Monday’s (8/17/2020) earnings announcements:

Before the open: Consolidated Water (CWCO), Eagle Point Credit (ECC), Gulf Resources (GURE), JD.com (JD), Milestone Scientific (MLSS), Niu Technologies (NIU), SWK Holdings (SWKH)

After the close: Americas CarMart (CRMT), Best (BEST), China Biologic Products (CBPO), Dolphin Entertainment (DLPN), Edison Nation (EDNT), Fabrinet (FN), Progressive Care (RXMD), Social Reality (SRAX)

Economic News:

NAHB Housing Market Index – 10:00am

The S&P 500 Volatility Index ($VIX) fell for the first time in 3 sessions despite testing a morning peak of 40.32. Current and lower resistance at 40-40.50 was breached but held with a move above the latter signaling additional strength towards 42-42.50.

Upper support at 35.50-35 was challenged but held on the afternoon fade to 35.53. A close below the latter would be a renewed bullish signal for a retest towards the 32.50-32 area.

The iShares Russell 1000 (IWF) closed in positive territory for the 3rd-straight day after trading to a fresh all-time high of $187.43. Uncharted territory and lower resistance at $187-$187.50 was cleared but held. A close above the latter would signal additional momentum towards $188.50-$189.

Near-term and rising support is at $185-$184.50. A close below the latter would be a slightly bearish signal with additional backtest potential towards the $182.50-$182 area.

RSI remains in an uptrend after clearing lower resistance at 65-70. A close above the 70 level could signal a retest towards 75-80 with the latter representing the overbought monthly peak from January. Current support is at 60-55. A close below 50, and a level that has been holding since mid-October, would be a bearish development and signal additional weakness towards 45-40.

The S&P 500 Volatility Index ($VIX) fell for the first time in 3 sessions despite tagging a midday high of 15.39. Upper resistance at 14.50-15 and the 200-day moving average was breached but held for the 2nd-straight session.

The fade to 13.75 afterwards and close below prior and upper support at 14-13.50 was a healthy signal volatility is easing and may have peaked. A close back below the 13 level and the 50-day moving average before week’s end would be a more bullish development and signal a possible return to all-time highs for the market.

The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) was down for the 2nd-straight session after tapping a low of $139.78. Near-term and upper support at $140.50-$140 was breached and failed to hold. A close below the former and the 50-day moving average would be an ongoing bearish signal with downside risk towards $138.50-$138.

Current resistance from late October remains $141-$141.50.

RSI is in a downtrend with support at 55-50. A move below the latter would signal additional weakness towards 45-40. Resistance is at 60 and the November peak.