Monthly S&P500 Emini futures candlestick chart:
2017 stock, bond, and Forex market predictions
The monthly S&P500 Emini futures candlestick chart has been in a strong bull trend since the February low. Because it has had 3 pushes up in a tight channel, the bears hope this is a parabolic buy climax. While possible, the deep pullbacks after the 1st 2 legs up reduced the climactic nature of the rally. Hence, a parabolic wedge top is not likely. Since the channel is tight, the first reversal down will probably be minor. It would therefore likely create a small bull flag rather than a bear trend.
In addition to the good momentum up, there are several measured move targets around 2350. These are magnets that increase the chance for at least a little more rally.
There is a gap below this month’s low and the August high. Because the gap is late in a bull trend, the odds are that it will close before the Emini gets to its targets above. Yet, the bulls will probably buy the reversal. They therefore would be correctly betting that the probability favors a breakout test more than a reversal down.
The next 4 years
What will Trump do? I don’t care. All I care about is the chart. The monthly chart is in a bull trend. Yet, it went sideways for about 20 bars before the July bull breakout. Therefore, the current breakout might lead to a Final Bull Flag reversal down. Because there is no sign of a top, the bears will probably need at least several sideways months to create at least a micro double top.
Since there is a potential Final Flag below, it is a magnet once there is a reversal down. Hence, the reversal will probably trade down to the bottom of the flag, which is around 1800. Furthermore, the March, 2000 and the October, 2007 highs formed a double top. Since the breakout above those highs has never been tested, the odds are the Emini will fall to around 1500 to test those highs at some point in the next several years. That is also a measured move down below the 2015 – 2016 trading range source top10forex.net.
Weekly S&P500 Emini futures candlestick chart:
Failed breakout above the August high
The weekly S&P500 Emini futures candlestick chart sold off this week. Since this was after the Dow repeatedly failing to break above the 20,000 Big Round Number, it might trade a little lower. Yet, the weekly chart was in an 8 bar bull micro channel until this week’s reversal. The bulls therefore have been strong. As a result, this reversal is more likely minor than the start of a bear trend. A minor reversal is either the start of a bull flag or a trading range. While it is possible that a minor reversal setup like this can lead to a major reversal down, that is unlikely.
In addition, the Dow is still close enough to 20,000 to still be within its gravitational field. Therefore, the odds are that it will get above 20,000 in the next few weeks.
Daily S&P500 Emini futures candlestick chart:
Pullback to the moving average
The daily S&P500 Emini futures candlestick chart sold off this week. Yet, the bulls have been willing to buy above the moving average for 2 months. Since they now get a chance to buy at an average price instead of above average, many will. As a result, the downside over the next week is probably limited.
Sometimes the selloff to the moving average after a 20 Gap Bar buy setup can be strong. The Emini can therefore break strongly below the average. Yet, scale in bulls usually are able to either make a profit or avoid a loss.
Start of a stock market correction?
Because this selloff is following an extreme buy climax, it has an increased chance of being the start of a bear trend. In addition, the Emini will probably test the August high breakout point at some time in the next few months. Is this the start of that test? Probably not. Despite the strong rejection of Dow 20,000, the odds at the moment still favor another rally before reaching the August high.
For traders to believe that the high is in, the bears will need either a major trend reversal or a stronger reversal down. A major trend reversal is always a type of double top. Therefore, the bears will need at least one more rally to test the December high. Less likely, the current selloff can continue down relentlessly and accelerate. While unlikely, if there is a series of bear trend bars next week, traders will believe that the Emini has begun its test of the August high.
Bond market top for the next 20 years
I began trading in 1987. At the time, I noticed that the bond market was falling. I was confused because the stock market was rallying while the bond market was creating a great, low risk alternative in the form of CDs. Eventually, traders saw that the high risk stock market was too dangerous, and the market repriced down 25% in one day in October, 1987.
The bond market has rallied strongly for the past 30 years. Yet, its monthly chart has nested wedge tops. In addition, there has been a big bear breakout. Wedge tops that reverse down strongly typically have at least one more leg down. How far down will it go? Every prior higher low in the bull trend is a target. Especially relevant is the gap below the August 2013 low. In addition, that low formed a double bottom bull flag with the March 2012 low, around 125. That is therefore an obvious magnet over the next few years.
