Pretty uneventful day in the market yesterday

The stock market saw a mild rally yesterday...on very low volume and breadth that was flat. Of course, we will certainly continue to see some big earnings-related moves on individual stocks going forward (just like we see EVERY earnings season), but it looks like investors are waiting to see what the Fed announcement gives us next week before they derive a strong opinion on the entire market.

The SMH semiconductor ETF is testing a CRITICAL resistance level

Have said this, there IS something else has the potential to push the broad market higher before next week: A breakout in the chip stocks. The SMH is testing a VERY tough resistance level, so any upside follow-through will be quite bullish for both the group and the broad stock market. Click here to get more details (and charts) on this critically important potential development in my newsletter, Beyond the Fundamentals Now (BTFNow.com).

How/why TXN should play a key role this week.

The problem is that there is no guarantee that the SMH will indeed break above its key technical level...due to the fact that it is getting quite overbought.......Whether it can indeed breakout or not could be determined by the action in TXN over the rest of this week (after it reports its earnings tonight). Of course, TXN is not the only important stock in the chip sector. In fact, I'll be watching two other stocks in particular over the coming weeks, but the focus this week should be TXN. To delve deeper into these issues...including the headwinds facing the SMH...the chart on TXN...and the other stocks/charts we're watching in the chip sector, click here to subscribe to "Beyond the Fundamentals Now" (BTFNow.com).

Matthew J. Maley

Managing Director

Chief Market Strategist

Miller Tabak + Co., LLC

Founder/CEO BTFNow.com

(Beyond the Fundamentals Now)

275 Grove St. Suite 2-400

Newton, MA 02466

617-663-5381

mmaley@millertabak.com

Although the information contained in this report (not including disclosures contained herein) has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, the accuracy and completeness of such information and the opinions expressed herein cannot be guaranteed. This report is for informational purposes only and under no circumstances is it to be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy, any security. Any recommendation contained in this report may not be appropriate for all investors. Trading options is not suitable for all investors and may involve risk of loss. Additional information is available upon request or by contacting us at Miller Tabak + Co., LLC, 200 Park Ave. Suite 1700, New York, NY 10166.