Did Value Just Bottom Versus Growth?

Below is a weekly chart of the Russell 2000 value ETF relative to its growth counterpart. This ratio has been in a clear downtrend since its several failed breakout attempts in 2004, 2005, and 2006, but after hitting 17-year lows just a few weeks ago, some signs of selling exhaustion have emerged.

Click on chart to enlarge view.

Earlier this year prices tested the 2015 lows and bounced slightly, but more recently undercut support and made new lows, only to quickly reverse higher. By closing back above the 2015 low, prices confirmed the potential bullish momentum divergence and failed breakdown that had developed. Generally failed move moves lead to fast moves in the opposite direction, which would suggest we want to be aggressively long value relative to growth as long as this ratio remains above its March lows. With a price target at former support and resistance near the late 2016 highs, we've got nearly 18% upside and only 2% downside from current levels.

The Bottom Line: Counter-trend moves are more difficult to trade, but failed breakdowns paired with momentum divergences tend to be very powerful signals, regardless of the directional outcome. If we're correct, this ratio should move higher quickly to confirm our thesis that value is set to outperform growth over the intermediate term. If we're wrong and prices make new lows, that will indicate selling pressure is very strong and that this downtrend has further to go, likely back toward the lows set in 2000.

Whether you're trading the ratio outright or using this relationship for context about the broader market, it's clear that the reward/risk is ridiculously skewed in the favor of the bulls at current levels.

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Thanks for reading and let us know if you have any questions!

Allstarcharts Team