Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Dow Theory Update for February 19: US stocks flirting with new cyclical bull market




Precious metals continue in uncorrected bull market


I am writing before the close. So things might change after the close. I am being encouraged to write more. Regrettably, I am busy in many endeavors and I cannot blog as often as I would like to. This having said, I’ll try to do my best. One future post (or saga) would be an in-depth explanation of Schannep’s “capitulation” indicator. I have written about it, here. But there is much more to be written so that even those that are skeptical will feel confident to catch a falling knife.

 
US STOCKS

The primary trend as per Schannep’s Dow Theory is bearish. The secondary trend (secondary reaction against the primary bear market) is bullish, as explained here.

One of the rules of Schannep’s Dow Theory states that cyclical bull market will be signaled if both the Industrials and the S&P 500 rally more than 19% off the primary bear market lows. In this case, the relevant levels to be attained are 25,932.62 for the Industrials and 2,797.81 for the S&P 500. Please mind that I have written “cyclical bull market” and not “primary bull market”. Cyclical bull markets tend to last more time on average than primary bull markets. Thus, a cyclical bull market may engulf two or three primary bull markets. As I have just written, a cyclical bull market is signaled when both the Industrials and the S&P 500 rally more than 19%. Conversely, a cyclical bear market is signaled when both the both the Industrials and the S&P 500 decline more than 16%. More about cyclical bull markets here and here
 
When a cyclical bull market is signaled, we should heed the signal even though we have not got the typical primary bull market setup consisting of (a) secondary reaction; (b) pullback and (c) breakout above the secondary reaction closing highs.

GOLD AND SILVER

The primary and secondary trend is bullish as explained here. No changes. The most recent pullback did not fulfil the time requirement for a secondary reaction. Hence, no secondary reaction. As of this writing, SLV is making higher highs and GLD is just about to make them. 
 
Here you have an updated chart:

Unabated primary bull market


GOLD AND SILVER MINERS ETFs

The primary and secondary trend is bullish as explained here. No changes. 

The most recent pullback did not fulfil the time requirement for a secondary reaction. Hence, no secondary reaction. As of this writing both SIL and GDX are making higher confirmed highs which is bullish.

Here you have an updated chart

Another unabated primary bull market

 
Sincerely,

The Dow Theorist

Monday, February 4, 2019

Dow Theory Update for February 4: Divergent interpretations of the “Classical” Dow Theory




Trying to make sense of them



This is a long post and a quite difficult one to digest. However, if you want to really understand how secondary reactions are to be appraised under a strict reading of the Rhea/Classical Dow Theory, please bear with me. 


Readers of this Dow Theory blog know that one of the virtues of Schannep’s Dow Theory is that it has set a definite set of rules in order to determine the existence of a secondary reaction. If properly understood, Schannep’s Dow Theory leaves little margin for divergent interpretations. While this can be bad some times by eliminating the “art” of the trader, its track record attests to its effectiveness. Furthermore, the trader that dwells in me tells me that to successfully “time” the market one needs a definite set of rules, know them inside out (and understand them) so that one has the courage to stick to them through thick and thin. Blurred definitions eventually lead to subjectivity, and subjectivity, unless one has the makings of a very successful trader, leads to inconsistency and eventual defeat.

The concept of secondary reaction is essential for the successful application of the Dow Theory, as secondary reactions are intimately related to the actual primary bull and bear market signals. Secondary reactions are the pivot points. Hence, our accuracy in calling the turning of the tide will depend on how we appraise the existence of secondary reactions. If we see one where there is none, and its highs (or lows) are broken up/down we will be getting false signals. By the same token, if we recognize a secondary reaction too late, we will get belated signals (which erode performance). As you know from this post, the earlier the sell signal, the more outperformance versus buy and hold (BAH). Conversely, the more belatedly the buy signal is given, the more underperformance versus BAH.


Therefore, under the “Rhea/classical” Dow Theory, secondary reactions don’t have hard and fast rules. Hence, in my last post I quoted Rhea’s book “The Dow Theory (Fraser Publishing Company 1993, page 61):

“Probably no two students would agree on any rule for selecting and tabulating the important secondary reactions which have occurred (…).

