Stocks may be in for a deeper pullback, now that the so-called fear index is finally breaking higher.
The CBOE Volatility Index (.VIX), considered the best gauge of fear in the market, closed above its 200-day moving average for the first time since the election this week.
VIX 12-month performance
Source: FactSet
The fear index on Wednesday hit 16.16, its highest since Nov. 10, after closing above its 200-day moving average on Monday for the first time since Nov. 8.
“The VIX confirmed a breakout above its 200-day moving average [Tuesday], supporting a pickup in volatility in the days ahead,” BTIG’s chief technical strategist, Katie Stockton, said in a Wednesday note.
“We expect the inversely correlated SPX to break its 50-day moving average in a short-term setback that will lead to a retest of March’s low” of 2,322, she said.
A key factor for the renewed fear was concern about geopolitical events such as tensions with North Korea, the conflict in Syria, or the French elections.
The geopolitical risk has been known for some time, but “now it’s creating a critical mass,” said Dan Veru, chief investment officer at Palisade Capital Management. “The market’s being forced to recognize the impact [from] global disruption.”
“You’re seeing significant institutional demand for protection. Right or wrong, their models are indicating now there’s an increased risk of further market disruption,” he said.
In another concerning move, the S&P 500 closed below its 50-day moving average Wednesday for the first time since Election Day.
However, the VIX is also still well below its historical highs. The index hit a 52-week high last June of 26.7, and Veru pointed out that VIX futures for May and June actually point to a decline in the fear index.
“That tells you based on what options players feel, that there’s a great deal of risk on the near-term time horizon and they don’t see as much risk in May as they see right now in April,” he said.
The major U.S. averages also remain within 3 percent of their all-time highs.
“A deeper pullback would be constructive in that it would generate short-term oversold conditions within the framework of the long-term uptrend,” Stockton said.
— CNBC’s Gina Francolla contributed to this report.