Using Two Timeframes to Increase the Odds – The Strategic Overview – Part 1 (Free)

Chartists looking to increase their odds should consider two timeframes for their analysis. The longer timeframe sets the strategic tone, while the shorter timeframe defines the trading tactics. Strategically, I am interested in stocks with long-term uptrends. Tactically, I am looking for bullish continuation patterns to trade after a correction. Let’s look at an example using Northorp Grumman (NOC).   

The first chart shows weekly candlesticks extending back to summer 2021. NOC advanced from 350 to 550 (+60%) and hit a new high in October 2022. The stock then fell sharply at the beginning of 2023 and proceeded to drift lower into October 2023. Overall, a triangle of sorts took shape as the decline retraced around 61.8% of the prior advance. Also notice that NOC returned to the prior breakout zone. The retracement area and broken resistance created a support-reversal zone (red-green line). NOC broke out with a big surge in October (green arrows) and this move reversed the long-term downtrend.

The bottom window shows the percentage difference between the close and the 40-week SMA. The horizontal lines are at +5% and -5% to filter signals. A move above +5% signals an uptrend and remains until a move below -5%. Notice how the indicator moved below -5% in early 2023 and remained bearish until October 2023 when it surged above +5% (gray arrow). This indicator is also long-term bullish. This indicator is part of the TIP Indicator Edge Plugin for StockCharts ACP.

With the long-term trend up and a breakout on the weekly chart, we can turn to the daily chart for tactical decisions. This section continues for TrendInvestorPro members (here). The Chart Trader offering at TrendInvestorPro provides broad market analysis and carefully curated trading setups for stocks and ETFs. We focus on bullish continuation patterns like the one above. Reports with videos are posted every Tuesday and Thursday before the open. Click here to learn more.

ChartTrader -Leading Sector and Groups, Setups: IJR, BLL, CMI, TXT, CPRT, BIIB, GEHC, AMAT (Premium)

There is no change with broad market conditions, which were covered in detail on Tuesday. Today starts with a table showing the leading ETFs. These are the strong areas in the stock market right now. I am using proximity to a 52-week high and the volatility-adjusted Rate-of-Change

ChartTrader -Leading Sector and Groups, Setups: IJR, BLL, CMI, TXT, CPRT, BIIB, GEHC, AMAT (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader – Tech-ETFs Lead the Pullback, Energy-Healthcare Hold Up, Symbols: XLE, XES, XLV, HAL, PXD, EOG, DIS, PKG (Premium)

Stocks are starting 2024 a bit different than the last two months of 2023. After big advances into yearend, stocks fell the first three days of the year. High-beta stocks and ETFs led the way lower with some falling more than 9% (MDB, AMD, ARKK, ARKF). These sharp three day declines

ChartTrader – Tech-ETFs Lead the Pullback, Energy-Healthcare Hold Up, Symbols: XLE, XES, XLV, HAL, PXD, EOG, DIS, PKG (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader – Identifying Support-Reversal Zones Symbols: XLK, XLC, SOXX, IGV, CIBR, ITB, FINX, ARKK, XLE, XES, GLD (Premium)

Even though the market advance broadened over the last few weeks, most ETFs are still well below their 2021 highs. In other words, they have yet to fully recover from January to October in 2022. Stocks and ETFs that exceeded their

ChartTrader – Identifying Support-Reversal Zones Symbols: XLK, XLC, SOXX, IGV, CIBR, ITB, FINX, ARKK, XLE, XES, GLD (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader – A Complete Cycle for SPY, Beware of Small-caps, Symbols: IWM, TLT, DRIV, HERO, MSFT, GOOGL, BNGT, BNTX (Premium)

There is no change in the broad market environment: bullish and short-term overbought (strong). We saw a parade of bullish signals in November starting with the Zweig Breadth Thrust on the 3rd. SPY then continued higher and broke above the upper Bollinger Band (125,1) and the upper line of the

