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TopdownCharts
Topdown Charts is a chart-driven macro research house covering global asset allocation and economics. We primarily serve multi-asset investors and institutions.
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Weekly Macro Outlook: Growth Strength vs. Rising Inflation Risks

Here's the topics & takeaways from my latest Weekly Macro Themes report: 1. Global Growth: the weight of evidence points to ongoing global growth reacceleration in 2026 (this is supportive for risk assets, and tilts to a bullish bias for stocks). 2. Inflation Risk: expect higher inflation globally given starting point of higher than average inflation, stronger global growth, elevated inflation expectations, tight capacity, and rising commodity prices. 3. Treasuries: retain a bullish bias given cheap valuations, very light positioning/allocations, consensus bearish sentiment, but still waiting for macro/technical confirmation (not yet; mostly downside risk for bonds). 4. EM Bonds: remain bullish given cheap valuations, favorable technicals and sentiment, bullish EMFX outlook, but wary o
Weekly Macro Outlook: Growth Strength vs. Rising Inflation Risks

Semis Hit Bubble Phase: Record Weighting, 17-Day Surge Signals Risk for Bulls & Bears

This week’s chart shows the market cap weighting of US semiconductor stocks (making record highs). It’s a remarkable chart because at ~14% it’s basically double the level it peaked at during the height of the dot-com bubble. It also comes at an interesting juncture as the $Philadelphia Semiconductor Index(SOX)$ (Semiconductors Index) just chalked-up a record 17-days in a row of gains. This is a dangerous market. It’s dangerous for bulls because these are the types of conditions where you often encounter sharp corrections and crashes (even if it is the way of the future). But it’s also dangerous for bears because this is basically the bubble-phase of the bull market — attempts at shorting could end up generating large losses in small time as a combi
Semis Hit Bubble Phase: Record Weighting, 17-Day Surge Signals Risk for Bulls & Bears

Markets Heating Up: S&P 500 Faces Divergence as Semis Surge to Extremes

Weekly S&P500 ChartStorm - 26 April 2026 This week: technical check, seasonality snippets, fund flows, semiconductors, market froth at the top, cyclicals, global growth, emerging market equities... Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: There’s a minor bearish breadth divergence on the S&P500. Seasonality is also moving into a weaker period. (albeit seasonality tends to be better when stocks are up YTD) Semis are surging, chalking up multiple records and extremes. Cyclicals vs defensives are confirming the bullish macro picture. Overall, there’s a couple of short-term technical risk flags to note (especially with geopolitics simmering and central banks in the wings) and plenty of pockets of froth still bubbling away in markets. But there’s also some bright spots (e.g. e
Markets Heating Up: S&P 500 Faces Divergence as Semis Surge to Extremes

Tactical Outlook: Bullish China, Software & Bitcoin; Commodities Downgraded to Neutral

Weekly Macro Themes Report (preview) - China, Commodities, Software, Bitcoin Here's the topics & takeaways from my latest Weekly Macro Themes report: 1. China: remain bullish Chinese stocks given cheap/reasonable valuations, improving technicals, nascent cyclical upturn, and tentative turning point in the property market downturn. 2. Commodities: switch back to neutral from previous bullish given technical risk flags, valuations becoming slightly expensive, and shifts in sentiment/flows/positioning. 3. Software: bullish software sector given big reset in absolute and relative valuations, excess pessimism, and very promising technicals (with clearly defined risk triggers). 4. Bitcoin: bullish bitcoin (vs US$) given compelling bullish technicals, reset in sentiment/positioning, bullish m
Tactical Outlook: Bullish China, Software & Bitcoin; Commodities Downgraded to Neutral

