Looking At A Head And Shoulders

05/03/18 02:42:09 PM

by Koos van der Merwe

A head and shoulder formation is pretty accurate in suggesting a target.

Security: QQQ, SPX
Position: Sell

A head and shoulder pattern is very popular with traders because it does suggest a price target that the share or index can fall to. The pattern resembles an Elliott wave top, where a Wave 4 is formed, rises in a Wave 5 and then corrects in an ABC correction with wave C falling to the low. Because of this similarity, the head and shoulder pattern is taken seriously by many investors. Well, the index shown below is suggesting a future correction, and that is disturbing, bringing the bears out of the woods.

Figure 1. Daily chart of the Nasdaq with an Elliot wave count.

Graphic provided by: AdvancedGET.

The chart in Figure 1 is a daily chart of the Nasdaq 100 Index (QQQ) with an Advanced GET Elliott wave count suggesting that the index is tracing an ABC correction. The RSI index is trending upward, but the Stochastic RSI index is at overbought levels. Just looking at the chart, one can see that a head and shoulders pattern appears to be forming.

Figure 2. The head and shoulders pattern on the QQQ Index.

Graphic provided by: AdvancedGET.

The chart in Figure 2 is a chart showing the head and shoulders pattern that is forming on the Nasdaq index. The target suggested should the price fall below the rising neckline is 5338 (7190 - 6264 = 926. 6264 - 926 = 5338). Whether this pattern forms a head and shoulder pattern, the price depends very much on a fall in price in an Elliott wave C as shown on the chart. The WAVE C usually falls in a 5 wave pattern.

Figure 3. The S&P500 Index with an Elliott wave count.

Graphic provided by: AdvancedGET.

None of the other indexes, namely the Dow Jones or the S&P 500 show this head and shoulders pattern. They do, however, show that a WAVE 5 top has formed and that they are in an ABC correction. The chart in Figure 3 is a daily chart of the S&P 500, suggesting that the index is falling in a WAVE C. The chart shows that wave 1 of Wave C bounced off the 200-day moving average, and then again off the 100-day moving average. What the target will be for Wave 5 of WAVE C is a guess, because the RSI index is rising, suggesting a Wave 2 of WAVE C might not have topped.

It is now May, and with school holidays in June, many investors could start sitting on the sidelines as they solidify their portfolios ahead of not watching the market while on holiday. The present uncertainty in America is also a concern. The phrase, "When in doubt, get out" is also starting to influence many traders and investors. The head and shoulder pattern suggested by the QQQ index could therefore be something to take seriously.

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.

Address:	3256 West 24th Ave
	Vancouver, BC
Phone # for sales:	6042634214
E-mail address:	petroosp@gmail.com

Click here for more information about our publications!

PRINT THIS ARTICLE

Request Information From Our Sponsors

DEPARTMENTS: Advertising | Editorial | Circulation | Contact Us | BY PHONE: (206) 938-0570

Comments or Questions?	Article Usefulness
	5 (most useful) 4 3 2 1 (least useful)

HEAD & SHOULDERS

Looking At A Head And Shoulders

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE
EMAIL NEWSLETTER!