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Lara's Weekly Masthead

S&P 500

For the very short term, a consolidation or bounce was expected. A bounce for Friday overall fits this expectation. Price remained below the invalidation point.

Summary: A pullback or consolidation here for primary wave 4 may now last about a couple of weeks or so and may end either about 2,894 or the lower edge of the maroon Elliott channel on the daily chart.

For the short term, some downwards movement may begin next week to 2,894. Overall, primary wave 4 may move sideways in a range bound movement.

The final target remains the same at 3,045. Alternate monthly wave counts allow for a target as high as 4,119.

The biggest picture, Grand Super Cycle analysis, is here.

Monthly charts were last published here, with video here. There are two further alternate monthly charts here. Video is here.

ELLIOTT WAVE COUNTS

The two Elliott wave counts below will be labelled First and Second rather than main and alternate as they may be about of even probability. When the current impulse of primary wave 5 (second wave count) or cycle wave V (first wave count) may be complete, then these two wave counts will diverge on the severity of the expected following bear market. To see an illustration of this future divergence monthly charts should be viewed.

FIRST WAVE COUNT

WEEKLY CHART

S&P 500 Weekly 2018
Click chart to enlarge.

This weekly chart shows all of cycle waves III, IV and V so far.

This wave count expects that when cycle wave V completes Super Cycle wave (V) and Grand Super Cycle wave I, that a huge bear market to potentially last decades may begin. It should move substantially below 666.79.

Cycle wave II fits as a time consuming double combination: flat – X – zigzag. Combinations tend to be more time consuming corrective structures than zigzags. Cycle wave IV has completed as a multiple zigzag that should be expected to be more brief than cycle wave II.

Cycle wave IV may have ended at the lower edge of the Elliott channel.

Within cycle wave V, primary waves 1 through to 3 may now be complete. Primary wave 4 may not move into primary wave 1 price territory below 2,813.49.

Although both cycle waves II and IV are labelled W-X-Y, they are different corrective structures. There are two broad groups of Elliott wave corrective structures: the zigzag family, which are sharp corrections, and all the rest, which are sideways corrections. Multiple zigzags belong to the zigzag family and combinations belong to the sideways family. There is perfect alternation between the possible double zigzag of cycle wave IV and the combination of cycle wave II.

Although there is gross disproportion between the duration of cycle waves II and IV, the size of cycle wave IV in terms of price makes these two corrections look like they should be labelled at the same degree. Proportion is a function of either or both of price and time.

Draw the Elliott channel about Super Cycle wave (V) with the first trend line from the end of cycle wave I (at 2,079.46 on the week beginning 30th November 2014) to the high of cycle wave III, then place a parallel copy on the low of cycle wave II. Cycle wave V may find resistance about the upper edge.

It is possible that cycle wave V may end in October 2019. If it does not end there, or if the AD line makes new all time highs during or after June 2019, then the expectation for cycle wave V to end would be pushed out to March 2020 as the next possibility. Thereafter, the next possibility may be October 2020. March and October are considered as likely months for a bull market to end as in the past they have been popular. That does not mean though that this bull market may not end during any other month.

DAILY CHART

S&P 500 Daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge.

The daily chart will focus on the structure of cycle wave V.

Cycle wave V must subdivide as a five wave motive structure, either an impulse or an ending diagonal. An impulse is much more common and that will be how it is labelled. A diagonal would be considered if overlapping suggests it.

Primary wave 1 may have been a long extension, a smaller fractal of cycle wave I on the monthly chart.

Primary wave 2 may have been a very brief and shallow expanded flat correction, lasting just short of two weeks.

Primary wave 3 may be complete. It exhibits no Fibonacci ratio to primary wave 1 and is shorter than primary wave 1. This limits primary wave 5 to no longer than equality in length with primary wave 3 at 231.86 points.

Primary wave 4 may be expected to exhibit alternation with primary wave 2. Primary wave 4 may most likely unfold as a single or multiple zigzag, but it may also unfold as a triangle or combination. The least likely structure would be a flat.

A channel is drawn using Elliott’s first technique about the impulse of cycle wave V. Draw the first trend line from the ends of primary waves 1 to 3, then place a parallel copy on the end of primary wave 2. If it is long lasting enough, primary wave 4 may find support about the lower edge of this channel.

