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The November Low
In
direct contrast to our previous piece exploring the current onset of Super-Cycle
Wave IV, we will now take a closer look at the November low, and review
the price action since then relative to speculative trading strategies. The
small chart plots three months of daily closes for the Dow Jones Industrials.
It shows that the move up toward the January high was clearly corrective. The
chart also illustrates that the rapid decline off the January peak is fast
approaching a key 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level. These three elements,
the November low, the January high, and the .618 retracement level become essential
pivot points from which we shall observe the near-term course of price action.
To simplify this present inflection point, the market is entitled to do one
of three things. First, it may hold the recent January lows, and then continue
to chop higher, further subdividing its upward corrective course toward the
9630-10640 area. Second, it may recover only partially from the recent lows,
rallying back up toward the 8675 level then once again collapse toward a retest
or fresh new lows. Lastly, with the stubborn insistence of massive statist
intervention, broad equity indices may also find themselves entitled to elongating
a complex triangular consolidation, keeping the markets in a suspended state
of limbo throughout much of Q1.
Theater of Speculation
So what does all this mean for short-term traders and long-term speculators?
We will get to this shortly. In the interim, take note that we have intentionally
avoided the term "investor". We have done so because of the widespread recognition
that all such endeavors into the financial sphere have been, and always will
be of a speculative nature. There never has been, nor will there ever be
any long-term "security" associated with investing, only the risks and rewards
relative to speculations taken over time horizons of varying length. From
our perspective, nothing has changed. Financial markets are what they are,
and what they have always been, theaters of speculation.
Speculator vs. Trader
Now that the financial system is on life-support, we trust that any sense of
security still resonating from the ponzi scheme of long-term investment is
extremely fragile. Glancing back at our small chart, "Near-Term Speculators" elected
to take profits and/or sell short anywhere from 8800-9000 amid four recent
rallies off the November lows. They are now likely to take profits on any
short sales and begin attempt at reestablishing trade on the long end from
the 8000-8300 area. Until price-action proves otherwise, and despite the
sizable pullback from 9000, "Long-Term Speculators" are technically justified
to maintain bullish positions acquired anywhere from 7600-7700 against the
November lows. In total contrast, "Short-Term Traders" position themselves
all over the map on a daily basis.

Snapshots of Short-Term Trading Success
Dispersed throughout the balance of this article, we display a variety of 30-minute
charts, each reflecting recent short-term trading successes in their respective
markets. To impart this information to our subscribers in advance, we employ
a tactical trade-trigger strategy from which we identify various trigger-points
and their associated point values for short-term speculative consideration.
Although a portion of these triggers will outright fail, over the past couple
of weeks, this particular strategy has outperformed all others, and has delivered
outstanding short-term speculative profits for those embracing its disciplines.
Short-Term Strategic Trading Cycles
Over the same period, our short-term counter-trend strategies have underperformed
markedly. As with all things occurring cyclically in nature, tactical trading
strategies also have cycles. One cannot expect a singular strategy to outperform
100% of the time without an appropriate season of decline and rebirth. As
the current financial crises so eloquently attests, such is the essence of
speculation across all time horizons.
The Complete Speculative Landscape
In our total commitment to keep one-step ahead of the entire speculative process,
we go to great lengths in continually plotting course of the entire trading
map for all time horizons. Doing so enables us to assess which strategies
are currently working, which are muddling through, and which are languishing.
Maintaining impartial resolve to such discipline allows us to deliver large
profits without self-aggrandizement, and engender caution where necessary
to stem losses amid situations of challenge.
Prudently
trade the Super-Cycle IV-Wave
To safely speculate on, or effectively trade the endless array of unfolding
subdivisions amid SC-IV, one may subscribe to our premium technical publication.
The express focus of Elliott Wave Technology's Near
Term Outlook is to help active traders anticipate price direction and
amplitude of broad market indices over the short, intermediate, and long-term.
Over the past three years, we continue to hone the art of dispatching tactical
trade set-ups and market forecasting into a consistent, impartial, and immensely
rewarding endeavor for those who take the time to embrace it.
We deliver this unique blend of proprietary charting protocol daily, with
the express intent to convey timely and profitable information. Our daily
reports impart strategy-specific
guidance, which strives to forecast, monitor, and calibrate market
impact relative to a multitude of trading signals that are in direct alignment
with distinct speculative strategies set forth in the members NTO essentials
file.
Regardless
of one's level of trading experience, users must allow sufficient time to become
acquainted with the authors charting protocol, strategies, and tactical narratives
prior to entering positions or developing discretionary trading strategies
of their own. Our forthcoming E-letters should assist greatly in this endeavor.
Communications in store for 2009:
To more effectively convey dynamic trading conditions relevant to our technical
publications; we are soon planning to launch complimentary E-letter briefings
for anyone interested in following our work. E-letter dispatches will briefly
summarize tactical trading postures across various time horizons and trading
strategies. The theme of our maiden E-letter will reveal how to sell at major
tops, and buy at critical bottoms. Those interested may email us
to get an early seat on our mailing list.
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