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Upwards movement overall was expected for the week, which is what has happened.

Summary: For the short term, another upwards wave to 2,835 may begin on Monday. After that some sideways movement or a deeper pullback may begin.

Overall, this bounce is expected to be incomplete. It may continue for another one to few weeks and may end somewhere between 2,873.54 to 2,890.38.

The larger picture still expects a primary degree fourth wave is unfolding, which may continue for another few weeks. It is still impossible to tell which of many Elliott wave structures it may be, so flexibility for short-term expectations is essential.

New updates to this analysis are in bold.

The biggest picture, Grand Super Cycle analysis, is here.

Last published monthly chart is here, video is here.

ELLIOTT WAVE COUNT

WEEKLY CHART

S&P 500 Weekly 2018
Click chart to enlarge.

Cycle wave V must complete as a five structure, which should look clear at the weekly chart level and also now at the monthly chart level. It may only be an impulse or ending diagonal. It is clear it is an impulse.

Cycle wave V has passed equality in length with cycle wave I, and 1.618 the length of cycle wave I. The next Fibonacci ratio is used to calculate a target. When primary wave 4 is complete and the starting point for primary wave 5 is known, then the final target may also be calculated at primary degree. At that stage, there may be two targets, or the final target may widen to a small zone.

Within cycle wave V, the third waves at all degrees may only subdivide as impulses.

Within primary wave 3, there is perfect alternation and excellent proportion between intermediate waves (2) and (4).

The maroon channel is drawn about primary degree waves. The first trend line is drawn from the ends of primary waves 1 to 3, then a parallel copy is placed upon the low of primary wave 2. The overshoot of the upper edge of this channel by the end of intermediate wave (3) looks typical. For the S&P, its third waves are usually the strongest portion of an impulse; they often exhibit enough strength to overshoot channels.

Primary wave 4 now has an overshoot on the lower edge of the channel. This is acceptable; fourth waves are not always neatly contained within channels drawn using this technique.

Primary wave 4 may find very strong support about the lower edge of the teal channel, and it looks like this is from where price may be bouncing. This channel is copied over from the monthly chart and contains the entire bull market since its beginning in March 2009. While Super Cycle wave (V) is incomplete, this channel should not be breached at the weekly chart level.

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

At this stage, the expectation is for the final target to be met in October 2019. If price gets up to this target and either the structure is incomplete or price keeps rising through it, then a new higher target would be calculated.

DAILY CHART

S&P 500 Daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge.

Primary wave 4 would most likely end somewhere within the price territory of the fourth wave of one lesser degree. Intermediate wave (4) has its price territory from 2,872.87 to 2,532.69. Within this range sit the 0.236 Fibonacci ratio at 2,717 and the 0.382 Fibonacci ratio at 2,578.

The 0.382 Fibonacci ratio would expect an overshoot of the teal channel. This may be too low; price may find support at the lower edge of the channel. However, as primary wave 4 should be expected to exhibit reasonable strength, it may be able to overshoot the channel and that would look reasonable. This possibility is now more seriously considered.

Primary wave 2 unfolded as a shallow regular flat correction lasting 10 weeks.

Intermediate wave (A) may be seen as a complete zigzag. A zigzag down to start primary wave 4 may also be labelled intermediate wave (W).

If intermediate wave (A) or (W) subdivide as a zigzag, then primary wave 4 may unfold as a double zigzag, double combination, flat or triangle. Of all these possible structures a flat correction would be least likely as that would not offer structural alternation with the flat correction of primary wave 2.

A double zigzag will be considered below in a second alternate wave count.

A triangle would be fairly likely even though intermediate wave (4) was a triangle. This does not reduce the probability of primary wave 4 also subdividing as a triangle.

A double combination should always be considered if a triangle is possible, and this would also offer reasonable alternation with primary wave 2.

A triangle, combination or flat would all expect a high bounce for intermediate wave (B) or (X). Intermediate wave (B) or (X) would most likely subdivide as a zigzag.

Within a triangle for primary wave 4, intermediate wave (B) would most likely be about 0.8 to 0.85 the length of intermediate wave (A) giving a target range from 2,873.54 to 2,890.38. Intermediate wave (B) of a running triangle may make a new high above the start of intermediate wave (A). The target calculated would see intermediate wave (B) about 0.74 the length of intermediate wave (A); although this would be a little shorter than the most common length, it would still be acceptable.

Within a double combination for primary wave 4, intermediate wave (W) may be the first complete structure in a double. Intermediate wave (X) may be a very high bounce and may make a new high above the start of intermediate wave (W). There is no minimum requirement for the length of intermediate wave (X), and no maximum limit. The target calculated for intermediate wave (X) would see it as a reasonably high bounce; this would give a combination the right look.

When intermediate wave (B) or (X) is complete, then intermediate wave (C) or (Y) downwards may complete primary wave 4. If primary wave 4 is a triangle, then intermediate waves (C), (D) and (E) would be required to complete it.

For both of the more likely options of a triangle or combination for primary wave 4, price may continue to find support about the lower edge of the teal trend channel. This would give the wave count the right look at the monthly time frame.

HOURLY CHART

S&P 500 Hourly 2018
Click chart to enlarge.

Intermediate wave (B) or (X) would most likely subdivide as a single or multiple zigzag to achieve a high bounce.

This main wave count will continue to consider the possibility that a single zigzag upwards may be completing. The alternate below will consider the possibility that a double zigzag upwards may be completing. Both ideas work in exactly the same way for both wave counts.

