U.S. stock indexes headed toward technical trouble late Wednesday morning, even as the Shanghai composite climbed 1.5% on hopes of a trade deal with the Trump administration. China's Shanghai composite rose for a fourth consecutive session.
The Nasdaq slipped 0.7%, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.5% and 0.6%, respectively. The small-cap S&P 600 fell 1.1%.
Volume in the stock market this morning was running higher on both major exchanges.
A loss in rising volume would be considered a sign of institutional selling.
Both major indexes are showing signs of trouble on their charts. The S&P 500 suffered a stalling day Feb. 25 and has moved sideways since. The Nasdaq also is showing lateral action. Resistance on the Nasdaq has developed around 7,600. The S&P 500 faces resistance around 2,800.
Investors should watch those areas closely. A thrust through the resistance would be bullish, but if the indexes can't deliver, then a pullback could follow.
Small-Cap Stocks
Among stocks in the small-cap S&P 600, iRobot (IRBT) dropped about 2% in strong volume; Carrizo Oil & Gas (CRZO) sagged 4% in fast trade; and former leader 3D Systems (DDD) lost 1.5% in heavy volume.
In the blue chip Dow Jones, Exxon Mobil (XOM) gapped down 2.5%, falling below its 200-day moving average. The stock later trimmed the loss to 1.8%. On the plus side, McDonald's (MCD) advanced 1.1% in the first 10 minutes of trade and then eased to a 0.8% gain.
Highly Rated In Stock Indexes
Stocks that rate high in IBD's screens included some winners and losers.
Mortgage insurance provider NMI Holdings (NMIH) rose 1.7%, lifting the small-cap stock back above a 24.60 buy point. Retail variety store chain Five Below (FIVE) dropped about 3%. The stock fell back under its 50-day line. Salesforce.com (CRM) glided 1% higher then eased to 0.3%.
Exchange Traded Funds
The Economic Times reported that India is likely to slap higher duties on U.S. goods. On Monday, President Donald Trump ended preferential treatment for goods from India. Despite the news, the over-the-counter exchange traded note iPath MSCI India (INPTF) popped 1.8%.
