Select Page

Yesterday it was noted that bullish divergence in both VIX and market breadth suggested an upwards session for Thursday. This is what has happened.

Summary: Assume the trend remains the same, upwards, until proven otherwise; while price remains above 2,422.88, assume the trend remains upwards. The target zone calculated at two wave degrees is 2,500 to 2,501.

If price makes a new low below 2,422.88, then we shall expect a deeper multi week pullback to end somewhere between 2,400 to 2,322.

Always use a stop. Invest only 1-5% of equity on any one trade.

New updates to this analysis are in bold.

Last monthly and weekly charts are here. Last historic analysis video is here.

MAIN ELLIOTT WAVE COUNT

WEEKLY CHART

S&P 500 Weekly 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

This wave count has a better fit with MACD and so may have a higher probability. However, at this stage it expects the bull market to come to an end quickly. With market breadth not yet exhibiting any divergence with price this looks unlikely. The alternate should be taken very seriously.

Primary wave 3 may be complete, falling short of 1.618 the length of primary wave 1 and not exhibiting a Fibonacci ratio to primary wave 1. There is a good Fibonacci ratio within primary wave 3.

The target for cycle wave V will remain the same, which has a reasonable probability. At 2,530 primary wave 5 would reach 0.618 the length of primary wave 1. If the target at 2,500 is exceeded, it may not be by much.

There is alternation between the regular flat correction of primary wave 2 and the triangle of primary wave 4.

Within primary wave 3, there is alternation between the double zigzag of intermediate wave (2) and the triangle of intermediate wave (4).

Within the final wave of intermediate wave (5), no second wave correction may move beyond its start below 2,422.88.

DAILY CHART

S&P 500 Daily 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

Primary wave 5 must complete as a five wave motive structure, either an impulse (more common) or an ending diagonal (less common). So far, if this wave count is correct, it looks like an impulse.

Intermediate wave (3) is a complete impulse. Intermediate wave (4) may be a complete triangle.

Intermediate wave (5) must be a five wave motive structure.

Within intermediate wave (5), minor wave 1 is now complete. Minor wave 2 may not move beyond the start of minor wave 1 below 2,422.88.

HOURLY CHART

S&P 500 hourly 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

Intermediate wave (4) fits as a regular contracting triangle, which may have come to a more swift end than expected.

Intermediate wave (5) may have begun.

Minor wave 2 is now a very deep correction and fits as a double zigzag. But with price now back within the prior consolidation zone the probability of this wave count has reduced.

Downwards movement for minor wave 2 does look choppy and corrective, compared to prior upwards movement for minor wave 1 which looks clearer and impulsive.

Confidence in this main wave count may be had if price makes a new all time high.

ALTERNATE ELLIOTT WAVE COUNT

WEEKLY CHART

S&P 500 Weekly 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

It is possible that primary wave 3 is either over now or may be very soon indeed. It is possible that a deep multi week or multi month pullback may begin for primary wave 4.

This wave count would allow for primary wave 4 to unfold with a corresponding decline in market breadth. Primary wave 5 may then continue higher towards the target, allowing for at least 4 months of divergence between market breadth and price to develop before an end to the ageing bull market. This would have a neat fit with prior major trend changes from bull to bear of every single bear market in the last 90 odd years.

Primary wave 2 was a regular flat correction lasting 10 weeks. Primary wave 4 may exhibit alternation as a single or multiple zigzag, or as a triangle. It should last at least 10 weeks and possibly longer.

Primary wave 4 may not move into primary wave 1 price territory below 2,111.05.

DAILY CHART

S&P 500 Daily 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

Minor wave 5 of intermediate wave (5) of primary wave 3 may be over here, or it may continue higher.

Always assume the trend remains the same until proven otherwise; assume the trend is upwards until price makes a new low below 2,422.88.

If price moves below 2,422.88, then this would be the main wave count.

Primary wave 4 may end within the price territory of the fourth wave of one lesser degree. The price range for intermediate wave (4) gives a target range for primary wave 4.

HOURLY CHART

S&P 500 Hourly 2017
Click chart to enlarge.

A correction at primary degree must begin with a five down at least at the hourly chart level.

I have spent some time today looking at the downwards wave labelled minor wave 1 on the five minute chart. A wave that moves in a straight line is only either an impulse, zigzag or zigzag multiple. This downwards wave will fit very neatly as a double zigzag, but I cannot see a solution for it as any other structure. I cannot see a solution for it as a five wave motive structure, which minor wave 1 must be.

Minor wave 2 may not move beyond the start of minor wave 1 above 2,453.82.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

WEEKLY CHART

S&P 500 weekly 2017
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

An inside week completes a small spinning top candlestick pattern. This puts the trend from up to neutral; price is consolidating. A spinning top is a pause within a trend.

An increase in volume suggests that the breakout after consolidation is likely to be upwards.

On Balance Volume trend lines are adjusted.

DAILY CHART

S&P 500 daily 2017
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

During this consolidation, it is the upwards day of the 16th of June that has strongest volume. This still suggests an upwards breakout is more likely than downwards.

Give reasonable weight to On Balance Volume today. It supports the alternate Elliott wave count.

VOLATILITY – INVERTED VIX CHART

VIX daily 2017
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

Normally, volatility should decline as price moves higher and increase as price moves lower. This means that normally inverted VIX should move in the same direction as price.

There is no new divergence today between price and inverted VIX.

BREADTH – AD LINE

AD Line daily 2017
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

With the last all time high for price, the AD line also made a new all time high. Up to the last high for price there was support from rising market breadth.

There is normally 4-6 months divergence between price and market breadth prior to a full fledged bear market. This has been so for all major bear markets within the last 90 odd years. With no divergence yet at this point, any decline in price should be expected to be a pullback within an ongoing bull market and not necessarily the start of a bear market.

There is no new divergence today between price and the AD line.

The mid caps and small caps have made new all time highs along with recent last all time high for large caps. The rise in price is seen across the range of the market, so it has internal strength.

DOW THEORY

At the end of last week, DJIA, Nasdaq and the S&P500 have all made new all time highs. DJT has failed to confirm an ongoing bull market because it has not yet made new a all time high. However, at this stage that only indicates some potential weakness within the ongoing bull market and absolutely does not mean that DJT may not yet make new all time highs, and it does not mean a bear market is imminent.

The following lows need to be exceeded for Dow Theory to confirm the end of the bull market and a change to a bear market:

DJIA: 17,883.56.

DJT: 7,029.41.

S&P500: 2,083.79.

Nasdaq: 5,034.41.

Charts showing each prior major swing low used for Dow Theory are here.

This analysis is published @ 09:19 p.m. EST.