The markets find themselves a little shaky at highs. While the S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) remains just off all time highs, the trading activity this week has been just a little more volatile than weeks past. Earnings, and news of tax reform along with continued political infighting causes investors to be just a little more concerned this week. The SPY is slightly lower on the week, but still remains in a strong and consistent up trend.
The Nasdaq 100 (NASDAQ: QQQ) is also slightly lower with some weakness across the board in tech stocks. The popular ETF is still quite strong and just off all time highs, but volume has picked up a touch and remains just above average compared to recent weeks.
The metals and mining space (NYSE: XME) has broken out this week. Moving just out of a two month range, the XME continues it's push higher on above average volume. Tuesday's breakout added another 1.5% to the ETF which now shows a gain of almost 9% on the year. Technical traders have been attracted to the "flagging" pattern which is a common pattern that projects prices to be higher in the near term.
Volatility (NYSE: VXX) has also seen an uptick as general concerns continue to cause action by all. Though the VXX has added around 1.5% so far this week, it is considered to be at historical lows. This has many traders content but not yet concerned.
Bonds continue their selloff this week following last week's decline. Since hitting a high at the beginning of September the TLT (NYSE: TLT) has lost around 5% and now finds itself at the 200 day moving average where it held on Tuesday. While volume has been around average, there have been days of increased selling pressure and volume.
Finally the Dollar (NYSE: UUP) has pushed back to recent highs as it continues to try and move out of it's year long downtrend. Prices are currently hovering at three month highs, leading traders to think that the greenback is headed back to the 200 day moving average.