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Table of Contents
1
Dynamic Price Analysis
The EOW (End-Of-Wave) price projection routine in Dynamic Trader allows the
trader to quickly make all of the typical price projections for a given Elliott wave
position. By using the EOW routine, the user does not have to make each
individual projection, one at a time with the Fib-P routine.
The EOW routine requires a swing file on the chart. It is quick and easy to
build and edit a swing file. When a projection is made, the EOW routine makes
assumptions as to the wave position of the prior pivots. If the EOW-3 projection is
made from a swing low, the EOW routine assumes the most recent swing down is
a W.2 and the swing before a W.1. It will use these two swings to make the
projections. If necessary, edit the swings so they have the form you assume is the
most probable wave structure.
The EOW price projection routine assumes you have an opinion of the
probable Elliott wave position of the market. This may not always be the case.
When it is, the EOW routine often allows you to make all of the price projections
you want more quickly than marking them off one at a time on the chart from the
Fib-P projections. Another advantage of using the EOW projections is each
projection on the chart is labeled according to the wave it is projecting.
The chart below assumes we believe Oct. 7 is a W.2 low. I usually choose the
short-list projections from the EOW menu. Right clicking on the EOW label on the
Fib-P menu chooses what projections will be used for each swing comparison. The
projections for EOW-3 were made from the Oct. 7 low. The projections included
where W.3 would equal 100% W.1, 162% W.1 and 262% W.2.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
The first signal that wheat may be in a W.3 is if wheat rallies above where W.3
= 100% APP W.1. Wheat did this in one wide range up-day signaling a W.3 was
probably being made. Two price projections fell within less than one cent of each
other – W.3 = 162% APP W.1 and 262% APP W.4. This zone would be a typical
price target for W.3. If wheat reached this zone, the trader should be alert for
signals wheat is making a minor W.3 high.
Wave-3 made a top just above this price zone as shown in the chart below. The
next price analysis objective is to project the high probability target for W.4. The
short-list EOW-4 price projections include where W.4 = 38.2% and 50% Ret.
W.3, 38.2%, 50% and 61.8% Ret. W.1-3 and 100% APP of W.1. Those
projections are shown on the chart below.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
Wave-4 should not decline below the high of W.3 so we should eliminate the
61.8% retracement of W.1-3 (374.0) from consideration. Four projections are
grouped fairly close together. See the chart above. The ideal price zone to
complete a W.4 low would be 378.6-375.6. On Oct. 20, wheat made the W.4 low
at 376.0, right within the ideal price zone.
Our next objective is to project the high probability price target for W.5.
The short-list for the EOW-5 price projections include the three typical targets
for a W.5 – W.5 = 100% APP W.1, 61.8% APP W.1-3 and 162% Ret. W.4. The
projection is made from the W.4 pivot low and the EOW-5 projections are shown
on the chart below.
W.1 was relatively short and the W.5 = 100% APP W.1 projection falls just
above the W.3 high. The other two projections are grouped very close together at
389.5-390.4. Wheat trades in quarters and could not trade at 389.5, but Dynamic
Trader will make the projections in eighths because the data vendor supplies the
data in 1/8ths. Years ago grains traded in eighths.
The ideal price target for W.5 would be at 389.4-390.4. Wheat made a wide-
range reversal day with a high at 391.4, just one cent above the ideal W.5 price
projection zone.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
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Dynamic Price Analysis
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
The 50% retracement falls below the high of W.A, so it is ignored. The 162%
APP (W.C = 162% APP W.A) is far above the other projections, so it is also
ignored for now. The 100% APP (W.C = 100% W.A) and 127% Ret. (W.C =
127% W.B) are only a few ticks apart and not far above the 61.8% retracement.
The most typical price relationship between waves A and C is 100%. That is
always the first place I look to see if other price projections fall nearby, especially
one of the Fib retracements.
The most probable price zone for the W.c high should fall at 122.15-123.05
which includes the 61.8% retracement and where W.c = 100% APP W.1 and
127% Ret. W.b. How did it turn out?
Wave-c made a reversal day high right within the ideal price zone for the W.c
high. It would be nice if all of the EOW price projections clustered within just a
few ticks of each other. While this sometimes happens, more than likely the zone
will be relative broad. In the bond case above, the ideal price zone for the W.c high
was a 21-tick range (122.15-123.05). If the market rallies into a projected target
zone, look for reversal signals and be alert to the smaller degree pattern and time
position.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
When a swing chart is built or edited in Dynamic Trader, each swing must be a
minimum of one bar. You cannot edit a swing file to make one bar both a high and
low. In some cases with very minor degree swings, one bar may be both a wave
high and low when using daily data. Viewing only daily data, this was probably the
case for the minor swings in bonds. The W.1 high bar was probably also the W.2
low bar. The same for W.3 and W.4. Why do we suspect this? The W.1 bar
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
opened up, continued higher and closed below the open. The intraday data may
show the highs and lows in a slightly different position, but if we are only using
daily data and want to use the EOW routine to make projections, we have to edit
the swing file as best as possible with the bars we have.
We have already made the W.c projections from the Feb. 6 low (W.b) as
described in the commentary and charts in the previous section. The 61.8%
retracement and W.c projections are shown on the chart above.
Also shown are the W.5:c projections made from the W.4:c low. These
projections include where W.5 = 100% APP W.1, 61.8% APP W.1-3 and 162%
W.4. Wave-1:c was very short and the 100% APP (W.5=100% W.1) falls below
the 61.8% retracement and the W.3 high. This projection is ignored. The other two
minor projections cluster very close together just below where W.c = 127% Ret.
W.b. These two minor projections for W.5:c fall right within the larger degree
projected zone for W.c. The W.5:c high was made at 122.26, just one tick below
the minor degree projections at 122.27-122.29! Do you see how the smaller
degree projections help to focus in on the highest probability price zone to
complete the larger degree pattern?
If we have intraday data available, we can better focus in on the wave
structure. The chart below is 30-minute data for bonds for the period of W.c. With
the daily data, we considered Feb. 6 as the W.b low. The 30-minute data shows
just one wide range bar that was the first bar of the day of Feb. 6 which spiked
down to make the new low. An examination of the 5-minute data, the shortest
period I had for intraday data for bonds, showed that it was only the 5-minute bar
that also traded this low. More than likely there was just one or two trades that
were made at the lower price level before the market spiked back up and
completed the decline on Feb. 9 just above the low of Feb. 6. I have begun the
intraday wave count from the Feb. 9 low instead of the Feb. 6 low as Feb. 9
obviously appears to be the real beginning of the W.c advance.
Since the Feb. 9 low is only a few ticks above the Feb. 6 low, there will not be
a great deal of difference in the price projections. This example illustrates how the
intraday data may provide more accurate minor degree projections than if we only
have daily data available.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
The EOW-5 projections are made from the W.4 low made on the afternoon of
Feb. 12 on the 15:00 bar (3 PM, EST). Wave-1 was very short in price and the
100% APP (W.5 = 100% W.1) projection falls below the W.3 high. This
projection is ignored. The projections where W.5 = 61.8% APP W.1-3 (122.22)
and 162% Ret. W.4 (122.31) provide the high probability target zone for W.5. The
W.5 high was made at 122.26, right within this zone?
The daily data and swing chart shown previously showed this same projection
at 122.27-122.29, which was slightly above the beginning of the 122.22-122.31
projections made with the intraday data. Why? The minor swing highs and lows
are slightly different on the daily data chart than on the 30-minute data chart.
Are you ready to take the price projections even one degree smaller? The chart
below is 5-minute data for just the five trading day period (Feb. 12-18) of W.5:5:c.
Wave-5 price projections were made from the W.4 low made on Feb. 17 on the
14:05 bar. Two of the price projections at 123.04 and 123.08 fall above the price
zone projected for the larger degree W.5:c shown on the 30-minute data on the
chart above. They should probably be ignored. Our purpose of projecting from the
smaller degree waves is to see if the smaller degree projections fall within the price
zone of the larger degree.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
One projection, where W.5 = 162% Ret. W.4 at 122.26, falls within the price
zone of the next larger degree at 122.22-122.31. The W.5:5 high was made at
122.26, the exact 162% Ret. projection! Bonds confirmed the final top was
probably complete on the decline below the minor degree W.4 low on the 5-minute
data.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
122.15-123.05, W.c target zone. We then went one degree smaller to project the
target for W.5:5:c. Only one projection fell within the larger degree target at
122.26. The three degrees of price projections gave us an ideal price target for W.c
at 122.22-122.31. This was the price zone that included all three degrees of
projections. The high tick was made at 122.26, right within the price zone!
Intraday data is not necessary to make two or more degrees of price
projections, but it can be helpful. If you have intraday data, use it when appropriate
to fine-tune the projections. There is often a lot of “noise” with intraday data and
you run the risk of loosing track of the larger degree perspective which is evident
on the daily charts. If a useful and obvious pattern is not developing on the
intraday data, do not try to force a pattern just for the sake of making smaller
degree price projections.
I collect tick data at the end of the day from my data service and do all of my
analysis outside of trading hours. I suggest you do the same. You would be
surprised (maybe not!) how your idea of the market position can change as you
watch the market real-time. If you have real-time or delayed data on your monitor
during the day, be careful and don’t loose track of the larger degree position.
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EOW Summary
1. In many cases, the EOW price projection routine makes it quicker and
easier to make multiple price projections than marking them off one at
a time from the Fib-P menu.
2. The EOW routine assumes you have an opinion of the Elliott wave
position of the market. If you don’t have an opinion of the Elliott wave
position and only want to make a few price projections, it may be
quicker and easier to just mark them off one at a time from the Fib-P
menu.
3. The EOW routines require a swing chart. If you already have swing
charts saved for that data file, bring up the swing chart that is the closes
degree to the one you are going to make projections for. Edit the swing
chart if necessary so the pivot highs and lows are marked off that you
want to project from. When you close the scenario or unload the swing
file, you will be asked if you want to save the changes to the swing file.
If you made temporary changes just to make these price projections,
choose no, and the swing file will remain the same.
4. When the projections have been made, look for those projections that
seem to fit within the structure of the market. In most cases, ignore the
“outliers.” The highest probability price targets will be where
projections are clustered together.
5. Never expect the market to reach or make a reversal precisely at the
ideal cluster of projections. Consider the projected range as a high
probability price target for end of the wave projected. Always consider
the price target zone within the context of the other market factors
such as time and pattern.
6. If a market substantially exceeds a projected price zone, reconsider the
wave structure and make projections for the next higher or lower zone
by considering a different wave structure or using more than the short-
list of ratios.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
The Custom Price Projection (CPP) report is another way to make price
projections and display them on the chart. How is the Custom Price Projection
report different from the Fib-P routine and the EOW routine?
The Custom Price Projection report uses the same menu as the Fib-P routine
that includes the EOW projections. The way the price projections are made with
the CPP is exactly the same as with the other two routines. The CPP has several
added features that make it advantageous to use at times.
Let’s take a look at the bond example we just examined in the EOW section
above and see how the CPP report may be used.
The bond chart below shows the same period when the projections for Wave-C
were made in the EOW section above. This time the projections were made from
the Custom Price Projection report. As you can see, the menu where the
projections are chosen is the same as the Fib-P menu.
EOW-2 projections were made from the Jan. 26 low (labeled W.A) and EOW-
C projections were made from the Feb. 6 low (labeled W.b). The horizontal lines
represent each projection. The bars against the price scale represent where the
projections are made. The bar at 123.00 is larger than the other bars because two
projections fell close together.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
The CPP bar-height scale may be adjusted to make the width of each individual
bar taller or shorter. In the chart above, the scale is set at .10. The height of each
individual projected bar will be the projected price plus and minus 1/10 of 1%. If
the projected price is 122.00, the CPP bar will be 122.00 plus and minus 1/10 of
1% or 121.28-122.04. 122.00 x .001 = .122. We must translate to 32nds. 32 x
.122 = 4 (3.9). Add and subtract 4/32nds from 122.00 for a range of 121.28-
122.04. You may want to adjust the bar-height scale while the CPP is being made
to make the projections overlap with one another and create a larger bar. We can
save this CPP report and bring it up on the chart at any time. Use a logical system
for naming each report. I usually include in the name the date projected from and
the wave label I am projecting. In this case, we may name the report “W.C Fr.
1/6/98.”
We can add new projections to a saved report at any time. Let’s add the minor
degree projections for Wave-5:c to the saved report. The chart below has added
the minor degree EOW-5 projections. These projections fell very near the larger
degree projections that had already created the largest bar when the report was
first made. The bar is now even relatively larger compared to the other bars that
only represent one projection each. We now have a very visual representation of
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Dynamic Price Analysis
the high probability price target that includes four price projections of various
degrees.
Note that neither the 50% retracement of W.A or the 100% APP projection
(W.5 = 100% W.1) is included on the CPP above. After first making each price
projection in the CPP report, you are asked if you want to add the projection to
the report. If a projection is not relevant, you can choose “no” and then re-choose
which ratios you want to use. When the EOW-2 projections were made, bonds had
already advanced above the 50% retracement. Rather than save the retracements
to the report with the 50% retracement, I checked off the 50% retracement and
made the EOW-2 projections with just the 61.8% retracement. I did the same with
the W.5 = 100% APP W.1 projection when making the EOW-5 projection.
The CPP report was initially created and saved with the projections shown on
the first chart. Later, the minor W.5:c projections were added. Projections of more
than one degree may be made at the same time when the report is initially created.
The swing chart may be edited while the report is being created. You are not
limited to the swings that are initially brought up on the chart. Just remember when
you close the chart, you will be asked if you want to save the edits made to the
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
swing file. Be sure and click “no” if you do not want to save the edits. If you click
“yes”, the current swing file will be over written with the changes. If you want to
keep the old swing file and a swing file with the new changes, choose “save swing
file as” from the Swings Menu.
The chart below shows the CPP after it has been saved. Right click anywhere
on a chart and one of the menu choices is to “show custom price projection.”
If the CPP bars are shown on a chart, you can view the details of all of the
projections by clicking on a bar that will bring up the CPP detail table. The
projections that make up the bar that was clicked on will be highlighted in yellow.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
The Custom Price Projection report is a convenient way to save multiple price
projections and have a visual representation of the price target zones without
having a lot of overlapping horizontal lines on the chart. A CPP report may be
made with any time period data file – intraday, daily, weekly or monthly. The CPP
report is another unique feature of Dynamic Trader.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
Price Rhythm Zones (PRZ) are a statistically derived measure of the price rhythm
of a market. Price Rhythm Zones measure where a trend or counter-trend has the
greatest probability of terminating based on the historical swings of similar degree.
The Price Rhythm Zone projection is made in essentially the same manner as the
Time Rhythm Zone projection.
The PRZ projection is made from two price projections of the chosen historical
swings - the Alternate Price Projections and the Retracements. The PRZ projection
report in Dynamic Trader requires a primary and reference swing file.
