Is this a market top or a buying opportunity?

The four-hour chart shows the sharp rally we have seen this morning, with the price bouncing into trendline resistance. The fact that this has happened from 7381 is not a surprise, for this level is absolutely crucial in determining where we go from here.

Ultimately, a break below 7381 would be a significant signal of impending selling, and it is only once we see such a break that a bearish view will come into play. On the flipside, as long as we remain above 7381, there is a chance of a recovery, with a break back through 7382 providing a strong bullish signal.

DAX

Looking at the DAX, we have also seen significant weakness over the past week. However, while we have seen the price drop below notable support levels, the index remains above the key 12,490 support threshold. Interestingly, today has seen the price fall below the bottom bound of the Bollinger band for the first time in 2017. Twice this has formed a significant support level, and if today’s price action is anything to go by, there is a good chance we could see the same occur once more.

With that in mind, we need to see the price break below the 12,490 support level to provide a strong bearish signal.

Nasdaq

The Nasdaq has been at the forefront of recent weakness, with this week seeing the second sharp sell-off of the month. However, once again we see the Bollinger band come into play, with today’s low coming into that indicator once more.

Crucially, we have seen the low of the day found at the 5633 level. The fact that we have seen the price break below trendline support is certainly notable. However, given the recent inability to break to a new high, a break below 5633 is the signal required to provide confidence of a more longstanding period of weakness.

S&P 500

The S&P 500 has similarly found itself back at Bollinger support, with the price finding support from this indicator once more. Whilst we have typically seen the price break below this lower band in the past, this is typically fleeting, pointing towards a potential recovery. Adding to that the ascending trendline, there is reason to believe we could begin to turn higher.

To the downside, we are still far from anything too worrying, with 2346 required to be broken for a bearish period to come into play. 

To sum up, there is no doubt that warning signs are beginning to show. However, none of these four markets have provided a sell signal on the wider picture.

That being said, we have clear thresholds for the FTSE (7381), DAX (12,490) and Nasdaq (5633) that must be watched. Only until we have seen at least two of these three levels broken, there is reason to believe that this could be an interesting buying area.