Rhea himself was adamant to “box” the definition of a secondary reaction inside a specific set of rules. This might have worked for Rhea as he was genetically designed for trading. He was born with the innate talent (which he perfected with thousands of hours of study). One thing is clear. I’d say that a meager percentage of all those who attempt to time the markets (be it short or long term) succeed. However, even a more modest 0.1% are innate traders born with the skill. Rhea (and I feel Schannep) are on this league. For the rest of mortals, there is the chance of being a good, long term profitable, trader provided we remain disciplined and stick to a good trading system (rule based system with a proven track record under many market conditions). We, the “normal” traders, would succumb if we just attempted to trade based on our subjective interpretations. Our demise would come when the first or second drawdown hit. As the second guessing would destroy us.

I have written in the past that this is why I am enthusiastic about Schannep’s Dow Theory. The fact that it has a better track record than the Classical Dow Theory (more performance and less drawdown) is not, in my opinion, what really made me a “believer”. Rather, it was that Schannep’s Dow Theory had a definite set of rules with very little room left to subjective interpretation (the “subjective” side, is where normal traders screw things up). In addition, and given the existence of hard and fast rules, Schannep could come up with a verifiable real track record. All in all, Schannep’s Dow Theory fulfilled the two requirements needed by ordinary (not the specially gifted) traders: A sound trading system with a proven track record (back tested and even forward tested with many years of actual trades).

Hence, the “Rhea/classical” Dow Theory lends itself to divergent interpretations. Thus, what if we took just 2 weeks to appraise a secondary reaction instead of 3? We would find reactions where other practitioners see none because they demand three weeks. The same applies to the extent requirement. 
 

Therefore, it is no surprise that Schannep’s in his letter to subscribers of January 1st, 2019 wrote that several “classical” Dow Theorists considered the primary bear market signal to be given at the following levels:

a)     Schannep himself, and I agree: December 10, 2018 at 24423.26 (Industrials). More about this interpretation, here.

b)     Another Dow Theorist considered the primary bear market signal was not given until the November lows were breached on 12/14/2018 at 24100.51.

c)     Another one waited until the March 2018 lows were breached at 23,323.66 12/19/2018.

While, I acknowledge that the “Rhea/classical” Dow Theory allows for more subjectivity, I beg to respectfully dissent with the other Dow Theorists and I will explain why.

With such wide divergences, no wonder the classical Dow Theory gets a bad rap.

In order to set the record straight, let’s begin with what Rhea wrote (Fraser Publishing Company 1993, page 52):

“[a] secondary reaction is considered to be an important decline in a bull market or advance in a bear market, usually lasting from three weeks to as many months, during which interval the price movement generally retraces from 33 per cent to 66 per cent of the primary price change since the termination of the last preceding secondary reaction”.


Thus, requiring a time requirement of three weeks or more is a reasonable interpretation of the Dow Theory. Quite to the letter. We may in some circumstances even shorten the time period (which is where we begin with “interpretation”). However, once we have 3 weeks of price action, the time requirement for a secondary reaction has been met. Period.

Of course, there is an additional requirement to declare the existence of a secondary reaction. The retracement of the previous bull/bear market swing must “generally” be 1/3 to 2/3. Once again the specific figure may be open to interpretation (i.e. 30% is enough, if we have had 2 months of time requirement?). However, as with the time requirement, if we see a retracement of the previous bull/bear swing of at least 1/3 the literal application of the Dow Theory tells us that the extent requirement has been met.

All in all, if we got at least three weeks and at least 1/3 confirmed retracement, there should be no doubt about the existence of a secondary reaction as per Rhea’s Dow Theory, no matter who the implementing Dow Theorist is.

Nonetheless, in real life, this is not the case. Even when confronted with text-book, literal secondary reactions, Dow Theorists come up with different interpretations.

To start my (constructive) criticism. Let’s start with my own interpretation.

I will strictly apply the Dow Theory as per Rhea’s book. Now I forget Schannep and even my own appraisal of the last secondary reaction that led to a primary bear market.


As you can see on the chart below the Industrials declined for 18 trading days (orange rectangle on the right side of the top chart). The Transports declined for 31 trading days. (orange rectangle on the right side of the bottom chart) Hence, without doubt, both indices declined more than 3 weeks. Hence the time requirement was more than met on 10/29/2018. No need for demanding more days of declining prices. Here you have a chart zooming in the relevant time period.

