Apple Inc. Cycle High Soon?

07/16/12 09:29:30 AM

by Donald W. Pendergast, Jr.

Shares of Apple Inc. rebounded nicely over the past eight weeks, but is the stock descending to the mid-$500 price zone?

Security: AAPL
Position: N/A

Although shares of Apple (AAPL) had a nice relief rally coming out from its May 17, 2012, swing low, cycle analysis reveals that the line of least resistance in the stock may be toward a valuation in the mid-$500 range -- within the next couple of weeks. Here's a closer look now at one of the world's most popular tech sector stocks. See Figures 1 and 2.

FIGURE 1: AAPL, DAILY. Although its 43-day cycle is currently rising, the fact that its 83-day cycle is falling could mean AAPL will have a tough time remaining near $600.00; in fact, the cyclical probabilities suggest that a drop toward the mid-500.00 range may already be under way.

Graphic provided by: Sentient Trader.

Many kinds of traders love to play AAPL stock, as it tends to make the kinds of explosive intraday moves that daytraders and scalpers thrive on, even as it also tends to move in strong multiday (multiweek) swing and/or trending moves. Certainly, the stock has been a recent darling of long-term trend-followers, seeing as how it rose relentlessly from $363.32 to $644.00, from November 25, 2011, to April 10, 2012.

But how many of those trend-followers are aware that it was the rising 17.5-month cycle that got that incredible move launched, with the 41.8- and 22.5-week cycles finally being the ones that drove the final, parabolic rise into April 2012?

There probably aren't many, but those who are aware of how to track the various cycles in this tech giant's stocks are likely the ones who remain a step ahead of other traders and investors who typically trade off of news releases and/or lagging technical indicators. At present, AAPL's valuation is highly driven by declining 83-, 22-, 11-, and five-day cycles, with only the 43-day cycle in rising mode.

The probabilities appear to favor AAPL moving down into the green time/price (TP) projection zone sooner rather than later; this may lead to a drop near $550.00 by July 23, 2012, according to the latest cycle calculations by the Sentient Trader software.

One key indication that may lend added confidence to that projection would be if the dashed blue 21.9-day valid trendline (VTL) support line is violated on a daily close below it. This will confirm the recent cycle high made on July 10, 2012, and should unleash even more selling pressure into this market.

FIGURE 2: OEX COMPONENTS. Here are the 20 .OEX components that are trading substantially below their respective 200-day moving averages.

Graphic provided by: MetaStock.

Graphic provided by: MetaStock Explorer.

Also of interest is the upcoming major multicycle low that the software is projecting into early to mid-August 2012. After the current downswing finds support (probably very close to $550.00), a minor rally may commence, followed by a final washout decline down toward the lower portion of the $500.00 range.

Should this happen, it could set up a major buying opportunity for swing traders and trend-followers. Playing AAPL right now might involve nothing more complex than buying modestly in-the-money puts with two to three months of time value, looking to hold on for a ride south toward $550.00 to $560.00 over the next week to 10 days.

Consider using a two-bar trailing stop of the daily highs as your trade management stop and also consider taking early profits on half your position if you are blessed with a sudden one- to two-day plunge in the stock, letting the balance of your position ride until final closeout. And make sure you limit your risk to no more than 1% to 2% of your account value, no matter how you choose to trade this anticipated downswing in AAPL.

Donald W. Pendergast, Jr.

Donald W. Pendergast is a financial markets consultant who offers specialized services to stock brokers and high net worth individuals who seek a better bottom line for their portfolios.

Title:	Writer, market consultant
Company:	Linear Trading Systems LLC
	Jacksonville, FL 32217
Phone # for sales:	904-239-9564
E-mail address:	lineartradingsys@gmail.com
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Apple Inc. Cycle High Soon?

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