Weekly 'Market Observations':

Markets continue their rally the first half of this week, then pause. Friday saw broad based gap down and selling, but no significant 'fear'. Protecting our Objectivity. Recognizing and changing personal bias. Market reactions to news events.

Markets begin the week with continued selling, then bounce after finding support. Thursday saw a gap down at the open and rally in most markets. Mixed leadership continues to change every few days. Earnings reactions provide more opportunities. Volatility remains low.

Markets break out to new highs, but fail to show follow-thru and begin to show signs of a reversal. Market Breadth and options Volatility add clues to the market behavior this week. Options Position Re-Entry example shared. Achieving Consistent Results.

Markets mostly in consolidation this week, with very small changes in value from the prior week. Low volatility environments, options Implied Volatility and SKEW as a Market Sentiment indicator and what could be behind the extreme in SKEW this week. Sector leadership changes as Earnings and reactions create short term opportunities.

The Nasdaq rallies to new record highs while the S&P is held back a little and the Dow is held back even more. We look at these divergences, and what could be behind them. We look FAANG stocks and their broad impact. Also we look at record levels of Stock Buy Backs and how those impact the markets in ways you may not realize. Lots of clues seen in the charts.

Markets mostly chop sideways in their consolidation ranges until breaking out late Thursday and continue on Friday, as buyers show some conviction. Strongest and weakest sectors evaluated, Market Breadth making new YTD highs, VIX returning to 'normal' and a flattening yield curve.

Markets drop a little in front of the end of the 2nd Quarter as indexes change and funds make adjustments. Breadth of the correction studied, and leadership changes observed. Stronger US dollar, increasing oil prices, dropping Gold prices and flattening yield curves. Observing messages in the charts.

Most markets pause for a bit of consolidation this week. Industrials, US Dollar and Gold a bit weaker this week. Retail and Tech leaders continue as Semiconductors fade and Utilities improve. Mixed messages about economic growth from Financials. Trade what you see and what the markets offer.

Mixed markets this week, as news events and quad witching throws a variety of catalysts at the markets. Sector rotation, Trend confirmations and changes, and ETF sector components are looked at with examples this week.

Most Indexes have Broken Out of there consolidation patterns and a few had gone on to also deliver new 2018 highs. Sector rotation shows changes in leadership this week. Examples of using Technical Analysis as a tool for guiding trading decisions. Examples of high odds patterns and the need for patience. Adapting to volatile stocks and capturing news reactions.

Markets either break out to higher highs, or remain inside consolidation. Examples of high odds patterns that often work, but not always. Sectors that provide clues, and stocks that ignore their sector trends. A mix of different sentiments this week.

Most markets remain inside consolidation in front of a three day Holiday weekend. Multiple ways to view market volatility as it has returned to 'calm'. Useful ways of using ATR studies. Trend Lines and Resistance 'Break outs' and 'Fake outs' with examples of both.

Markets consolidate this week, as F.A.A.N.G. stocks give back some gains, Oil rises to new highs, Gold drops, the US Dollar strengthens and the Russell 2000 makes new all time highs. We see some sector rotation and look at using trend lines as a way to gauge clues in the charts and price behavior changes.

Markets break out of consolidation. Oil makes new highs, the US Dollar strengthens and the VIX drops lower. Earnings reactions, and playing GAPs are explored.

Markets remain in Consolidation again this week with little net week to week change. The weak sectors continue to show weakness, a stronger dollar, new highs in Oil and strong earnings keep a mix of pressures. We saw several intra-day reversals this week. Finding some stocks that are exceptions to an over all non-trending environment.

Another week inside of consolidation with little price changes in the indexes, but with the bears flexing their convictions on Tuesday of this week. Earnings reactions not as most expected. The US Dollar strengthens as interest rates creep upwards.

Markets continue from last week's rally then reverse mid week. Some or all of the week's gains are returned the last 2 days of this week, while volatility remains stable. A different way to read the Volatility of the VIX to determine when an expanded volatility event is over. Also clues from high volume spikes in one sector this week. Lots of charts to study and learn from.

Markets remain inside consolidation patterns as Volatility slowly decreases. Markets react to Comments Monday night, and oil prices break upwards. Friday's strong earnings are met with strong selling at the open. Following leading sectors helps to improve the odds with Stocks in those sectors, when leadership changes. High odds patterns, and new opportunities found, even in tough markets.

Volatile markets continue with alternating and large range days. Prior lows are retested and some hold while other fail to provide support. Long term study of VIX and S&P corrections are evaluated with typical correlations identified. Short term trend changes with Break outs and Fake outs.

