Brandon Wendell, CMT
Brandon Wendell
Two questions I always receive when people find out that I trade for a living are: Where do you see the markets going? and, Are there any sure fire shortcuts to making money?Are there any sure fire shortcuts to making money? The first question is easy to answer by viewing the charts of the securities you want to trade. The second question doesn’t have an answer because there is no magic formula that exists. To become successful in the markets, you need the right education, a mentor and the willingness to put in the time to build your skills.
Utilizing the chart reading skill set I acquired through my own educational path as a student at Online Trading Academy, I do see the potential for a sharp market downturn beginning now. The following weekly chart of the S&P 500 stock index shows that prices are dropping from the second touch of a supply zone.
The trend never gained enough strength in April to take out the highs that we formed in late 2015, nor did it cause the RSI indicator to break 60. In previous articles, I have discussed the use of the RSI for trend indication.
Even though major news outlets were celebrating the Dow Index making new 2016 highs, they neglected to mention the supply zone near 18220 from early 2015. Prices were so weak that they actually failed to even reach the zone before being dragged down by the other indexes.
The Nasdaq 100 Index had been an incredibly strong index for some time, but it also failed shy of its supply zone on the weekly charts before dropping in price. The failure of the RSI to pierce 60 additionally suggests the continuation of the downtrend. The seasonal pattern of the tech heavy index is to, “Sell in May and go away.” With the calendar entering the traditional slow/bearish season for the Nasdaq, I would expect more price drops than rallies.
The mention of the seasonal pattern raises an interesting point. Most traders look myopically at the security they wish to trade. They ignore the outside influences that can affect their trades such as seasonal patterns and related securities that can increase your odds for success.
There are seasons for all securities:
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Spring – Prices are starting their bullish rise.
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Summer – The bull market and then the start of a slowdown and sideways consolidation
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Autumn – Prices begin to fall
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Wnter – The full bear market before the slowing and sideways consolidation
The chart above shows the seasonal pattern for the Nasdaq 100 index. The pink line is the averages of the index prices over the last 25 years while the red line shows it for the past five years. They are very similar but looking at the short term versus long can tell you if the pattern has been disrupted recently. The seasonal names, (spring, summer, autumn, winter), do not correlate to the calendar seasons. The spring for oil prices occurs in a different month than spring for the S&P 500. Oil will see prices rise when demand is strongest and drop when it is weakest.
The advantage of knowing seasonal patterns of the markets and securities we trade offers the longer term traders and investors a distinct advantage. When our weekly or monthly charts are approaching a supply or demand zone at the same time the season for that security is changing, we can increase our odds for successfully identifying the trend change. For example, if the season is contrary to the zones (approaching a supply zone in the spring season) we may break the zone instead of reversing.
The drawback to using seasonality is that there is a cost to obtain the information. Several services offer charts to identify the seasonal patterns for indexes and commodities for a fee. But if you can use this data to increase your profitability in the markets, it can be well worth it.
The seasonality should only be used to compliment Online Trading Academy’s core strategy. Trying to invest solely on seasonality could lead to losses. You improve your seasonal success by combining this analysis to what you already do on your long term charts. To learn what analysis is required, enroll in a course at your local center today.
Neither Freedom Management Partners nor any of its personnel are registered broker-dealers or investment advisers. I will mention that I consider certain securities or positions to be good candidates for the types of strategies we are discussing or illustrating. Because I consider the securities or positions appropriate to the discussion or for illustration purposes does not mean that I am telling you to trade the strategies or securities. Keep in mind that we are not providing you with recommendations or personalized advice about your trading activities. The information we are providing is not tailored to any individual. Any mention of a particular security is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold that or any other security or a suggestion that it is suitable for any specific person. Keep in mind that all trading involves a risk of loss, and this will always be the situation, regardless of whether we are discussing strategies that are intended to limit risk. Also, Freedom Management Partners’ personnel are not subject to trading restrictions. I and others at Freedom Management Partners could have a position in a security or initiate a position in a security at any time.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD drops to daily lows near 1.1630
EUR/USD now loses some traction and slips back to the area of daily lows around 1.1630 on the back of a mild bounce in the US Dollar. Fresh US data, including the September PCE inflation numbers and the latest read on December consumer sentiment, didn’t really move the needle, so the pair is still on course to finish the week with a respectable gain.
GBP/USD trims gains, recedes toward 1.3320
GBP/USD is struggling to keep its daily advance, coming under fresh pressure and retreating to the 1.3320 zone following a mild bullish attempt in the Greenback. Even though US consumer sentiment surprised to the upside, the US Dollar isn’t getting much love, as traders are far more interested in what the Fed will say next week.
Japanese Yen refreshes three-week high vs USD; seems poised to appreciate further
The Japanese Yen retains bullish bias as BoJ rate hike bets offset dismal Household Spending data. Dovish Fed expectations fail to assist the USD in attracting buyers and keep a lid on the USD/JPY pair. Traders keenly await the US PCE Price Index for Fed rate-cut cues and a fresh directional impetus.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD drops to daily lows near 1.1630
EUR/USD now loses some traction and slips back to the area of daily lows around 1.1630 on the back of a mild bounce in the US Dollar. Fresh US data, including the September PCE inflation numbers and the latest read on December consumer sentiment, didn’t really move the needle, so the pair is still on course to finish the week with a respectable gain.
GBP/USD trims gains, recedes toward 1.3320
GBP/USD is struggling to keep its daily advance, coming under fresh pressure and retreating to the 1.3320 zone following a mild bullish attempt in the Greenback. Even though US consumer sentiment surprised to the upside, the US Dollar isn’t getting much love, as traders are far more interested in what the Fed will say next week.
Gold makes a U-turn, back to $4,200
Gold is now losing the grip and receding to the key $4,200 region per troy ounce following some signs of life in the Greenback and a marked bounce in US Treasury yields across the board. The positive outlook for the precious metal, however, remains underpinned by steady bets for extra easing by the Fed.
Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP pare gains despite increasing hopes of upcoming Fed rate cut
Bitcoin is steadying above $91,000 at the time of writing on Friday. Ethereum remains above $3,100, reflecting positive sentiment ahead of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) monetary policy meeting on December 10.
Week ahead – Rate cut or market shock? The Fed decides
Fed rate cut widely expected; dot plot and overall meeting rhetoric also matter. Risk appetite is supported by Fed rate cut expectations; cryptos show signs of life. RBA, BoC and SNB also meet; chances of surprises are relatively low.
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