It’s always good to take some time off, step back, and refresh. During our short leave, we received inquiries on when our next blog post would be released. Your feedback and demand for our work are appreciated. The idea that we’re providing valuable information is motivating. Our break is over and we’re back with some more market insights you might find useful. Today’s update involves a major industrial sector that has been underperforming for a long time: Energy. For over 9 years, the Energy sector has underperformed the broad market. Don’t believe us? Take a look.

Above is a weekly chart of Energy (using ETF, XLE) versus the S&P 500 (using ETF, SPY). Simply put, when the ratio rises, XLE is outperforming. When the ratio falls, SPY is outperforming. Since mid-2008, Energy has been nothing but a hot mess. From June 2008 through today, if you were involved in Energy, you lost 7% of your capital while the broad market represented by the S&P 500 appreciated 114%. Talk about opportunity cost.

Within this 9-year period, however, there have been countertrend moves worth participating in. For example, Energy outperformed the S&P 500 +29% versus +12% in calendar year 2016. Not too shabby. But as the chart above highlights, the bigger trend is down. So what we’re shedding light on here today is NOT an opportunity with the winds of a larger trend at its back. What is notable, however, is the recent breakout of Energy on an absolute and relative basis.

We can clearly see buyers have changed the trajectory of price with XLE breaking out on an absolute basis and on a relative basis versus the S&P 500. This development is in conjunction with a divergence between price and momentum and buyers stepping in a logical support level near $63. In addition, price has recorded and higher low and higher high on this time frame. That’s the very definition of a trend change. As long as XLE can hold and sustain above $66.17, this countertrend move in energy will have legs. With an upside target near $70, this set-up has a friendly reward-to-risk ratio of almost 8-to-1.

To conclude, while we’re not in the business of picking a bottom in Energy, it’s quite possible this recent move is something worth participating in. The game plan is simple. Above $66, own XLE. Below that, it can be someone else’s problem. Trade at your own risk.

As always, you can get real-time updates and commentary about this development and many more opportunities here: @360Research

By the way, we created this free tool for you, The Ultimate ETF Cheat Sheet. It’s an easy-to-use ETF resource guide. We think you’ll like it.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this article should be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell a security. You invest based on your own decisions. Everything in this post is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. I or my affiliates may hold positions in securities mentioned in this blog. Please see our Disclosure page for full disclaimer.