Volatility continues as broad market selling continues to test or break support. The bounce on Monday was all returned on Tuesday with a pause Wednesday before a smaller bounce on Thursday. The Quarter ends with a bearish month and elevated concerns going into the next month. High Put/Call Ratios may be a clue to a change or just quarter end Funds adjusting their Hedges. What were the Strongest Sectors and Stocks are hit hard the last two days of this quarter.

Markets break down out of consolidation with volume and breadth. Volatility expands as support breaks. Strongest and weakest sectors help to find bearish opportunities. Comparing market Volatility to prior events this year. Study some additional Market Internals and Sentiment Indicators to reveal the nature of this week's selling.

Volatility wanes as markets remain in Consolidation. Short term bear trend this week as Quad Witching effects Friday's markets that take a pause in the trends. Exposing high odds patterns and using Technical Analysis to reveal market behaviors.

Volatility fades as most markets break out of their Consolidation patterns. A study of various forms of Consolidation, and the more likely outcomes. Comparing relative strength during volatile markets and finding the strongest opportunities.

Volatility increases this week as ranges expand and two trend reversals occur. We study Trend Lines and Intra-day charts for confirmation signals. How we find the exceptions and strongest stocks within a volatile market. Reacting to faster moves while managing risks.

Market Volatility fades as mostly sideways markets persistently retest resistance. Most markets have been range bound for 6 sessions, with a few of the strongest stocks breaking out to deliver new highs. FOMC reactions on Feb 21st studied as a 'Market Internal' indicator "TICK" is introduced, explained and examples given. Stronger vs weaker sectors identified and used to find opportunities.

Volatility remains, but not as extreme as last week. Markets bounce, and their recovery this week reflects their relative strength. We look into how markets are Fractal and use multiple time frames to look at common behaviors. Strong sector leads to finding strong stocks to trade. A few of the strongest deliver new all time highs this week. Lots of chart examples to study and learn from.

Volatility has returned to the markets this week with the largest price swings and VIX levels seen in years. We also saw a quick 14 minute flash crash on Monday when the Algos took over, leaving a mess the remaining 43 minutes of the session. In the damage, we compared and identified the stronger stocks that did well this week. We also look at an example of a bearish position.

Some volatility returns to the markets with a minor correction seen with plenty of marekt breadth. Some sectors and stocks gave back all of their 2018 gains, while others held on. Spotting relative strength and weakness even in a down week. The value of having and sticking to your plan seen at work this week.

Another bullish week into the New Year. Earnings season ramping up with sympathetic reactions. US Dollar Index delivers new 3 year lows and Oil new 3 year highs as commodities react to the shrinking dollar. Market Trends and comparing various entry triggers pros and cons.

What an interesting week we just had. A 4 day Holiday week, a spike in Volatility, an opportunity for the dip buyers, pending US government shutdown, and Earnings season ramping up. Lots of interesting moves in the markets as sectors and stocks change character, or resume their trends. Also a Bonus study regarding issues with comparing relative volatility in markets. Examples of a process for finding new opportunities. Lots of chart and clues to observe.

The Bulls continue to show conviction, with lots of new all time highs being delivered most days this past week. We identify the stronger sectors and stocks, and changes since last week. A Bonus study: we explore and show examples of how some charts can give misleading impressions. Valuable chart study tips and examples help the trader determine their own objective impressions of what the market is doing and may be more likely to see next.

Large volume and breadth start out 2018 with a bang. We see both the Nasdaq and S&P deliver 4-day action not seen since the US election in Nov 2016. In addition to very low volatility and lots of new all time highs, we see increasing breadth with nearly all sectors but the small cap stocks this week. Let's explore the charts to see what we can learn from the behavior in the markets this week.

Markets were mostly quiet this holiday week and volume was light with a few exceptions. We look at how 2017 performed overall and study some of the stronger sectors this year. We saw some action with key commodities this week.

Markets start the week with a pop to deliver lots of new all time highs Monday. Most sectors drifted sideways or back down a little the remainder of the week. Two key Sector Break Outs this week, with examples to illustrate a way to identify potential trade opportunities. Several valuable methods shared.

The Markets oscillated, pull back, and then launched to new all time highs by the end of this week. Strong and weak sectors and stocks are compared, and an example of Top Down analysis exposing a trade opportunity. Learn something every day.

Markets see a minor correction and bounce this week. We compare differences in the timing and in the scope of this correction this week, and the following bounce to the close this Friday. Stronger and weaker sectors and stocks are exposed via the charts and their patterns and clues.

