Yahoo Finance

The ugly December days are adding up, but indices continue to hold recent lows. Although the S&P SmallCap 600 (SML) made a very minor closing low on Monday, we would not classify that as a breakdown. The S&P 500 (SPX), the S&P 100, the Nasdaq, and the Nasdaq 100 all fell between 1.1% and 1.3%. The S&P MidCap 400 and SML both gave back 0.7%. Sector weakness was evident in Consumer Discretionary (XLY -1.6%); Materials (XLB) and Information Technology (XLK), down 1.3%; Healthcare (XLV) and Consumer Staples, off 1.2%; and Communication Services (XLC), Industrials (XLI), and Financials (XLF), off 1%. Energy (XLE) led with a flat day as natural-gas futures exploded over $4 and finished at $3.91, up 16%. Coal, Exploration & Production, Pipelines, and Oil Equipment & Services led the Energy sector. Short-term technicals are a bit challenged and we would not be surprised to see further weakness. The five-day/13-day exponential moving average (EMA) crossover is bearish for the SPX and the index already has lost its 50-day average. A break below its recent low near 5,830 would complete a small head-and-shoulders top with declining neckline, adding to the bearishness of the pattern. The SPX also is back below the lower trendline of the bull channel that started in August. The 21-day rate-of-change (ROC) is negative, while the daily Vortex indicator is in bearish territory. The only weekly bearish indicator is the NYSE-Hayes High-Low Signal, which is warning of more downside. Most other weekly indicators are still bullish. A break to new S&P 500 lows would open the door for a possible drop to multiple supports in the 5,600 to 5,700 region. (Mark Arbeter, CMT)

Ralph Lauren, based in New York, designs, markets and distributes premium apparel, accessories, fragrances, and home products. The company's brands include Polo by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Black Label, Blue Label, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, RRL, RLX, Rugby, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, and Chaps (at Kohl's). Headquartered in New York. NY, the company employs about 15,000 people.

Yum! Brands owns three of the most popular fast-food brands in the world: KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. The company and its franchisees operate more than 59,000 restaurants in 140 countries and territories. YUM is a leader in multibranding, offering combinations of its KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut brands at single locations. It has spun off its China business into a separately traded company. With a market cap of about $37.4 billion, YUM is generally classified as a large-cap growth stock.

The ugly December days are adding up, but indices continue to hold recent lows. Although the S&P SmallCap 600 (SML) made a very minor closing low on Monday, we would not classify that as a breakdown. The S&P 500 (SPX), the S&P 100, the Nasdaq, and the Nasdaq 100 all fell between 1.1% to 1.3%, while the S&P MidCap 400 and SML both gave back 0.7%. Sector weakness was seen in Consumer Discretionary (XLY -1.6%); Materials (XLB) and Information Technology (XLK), down 1.3%; Healthcare (XLV) and Consumer Staples, off 1.2%; and Communication Services (XLC), Industrials (XLI), and Financials (XLF), off 1%. Energy (XLE) led with a flat day as natural-gas futures exploded over $4 and finished at $3.91, up 16%. Coal, Exploration & Production, Pipelines, and Oil Equipment & Services led the Energy sector. Short-term technicals are a bit challenged and we would not be surprised to see further weakness. The five-day/13-day exponential moving average (EMA) crossover is bearish for the SPX and the index already has lost its 50-day average. A break below its recent low near 5,830 would complete a small head-and-shoulders top with declining neckline, adding to the bearishness of the pattern. The SPX also is back below the lower trendline of the bull channel that started in August. The 21-day rate-of-change (ROC) is negative, while the daily Vortex indicator is in bearish territory. The only weekly bearish indicator is the NYSE-Hayes High-Low Signal, which is warning of more downside. Most other weekly indicators are still bullish. A break to new S&P 500 lows would open the door for a possible drop to multiple supports in the 5,600 to 5,700 region.