They Really Hate the Russell ๐ The Daily Chart Report
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Todayโs Summary
Friday, July 18, 2025
Indices: S&P 500 -0.01% | Nasdaq 100 -0.07% | Dow -0.32% | Russell 2000 -0.61%
Sectors: 5 of the 11 sectors closed higher. Utilities led, gaining +1.68%. Energy lagged, falling -0.81%.
Commodities: Crude Oil dropped -2.21% to $66.05 per barrel. Gold rose +0.39% to $3,358 per oz.
Currencies: The US Dollar Index fell -0.16% to $98.46.
Crypto: Bitcoin is trading lower by -1.12% at $117,940. Ethereum is on a six-day winning streak, currently up +1.80% to a six-month high of $3,542.
Volatility: The Volatility Index fell -0.67% to 16.40.
Interest Rates: The US 10-year Treasury dropped to 4.420%.
Here are the best charts, articles, and ideas shared on the web today!
Chart of the Day
๐ Today's Chart of the Day was shared by Subu Trade (@SubuTrade).
- The Russell 2000 closed marginally higher this week, with futures gaining just +0.15%. It's been chopping sideways for two weeks now, building potential energy for its next decisive move.
- Unlike its large-cap peers, the Russell hasn't seen a record high since 2021, currently down -8.3% on a closing basis. It has lagged the S&P 500 by a wide margin in recent years, but it has slightly outperformed since the April 8th low.
- It's up twice as much as the S&P 500 this month, but Subu notes that positioning remains aggressively negative. Large speculators haven't been this short since the 2022 bear market bottom. Potential short-covering could fuel a move to record highs in the coming months.
The Takeaway: Large speculators remain aggressively short the Russell 2000 despite its recent outperformance. Potential short-covering could fuel a rally to all-time highs in the coming months.
Quote of the Day
"If you want to be happy, be."
- Leo Tolstoy
Top Links
Stocks Break Out All Over The World - The Compound and Friends
JC Parets joins Josh Brown and Michael Batnick to discuss some of the hottest trends and themes in the market.
Nasdaq 100 (QQQ): 2025 vs. 2020-2024 - Bespoke
Bespoke examines how the Nasdaq 100 has performed in 2025 versus each of the last five years.
Marketโs Summer Retreat Tends to Start Around Mid-July - Almanac Trader
Jeff Hirsch points out that the second half of July has historically been weaker than the first half.
Stock Market & Crypto Analysis 7/18/25 - Brian Shannon
Brian Shannon breaks down this week's price action and some key levels for next week.
Bull Market Behavior - Alfonso's Daily Note
Alfonso De Pablos points out that Technology is breaking out to fresh highs relative to Consumer Staples ($XLK/$XLP).