Andrew@CANSLIM RESEARCHSystematic scan of 79 ETFs and indices across 7 categories. 31 in Stage 2, 16 in Stage 3-4, 12 passing Minervini. Regime: Uptrend Under Pressure. Published September 04, 2026.
How to Read This Report
Each ETF is evaluated using three frameworks. Click any category above to jump directly to its charts.
| Term | What It Means (Plain English) |
|---|---|
| Weinstein Stage (1-4) | Classifies every ETF into one of four phases based on its 150-day moving average. Stage 1 = Basing (sideways — not ready). Stage 2 = Advancing (rising — the only stage to buy). Stage 3 = Distribution (stalling — reduce). Stage 4 = Declining (falling — avoid). |
| Minervini Trend Template | An 8-point checklist by US Investing Champion Mark Minervini. Checks whether price is above key moving averages in the right order, at least 30% above the 52-week low, and within 25% of the 52-week high. Score of 8/8 = PASS = strong confirmed uptrend. |
| vs 50 MA | How far the price is from its 50-day average. Positive = above (bullish). Very large positive (>+10%) = potentially stretched too far. |
| ATR Extension | How many 'normal daily moves' (ATR) the price is above or below the 50-day average. >+2.0x = overextended (risky to chase). Near 0 = close to average (potential buy zone). |
| VDU Index | 5-day volume / 50-day average volume. Below 0.70 = volume dried up (sellers exhausted, breakout may be near). Above 1.0 = normal. |
| VCP | Volatility Contraction Pattern — price swings get smaller each time (e.g. 15% → 7% → 3%) while volume dries up. Signals sellers absorbed by buyers. One of the most reliable setups before a breakout. |
| R:R | Reward-to-risk ratio. 3.0:1 = $3 potential gain per $1 risked. Below 2.0:1 = not worth taking. Stop = 1.5x ATR; target = base depth measured move. |
Market Regime Assessment
We count how many ETFs are in each Weinstein Stage and how many pass the Minervini checklist across the full universe to determine whether the market favours aggressive buying or capital preservation.
| What We Measure | Result | What It Tells Us |
|---|---|---|
| ETFs in Stage 2 (buy zone) | 31 of 79 | 39% — narrow leadership |
| Minervini PASS (trend quality) | 12 of 79 | 15% — selective |
| Stage 3-4 (weakening/falling) | 16 of 79 | limited damage |
| Overall regime | Uptrend Under Pressure | Selective buying; tighten stops |
Feature Setup
Top setup: XPH (Pharmaceuticals) — Advancing, R:R 8.2:1.
Avoid (Stage 3-4): KWEB, XLY, XLC, XRT, ITB, XHB, BOTZ, FFTY, GLD, SLV, REMX, URA, NLR, NG1!, TAN and 1 more.
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