The primary file swings are used to make the historical calculations and
projections. The larger degree reference file swings represent the bull or bear
trends and are used to determine which of the primary swings are in bull markets
and which are in bear markets.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
In the weekly chart of bonds below, each of the primary swings are 5% price
change or greater. They represent the intermediate degree swings that are obvious
on the weekly chart. The reference swings (thick lines) represent the obvious major
bull and bear trends. Once a change in trend is confirmed by making the minimum
price percentage change (in this case 5%), a Price Rhythm Zone may be projected.
First, let's look at the end result of a PRZ and then see how it was derived. The
bond chart below shows the PRZ projection from the April 1993 low.
The PRZ projection on the chart below only uses swings from the current bull
trend to keep the illustration simple. In most cases, you will want to use primary
degree swings from more than one bull or bear trend.
Each of the swings in the primary file made at least a 5% percentage change in
price. The objective is to calculate the high probability price zone where the bull
swing from the April 1993 low should terminate based on swings of similar degree
from current and prior bull markets. The PRZ is made from two types of price
projections – Alternate Price Projections and Retracements.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
The Price Overlap zone is 120.13-121.05. Based on the most recent advances
in a bull market, the ideal target for a high from the April 2 low is this range.
Notice that under the “Type” column, both the Ret (retracements) and Alt
(alternate price projections) are followed by the “%” sign. This shows that the
price ranges were measured by percentage change rather than price range.
The Sept. 1993 high was made just above the ideal PRZ overlap zone. The
PRZ prepared the trader for the broad price with the greatest probability of making
the next intermediate or greater degree top.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
The Price Rhythm Zone Detail table below shows the minimum and maximum
projections made from both the Retracements (RetR) and Alternate Price
Projections (AltR) as well as the Price Overlap Zone of 120.08-128.22.
Let’s review just what this PRZ projection is telling us for the projection
above.
1. As of June 20, 1997 bonds had rallied over 5% from the April 11 low.
A new swing low is recorded and we can project the PRZ which should
be reached based on historical swings of similar degree.
2. Based on the 5% or greater swing chart, the PRZ is the target for
which the bull trend should reach without having made a 5% decline or
greater against the bull trend.
3. The PRZ is 120.13-126.17 which is the overlap zone of the APP and
External Retracements based on past rally swings of similar degree in
bull markets. The minimum price target is 120.13 and the maximum
price target is 126.17. While this is a broad range, consider that this
target range was projected from a low at 106.12.
4. If bonds approach this intermediate degree PRZ, we can then project
the smaller degree PRZ which will focus in on a narrower price zone
for the termination of the larger degree trend.
Price Rhythm Zones are simple statistical projections made from historical
measured swings. If the swings of similar degree in the primary swing file used to
make the PRZ have been fairly symmetrical, the projected PRZ will be relatively
narrow like in the first bond example above which used only a limited number of
swings that all very similar in price range. If the swings had not been so regular,
the PRZ will be relatively broad as we saw in the second bond example above.
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Dynamic Price Analysis
Even though the PRZ was very broad, it still provided useful, statistical
information that prepared the trader for the price zone the trend would reach.
Price Rhythm Zone projections may be made on any time period bar chart and
any degree of change.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
If we want to do several Time Cycle Ratio projections and Time Counts on the bar
chart using the Fib-T and Time-C routines in Dynamic Trader, the chart may
become very cluttered and it may be difficult to distinguish where the time
projections cluster even with the “no label” option set.
The Dynamic Time Projection Report provides a quick and easy way to do a
wide variety of time projections all at once and avoid the chart clutter.
The bond chart below shows just three time projections which include a 55-CD
count from the Jan. 12 high, the 38.2% Time Retracement of the most recent bull
swing prior to the Jan. 12 high (8/26L-1/12H) and the 200% Alternate Time
Projection. If we wanted to include more Time Cycle Ratio and Time Count
projections on the chart from other pivots, the chart would soon be cluttered,
projections would visually overlap each other and it would be difficult to
distinguish where the target dates fell. If the projections extend beyond the last bar
of the file, we would have to scroll the bar chart far to the left before the future
projected dates would come into view. The Fib-T and Time-C bar-chart routines
are convenient to do a few projections, but cumbersome if the user wants to make
a comprehensive time analysis with many projections.
One solution that avoids the chart clutter and confusion is to use the Dynamic
Time Projection Report.
1
Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
The Dynamic Time Projection report provides a variety of templates that allow
all of the Time Cycle Ratio, Calendar Day and Trading Day counts to be made at
once. Which ratios and counts will be included and which swings will be compared
will depend on which template is chosen. Dynamic Trader includes templates for
the typical Elliott Wave positions. If no Elliott Wave position is evident, there is a
default and trading range template.
For this bond example, we will look to project from the Jan. 12 high (top of
wave-3) the time periods with a high probability of making a wave-4 low. Just as
there are typical price relationships to project the high probability price targets for
a wave-4, there are also typical time relationships and counts that will help us
project the high probability time targets to complete wave-four.
The Dynamic Time Projection Set-up menu below shows that we are
projecting from the Jan. 12, 1998 high, the report will be for projections from 15-
80 bars (TDs) from Jan. 12 (approximately three weeks to almost four months),
and we have chosen the wave-4 sets to make the projections.
If we click on the TCR Sets button, a table which looks like a spread sheet
comes up to show us exactly which ratios, counts and swings are used for that set.
The table also shows how the projections are distributed and weighted. If you are
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
What the DTP report is doing is very simple. It is making all of the Time Cycle
Ratio and Time Count projections at once that have been chosen in the template.
Instead of marking them all off one at a time on a bar chart and having the bar
chart hopelessly cluttered with dozens of projections, they are all made in the DTP
report and saved as a histogram that may be brought up in an indicator window.
Let’s take a look at how these projections would be made on a chart if we did
not have the Dynamic Time Projections report. First, let’s have a quick review of
the swing comparisons that are made. The bar chart below has been marked off to
show the swing comparisons that are made when projecting a Wave-4.
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Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
Look’s confusing when we look at it from this perspective, doesn’t it? Now
let’s take a look at the bar chart if we did all of the Time Cycle Ratio projections
for a wave-4 right on the chart with the Fib-T routine.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
The chart above only includes the TCR projections and no Calendar or Trading
Day count projections. Now you can see how the DTP templates offer a much
quicker way to do a wide variety of projections. The DTP templates also offer the
user the opportunity to weigh each individual projection by importance on a scale
of 1-3.
Weights of Each Projection
The templates allow the user to choose what relative value or weight to give any
one individual projection. Each projection may be weighted from 0 to 3. The
Wave-4, TCR template is shown again below. The projections that are considered
the most important are given a weight of three. They have been outlined below.
Because this is a projection for a Wave-4, no TR.5 projections are included.
Note that none of the ATP.2 or cycle projections are given a weight of three as
they are not as important as the TR.1, TR.3 and ATP.1 projections for a Wave-
four.
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Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
The table below shows the histogram and table of the DTPs made from the
Jan. 12, 1998 high for a potential wave-four low. There were three time periods
during the period of the report (Feb. 3-May7) that had the relatively highest scores
(those over 31). The time periods were March 5-6, March 21-22 and April 5-12. I
have chosen to only show those bars on the histogram with the relatively high
scoring hits (over 31).
The table below the histogram lists evey one of the individual hits in a spread
sheet format so the user may examine exactly which time factors fell on any one
day.
The April 5-12 period not only included the highest score but the broadest
period with the most hits. Without considering any factors other than number of
hits, we would anticipate the April period should have the greatest probability of
making a Wave-4 low. It is important to examine the table of hits to see what time
factors fell in each period. It is also important that the user is familiar with the
Time Cycle Ratios and Time Counts as described previously in this section of the
Trading Course. Occasionally, we find that a relatively high scoring period is a
result of the cluster of a large number of minor time factors and the cluster does
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
not include the more important Time Retracements and Alternate Time Projections
described in the earlier part of the course and the Dynamic Trading book.
The table below shows the detail of the April 5-12 period. Consider the time
factors in the April period and how they were distributed so you will understand
why this period had the relatively high score.
The April 5-12 period includes at least one of each of the three time factors –
Time Retracement, Alternate Time Projection and Calendar Day count. Within any
projected time zone, the most important dates are usually those dates that include a
time retracement or a most recent alternate time projection (ATP.1). In the April
5-12 period shown above, the highest scoring day is on April 11. It received the
highest score of the period because two important calendar day counts made a
direct hit on April 11. However, it was the earlier part of the period that included
the alternate price projection and time retracement, so the earlier part of the period
should be considered just as important as the later part.
7
Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
Let's digress a bit from our specific example and review exactly what
information a Dynamic Time Projection provides.
1. DTPs are periods where several time factors cluster within a relatively
narrow date range.
2. If the projections are made from a high, the projections are relevant for a
low. If the projections are made from a high, the market must be either
testing the extreme lows or making new lows for the time period to be
considered valid as a potential trend reversal period. Vice Versa if the
projections are made from a low.
3. DTPs should be considered in the same manner as Dynamic Price
Projections (DPP). They are time support and resistance zones just as
DPPs are price support and resistance zones.
4. Most trend reversals are made at a DTP. DTPs are not projecting that a
market will continue to trend into any one particular DTP, only that a trend
will usually continue until a DTP is reached. If a DTP is exceeded, the odds
are high that the trend will continue at least into the next DTP. There are
other time analysis routines including Time Rhythm Zones and Fib Time
Blitz projections that help to project which DTP has the greatest
probability of terminating the trend.
5. It is critical to be alert to the price and pattern position of a market at the
DTP.
Dynamic Time Projections are “directional.” That is, a DTP made from a high
is relevant as a potential time period for a trend reversal low, not for a high. The
chart below shows a DTP histogram in the indicator window below the bar chart
that projects the period of Jan. 15-16 from the Dec. 3 high. If bonds are declining
to test a low that has been made since the Dec. 3 high or if they are making a new
low going into the Jan. 15-16 period, the Jan. 15-16 DTP is valid and should be
considered as “time support.”
In this case, bonds made a low on Jan. 10 followed by a minor corrective rally.
Bonds were advancing off of the Jan. 10 low going into the Jan. 15-16 DTP. This
period is no longer relevant as a potential trend change period because it was
projected from a high and was only valid as a potential low. If bonds are not
declining into this period, it is not relevant as a potential trend change. We will see
in a later section that Fib Time Blitz projections are “non-directional.” They may
be a low or a high.
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It was just coincidence that a minor corrective high was made in the Jan. 15-16
period. Since the Jan. 10 low was made outside of a Dynamic Time Projection, the
odds are bonds will continue lower at least until the next DTP period. This is a
very important time analysis concept. If most trend reversals are made at or at least
very near DTPs, what seems like a trend reversal that is made outside a DTP will
probably only result in a minor reaction followed by the continuation of the prior
trend into the next DTP, just as occurred for bonds in the above situation.
Now, back to our excample of the DTPs from the Jan. 12 high.
How did the Dynamic Time Projections from the Jan. 12, 1998 high turn out?
Recall that there were three DTPs for a potential low: March 5-6, March 21-22
and April 5-12. The April 5-12 period included the largest cluster of projections.
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Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
Bonds were making a new low from the Jan. 12 high going into the first DTP
of March 5-6. Bonds were approaching a price target which included the 127%
External Price Retracement where W.C=127% W.B. Wave-C appeared to have
subdivided into five waves of lesser degree. The lesser degree 100% Alternate
Time Projection fell on March 4, just one day prior to the larger degree March 5-6
period. On March 6, precisely within the March 5-6 period, bonds made a key-
reversal-day. Time, price, pattern and daily reversal signal all coincided and a
low was made.
While the April 5-12 DTP appeared to be the more important time period for a
potential Wave-4 low during the months of March and April, all of the factors of
time, price and pattern coincided in the March 5-6 period and a low was made.
We have only looked at one Dynamic Time Projection example in detail, but
the concepts and the procedures are the same for all situations. Every low and high
will not be made precisely within a DTP, but most will be made at or within a few
days of a DTP. The Dynamic Time Projection report is a quick and easy way to
streamline the time analysis procedure. A little practice making and analyzing these
reports will go a long way to preparing you days and weeks in advance for high
probability periods for trend change.
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Users should spend time to become familiar with each of the templates
included with the program. Users should also spend time building their own
custom templates.
Dynamic Time Projection Templates
Each of the three time sets (TCR, TD and CD) include the following templates:
Default: Use this set if the conditions are not appropriate to use any of the other
specialized sets.
Waves 1-5 and C: To project the end of each of these waves. Use these templates
if the market clearly appears to be in the position of one of these Elliott wave
counts. The Wave-1 set may also be used for Wave-B projections.
TR (Trading Range): Use this template for consolidation or trading range
projections when the market is not in a clearly defined Elliott wave position.
None: Choose the none-set if you do not want any projections made from one of
the sets.
Fib (TD set): Includes the Fib series of numbers for Trading Day counts.
Fib-Anv (CD set): Includes the Fib series of numbers and anniversary or annual
counts for up to 12 years.
The CD and TD templates are easy to understand and visualize. They are
simply number counts from previous pivot highs and lows. The user has the
opportunity to choose what numbers to include, the number of days to distribute
the score on either side of the hit as well as what weight to give each hit.
The TCR projections may seem a little more confusing at first. There are 9
potential swing comparisons that may be made with several TCR projections of
each possible comparison. A template is included for each of the major wave
positions. Let’s take a look at the TCR templates and descriptive bar charts.
Each bar chart will show the major TCR comparisons that are made for each
template. I have not included the C:C, DC:C or C:DC on the charts in order to
avoid the chart getting cluttered and difficult to distinguish the time ranges for
each comparison. Each of the templates includes these three projections as well as
those shown on the bar charts.
The vertical marker on each chart is the confirmed pivot from where the
projection for the next high or low is to be made. The structure of the market prior
to where the marker is shown will not necessarily be the same each time. However,
the templates are designed for the most typical structure for that wave position and
will usually work just as well if the preceding structure was not in exactly the same
shape as shown in the charts below.
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Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
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Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
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CD Templates
The following pages include the Calendar Day (CD) templates included with the
Dynamic Time Projection report. The CD count templates allow the user to
choose to make counts from any of the most recent seven pivots. Each projection
may be distributed up to four days either side of the target date. Each projection
may be weighted from 1-3.
Each template is preceded by a chart that shows a typical market position for
the wave in question. The seven recent pivots are labeled so you will be able to
visualize which pivots counts are being made from in the respective template.
I have not included the Trading Day (TD) count templates as they will look the
same as the CD templates except the counts are made in Trading Days.
