The spotlight has been on FAANG stocks (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google) for much of this bull market, but lately it’s gotten kind of quiet around them. Perhaps that’s because they are actually under-performing the Nasdaq-100. 

Is FAANG weakness bearish for stocks?

FAANG vs Nasdaq-100

The chart below plots an equal weighted FAANG index against the Nasdaq-100. The dashed lines highlight non-confirmations.

The black lines mark times where new Nasdaq-100 highs were unconfirmed by FAANG (as currently the case), the blue lines mark times where new FAANG highs were unconfirmed by the Nasdaq-100.

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Since 2014, there have been 7 similar non-confirmations, where FAANG were lagging the Nasdaq-100. The last 4 very followed by micro pullbacks and renewed strength for both. The first 3 saw slightly larger pullbacks before renewed strength.

It was actually more of a warning sign when the Nasdaq-100 failed to confirm new FAANG highs (August and December, 2015 - blue lines).

Based on the short available history, FAANG under-performance is not bearish for stocks in general.

Nasdaq-100

The Nasdaq-100 QQQ ETF chart looks more bullish than bearish, as trade is above long-term Fibonacci resistance at 181.80, and on the verge of breaking out of a triangle formation.

Above analysis was initially published in the August 26 Profit Radar Report. Barron's rates iSPYETF as "trader with a good track record" and Investor's Business Daily says: "When Simon says, the market listens." Find out why Barron's and IBD endorse Simon Maierhofer's Profit Radar Report.

Simon Maierhofer is the founder of iSPYETF and the publisher of the Profit Radar Report. Barron's rated iSPYETF as a "trader with a good track record" (click here for Barron's profile of the Profit Radar Report). The Profit Radar Report presents complex market analysis (S&P 500, Dow Jones, gold, silver, euro and bonds) in an easy format. Technical analysis, sentiment indicators, seasonal patterns and common sense are all wrapped up into two or more easy-to-read weekly updates. All Profit Radar Report recommendations resulted in a 59.51% net gain in 2013, 17.59% in 2014, 24.52% in 2015, 52.26% in 2016, and 23.39% in 2017.

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