The S&P 500 and other indexes may be forming a triple top with the April, July and possible upcoming early September top(see chart below). That formation which is being telegraphed by typical wave pattern relationships and technical/cyclical indicators could possibly be counted as an ending diagonal which would be very bearish. This indicated 3rd swing up from the August 5th low would be about a 7 1/2% rise.
Update 8/23/2019:
Today's weak price action reduces the chances that a diagonal is forming and It also increases the likelihood that lower prices will continue for at least several more weeks. It is still possible however but would require a 6% upmove into early September. In any case, indicators show there could be a 1-2 week rebound which may begin within the next 1-3 trading days which could allow for the leading diagonal or right shoulder of a head and shoulders top scenarios to unfold. If the July high was the top then that would probably be labeled as the top of an X wave.
Update 9/5/2019:
The leading diagonal wave pattern now appears to be the most likely outcome as originally described on 8/8/19. This would form a triple top with the April, July and anticipated September highs. The end of next week around Friday looks like the most likely time for that to occur.
Update 9/16/2019:
If last weeks highs hold, none of the major indexes made a new yearly high in September. If a diagonal was formed it can only be an ending diagonal according to the rules. It could also be counted as an X wave at the July top which is what I am leaning toward. The X-wave count can also be identified as a head and shoulders top. All of these counts are bearish and the July high may hold until the end of year at the minimum.
Update 10/04/2019:
Technical and cyclical indicators are showing a possible retest of the September
high within the next 3-5 weeks. If it goes above the September high that would
invalidate the ending diagonal count at the September high although the X wave
count would still be valid. See chart of S&P 500 below.
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Chart of S&P 500 index with projection arrow. (click to enlarge) |
Stocks may be on the verge of a multi-week decline as it is possible to get a completed wave count from the October low and as shown by the technical/cyclical indicators. I would not rule out another retest of the October high however. The diagonal count is also not necessarily invalidated yet by the move above the July/September highs.
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S&P500 chart with arrow showing possible direction |