From Weakness to Base: $BTC & Software Show Stabilization

This chart tracks what have been two of the biggest weak spots in markets. (and is interesting for 2 key reasons) First: both Bitcoin and Software stocks have stopped going down (and actually are starting to look very promising from a technical standpoint) — i.e. the weak spots are no longer getting weaker. That’s important because in markets weakness has a habit of spreading. But also, further upside in these two (which is looking likely) will help rebuild sentiment and reinforce the bullish outlook for stocks in general. Which brings me to the second point… Second: both boast a bullish tactical outlook (as I just outlined in my latest Weekly Macro Themes report) Basically, we’ve seen a major reset in price (software down more than -35%, bitcoin off almost -50%) and a big washout in senti
From Weakness to Base: $BTC & Software Show Stabilization

The S&P500 has bounced back & onto new all-time highs

Weekly S&P500 ChartStorm - 19 April 2026 Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: The S&P500 has bounced back & onto new all-time highs. Q1 saw a major cleanout in positioning across participants. Two major weak spots (Bitcoin & Software) are looking better. Global equity technicals look bullish following “healthy correction”. Retail allocations to cash remain around the bottom end of the range. Overall, following what now looks to be a “healthy correction” + a big Q1 clean out in positioning + positive technical developments — it looks like the path of least resistance is higher from here. Mission Accomplished: that looks like a decisive victory. One thing I think that stands out through this whole episode is how despite consensus bullish sentiment, crowded
The S&P500 has bounced back & onto new all-time highs

$SPX Rally Faces Resistance While Semiconductors Hit Highs

Weekly S&P500 ChartStorm - 12 April 2026 Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: The S&P500 $S&P 500(.SPX)$ has rebounded to a key overhead resistance zone. Semiconductors $VanEck Semiconductor ETF(SMH)$ meanwhile are already out to new all-time highs. Tech stocks have seen a reset comparable to that of April 2025. The tech sector is driving overall profit margins to record highs. Tech stock valuations are still elevated (raising some questions). Overall, it’s been a textbook rally from oversold conditions. The next steps will be key as overhead resistance looms (with risk shadows lingering in the background vs tech strength stirring). 1. Technical Check bouncing from oversold condit
$SPX Rally Faces Resistance While Semiconductors Hit Highs

Sentiment Split Deepens: Oversold Tech, Rebound Signals Build

$S&P 500(.SPX)$ $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ $NASDAQ 100(NDX)$ $Invesco QQQ(QQQ)$ $Dow Jones(.DJI)$ $iShares Russell 2000 ETF(IWM)$ Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: Investor Sentiment is down, Economic Sentiment is up. Markets appear to be following the Trump Weave. Oil Shock Analogs highlight the worst case. Tech sentiment is deeply oversold. Global equities are up from oversold +positive April seasonality. Overall, there seems to be a growing body of evidence for a rebound. 1. Sentiment Survey Composite the comb
Sentiment Split Deepens: Oversold Tech, Rebound Signals Build

10 Key charts and issues to keep track of in the year ahead

$S&P 500(.SPX)$ $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ $E-mini S&P 500 - main 2606(ESmain)$ $NASDAQ 100(NDX)$ $Dow Jones(.DJI)$ $iShares Russell 2000 ETF(IWM)$ 1. From Tightening to Tailwinds: the macro data pulse is looking so-far-so-good despite all the bad news and market volatility, and the key reason is all the monetary easing tailwinds from 2024/25 are having their maximum impact right now. So as far as I can tell, for now, the global economic reacceleration theme remains on-track. “the biggest story in macro of the 2020’s ech
10 Key charts and issues to keep track of in the year ahead

Market Enters Maximum Risk Zone as Valuations Roll Over

Zooming out from the day-to-day developments, it’s useful to keep in mind the market cycle conceptual model. The reason we want to respect risk in this type of juncture is that the stockmarket is stumbling and rolling over from expensive levels — this is the zone of maximum risk. It’s entirely possible that we end up getting enough of a reset (in sentiment, valuations, positioning, and maybe even policy too) to engineer a short/sharp correction and resumption of the bull market… but given the background setup described and what we understand about market cycles, it would pay to be pragmatic about things (balancing the desire for maximum gains from participating in rebounds vs diversification and defense against the potential for further downside). For SG users only, Welcome to open a CBA t
Market Enters Maximum Risk Zone as Valuations Roll Over

