Bullish trend broken? Today’s post-JobsReport close to signal, and Monday’s close to confirm!

Our intraday models’ trading plan for yesterday, Thu 09/06, published before the markets opened, stated: “The models would go long on a break above 2912, and go short below 2884 – both with a tight 6-point trailing stop” (click here to read the full text and/or to verify this claim)

The index broke below 2884 around 10am yesterday, triggering our models to go short at 2883.75, with a 6-point trailing stop intially anchored at 2889.75, which was later moved down to 2883.29 with the session’s low registered at 2873.29. This was later triggered and the short was automatically closed at 2873.50, booking profits of 10.25 points for the day! 

Our S&P 500 Index intraday models’ indicated on Friday, 08/31, that they see bull consolidation ahead, when the last session closed at 2901.13. We reiterated that call for the last four days and the last session closed at 2878.05, for a net “consolidation” of 23 points, with the index breaking below the key level yesterday.  

Model Biases/Outlook:


We stated, for the last four days, in our forecasts: “Models indicate that there is no risk to the current bull run while the index is above 2885″. Yesterday, for the first time since we forecast the bull consolidation, the index closed below the 2885 level – it closed at 2878.05 yesterday. 

Thus, our models (both medim-term and aggressive intraday models) have now entered into an “indeterminate” state, until further action around the key levels mentioned below confirm any directional bias. 2886 and 2874 are the next key levels our models are closely monitoring.   

A Brief Trace Back of The Current Bias/Outlook


After 14 consecutive days of bearish bias, our models have negated the bearish bias on last Friday, 07/06/18 when it closed at 2759.82! Since then, our models have been consistently forecasting bullish strength and are yet to flash any concerns about any bears in sight, until Friday, 07/27.

After reiterating the bullish momentum for 21 consecutive days, our models abandoned the bullish bias with the action on last Friday 07/27, but have NOT replaced it with bearish bias yet. We were in this “neither bullish, nor bearish” state until Tue 08/07.

Eight days after the “neutral/indeterminate” bias, our models have resumed the bullish bias as of Tue 08/07. We continued this bullish bias for 30 consecutive days, till Thu 09/06, when the index broke below 2885, a level that our models have been indicating as key for the next directional bias. 

Today, Fri 09/07, our models have entered an “indeterminate” state and have negated the bullish bias, but have not adapted the bearish bias, yet. The market action today, Fri, and on Mon, 09/10 will be key for our models to determinate the next directional bias in the market.  


Trading Plans for FRI, 09/07:


Medium-term/long-term Investors

(this trading plan for the medium-term/long-term investors builds upon the strategy adapted since Tuesday, 08/28)

For today, medium term models negate the bullish state for the S&P 500 Index, mainly driven by the close below the key level of 2885 that they have been monitoring since 08/31.

For today’s regular session, the medium term models indicate an “indeterminate” bias and waiting to monitor the daily close today AND Monday to determine their next trading strategy. Thus, the medium term models are going to stay flat and out of the markets until the end of the session on Mon 09/10. 

(To avoid getting whipsawed, wait for a confirmation of close below this level on a 4-hourly or hourlychart, depending on your trading style and risk appetite)  

Note that a “trailing stop” works differently from the traditional stop-loss order. Please bear in mind that the trailing stop’s trigger level would keep changing throughout the session (click here to read on the conceptual workings of a trailing-stop). 


Aggressive, Short-term, Intraday, or Professional Traders


After closing a 10-point bagger short position opened and closed yesterday, intraday aggressive models are currently flat. 


For today, Fri 09/07, the intraday models indicate a bearish stand, owing to the recent record highs and the ongoing trade tensions, coupled with the index’s break below the models’ key level. 

For today’s regular session, models indicate trading off of the trading range of 2881-2865. The models would go long on a break above 2881, and go short below 2865 – both with an 8-point trailing stop. 

(To avoid getting whipsawed, wait for a confirmation of close below this level on a 60-min, 30-min, 15-min or lower granularity chart, depending on your trading style and risk appetite)  

If a position is opened and later the trailing stop is hit, then the models indicate staying flat for the rest of the session. 

Remember that a “trailing stop” works differently from the traditional stop-loss order. Please bear in mind that the trailing stop’s trigger level would keep changing throughout the session (click here to read on the conceptual workings of a trailing-stop). 


IMPORTANT RISK DISCLOSURES AND NOTICES – READ CAREFULLY:

(i) This article contains personal opinions of the author and is NOT representative of any organization(s) he may be affiliated with. This article is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT any specific advice or recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell or cause any transaction in any specific investment instruments at any specific price levels, but it is a generic analysis of the instruments mentioned.

(ii) Do NOT make your financial investment or trading decisions based on this article; anyone doing so shall do so solely at their own risk. The author will NOT be responsible for any losses or loss of potential gains arising from any investments/trades made based on the opinions, forecasts or other information contained in this article.

(iii) Risk Warning: Investing, trading in S&P 500 Index – spot, futures, or options or in any other synthetic form – or its component stocks carries inherent risk of loss. Trading in leveraged instruments such as futures carries much higher risk of significant losses and you may lose more than you invested in them. Carefully consider your individual financial situation and investment object
ives before investing in any financial instruments. If you are not a professional trader, consult a professional investment advisor before making your investment decisions.

(iv) Past performance: This article may contain references to past performance of hypothetical trades or past forecasts, which should NOT be taken as any representation or promise or guarantee of potential future profits. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

(v) The author makes no representations whatsoever and assumes no responsibility as to the suitability, accuracy, completeness or validity of the information or the forecasts provided.

(vi) All opinions expressed herein are subject to change at any time, without any notice to anyone.