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  BREAKOUT ATTEMPT NEXT?  
    8/21/2009  
       
   
 

Breakout Attempt Next?
by Carl Swenlin
August 21, 2009

Last week I said that I thought that any pullback would be quick. This week we got a quick pullback and nice bounce to new rally highs. Volume isn't the greatest, but it expanded the last three days. Prices still remain within the ascending wedge and are stalled just below the resistance line presented by the top of the wedge. Because the short correction only moved halfway back to the rising trend line, followed immediately by a rally that exceeded pre-correction highs, I have to conclude that a breakout attempt is about to take place.

I have often said that ascending wedge formations are extremely reliable in that they usually break in the expected direction -- down. But we have both a long-term (months to years) buy signal and a medium-term buy signal, and prices are still behaving very well. Under those conditions we have to expect positive outcomes.



Of course we have to be concerned by the fact that the market is short- and medium-term overbought, a condition that will provide the "wall of worry" to help move prices higher. The chart below shows what potential buyers must overcome emotionally. Looking at it, I wouldn't mind holding profitable long positions, but it would be a lot harder to be opening new ones.



We are in the 6-month period of negative seasonality with the last, and worst, two months dead ahead. Perhaps that will be able to break the market's winning streak. Perhaps not. I find it is always good to be aware of these things, but let prices lead the way.

Bottom Line: Models and price action have us bullish medium- and long-term. And the market's recent failure to mount a credible correction has set the stage for another leg up.

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Technical analysis is a windsock, not a crystal ball. Be prepared to adjust your tactics and strategy if conditions change.

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2011 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#48 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (*TD Index 73.70 Vs. SPX 100.00)

#2 Bond Timer (TD Index: 117.7 Vs. Bonds 118.89)
#3 Bond Timer (5-Years) (TD Index: 139.13 Vs. Bonds 129.60)
#3 Bond Timer (10-Years) (TD Index: 167.20 Vs. Bonds 143.62)

#15 Gold Timer (TD Index: 106.30 Vs. Gold 110.23)
#3 Gold Timer (3 Years) (TD Index: 172.58 Vs. Gold 168.27)

#26 Long-Term Timer (2 Years) Stocks (TD Index 81.90 Vs. SPX 112.78)
#9 Long-Term Timer (5 Years) Stocks (TD Index 115.64 Vs. SPX 111.33)
#4 Long-Term Timer (10 Years) Stocks (TD Index 159.38 Vs. SPX 109.54)


2010 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#16 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (TD Index 105.07 Vs. SPX 112.78)
#6 Intermediate-Term Stocks (3 Years) (TD Index 152.31 Vs. SPX 85.65)
#7 Intermediate-Term Stocks (5 Years) (TD Index 156.44 Vs. SPX 100.75)
#10 Intermediate-Term Stocks (10 Years) (TD Index 135.84 Vs. SPX 95.26)

#6 Bond Timer (TD Index: 110.1 Vs. Bonds 105.29)
#5 Bond Timer (5-Years) (TD Index: 126.64 Vs. Bonds 106.24)
#3 Bond Timer (10-Years) (TD Index: 137.03 Vs. Bonds 116.27)

#6 Gold Timer (TD Index: 118.50 Vs. Gold 129.73)
#3 Gold Timer (3 Years) (TD Index: 172.58 Vs. Gold 168.27)

#26 Long-Term Timer (2 Years) Stocks (TD Index 91.9 Vs. SPX 139.23)
#8 Long-Term Timer (3 Years) Stocks (TD Index 124.30 Vs. SPX 85.65)
#4 Long-Term Timer (5 Years) Stocks (TD Index 146.21 Vs. SPX 100.75)
#4 Long-Term Timer (10 Years) Stocks (TD Index 177.64 Vs. SPX 95.26)


2009 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#9 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (TD Index 129.36 Vs. SPX 123.45)
#8 Intermediate-Term Stocks (5 Years) (TD Index 147.81 Vs. SPX 92.01)

#18 Bond Timer (TD Index: 87.7 Vs. Bonds 83.86)
#5 Bond Timer (10-Years) (TD Index: 127.25 Vs. Bonds 127.51)

#9 Gold Timer (TD Index: 115.30 Vs. Gold 124.00)
#3 Gold Timer (3 Years) (TD Index: 181.56 Vs. Gold 169.92)
#3 Gold Timer (10 Years) (TD Index: 322.74 Vs. Gold 375.51)

#6 Long-Term Timer (2 Years) Stocks (TD Index 136.41 Vs. SPX 75.94)
#7 Long-Term Timer (3 Years) Stocks (TD Index 141.22 Vs. SPX 78.62)
#2 Long-Term Timer (5 Years) Stocks (TD Index 165.27 Vs. SPX 92.01)
#5 Long-Term Timer (10 Years) Stocks (TD Index 162.51 Vs. SPX 75.90)


2008 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#17 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (TD Index 111.9 Vs. SPX 61.51)

#4 Bond Timer (TD Index: 112.32 Vs. Bonds 118.26)

#5 Gold Timer (TD Index: 126.33 Vs. Gold 104.61)

#9 Long-Term Timer (2 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 132.35 Vs. SPX 63.69)
#2 Long-Term Timer (3 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 150.38 Vs. SPX 72.36)
#2 Long-Term Timer (5 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 168.82 Vs. SPX 81.23)
#3 Long-Term Timer (10 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 159.36 Vs. SPX 73.48)


2007 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#40 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (TD Index 91.9 Vs. SPX 103.28)

#5 Bond Timer (TD Index: 105.85 Bonds 104.39)
#5 Bond Timer (3 Years) (TD Index: 114.48 Vs. Bonds 103.58)

#2 (Tied) Long-Term Timer (2 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 117.63 Vs. SPX 117.63)
#2 (Tied) Long-Term Timer (3 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 132.06 Vs. SPX 132.06)
#4 Long-Term Timer (5 Years) Stocks (TD Index: 142.69 Vs. SPX 127.90)


2006 TIMER DIGEST RANKINGS FOR DECISION POINT

#11 Intermediate-Term Stocks (52-Weeks) (TD Index 111.3 Vs. SPX 113.6)

#3 Bond Timer (TD Index: 112.32 Vs. Bonds 97.46)


2000 TIMER DIGEST GOLD TIMER of the YEAR


*All timers and the benchmark index are assigned a starting TD Index of 100 at the beginning of the year. The amount above or below the starting index indicates the percentage gain or loss for the year.

Beginning in 2006 we began using mechanical models -- the Trend Model for Bonds, Gold, and Long-Term Stocks, and the Thrust/Trend Model for Intermediate-Term Stocks. Prior to 2006 we used discretionary signals.

Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Past performance does not indicate future results.

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BIO: Carl Swenlin is a self-taught technical analyst, who has been involved in market analysis since 1981. A pioneer in the creation of online technical resources, he is president and founder of DecisionPoint.com, a premier technical analysis website specializing in stock market indicators, charting, and focused research reports. Mr. Swenlin is a Member of the Market Technicians Association.

 
   
   
   
   
 

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