Until a Major Catalyst Shakes It Up, Market Is Stuck in Range-bound Trading

S&P 500 Index trading plans of our aggressive, intraday models – published before market open yesterday – stated: “The trigger of the trailing stop is currently anchored at 2909.28, which would lock in a profit of about 4 points if filled” (on the short position being carried) (to verify this claim click here for the full forecast published) 

Thursday’s regular session reached a low of 2909.27 – yes, EXACTLY 0.01 away from our stop at 2909.28!!! As if some big boys are reaching to hit the exact levels our models forecast!!! (a big “THANK YOU” for our regular readers who have reached out to us with this observation and with incredulity of such things repeating frequently with our forecast levels). The trailing stop was triggered and the models closed out the short position for a four point profit.

Model Biases/Outlook:


Considering the run-away bull action mid-September and the gap up on Thursday (09/20) our models had been taking a  cautious stance about an anticipated gap-fill down to 2912.50. This gap has been filled Wed (09/26), within a few sessions as anticipated!

Considering that there are no major catalysts on the horizon (as of now) to keep driving the markets up to newer record highs or to push them down beyond the recent range lows, our models indicate a choppy, range-bound trading until the range is broken out of. 

Our models have negated the recent “slightly bullish” bias and are sporting a neutral bias since Thu, 09/27. No bearish bias in sight until all the way below 2887. 

A Brief Trace Back of The Current Bias/Outlook


On Friday, 09/07, our models had entered an “indeterminate” state and had negated their previous bullish bias, but had not adapted a bearish bias, yet. After reiterating this indeterminate bias for seven consecutive days, our models adopted a “slightly bullish” bias on Wed 09/19. 

For Mon, 09/24, we continued this bullish bias, with a cautious stand about the gap-up on Thu 09/20. On Monday this gap-fill was attempted by reaching within 0.13 points – our models wanted to see it filled fully and published caution to bulls until that is seen. On Wednesday, 09/26, this gap was filled and the market closed down. 

Thursday, 09/27, our models had negated the bullish bias and are adopting a neutral bias between 2917 and 2887. We reiterate this bias for today, the second day in a row.   


Trading Plans for FRI, 09/28:


Medium-term/long-term Investors

The medium-term models have closed out the last position (a long) for a 12-point profit this week, opened at 2913 on Wed, 09/19 and have been flat since then (no positions). 

The medium-term models indicate trading off of a widened range of 2931 and 2887 – would go long above 2930 and go short below 2887, both sides with a 10-point trailing stop.  

Aggressive, Short-term, Intraday, or Professional Traders

The trailing stop on Wednesday’s short position was anchored at 2909.28 at Thursday’s regular session open. The market reached to a low of 2909.27, as if just to hit this level!! The trailing stop was triggered and closed out the short position for a profit of four points. The intraday models are currently flat into today’s regular session.

For today’s  regular session, the aggressive intraday models indicate trading off of the range of 2915-2908. Models would go long above 2915 or short below 2908 – with a 5-point trailing stop. 

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.