Are we on Mt. Everest Yet?

I wrote on Feb 5 2013, an article about Tops (http://bigbullandbigbear.blogspot.com/2013/02/are-we-on-mt-kilimanjaro.html) and we are now at April 1 and the same question gets asked again. After a great first quarter, and a ugly day in markets today, the same question Are we on Mt Kilimanjaro or Mt Everest yet.

The only person who has answer to this question is Mr. Time.  The game of stock market is won by people who tries to put the odds in their favor at every given instant of time.  Every person who buy or sells stocks is making a prediction at that point in time on the direction of the stock. The only time he will make money is that Market gods favor him and stock moves in the direction he predicted.

Now if he gets this done in a consistent manner then his profits and accounts will grow. Otherwise his /her portfolio will die the death of thousand cuts.

So next question in your mind is how to predict ?

There are multiple various ways to predict:
1). Market Breadth
2) Moving averages
3) Chart Patterns which are based on human behavior.

So going back the question are we on Mt Everest

Lets look at Market Breadth.

These are the charts of bullish percent indices on SPX and Nasdaq -100 stocks. These charts swing from 20 levels to 80 levels. 80 levels means extreme bullishness and 20 levels means extreme bearishness. Ideally one should buy a the turn near 20 levels and sell at the turn near 80 levels.

Both of these charts are telling us that we are at the extreme bullish levels and a turn is right around the corner but the turn has not yet arrived.. The day these charts start to reverse and you see the market selling off with big candle till then one needs to remain long.

One of the other way to position is to buy at 20 levels before the charts turns upwards and then sell before that chart turns downwards from 80 levels and just target the core of the move. However history has shown the fat tails have been very profitable. So adding the fail tail gains can provide the extra oomph to your portfolio.

Now lets look at the Moving averages: 

All these three charts has their latest lows still intact.A close below the 21 period EMA would indicate further weakness. So the goal is remain long till the stops below these averages are taken out. Otherwise keep trailing the upside moves and let the profits come in.

I will go in the details of chart patterns in a later article.

If you still need help with your overall trading goals, 401k etc and this type of detailed analysis, you can sign up at www.Bigbullbigbear.com