ChartTrader – A Complete Cycle for SPY, Beware of Small-caps, Symbols: IWM, TLT, DRIV, HERO, MSFT, GOOGL, BNGT, BNTX (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader – Overbought and Staying Overbought, Symbols: XME, HERO, DRIV, AMZN, LYV, CSCO, TXT, LLY (Premium)

The weight of the evidence is bullish for stocks. It all started with a Zweig Breadth Thrust on November 3rd and the broad advance extended into early December. The 5-day SMA for the Composite Breadth Model (CBM) hit +1 on December 7th. The CBM is a trend-following

ChartTrader – Overbought and Staying Overbought, Symbols: XME, HERO, DRIV, AMZN, LYV, CSCO, TXT, LLY (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader – Long-term Uptrends and Short-term Overbought, QQQ Starts to Lag, Symbols: TSLA, VRTX, NOC, LMT (Premium)

SPY and QQQ are in long-term uptrends as both recorded 52-week highs over the last few weeks. Small-caps are in long-term trading ranges, but short-term uptrends as IWM and IJR surged the last six weeks. Overall, stocks are short-term

ChartTrader – Long-term Uptrends and Short-term Overbought, QQQ Starts to Lag, Symbols: TSLA, VRTX, NOC, LMT (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader – QQQ/SPY Slow after Being Overbought, Small-caps Consolidate, Symbols: USO, XLE, XES, FANG, PKG, AMGN, REGN (Premium)

There is no change in the broad market situation. QQQ is leading because it recorded a 52-week high in November. SPY is not far behind, but it has yet to exceed its July highs. Both are short-term overbought after sharp advances from late October to late November.

ChartTrader – QQQ/SPY Slow after Being Overbought, Small-caps Consolidate, Symbols: USO, XLE, XES, FANG, PKG, AMGN, REGN (Premium) Read More »

ChartTrader – Thrust vs Trend, QQQ Gets Extended, Symbols:XLK, HACK, SMH, IGV, URI, VRTX, GPN, PANW (Premium)

The broader market remains mixed. The S&P 500 SPDR (SPY) is performing well because it is weighted by market cap and Nasdaq 100 stocks account for a third of the ETF. The Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) is performing well because tech stocks are leading the market and the tech sector

ChartTrader – Thrust vs Trend, QQQ Gets Extended, Symbols:XLK, HACK, SMH, IGV, URI, VRTX, GPN, PANW (Premium) Read More »

Testing the Zweig Breadth Thrust using other Indexes – Adding Beta and Diversification to the Strategy

Today’s report will put the Zweig Breadth Thrust indicators for the various indexes to the test. My default breadth index is the S&P 1500 because it covers all bases and represents a broad swath of the US stock market. We can also generate ZBT signals using

Testing the Zweig Breadth Thrust using other Indexes – Adding Beta and Diversification to the Strategy Read More »

Breadth Charts and ChartList – Get an Edge with Inside Information

Breadth indicators are also referred to as market internals. As the “vital signs” for an index or sector, breadth indicators reflect aggregate performance for the individual components. As such, breadth indicators can provide leading signals by strengthening before a bottom or weakening ahead of a top. After all, the whole is only as good as the sum of the parts

Breadth Charts and ChartList – Get an Edge with Inside Information Read More »

ETF Liquidity Considerations – Volume, Dollar-Volume, Liquidity of Holdings, Bid-Ask Spread and Liquidity Grades

There are two things to consider for ETF liquidity. First, there is the actual trading volume for the ETF. Second, there is the trading volume for the holdings in the ETF. Hat-tip to Joe H. for enlightening me on this aspect. An ETF with relatively low trading volume can

ETF Liquidity Considerations – Volume, Dollar-Volume, Liquidity of Holdings, Bid-Ask Spread and Liquidity Grades Read More »

A Dozen Books that Influenced my Analysis Process, Understanding of Markets and Trading Mindset (Free)

While there are too many influences to list in one post, this commentary features a dozen books that helped me over the years. These books cover technical analysis, trend-momentum strategies, insights from great traders and the mindset required to stay in the game.

A Dozen Books that Influenced my Analysis Process, Understanding of Markets and Trading Mindset (Free) Read More »

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