MRNA’s Relative Strength Told the Story Early

 Today was another strong day for MRNA, and as a day trader this was a great example of how relative strength can tip you off early if you’re paying attention. Above is a 5-minute chart of MRNA that includes the pre-market and after-hours session, and in the lower pane I have the SPY for comparison. This relative comparison is where the edge showed up today.

At point A, right at the opening bell, the SPY pushed higher and then quickly rolled over. The market rally failed and price sold off, eventually making a lower low at point B. If you were only watching the indices, that action could have easily kept you cautious or even bearish. But MRNA was telling a very different story.

MRNA also opened at point A and initially rallied, but instead of following the SPY lower, it held its ground. Rather than selling off, the stock went sideways and carved out a higher low at point B. That’s the key. While the market was weak and making lower lows, MRNA refused to break down. This is classic relative strength and, for me, it’s often a sign that a stock is under accumulation. Institutions don’t wait for perfect market conditions; they buy what they want when they want it.

This divergence was the clue that MRNA was acting better than the market, and it immediately put the stock on my radar. When price eventually took out the high of the day, that relative strength resolved itself to the upside. Buyers stepped in aggressively and MRNA rallied strongly into the close, rewarding anyone who was patient enough to wait for confirmation.

What made the move even more impressive was the follow-through after the bell. Instead of stalling or fading, MRNA continued to push higher in the after-hours session, eventually hitting a high of 53.28. That kind of strength late in the day and after hours reinforces the idea that demand is still there.

This was just a great, clean example of how relative strength works in real time. The market doesn’t always give you easy trades, but when a stock can hold firm while the SPY is weak, it’s worth paying attention. Days like today are a reminder that the clues are often there well before the big move starts.

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