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Wave-1 CD Template
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Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
Wave-2 CD Template
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Wave-3 CD Template
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Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
Wave-4 CD Template
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Wave-5 CD Template
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Dynamic Time Analysis (DTP)
Wave-C CD Template
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Practical Elliott Wave Trading Strategies
A Special Tutorial Series For Subscribers To The Dynamic Trader Reports
This tutorial begins a series of how to apply Elliott wave analysis for
practical trading strategies. All subscribers have some Elliott wave
background from my Dynamic Trading book. Because that book goes
through the pattern structures in detail, there is no need to repeat that
information in this tutorial series.
It is assumed for this series, that subscribers are familiar with Chapter
3 of Dynamic Trading and how the most frequent pattern subdivide.
Besides teaching you the practical application of Elliott wave trading
strategies, an objective of this series will also be to dispel some Elliott
wave myths and bad practices fostered by Elliott wave academics.
Everything taught in this tutorial series will apply to any actively traded
market included futures, stocks, indexes and mutual funds and any time
frame whether five-minute or monthly.
degree. You should be familiar with how each wave of a trend or counter-
trend usually subdivides.
Multiple Time Frames - Multiple Time Frames has become a buzz-
phrase recently. It is nothing more than R.N. Elliott’s approach to
considering multiple degrees of wave structure. When the subdivisions of
a wave are complete, the larger degree wave is compelte.
Trend or Counter-Trend?
Think Pattern
Below we will go through several pattern examples. The objective is to
learn to think in terms of pattern position and what a market must do to
confirm or invalidate a particular pattern structure. Every potential pattern
position cannot be illustrated, but if you keep the basic pattern concepts
and guidelines in mind, you will be able to identify the potential pattern
position for most market situations.
Here is a quick review of what we are trying to accomplish with pattern
analysis.
What’s Next?
If a five-wave trend is complete as shown below, what is the minimum
pattern we should expect?
Regardless of how this five-wave pattern fits into the larger degree
pattern position, at least a three wave decline should be expected. The
minimum expectation is for a three-wave ABC correction. This may not
unfold but if pattern is to be useful, we must begun with a high-probability
assumption and let the market confirm or invalidate that assumption.
If this five-wave trend completed a larger degree five-wave trend, a
five-wave decline may follow but the minimum expectation would still be a
three-wave.
We always assume a correction will be a three-wave, ABC even
though it may take many shapes.
Trend or Counter-Trend?
What should we anticipate after the low in mid-March below – a counter-
trend rally or an impulse trend eventually to a new high?
Count Backwards
What’s the pattern of this advance? It definitely doesn’t fit a typical five or
three wave pattern. To help determine what a pattern may be, it is helpful
to have a firm idea of what is the pattern position of the last major pivot.
Trend or Counter-Trend?
Is a 1-2-3 count the best potential for the data below? Why or why not?
The rule that was formed by for the stock indexes is Wave-4 should not
make a daily close into the closing range of the Wave-3. For the data
above, the potential Wave-4 has made several daily closes into the Wave-
1 closing range although the decline below the Wave-1 high is small in
price. It is acceptable for a Wave-4 to close and trade slightly into the
range of Wave-1 for commodities and individual stocks.
A better wave count may at first seem to be the high on the chart is a
completed five-wave trend as shown below. The main drawback here is
the Wave-4 is much shorter in time and price than the Wave-2 – it is out-
of-balance with Wave-2. While this doesn’t rule out a five-wave count, the
alternate wave count shown below where the high is a Wave-3 that
cleanly subdivided into five-waves is just as good a count.
Lessons Learned
The Three Elliott Wave Rules
These three rules are most relevant to daily closing data. They should be
committed to memory.
1. Wave-2 should not exceed the beginning of Wave-1. In other words,
Wave-2 should not make greater than a 100% retracement of Wave-1.
2. Wave-3 should not be the shortest of the three impulse waves in a five-
wave impulse trend (waves 1, 3 and 5).
3. Wave-4 should not make a daily close into the closing range of the
Wave-1.
More To Come
Each week, a new tutorial will build on what we have learned. Also, in the
regular report, I will expand on the pattern comments to relate to what is
being taught in the tutorials. The pattern descriptions in the report will help
you to learn how pattern is considered to be part of a trading decision as a
market unfolds.
Over the next few weeks, I believe you will have had the most
comprehensive and practical Elliott wave pattern education available from
any source. You will clearly understand how pattern can be an important
factor of your trading decisions. You will also understand and how to apply
Elliott wave pattern to make the high-probability time and price projections
that are a key to trend targets, reversals, continuations and other trading
strategies.
Part one of this tutorial series taught the most important question related
to Elliott wave analysis – Is It An Impulse Trend Or A Correction? The
assumption for this tutorial series is that all subscribers have a basic Elliott
wave background as taught in chapter three in the Dynamic Trading book.
The next few tutorials will look at the recent and current position of a
number of markets to see what we can learn about the trend position and
potential reversals based on the pattern position.
Each tutorial will dissect just one market and the recent data to see
how the pattern position has unfolded in recent weeks and days. The best
learn experience is always with current examples as we can then see how
the market unfolds related to how we view the current pattern position and
what should be the outcome.
As you will see, the pattern and trend position is not always clearly
defined, but, we can usually use the EW pattern analysis to identify the
specific market activity that will confirm or invalidate the probable pattern
position.
What’s Next?
From the Nov. high, bonds clearly made an impulsive decline into the Dec.
low. From the Dec. low, bonds clearly made a corrective rally into the Feb.
high. From the Feb. high, the decline to the March low was clearly
impulsive. What type of pattern should the rally from the March 21 low be?
It depends.
Impulse-correction-impulse could be an ABC correction or part of a
more complex correction. It could also be waves 1-2-1:3 of a larger degree
bearish impulse trend. It depends on what we would label the Nov. high.
If we considered the Nov. high the end of a multi-year bull trend, March
should not be the end of an ABC correction. If we though the Nov. high
was only temporary, March could be the completion of an ABC correction.
If we have no strong opinion one way or the other about the Nov. high,
how could the pattern of the advance from the March low help us to
identify the larger degree pattern/trend position?
If the rally clearly unfolds in an ABC or other more complex corrective
pattern, the larger degree trend is probably bearish and will eventually
make new lows well below the March low.
If the rally clearly unfolds in an impulse trend, March should be the end
of an ABC corrective decline from the Nov. high or the impulse may be a
Wave-A which is part of a larger degree correction.
Let’s take a look at the 60-minute data from the March low into mid-
April.
obvious labels on, those that would meet all of the EW rules and
guidelines and see what are the potentials.
Once bonds traded below the 99’31 swing low, we could assume the
April 15 high completed some section of the trend. If we count backwards
from the April 15 high, there is a clear five-wave impulse from the March
28 low. The ABC from the March 19 high to the March 28 low meets all of
the guidelines for an ABC. Waves A and C are clearly impulsive as they
should be. Wave-B is an ABC itself.
What could bonds do to signal if the April 15 high is a Wave 3 or a
Wave C? A Wave-4 should not trade into the range of the W.1. If bonds
traded below 99’16, the potential W.1 high, we would assume April 15 is a
W.C high. If this were to occur, bonds may still trade to a new high but the
continued rally would have to be considered a complex correction, not an
Should we now consider the rally from the March 15 low an impulse
trend or correction based solely on the pattern?
It is clearly an impulse trend. Bonds did not trade into the range of
Wave-1 and the rally from the April 18 low is clearly impulsive which
should be the Wave-5. The Wave-5 appears to have clearly subdivided
into five-waves which is typical of a Wave-5.
A trade below the W.4:5 low at 101’23 signals the W.5:5 high should
be complete.
What would we anticipated once the W.5 high is complete? At a
minimum, a correction that is greater in time and price than any of the
corrections within the five-wave trend.
Another important question would be – how does the five-wave
impulse trend from the March 15 low to the May high fit into the larger
pattern/trend position? We will consider that in the next tutorial.
Lessons Learned
The pattern position is not always clearly defined. Even when it is not, we
can usually identify the market activity that will confirm or invalidate a
potential position. We can also look to the larger or smaller degree to help
identify the probable position. It is important to be sure that each of the
sub-divisions of the pattern meet the basic Elliott Wave rules and
guidelines described in lesson one before we consider assume to have a
confident opinion of the pattern/trend position.
Bonds
From the March 15 low to the May 1 high, there is only one logical way to
view the Elliott wave pattern which is as a five-wave impulse. May 1 may
or may not be the completion of a W.5 high.
What would be the initial signal W.5 is complete? A trade below the
W.4:5 low. This is a reliable and consistent pattern strategy that should be
used to make trading entry and protective stop decisions. A wave-5
typically sub-divides into five-waves. This is not always clearly evident but
when it is, a trade beyond the W.4 extreme is the signal the W.5 should be
complete.
five-wave trend fits into the larger degree pattern position. The minimum
expectation is for a correction against the five-wave trend greater in time
and price than any correction within the five-wave trend. If the W.5 high
completed a corrective high of larger degree, a new impulsive trend may
begin instead of just a correction to the five-wave trend.
Which ever the case may be, the job of the trader is to identify the
completion of the five-wave trend and prepare for a trend reversal trade
for either a correction or new impulse trend in the opposite direction.
The smaller degree data may provide an earlier signal a W.5 high is
complete. It depends on how clearly defined is the pattern. Let’s take a
look at the 60-minute date from the April 18, W.4 low to see how it breaks
down.
When we move down to a lower time frame with short-term data, it is
usually only necessary to view the data from the last confirmed pivot. In
this case, from the probable W.4 low on April 18.
A five-wave rally from the April 18 low appears fairly distinct. If May 1 is
the W.5 high, we can assume May 2-3 completed the initial waves 1-2
down. If this is the case, what would be the signal that confirms W.5 is
complete? A trade below the W.1 low. Since the W.1 low is above the
W.4:5 low, a trade below the W.1 low would be an earlier signal the W.5 is
complete than a trade below the W.4 low.
What would be the maximum protective stop against a short position
taken one tick below the W.1 low? One tick above the W.2 high. It is that
simple and logical. We may be able to break down the data into smaller
degrees for even more timely information and potentially a trade strategy
with even less capital exposure.
The next chart is the bond five-minute data from the May 3 high.
The intraday data fits the wave count fairly well but not perfectly. The
best wave count for the data to date is shown on the chart above. At the
very least, the clearly defined ABC correction made into the May 2 high
and the probable five-wave decline from the May 2 high is the most recent
pattern information to work with. It clearly appears W.5 (of 5) is nearly
complete.
Now let’s break it down further and just look at the short term 15-
minute data from the last defined pivot, the May 2, W.4 high.
It appears this is an ideal five-wave trend from the May 2 high. If so,
W.5:5 has already traded below the W.3:5 low which indicates the W.5:5
is in a position to be complete. Could this be something other than a five-
wave trend? Of course it could. We have to make decisions based on the
best available evidence. Unless the market proves otherwise, the
Lessons Learned
Elliott wave patterns are not always clearly defined. Only use them as part
of your trading strategy if they are clearly defined.
One way to help identify if a pattern is correct is if it subdivides as it
should. This usually requires a breakdown to the shorter term data.
It is most important to identify if there are clearly defined fives and
threes and which direction they trend. This will help to identify the larger
degree trend. Unless a five-wave trend is the final trend of a larger degree
pattern such as a W.5 or W.C, the assumption is it is in the direction of the
larger degree trend.
If a market appears to be in a Wave-5, a reliable signal the W.5 is
complete is a trade beyond the W.4:5 extreme. An entry one tick beyond
the W.4:5 extreme would be followed by a protective stop one tick beyond
the W.5:5 extreme.
If a Wave-5 appears complete, and waves 1 and 2 in the opposite
direction appear complete, a trade beyond the W.1 extreme confirms the
W.5 should be complete. This signal may be made before the W.4:5
extreme is exceeded. An entry one tick beyond the extreme of W.1 would
be followed by a protective stop just one tick beyond the extreme of W.2.
Rather than immediately begin to put labels on the chart, the first thing
to do is identify different degrees of change. For the bearish period of this
data, there are two rallies that stand out as greater in time and/or price
than the others. They are probably of the same degree and a larger
degree than the minor corrections.
Very simply, we have a declining section, sideways correction, another
declining section and a rally. Is the last rally that began at the May 22 low
a correction or the beginning of a bull trend? Can we tell which it should
be from this data alone?
The next chart includes the obvious labels for the trends and counter-
trends of similar degree we have identified so far.
If the S&P first traded below 1075.70, the potential W.3 low, we must
assume it is making an impulsive five-wave trend and the larger degree
trend is down.
We could get very creative with labeling the small subdivisions and
minor swings on this data. The clear fact is – there is no clearly defined
sub-division pattern for the data above. We could make the subdivision
labels almost anything we want to fit any one outlook. That is what many
Elliott wave analysts do. Force a wave count to fit the forecast. For this
data, the 1-2-3 or A-B-C count is the only reliable one at this time.
Always Keep In Mind The EW Rules and Guidelines
Which pattern is more likely for the data shown on the chart below – A-B-
C or 1-2-3-4-5? There is enough information from this data to put the odds
strongly in favor or one or the other pattern.
Note the pattern of the first section up from the May 14 low to the May
16 high. Does the first section appear to subdivide into a five or a three?
That will be the key to the larger degree pattern position.
The first section has three clearly defined swings of similar degree. If
this is the case, it is labeled an ABC. A Wave-A may subdivide into either
three or five waves. A Wave-1 should never subdivide into three waves.
The three-wave rally from the May 14 low to the May 16 high can only be
considered an A-wave.
If this is the case, the May 17 low should be the Wave-(B) and bonds
should be completing a Wave-(C) and the end of a corrective rally from
the May 14 low. Most traders would become very bullish with bonds
making a new high on a wide-range outside-day. But EW pattern traders
would be alert that the odds are bonds are in the very final stage of a
corrective rally from the May 14 low.
Lessons Learned
Elliott wave traders often get hung up trying to label every zig and zag on
a chart. If the minor swings are not in an obvious structure, the tendency is
to force a wave count to fit the prejudice of the forecast. We have all seen
this over and over again. Trying to pretend that every bump on an intraday
chart always fits into an Elliott wave pattern structure may be very costly.
At the least, it is simply foolish. It just doesn’t work that way.
Begin a wave count by separating the obvious divisions of similar
degree. Place the probable count and the alternate if there is one on these
obvious divisions. Then identify what the market can do to confirm or
invalidate the most probable count.
Two key questions to consider once you have decided on the labels for
the obvious divisions –
Have the main swings basically sub-divided according to the EW rules
and guidelines for the labels I have given it?
What pattern structure should unfold from the last confirmed pivot if it
is the label I have given it?
By working in a relatively simple and logical manner, Elliott wave
pattern analysis can be the key to identify the main trend direction and
when trends are at or near their reversals.
Trend or Counter-Trend?
From the first low on the left of the chart below, the S&P clearly made an
impulsive rally which is labeled a W.1. A sideways flat ABC followed with a
gap up to a new high signaling the correction should be over.
