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It's no secret that I've been getting closer and closer to calling a major
top while maintaining the unbiased flexibility to trade both sides of the market
as we approach our final destination. We've been perfectly cautious of overextended
rallies, while also avoiding panic on the dips and buying bottoms. IF I could
have my way from here, I would want to see this market attempt one more screaming
rally to just above its recent highs and, at that point, if all things remained
the same, I'd be willing to call for a substantial turn, not only in the stock
indices, but in several other major markets.
As easy as that might sound, most market watchers in such a scenario would
probably be talking about the breakout, and looking for a reversal would seem
like going against the grain. Of course, a breakout would indeed be evident
in the charts, but with many markets finally reaching my ultimate targets,
I shouldn't have much of a problem calling a top from a new high, particularly
as I expect clear confirmation of a turn to make the breakout a failure - or
else there wouldn't be any call at all. If we can't construct a rally from
Fridays close, or just a bit lower, then once price takes out some specific
target levels, we'll start to get short and approach the market from a bearish
perspective.
So, though it seems we are closer than ever now to a point where I would call
a top, there's no confirmation at this point, despite Friday's selloff. In
fact, though we didn't necessarily expect the declines because they were largely
triggered by reaction to earnings, we did have the crucial levels to trade
including the bottom of Friday's decline. In fact, the chart below was posted
for members last Saturday, before the week's trading even began! Notice the
bottom of the box is less than one point from the actual Friday SPX low of
1529.2.

Wouldn't you have liked to have that chart last Monday? Week after week for
more than a year, this space has provided a wrap up of the market and trade
analysis generated at www.TradingTheCharts.com.
It's also frequently included hints about our forecasts in the wide range of
markets we cover. But over and over the markets prove the risk of trading based
on a weekly update, and this week was no exception. The only way to really
take advantage of our unbiased analysis and start seeing the profits is to
join and get into our daily forums and realtime chat. If you haven't made a
lot of money on the volatile market this year, it's time to ask yourself: what
are you waiting for?!
Members agree the benefits of the site far outweigh the small monthly fee.
In fact, here's a small excerpt from a typical testimonial, one of the many
I received monthly:
I am now a 2 week newbie, and, generally speaking, a permabear. I am writing
to let you know that I have made more profit in the 2 weeks since joining
TTC than I did the first 5 months of 2007, and ironically, the majority of
these profits came from the long side of the market.
This update isn't about testimonials, but you're welcome to read more here.
What this update is about is showing you the recent calls and why, if you're
serious about making money trading, you need to trade like TTC.

The chart from Saturday was updated and reposted Wednesday showing a typical
trade setup as we see them. Having entered the area we expected would be retested,
and with the RSI approaching an upward trendline, we didn't start talking about
a market crash or a top - we anticipated and took a long into the close for
what became Thursday's record-breaking rally. The chart below shows the result
of our setup into that day's close with, as you know, the move completing the
next day at a double top.

Of course, when Friday sold sharply, our test box proved to be spot on yet
again, as already mentioned. But just as important as having the right numbers
to work with, keeping the emotional aspect of trading under control can make
or break a portfolio, especially on a roller coaster ride of week like this
one. Because we understand that trading is very much a mental game, TTC now
has a new Trader Psychology forum where members discuss their experiences and
share their wisdom in managing risk, setting up effective trades and generally
keeping emotions in check. After all, avoiding the temptation of overly bullish
or bearish sentiment is the heart of unbiased trading and has been the source
of much of our trading profits.
Speaking of psychology, I should also address the issue of taking responsibility
for your own trades, particularly in relation to what traders euphemistically
call "the PPT", or Plunge-Protection Team. The simple fact is that the President's
Working Group does exist and meet regularly, but their purpose is to protect
the market against massive crashes. They have no business pushing the market
to new highs, or getting involved when there's some minor selling pressure
ten or twenty points below all-time record levels. As I showed above, when
the market moved up Thursday, there were legitimate reasons to expect that
move. Blaming bad trades on a shadowy conspiracy theory is exactly the sort
of mentality we want to clear up and avoid through the aid of our Trader Psychology
forum.
Now that we're closer than ever to that point where I'll be ready to call
a major top in several markets, it's critical to stop trying to trade from
this weekly update and get the realtime information reserved for members. As
usual we think we know where this market is going and when it's going to get
there. If that sounds unbelievable, take a look at just a few of the recent
calls we've made.
Back when Google was hit hard by a minor earnings miss (sound familiar?),
pure Elliott wave suggested the upside in the stock was done. I stuck my neck
out and posted the chart below with a target of 541.

Sure enough, a year later Google makes it to the target and then sells off
40 points in globex Thursday night. Coincidence?

Or look at this chart in OJ. The down targets were placed months ago and are
not Fibonacci retracement lines. This chart showed a perfect sell setup.

The next chart shows resistance to the first bounce at the first line and
several weeks of vibration around the second line. This week OJ seems to have
tested that line again and might be ready for an advance.

So now you can see what I meant that most major markets are currently at a
critical point at or near my targets. But, even if I spelled out exactly what
I see for the week ahead, there's no way this update could be of as much benefit
as the realtime services at TTC. Plus, there might not be an update next week
as I take some time off to enjoy with the family. Everything at the website
will continue as usual, but readers of this update who understand that this
is the way they want to trade will need to subscribe and get on board if they
really want to trade like TTC during these crucial and potentially very profitable
times. See you at the site!
Also make sure you are aware of TTC's new addition to help many keep an eye
on the Forum updates without needing to constantly login to check. We made
this neat feature that you open to your desktop and you will be able to see
when someone posts, and who is posting. There are some handy links there as
well as a small time frame trend chart.

Have a profitable and safe week trading, and remember:
"Unbiased Elliott Wave works!"
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