 
The logical appraisal timewise for the secondary reaction that led to the primary bear market signal
 
As to the extent requirement, we have to take into account the total magnitude of the last primary bull market swing (that the total advance from the last hitherto recorded secondary reaction until the primary bull market closing high) and the amount retraced by the subsequent decline. At least 1/3 of the previous swing should be retraced on a confirmed basis. The closing lows of the previous secondary reaction (point upon which the new rally is to be counted) were made on 03/23/2018 for the Industrials at 23533.20 and on 04/09/2018 at 10119.36 for the Transports. Please mind I am determining the last recorded secondary reaction by applying strictly the classical Dow Theory (orange rectangles on the left side of the chart). As you can glance from the charts below (with Fibonacci retracements), at the 11/23/2018 closing lows, the Industrials had retraced ca. 70% of the previous bull swing (which started on 03/23/2018). As to the Transports, they violated their secondary reaction closing lows of 04/09/2018 on 12/10/2018 unconfirmed and, hence, no primary bear market was signaled. However, there is no doubt that there was retracement (exceeding 100%), and hence the extent requirement was met. 

Retracements of last primary bull market swing amply exceed 1/3 on a confirmed basis


Hence, in my humble opinion there is no doubt that on 10/29/2018 the Industrials and Transports had made the secondary reaction lows. From such lows the Industrials rallied for 8 trading days (which should suffice even for the strictest Dow Theorist) and the Transports for more than 7 trading days. Hence, no doubt that the rally following the secondary reaction lows (blue rectangles on the right side of the charts) was a proper setup for a primary bear market signal.

On 11/23/2018 the Industrials violated their 10/29/2018 secondary reaction closing lows (small red arrow on top chart). The Transports did not confirm until 12/10/2018 when a primary bear market was signaled. The level at day that for the Industrials was 24423.26

I insist. This primary bear market signal has been derived by strictly applying the classical Dow Theory and, by the way, coincides with the analysis I made (which tends to ignore retracements and focused on a decline of at least 3%) in this post.

 
So how can a Dow Theorist interpret that the primary bear market signal was signaled four days later on 12/14/2018? At that date the Industrials closed at 24100.51, which implies an additional -1.32% lost (compared to the exit at 24423.26, as per my interpretation) due to not so good timing when exiting.

The only way to determine 12/14/2018 as the date of the primary bear market signal is by defining a longer secondary reaction for the Industrials. If we took the 11/23/2018 lows as the relevant lows to determine a secondary reaction, then we would get a different rally setting them up for a primary bear market (blue rectangles on the right side of the charts below), and, of course, we get a different date for the signal. Thus, the Transports violated their secondary reaction lows on 10/12/2018 unconfirmed. Whereas the Industrials broke the 11/23/2018 lows on 12/14/2018.  Here you have a chart which also shows the retracements amply exceeding 1/3 of the previous bull market swing:

Orange rectangles on the right side of the chart: Too large a secondary reaction


However, I cannot understand why it was necessary to wait so much time (until the 11/23/2018 for the Industrials) to declare a secondary reaction. As explained above, even under the strictest application of the classical Dow Theory there was no doubt that on 10/29/2018 the Industrials and Transports had made the secondary reaction lows once we had a rally (blue rectangles) that clearly exceeded 3% and many days. So with all due respect, I understand that declaring the primary bear market on 12/14/2018 goes beyond what constitutes a reasonable interpretation of the classical Dow Theory.

And what about the date of 12/19/2018 which has also been suggested as the date of the primary bear market signal? Well, this date is even more difficult for me to understand. I know it is based on the violation of the Industrials’ 03/23/2018 closing lows (and 04/09/2018 lows for the Transports). While such distant lows may seem quite outlandish, there is so germ of truth in them. However, partial truth is not tantamount to total truth, and hence, once again I consider that this market calling goes beyond a reasonable interpretation of the classical Dow Theory.

The partial truth of this signal is that it is based on the lows of the previously completed secondary reaction. I have written profusely about the previously completed secondary reaction as a valid pivot point to declare bull and bear markets here. You can find something close to a PhD on this subject here (and look also at the links contained in that post). All in all, the lows of the last completed secondary reaction are not to be disregarded easily and may serve as a valid pivot point to declare a change of primary trend.


There is no doubt that if we define a secondary reaction requesting at least 3 weeks, the orange rectangles on the left side of the charts below constitute a secondary reaction (the "previously" completed one). No doubt about it. No arguing. This is the previously completed secondary reaction. And hence the Industrials’ 03/23/2018 closing lows (and 04/09/2018 lows (for the Transports) are valid secondary reaction lows (the red horizontal lines display the relevant levels to be violated). Furthermore, according to such very strict reading of the Dow Theory, there was no primary bear market signal in all the months that followed March and April, as you can clearly see on the charts below. Furthermore, both indices managed to exceed the hitherto recorded primary bull market highs (round blue arrows near the middle of the charts) and hence, as per this reading of the Dow Theory, the primary bull market was reconfirmed. 