If we consider the gap up rally a W.1 of a new impulsive trend, what
could the market do to void that idea?
A trade below the W.C:2 low would signal a larger degree correction
was being made, not a new impulse trend, and the bear trend should then
decline to a new low.
If the market traded below the W.C:2 low, how would the pattern be
relabeled and what would we then anticipate?
We would then relabel the rally as an ABC and expect the market to
decline in an impulse trend to well below the extreme low on the chart.
Several bars later, the market declined below what was labeled the
W.c:2 low. Now we consider the rally an ABC as shown below and
anticipate the continuation of the bear trend to a new low.
We now know which side of the market to trade for some time – short.
A trading strategy would be to wait to identify a W.2 correction in order to
position short.
What form should the W.3 take? A W.3 should sub-divide into five
waves. Typically, a W.3 is greater in time and price than the W.1 so the
market should have a long way to decline before the W.3 is complete.
As long as the market does not trade above the W.2 high, short trades
should be taken with a stop no higher than one tick above the W.2 high.
There are a lot of points between where the market is as of the last bar
on the chart below and the probable next low well below the 875.50 low
and not many points to above the W.2 high, the maximum stop on a short
trade. You don’t need to make complicated risk/reward ratios do know this
is a great pattern position for a short trade.
The market declined sharply. As of the last bar on the chart below, a
correction of the same degree as the W.2 or W.2:3 does not appear to
have been made which means W.4 is still to come.
The next chart show the market eventually made a rally at least greater
in price than any since the W.2 high. The assumption is the W.3 is
complete and a W.4 is in progress. The assumption is a W.4 should be at
least a three wave correction. As of the last bar on the chart below, it
appears a W.a of 4 is complete and a W.b and W.c will finish off W.4. A
trade below the W.3 low indicates the W.4 is complete.
The market does not make a typical ABC-W.4 correction but declines
straight below the W.3 low signaling W.4 is complete. From a trading
perspective, we should always anticipate a market will make a typical
wave pattern until proven otherwise. The W.4 rally shown below is not a
typical correction since it is a single wave up. But, it only fits into the larger
degree pattern position as a W.4 so that is how we label it, Elliott wave
obsessives not withstanding.
The pattern position suggests we should now only consider long trades
as long as the market does not trade below the W.5:5 low.
If the W.5:5 low was not made at the ideal time and price targets for a
W.5:5 low, we do not have to buy the bottom for a long trade. One of W.
D. Gann’s most useful trading advice was – “The safest trade is to buy
(sell) the first correction to the new trend.” In other words, wait to go long
on the first correction to the new trend.
The Elliott wave pattern position gives us the tools to help identify very
early if a new trend is being made. In this case, the pattern position has
signaled a W.5:5 low should be complete and the trend should be up for
some time.
The initial advance should be a Wave 1 or A which typically subdivides
into five waves. If a five-wave advance is made, it is often followed by an
ABC correction. We would be alert to the pattern of the advance and initial
Lessons Learned
Elliott wave gives us a framework to make a trading decision although it
does not guarantee any particular wave structure will unfold. Remember,
all trading is probabilities. We use Elliott wave pattern analysis to help put
the probabilities on our side.
We use the Elliott wave position to help identify the main trend
direction, the maximum stop loss and what the market must do to be in a
position to complete a trend or counter-trend.
If we don’t expect more from Elliott wave analysis than it can provide, it
will be one of the most important trading tools you use.
The next chart is the daily SPX from the March high.
The assumption is July 24 completed a W.3 low and the rally is a W.4
correction, not the beginning of a bull trend. Today reached the minimum
of the W.4 retracement zone at 902-942 (SPX).
Is the W.4 correction over? Today’s high could have completed an
ABC, the most typical corrective wave structure, at the ideal W.4
retracement zone. However, today’s high is probably not the end of a W.4.
A W.4 will typically last longer in time than the W.2. In this case, W.2
was eight trading days and so far, the W.4 rally off the July 24 low has
lasted just four trading days. Let’s consider the short-term pattern on the
15-minute chart again.
A W.4 should not trade into the range of the W.1. If the S&P declines
below 854.50, the W.1 or A high, it signals the high should be a W.C.
Even if this were to unfold, it is unlikely the W.4 correction is complete for
two important reasons.
Firstly, Wave-2 (May 7-17) was a simple ABC (see the daily chart
above). If we consider the guideline of alternation, if W.2 is a simple ABC
W.4 will typically be something other than a simple ABC. A decline below
854.50 would indicate the decline should be either an X-Wave, or today’s
high completed an abc:A of larger degree. A Wave-A may be an ABC
itself. In either case, the S&P would continue the correction for at least
several more days and probably test or exceed today’s high. The Elliott
wave guideline of alternation clearly warns that a Wave-4 high should not
be complete today.
Lessons Learned
The Elliott wave rules and guidelines help us to not only determine the
high-probability pattern position of a market, but what the market can do to
confirm or invalidate the most probable position.
It is very important to keep aware of the big picture and how the short-
term pattern may fit into the big picture. Simple price and time factors will
often help to clarify the pattern position.
While no thing is for certain in the markets, the pattern position at least
gives us the high-probability position and what to anticipated for any
potential market activity.
By Robert Miner
Dynamic Traders Group, Inc.
www.DynamicTraders.com
End of Wave Price Projections
Lesson One
Dynamic Price Analysis: Retracements, Alternate Price
Projections and Price Extensions
This tutorial will be a review for many subscribers of basic price projection
techniques we use in the report, especially those who have taken the time
to study my Dynamic Trading book. However, it is important to regularly
review the basics to ensure subscribers easily follow along with the
method and terminology we use in the DT Reports.
Price analysis measures and proportions the range in price of past
cycles and projects forward to project the high probability support and
resistance target zones. The Fib ratio series of .382, .618, 1.618, etc. are
the most typical ratios used. With Dynamic Trading, we include a few
additional ratios that are all geometrically related to the Fib series.
Pivots on the price chart identify the reference points used in the
analysis. All price projections are made in advance. New projections are
made as soon as a new swing is confirmed.
The three key price projection techniques that make the price target
zones are:
1) Retracements (Ret)
2) Alternate Price Projections (APP)
3) Price Expansions (Exp)
Retracements (Ret)
There are internal and external price retracements. Internal retracements
are less than 100%. They are calculated between pivot points to help
identify the target for a correction. The four most important internal
retracements are: 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%, and 78.6%.
External retracements are greater than 100%. They extend beyond the
extreme of one of the pivot points. The most important external
retracements are: 127%, 162%, 262%, and 424%.
Let’s look at a chart example:
In the sixty-minute chart of the December Nasdaq 100 above, the first
projection is the 162% external retracement of A-B to point near C. It
came within a fraction of the Wave-C high on the intra-day chart. A Wave-
C is often either a 127% or 162% External Retracement of Wave -B.
The Nasdaq sixty-minute chart above is for the same period we used
for the retracement examples. The two swings measured are the A -B
advance projected from the pivot C-low and the C-D advance projected
from the pivot E-low. The pivot-F high was made at the 100% APP of A-B
projected from the pivot-C low and the 61.8% APP of C-D projected from
the pivot-E low. This price target zone was identified in advance in the
Dynamic Trader Futures Report as a target for a counter-trend high.
The same sixty-minute Nasdaq chart shows that each of the minor
lows for this period was very close to a 2.618 expansion of the first minor
leg down.
Lessons Learned
The three most important price projection techniques are Price
Retracements (Ret), Alternate Price Projections (APP) and Price
Expansions (Exp). Price retracements and alternate price projections are
the most reliable of these three techniques. Price expansion should be
used to confirm tops or bottoms that coincide with one of the other
methods. All of the price projections are calculated in advance.
New projections are made as a new swing is confirmed. The high
probability target zones are where two or more of the projections coincide
relatively close together.
Internal and external retracements, alternate price projection and price
expansion projections should be second nature to subscribers as well as
the abbreviations we use in the commentary and charts. Each proje ction
on a chart in the DT Futures Report is labeled with the ratio and type of
projection (APP, Ret, Exp). There are not separate labels for internal or
external retracements. Any retracement that is over 1.00 (100%) is an
external retracement by definition.
The next tutorial in the price series will begin to teach you how to make
the high probability End-of-Wave price target projections for each of the
common Elliott wave structures. You should know the how the three
different types of price projections are made that were taught in this
tutorial and there abbreviations.
Lesson Two
End-of-Wave 1 or A Price Projections
This tutorial begins a series of weekly tutorials that will usually be included
with each Monday or Tuesday Dynamic Trader Futures Reports to teach
you how to project the high-probability targets for the end of any trend or
counter-trend pattern based on Elliott wave structures.
If you are not familiar with the basic impulsive and corrective wave
structures and guidelines, refer to chapter three in the Dynamic Trading
book, Dynamic Price Projections. While there will be some discussion of
wave structure, the main objective is to teach how to identify in advance
the price targets zones for all of the typical wave structures.
Regarding Elliott wave – don’t get paralysis of analysis. We are
interested in tools that help us trade, not in predicting the future or having
an academic wave count. A market almost always provides a strong
pattern signal if it is in an impulsive-trend structure or one of the many
corrective structures. We always assume a correction will be an ABC until
proven other wise. Even if it becomes a “complex” correction, at least we
are aware that it is more likely a correction and the main impulsive trend
will eventually reassert itself. Sometimes the larger or smaller degree
(time frame) of change will often help to clarify the wave structure.
The purpose of identifying the probable wave structure is we use the
pivots to make the typical price targets for the end of tha t wave structure.
We will also teach you some basic trade management strategies to
use if a market reaches the price targets.
Some wave structures allow projections of three target zones –
minimum, typical and maximum.
Keep in mind that the real advanta ge of the Dynamic Trading approach
is to consider all three dimensions of time, price and pattern in the
analysis and trading strategies. This series of tutorials focuses on the
price factor with a fair amount of discussion of pattern. A future series of
tutorials will focus on the time factor.
We will use a variety of markets and time frames for the examples. The
same principles and procedures apply regardless of the market – futures,
stocks or mutual funds – and regardless of the time frame – intraday to
monthly.
Why Wave 1 or A?
Why do we usually label an initial trend either a Wave 1 or A and not one
or the other? Both Waves 1 and A usually have the same pattern
characteristics and price targets. From a practical trading perspective, it
doesn’t matter whether it is one or the other. We may have a strong
opinion which it may be depending on the larger degree pattern prior to
the beginning of the Wave 1 or A, but why prejudice ourselves by
choosing one or the other early in the new trend?
As the trend or counter-trend progresses, it will usually reveal whether
it is a 1 or A. We can then adjust our analysis and trading strategies when
the market has provided enough information for an informed opinion.
Pattern
Wave 1 should subdivide into five-waves.
Wave-A usually subdivides into five waves but may subdivide into three
waves. The initial assumption is a Wave-A will subdivide into five-waves.
Trading Strategies
One of the most useful W. D. Gann quotes is “The safest time to enter is
on the first reaction against the new trend.” In Elliott wave terms, near the
Wave-2 or B low. Why? If a reaction against the old trend is a five -wave
structure, it is probably a Wave 1 or A which will signal the larger degree
trend has changed and, at the least, a larger degree correction in terms of
time and price should be unfolding. Once we have this signal of a trend
Wave 1 or A High
On Oct. 24, the S&P made an outside reversal day at the first target zone
and declined sharply over the next two days. The Wave -1 or A high is
complete. Next week’s tutorial will teach how to make the high-probability
Wave 2 or B price targets.
US Dollar Retracements
The chart below shows the retracements from the 9/22 and 10/11 lows to
the 10/26 high. There are three price zones that include two retracements
each. While the Wave 1 or A is likely to make a low in one of the price
zones, we have no additional information which zone it will be. In a future
tutorial, we will show how we may be able to use the subdivisions of Wave
1 or A (waves of lesser degree) to help identify which target is most likely
to the Wave 1 or A low.
The chart below shows the Wave 1 or A low was made near the last
potential target zone.
Lessons Learned
We have learned how to make the retracements and identify those price
zones where two or more retracements coincide. Without other
information such as the projections of the subdivisions of the Wave 1 or A,
we cannot make a firm opinion of which target zone is the most probable
for the Wave 1 or A.
Lesson Three
End-of-Wave 2 or B Price Projections
This week we will take a look at how to make End-of-Wave (EOW) 2 or B
price projections. W.2 or B is preceded by W.1 or A which usually
subdivides into five waves. Why do we say end of 2 or B? It makes no
difference whether it is a Wave-2 or B from a trading perspective, as the
each wave should have the same structure and price targets.
The 50%, 62% and 78.6% retracements of W.1 or A gives the broad
price target zone for the end of W.2 or B. Wave-2 or B should not be
considered complete until at least the 50% retracement is reached. A
close beyond the 78.6% retracement will invalidate the assumption that
the market is in a W.2 or B.
A Wave-C should exceed the extreme of the Wave-A. The chart below
shows W.c traded below the extreme of W.a. W e can now calculate the
W.c of 2 or B price projections to fine-tune the end of W.2 or B
retracement range. Ideally there will be at least two projections that fall
close together. One projection would be from the W.1 or A retracements
and one would be from the EOW-C projections.
The next tutorial in this series will go into more detail on the EOW -C or
3 price targets. For now we will make the basic Wave-C targets which are
the 62%, 100% and 162% Alternate Price Projections (APP) of W.a for
W.c. The 62% APP of W.c to W.a and the 50% retracement of W.1 or A
can be eliminated because they coincide with the W.a low and W.c should
exceed the extreme of W.a.
The 162% APP of W.c to W.a can be eliminated because it falls well
below the 78.6% retracement of W.1 or A. This narrows the ideal W.2 or B
target zone to 84.55–84.47 that includes the 62% retracement of W.1 or A
and the 100% APP of W.c to W.a. The Wave 2 or B target zone falls as
low as 83.69 the 78.6% retracement of W.1 or A.
once the ideal price target was reached. The first trend-reversal trade at
the Nov. 22 reversal day would have been stopped out for a small loss as
the Euro continued to decline the next day. Trend -reversal long trades
should continue to be taken as long as the Euro has not closed below the
78.6% retracement.
The second go-long signal on the Nov. 27 reversal-confirmation day
close would have led to a profitable trade as the Euro continued to
advance to above the Nov. 3 high. The final confirmation that W.C or 3
was in progress was given on the close above the W .1 or A high on
December 1.
Lessons Learned
We learned how to apply Dynamic Trading analysis to identify W.2 or B
price targets from W.1 or A retracements and to fine-tune the targets with
price projections from the subdivisions of the Wave-2 or B. Trend-reversal
trades should not to be considered until the minimum W.2 or B price target
– the 50% retracement level – has been reached. A close beyond the
78.6% retracement signals the market is probably not making a Wave -2 or
B correction. We learned to use daily reversal signals to enter positions for
the W.3 or C trend once the ideal price target has been reached.
