The failure of the indexes staying above the T-line in Friday’s trading was an indication the bullish sentiment was not strong enough yet to start an uptrend. Today’s lower trading, indicated by opening lower after Friday’s Doji’s in the indexes, made it apparent the T-line was still acting as a resistance level. Although the markets are currently trading above where they opened, the strength of the buying has not yet produced evidence a new uptrend has started. The T-line remains a very relevant factor. Continue to have both long and short positions in the portfolio.
May 20th Market Direction
Candlestick analysis provides a high probability trading platform when utilizing the information built into each signal and pattern with confirming indicators. Friday, after a potential reversal signal in the indexes, the uptrend was in the process of confirming but for one final indicator, the T-line. After trading above the T-line most of the day, the closing levels of Friday brought the indexes back down below the T-line. This caused a major question about the uptrend, due to the T line rule. The T-line rule merely states that a downtrend has reversed based upon a candlestick buy signal and a close above the T-line. When the indexes did not close above the T line on Friday, a very simple assumption was created. The uptrend was still in question. The probabilities of the indexes closing below the T-line provides a logical strategy for the candlestick investor. Short positions should not be closed out until the final confirmation, the market indexes closing above the T-line.
The indexes forming a Doji going into the close of Friday, prepared candlestick investors to be ready to short positions on a lower open Monday. A lower open would also indicate the uptrend was not in progress, failing at the T line area. Knowing the direction of the overall market based upon how the premarket futures indicate the market will open after a candlestick signal keeps investors from entering positions that will not be confirming, such as long positions in today’s trading, and directing them to short positions that are confirming. This provides a constant common sense strategy to allow investors to enter appropriate trades and keep them from getting into trades that are not confirming.
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Good Investing,
The Candlestick Forum Team