It’s a Dogfight Out There!
With all the volatility witnessed in the markets last couple of weeks, you can probably relate to the dogfight in the image above – that is being waged between the bulls and the bears. As we explicitly took a stand of, there seems to be no particular side exerting or enjoying any dominance, yet.
In such directionless markets, typically the market moves happen in a way to inflict the maximum pain on the weak hands (typically retail investors). The American Association of Individual Investors’ sentiment survey results of last Wednesday showed that individual investors were extremely bearish, and presumably approached the weekend with large short positioning. That could be one of the drivers of the large and sustained up move from the panicky selling last week.
The markets for today may continue to shake out the weak hands (margin calls, stop outs etc by the brokers). The real strength of any side, if any exists, will manifest itself only after that. It would be prudent to not take longer term positioning today. This market action can be a bonanza for market makers and aggressive, high frequency traders who can trade in either direction.
Read below for our models’ trading plans for the day. Good luck with your trading or trading education!
Trading Plans for MON, 08/19:
NOTE: The index by itself is NOT tradable. The model plans here based on the S&P index level can be used to trade any instrument that tracks the index – the futures on the index (ES, ES-mini), the options on the futures (ES options), the SPX options, the ETF SPY are just a few examples of the instruments one can adapt these plans to.
Your results of implementing the following trading plans depend upon the time frame you choose to trade in (tick-chart, 1-min, 5-min, 15-min etc), the exact stop levels you use, the quality of the execution of your broker, the funding levels and margin levels of your account, your trading style and risk tolerance, and many other such factors.
These plans are NOT an investment advice to buy or sell any specific securities but are intended to aid – as informational, educational, and research tools – in arriving at your own investment/trading decisions. Always consult a Financial Advisor before making your investment/trading decisions if you are not sophisticated about these markets.
Medium-Frequency Models: For today, our medium-frequency models indicate carrying the open long from Thursday (opened at 2835, and with a 9-point trailing stop anchored at 2884.63 overnight) until it gets closed out. Also, the models are updating the trailing stop from 9-points to 11-points, moving the trailing stop anchor to 2882.63.
Once closed out, the models indicate going long on a break above 2936 and going short on a break below 2930, both sides with a 10-point trailing stop.
Note: For the trades to trigger, the breaks should occur during the regular session hours starting at 9:30am ET. By design, these models do NOT open any new positions after 3:45pm. Only one open position at any given time.
Aggressive Intraday Models: For today, our aggressive intraday models indicate going long on a break above 2932 or 2922 or 2915 – with a 7-point trailing stop; and, going short on a break below 2928 or 2918 or 2908 with a 7-point trailing stop.
Note: For the trades to trigger, the breaks should occur during regular session hours starting at 9:30am ET. Due to the intraday nature of these aggressive models, they indicate closing any open trades at 3:55pm and remaining flat into the session close. No opening of new positions after 3:45pm. Only one open position at any given time.
NOTE: 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 objectives 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.