Incorrect lows to signal primary bear market: Last completed secondary reaction when a new one exists (green rectangles)


The lows of the previously completed secondary reaction would be a valid level to be jointly violated if, after the last primary bull market recorded highs (middle of the chart, blue arrows) there would not have been a secondary reaction against such a primary bull market and hence no subsequent rally setting up stocks for a primary bear market signal.

However, as I show with green rectangles on the charts above, we had such a secondary reaction after the last bull market highs, and enough rallies (blue rectangles) setting up stocks for a primary bear market signal. As I have previously explained, there was no doubt that after the primary bull market highs there was a secondary reaction. Even the interpretation that led to the signal of 12/14/2018 (which I have criticized) constituted nevertheless a secondary reaction. All in all, any way you cut it, the existence of a secondary reaction after the highs of 10/03/2018 (Industrials) and 09/14/2018 (Transports) cannot be disputed.

And there’s the rub with this erroneous interpretation: The lows of the last completed secondary reaction are only valid as a level to be violated only if there is no more modern secondary reaction followed but a rally that sets up stocks for a primary bear market But this is not the case in the current juncture. 
 

It is true that Rhea did not wrote about a hierarchy of signals (i.e. if we have a recent secondary reaction, the lows of the last completed one cannot be used). In this specific instance we are confronted with a secondary reaction (green rectangles) with a rally and hence a setup for a primary bear market signal, and simultaneously the lows of the preceding last completed secondary reaction (orange rectangles and red horizontal lines). So any Dow Theorist could tell me that one can disregard the most recent secondary reaction and avail himself of the previous one as a valid signal point, as Rhea didn't estalish any particular hierachy. However, my whole understanding of Rhea makes me feel that when confronted with two alternative signals, we should take the one that implies an earlier exit. Why?

All traders are aware of the adage “keep you losses short” which implies having tight stops or exit points. It goes against my trader instincts to choose the ample stop (the last completed secondary reaction) whereas I have the recent secondary reaction which implies a tighter stop. This is especially true in this specific juncture because, as I have shown, the Industrials had retraced more than 70% of the previous advance, and hence, nobody can say that it was a tight stop (that is that the lows of the recent –green rectangles- secondary reaction were too close to the bull market top). I might even accept to lows of the last completed secondary reaction (the orange rectangles on the left side of the chart) if the lows of the new secondary reaction were, i.e. at a mere 4% off the bull market highs (more risk of being whipsawed). However, in this specific juncture, demanding an even more ample stop seems outlandish to me and contrary to good trading principles.

Furthermore, we should not forget that the Dow Theory has even another exit point at an even lower level: The last recorded primary bear market lows. Of course, it stands to reason, that such exit level becomes only applicable when we don’t have any secondary reaction which serves us to determine an exit level. No one in their right mind would disregards the lows of the most recent secondary reaction and also the lows of the last completed secondary reacition to wait for a violation of the primary bear market lows to exit. This same logic applies to prefering the lows of the most recent secondary reaction instead of those of the previously last recorded one.

The "pedestrian" graph below illustrates what I am trying to explain. We have three alternative exits. The lows of the most recent secondary reaction (Exit 1), the lows of the prevoiusly completed secondary reaction (Exit 2) and the primary bear market lows (Exit 3). Exit 1 is the exit level to be honored, unless something very powerful advocates for Exit 2 or Exit 3.



The only way to validate in this specific chart the lows of the previously completed secondary reaction (orange rectangles on the left side of the charts) as valid lows to be violated for a primary bear market signal would be to acknowledge that after the primary bull market highs there was no secondary reaction followed by a rally whatsoever. However, not discerning a secondary reaction after the primary bull highs amounts to not properly applying the Rhea/classical Dow Theory which leads to a further loss due to a belated exit. An exit at 23,323.66 for the Industrials on 12/19/2019 represents a further loss of -4.5% compared to the exit at 24423.26 on 12/10/2018, as per my interpretation.

Conclusions: It is true that Rhea’s Dow Theory allows for more room of maneuver when appraising secondary reactions that Schannep’s. However, even under Rhea’s Dow Theory there are some basic tenets which are carved in stone. Departing form such tenets is more than interpretation and morphs into something different.

Having said this, I remain attached to Schannep’s Dow Theory. Less drawdowns, more profits, and more importantly, less subjectivity.

Sincerely,
The Dow Theorist