STOCK MARKET BULLISH -- LONG

Keybot the Quant is on the long side during the orgy rally. The bulls are in control of the stock market with the algo number 31 points above the signal line.

The market metrics explode higher across the board. The stock market prints new record highs on the Iran War hype and continued expectation that the new AI technology, that is already 4 years old in the mainstream, is the best thing since sliced bread.

Volatility and retail stocks were key last week but the bulls maintain their dominance sending the VIX down to a 17 handle and the XRT towards 87. Bears got nothing unless the VIX pops above 19.62.

Keybot the Quant prints one prescheduled number this week on Friday morning shortly after the opening bell. Futures trade at 6 PM EST today and Asia will come on line so perhaps King Donnie Trumpski will make an announcement or provide comments between 3 PM and 6 PM to massage the futures, or sink them. Hopefully, it is not another Sunday Bloody Sunday in the Middle East. U2 in their younger days playing Red Rocks. How long must we sing this song?

4/26/26; 7:00 PM EST =
4/24/26; 10:00 AM EST =
4/19/26; 7:00 PM EST = +68; signal line is +37
4/13/26; 2:01 PM EST = +68; signal line is +34

STOCK MARKET BULLISH -- LONG

Keybot the Quant remains long as another big upside push occurs due to King Donnie Trumpski happy talk that the Iran War is Mission Accomplished. The SPX prints a new all-time high at 7147.52 and new all-time closing high at 7126.06 on Friday, 4/17/26.

Everything is euphorically bullish across the board. Everyone believes stocks will go up forever. The bulls are in control without a care in the world with the algo number 34 points above the signal line. The quant has not printed any numbers since Monday.

The Friday prescheduled number was changed to 4/29/26. The economic data remains a mess due to the dysfunctional shutdowns. 

4/19/26; 7:00 PM EST =
4/13/26; 2:01 PM EST = +68; signal line is +34

STOCK MARKET BULLISH -- LONG

Keybot the Quant remains long as the big upside rally continues. Monday was a bear trap that probably snagged lots of traders that then had to cover like madmen pushing the SPX to a new all-time high at 7026.24 and new all-time closing high at 7022.95. The 'SPX 7K' hats are distributed on trading floors although one jokester printed the 7K on a dunce cap.

The stock market is in a euphoria. Traders are complacent and fearless ready to place another full paycheck into tech stocks with zero fear that equities can ever go down. Volatility, retail stocks and the banksters are the key focus of the quant currently. The banks are reporting yearnings with GS leading the parade by laying an egg but the other banks were happy talk.

Volatility and retail stocks will tell you if the bears want to growl again. VIX 19.62 and XRT 82.75 are the lines in the sand. The VIX is trading at 18.08 in real-time creating bullish joy and perhaps on its way to printing a 17 handle today. Bears got nothing unless the VIX moves above 19.62.

XRT is pushing towards 84 so bears have some wood to chop to pull price below 82.75 to reintroduce stock market negativity.

Keybot the Quant prints a prescheduled number tomorrow morning. The bulls are running the show with the algo number 34 points above the signal line. Welcome Back My Friends to the show than never ends. You gotta see the show, it's dynamo, it's rock 'n roll.

4/19/26; 7:00 PM EST =
4/17/26; 9:00 AM EST =
4/13/26; 2:01 PM EST = +68; signal line is +34
4/13/26; 1:17 PM EST = +54; signal line is +32
4/13/26; 12:32 PM EST = +68; signal line is +29
4/13/26; 12:31 PM EST = +52; signal line is +27
4/13/26; 9:53 AM EST = +38; signal line is +24
4/13/26; 9:39 AM EST = +22; signal line is +22 but algorithm remains long
4/13/26; 9:36 AM EST = +38; signal line is +20
4/13/26; 3:06 AM EST = +54; signal line is +17
4/12/26; 7:00 PM EST = +68; signal line is +14

STOCK MARKET BULLISH -- LONG

Keybot the Quant remains long as the bulls send stocks higher on the Iran War ceasefire hype. The VIX drops below the 19.50 bull/bear line in the sand providing additional juice to take stocks higher. The bulls are cruising and in charge with the algo number 54 points above the signal line. 

Volatility and retail sales will tell you if the bull relief rally has legs, or not. Legs. VIX 19.50 and XRT 82.61 are the two numbers to watch and the VIX is below and XRT above both creating bullishness in the stock market (barely). Stocks will continue higher if they both remain bullish.

The relief rally will stop if either metric turns bearish. If both turn bearish, the bears will have a sliver of hope that they can reverse the stock market joy and reintroduce negativity.

Keybot the Quant prints one prescheduled number this week on Friday morning before the opening bell for the cash session.