Primary wave 4 may not move into primary wave 1 price territory below 2,813.49.

SECOND WAVE COUNT

WEEKLY CHART

S&P 500 Weekly 2018
Click chart to enlarge.

This weekly chart is identical to the first weekly chart, with the sole difference being the degree of labelling.

When cycle wave I is complete, then cycle wave II should meet the technical definition of a bear market as it should retrace more than 20% of cycle wave I, but it may end about either the 0.382 or 0.618 Fibonacci Ratios of cycle wave I. Cycle wave II may end close to the low of primary wave 2 within cycle wave I, which is at 1,810.10.

Thereafter, a new bull market for cycle wave III may begin. It should have support from volume and fundamentals.

The end of Grand Super Cycle wave I may be about 10 years or so away.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

WEEKLY CHART

S&P 500 weekly 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

The Doji this week may represent a short pause within the upwards trend, or it may yet form part of a reversal pattern. Doji on their own are not reversal signals.

This chart remains fully bullish.

DAILY CHART

S&P 500 daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

The December 2018 low is expected to remain intact. The two 90% upwards days on 26th December 2018 and 6th January 2019 indicate this upwards trend has internal strength.

The Bearish Engulfing candlestick engulfs the two prior daily candlesticks. Coming after upwards movement, which has reached extreme, it should be given weight. This is a fairly strong bearish reversal signal.

There is support close by at 2,875.

Friday’s upwards day has weak volume. This may fit as a B wave.

BREADTH – AD LINE

WEEKLY CHART

AD Line daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. So that colour blind members are included, bearish signals
will be noted with blue and bullish signals with yellow.

Every single bear market from the Great Depression and onwards has been preceded by a minimum of 4 months divergence between price and the AD line. With the AD line making a new all time high again this week, the end of this bull market and the start of a new bear market must be a minimum of 4 months away, which is the beginning of September 2019 at this time.

Mid-term bullish divergence has been followed by a new all time high from price and may now be resolved. There is no mid nor long-term divergence. Both price and the AD line make new all time highs.

While large caps have made a new all time high this week, mid and small caps did not and remain below their prior all time highs. This rally is led by large caps, which is typical of an ageing bull market.

DAILY CHART

AD Line daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. So that colour blind members are included, bearish signals
will be noted with blue and bullish signals with yellow.

Breadth should be read as a leading indicator.

Both price and the AD line moved higher on Friday, but the AD line made a new short-term high while price did not. This divergence is bullish for the short term and does not support the Elliott wave count. It suggests price may make another new all time high early next week.

VOLATILITY – INVERTED VIX CHART

WEEKLY CHART

VIX daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. So that colour blind members are included, bearish signals
will be noted with blue and bullish signals with yellow.

For now three weeks in a row price has moved higher and inverted VIX has moved lower. This divergence is bearish for the short to mid term and may be warning of an approaching primary (or intermediate) degree correction.

It is noted that this has occurred before at the end of the strong rise in price up to the high on the 26th of January 2018. The three weeks up to that high saw price clearly move higher and inverted VIX clearly move lower. This divergence persisted for three weeks in that instance, and so may persist for a very few weeks again now before price turns.

DAILY CHART

VIX daily 2018
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. So that colour blind members are included, bearish signals
will be noted with blue and bullish signals with yellow.

Short-term bullish divergence noted on Thursday has been followed by an upwards day for Friday. This divergence may now be resolved.

On Friday both inverted VIX and price have moved higher, but neither have made new short-term highs. There is no short-term divergence.

DOW THEORY

Dow Theory confirmed a bear market in December 2018. This does not necessarily mean a bear market at Grand Super Cycle degree though; Dow Theory makes no comment on Elliott wave counts. On the 25th of August 2015 Dow Theory also confirmed a bear market. The Elliott wave count sees that as part of cycle wave II. After Dow Theory confirmation of a bear market in August 2015, price went on to make new all time highs and the bull market continued.

DJIA: 23,344.52 – a close on the 19th of December at 23,284.97 confirms a bear market.

DJT: 9,806.79 – price has closed below this point on the 13th of December.

S&P500: 2,532.69 – a close on the 19th of December at 2,506.96 provides support to a bear market conclusion.