Lesson Four
End-of-Wave 3 or C Price Projections
This week we will take a look at how to make End -of-Wave 3 or C price
projections. The primary difference between W.3 and W.C is the typical
W.3 price projection is greater than the typical W.C price projection. The
typical difference between the two lies in the relationship to Wave 1 or A.
The typical W.C price projection includes the 100% APP (Alternate
Price Projection) of W. A and the typical W.3 price projection includes the
162% APP of W.1. Both W.3 and W.C should subdivide into five -waves.
Why do we usually label it W.3 or C and not one or the other?
Frequently we do not know for sure which it will be and from a trading
perspective, it doesn’t make much difference. Unless the wave pattern
that precedes the W.3 or C clearly suggests it is one or the other, we use
both labels.
Target Zones
The high probability EOW targets are where projections from more than
one swing relationship and more than one degree coincide within a
relatively narrow range. The ideal price target zone for W.3 or C will
include one projection from each swing relationship and one or more of
the smaller degree EOW-5 projections for the end of the Wave-5 of 3 or C.
Let’s take a look at the recent position of the March Australian Dollar
showing each projection in progression on the daily chart. Notice how the
projections combine to form price target zones for the End-Of-Wave 3 or
C. We will also show how trading strategies for entry and protective stop
placement may be integrated with the price target projections.
Retracements
Let’s assume a long position is taken on the daily reversal signal at the
W.2 or B low. The trade above the W.1 or A high at .5285 confirms W.3 or
C is in progress.
The first price projections to make are the 38%, 50% and 62%
retracements of the prior trend down from the June 16 high to the
November low are shown on the chart above. These retracements are
shown in blue. W.3 or C often terminates near one of these retracements.
Now let’s add the Alternate Price Projections of Wave 1 or A for W.3 or C
to the chart.
The 62%, 100%, 162% and 262% Alternate Price Projections of Wave
1 or A are made from the Wave 2 or B low. They are the red projections in
the chart above. It is simple to place the four APP’s for W.3 or C on the
chart using the Dynamic Trading software.
We have now made the retracements of the prior trend and the initial
Alternate Price Projections of the prior swing (W.1 or A). What are the best
potential target zones for EOW.3 or C? Where do projections from each of
these two methods coincide?
The .5485-.5491 price zone includes the 38.2% retracement and
where W.3 or C is the 162% APP of W.1 or A.
Now we will add the External Retracements of Wave-2 or B and see if
any of them coincide with other projections already made.
External Retracements
I have added the 127%, 162%, 262% and 424% external retracements
of W.2 or B above. They are the green projections.
We have now made all three projections used to make the EOW.3 or C
targets (Retracements, Alternate Price Projections and Extern al
Retracements). What are the most probable EOW target zones?
W. C or 3 Key Price Targets
The two key projections for the EOW -3 or C are the 100% and 162%
Alternate Price Projections. They are the first place we look for other
projections that might fall near these two key projections.
While none of the other projections fall right at the 100% APP, the
162% external retracement of W.2 or B falls a bit below it. These two
projections form a high-probability minimum target zone for a Wave-3 and
typical target for a Wave-C.
The 162% APP coincides with the 38% retracement. These projections
form the high-probability maximum target zone for a Wave-C and typical
target zone for a Wave-3.
Ideally, a target zone includes one target from each of the three types
of projections, but it doesn’t always work out that way so we work with
what we have.
Minimum Target Zone: .5338-.5380 Includes where W.C or 3 equals
100% W.A or 1 (APP) and 162% W.B or 2 (Ext. Ret).
Probable Target Zone: .5485-.5491 Includes where W.C or 3 equals
162% W.A or 1 (APP) and the 38% retracement of the prior trend (Ret.).
The above chart shows the daily data through mid-Dec. This chart
shows the sub-division labels of W.3 and some of the EOW -5 of 3 or C
projections which fall just above the probable W.3 or C target shown
earlier. A future tutorial will show how we do the EOW-5 projections.
Lessons Learned
We learned how to make the W.3 or C price projections and how to
identify the probable target zones where individual projections coincide.
We learned how to adjust the stop on the short -term unit as soon as the
typical W.C target (100% APP of W.1 or A) is reached and to adjust th e
stop on the remaining units when the typical W.3 target and maximum
W.C target (162% APP of W.1 or A) is reached.
Projections and target zones may always be made in advance so you
are prepared to adjust your trading strategy including protective stops if a
market approaches a target zone.
Lesson Five
End-of-Wave 4 Price Projections
This week we will look at how to make End-of-Wave 4 price projections.
We start with the assumption that W.4 will be at least a three -wave, ABC
but recognize that W.4’s have a tendency to form complex structures.
Even though this tutorial is about W.4 price projections, let’s first review
some of the typical W.4 characteristics.
sell on a stop one tick below the Wave-b:4 low. A decline below the W.b:4
low signals the Wave-4 should be complete.
The chart below shows the data for the next several days. On Dec. 26,
copper traded to just above the typical W.4 target zone. The following day
copper gapped lower and traded below the W.b:4 low confirming the
Wave-4 should be complete and copper should continue to decline to
below the Dec. 21, W.3 low.
Keep It Simple
Last week’s tutorial about how to make the Wave -3 price projections
included the AD as an example. Let’s follow up and see how we would
make the Wave-4 projections.
If you will recall from last week’s tutorial, the Dec. 7 reversal day high
was made at the W.3 price target. What is the ideal W.4 target zone?
The daily chart below shows just the 100% and 162% APP of W.2 and
the 38%, 50% and 62% retracements of W.3.
The key 100% APP W.2 does not come close to the 38% W.3
retracement which is usually considered the minimum W.4 target. The
162% APP W.2 falls right in the midpoint of the 38%-50% W.3
retracement zone.
The 38%-50% W.3 retracement zone is the typical target for a W.4 and
the 162% APP W.2 is usually the maximum target for W.4. What is our
W.4 target zone? This is an easy one - 53.84-53.49.
What is the trading strategy? If the AD reaches the W.4 target zone,
buy on the close of a daily reversal signal or a trend continuation signal on
an advance from the W.4 target zone. If the intraday data had shown a
nice ABC subdivision of W.4, we would also buy on a stop one tick above
the W.b:4 high.
Lessons Learned
We learned how to make the W.4 price projections and how to identify the
probable target zones which include the key W.4 targets. We learned how
to prepare a trading strategy in advance how we might enter on a
reversal in a W.4 target zone or on a stop on the initial confirmation the
W.4 is complete.
Projections and target zones should always be made in advance so
you may have an objective entry and stop strategy prepared in advance.
Lesson Six
End-of-Wave 5 Price Projections
Wave-5 is the last wave in a five-wave structure. It should be followed by
the largest correction in price and time of any correction since the
beginning of the five-wave trend.
Even though this tutorial is about W.5 price projections, let’s first
review some of the typical W.5 characteristics.
1. W.5 should exceed the extreme of W.3. While there are “fifth -wave-
failures”, they are only evident after-the-fact. The assumption always
begins that W.5 will exceed the extreme of W.3.
2. W.5 should sub-divide into a smaller degree five-wave impulse
structure. A W.5 may sub-divide into a “fifth-wave-diagonal” where the
five-waves overlap similar to an ABCDE correction. See the Dynamic
Trading book for descriptions of fifth-wave-diagonals and fifth-wave-
failures.
3. In commodity bull markets, W.5 is often the “extended” wave or the
longest of the three impulse waves, 1-2-3. In this case, the W.5 will
exceed the typical Wave-5 price targets.
4. Wave-5 price targets are the most consistently reliable of any of the
end-of-wave price targets. Why? By the time Wave-5 is underway, we
have the more prior swings to work with to make projections than with
any other end-of-wave target.
The ideal EOW targets are those relatively narrow zones which include
one projection from two or more of the key sets of projections. The 288-
291’4 zone includes one projection from each of the three key sets of
projections including:
288’2: W.5 = 162% W.4
291’0: W.5 = 61.8% W.1-3
291’4: W.5 = 100% W.1
Trading Strategy
Trading strategies are always developed in advance. The trade-entry
strategy and initial protective stop-loss are always objective. In this case,
we would develop a trend-reversal entry strategy as wheat has reached
the broad price target to complete a Wave-5 high and is only a couple
cents below the ideal target zone.
If wheat reaches the W.5 target, sell on a daily reversal signal or other
trend-reversal entry strategy and place the initial protective buy-stop one
tick above the recent high.
On Jan. 11, wheat exceeded the W.5 target during the day but closed
right in the middle of the range of the target. The DT Futures Report gave
the recommendation to sell any day on th e close if the close was below
the current day’s open and prior day’s close. This is a reversal-
confirmation-day as taught in the Dynamic Trading book. Traders could
use any of the four daily reversal signals taught in Dynamic Trading for
entry.
On Jan. 16, the entry signal was elected for a short position on the
close. The initial protective buy-stop is placed one tick above the W.5
high.
As of this point in time, we don’t know if Jan. 11 will remain a W.5 high.
What we do know is that we identified a high probability reversal target
zone and an objective trading strategy to enter with minimal capital
exposure. That is what the business of trading is all about.
After studying this tutorial, you might want to take a look at the March
2001 wheat chart and see if the W.5 high held.
The next day the AD traded higher to above the Jan. 3 high and closed
above the extreme of the W.5:5 target zone. Unfortunately, the markets
don’t always unfold in the ideal manner. What would be the maximum W.5
target?
The maximum W.5 target is usually where W.5 equals 100% Waves 1-
3. The chart above shows this target for both W.5 and W.5:5 at .5733-
.5780. At the very least, we would know that this is likely the maximum
target for the advance from the Nov. 21 low. If the AD reached this target,
we would consider trend-reversal strategies. We would not want to
consider a long trade as the AD approached this zone and would want to
trail stops close to the market if long.
Every trend reversal is not made at an End -of-Wave target, but these
targets may still provide us with important information that we can apply to
practical trading strategies.
Lessons Learned
We learned how to make the W.5 price projections and how to identify the
ideal W.5 target zone as that zone that includes one projection from each
of the three key sets of projections.
We learned to consider a trend-reversal trading strategy in advance if
the market makes a reversal signal at the W.5 target zone.
We also learned that the maximum Wave-5 target is usually where the
range of W.5 equals 100% of the range of Waves 1-3.
For complete information how to make all of the End -of-Wave targets
and the appropriate trading strategies, see the Dynamic Trading book.
By Robert Miner
Dynamic Traders Group, Inc.
www.DynamicTraders.com
Dynamic Time Analysis
By Robert Miner, Dynamic Traders Group, Inc.
Lesson One
Time Cycle Ratios, Time Retracements and Alternate Time
Projections
This tutorial will be a review for many subscribers of the basic dynamic
time projection techniques used in the Dynamic Trader Futures Report,
and especially for those who have taken the time to study my Dynamic
Trading book. However, it is important to regularly review the basics to
ensure subscribers easily follow along with the method and terminology
we use in the DT Reports. Plus, as this series progresses, there will be
instruction how some additional practical application of dynamic time
analysis that is not included in the book. What ever your background, it will
be well worth your while to review each tutorial.
Time analysis is done in exactly the same manner as the more familiar
price analysis except we use units of time rather than units of price.
Dynamic time analysis measures and proportions the range in time
units of past cycles and projects forward to project the high probability
support and resistance time zones. Many of the same dynamic ratios used
for price analysis are used for time analysis.
The Fib ratio series of .382, .50, .618, 1.00, 1.618 and 2.618 are the
most typical ratios used although .50 and 1.00 are not technically a part of
the Fib ratio series.
Pivots on the price chart identify the reference points used in the
analysis. All time projections are made in advance. New projections may
be made as soon as a new swing is confirmed.
The three key time projection techniques that make the time target
zones are:
1) Time Cycle Ratios (TCR)
2) Time Retracements (Ret)
3) Alternate Time Projections (ATP)
The daily bond continuous chart above shows both time retracements
from a high to a low and a time-cycle-ratio projection of two consecutive
highs.
The time retracement is made by measuring the time from the March
22 high to the May 15 low, multiplying the number of time units by the
appropriate ratio and projecting forward the resulting number of time units
from the second pivot which is the May 15 low.
The 38.2% time retracement of the March high to May low is June 5.
The time range from the March 22 high to May 15 low is 37 trading days
(TD). 38.2% x 37 TDs is 14 TDs. Fourteen TDs forward from the May 15
low is June 5.
The high-to-high time cycle ratio projection is made in the same
manner. The time range between the two highs are multiplied by the
appropriate ratio and the result is projected forward from the second high.
The 100% TCR of the April 6 high to May 4 high is June 1. The time
range from April 6 to May 4 is 19 TDs. Nineteen TDs forward from May 4
is June 1.
Time Cycle Ratios including time retracements may be made on data
of any time frame. The next chart below shows time retracements for the
recent minor decline of the June S&P on the 60-minute data.
The daily Sept. bond chart above shows the 100% alternate time
projection of the April 20 low to May 4 high projected from the May 15 low.
The 100% ATP falls on May 30. On May 30, the rally from the May 15 low
was equal in time to the longest corrective rally since the March 22 high.
The 100% ATP is a key time target. A market that exceeds the 100%
ATP has “overbalanced” the previous swing which is a signal the larger
degree trend has changed. In this case, it is a warning that the rally from
the May 15 low is a larger degree correction than any correction since
March 22 high. There will be a tutorial on time and price “overbalance” in
the future.
Alternate Time Projections may be made on any time frame data. The
next chart shows alternate time projections on the June S&P 15-minute
data.
The second high on the chart on June 4 was made just two bars before
the 100% Alternate Time Projection of the prior advance. The first
advance on the chart lasted 26 bars. The second advance made a high at
24 bars, two bars before the 100% ATP.
The 100% ATP of the second advance is projected from the June 4
low is on the 10:00 AM (EST) bar on June 5. The 162% ATP is on the
13:45 bar on June 5.
Lessons Learned
The three dynamic time projection techniques are Time Cycle Ratios
(TCR), Time Retracements (Ret) and Alternate Time Projections (ATP).
The time projections are calculated in advance and prepare us for the high
probability time targets when a market may find support, resistance or the
termination of a trend. Subscribers should be familiar with each of these
dynamic time projection techniques and their abbreviations.
New projections are made as a new swing is confirmed. The high
probability target zones are where two or more of the projections coincide
relatively close together.
Each projection on a chart in the DT Futures Report is labeled with the
ratio and type of projection (TCR or ATP) depending on whether the
projection was made with two or three pivots. There are no unique labels
for Time Cycle Ratio projections using two pivots such as time
retracements, high-high etc. as any two pivots may be used.
Lesson Two
Time Target Zones for Support, Resistance and Trend
Change
By Robert Miner, Dynamic Traders Group, Inc.