4/19/26; 7:00 PM EST =
4/17/26; 9:00 AM EST =
4/12/26; 7:00 PM EST = +68; signal line is +14
4/10/26; 3:58 PM EST = +68; signal line is +11
4/10/26; 3:56 PM EST = +54; signal line is +7
4/10/26; 3:41 PM EST = +38; signal line is +4
4/10/26; 3:28 PM EST = +54; signal line is +1
4/10/26; 3:20 PM EST = +68; signal line is -1
4/10/26; 11:44 AM EST = +54; signal line is -4
4/10/26; 10:00 AM EST = +68; signal line is -6
4/10/26; 9:36 AM EST = +68; signal line is -9
4/8/26; 9:36 AM EST = +54; signal line is -10

STOCK MARKET BULLISH -- LONG

Keybot the Quant remains long. Bulls and bears came to play on Monday and it was a give and take battle until the SPX ran higher giving the bulls the upper hand.

The cyclical bear market was fleeting due to the announcement of a ceasefire with the Iran War. The cyclical bulls are back in business. Why can't King Donnie achieve a ceasefire in the Ukraine War when he was supposed to end that conflict 24 hours after taking office? Trumpski said, as he enjoyed company with Putin, that he did not want a ceasefire in the Ukraine War. Go figure. Nonetheless, the announcement about the Iran War creates a record stock market orgy on Wall Street. Will it last?

Short sellers had to cover quickly creating the strong rally. The bulls are clearly in charge of the stock market with the algo number 64 points above the signal line. Everyone is in the bull camp except for one key metric; volatility.

Despite the party atmosphere and traders buying any stock with a heartbeat, the VIX was unable to drop below its key line in the sand at 19.53. VIX is trading at 21.53 in real-time so the bulls need 2 ticks lower before they can throw the big party with confetti, booze and dancing girls.

Retail, banks and copper create the upside joy. Copper needs to drop about -1.7% to help the bears and it is down -0.8% currently. Bears need weaker retail stocks, banks and copper. Bulls need the VIX below 19.53 to signal the all-clear for upside glory ahead. For now, the bulls are celebrating singing Paloma Blanca. It's a new day, it's a new way, and I fly up to the sun.

4/12/26; 7:00 PM EST =
4/10/26; 10:00 AM EST =
4/8/26; 9:36 AM EST = +54; signal line is -10
4/6/26; 2:15 PM EST = +6; signal line is -14
4/6/26; 2:04 PM EST = -8; signal line is -15
4/6/26; 1:28 PM EST = +6; signal line is -16
4/6/26; 1:18 PM EST = -8; signal line is -17
4/6/26; 9:48 AM EST = +6; signal line is -17
4/5/26; 7:00 PM EST = -8; signal line is -17

STOCK MARKET BULLISH -- LONG -- CAUTION

Happy Easter. Keybot the Quant remains long with the algo number 9 points above the signal line. That is not much so the caution flag remains out.

King Donnie is spouting threats all weekend long now cursing at Iran to open the Straits of Hormuz. A day ago he said he did not care about the straits. Trumpski threatens to blow up power plants and other infrastructure on Tuesday that will screw the Iranian people that wanted help. Poor American kids will be sent off to fight in Hormuz, like Vietnam years ago. If you are lucky to make it back, when someone asks you what war you were in, you will say Muz, like a few decades ago when you would say Nam.

As previously posted, bears need NYA below 21750 to wreak havoc in the stock market. Bulls need SPX above 6590 to prove they got game going forward. Status quo means more choppy slop.

In addition, bulls need stronger banks and copper to signal the all-clear for big gains ahead. Bulls need XLF above 50.40 and/or CPER above 34.63 that will catapult the stock market bigtime higher.

Bears need weaker semiconductors in addition to the NYA index if they want to start growling again. Bears need SOX below 7710 to create negativity in the stock market. If either NYA or SOX join the bear camp, either one would do, and the SPX would drop below 6475, Keybot the Quant may flip short. If either NYA or SOX turn bearish, consider the imminent turn to the short side to be in play.

Bulls need a stronger SPX and stronger banks and copper to throw confetti for the stock market going forward. Bears need a weaker NYA index and weaker chips to reopen the gates of Hell for equities.

Keybot the Quant prints one prescheduled number this week on Friday morning. Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail... Merv Shiner at the Martin factory. The Martin acoustic guitars are excellent and made by hand in Pennsylvania.

4/12/26; 7:00 PM EST =
4/10/26; 10:00 AM EST =
4/5/26; 7:00 PM EST = -8; signal line is -17
4/3/26; 9:00 AM EST = -8; signal line is -17
4/1/26; 2:08 PM EST = -8; signal line is -17

STOCK MARKET BULLISH -- LONG -- CAUTION

Keybot the Quant remains long through more choppy slop. Stocks tank yesterday morning due to King Donnie's braggadocio speech that he will bomb Iran into the Stone Age. Global markets do not want to hear asinine language. The quant did not flinch at the bear trap that snared as stocks took off higher after the flush lower into the 3-day Easter weekend. The US stock market is closed today but the Jobs Report is on tap.

