US Markets Round-Up

This week, the Russell 3000 index, an important benchmark of the US stock market across all market capitalizations, started on a negative note and continued the momentum. The index made a low of 2419.54 during the week and settled at 2479.65 with a week-to-date (WTD) loss of 1.45 percent on March 10, 2022. Other major indices such as S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite also showed downside movement for the week. On March 10, 2022, the S&P 500 index settled at 4259.52 with a WTD loss of ~1.60 percent, while NASDAQ Composite Index settled at 13129.962 with a WTD loss of ~1.38 percent.

The market remained in the negative territory amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. An increase in the US weekly initial jobless claims numbers to 227,000 from 216,000 (revised level) further acted as a catalyst for a downside direct. Notably, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.8% in February 2022 on a seasonally adjusted basis. 

Tracking the US market performance over the week, taking cues from major global news flow, and based on our technical analysis of the Russell 3000 index, the two NYSE/ NASDAQ listed stocks show up strongly from the technical standpoint. Noted below are our recommendations based on generic insights, entry price, target prices, and stop-loss for Tronox Holdings PLC (NYSE: TROX) and Ferroglobe PLC (NASDAQ: GSM) for the next 2-4 weeks duration:

Tronox Holdings PLC 

Tronox Holdings PLC (NYSE: TROX) is a specialty chemical company that produces titanium products. The Company operates titanium-bearing mineral sand mines in Australia, South Africa, and Brazil. Noted below are the key price indicators for the stock:

Price Action Analysis (on the Weekly Chart) 

TROX has recently tested a crucial support level of USD 17.00 and inched up from there, indicating the possibility of an upside reversal from hereon. The recent upside movement in the stock is backed by increasing volumes as well, further supporting a positive bias. The next major resistance level for the stock appears at USD 22.00 and there is a high probability that the prices may test this level in the short-term (2-4 weeks).

Technical Indicators Analysis (On the Weekly Chart)

On the weekly chart, RSI (14-period) is recovering from the lower levels and trading at 35.95 levels, indicating the stock is recovering from the lows and can show strength further as the RSI heads towards the North. However, the trend-following indicators 21-period SMA and 50-period SMA are above the CMP and may act as the resistance levels.

Financial Summary

Summary of the Key Financial Metrics for the past four years for Tronox Holdings PLC is as follows:

General Recommendation

As per the above-mentioned price action and technical analysis, we can conclude that Tronox Holdings PLC is technically well-placed on the chart, and hence we gave a ‘Speculative Buy’ rating on the stock. Investment decisions 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:

Ferroglobe PLC

Ferroglobe PLC (NASDAQ: GSM) is a producer of silicon-based alloys, silicon metal, and manganese-based alloys. Noted below are the key price Indicators for the stock: 

Price Action Analysis (on the Daily Chart)

GSM has shown a recent breakout, crossing the downward slopping trend line and currently, prices are forming strong consolidation at current levels. This behaviour normally is a pre-indication of a positive trend formation on the charts. The next major resistance level for the stock appears at USD 10.20 and prices may test this level in the short-term (2-4 weeks). A further movement above USD 10.20 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 63.98 levels, indicating a positive trend for the stock. The volumes also seem supportive of the upside movement. Prices are trading above the trend-following indicator 50-period SMA, further supporting an up-move; however, 21-period SMA is above the CMP and may act as the resistance levels.

Financial Summary 

Summary of the Key Financial Metrics for the past four years for Ferroglobe PLC is as follows: 

General Recommendation

As per the above-mentioned price action and technical indicators analysis, we can conclude Ferroglobe PLC is looking technically well-placed on the chart, and we gave a ‘Speculative Buy’ rating on the stock. Investment decisions 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:

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 10, 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.