Players were also keeping an eye on the...>

US STOCKS: Players were also keeping an eye on the Russell 2000 index, which

often leads turns in the U.S. equity cycle.

- The Russell 2000 closed down 1.75% at 1,372.54, after trading in a 1,372.54 to

1,396.60 range.

- The index posted highs near 1,452 on July 21, July 25 and July 26 and

struggled subsequently despite a run-up in the DJIA.

- Earlier, the Russell 2000 broke below a larger support zone of old lows in the

1,395-1,400 from mid June to early July. The day's clear-cut break below that

support zone as well as the June 6 low of 1,386.704, targets the May 31 low of

1,354.855.

- Ahead of that, the 200-day moving average comes in just under 1,370. Other

than a brief dip in the market of Brexit last year, the Russell 2000 index has

held above the 200-day moving average since late May 2016.