SPX 6589.50 opens the gates to Hell with price below at 6582.69. NYA 21750 closes the gates to Hell with price above at 22194. One of these two will flinch and that tells you the direction of the US stock market. If SPX recovers, it is party-time going forward. If NYA fails, we tumble into the abyss of Hades.

Chips, banks and copper control the destiny of the two metrics above. These are the parameters controlling the stock market currently. The bulls remain in control with the algo number 9 points above the signal line. After the Easter Bunny runs away, these signposts will light the way. What will the signs say? Signs by the Five Man Electrical Band.

4/5/26; 7:00 PM EST =
4/3/26; 9:00 AM EST =
4/1/26; 2:08 PM EST = -8; signal line is -17
4/1/26; 11:12 AM EST = +6; signal line is -17

STOCK MARKET BULLISH -- LONG -- CAUTION

Keybot the Quant remains long as the bull party continues. Chips turn bullish providing more upside fuel for the stock market. The bulls are in control with the algo number 23 points above the signal line.

Bears need SPX below 6589 (it is teetering; this target level jumps higher because a new month begins today), SOX below 7720 and/or NYA below 21745. For now, they are bullish drinking the Trumpski vodka that says the Iran War is ending. Bears likely need 2 of the 3 to turn bearish to resume the downward slide in stocks.

Bulls need stronger banks and copper to create more upside. Of course, they need the three parameters above to remain bullish and XLF 50.45 and/or CPER 34.65 will create lots more upside fuel for equities.

SPX is walking on the 6589 canyon edge right now at 6601. CPER (copper) is in the neighborhood of turning bullish if it receives a push. There are lots of moving parts right now but SPX, SOX, NYA, XLF and CPER will dictate the trail forward. The bunny trail chasing rabbits. Looking for the White Rabbit with Gracie. Go ask Alice.

4/5/26; 7:00 PM EST =
4/3/26; 9:00 AM EST =
4/1/26; 11:12 AM EST = +6; signal line is -17
4/1/26; 9:36 AM EST = -8; signal line is -17
3/31/26; 7:00 PM EST EOM EOQ1 = -10; signal line is -17

STOCK MARKET BULLISH -- LONG -- CAUTION

Keybot the Quant flips to the long side before the session ended yesterday at SPX 6526. The whipsaw choppy slop is relentless. It is market craziness to see the SPX down a couple hundred points then recover it all in a matter of three days. The Easter Bunny laid a brown egg in the bull's basket last week and then hopped onto the bear's basket yesterday and laid a bigger brown egg. Gene Autry made the Peter Cottontail song famous. Kids enjoy it this time of year.

The bulls are in charge with the algo number 7 points above the signal line. The bulls win with the SPX regaining 6503-6504 and NYA regaining 21740 but this battle will likely continue. Stronger chips will bolster the bull case. Bears need the SPX and NYA to drop back below those key levels.

March trading and Q1 are in the bag with April trading beginning today. Watch out for the April Fool's Day pranks. There are only two trading days remaining in the week and Easter weekend begins.

On the last trade that ran less than a week, the quant program and actual trading each lose a half percent. It is death by a thousand cuts. O Death by Ralph Stanley. For the year thus far, the benchmark S&P 500 and the quant program are both down about -5% and the actual trading generated by the quant is down -4%. No one is happy this year with the never-ending sideways pig slop. Keybot exited SH and entered DIA. Will this direction last more than 10 minutes?

4/5/26; 7:00 PM EST =
4/3/26; 9:00 AM EST =
3/31/26; 7:00 PM EST EOM EOQ1 = -10; signal line is -17
3/31/26; 3:37 PM EST = -10; signal line is -16; go long 6526 (Benchmark SPX for 2026 = -4.7%)(Keybot algo this trade = -0.5%; Keybot algo for 2026 = -4.6%)(Actual results this trade = -0.5%; Actual results for 2026 = -4.1%)
3/31/26; 2:50 PM EST = -10; signal line is -16 but algorithm remains short
3/31/26; 10:00 AM EST = -24; signal line is -16
3/31/26; 9:36 AM EST = -24; signal line is -14
3/30/26; 12:28 PM EST = -38; signal line is -13
3/30/26; 11:02 AM EST = -24; signal line is -11
3/30/26; 9:48 AM EST = -38; signal line is -10
3/30/26; 9:36 AM EST = -24; signal line is -9
3/29/26; 7:00 PM EST = -38; signal line is -8
3/27/26; 1:56 PM EST = -38; signal line is -7
3/27/26; 10:00 AM EST = -24; signal line is -6
3/26/26; 1:55 PM EST = -24; signal line is -4
3/26/26; 1:54 PM EST = -10; signal line is -3; go short 6497 (Benchmark SPX for 2026 = -5.1%)(Keybot algo this trade = -1.9%; Keybot algo for 2026 = -4.1%)(Actual results this trade = -1.9%; Actual results for 2026 = -3.6%)