MCH Analysis · Research
Graph 8 of 10 · Week of 2 Oct 2026Breadth & Leadership

SPY is within 3% of its 52-week high, yet net new highs are negative at -0.6% of the book

Share of names in the MCH reader-safe universe closing at a 52-week high minus the share closing at a 52-week low, 5-day average, weekly bars for the last two years; history since January 2016. Through 10 Sep 2026.

Prices through 10 Sep 2026Universe 826 names with prices
Net new highs
-0.6%
1.5% at highs, 2.0% at lows (5-day average)
Percentile since 2016
12th
SPY vs its 52-week high
-2.6%
Cap-weighted index
Negative weeks, last year
7
of 52 weekly readings

Net new highs, weekly

% of names at a 52-week high minus % at a 52-week low; 5-day average at each Friday

Source MCH research warehouse, daily adjusted closes (Alpha Vantage)
Red bars: more names at 52-week lows than at highs. Last bar = latest week.

The index over the same two years

SPY dividend-adjusted close, weekly

Source MCH research warehouse, daily adjusted closes (Alpha Vantage)

What it shows · fact

Over the last five sessions to 10 Sep 2026, 1.5% of 826 names closed at a 52-week high and 2.0% at a 52-week low: net -0.6%, the 12th percentile since 2016.

SPY closed -2.6% from its own 52-week high. Net new highs were negative in 7 of the last 52 weekly readings.

Why it matters · inference

The index is near its high while more of its members are making lows than highs. That is a divergence: the index is being carried by fewer names, and the average stock is not confirming.

What would change this read

A move of the 5-day net reading above zero for several consecutive weeks would reverse this read.

Net highs swing with the 52-week window: names that fell a year ago can print highs on modest gains, so compare with the share of names above their 200-day average.

Method

  • 52-week high (low): adjusted close equal to the maximum (minimum) of the trailing 252 sessions, at least 240 observations.
  • Shares are of names with a valid 252-day history on each date; 5-day moving average, sampled at Fridays for the bars.
  • Survivor bias: history is computed on today's reader-safe universe (826 names with prices), so names that left the market earlier are missing and past breadth reads slightly better than it was.

Sources

  • MCH research warehouse, daily adjusted closes (Alpha Vantage); through 10 Sep 2026.

Universe

Names in the published feed886
Excluded: held, suspended, withdrawn, deferred, deal-pending or pending review53
Reader-safe universe833
Used in this exhibit826

Names whose rating is held, suspended, withdrawn, deferred or under a pending deal are excluded from every exhibit, so no held output appears here.

General and impersonal investment research. Not personal financial advice. Forecasts, valuations and model outputs are estimates and may be wrong. See Investment Disclaimer.

MCH Analysis is a general investment-research publication of MCH Advisory (Pty) Ltd. It is not personal financial advice and does not take your circumstances into account. MCH is not a licensed financial services provider or a registered investment adviser. Past performance, whether actual or simulated, does not predict future results. Subscriber Agreement | Privacy and Cookie Notice | Research Governance Policies