Within a possible zigzag unfolding upwards, minor wave A may be an incomplete impulse. There is no Fibonacci ratio between minute waves iii and i, and minute wave iii is shorter than minute wave i. This limits minute wave v to no longer than equality in length with minute wave iii at 2,878.96, so that minute wave iii is not the shortest actionary wave within the impulse.

Minute wave iv has overshot the pink Elliott channel. Fourth waves are not always neatly contained within these channels.

Minute wave iv may not move into minute wave i price territory below 2,756.55.

When minor wave A is a complete five wave impulse, then minor wave B may unfold lower and may not move beyond the start of minor wave A.

If intermediate wave (A) or (W) has subdivided as a three, then intermediate wave (B) or (X) may make a new price extreme beyond the start of intermediate wave (A) or (W) above 2,940.91. There is no upper invalidation point for this main wave count for this reason.

ALTERNATE WAVE COUNT

DAILY CHART

S&P 500 Hourly 2018
Click chart to enlarge.

It is also possible to see the downwards wave labelled intermediate wave (A) as a complete impulse. If intermediate wave (A) is a five wave structure, then intermediate wave (B) may not move beyond its start above 2,940.91.

Primary wave 4 may be a zigzag to provide structural alternation with the flat correction of primary wave 2; intermediate wave (A) within a zigzag must subdivide as a five wave structure. When intermediate waves (A) and (B) are complete, then intermediate wave (C) would most likely end below the end of intermediate wave (A) to avoid a truncation. This would see the end of primary wave 4 substantially overshoot the lower edge of the teal channel, which would be unlikely and is why this alternate wave count is judged to have a lower probability than the main wave count.

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

HOURLY CHART

S&P 500 Hourly 2018
Click chart to enlarge.

Intermediate wave (B) may be unfolding as a double zigzag.

The first zigzag in a double may be complete, labelled minor wave W. The double may be joined by a three in the opposite direction labelled minor wave X. It is possible also that minor wave X may be incomplete; it could move lower. There is no lower invalidation point for this wave count because there is no rule stating a limit for X waves within multiples.

Double zigzags normally have a strong slope against the prior trend. To achieve a strong slope their X waves are normally brief and shallow.

The target for intermediate wave (B) to complete would see it very deep in relation to intermediate wave (A). This is entirely possible.

If intermediate wave (A) has subdivided as a five, then intermediate wave (B) may not move beyond its start above 2,940.91.

SECOND ALTERNATE WAVE COUNT

DAILY CHART

S&P 500 Hourly 2018
Click chart to enlarge.

This second alternate wave count considers the possibility that primary wave 4 may unfold as a double zigzag. This would provide alternation with the flat correction of primary wave 2.

Double zigzags normally have a strong slope against the prior trend. To achieve a slope their X waves are normally relatively brief and shallow, and wave Y ends reasonably or substantially beyond the end of wave W. Double zigzags are very common structures.

Here, intermediate wave (X) may be complete, but it is not particularly brief and it is not shallow. This is possible, but the probability is reduced.

The second zigzag in a double exists to deepen the correction when the first does not move price deep enough. Intermediate wave (Y) would require now a substantial breach of the teal trend channel, which has been held since 2009, to deepen the correction. The probability of this is low while the bull market continues.

This alternate wave count has a very low probability. But low probability does not mean no probability. It is provided so that we may have an explanation and a guide if price begins to fall strongly next week.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

WEEKLY CHART

S&P 500 weekly 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of et=”_blank”>StockCharts.com.

Weakness in volume and a long upper wick suggest this upwards week may be a counter trend bounce. Overall, this supports the Elliott wave count.

DAILY CHART

S&P 500 daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

The last breakaway gap remains open, and it has its lower edge at 2,756.82; Friday looks like a test of support there, which has held. The long lower wick for Friday looks bullish.

If resistance about 2,800 can again be overcome, then look for upwards movement to find next resistance about 2,865 – 2,875. This chart best supports the main Elliott wave count and the fist alternate Elliott wave count.

BREADTH – AD LINE

WEEKLY CHART

AD Line daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

This week price moved higher, but the AD line moved lower. This divergence is bearish and supports the second alternate Elliott wave count.

However, noted on this chart, there is one other instance of the same single week bearish divergence that was not followed by a downwards week.

DAILY CHART

AD Line daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

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 longer term 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. New all time highs from the AD line on the 29th of August means that the beginning of any bear market may be at the end of December 2018, but it may of course be a lot longer than that. My next expectation for the end of this bull market may now be October 2019.

Breadth should be read as a leading indicator.

Downwards movement within this last session has support from a decline in market breadth. There is no new short term divergence.

VOLATILITY – INVERTED VIX CHART

WEEKLY CHART

VIX daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. So that colour blind members are included, bearish signals
will be noted with blue and bullish signals with yellow.

This week price moved higher with inverted VIX. The rise in price this week comes with a normal corresponding decline in VIX.

DAILY CHART

VIX daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. So that colour blind members are included, bearish signals
will be noted with blue and bullish signals with yellow.

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.

The fall in price during Friday’s session has support from a decline in inverted VIX. There is no new short term divergence.

DOW THEORY

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: 23,344.52.
DJT: 9,806.79.
S&P500: 2,532.69.
Nasdaq: 6,630.67.

Published @ 04:32 p.m. EST on November 10, 2018.


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