Over the past two months, we’ve provided evidence that the probability of a correction in the US stock market was increasing. We have not made a full blown correction call because the most important piece of evidence still pointed to higher prices in the overall US stock market. However, that most important piece of evidence, price, has begun to capitulate. What does that mean? If you remember our article about price, you’ll remember that it is the only thing that matters. You can have every indicator, piece of inside information, or strong opinion you want. In the end, price is always right [anyone envision Bob Barker when you read that?]. Price trumps all other pieces of information you deem to be important. And since releasing our research, price has begun to deteriorate. The price of the S&P 500 is lower than it was when we began to identify problems back in November. It is time to pay close attention to price action in the near term. The U.S. stock market (represented in this article by the S&P 500) must re-establish new highs quickly or risk a trip to the 1800s (which increases risk of lower lows if that take place).

Using the chart below, we’re going to identify some important levels. Every trade we enter has to have an entry and exit plan. If we are going to establish a long position in the S&P 500 using the ETF, SPY, we need to know where to enter, when we’re wrong, and when to exit. The same is true for taking a short position. For us, we’ll us ETF, SH, to establish a short position on the S&P 500. As annotated on the chart, our game plan is to change from long to short with a daily close below 200.00. This is our if/then line. We are long above it, short below it. If price moves below 200.00, we would add to our short position with a close below 197.00. Keep in mind, that we will need to nimble with our short trade as we would be going against the upward price trend (as identified by the “360 green” channel). Each of the shaded areas and the lower green trend line would be logical places to reassess what price is doing and either add to our short position or change back to long. At each of those levels, we’ll analyze price and make adjustments as needed. With risk management, no game plan is static. We continually reassess our game plan to minimize loss and maximize gain. This game plan is not for everyone. We’re not saying going long or short is right for you. Cash is a position too. Some of the best trades are those that aren’t made.

Trade safe.

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