Nasdaq: 6,630.67 – a close on the 19th of December at 6,618.86 provides support to a bear market conclusion.

With all the indices moving now higher, Dow Theory would confirm a bull market if the following highs are made:

DJIA: 26,951.81

DJT: 11,623.58

S&P500: 2,940.91 – a new all time high has been made on the 29th of April 2019.

Nasdaq: 8,133.30 – a new high has been made on 24th of April 2019.

GOLD

A strong bounce at the end of the week creates a candlestick pattern on the daily chart that has support from volume. The short-term expectation is adjusted, but the mid and long-term Elliott wave targets remain the same as does the channel on the daily chart.

Summary: For the short term, look for a bounce to possibly end about 1,289. Use the channels on the daily chart to show where price may find resistance. Thereafter, expect the downwards trend to resume.

The mid-term Elliott wave target is at 1,220. The classic analysis target is at 1,217. Risk is just above the upper edge of the base channel on the daily chart.

Look out now for a possible strong increase in downwards momentum tomorrow or next week.

Three long-term targets are now calculated for cycle wave c to end. Confidence in a new downwards trend may be had with a new low below 1,160.75.

Grand SuperCycle analysis is here.

Last monthly charts are here. Video is here.

MAIN ELLIOTT WAVE COUNT

WEEKLY CHART – TRIANGLE

Gold Elliott Wave Chart Weekly 2019
Click chart to enlarge.

This is the preferred wave count.

Cycle wave b may be a complete regular contracting triangle. If it continues further, then primary wave E may not move beyond the end of primary wave C above 1,365.68.

Four of the five sub-waves of a triangle must be zigzags, with only one sub-wave allowed to be a multiple zigzag. Wave C is the most common sub-wave to subdivide as a multiple, and this is how primary wave C for this example fits best.

There are no problems in terms of subdivisions or rare structures for this wave count. It has an excellent fit and so far a typical look.

This wave count would expect a cycle degree trend change has occurred. Cycle wave c would most likely make new lows below the end of cycle wave a at 1,046.27 to avoid a truncation.

Primary wave E has exhibited reasonable weakness as it came to an end. Triangles often end with declining ATR, weak momentum and weak volume.

If this weekly wave count is correct, then cycle wave c downwards should develop strength, ATR should show some increase, and MACD should exhibit an increase in downwards momentum.

Three targets are calculated for cycle wave c. Cycle wave a lasted 4.25 years. Cycle wave b may be over in 3.17 years. Cycle wave c may last a minimum of 2 years and possibly up to 5 years.

DAILY CHART – TRIANGLE

Gold Elliott Wave Chart Daily 2019
Click chart to enlarge.

Cycle wave c must subdivide as a five wave structure, either an impulse or an ending diagonal. An impulse is much more common and that shall be how it is labelled unless overlapping suggests a diagonal should be considered.

A new trend at cycle degree should begin with a five wave structure on the daily chart, which will be labelled minor wave 1.

A base channel is drawn about minor waves 1 and 2. There will be bounces and consolidations on the way down. The last bounce has found resistance at the upper edge of the base channel. Towards its middle or end the power of a third wave may be able to break below support at the lower edge of the base channel. The upper edge of the base channel may be used to calculate a trailing stop for short positions.

Minor wave 3 may only subdivide as an impulse. Within the impulse, minute waves i and ii may now be complete . Minute wave iii may only subdivide as an impulse. Within minute wave iii, minuette wave (i) may be complete. Minuette wave (ii) may be continuing sideways as a regular flat correction. Draw a small channel about minuette wave (ii). Look for resistance about the upper edge. If price moves above that trend line, then look for next resistance about the upper edge of the taupe base channel.

This wave count now expects there may soon be a completed series of three overlapping first and second waves. This expects an increase in downwards momentum as the middle of a third wave unfolds.

It is possible that minute wave iii and / or minor wave 3 may end with a selling climax; either or both may exhibit a swift and strong fifth wave to end the impulse. This behaviour is typical of commodities, and this tendency is especially prevalent for third wave impulses.

WEEKLY CHART – DOUBLE ZIGZAG

Gold Elliott Wave Chart Weekly 2019
Click chart to enlarge.

It is possible that cycle wave b may be an incomplete double zigzag or a double combination.

