Rich applies market breadth far beyond what typical analysts do — he treats it as a core indicator for distinguishing real strength from false strength in the market. Market breadth measures how many stocks are participating in an advance. If an index makes new highs but the number of advancing stocks fails to do the same, beginner investors should remain cautious.
Market Breadth Divergence (Major Risk Warning): If a major index (such as the S&P 500) reaches new highs while the number of participating stocks declines, this is known as a “breadth divergence.” It signals that only a small group of heavyweight stocks is propping up the index, while the majority of stocks are already lagging.
Case Study: Prior to the 2025 tariff-war selloff, Rich used breadth divergence to anticipate the market downturn, helping his students avoid the sharp decline.
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Index Continues Making New Highs: At the time, the S&P 500 maintained an upward trend. On the surface, market sentiment appeared optimistic.
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Breadth Trending Lower: In contrast, key breadth indicators such as the percentage of stocks above their 50-day moving average and 200-day moving average were gradually declining.
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“Index Up, Breadth Down” Phenomenon: Although the index was printing new highs, the proportion of stocks trading above their 50-day and 200-day moving averages was shrinking. This showed that market leadership was narrowing and the underlying structure was weakening.
Therefore, when beginner investors observe a bearish breadth divergence at market highs, they must increase vigilance, as it often serves as an early warning sign that the broader market may be approaching a potential top.