Chris Vermeulen, chief market strategist at The Technical Traders, has warned that financial markets are showing signs of a major correction that could severely impact investors.

According to Vermeulen, several macroeconomic and market indicators are aligning to paint a bearish outlook for equities.

He pointed to surging precious metals prices, escalating geopolitical conflicts, rising oil prices, and energy stocks reaching record highs as signals of growing instability across global markets, Vermeulen said in an interview with David Lin published on May 1.

At the same time, Vermeulen noted that the U.S. dollar appears to be forming a base while sector rotation has become increasingly volatile, with market leadership rapidly shifting from one industry to another within weeks or even days.

He said such erratic trading behavior typically reflects uncertainty and weakening market structure beneath the surface.

Despite maintaining a bearish long-term outlook, Vermeulen said he continues to trade on the long side when technical indicators and money flows remain supportive.

“We want to avoid the downside because we never know how far it’s going to go. We want to make sure we’re long when it does turn back up. <…> This is what investors are thinking and feeling with their money. And when it’s red and orange, that means they’re very nervous. When it turns green, and it gets strong here, that’s telling us there’s big money flows piling in, and we want to make sure we’re long the market. So, long term, I’m bearish. I do believe we’re coming into a huge market correction, and it’s going to devastate most investors,” he said.

Market indicators area of focus

His analysis focuses on price action, sentiment, and institutional money movement to determine when investors should remain invested and when they should step aside to avoid downside risk.

He explained that market prices often signal changing conditions before major economic or political developments become fully visible.

The strategist added that investors tend to reposition portfolios as larger risks begin unfolding, making technical analysis an important tool for identifying shifts in market direction.

Vermeulen also highlighted sentiment indicators showing periods of fear and nervousness among investors, followed by phases where strong capital inflows return to the market.

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