Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

Nasdaq-100 Stock Index / Technical Analysis

The NASDAQ-100 Index is a modified capitalization-weighted index of the 100 largest and most active non-financial domestic and international issues listed on the NASDAQ. No security can have more than a 24% weighting. The index was developed with a base value of 125 as of February 1, 1985. Prior to December 21,1998 the Nasdaq 100 was a cap-weighted index.

<ul>
<li>We remain bullish (as of our 4/21/26 Compass) on the S&amp;P 500 (SPX), and we will stay that way as long as support at 7507-7580 holds.</li>
<li>We are getting near-term cautious on Technology and semiconductors (XLK, SOXX), as the Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) and XLK display near-term bearish failed breakouts below $745 and $197, respectively.</li>
<li>These breaks are our signal to be neutral/cautious in the near-term, as it suggests a continuation of the 5-month consolidation and potential test of the June/July lows</li>
</ul>


We remain bullish (as of our 4/21/26 Compass) on the S&amp;P 500 (SPX), and we will stay that way as long as support at 7507-7580 holds.
We are getting near-term cautious on Technology and semiconductors (XLK, SOXX), as the Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) and XLK display near-term bearish failed breakouts below $745 and $197, respectively.
These breaks are our signal to be neutral/cautious in the near-term, as it suggests a continuation of the 5-month consolidation and potential test of the June/July lows


False Breakout on QQQ and XLK?; Monitor Yesterday's Lows for Near-Term Direction

<ul>
<li>We remain bullish (as of our 4/21/26 Compass) on the S&amp;P 500 (SPX), and we will stay that way as long as support at 7507-7580 holds.</li>
<li>We also remain bullish on Technology and A.I. areas (XLK, SOXX, DRAM), and we have Technology on watch for a potential upgrade to overweight.</li>
<li>The Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) and the XLK are both breaking out of their 4-month bases, a very bullish sign as long as $745 and $197 supports hold on any pullbacks.</li>
</ul>


We remain bullish (as of our 4/21/26 Compass) on the S&amp;P 500 (SPX), and we will stay that way as long as support at 7507-7580 holds.
We also remain bullish on Technology and A.I. areas (XLK, SOXX, DRAM), and we have Technology on watch for a potential upgrade to overweight.
The Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) and the XLK are both breaking out of their 4-month bases, a very bullish sign as long as $745 and $197 supports hold on any pullbacks.


Nasdaq 100 and Technology (XLK) With 4-Month Base Breakouts; Downgrading Staples to Underweight

The U.S. Dollar Index(USDX) indicates the general int'l value of the USD. The USDX does this by averaging the exchange rates between the USD and  major world currencies.  The ICE US computes this by using the rates supplied by some 500 banks. FOR REAL TIME SEE EIS ICEA<GO>. 

<ul>
<li>Our global intermediate-term outlook remains bullish on MSCI ACWI (in place since our 5/14/25 Compass). We also remain near-term bullish on MSCI ACWI since our 4/23/26 Int’l Compass.</li>
<li>Value areas of the market are underperforming while Technology and A.I. areas are starting to dominate again.</li>
<li>On ACWI-US, we want to see $156.50 support hold on any pullback (the breakout level) in order to remain near-term bullish, while major support is at $151.50.</li>
</ul>


Our global intermediate-term outlook remains bullish on MSCI ACWI (in place since our 5/14/25 Compass). We also remain near-term bullish on MSCI ACWI since our 4/23/26 Int’l Compass.
Value areas of the market are underperforming while Technology and A.I. areas are starting to dominate again.
On ACWI-US, we want to see $156.50 support hold on any pullback (the breakout level) in order to remain near-term bullish, while major support is at $151.50.


Concerns Mounting as MSCI ACWI Tests Base Support. Buys in Tech, Services, Financials, Healthcare

iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF / Technical Analysis

iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in the USA. The ETF's objective seeks investment results that correspond to the performance of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index.

<ul>
<li>We remain bullish (as of our 4/21/26 Compass) on the S&amp;P 500 (SPX), and we will stay that way as long as support at 7507-7580 holds.</li>
<li>We continue to believe Technology and A.I. areas (XLK, SOXX, DRAM) are poised to move higher, and we have Technology on watch for a potential upgrade to overweight.</li>
<li>A significant "wall of worry" is being built, with the latest bricks being bad breadth and rising interest rate volatility</li>
</ul>


We remain bullish (as of our 4/21/26 Compass) on the S&amp;P 500 (SPX), and we will stay that way as long as support at 7507-7580 holds.
We continue to believe Technology and A.I. areas (XLK, SOXX, DRAM) are poised to move higher, and we have Technology on watch for a potential upgrade to overweight.
A significant "wall of worry" is being built, with the latest bricks being bad breadth and rising interest rate volatility


Interest Rate Volatility, High Yield Spreads, and Bad Breadth a Concern? All Hinges on 7507-7580 SPX

William Demant Holding A/S / Technical Analysis

Demant A/S develop, manufacture, and sell products and equipment that help people with hearing loss connect and communicate. The Company focus on hearing devices and implants, diagnostic instruments, and personal communication. Demant serves customers worldwide.

<ul>
<li>Our global intermediate-term outlook remains bullish on MSCI ACWI (in place since our 5/14/25 Compass). We also remain near-term bullish on MSCI ACWI since our 4/23/26 Int’l Compass.</li>
<li>No reason to be anything but bullish if ACWI-US is above its 2-month base at $158-$159, ACWX-US is above $76-$76.50, and EFA-US is above its 6-month base at $105-$105.50.</li>
<li>These levels are being tested now; we expect these levels to hold, and we would get more cautious if they break.</li>
</ul>


Our global intermediate-term outlook remains bullish on MSCI ACWI (in place since our 5/14/25 Compass). We also remain near-term bullish on MSCI ACWI since our 4/23/26 Int’l Compass.
No reason to be anything but bullish if ACWI-US is above its 2-month base at $158-$159, ACWX-US is above $76-$76.50, and EFA-US is above its 6-month base at $105-$105.50.
These levels are being tested now; we expect these levels to hold, and we would get more cautious if they break.


MSCI ACWI Testing Base Support; Focus on Non-A.I. Areas: Energy, Shipping, Healthcare,Software,Telco

Joseph W. Jasper, CFA.  Joseph Jasper is the president of Vermilion Technical Research and is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the company.  Joe is a seasoned professional in the management, analysis and marketing of investment securities.  He was previously a Managing Director and Director of Fixed Income Strategy and Marketing for a well-known investment bank. Prior to 2002, Mr. Jasper spent the previous 20 years managing, structuring and selling fixed income and equity securities at several firms, including U.S. Bancorp Libra, Sit Investment Advisors and UBS PaineWebber.