FLASH INTRADAY: Why IWM and $220.93 level might be biggest clue to equity market direction next few days Array ( [cookie] => c1ad16-41b0f5-86a520-f92638-32323b [current_usage] => 2 [max_usage] => 2 [current_usage_crypto] => 2 [max_usage_crypto] => 2 [lock] => 1 [message] => [error] => [active_member] => 0 [subscriber] => 0 [role] => [visitor_id] => 208701 [user_id] => [reason] => [method] => ) 1 and can accesss
STRATEGY: Why IWM $220.93 might be the key level to watch for market direction
On 3/23, we wrote about how we believed the Russell 2000 (better proxy is IWM ETF) made an important low and this was important for future overall equity market direction. We use the IWM because it is the ETF tracking the Russell 2000 and is updated more often than the R2K index.
IWM make a brief dive lower on 3/25/2021, but that could have been the early sign of the massive leveraged trade unwind by the 6 prime brokers. But since that 3/23 low, the IWM (Russell 2000) has been clawing its way back.
At this moment, we believe IWM is actually a leading indicator index for overall market direction. Why?
- Foremost, it is the best performing major index YTD, up 13%
- Second, it is chocked full of Epicenter/Cyclicals, which is the best barometer of the economic re-opening.
IWM has been a bit heavy lately, the index peaked on 3/16/2021 and while it looks like it bottomed last week, it has yet to re-attain an all-time high. Thus, it sort of raises the question about the health of the re-opening.
This is why IWM $220.93 might be the most important level for markets.
Why IWM $220.93 matters...
Take a look at the 30 minute IWM chart below. There are some key points marked:
- TD Buy countdowns of "13" (key) and "9" (good) in place
- 200-day moving average is $220.82
- Resistance ST is $220.93, the high from two days ago
Thus, you can see that $220.93 is a key level and once a close above $220.93 take place, the next key level is the all-time high of $235. There is a minor "gap" to be filled at $225, so that could be a "magnet" once above $220.93
Bottom line: Watch IWM... might be key to market direction
In short, what IWM over next two days. Since it is the most-epicenter filled index, this might be the most indicative of market direction.
- best case is a close above 220.93
- ideally today or Thursday
- not terrible, if it happens in the next 5 days
The future is uncertain, but I don't think it is an "if" question but a "when" question. But I am only guessing. Seriously, the future is uncertain.


Become a Member To Access FS Insight Research
FS Insight gives individual investors access to Tom Lee's research, previously only available to banks and hedge funds.
|
|||
Join Now |
|
|||
Join Now |
What's included in your FSI Membership?

Thomas J. Lee
Head of Research
Type | Publication | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Monthly | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reports |
First Word The best market research out there -- on a near-daily basis. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||||
Intraday Alerts These are released periodically after crucial market developments. |
Real-Time | |||||||
Weekly Roadmap Weekly summary of market events and updates on our key theses. |
![]() |
|||||||
Webinars & Videos |
Macro Minute Video Daily video commentary on market conditions & key events. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||
Outlook Webinars We host over 12 LIVE webinars per year with our research team and high-profile special guests. Incredible value and market insights! |
Yearly | |||||||
Granny Shots Webinars |
![]() |
|||||||
CEO Interview Webinars | Quarterly | |||||||
Appearances Archive | Real-Time | |||||||
Allocation Tools |
"Super Granny" Shots Stock List Granny Shots we expect to tactically outperform and underperform. |
![]() |
||||||
Granny Shots Stock List Thematic investment stock picks that aim to outperform the S&P 500. |
![]() |
|||||||
Sector Allocation A sector allocation strategy that is designed to outperform the S&P 500 while taking minimal risk. |
![]() |
|||||||
Market Alerts |
⚡️FlashInsights Real-time market commentary about macro and crypto events from our research heads. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Real-Time |