This week started out quiet, then major Sector Rotation began on Tuesday. We follow the volume out of some sectors and into others are November ends and December begins. Volatile reactions to various news events this week added to the market moves on Thursday and Friday. See now these kinds of events usually get absorbed. Plenty of clues provided in the charts.

We see a strong resumption of the bull trend this Holiday week, with some important changes in its character. Historic volatility levels continue. Chart examples of price behaviors, and finding clues on your own.

Mixed markets as tech strength rests and other sectors react. A Narrowing group of big leaders continues to drive these markets. Interesting Earnings reactions and chart examples of 'Gap-n-Go' and 'Gap-n-Fill' patterns. Options expiration paused many trends at the end of this week. Lots of chart examples and clues to observe.

Markets pulled back a little this week, ending a 6 to 8 week string of up weeks in the major indexes. Earnings reactions drove Gaps that gave us some examples to study. Most strong sectors remain strong, as few trends have changed. One exception that is more bearish this week we look at. Economic growth indications weaken along with momentum over the past 5 weeks. Lots of clues again seen in the charts.

The Bulls continue their run, and Tech continues to lead the way. Oil moves up as Gold and the US Dollar have stalled. Earnings and Earnings reactions continue to provide fuel, but with less velocity this week. The Homebuilders took a hit on Thursday which we look at how we reacted. Plenty of chart patterns to learn from.

Bullish trend continues with a change in leadership as Earnings Mania spake strong reactions in Big Tech that even draws in the bystanders. Chart examples and follow up on past chart patterns studied. Objectives of the Top Down market evaluation process.

Bullish trends continue in most markets, with slowing momentum in some areas and an explosive ending of this week in others as Quarterly Earnings continue. Examples of Top-Down Market Analysis used to find Opportunities early enough to capitalize on them.

Markets saw the bull rally continue this week, but with a little less momentum. Some sectors continued at their strong pace, while others paused this week. The Breadth of this rally continues to be wide, as volatility remains low. A high speed event is evaluated to find out what may have happened.

Markets continue the bullish trends, with changes in Strength and increasing Breadth. Looking at Sectors and selecting strength and opportunities. Head and Shoulders pattern example review. Example of using your imagination and thought processes to find opportunities.

The quarter ended with a flurry of bullish activity in most markets. Significant economic indicators and broad participation encouraged the bulls. Consolidation patterns and their probabilities seen with examples. Money rotation continues to the bullish side.

Mixed markets this week, with some sectors delivering new all time highs, while others remain flat, and some drop down to test for support. Second week money moving from Utilities into Industrials. Sector analysis leads us to stock selection as strength and weakness are found. Importance and purpose of Trailing Stops.

Some Markets aggressively break out from last week's consolidation while others did not. Quadruple expiration this Friday and Apple new product event Tuesday provided unique opportunities for Options traders. Examples of my favorite pattern and Objectives of learning Top-down analysis explained.

Markets in Consolidation this short Holiday week. Changes in leadership and strength identified, and reactions to Major Storms in the USA seen in the charts. Examples of charts showing strength and weakness this week.

A change in market character this week. Chart examples of using multiple time frames and resolving conflicts in trends. Finding and riding the Leaders within a sector.

No major changes this week, last week's bearishness continued this week in most markets. Review reasons why a weekly market analysis process has value, and examples of the clues found when doing a Top-Down market analysis. Key Sectors and Stock charts are reviewed for the clues they can give.

Lots of market breadth showing bearish behavior this week. Key levels of support broke and a change in trend confirmed on many daily charts. Even during a bearish week, we continue to see the strength of a few bulls, while the already weak bears seem to get even more bearish. The nature of changes in trends studied and compared. Plenty of key messages in the charts this week.

Markets making new all time highs early this week, then get knocked down with 'event' reactions on Thursday. An opportunity to study of how various markets absorb this one-day-event, different measures of Volatility, and comparisons of prior 'reactions' earlier this year. Keeping Objective with our trading decisions.

Markets are mostly quiet, with mixed indexes and mixed reactions to earnings. A few stocks continue to drive most of the small changes in the major indexes. Financial sector finds strength while Transports weaken - for mixed Economic signals. Some commodities improve, while the US Dollar weakens. Charts of some leaders are evaluated, and high odds patterns confirmed, as behaviors in markets are identified. Interesting examples in various sectors.

Market Observations this week included all time new highs for all the major indexes, a wide variety of gaps on earnings news, and a volatile one hour reaction to a surprise 'event' on Thursday. Each provided an opportunity to observe how the markets behaved this week, revealing the market's character in the process. Great examples of comparative studies.

Markets continue their bullish trends with less momentum this week, as monthly Options Expiration activities pause trends for a day or so. Economic clues and chart patterns explored.