In part one of this Dynamic Time Analysis tutorial series, we learned the
basic dynamic time analysis methods including Time Retracements,
Alternate Time Projections and Time Cycle Ratios. If you are not familiar
with these terms and the method they represent, please review part one.
This tutorial will assume you are very familiar with each of these three time
projection techniques.
This week’s lesson will show how we often can project in advance a
relatively narrow range of time for support, resistance or trend reversal.
May 30 includes one projection from each of the three sets of projections.
100% Low-Low TCR projection of the two recent minor lows.
100% ATP where W.C = 100% W.A
100% ATP of the May 2-11 decline from the May 18 high.
May 29 and May 31 is the 38% and 50% Time Retracements of the April
25 low to May 18 high. This time retracement zone brackets the three May
30 time projections.
The high probability time target for the next low is from the early
afternoon of May 29 through the late morning of May 31 with a focus on
May 30 where three of the four key projections are made.
The time/price box shown in the next chart bounds the early afternoon
May 29 through late morning May 31 Time Target Zone with the 50%-62%
price retracement zone for a time/price zone with a high probability of
making a low. The low was made precisely in this time/price zone that was
projected in advance.
This first example shows how we make the key time projections in
advance to see if there is a relatively narrow time range that includes at a
projection from each of at least two or three of the sets of projections.
Now that you know how it is done on an after-the-fact example, let’s
take another look at beans right up through today, June 11, the date this
tutorial is prepared and make dynamic time projections for the next
potential high.
The next chart is daily data of July beans from the Dec. 19, 2000 high
through Friday, June 8. Four sets of Dynamic Time Projections have been
made.
From the top down, the Dynamic Time Projection sets are:
1. 38%, 50% and 62% Time Retracements of the Dec. 19 high to April
25 low.
2. 62%, 100% and 162% Time Retracements of the March 7 high to
April 25 low.
3. 162% and 262% Time Retracement of May 18 high to May 30 low.
4. 62%, 100% and 162% Alternate Time Projections of April 25 low to
May 18 high from the May 30 low.
There are two time periods that include one projection from either three
or four of the four sets of projections. They are June 12-14 and June 22-
26. One of these two periods should result in a high of the same degree or
larger as the May 18 high which was followed by a 12 CD decline. If beans
are advancing into either of these Time Target Zones, we would be alert to
the pattern and price position for a potential trend change.
The next chart is the 60-Minute, July Soybean data from the April 25
low through June 8. It includes the detail of two of the projections shown
on the daily chart above plus the minor 100% high-high projection.
We can see here also the June 13-14 and June 21-25 (Thursday-
Monday) periods are the next potential time targets. The same projection
on the intraday data may show as plus or minus a trading day from the
daily data projection depending if the actual high or low the projection was
made from was made early or late in the day.
If we consider the projections from both charts, June 12-14 and June
21-26 are the two Time Target Zones for a high. Is one more probable
than the other? Each has about an equal number of projections. I would
give a slight edge to the June 21-26 period because it includes the 100%
Alternate Time Projection of the April 25 low to May 18 high (Wave 1 or A)
from the May 30 low (Wave 2 or B).
Soybean Time Targets for a High
June 12-14 and June 21-26
Let’s make the Dynamic Time Projections for the current position of the
S&P. Below is the daily chart through Monday, June 11. What time
projections should be made?
Since the S&P is declining from the May 22 high, the objective is to
identify the high-probability time target for the next low. The next daily
chart shows the three typical sets of projections we would make:
Recent Low – Low Time Cycle Ratio projections.
Time Retracements of the recent advance.
Alternate Time Projections of the recent decline.
There is one projection from each of the three sets that fall in either the
June 14 or June 20-21 Time Target Zones. If the decline from the May 22
high is a correction, the corrective low should be made in one of these
zones. Is one more probable than the other? My first choice would be
June 13-15 (June 14 +/- one trading day) because it includes the 100%
ATP where W.C = 100% W.A.
Lesson T hree
More Time Target Zones for Support, Resistance and Trend
Change
By Robert Miner, Dynamic Traders Group, Inc.
In part one of this Dynamic Time Analysis tutorial series, we learned the
basic dynamic time analysis methods including Time Retracements,
Alternate Time Projections and Time Cycle Ratios. If you are not familiar
with these terms and each method they represent, please review part one.
This tutorial will assume you are very familiar with each of these three time
projection techniques.
Part 2 in this series sent last week taught you how to project in
advance a relatively narrow range of time for support, resistance or trend
reversal that we often call Time Target Zones. The Time Target Zones are
projected in advance and have a high probability of being the minimum
targets for a trend or counter-trend swing or the end of a larger degree
trend.
Parts one and two are in the archive section of the Subscribers page.
This week’s lesson will use a current example of how to use both the
longer and shorter term dynamic time projections to confirm or invalidate
the a projected Time Target.
These projections are spread out fairly evenly from July 11 to Sept. 7.
There might be some emphasis on the early part of this period – July 11 –
Aug. 7 – but there is no 2-5 trading day period that includes three or four
projections.
These projections do not point to a high probability time target zone for
a change in trend. Lesson learned – Don’t try to make something out of
nothing. While we might want to be alert on some of these dates, they
would only be significant if some short-term projections fell on the dates
and/or there were some time counts on these dates. A later tutorial in this
series will teach you how to use trading and calendar day counts. From
The top set of projections labeled #1 are the 61.8%, 100% and 162%
high to high time cycle ratio projections. The second set is the time
retracements of the last minor decline. The third set is the 100% and
162% alternate time projections of the most recent swing up, May 30 low
to June 12 high, projected from the June 15 low. The fourth set of
projections are the 100% and 162% alternate time projections of the
second most recent advance, April 25 low to May 18 high, from the June
15 low.
The first thing we can do is eliminate the two “out-liers” on July 20 and
25. They don’t coincide with any other projections and are far out from
most of the projections.
The first coincidental period is the afternoon of June 26 to the morning
of June 27 which includes two projections – the 62% high-to-high TCR
from set #1 and the 100% time retracement from set #2.
The second coincidental period is the afternoon of June 29 which
includes the 100% ATP from set #3 and the 162% time retracement from
set #2.
The July 6 projection from set #1 is out by itself so it shouldn’t be
considered.
The third coincidental period is the afternoon of July 10 to the morning
of July 11 which includes a projection from set #3 and #4.
Can one of the three coincidental periods be singled out as more valid
than the others? Or, can at least one of the three be eliminated from
contention?
Recall from last week’s tutorial, #2 is this series, that the recent swing
on the daily data projected the relatively broad period of June 21-26 as the
most probable Time Target Zone for a high in June. The first period
described above in the June 26-27 period begins at the extreme of the
daily data projection. The second period, June 29, is three trading days
later. We should begin by eliminating the third period, July 10-11 for now.
There is nothing about the individual short-term projections in either
the June 26-27 or June 29 periods that makes one of those periods stand
out. So, we should concentrate on the June 26-27 period because it
partially overlaps with the larger degree target for a potential high of June
21-26 shown in last week’s tutorial.
The daily chart below shows some of the time projections of recent
swings shown in last week’s tutorial. The recent high was made on June
12, right in the June 12-14 target. The next target for a high if beans
continue to advance is June 25-27 which includes time projections from
the daily chart below and the 60-minute data above.
Lessons Learned
In the first three tutorials in this series, we have learned how to make the
three basic types of dynamic time projections, how to recognize the Time
Target Zone clusters of projections and how to update the target zones
with the longer and shorter term time frames.
In the next week’s tutorial, we will see if there are dynamic time
projections that are helpful to project the minimum and maximum time
targets for a trend or counter trend.
Lesson Four
More Time Target Zones
By Robert Miner, Dynamic Traders Group, Inc.
In part one of this Dynamic Time Analysis tutorial series, we learned the
basic dynamic time analysis methods including Time Retracements,
Alternate Time Projections and Time Cycle Ratios. If you are not familiar
with these terms and each method they represent, please review part one.
This tutorial will assume you are very familiar with each of these three time
projection techniques and their common application.
Part 2 in this series taught you how to project in advance a relatively
narrow range of time for support, resistance or trend reversal that we often
call Time Target Zones. The Time Target Zones are projected in advance
and have a high probability of being the minimum targets for a trend or
counter-trend swing or the end of a larger degree trend.
Part 3 showed examples of projecting the potential time targets in
advance for the current position of a market.
This week’s lesson will also use a current example of how to use the
Time Cycle Ratio, Time Retracements and Alternate Time Projections to
identify a critical time zone in advance.
Parts one, two and three are in the archive section of the Subscribers
Page on our web site.
Since the April 23 low, beans have made a fairly regular series of
swings as of June 25. Let’s project the next probable time zone for a high
if the recent time rhythm continues. If the next high is made outside the
time projection, it will signal if beans are strong or weak.
The chart below is Nov. beans, 60-minute data from the April 25 low
through the morning of June 28. I have made five sets of time projections
labeled 1-5. Take a look at the chart, then we will see what is significant
about these projections.
Lessons Learned
You now know how to make the typical Dynamic Time Projections with the
Time Retracements, H-H and L-L Time Cycle Ratios and Alternate Time
Cycles. You know how to look for the relatively narrow ranges of time
where projections from several sets coincide to identify a potential Time
Target for the next low or high. You know how to use a smaller degree
time frame to help provide an early signal of the trend direction. You also
know how to use the projections to identify a relatively broad period of
time that should be the minimum and maximum for the next high or low in
an essentially trading range market.
The next tutorial in this series will once again include Dynamic Time
Projection examples from one or two recent markets. We will then move
on to how to add calendar and trading day counts and L-L and H-H Time
Bands and Time Rhythm Zones to the Dynamic Time Projection Time
Targets to further pinpoint the high probability targets for trend change.
Lesson Six
Time Target for a Bond Low
This week’s lesson will also use a current example of how to use the Time
Cycle Ratio, Time Retracements and Alternate Time Projections to identify
a critical time zone in advance.
Bonds – Monthly
The chart below is monthly bond data from the Oct. 1987 low. It shows the
major trend and counter-trend swings. If bonds completed a major
corrective high in March, what should be the minimum time target before
the next major low should be made? What would be the logical time
projections to give us the minimum time target for the next comparable
low?
I first measured the time range from low-low for the major swings
shown on the chart above. The low-low time counts are not shown on the
chart above. The two shortest low-low cycles were 19 and 25 months. We
assume the next comparable low will probably be made in the time range
of the prior low-lows. Nineteen months from the Jan. low is Aug. 2001 and
25 months is Feb. 2002. If bonds continue to decline beyond Aug., they
will probably not make a low prior to next year based on the recent low-
low time rhythm of the past 13 years.
Bonds were in a bull trend from Oct. 1987 to Oct. 1998. What is the
range of the momentum cycles, low-high, during that period? These bull
cycles were in the direction of the trend. The range was 12-28 months.
Twelve months from the March 2001 high is March 2002. Based on the
trend swings of the past 13 years, bonds should not make a low of
comparable degree to all the trend reversal highs and lows shown on the
monthly chart prior to March 2002.
Momentum Trends
You may have two questions about the comments above. The first, what
are momentum cycles? They are not necessarily obvious price pivot highs
and lows. Momentum cycles are the extreme highs and lows of the
momentum indicator or when the indicator makes a cross over. The
momentum trends represent when a market slows down and speeds up its
trend. The momentum cycles usually closely coincide with the price pivots,
but not always.
Are we just concerned with the price lows and highs in a market are is
it just as useful to know when a trend is beginning another cycle up
whether it is from an extreme price low or not?
Trend Swings
I also measured the range of time of the trend swings of the momentum
cycles (low-high) during the 1987-1998 bull market but projected that
range from the March high. How can we justify comparing the time ranges
of low-high swings with a potential high-low swing?
If the major trend is down from the Oct. 1998 high, each bear swing
down is a “trend swing.” Each decline is in the direction of the larger
degree trend just as each rally between Oct. 1987 to Oct. 1998 was in the
direction of the larger degree trend.
If we compare the bear swings in a bear market with the bull swings in
a bull markets, we are comparing trend swings with trend swings. If we are
interested in the potential minimum to maximum range of time of trend
swings, it wouldn’t make sense to compare the corrections in a bull trend
(high-low swings) with the trend swings in a bear trend (high-low swings)
would it?
There will be more on momentum trends and trend swings in a future
tutorial.
So far, we have learned from comparing major low-low ranges and
trend ranges, if bonds decline beyond Aug., the decline will probably last
to Feb. or later next year. This itself is a very useful piece of information to
have, particularly after Aug. if bonds continue lower.
These time projections were made from the long-term trends
represented on the monthly data. Let’s move to a shorter time frame and
see what the next potential Time Target Zone is for bonds on the daily
chart.
The ratios in bold tend to be the most important for each of these four
sets of projections. Once these projections are made, we look to see if
there is a relatively narrow range of time that includes one projection from
two or three and preferably all four sets of projections. The same
procedure and basic set of projections are initially made in almost all
situations.
Aug. 15-31 includes one projection from each of the four sets. No two
other projections are even within two weeks of each other.
What side of the market should a trader favor for the next few weeks
based on the potential time target? As long as bonds do not exceed the
June high - the short side.
The time targets project the targets if a trend continues. If the trend is
voided, new targets must be made.
The most common Time Cycle Ratios are the low-low or high-high
projections from the two most recent confirmed pivots.
Typically, two Time Retracements are made. One is the time
retracements of the larger degree trend. The second is the Time
Retracements of the most recent trend in the opposite direction of the
current trend.
The two most relevant Alternate Time Projections are the immediate
alternate trend that was in the same direction of the current trend and the
longest alternate trend of the prior larger degree trend.
The next chart shows each of these time projections.
This tutorial will describe the two main entry and stop strategies I use and
recommend. I have written about them many times in tutorials and report
comments and will review them here.
At about 11:30, the S&P traded above the W.1 or A high electing a long trade.
The recommendation was to place a stop-and-reverse (S&R) to a net short
position one tick below the W.2 or B low. A stop-and-reverse is simply a sell
order for twice the number of contracts that you are long which will result in a net
short position.
Why a S&R? If the S&R were elected, the assumption that an impulsive rally
was going to be made would be incorrect. The rally should then only be a
correction and the bear trend should continue to a new low. We would want to be
short.
We were using the pattern position to identify the most likely trend direction
and the place where the market would confirm or invalidate the potential trend
position.
Some traders have difficulty reversing a position. It is an important hurdle that
you must overcome. One way to get over the reversal phobia is to think of it as
an independent trade instead of a reversal of position. If there were no open
position, the trade would be initiated.
Less than one hour after the breakout above the W.1 or A high, the S&R to a
net short was elected when the S&P declined below the W.B low.
The stop on the short position was placed one tick above the W.C high.
