Apple (AAPL) has been a leadership company and a leadership stock. As a leadership company, it has been bringing innovative products to market for years and consumers have lined up around the block for the latest phone or other device. As a leadership stock, it has traders and money managers taking notice of its trend and valuation milestones.
I do not normally show very short-term intraday charts, but Tuesday they are worth a look.
In this five-day intraday Japanese candlestick chart of AAPL, below, we can see that prices made a low on Friday, but have not made a new low for the move down today. The decline in the On-Balance-Volume (OBV) line is slowing which suggests that the selling pressure is drying up. The price momentum study is showing a higher lower on Tuesday versus Friday. That is not a bullish divergence, but it tells me that a turnaround can be under way.
In this short-term Point and Figure chart of AAPL, below, we show the volume by price bars at the left. There is a pocket of volume (or potential support) at and just below the market.

In this daily candlestick chart of AAPL, below, we see Friday's candle pattern as a possible hammer bottom while Tuesday's candle pattern is still playing out until the close. Notice the relatively oversold reading on the slow stochastic indicator.
Bottom line strategy: When I entered the securities business in 1973, the consulting company I worked for looked closely for stocks that lead at turning points. This was a subtle tell, but effective. Right now, I would watch the movement in AAPL as it looks like it can turn a little faster than the broader market.
Get an email alert each time I write an article for Real Money. Click the "+Follow" next to my byline to this article.