Cycles and the S&P 500 Index

12/13/02 09:36:49 AM

by Koos van der Merwe

In all the years I have been a student of technical analysis, and I go back as early as 1967, using cycles to forecast an index's turning point has always fascinated me.

Security: SPX
Position: Sell

Looking at the daily chart of the S&P 500 index you can see that the best cycle fit, starting from the September 19, 2001 low, was a 53-day cycle. I initially determined the 53 days by counting the number of days between the double bottom lows of July 23 and the 8th of October, 2002. I then inserted this value into my program's cycle finder (I use AdvanceGet), and the program imposed the 53-day cycle onto the S&P chart. The result surprised me in its accuracy. I have drawn the cycles on the chart using a vertical light blue line.

I have also drawn in the midpoint between the lows on the chart below. Based on my years of experience studying cycle patterns, I have noticed that if a high is to the left of the midpoint, then the index is bearish, and to the right of the midpoint, bullish.

Figure 1: Daily chart of the S&P 500 index.

Graphic provided by: AdvancedGET.

The above chart shows the following:

1. The number of days between lows is 53 days, and is remarkably consistent, give or take two days either side for the period analyzed.

2. From December 3, 2001 the highs of the cycle started at the midpoint and then gradually shifted to the left of the midpoint. This is indicative of a bear market.

3. From October 8, 2002, the high of the cycle shifted to the right of the midpoint, which is indicative of a bull market.

4. The RSI indicator gave a decisive low on the 19th of September, and again only on July 22, 2002. This is a 209-day cyclical count. I shall project this into the future and watch for a possibly significant low. The date would be May 15, 2003. This is interesting as it suggests that the market could make a major low just before the summer holidays. Usually this would be a high as the mantra 'Sell in May and go away,' suggests.

For the future the chart is suggesting that the market could fall until December 23, give or take two days on either side. This means the Christmas rally could develop late this year, AFTER Christmas, and should it run past the January 24th midpoint, the market should remains bullish. Should the index turn before the 24th, this would suggest that the market is still bearish.

The next suggested low for the index is March 5, 2003.

Finally, a basic cycle chart is simple to prepare, and can be a great help in determining market direction.

Koos van der Merwe

Has been a technical analyst since 1969, and has worked as a futures and options trader with First Financial Futures in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Comments

Date:�12/15/02Rank:�4Comment:�Interesting.

Date:�12/16/02Rank:�4Comment:�v useful dimension of study implemented for probable future direction of the market. Great.

Date:�12/17/02Rank:�3Comment:�

Date:�12/19/02Rank:�4Comment:�

Date:�12/21/02Rank:�5Comment:�

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CYCLES

Cycles and the S&P 500 Index

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