S&P 500: Dispersion Index at Historic Highs Hints at Market Exhaustion

Published 09/10/2025, 05:09
Updated 09/10/2025, 07:48

1 Takeaway

  • Watch for confirmation of a trend change in the implied correlation versus dispersion spread, which may signal a directional turn for the S&P 500.

The S&P 500 advanced about 60 basis points on the day, but the index has essentially moved sideways since Friday. If it manages to gap higher today, that would be different, but for now, we’ve just been oscillating around the 6,750 gamma level. Technically, there’s not much to note, except for the bearish divergence on the RSI and the potential rising wedge.S&P 500 Index-Daily Chart

I know everyone likes to compare today’s market to 1999, and there are even plenty of analogs circulating. However, I believe today’s market most closely resembles the one from the 1960s. In fact, it’s an analog I identified back in 2021, and it still seems to be tracking fairly well, even if the timing fluctuates a bit.S&P 500 Index-Daily Chart

In the meantime, with the index rising by nearly 60 bps today, the 21-day moving average moved up to 6 basis points from 5.55 on Monday’s low. At this point, as long as the S&P 500 continues to rise or fall by more than 38 bps per day, the 21-day realized volatility will keep increasing.SPX Realized Volatility

The dispersion index continues to climb to historically high levels.S&P 500 Dispersion Index

What was noticeable, however, was that the spread between the 3-month implied correlation index and dispersion index did not make a higher high. While one day doesn’t mean much, a few days of this potential change in trend in the spread could tell us a lot about where the S&P 500 is heading.DSPX-COR3M-Daily Chart

In the meantime, we can add Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) to the list of stocks that have turned lower in recent days.BAC-Daily Chart

Blackstone (NYSE:BX) broke support on Wednesay at 163.Blackstone-Daily Chart

Home Depot (NYSE:HD) continued to fall as well.Home Depot-Daily Chart

However, overall market breadth continues to deteriorate.NYSI-Daily Chart

The US dollar continues to show strength, with the index pushing higher and breaking above resistance at 98.50. Momentum is continuing to build positively, with the RSI moving above 61. The 100 level is likely the next stop for the US dollar index.US Dollar Index-Daily Chart

I’m sure I’m leaving something out, but my brain is hurting.

Original Post

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.