How far can this (Bear Market) S&P 500 Stock Market Rally Go?

On March 10, 2009, the S&P 500 went up 6.37%. Some pundits are calling for a bottom, but many see this as merely a Bear Market Rally.

How far can this rally go?



First major candidate is S&P 500 level of 740 to 760. This was the previous low held late in 2008, and is also the level that held in the Bear Market Bottom of 2000-2002.

Another candidate is the breakout point off a symmetrical triangle pattern.

Previously, this blog demonstrated that the S&P 500 recently broke down from a symmetrical triangle.

According to stockcharts.com:

Prices sometimes return to the breakout point of apex on a reaction move before resuming in the direction of the breakout. This return can offer a second chance to participate with a better reward to risk ratio. Potential reward price targets found by measurement and parallel trend line extension are only meant to act as rough guidelines. Technical analysis is dynamic and ongoing assessment is required.

It is possible that the rally could continue to this breakout (breakdown) point of around 825 on the S&P 500.

The 50 day moving average is very close to the 825 breakdown point on the S&P 500.

Overextended from the 200 Day Moving Average

The S&P 500 is also very overextended underneath the 200 Day Moving Average. This suggests that the rally could have some room, or go sideways long enough for the 200 Day Moving Average to catch up.

Today's Stock Chart of the S&P 500