US Markets Round-Up

This week, the Russell 3000 index, an important benchmark of the US stock market across market capitalizations, started on a positive note and made a high of 2697.92 on March 29, 2022. However, all the gains were erased in the latter half of the week, and the index settled at 2631.73 with a week-to-date (WTD) loss of 0.21 percent on March 31, 2022. Other major indices such as S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite showed mixed movement for the week. On March 31, 2022, the S&P 500 index settled at 4530.41 with a WTD loss of ~0.28 percent; however, the NASDAQ Composite Index settled at 14220.519 with a WTD gain of ~0.36 percent.

Initially, the market sentiments turned positive due to the release of the US Consumer Confidence numbers which rebounded slightly in March. However, an increase in the US initial jobless claims numbers to 202,000 from 188,000 (revised level) in the prior week restricted the gains.

Having understood the US market performance over the week, taking cues from major global news, and based on our technical analysis of the Russell 3000 index for the upcoming week, now let us have a look at the two NYSE/ NASDAQ listed stock picks from the technical standpoint. Noted below are our recommendations based on generic insights, entry price, target prices, and stop-loss for Livent Corporation (NYSE: LTHM) and Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc (NYSE: AHT) for the next 2-4 weeks duration:

Livent Corporation 

Livent Corporation (NYSE: LTHM) is a fully integrated lithium company that manufactures lithium for use in a range of lithium products. Noted below are the key price indicators for the stock:

Price Action Analysis (on the Daily Chart)

LTHM has broken a Double Bottom (bullish reversal) pattern on the upside on March 24, 2022 and since then has been hovering around the breakout level. The price is also sustaining above a downward sloping trend line breakout level for the past couple of weeks, further supporting a positive bias.  Now the next major resistance level for the stock appears at USD 30.00 and prices may test this level in the short-term (2-4 weeks). A further movement above USD 30.00 may extend buying in the stock

Technical Indicators Analysis (On the daily Chart)

On the daily chart, RSI (14-period) is showing a reading of 61.91, indicating a positive momentum build-up. The volumes also seem supportive of the upside movement. Prices are trading above the trend-following indicators 21-period SMA and 50-period SMA, further supporting an up move.

General Recommendation

As per the above-mentioned price action and technical indicators analysis, we can conclude that Livent Corporation is looking technically well-placed on the chart, and we have a ‘Buy’ rating on the stock. Investment decision should be made depending on an investors’ appetite on upside potential, risks, and any previous holdings. This recommendation is purely based on technical analysis, and fundamental analysis has not been considered in this report. The summary of our recommendation is as follows:

Markets are trading in a highly volatile zone currently due to certain macro-economic and geopolitical tensions prevailing. Therefore, it is prudent to follow a cautious approach while investing.

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc

Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc (NYSE: AHT) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) dealing in upscale hotels and upper-upscale full-service hotels. Noted below are the key price Indicators for the stock:

Price Action Analysis (on the Daily Chart)

AHT has broken a Symmetrical Triangle pattern on the upside on March 25, 2022 and since then has been trading above the breakout level, indicating upside movement hereon. The price has broken a crucial resistance level of USD 10.22, further supporting a positive bias.  Now the next major resistance level for the stock appears at USD 11.75 and prices may test this level in the short-term (2-4 weeks). A further movement above USD 11.75 may extend buying in the stock.

Technical Indicators Analysis (On the Daily Chart)

On the daily chart, RSI (14-period) is showing a reading of 64.69, indicating a momentum build-up. Prices are trading above the trend-following indicators 21-period SMA and 50-period SMA, further supporting an up move.

General Recommendation

As per the above-mentioned price action and technical indicators analysis, we can conclude Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc is looking technically well-placed on the chart, and we have a ‘Speculative Buy’ rating on the stock. Investment decision should be made depending on an investors’ appetite for upside potential, risks, and any previous holdings. This recommendation is purely based on technical analysis, and fundamental analysis has not been considered in this report. The summary of our recommendation is as follows:

Markets are trading in a highly volatile zone currently due to certain macro-economic and geopolitical tensions prevailing. Therefore, it is prudent to follow a cautious approach while investing.

Upcoming Major Global Economic Events

Market events occur on a day-to-day basis depending on the frequency of the data and generally include an update on employment, inflation, GDP, consumer sentiments, etc. Noted below are the upcoming week's major global economic events that could impact the Russell 3000 Index and stocks’ prices:

Investment Related Risks: Based on the technical analysis, the risks are defined as per risk-reward ratio (~0.60:1.00), however, returns are generated within 2-4 weeks’ time frame. This may be looked at by Investors with sufficient risk appetite looking for returns within short investment duration. Investment recommendations provided in this report are solely based on technical parameters, and fundamental performance of the stocks has not been considered in the decision-making process. Other factors which could impact the stock prices include market risks, regulatory risks, interest rates risks, currency risks, and social and political instability risks etc.

Note 1: Investors can consider exiting from the stock if the Target Price or Stop loss mentioned as per the technical analysis has been achieved and subject to the factors discussed above.

Note 2: How to Read the Charts?

The Green colour line reflects the 21-period moving average while the red line indicates the 50- period moving average. SMA helps to identify existing price trend. If the prices are trading above the 21-period and 50-period moving average, then it shows prices are currently trading in a bullish trend.

The Black colour line in the chart’s lower segment reflects the Relative Strength Index (14-Period) which indicates price momentum and signals momentum in trend. A reading of 70 or above suggests overbought status while a reading of 30 or below suggests an oversold status.

The Blue colour bars in the chart’s lower segment show the volume of the stock. The volume is the number of shares that changed hands during a given day. Stocks with high volumes are more liquid than stocks with lesser volume as liquidity in stocks helps in easier and faster execution of the order.

The Orange colour lines are the trend lines drawn by connecting two or more price points and used for trend identification purposes. The trend line also acts as a line of support and resistance.

Technical Indicators Defined: -

Support: A level where-in the stock prices tend to find support if they are falling, and downtrend may take a pause backed by demand or buying interest.

Resistance: A level where-in the stock prices tend to find resistance when they are rising, and uptrend may take a pause due to profit booking or selling interest.

Stop-loss: It is a level to protect further losses in case of unfavourable movement in the stock prices.

Risk Reward Ratio: Risk reward ratio is the difference between an entry point to a stop loss and profit level. We suggest ~60% Stop Loss of the Target 1 from the entry point.

A trailing stop-loss is a modification of stop-loss in case of favourable movement in the price to protect the gains. We suggest Investors to Trail the Stop-Loss as per the aforementioned levels if the stock price achieves more than 60% of the Target 1. Investors should consider exiting from the position as per the Trailing Stop-Loss level if the price starts moving downwards after achieving more than 60% of the Target 1.

The reference date for all price data, volumes, technical indicators, support, and resistance levels is March 31, 2022. The reference data in this report has been partly sourced from REFINITIV.

Abbreviations

CMP: Current Market Price

SMA: Simple Moving Average

RSI: Relative Strength Index

USD: United States dollar

Note: Trading decisions require a thorough analysis by investors. Technical reports in general chart out metrics that may be assessed by investors before any stock evaluation. The above are illustrative analytical factors used for evaluating the stocks; other parameters can be looked at along with additional risks per se. Past performance is neither an indicator nor a guarantee of future performance.