The first zigzag in the double is labelled primary wave W. This has a good fit.

The double may be joined by a corrective structure in the opposite direction, a triangle labelled primary wave X. The triangle would be about four fifths complete.

Within multiples, X waves are almost always zigzags and rarely triangles. Within the possible triangle of primary wave X, it is intermediate wave (B) that is a multiple; this is acceptable, but note this is not the most common triangle sub-wave to subdivide as a multiple. These two points reduce the probability of this wave count.

Intermediate wave (D) may be complete. The (B)-(D) trend line is almost perfectly adhered to with the smallest overshoot within intermediate wave (C). This is acceptable.

Intermediate wave (E) should continue to exhibit weakness: ATR should continue to show a steady decline, and MACD may begin to hover about zero.

Intermediate wave (E) may not move beyond the end of intermediate wave (C) below 1,160.75.

This wave count may now expect downwards movement for several weeks.

Primary wave Y would most likely be a zigzag because primary wave X would be shallow; double zigzags normally have relatively shallow X waves.

Primary wave Y may also be a flat correction if cycle wave b is a double combination, but combinations normally have deep X waves. This would be less likely.

This wave count has good proportions and no problems in terms of subdivisions.

Intermediate wave (E) should subdivide as a zigzag labelled minor waves A-B-C. Zigzags subdivide 5-3-5, exactly the same the start of an impulse.

The preferred wave count labels downwards movement minor waves 1-2-3, and this wave count labels downwards movement minor waves A-B-C. At the daily and hourly chart levels, the subdivisions for both wave counts are seen in the same way.

ALTERNATE ELLIOTT WAVE COUNT

WEEKLY CHART

Gold Elliott Wave Chart Weekly 2019
Click chart to enlarge.

If Gold is in a new bull market, then it should begin with a five wave structure upwards on the weekly chart. However, the biggest problem with this wave count is the structure labelled cycle wave I because this wave count must see it as a five wave structure, but it looks more like a three wave structure.

Commodities often exhibit swift strong fifth waves that force the fourth wave corrections coming just prior to be more brief and shallow than their counterpart second waves. It is unusual for a commodity to exhibit a quick second wave and a more time consuming fourth wave, and this is how cycle wave I is labelled. The probability of this wave count is low due to this problem.

Cycle wave II subdivides well as a double combination: zigzag – X – expanded flat.

Cycle wave III may have begun. Within cycle wave III, primary wave 1 may now be complete. The target for primary wave 2 is the 0.618 Fibonacci ratio of primary wave 1. Primary wave 2 may not move beyond the start of primary wave 1 below 1,160.75.

A black channel is drawn about primary wave 1. Primary wave 2 may breach the lower edge of this channel.

Cycle wave III so far for this wave count would have been underway now for 37 weeks. It should be beginning to exhibit some support from volume, increase in upwards momentum and increasing ATR. However, ATR continues to decline and is very low, and momentum is weak in comparison to cycle wave I. This wave count lacks support from classic technical analysis.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

WEEKLY CHART

Gold Weekly 2019
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

Two long lower wicks now suggest a bounce here may continue, but volume suggests it may be shallow and short lived.

DAILY CHART

Gold Daily 2019
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

From August 2018 Gold moved higher with a series of higher highs and higher lows. This series remained intact until the 1st of March 2019 when a lower low was made. At that stage, it was possible that Gold had seen a trend change.

There is now a new series of three lower swing highs and two lower swing lows. This supports the idea that there has been a trend change and Gold is in a new downwards trend. ADX agrees.

A complex Head and Shoulders pattern is identified. The neck line has been breached. A target is at 1,217.

Overall, the short-term volume profile is bearish, but reasonably strong volume for Friday and a Bullish Engulfing candlestick pattern suggest a bounce here may be incomplete. Look for resistance first about 1,285, and above that again at the neck line of the Head and Shoulders pattern.

GDX WEEKLY CHART

GDX Weekly 2019
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

There is now a series of two lower highs and lower lows at the weekly chart level. GDX may have seen a trend change to downwards, but ADX does not yet agree. The bearish signal from On Balance Volume supports this view.

Price has closed below 20.80. With volume pushing price lower, expect downwards movement to continue.

GDX DAILY CHART

GDX Daily 2019
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

A target calculated from the triangle width is now at 19.58.

