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Don't Try to Pick a Top in this Market

Sep. 17, 2009 1:09 PM ETSPY12 Comments
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OK, now that I have your undivided attention, let's get to work, we have a top to try to pick. What, did you think I was going to let you down? I will let you be the judge of that. Besides it wouldn't be any fun if we didn't at least give it a shot or two or three -- but, and that is a very big BUT, only if we manage our risk while doing so.

So what do we have so far. The SPY still hasn't filled its gap from Oct 6 of last year at 106 to 108, but is getting closer almost by the day. Again, no guarantee it will do so but it has come too far for too long (or depending on who you ask too fast) to just ignore it and tank here -- though it is always a possibility. If that target is met then possibly after a brief pullback the SPX makes a run for 1100 to 1120 which coincides with the 50% retracement I have covered in previous posts. That will likely be it, but never any guarantees. This is why we will have scenarios along with predetermined risk points to get out before we even take a position. As always I will be lazy and let the charts do most of the talking for me -- and if you don't speak chart, then stick around here long enough and you will surprise yourself when even a traffic light starts to resemble candlesticks and moving averages. Let's check the SPX on a weekly with the 50% retracement:



You can see the 50% retracement at around 1120, and the 89 week moving average which corresponds roughly to the 20 month moving average. Many resistance levels above. OK, let's see how the dollar is holding onto $76 support:


It is hanging for dear life, but $76 should be good support, and odds are the bottom for now, which means we are very close to the top on SPX -- 1080 to 1120. Now a lower risk way to position short is to wait until the SPX breaks the uptrend line from the March bottom. You won't catch the top (yeah I know you won't have bragging rights, but the risk doesn't make it worthwhile) but you will have a better risk profile and avoid most of the decline:



If nothing else, this is not a time to be complacent in the market. Keep your eye on the uptrend line.

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