When it comes to the first three week behavior of the stock market, 2016 looks very similar to 2008. With a worse opening week, the S&P 500 index continuously declined in the first three weeks for both years, and plunged 9.03% in 2016 and 10.75% in 2008. Afterwards, the stock market rebounded. This similarity reminds us of the crisis we had in 2008, and it is a warning flag for a serious challenge in the stock market this year. Based on the forecast of the Leading-Wave Index (LWX), the broad stock market is projected to be in a short-term bullish time-window until 2/8/2016. We may see a rebound going in the next couple of weeks, but it may not be more than a bear market rally.

The Leading-Wave Index (LWX) is Nu Yu’s proprietary leading indicator for US equity market. LWX>+1 indicates bullish (green); LWX< -1 indicates bearish (red); The LWX between +1 and -1 indicates neutral (yellow).

The Broad Market Instability Index (BIX), measured from over 8000 U.S. stocks, surged further to 982 on Wednesday but closed at 64 on Friday 1/22/2016 (down from 882 the previous week) which is above the panic threshold level of 42 and indicates a bearish market. The Wilshire 5000 index is below the 89-day exponential moving average, and the momentum is negative. Based on the forecast of LWX, the broad stock market is in a short-term bullish time-window until 2/8/2016 (see the second table above). The daily chart below has the Wilshire 5000 index with both the BIX and the Momentum indicators. The current market status is summarized as follows:

The following table is the percentage change of sectors and major market indexes against the 89-day exponential moving average (EMA89). The Wilshire 5000 index, as an average or a benchmark of the total market, is 6.40% below the EMA89. Outperforming sectors are Telecommunication (1.78%), Utilities (1.74%), and Real Estate (-3.04%). Underperforming sectors are Oil Equipment (-16.80%), Banks (-12.36%), and Energy (-11.36%).

After it completed the 8-month ending diagonal in last July, the S&P 500 index has rolled into a bear market which will have a primary corrective [A]–[B]–[C] wave sequence in a relative long-term time-frame.

Primary wave [A] is the first down leg of this bear market, and it should contain an intermediate (1)–(2)–(3)–(4)–(5) sub-wave structure. Currently it is in intermediate downward wave (3) inside primary wave [A].

Intermediate wave (3) is a relative big middle-term downward wave and it has gone below the August low. Wave (3) will have 1-2-3-4-5 sub-waves. Currently sub-wave 3 (blue) has completed, and upward sub-wave 4 (bear market rally) has started. Sub-wave 4 would not go beyond the level of 2000.

In the following weekly chart, the German DAX index is in a primary corrective [A]–[B]–[C] wave sequence. Downward primary wave [A] should have an intermediate (1)–(2)–(3)–(4)–(5) five-wave sequence. Now it is in downward intermediate wave (3) of primary wave [A]. Wave (3) would go below wave (1).

In the weekly chart, the India Bombay Stock Exchange 30 Sensex index is forming a Bump-and-Run Reversal Top pattern. Since March of 2014, the Bombay index has been in the Bump phase with a sharp trendline as excessive speculation drives prices up steeply. Prices reached a bump height with three times the lead-in height. Last year the index broke below the bump trendline, and it signaled a bearish reversal. The downside risk is very high for the index after prices break blow the 2nd parallel line. The downside price target is projected at 21000 near the Lead-in Trendline.

The chart below is a weekly chart of the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite index. Since the middle of last June, the Shanghai index has been in primary wave [2] which is a major correction. Primary wave [2] has an intermediate (A)–(B)–(C) corrective-wave sequence. It has completed intermediate wave (A) and wave (B). Currently it is in downward intermediate wave (C).

The Shanghai index also has broken below the neckline near the level of 3000 of an 1-year Head-and-Shoulders top pattern. The downside price target is projected at 2000. For more information about the Head-and-Shoulders top pattern, you may read “How To Trade The Head And Shoulders Pattern” at Investopedia.

The table below is the percentage change of major global stock market indexes against the 89-day exponential moving average (EMA89). Currently the Australian market is outperforming. The Brazilian, Chinese, and Russian markets are underperforming.

In the following weekly chart, the U.S. dollar is forming a Bump-and-Run Reversal Top pattern. Prices are testing the second parallel line which is a sell-line for the dollar.

The 30-year U.S. treasury bond index formed a 9-month symmetrical triangle pattern. One week ago, prices broke above the upper boundary of the triangle.  This bullish breakout has an upside price target at 165.

The weekly chart shows that the gold index has formed an 1-year falling wedge. Recently prices bounced off the lower boundary. Prices swing inside the wedge before a breakout from the wedge.

The silver index is forming a 3-month inverted roof pattern.  It seems that prices are in a bottom process.

Crude oil formed an 15-month falling wedge. Prices swing inside the wedge. Last week prices bounced off the lower boundary of the wedge. It is bearish until prices break above the upper boundary of the wedge.

The following table is the percentage change of each asset class (in ETFs) against the 89-day exponential moving average (EMA89). Currently the US treasury bond is outperforming and crude oil is underperforming.