US OIL

Downwards movement has unfolded for the week as expected.

Summary: The next wave down may have begun. The final target is now calculated at 10.72.

Further confidence that a high is in place may be had if price makes a new low below 58.20.

MAIN ELLIOTT WAVE COUNT

MONTHLY CHART

US Oil Elliott Wave Chart Monthly 2019
Click chart to enlarge.

Classic technical analysis favours a bearish wave count for Oil at this time.

The large fall in price from the high in June 2008 to February 2016 is seen as a complete three wave structure. This large zigzag may have been only the first zigzag in a deeper double zigzag.

Upwards movement from February 2016 to October 2018 will not fit readily as a five wave structure but will fit very well as a three. With a three wave structure upwards, this indicates the bear market may not be over.

The first zigzag down is labelled cycle wave w. The double is joined by a now complete three in the opposite direction, a zigzag labelled cycle wave x.

The purpose of a second zigzag in a double is to deepen the correction when the first zigzag does not move price deep enough. Cycle wave y would be expected to move reasonably below the end of cycle wave w to deepen the correction. Were cycle wave y to reach equality with cycle wave w that takes Oil into negative price territory, which is not possible. Cycle wave y would reach 0.618 the length of cycle wave w at $2.33.

A better target calculation would be using the Fibonacci ratios between primary waves A and C within cycle wave y.

Within the zigzag of cycle wave y, primary wave A may have been over at the last low and now primary wave B may be complete. Were primary wave C to reach only equality in length with primary wave A, then cycle wave y would not move beyond the end of cycle wave w. The next Fibonacci ratio in the sequence is used to calculate a target for primary wave C.

If it continues higher, then primary wave B may not move beyond the start of primary wave A above 76.90.

WEEKLY CHART

US Oil Elliott Wave Chart Weekly 2019
Click chart to enlarge.

This weekly chart is focussed on the start of cycle wave y.

Cycle wave y is expected to subdivide as a zigzag. A zigzag subdivides 5-3-5. Primary wave A must subdivide as a five wave structure if this wave count is correct.

Primary wave A may be a complete five wave impulse at the last low.

Primary wave B may now be a complete single zigzag at the last high.

Primary wave C may have just begun. Primary wave C must subdivide as a five wave structure.

Within primary wave C, no second wave correction may move beyond its start above 66.59.

DAILY CHART

US Oil Elliott Wave Chart Daily 2019
Click chart to enlarge.

Primary wave B is now labelled as a complete single zigzag.

Note that monthly and weekly charts are on a semi-log scale, but this daily chart is on an arithmetic scale. This makes a slight difference to trend channels. Use this channel on a daily chart on an arithmetic scale.

The channel is drawn conservatively to contain all of the bounce of primary wave B. There is now one full daily candlestick below and not touching the lower edge of this channel, although it is a green daily candlestick. However, the strong red candlestick for Thursday’s session looks like a strong breach of the channel. This adds confidence now to the labelling of primary wave B as complete.

Within primary wave C, no second wave correction may move beyond its start above 66.59.

Primary wave C may last at least a year, and possibly longer. It may be extended in time; the subdivisions of intermediate waves (2) and (4) may show up at the weekly time frame.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

MONTHLY CHART

US Oil Chart Monthly 2019
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

Volume and On Balance Volume are bullish. This suggests the bounce may not be over, and this does not support the Elliott wave count.

The long upper wick on April’s monthly candlestick is bearish. This bearish signal is weaker than the bullish volume profile.

WEEKLY CHART

US Oil Chart Weekly 2019
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

A Shooting Star candlestick pattern is a bearish reversal pattern when it comes at the end of an upwards movement.

DAILY CHART

US Oil Chart Daily 2019
Click chart to enlarge. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com.

Since the 24th of December 2018 there has been a series of higher highs and higher lows, the basic definition of an upwards trend. Assume this will continue until proven it has ended. A lower low below the low of the 28th of March 2019 at 58.20 would provide evidence the bounce is over.

The short-term volume profile remains fairly strongly bearish and supports the Elliott wave count.


Always practice good risk management as the most important aspect of trading. Always trade with stops and invest only 1-5% of equity on any one trade. Failure to manage risk is the most common mistake new traders make.