Today's technical outlook: Waiting for Geithner


Three of the major indices have stalled at their 50-day moving averages (the Dow, the S&P 500 and the NYSE Composite), but the NASDAQ is leading the way -- pushed along by successes in the technology sector and, more recently, the financial sector.

In a major market turn, it is common for technology stocks to lead, as in 2003. But the NASDAQ, too, is now at a critical resistance line -- the midpoint (1,600) of its overall range that began in October.

All four of the indices appear to be waiting for the catalyst that will either move stocks higher or bring in sellers for another test of the January lows.

It is curious how the market seems to anticipate crucial happenings like the upcoming announcement today from the Treasury Department -- creating more drama as investors focus on one item of thousands that could move stocks.

All eyes will be on Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, so let's hope that the president is correct when he said last night, "I want all of you to show up at [Geithner's] press conference as well; he's going to be terrific."

He had better be, or we may be faced with more months of market indecision.

In the meantime, if you're looking for a stock that's giving all the right technical signals, consider Cubic Corp. (NYSE: CUB), my trade of the day.

Sam Collins is a contributor to OptionsZone.com.
Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-89.2312,801.23
NASDAQ-23.352,903.88
S&P 500-9.311,342.64

Last updated: February 13, 2012: 04:42 AM

Hot Stocks

General Electric

18.875-0.255(-1.33)

Alcoa

10.29-0.35(-3.29)

Apple Inc

493.42+0.25(+0.05)

Google Inc 'A'

605.91-5.55(-0.91)

Bank of America

8.07-0.11(-1.34)

Wal-Mart Stores

61.90-0.06(-0.10)

Exxon Mobil Corp

83.80-1.08(-1.27)

Ford

12.44-0.25(-1.97)

Citigroup

32.925-0.735(-2.18)

IBM

192.42-0.71(-0.37)

Yahoo

16.14+0.14(+0.88)

Starbucks

48.82-0.38(-0.77)

Microsoft

30.495-0.275(-0.89)

Home Depot

45.33+0.06(+0.13)

DailyFinance Headlines

Benzinga Headlines

TheFlyOnTheWall.com Headlines

    BioHealth Investor Headlines

    WalletPop Headlines

    DailyFinance BlackBerry App

    My Portfolios

    Track your stocks here!

    Find out why more people track their portfolios on AOL Money & Finance then anywhere else.

    BloggingStocks Partners

    More from AOL Money & Finance

    BioHealth Investor Headlines

    Page Loaded in 1329126133799 ms.