$SPX Sentiment Reset Signals Near-Term Bottom, But Downside Risk Remains

$S&P 500(.SPX)$ This week’s chart presents an unusual sentiment indicator which serves a specific purpose to a specific type of market participant. This composite indicator takes into account sentiment readings from surveys + market metrics: the $Cboe Volatility Index(VIX)$ (volatility/fear gauge) and the forward PE ratio (being ultimately a measure of investor confidence). The inputs are also smoothed so that it provides the most useful signal to longer-term active investors who are less fixated on the day-to-day news/noise. We’ve seen a significant reset in this indicator already. This says we are close to a major market bottom. However we still need to respect risk. The direction of travel (bearish
$SPX Sentiment Reset Signals Near-Term Bottom, But Downside Risk Remains

Global Macro Outlook: Policy Support Holds as Rotation and Risk Signals Build

Global policy remains supportive amid subdued inflation and a gradual economic recovery, but market signals are becoming more mixed. The US Stock/Bond Ratio is rolling over from stretched levels, pointing to rising caution, while relative opportunities are emerging outside U.S. large-cap growth. Investors are increasingly balancing supportive macro conditions against weakening technicals and shifting global leadership. Monetary Policy Pulse: given lack of underlying inflation pressures, steady but nascent global economic recovery; expect policy on hold globally (and to remain supportive for risk assets, growth). US Stock/Bond Ratio: the stock/bond ratio is rolling over from stretched levels (stretched valuations, positioning, and technicals), history suggests caution (but recession risk is
Global Macro Outlook: Policy Support Holds as Rotation and Risk Signals Build

$SPX Breaks Support, Bounce Signals Rise as Bear Market Risk Builds

Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: 1. The S&P500 $S&P 500(.SPX)$ has broken a key support, bears are in control. 2. Implied correlations + Leveraged ETF trading activity point to rising odds of a bounce. 3. Longer-term market cycle indicators highlight risk of bear market. 4. Markets may need to pivot focus from TACO to Fed Put. 5. Midterm malaise can produce magic (subsequent) returns. Overall, a common theme in this week’s session is one of “getting closer” (to a major market bottom) as short-term signals brush up against longer-term issues. A key conundrum is whether TACO is still a thing (what’s the quick fix?), or whether the market needs to pivot back to Fed Put… For SG users only, Welcome to open a CBA today and enj
$SPX Breaks Support, Bounce Signals Rise as Bear Market Risk Builds

S&P 500 at Make-or-Break Support as Oversold Signals Build

Weekly S&P500 ChartStorm - 22 March 2026 This week: technical check, inversion question, drawdowns, global tech, margin debt, valuations and positioning, earnings revisions, global macro pulse, stock return distributions, emerging markets... Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: Stocks are at a make-or-break point (major support level). Conditions are increasingly oversold. Sentiment and valuations have seen a partial reset. (albeit from an overvalued/excess-greed starting point) Pre-war, the global earnings/macro pulse was on a promising path. Overall, as noted, it’s a dangerous setup (clear technical deterioration from a starting point of overvaluation and excess-greed, with downside tail-risks for the global economy). But at the same time, if we’re going to get a reboun
S&P 500 at Make-or-Break Support as Oversold Signals Build

Oversold Markets Signal Rebound Potential Despite Bearish Technical Backdrop

Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: 1. Technically things look fairly bearish overall. 2. But recent history shows the tendency for rebounds (even during bear markets). 3. And conditions are currently looking notably oversold. 4. Yet there are some vulnerabilities being exposed in private markets. 5. There’s also still a few positive signs underneath all the pessimism. Overall, the high-level technical view looks pretty ugly. But we have a key opportunity for a rebound next week given oversold conditions, support levels, and a historical precedent for rebounds and rallies even if it turns into a more prolonged bearish episode… $S&P 500(.SPX)$ $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$
Oversold Markets Signal Rebound Potential Despite Bearish Technical Backdrop

