The S&P 500 futures index, considered the alpha market in today's highly correlated financial market place, shifted its weekly direction lower on Friday, to close below a 3-week pennant and post a 1-month low settlement. While stocks do have a powerful bullish seasonal this time of year, climbing back into the spring range is proving more difficult than in past years. With an established pattern of lower highs going back to May – see chart -- stock market bulls find themselves in a vulnerable position. Even a modest correction of the October rally would leave blue-chip stock indices both looking over the cliff’s ... (full story)