The stock market has its ups and downs but understanding the big picture helps traders and investors stay in touch with the truth of the current state of the market. Three charts, market breadth, bonds and sentiment, help to gauge the overall market.
Market Breadth
Market breadth describes the number of stocks, in a given sector or index, that are trending up in value compared to the total number of stocks in that sector or index. It’s a great indicator of the overall health of a market because if a majority of stocks are going up, then the market as a whole is generally in a good place.
If market breadth shows that only a few stocks are going up while most are declining, this could indicate a market that is not doing very well. By monitoring market breadth on a regular basis, traders and investors can be aware of the current bullish or bearish conditions of a market.
Bonds
Bonds are debt securities that are used by government and corporations to raise money to finance their operations. The prices of bonds often correlate to stock prices as they move in the same direction. This is because when bonds become less attractive as an investment due to high yields, investors will often turn to stocks instead.
In addition, when rates rise, investors may see bonds as a safer haven compared to stocks, which can cause a sell-off in the stock market. It is important for traders and investors to keep tabs on bond prices in order to be better prepared for changes in the stock market.
Sentiment
Sentiment is the feeling or attitude of market participants towards a specific security, sector, or the stock market in general. Sentiment can be difficult to measure, but it is a very important factor for traders and investors because it gives them insight into how other market participants are feeling about a particular security or sector.
Many times, sentiment can be used as a contrarian indicator, meaning that if sentiment is too bullish, there may be a sell-off in the near future; and if sentiment is too bearish, it could be a good entry point for buyers. Being aware of market sentiment can help traders and investors make better decisions.
In conclusion, three charts – market breadth, bonds and sentiment – provide traders and investors with great insight into the overall health of the stock market. This knowledge can be used to make more informed trading and investment decisions. So, be sure to keep these three charts in mind when assessing the stock market.