$SPX Breaks Support as 2022-Style Risks Re-emerge

Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: The S&P500 $S&P 500(.SPX)$ has broken a key short-term support level. This is from a starting point of stretched sentiment/valuations. (Therefore risk of further downside is elevated.) Software stocks are bouncing from cheap and oversold conditions. Energy stocks are getting a geopolitical boost with room to run. Overall, the technical picture is enough to make one pause to think. With the various parallels to 2022 it certainly heightens the risk management senses. And yet there’s still some very interesting sector setups… 1. Here we go Again with multiple parallels to 2022 (geopolitical event, commodity price spike — set against a backdrop of expensive valuations, stretched sentiment), th
$SPX Breaks Support as 2022-Style Risks Re-emerge

Global/Small/Value are leading the charge in global equities

This week’s COTW is… 2 Charts! First one shows Global ex-US Small Value (basically a combination of what have been the 3 most out of favor parts of global equities: global ex-US, small caps, and value stocks). The second one shows the other side of the coin — US Large Growth (what has been the hottest part of global equities). The chart on the left is looking very bullish after being messy, somewhat bearish, and certainly lagging behind for a number of years. The chart on the right is looking distinctly bearish after having been on a dream bull run since 2009. Then add in a little more context: global/small/value are ticking up from record low relative valuations vs US/large/growth — what I call the “relative value trinity“ of global equities. This is a classic change in stockmarket leader
Global/Small/Value are leading the charge in global equities

$SPX masks bullish rotation as value and cyclicals take the lead

Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: The S&P500 $S&P 500(.SPX)$ dropped -0.87% on the month in February. (yet the equal-weighted version gained +3.4% in Feb) (rotation remains a key theme) Value vs growth rotation has clear fundamental support. There are still some compelling causes for optimism. Overall, the rally in cyclicals/value is helping offset tech-troubles (aka bullish rotation), and there is clear compelling macro-fundamental support to rotation (along with the cooling-off from tech/AI hype). We’re probably seeing a classic case of overinvestment in capex on the AI front, but it’s not all bad news… 1. Happy New Month!  The S&P500 closed down -0.87% for February, placing it marginally up +0.5% YTD. The equal
$SPX masks bullish rotation as value and cyclicals take the lead

There’s a global bull market in bull markets

80% of the world is in a Bull Market. Specifically, 80% of the 70 countries we track are up at least 20% off their 52-week low (with +20% being a common benchmark/trigger for “bull market“). This is a very positive sign. The below chart shows this peculiar breadth indicator over time (the red line), and what’s interesting is a few things… First, this indicator has rarely been above 50% over the past couple decades (yet, it was steadily north of 50% during the 2000’s global equity bull market). Second, when this indicator surges like this it is typically a very good sign — for instance, see: 2003, 2009, 2020 (the start of new global equity bull markets). Third, by contrast the time to be concerned is when this indicator peaks and rolls over (no signs of that at the moment). In essence, this
There’s a global bull market in bull markets

Bullish Rotation Intact as Tech Risks Linger

Learnings and conclusions from this week’s charts: 1. Bullish rotation remains in play. 2. Tech stocks still look troubled. 3. AI spillovers are helping (already bullish) commodities. 4. Newspaper stocks present a case-study in disruption. 5. Commodity stocks (as a group) look good. Overall, the US tech vs non-tech and US vs global bullish rotations remain in play, this is helping make the tech troubles less of an issue at the index level. There is a risk that gives way to broader downside if tech breaks down, so it’s worth keeping close tabs on tech (among other things…) $S&P 500(.SPX)$ $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ $E-mini S&P 500 - main 2603(ESmain)
Bullish Rotation Intact as Tech Risks Linger

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