What would be the strategy for stop adjustment? Once again we use the
pattern position. If the market is declining from an ABC correction, the
assumption is the decline will be a five wave impulse trend. Once the W.1 and
two are complete, the stop is adjusted to one tick above the W.2 high.
About an hour later, the S&P had made a sharp decline and then traded
sideways. The initial low was considered the W.1. Once the W.2 was complete
by a decline below the W.1 low, the stop was adjusted to one tick above the W.2
high.
The S&P eventually declined and the stop was brought down to one tick
above the W.C high.
How would we look to exit the trade and take profits? Once the market
reached a minimum target zone, the stop is trailed close to the market. In this
case, 966-961 was the target zone which included the 50% retracement (always
a key) and the 100% alternate price projections of the prior two swings which
formed a target zone for a potential W.E. Once this target zone is reached and
the DTOSC (StoRSI) is in the Stop Zone in a Bear Trend (below 25%), the stop
would be trailed one tick above the 1BH (one-bar-high).
In mid-afternoon, the S&P reached this target zone and the StoRSI was in the
stop zone. The recommendation was then to trail the stop one tick above the
1BH.
Why not exit at the price target or the first cross over of the DTOSC instead of
trailing the stop? Trailing the stop at the 1BH keeps it very close to the market yet
will probably keep you in the market if the trend continues.
I almost never recommend taking profits (or entering a trade) at a price target.
I always like the market to provide some signal it is going to do what I anticipate
by making a reversal, taking out a minor swing high or low or trading above
(below) a bar before entering or exiting a trade. That way you have a better
probability of staying with the trade if the trend continues.
It was about an hour and eight points later before the short trade was stopped
out by taking out the 1BH.
There was a small loss on the first long trade and a much larger profit on the
second short trade for a net profit for the day of the two trades.
This is not an after the fact example but exactly as referred to during the day
in the Intraday Reports and chat room. It is nothing new or complicated. It is a
simple strategy I have referred to many times and used by many traders. The
trading strategies responded to the market position and were all made in
advance.
Strategy Highlights
1. The pattern position of the market will often provide a completely objective
entry and initial stop strategy, including if a stop-and-reverse strategy is
warranted.
2. The strategy is always prepared in advance. Either the market fulfills the
conditions for entry and stop or it does not.
3. The exit strategy is completely objective. Once the conditions are met, the
stop is adjusted.
4. The trade is not exited until the market provides a reversal signal.
About 30-minutes later, the entry signal was made when the S&P traded
above the 1BH. The initial protective sell-stop is placed less than five points
away, one tick below the recent low.
What is the exit/profit strategy? Once the indicator reaches the Stop-Zone
(above 75%) and crosses down, trail the stop one tick below the 1BL. The exit
strategy is prepared in advance and is completely objective. There are no more
decisions to be made.
About 30 minutes later, the indicator reaches the Stop Zone and hooks down.
The S&P has reached a potential resistance zone. The stop is trailed one tick
below the 1BL.
The stop at the 1BL was elected just a few bars after the DTOSC
crossed down from the Stop Zone.
The profit was less than three points on this trade. I may end of being
complete wrong about the trend position of the market. The S&P may not of
made an ABC correction. The bear trend may be resuming. What ever that may
be, the trade strategy was made in advance and the entry and exit was
completely objective. And, at least a small profit resulted.
Strategy Review
1. If the market is at a support or resistance target zone, ideally an end-of-
wave target, once the Osc hooks up, trail the entry one tick above (below)
the 1Bh or L. Place the initial protective stop one tick beyond the extreme
made prior to entry. This will usually be a very small capital exposure.
2. Once the Osc reaches the Stop Zone and hooks down, trail the stop one
tick above/below the 1BL or H.
These strategies are applicable to every time frame and every market.
For a complete tutorial on indicators and trading strategies, download and
study the 84-page DT Indicators and Trading Strategies manual from the
Subscriber Page. This manual along with the time and price manuals and other
tutorials are only available to paid subscribers. They do not show on the one-
week Trial Subscribers page.
The beauty of these strategies is there is not a lot of guess work during the
trading day. The entry and stop strategies are objective. You do have to use your
judgment and experience to identify the simple patterns and price targets, but
that is easy to learn and is what we constantly teach in our reports and tutorials
and what we constantly update in the DT Intraday Reports.
Time Cycle Ratios (TCR) and Time Counts are also used for the Fib Time Blitz
(FTB) report, but in a way different from the Dynamic Time Projection (DTP)
report. The Dynamic Time Projection report uses a specific series of nine swing
comparisons to make projections, including TR.1-3-5, ATP.1-2, C, C:C, etc.
There are also specific time relationships for particular wave objectives. DTP
templates are provided that reflect the most prevalent time factors for each wave
condition. DTPs are “directional.” A DTP projection from a high is only relevant
as a time period for a potential low.
The Fib Time Blitz report projects Time Cycle Ratios but in a different way.
FTB makes TCR projections by every ratio chosen of all possible combinations of
the most recent 12 pivots including the pivot from where the projection is made.
There are typically so many projections made with the FTB, that it is not
unusual to have one or more projections fall on virtually every date in the future. It
is particularly important to only focus on those dates with the relatively highest
score for any period.
The most recent 12 pivots beginning with the Jan. 12, 1998 high have been
marked off on the chart below. The FTB will make the TCR projections from
every possible combination of these 12 pivots. It will make all of the TCR
projections of the 11 time ranges between pivots 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, etc. It will then
make all of the TCR projections of all of 10 time ranges between pivots 2-3, 2-4,
2-5, 2-6, etc. When these are finished it will begin from pivot three and continue to
move backward pivot by pivot until every possible combination of the 12 pivots
have been compared. Hundreds of calculations will be made!
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Dynamic Time Analysis (FTB)
FTB allows the user to choose which ratios to include and how to distribute
and weigh the hits in the same manner as the DTP report.
How Is The Fib Time Blitz Report Different From The Dynamic Time
Projection Report?
I like to consider the FTB report as uncovering future time periods where a
“dynamic web of time” or “time crossroads” is made. These will be periods which
include both obvious and obscure TCRs and time counts from many perspectives.
FTB projections should be considered “non-directional.” A relatively high score on
the FTB should be considered a potential period for a high or low regardless of
whether the projection was made from a high or low.
Both the FTB and DTP reports are made in the same general process using
Time Cycle Ratio projections and Time Counts. The Dynamic Time Projections
use fewer pivots and fewer ratios and counts to make the projections. DTPs
usually use a template set-up that is specific to the market condition.
FTB projections should not be considered on their own as high probability time
targets. They are best used as time projections to confirm a DTP. When both the
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FTB report and DTP report make projections on or very near the same dates, the
probabilities of trend change in that period is great.
A trend change that falls on a high score FTB that does not coincide with a
DTP will probably only result in a lesser degree trend change pivot than the pivot
from where the FTB projection was made.
Below is the Fib Time Blitz set-up to make projections from the Jan. 12, 1998
high. The default time sets are chosen. The date range of the report is the same
used for the Dynamic Time Projections to project a Wave-4 low.
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Dynamic Time Analysis (FTB)
The default BLR (Blitz Ratio) set is shown below. All of the key ratios are
used for the TCRs (Time Cycle Ratios of the past 12 pivots) and only the four key
Fib ratios are used for the two recent Alternate Time Projections (ATP.1 and
ATP.2).
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
The BLC (Blitz Calendar Day) set is shown below. The CD counts are made
from all of the most recent 12 pivots. All of the counts are used including many of
the anniversary counts that are beyond the first 16 lines. These other counts may
be viewed by scrolling the table. Note that some of the more important counts
have higher weights and larger distributions than the others.
The BLC counts are only available for daily data files. The BLT (Blitz Trading
Day) counts are available for any data file as the counts are by what ever time
period bars are shown (trading day, hourly, etc.).
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Dynamic Time Analysis (FTB)
Below is the histogram made from the set-up. It shows all days where a hit was
made (scores above “0”). Almost every day had at least one hit. March 3 has the
highest score for this period. We can filter out the lower score days by showing
only those scores above 50.
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March 3 is the highest scoring day and March 24-28 includes the second
highest scoring day.
How did it turn out? A low was made on March 5, two days after the FTB
highest score date of March 3. The chart below shows both the FTB and DTP
histograms below the daily bond bar chart. The high scoring FTB and DTP dates
fell at or very near the same dates.
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Dynamic Time Analysis (FTB)
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Dynamic Time Analysis (FTB)
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
A Swing File contains the series of pivots of one particular degree of change.
A Swing File is constructed of the important trend change pivots for each market
that is to be analyzed.
What is the purpose of a swing file? One of the objectives of the time and price
analysis of Dynamic Trading is to project the extent of a trend in time and price
and the high probability targets when and where the next trend change will be
made. To do this, time and price projections are made from previous pivots of the
same degree of trend. Dynamic Trader allows the user to do this in two ways. One
way is to simply click off the high and low pivots on the bar chart to make the time
and price projections, one at a time. While this is simple and easy enough to do
when we are only making a few projections, it is cumbersome and time consuming
to do when we want to do a comprehensive analysis using many past pivots. To
speed up this analysis process, Dynamic Trader includes several routines and
reports that instantly make all of the required time and price projections from a
wide range of past pivots. Each of these routines and reports requires a swing file
of past pivot reversals.
The most comprehensive Dynamic Trading analysis considers a market from
three degrees or three time frames. They are the degree of change that is traded
plus the next larger and smaller degree. The next larger degree determines the
larger degree trend and suggests which direction we want to consider trading. The
next smaller degree will help to identify the lowest risk and capital exposure trade
set-up position to enter and place the protective stop.
1. A swing file filters out the “noise” between the pivot reversals and
helps us to focus on the underlying trend between the pivots.
3. All of the time and price projections are projected ratios and counts of
past swings.
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Swing Files
The Swing File pivots usually represent the extremes of price reached at the
trend change pivots. In other words, the high or low made at the change in trend.
If a closing price Swing File is constructed, keep aware that the time and price
projections relate to closings only, which can be significantly different than
projections from high or low extremes.
It is easy to develop the Swing File of trend change pivots, but it must be done
properly. It is important to have a series of pivots that relate to the same degree of
time and price. Below we will discuss how to initially develop the Swing File of
market pivots and how to edit the file in order to have the best representation
possible of trend changes of a chosen degree. Once a Swing File is constructed,
Dynamic Trader will update it automatically each time it is loaded on a chart.
Whenever a new market extreme meets the minimum criteria for a pivot for a
particular Swing File, Dynamic Trader will add it to the Swing File database.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
From the lower price level at 200, it took a 20 point counter-trend range to
record a pivot while it took a 40 point counter-trend range to record the trend
change pivot from the higher price of 400. It will always take a larger price range
to record a trend change pivot at a higher price level than at a lower price level as
the trend change is beginning from a greater price amount. If the trend change
pivot were recorded by a fixed price amount of 20 points, the trend change pivot
from the 400 price level would be recorded if price declined to just 380 (400-20).
Price percentage change more accurately represents the degree of trend change
or the degree of change in the psychology of traders than does a fixed price
amount. A 20 point advance or decline from a 400 point price level is not nearly as
significant as a 20 point advance or decline from a 200 point price level. A 40-
point price change from the 400 level is comparable to a 20-point price change
from the 200 level.
This becomes obvious on charts that have had a wide range of price activity
over the years. An example would be the DJIA that traded for years at relatively
low price levels compared to the price levels of today. For almost 20 years from
the early 1960s through the early 1980s the DJIA traded roughly in the range of
600-1000. A 10% trend change of 60-100 points during this period usually took
several weeks or even months to unfold. In the early 1990s, when the DJIA was
trading in the 3000-4000 range, it had been fairly common for 60-100 point ranges
to unfold in a matter of a few days. We even had many 60-100 point range days in
that period. It is not at all accurate to say that a 100-point swing in the 1990s from
a price level over 3000 is as significant as a 100-point swing from the 1960s from a
price level of less than 1000.
A 100 point (10%) counter-trend from the 1000 level is of the same degree
and as significant as a 300 point (10%) counter-trend from a 3000 level. Swing
Files are only constructed from percentage change of price.
For our illustrations, a Swing File will be named by the minimum percentage
price change required. A 10% Swing File will be composed of swings of a
minimum of 10% change in price from one pivot point to the next. Unless of
course, a swing is eliminated or added according to one of the exceptions
described below. There is no maximum price change for swings in a 10% Swing
File, only a minimum.
3
Swing Files
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
The objective of the minimum time filter is to initially filter out the obvious
short-term, panic price swings that do not belong in the Swing File. The Swing File
will never be a perfect representation of time and price symmetry because markets
do not unfold in perfect symmetry. But the swing file should be as accurate a
representation as we can make with common sense of the particular degree of
change we are interested in for the market.
The chart below is four months of daily continuos bonds. A 2% swing file was
made. Counter-trend swings typically lasted 2-3 weeks or more. On Oct. 28, bonds
made a big gap opening up followed by a collapse of price back to the previous
trading area. This one day wide-range day caused a swing of greater than 2%. All
other 2% or greater counter-trend swings lasted 2-3 weeks or more. This one-day
price panic is out of balance with the vast majority of 2% or greater swings and
should be edited out of the swing file.
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Swing Files
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For time analysis, the lowest or highest price is not always the important pivot. The price low
of the correction begun from the Dec. 28 high fell on Jan. 6. However, Jan. 25 was only a tick or
so higher but appears to be the obvious beginning of the new cycle. The same applies to the
“running correction” from the March 16 high. The correction ended April 28, not March 31.
Doesn’t this better represent the minor swings during this phase of the bond rally?
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Swing Files
Using these three simple filters to initially construct a Swing File, we will have
recorded swings that are closely related in degree of time and price. While this may
not be the perfect series of swings for our Swing File, it will have eliminated most
of the obvious out-of-balance swings that would be included if we used percentage
change as the only filter.
Over the years, many users of Dynamic Trader have gotten hung-up on swing
file construction. Because the swing files are used for several time and price
projection routines and reports, they may become obsessed with constructing what
they believe must be the “perfect” swing file. It is part of the “paralysis of analysis”
syndrome. A syndrome that has been overcome by all successful traders. Relax.
Take a common sense approach to swing file construction. Once a swing file is
initially constructed, view it on the bar chart. Do the swings all seem to relate to
each other in the context of the general form and trend of the market? If not, made
the necessary edits. There are usually only a few edits that are made with any
swing file. When complete and the swing file is overlaid on the bar chart, it should
be obvious to the user that the swing file is “in balance” with the bar chart.
I could include a more complex filtering process to create the swing files in
Dynamic Trader that would avoid some or maybe all of this editing process. The
most important reason I have not done this is it removes the trader from the
experience of viewing and considering all of the past market activity. By examining
the initial swing file over the bar chart, the trader becomes more familiar with the
unusual periods from the past for that market. It is part of the trader’s learning
process. While certain judgments are made which unusual pivots to include or
exclude, these judgements are usually obvious and take into consideration the
objectives of the trader. No trader will become successful until he or she accepts
that analysis and trading strategy judgements must be made. That is the nature of
all successful business.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
There are a few other circumstances where we may want to edit our Swing File
to end up with the most representative series of pivots for a particular degree of
change.
