These 6 global stocks are nearing the dreaded 'death cross' chart pattern

Published Thu, Oct 19 20238:34 PM EDT

Bearish signals, indicating potential selling pressure in the near future, have gripped a handful of global stocks that look close to forming what's known as a "death cross" chart pattern. A death cross is a price chart pattern that forms when a stock's 50-day moving average crosses below its 200-day moving average. Technical analysts view this as a sign that investors are bearish on a stock or that a stock's momentum is weakening and will continue to decline, with a potential buying opportunity soon. The death cross is also used as a bear market predictor. CNBC Pro screened for stocks in the MSCI World Index ex-U.S. and found six global stocks close to forming a death cross: Canadian auto parts maker Magna International , Japanese industrials Yaskawa Electric and Minebea Mitsumi , Belgian chemicals giant Solvay , French automaker Renault and Australian lithium miner Pilbara Minerals . Magna International Magna 's shares have fallen by more than 13% over the past three months, partly due to the company's exposure to the ongoing labor strikes at U.S. car manufacturers. RBC Capital estimated on Sept. 13 that strikes in 2019 had cost the company more than $500 million in sales. RBC maintains a "sector perform" or hold rating on the stock. Similarly, Scotiabank analysts told clients on Sept. 11 that the stock's "valuation in the context of an ongoing capex cycle and execution risk keeps us on the sidelines." They also have a hold rating on the stock. Renault The French carmaker reported a sharp slowdown in third-quarter sales volumes earlier this week, which nearly wiped out all the gains the stock had made this year. In contrast to some competitors , Renault bosses have said the company is unwilling to cut prices to increase sales volumes. "Renault does not intend to go back on profitability," CFO Thierry Pieton told analysts this week. Analysts are also generally bullish, with 11 out of 14 rating the stock as a buy. The median price target of all analysts compiled by FactSet points to a 47.5% upside for the stock.