are more vulnerable to rising interest rates (unlike bigger companies that locked in long-term financing at lower rates). They’re also more associated with risk appetite because of their focus on industrials and financials. That could increase their difficulties if volatility increases further.
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