By Kristoff De Turck - reviewed by Aldwin Keppens
Last update: Jul 10, 2025
(All data & visualisations by ChartMill.com)
A new high for the QQQ and IWM on its way to its final and highest resistance level.
The bulls kept the upper hand yesterday, with a firm follow-through across key market breadth indicators that signaled improving internals.
After a shaky start to the week on July 7, breadth metrics on July 8 already hinted at a potential rebound and the data from July 9 has now confirmed it.
Let’s break down what’s really happening under the surface and why this is a win for the bulls, even if the longer-term signals still demand some skepticism...
On July 9, 66.8% of all tracked stocks posted gains, a clear bullish breadth day that follows up on the modestly positive breadth from July 8 (59.4%).
Importantly, we also saw a 6.0% share of stocks gaining more than 4%, which confirms some risk appetite returning to the market. While that’s slightly below the July 8 figure (6.1%), it’s still solid and well above the bearish 3% we saw on July 7.
Decliners shrank to 30.5%, and only 1.5% of stocks dropped more than 4%, a strong improvement from the July 7 washout (6.6%).
This 3-day breadth trajectory - from bearish breakdown (July 7) to stabilization (July 8) and now confirmation (July 9) - paints a short-term bullish scenario. But let’s not pop the champagne yet.
Looking at how many stocks are trading above key moving averages, we see a clear uptick:
All four metrics rose again, a continuation of the trend that began July 8. Especially notable is the climb in 200-day participation, now pushing back above 54%, which indicates growing medium-term support.
The number of new highs (NH) jumped to 4.3% of stocks from 2.6% on July 8 and just 3.1% on July 7, another confirming signal of growing strength. New lows (NL) stayed ultra-low at just 0.6%, which keeps risk in check.
This steady improvement in NH/NL ratios adds confidence that the market’s rally isn’t just noise.
It clearly shows how short-term momentum (1-week breadth) dipped recently, while medium-term strength (3-month breadth) remained elevated, highlighting the current disconnect in market behavior.
Breadth over the past five trading days is also pointing in the bulls’ favor:
Advance Week: 67% (up from 64.7%)
Decline Week: 31.8% (down from 34.1%)
After a concerning start to the week, this week's breadth is shifting back to favoring the buyers. That said, a single strong day (July 9) is largely responsible for the recovery, so let’s watch closely if this trend continues through the end of the week.
The data from July 9 marks a legitimate recovery in market breadth, especially after the washout on July 7. The key moving average metrics, new highs, and multi-day advance-decline ratios all point to growing market strength.
However, given that headline risk remains (trade tariffs, speculation about interest rates, valuations of technology companies), I will be keeping a close eye on the broader picture over the next two sessions to see whether this recovery translates into an actual constructive upward trend.
Let’s call it what it is: constructive, but not yet convincing.
Kristoff - Co-founder, ChartMill
Next to read: Market Monitor News, July 10
221.7
-3.1 (-1.38%)
554.2
-1.25 (-0.23%)
623.62
-2.2 (-0.35%)
Find more stocks in the Stock Screener
Buyers Step Aside as Tariff Jitters Grip the Market
Market breadth continues to support the rally… but not without friction.
Bullish Recovery Confirmed, But Caution Lingers Under the Hood
Market Breadth Holds Firm as Volatility Flares But Watch for a Momentum Stall
Breadth Breakdown: One Bad Day Doesn’t Break the Bull - Yet
Breadth Check: Market Still Holding Up — But the Momentum Is Looking a Bit Tired
Market Breadth Holds Strong as Quarter Ends With Momentum
Stocks Hold the Line, but Under the Surface? Mixed Signals Persist
Market Breadth Roars Back: Bulls Reclaim Control, But Will They Hold the Line?
Breadth Falters Again as Bulls Lose Steam After One-Day Comeback
Breadth Bounces Back: The Rally Finds Broader Legs
Market breadth bounces back, more stocks trading above key averages as bullish momentum builds after last week's chop.