Like 1987, higher interest rates on CDs provide a low risk alternative to stocks. As a result, money will probably begin to shift from stocks to CDs. Hence, the stock market will probably reprice down as interest rates rise.
While the bond selloff has been climactic and a significant bounce is likely, the odds favor a top. Hence, the rally will probably form a lower high major trend reversal on the monthly chart.
EURUSD Forex market: Test of par in 2017
The monthly EURUSD chart has been in a bear trend since 2008. After a 6 year trading range, it broke strongly to the downside in 2014. It formed a double top bear flag in 2015. After going sideways until it hit the moving average, it broke to the downside. That pattern was therefore a Low 2 sell setup at the moving average.
This month’s breakout below the bear flag is also a new 14 year low. Yet, the month was a doji candlestick pattern instead of a strong bear bar. While this is not a strong breakout, it is not a good buy setup either. A measured move down based on the height of the year long trading range is far below par (1.0000).
While the weekly chart is trying to bounce, the odds are that the monthly chart will reach par in 2017. It is a strong psychological magnet, the momentum down is strong, and it is now nearby.
Final Bear Flag?
Whenever a bear flag forms late in a bear trend, there is an increased chance that it will be the Final Bear Flag. Therefore traders watch to see if the bear breakout reverses back up. While the year long trading range might in fact be the Final Bear Flag, there is no sign of a bull reversal. Furthermore, there is still room down to the important magnet of par.
January reversal up?
Over the past 20 years, there have been about 10 major reversals on the monthly chart. Three have come in January. Traders know that there is an increased chance of a major reversal in January. Yet, the probability is still low. Because of this tendency, traders will be more willing to buy if there is a strong reversal up in January. Since there is no clear reversal yet, the odds still favor lower prices.
Hi Al,
I always appreciate your insightful analysis. I was wondering, though. I noticed that the yearly bar is outside-up, finishing near its high. I read somewhere that such a move has occurred only twice before, in 1935 and 1982 (on the S&P cash chart, of course, since the emini wasn’t around back then). Do you attach any special significance to that fact?
Thanks much,
John
Hi, John,
I don’t pay attention to yearly charts because climactic reversals, if one will follow, usually take 10 – 20 sideways bars before there is a reversal. There will be a top on the weekly and daily charts before there is a clear reversal on the monthly chart.
Thanks for the update Al.
I’m very excited about the new course. I’m looking forward to going through the entire program again to “sharpen the saw” in 2017.
I wanted let you know that you’re previous course has taken me from consistently losing to consistently profitable almost every week, and actually having fun in the process!
My question to you is if you were personally coaching a trader and s/he wanted to rapidly enhance their learning curve, what daily / weekly regimen would you prescribe?
Thanks for all your hard work.
Daniel
Hi Al,
You discussed starting out not trading the eMini because the beginner would have too much money at risk. Also day trading SPY is out because you need a $25000 account.
You mentioned using Forex as ideal because of the ability to take small positions and have a small account size.
You also said we could trade XIV and other volatility instruments. I found a couple ETFs and three ETNs:
Pro Shares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF; iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN; Velocity Shares Daily Inverse VIX Short-Term ETN; Pro Shares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF and Velocity Shares 2x VIX Short-Term ETN.
Can these products be day traded without having a $25,000 account?
Thanks,
John Quinn
Hi, John,
I could be wrong, but I believe that there is a FINRA rule, approved by the SEC, that says that a day trader who is trading a stock market account needs a $25,000 minimum account size.
Al
Hi, Daniel,
I’m glad you are doing well. I tell everyone in you position the same thing. It sounds like you are where you need to be. One of the keys is to remain humble and not try to do too much. Instead, just keep working hard to get better at what you are doing. You will learn subtle new things along the way that will help improve your winning % and your average win size. There’s nothing magical. It’s simply trying to remain in the zone and refine your skills.
Good luck!
Al
Thanks for this Al! Great advice. Wishing you and all the other members of this community all the best for 2017!
After going over the old course over and over and your new course I am starting to understand your articles,thanks!