Mark L. Newton
Head of Technical Strategy
Type | Publication | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Monthly | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reports |
Daily Technical Strategy Daily commentary on market trends and short term opportunities. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
Weekly Roadmap Weekly summary of market events and updates on our key theses. |
![]() |
|||||||
Webinars & Videos |
Daily Technical Strategy Daily commentary on market trends and short term opportunities. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
Live Technical Analysis |
![]() |
|||||||
Outlook Webinars We host over 12 LIVE webinars per year with our research team and high-profile special guests. Incredible value and market insights! |
Yearly | |||||||
Appearances Archive | Real-Time | |||||||
Allocation Tools |
Newton's Upticks Stock List Technically derived, intermediate-term picks of attractive risk/reward opportunities from the S&P 500. |
![]() |
||||||
Market Alerts |
⚡️FlashInsights Real-time market commentary about macro and crypto events from our research heads. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |

L. Thomas Block
Washington Policy Strategy
Type | Publication | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Monthly | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reports |
US Policy Weekly update on developments in Washington DC and how they may impact Wall Street. |
![]() |
![]() |
|||||
Weekly Roadmap Weekly summary of market events and updates on our key theses. |
![]() |
|||||||
Market Alerts |
⚡️FlashInsights Real-time market commentary about macro and crypto events from our research heads. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Real-Time |


Sean Farrell & Crypto Team
Type | Publication | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Monthly | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reports |
Market Update Stay on top of the crypto markets with macro commentary, technical analysis, and the most relevant news. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
Weekly Strategy Weekly summary of market events and updates on our key theses. |
![]() |
|||||||
Funding Fridays Are you looking for investment opportunities in the crypto space? We explore early-stage crypto opportunities in this note about where the smart money is being invested! |
![]() |
|||||||
Crypto Concepts We periodically provide in-depth research on the leading protocols, companies, and funds shaping the crypto ecosystem. |
![]() |
|||||||
Liquid Ventures A recurring research note focused on delivering unique insights into high-risk investment opportunities within the crypto ecosystem, primarily centered on early-stage or small-cap tokens. |
![]() |
|||||||
Deep Research We periodically provide in-depth research on the leading protocols, companies, and funds shaping the crypto ecosystem. |
Quarterly | |||||||
Weekly Roadmap Weekly summary of market events and updates on our key theses. |
![]() |
|||||||
Webinars & Videos |
Outlook Webinars Ongoing webinars exploring crypto opportunities, in depth research, and exclusive research offerings from our team of analysts and leading cryptocurrency firms. |
Yearly | ||||||
Crypto Comments |
Daily Technical Strategy From Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana to other coins, our Head of Technical Strategy highlights important price movement to help give you an edge. |
![]() |
||||||
Allocation Tools |
Crypto Core Strategy A powerful tool designed to help crypto investors build a crypto portfolio that outperforms the industry’s king – bitcoin – regardless of market conditions. |
![]() |
||||||
Market Alerts |
⚡️FlashInsights Real-time market commentary about macro and crypto events from our research heads. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Real-Time |

FS Insight Research Team
Type | Publication | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Monthly | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reports | First to Market |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
*Earnings Daily This note provides investors with a myriad of useful metrics to measure the progress of earnings season |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|||
Signal From Noise Highlights timely market themes and sectors with corresponding stocks, cutting through the day-to-day market “noise” for a distinct perspective. |
![]() |
|||||||
Community Questions We gather your inquiries and answer them in the most scalable way. Hear directly from our research principals! |
![]() |
|||||||
FS Insight Academy Our main goal is to make you a better investor! This series will guide you through key financial concepts and topics in an understandable way. |
![]() |
|||||||
Webinars & Videos |
Free Macro Webinars Live webinars and Q&A with our research team and high-profile industry leaders. |
Quarterly | ||||||
Free Crypto Webinars Live webinars and Q&A with our research team and high-profile industry leaders. |
Quarterly |
*Daily reporting during each quarterly earnings season.