Since topping out in October 2007, global stock markets have been characterized by two distinct phases: a decline through January/March this year, and then a rebound until mid-May. The predominantly weak undertone of the past few weeks has naturally again raised the question of whether the strength from January/March until three weeks ago has simply been a bear market rally, or whether it in fact was a longer-term upturn in stock markets' fortunes.

I went on record last year calling a primary bear trend for the US (and most other developed) stock markets, and more recently described the most likely medium-term scenario as a "muddle-through" type of pattern. I briefly want to review a few graphs in this post to ascertain whether this view still makes sense, and then next week investigate whether the fundamental picture (especially valuation levels) conveys the same message.

First up is a long-term chart of the S&P 500 Index (red line) together with a simple 12-month rate of change (or momentum) indicator (blue line). Although monthly indicators are of little help when it comes to market timing, they do come in handy for defining the primary trend. An ROC line below zero depicts bear trends as experienced in 1991, 1994, 2000 to 2003, and again since December 2007.

Source: StockCharts.com

Next up is a monthly graph of the Dow Jones Industrial Index (top section) and its MACD oscillator (bottom section). The fact that the blue histograms have been in negative territory since December 2007 serves as confirmation of a primary bear trend.

Source: StockCharts.com

Primary bear trends, however, are not non-stop declining trends and are made up of secondary up and down wiggles. In order to determine where in the bear phase we find ourselves at this point in time, let's look at a number of shorter-term indicators.

The next chart is the CBOE Volatility (VIX) Index, an indicator that moves in the opposite direction to stock prices and shows the level of complacency (lower values) or nervousness (higher values) of market participants. The present level of 23.3 still has a way to go before reaching the 30 plus levels of August and October 2007 and January and March this year, but may not necessarily reach those levels in this movement as various oscillators are starting to approach overbought conditions.

Source: StockCharts.com

A rather surprising chart is the New York Stock Exchange Bullish Percent Index, showing approximately half the stocks still in primary up-trends. Compared to the January and March lows, there is certainly more downside potential, but this must be watched closely as failure to break down should be construed as a positive sign.

Source: StockCharts.com

The index of net new highs/lows on the New York Stock Exchange (shaded areas in the chart below) has also been holding up surprisingly well and should be monitored carefully as a possible sign of non-confirmation of index weakness.

Source: StockCharts.com

The cumulative graph of net advancing/declining issues on the New York Stock Exchange held up quite well during the initial declines, but has now embarked on a path in the direction of the March low. The jury is out on whether it will decline to a fully oversold situation.

Source: StockCharts.com

The short-term indicators do not offer conclusive evidence that US stock markets have significant downside potential in the near term, neither do they point to markets about to embark on a strong upward path again. The situation has that "no man's land" type of feel about it.

In my opinion, the direction of banking stocks will be paramount in determining the trend of the broader market. In this regard, I am keeping a beady eye on a host of indicators, some of which are shown in the chart below. The Philadelphia Bank Index's RSI indicator and Bollinger Bands are certainly nearing the stage where banks may at least bounce, if only temporarily.

Source: StockCharts.com

Although banks are looking oversold on short-term considerations, they would need a longer convalescence period in order to rebuild their balance sheets. And until this key sector shows clear signs of a reversal, I have difficulty seeing the primary bear trend turning around in a hurry. I am not in the "end of the world" school, but also have little reason to see a more optimistic scenario than "muddle-through" action, typified by sub-optimal returns.

I will post some material on fundamental considerations within the next few days, but in the meantime would like to stress again that the emphasis at this juncture should be on the return of capital rather than the return on capital.