Back in 2015 I wrote about the potential resistance from the first major Fibonacci extension from the 2007 peak. See here:

Why Can’t the Market Breakout?

Fibonacci extension is a method that uses ratios that tend to repeat themselves in financial markets as a way to determine when a market peak or valley is more likely to occur (read previous article for more examples). The extension level from 2015 held for over 1 year (Blue lines/arrow), with two significant pullbacks during that year: one in August of 2015, and another in January of 2016.

Since breaking above the 2015 resistance level, the market has been on a great run, but it has just reached the next major Fibonacci extension from the 2007 peak (red lines/arrow).  Extensions can be discredited or validated by the peaks and valleys that interact with the three middle Fibonacci lines.  Notice on the chart above how the lows from January 2016 and October 2014 line up with the upper-middle red line, and how the 2007 peak lines up with the middle red line, and how the 2011 peak and November 2012 low aligns with the lower-middle red line.  This alignment is really strong, and makes me take this extension level very seriously.

There are other factors that warrant caution too.  The CAPE ratio is historically high.  This ratio compares the earnings of corporations to the price of the stock market, and by this measure the market has only been more expensive in the late 1990s (during the internet bubble), and in 1929 just before the great depression.  Additionally, the Volatility Index hit an all-time low last week.  This measure is sometimes called the Fear/Greed index.  And a low reading would tend to indicate high levels of greed and complacency.

Lastly, on a seasonal basis, we’re entering the time of year when the market has a tendency to be more volatile (August-October).  For all these reasons, it might be a good time to take some profits and be more cautious over the coming months in order to take advantage of better buying opportunities that could be coming in the near future.

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The commentary included in this blog is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute a recommendation to invest in any specific investment product or service. Proper due diligence should be performed before investing in any investment vehicle. There is a risk of loss involved in all investments.