Double Tops or Bottoms
What if a market makes an exact double top without an intervening swing that
meets the pivot criteria? Our Swing File would only record the first high and
ignore the second high. Which high is more important and should be included in
the Swing File? In most cases, the second high is more important.
The first top represents the point where the rally stopped or the up cycle
ended. The second high represents the point where the decline or the down cycle
began. What if the second high was just a few ticks lower than the first high? Do
we only consider the first high because it was the price extreme? The point where
the decline began more closely represents the psychological change of traders and
is usually the more important pivot. This is particularly the case if the second high
closed higher than the first high even if the first top made a higher extreme price
intraday. In most cases, you will edit the swing file at the double top or bottom to
include the second high or low as the pivot.
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Swing Files
The 4% swing file registered March 31 as a high. March 31 was a wide range panic day. Price
made a secondary high on April 19. All of the price activity from March 31 to April 19 was
below the April 19 high and the closing high occurred April 18. The swing should be edited to
include the April 19 high rather than the March 31 high.
The April 19 high better reflects the end of the bull swing and the beginning of the bear swing.
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11
Swing Files
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This is the 5699 contract data for the DM, which rolls over on last trading day. Dec. 9 is the
price low. If rollovers occur near trend changes, the swing file may have to be edited to
accurately represent the trend change date. We will want to look at the March contract, which
traded throughout this bottoming process and through the roll over period.
A look at the March contract for the same period clearly shows the low was made on Dec. 21, not
Dec. 9. The March contract was not distorted by the roll over that occurred between Dec. 9 and
Dec. 21 on the continuous data.
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Swing Files
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
What do we do about the price distortions at the pivots near roll-over that
require us to correct the date of roll over? If we edit the date of trend change from
the original spot data date to the monthly contract date, do we also change the
price to the price on the monthly contract? No. Does that mean that the Swing File
will not be an accurate representation of the price swings? Yes. We must simply
accept that there is no perfect method of recording both time and price pivots in
the same Swing File. Fortunately, having slight distortions of price swings in the
Swing File is not critical.
The relatively minor price distortions that may occur at roll-over, trend
changes are usually not important in our analysis and statistical studies. The price
analysis and statistical studies computed from Swing File information provides us
with the general parameters of past and potential future price activity. The smaller
degree price analysis will focus in on the price zones from where the trading
decision is made. The smaller degree price analysis is usually made from the
contract that is traded and the smaller degree swing file on this contract will not
have the roll over problem.
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Swing Files
each monthly contract that we may want to trade. We than have an accurate
representation of price movement for each individual contract month. In
constructing our Swing Files from Gann continuous contracts, we have no need to
adjust the time of reversals, as we are only dealing with the information from a
single contract month.
All comprehensive data suppliers the data or the provide software to construct
continuous data in the manner described above.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
These routines provide the trader with the information that is necessary to make an
informed trading decision.
Let’s build a swing file and see how it may be edited.
17
Swing Files
The double top is the first obvious edit. The running correction from the Nov.
23, 1993 low to Jan. 31, 1994 high is the next candidate. Earlier in this chapter, we
saw how the lower low between these two dates was caused by the roll-over from
the Dec. to March contract. While this running correction did not make a 4% price
change in trend, it lasted 69 calendar days (CDs), longer than most of the 4% or
greater corrections. It should be included in the swing file in order to make the file
an accurate representation of the time rhythm for this period.
In March, bonds made a very short-term panic price advance of just 9 CDs
(April 19-April 28). There was probably a news event that caused this panic, but
bonds quickly returned to the bull trend. This very short term correction should be
eliminated from the swing file.
From March 11, 1994 to Aug. 2, 1994, bonds made what we may consider an
ABC irregular correction (type of running correction). Each of the component
swings was greater than 5%. Should we consider this entire period one swing from
a time perspective? This is one case where it is a real judgement call. If the purpose
of this swing file is primarily for intermediate term time analysis, I would make it
one swing. I would keep the swings as shown and save a second swing file that
may be used for price analysis. This brings up an important point. Always consider
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
what is the objective of the analysis the swing file will be used for. I often have
different swing files for the same degree and same period of time. One for time
analysis and one for price analysis. There are usually only a few differences in each
file.
Below is the edited 4% swing file which more accurately represents the time
rhythm for this period.
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Swing Files
The spot futures continuous data showed the Sept. 1993 high a few ticks
above the Oct. 1993 high. Between these two dates, the Sept. contract expired and
the data rolled over to the Dec. contract. Let’s look at the Dec. contract data that
traded throughout this period for a more accurate representation of the price
pattern for that period.
There really wasn’t a double top in this period. The Oct. high was clearly
higher. The contract roll over in the continuous data for this period distorted the
price pattern.
Let’s take another look at the Nov.-Jan. 1994 running correction on the March
1993 contract that traded throughout this period.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
We saw earlier that the lower low between the Nov. 23 low ad Jan. 28 high on
the continuous chart was caused by the contract roll over in late Dec. from the
Dec. to March contract. The continuous data showed only a 3.09% price change
for this correction. The price change was also distorted by the contract roll over.
The further out contracts in bonds trade at a discount to the nearby contracts.
The March 1994 contract chart above shows that the actual price advance
from the Nov. low to Jan. high was 4.31%, a swing that fits into the 4%+ swing
file.
The first chart with the unedited 4% swing file that was shown in this section
was for a five year period: 1993-1998. We made just four edits for this five year
period. The balance of the swings for this period appears to be justified. After a
quick view of the swing file on the bar chart, we noted where we may need to edit
the file. It took very little time to view the individual contracts for the questionable
periods to see if the continuous data may have distorted the price pattern for those
periods. The file was edited and now we have a permanent record of the
intermediate term swings we can quickly bring up on a bar chart for further
analysis. The necessary edits were simple and logical.
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Swing Files
How much time does it take to maintain the swing file? New 4% swings are
only made every few weeks or months. Dynamic Trader will automatically update
the file each time it is loaded on a chart. All the user has to do is view the chart
with swing file periodically and consider if any edits are necessary.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
23
Swing Files
These have been just a few examples of the unique uses of swing files in
Dynamic Trader. It is well worth your time to explore the many uses of swing files.
They are required for many of the time and price routines and reports that are
unique to Dynamic Trader which automate the time and price analysis. Take
advantage of the unique power of Dynamic Trader. No other technical analysis
software program even comes close to the ability of Dynamic Trader to do unique
and comprehensive time and price analysis. Dynamic Trader gives you the edge
other traders don’t have. Put it to good use by mastering swing file construction
and their use with the time and price analysis available in Dynamic Trader.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
Let’s make Fib Time Blitz projections from the May 28, 1996 low using the
default templates.
1
Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
The FTB table below shows the results of the default template projections
from the May 28 low. Only the highest scores (above 51) are shown on the
histogram and score table. The July 10-15 period includes both the highest score
and broadest period of consecutive high score days. The next greatest cluster of
time projections falls on Oct. 19-23. The two periods of July 25-26 and Sept. 14
each have relatively scores but the high score period is only one or two days verses
the clusters of 4-6 high score dates in the other two periods. One or more of these
periods is probable to make a trend change of similar degree to the May 28 low.
If we look at the bar chart above, we see that all of the recent rallies have
lasted approximately 30-60 calendar days. If the current trading range rhythm
continues, the next high after the May 28 low will probably be made at or near one
of the July FTB targets – July 10-15 or July 25-26.
Fib Time Blitz From The May 28 Low Using The Default Templates
A three week consolidation/correction ended on July 15 and the rally high was
made on a wide range spike up on July 16 just one day after the highest probability
FTB period for a high of July 10-15.
There are two very important factors to remember when using the FTB:
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
(1) The high score (high probability) dates do not project that the market
will continue to trend to any one particular period, only that there is a
high probability that the time of a trend change will be one of the
periods.
(2) The time projections must be considered within the context of the other
market dimensions of price and pattern. If a market trends into a time
projection, you must consider if the market is at a dynamic price
support or resistance zone and if the pattern is approaching a trend
termination position. Price and pattern position will qualify the time
period when reached.
3
Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
The table below shows the FTB projections from the July 16 high. The
relatively high scores are made on Sept. 9-14 and Oct. 19-20. These dates fall at or
very near the high score dates from the May 28 low. Most of the individual
projected dates made from the July 16 high will be the same as those from the May
28 low. In the case of the projections from the July 16 high, one new pivot has
been added (July 16) and one pivot has been dropped (the 12th pivot back from the
May 28 low) to make the projections. The few Alternate Time Projections used in
the FTB will now be from the July 16 high rather than the May 28 low. FTB
projections made from two consecutive pivots will usually include some of the
same relatively high score periods because each projection includes many of the
same individual time calculations.
If this is not perfectly clear, go back to the section on how the FTB projections
are made for a review and take another look at the illustrative charts so you can
visualize exactly what is being done each time a report is run.
FTB From July 16 High Using Default Templates
The chart below shows that the mark made a short-term low in the Sept. 9-14
period and a major trading range low one trading day prior to the Oct. 19-20
period.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
5
Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
The table below shows the relatively high score (high probability) dates made
from the May 28 low. The highest score date is July 16. The two periods with
consecutive high score dates are July 1-3 and July 16-18. The next DTP does not
fall until Aug. 25-31. Since the prior rallies in the trading range have lasted
between 30-60 CDs, the odds are the next high will be made in one of the July
DTP periods – July 1-3 or July 16-18. Of these two periods, the FTB projection of
July 10-15 fell near the DTP period of July 16-18.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
Dynamic Time Projections From The May 28 Low Using The TR Templates
7
Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
The mark was advancing going into the Aug. 25 DTP. Since DTPs made from
a high are only valid as a potential low, this DTP would be ignored. The mark was
making new lows from the July 16 high going into both the Oct. 2-3 and Oct. 19
DTP. The price, pattern, other time projections and other factors would be
considered at each of these times to consider if a trend change was probable.
Recall that the FTP projections from the July 16 high included Oct. 19-20, a
projection that coincided with the Oct. 19 DTP.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
9
Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
The DTP Table/Histogram page below shows the output of the time
projections. All of the scores are shown. Those above 50 are the relatively highest
scores. The Nov. 1-4 period stands out as the group with the highest scores for the
entire period.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
As shown by the histogram in the indicator window below the chart, the odds
for a high after Nov. 4 decreased constantly.
11
Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
How did the Fib Time Blitz perform for this period? Below is the FTB table
showing the projections made from the Oct. 21 (W.4) low. Three periods have the
relatively highest score – Nov. 11-13, Nov. 19-20 and Nov. 28-30.
Why might we not want to use FTB projections from the Oct. 21 low? If you
will review the bar chart of a couple pages back, you will see that the swings so far
are relatively short-term. The trend swings (waves 1 and 3) are just 2-3 weeks in
length and the counter-trend swings (waves 2 and 4) are only a few days in range.
The FTB templates are designed for intermediate and longer-term swings. The
minimum time counts are 21 days. The FTB templates should not be used if most
of the typical swings in the file are less than three weeks. If this is the case, we may
want to go to a lower time period such as an hourly data file to make the FTB
projections. What do we do with the daily data? Make the projections from the
most recent pivot of larger degree. In this case, make the FTB projections from the
Aug. 6 low where the five-wave count began.
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
Below is the set-up page for making the FTB projections from the Aug. 6 low.
We only need to show projections after the Oct. 21 low. Note how the projection
date range is set for late Oct. through early Dec. Since the recent minor trend
swings (waves 1 and 3) were only 2-3 weeks, the projections don’t need to be
made beyond late-Nov. to early Dec.
The table below is the output of the FTB projections from the Aug. 6 low for
the late Oct. through early Dec. period. Nov. 8 (Sat.) is the highest score date. The
nearest trading day would be Friday, Nov. 7.
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Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
Now let’s take a look at the daily bar chart with all time reports displayed in
the indicator windows below the chart. We will exclude the FTB report made from
the Oct. 21 low for the reasons stated earlier and include the DTP for Wave-5 and
FTB from the Aug. 6 low.
The Wave-5 high was made on Nov. 7, the nearest trading day to the Nov. 8,
highest score FTB and three trading days after the Nov. 1-4 DTP for a Wave-5
high. Since these two reports gave dates close to each other, traders would want
to be alert to the broad period of Nov. 1-7 for a potential high to complete a five-
wave advance from the Aug. 6 low.
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15
Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
Below is the set-up table for the FTB. Note that the BLC set (Blitz CD) is
grayed out and not available to choose from. Dynamic Trader recognizes that an
intraday chart is up and calendar day counts cannot be made. A trading day count
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
is the same as a count of the bars on the chart. Trading day sets are available for
any intraday chart.
You may recall that the highest score period using the daily data FTB from the
Oct. 21 low was not until Nov. 28-30. Using the 60-minute data, the highest score
period is Nov. 3. While the top was not made until Nov. 7, Nov. 3 is a heck of a
lot closer to Nov. 7 than is Nov. 28. The FTB with the intraday data helped to
focus in on a more accurate time projection for a top.
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Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
The Dynamic Time Projection for a Wave-5 high using the daily data gave us
the period of Nov. 1-4 with the highest score for a potential Wave-5 high. Let's
take a look at the smaller degree swings shown on the 30-minute data to project
the high probability time for Wave-5:5.
The 30-minute chart below shows that Nov. 3 probably completed Wave 4:5.
The DTP report was run from the Nov. 3 low at the 8:50 bar using the Wave-5
templates for TCRs and TDs (trading bars).
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Dynamic Trader Trading Course
The highest score bar is Nov. 5 at 13:50. Nov. 4 and Nov. 6 also have relatively
high score bars. After Nov. 6, a high score bar is not made until Nov. 11. Traders
would want to be particularly alert the second half of the trading day of Nov. 5.
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Dynamic Time Analysis (More Time Examples)
The daily data projected Nov. 1-4 and the intraday data Nov. 4-6 for the
Wave-5 top. The intraday data signaled at best, the later part of the No. 1-4 period
should be the most important if not the days just following this period. The top
was complete on the first 30-minute bar of Nov. 7. While the intraday DTP dates
did not hit the top precisely, they were closer to the top than the daily dates.
Intraday data can be helpful to fine-tune any analysis approach including time
analysis. However, don't expect more from it that it can deliver. The procedure for
time projections with intraday data is the same as with daily data. The shorter term
the data, the more "noise." I have not confirmed that data shorter than 30-minute
bars is consistently reliable.
These have been only a few examples of using the Fib Time Blitz and Dynamic
Time Projections. No matter what the market position, the process of using these
two reports will be the same as described in these few examples.
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