How might the negative earnings affect the stock's technical momentum and potential shortâterm price action?
Impact on technical momentum
The surprise swing from a modest profit in the prior quarter to a $8.3âŻm loss (â$0.20âŻ/âŻshare) will likely trigger a rapid sellâoff on the TSXâCFF chart. In the last 30âŻdays the stock has been trading just above its 20âday SMA and has been supported by the 50âday SMA. A sharp earningsâdriven gapâdown (often 3â5âŻ% on lowâfloat Canadian stocks) will break those shortâterm averages, pulling the 10âday EMA and MACâD histogram into negative territory. RSI, which was hovering around 55, will likely tumble into the 40â45 zone, signalling weakening momentum and opening the door for a shortâterm downâtrend channel. The recent negative sentiment score (â70) also suggests that shortâterm traders will be more aggressive on the downside, increasing volume on the sell side and potentially generating a âsellâtheânewsâ volume spike that could push the price below the recent lowâvolume âbreakoutâ level atâŻ$2.40 (the 20âday low).
Shortâterm priceâaction outlook and actionable trade ideas
- Immediate reaction (0â2âŻdays): Expect a gapâdown to test the $2.40â$2.30 region. If price holds above the 20âday SMA (~$2.35) and finds buying on the dip, a quick rebound to the 50âday SMA (~$2.55) could occur, offering a shortâterm buying opportunity on a bounce.
- If the break holds: A break below the 20âday SMA and the $2.35 support, coupled with a MACâD crossâunder and RSI falling below 40, would confirm a shortâterm bear flag. In that scenario a stopâloss above the 20âday SMA (â$2.55) and a target near the 50âday EMA (~$2.20) would be a sensible shortâterm sellâorâshort entry.
- If the stock rebounds: A retest of the $2.55â$2.60 range with volume support could signal a âsellâtheâgapâ bounce, allowing a shortâterm long with a tight stop at $2.45 and a target around the prior swing high ($2.80â$2.85) within the next 5â10âŻdays.
Overall, the negative earnings erode technical momentum and set the stage for a shortâterm downside bias, but watch for a possible bounceâback if price stabilizes above the 20âday SMA. Adjust position sizing and stopâlosses tightly, as the stock can swing 5â7âŻ% in a single session on this news.