Workbook PDF
Workbook PDF
Workbook PDF
THE
RULES
Applications
Dalton Capital Management, Inc., 37 2 West Ontario Street, Suite 301, Chicago,
n. 60 610
(800) 23 2-9 688 or (312) 988 -9 688
* Registered trademark of the Chicago Board of Trade.
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
PART 1: INTRODUCTION: THE LEARNING PROC ESS " THE S EARCH FOR
1
INFORMATION
L
ll.
Student
1
Observer
1
Advanced Beginne r
Decision-Maker
2
Expe rt Trader
2
Fundamental Infonnation
3
Technical Infonnation
4
Market-Genera ted Infonna tion
5
Market-Generated vs. Technical Approaches
ll.
21
7
8
24
C. Market Activity
24
1. Exces s
26
2 . Timeframes
27
3 . The Auction
27
4 . Price
28
5 . Time
6 . Price vs. Time
28
7 . Behavior
29
8 . Auction Duration
30
m.
A. Market Structure
33
B. Time
C. Market Logic
34
IV.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
V.
VI.
32
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
32
37
37
53
53
54
58
62
57
II.
63
A. Structural Information
75
B. Dispersion of Volume
76
C. Late-In-The-Day Price Trends (Spikes)
77
77
1. Definition
2 . Trend Review
77
3 . The Logic o f Spikes
77
4 . Potential Openings Following a Spike
78
5 . Spikes As Support or Resistance
79
6 . Expected Trading Range
79
D. Openings
80
1. Four Types
80
2. Exceptions To Opens
83
3. Exception To The Exception
87
E . TPO's
88
1. TPO Theory
88
2 . Value Area Mechanics
88
3 . TPO's In a Developing Market Profile *
90
91
4 . TPO's In a Two-timeframe Market
5 . TPO's In a Trending Market
92
6 . TPO's In a Changing Market
93
F. Rotational Logic - The RF Factor
94
m.
A.
B.
C.
D.
IV.
63
96
96
Philos ophy
96
Homework
98
Trade s You Would Like to Do
Entering the Trade
99
1. The Risk/Opportunity Scale
10 0
10 0
2. Strategies
a. Open-Drive Strategy
101
b. Open-Te st-Drive Strategy
10 4
c. Open-Rejection-Reverse
10 5
10 7
d. Open-Auction
MONITORING LONGER TERM TRADES FOR CONTINUATION
10 8
10 8
75
IN"DEX
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
OF
FIGURES
CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would also like to extend a specUli thank you to Pete Stelillm ayer, for
showing us all the way and then letting us grow on our own.
1
BEYOND
THE
P.A.R.T
RULES
INTRODUCTION
THE LEARNING PROC ESS AND THE S EARCH FOR INFORMATION
Trading decisions involve the blending of fact gathering and analysis
performed by one side of our brain, with the intuition (gained from
experience) of the opposite side of the brain.
L THE
A. Student
2
c. vanced Observer
At this point, the detennined trader has probably gained additional
derivative information as a result of advanced lectures, reading,
etc., a s well as more insightful observation as to the function of
individual commodities and the overall marketplace. Within this
context the trader is probably becomdng overwhelmed and frustrated.
The succes sful trader is able to cope by becomdng involved in
the decision-making. He accepts an attitude or approach that
ranks the rules as well as his own observations in a decision
making procedure. This is the first stage at which a blending of
the analytic and intuitive sides of the brain is beginning to
occur.
D. Deci.sion-Kaker
In this stage the commodity being traded is no longer viewed as
just a separate commOdity but as a part of the overall futures
marketplace. There is an understanding that each commodity acts on
its own, as well a s is acted upon by other commodities and markets.
At this stage the trader is involved with the market, taking
credit as well as accepting blame for individual trades. S alient
information just seems to "jump out" at you, while unimportant
information is pushed back out of the way. The decision-making is
done cons ciously. The decision-making at this level is far more
complex than mechanically applying the rules .
E. Expe rt Trader
At this stage both sides of the brain are blended and acting in
harmony. The decision-making is beyond the conscious state.
Trades are simply "done." Very few traders ever reach this stage.
3
n.
THE
SEARCH
FOR INFORMATION
There is a continual s earch for information that will allow us to beat the
market. Three acknowledged sources are fundamental, technical and market
generated. Most market participants attempt to combine all three in their
effort to beat the market. In reality, most serious , well-intentioned
traders suffer from information overload and too many conflicting opllU ons .
A. Fundamental Information
3 . Deliberately misleading.
Le. Political neces sity
4.
Subject to interpretation.
a. Relative to where we are in the cycle
b. Timeframe
4
B. Technical Infoz:mation
4.
5
c. Market-Generated Information
1. Only place to get an objective opinion.
2. Combines price and volume.
3 . Mea sures the amount of trade facilitation by each participant.
4 . Represents a composite of all available information.
D. Market-Generated
A
VB.
Complimentary Combination.
conplementazy market-generated/
6
BEYOND
THE
PART
THE
HARKETPLACE
AND THE
RULES
TRADE
FAClLITATION
PROCESS
7
L
B. Common Participants
2. Act voluntarily.
3. Speculate.
8
D. Behavioral Characteristics of Middlemen and Scalpers
1. Are short tenn oriented.
9
n.
a. Unchanged
b. Greater
c. Les s
a. Unchanged
b. Wider
c. Narrower
10
3. Value Area Placement
a. Overlapping
b. Higher
c. Lower
4 . Attempted Direction
Most major trading errors stem from here. First you must
answer the que stion: "What was the market trying to do ? " "Was
it trying to go higher, lower, or wa s it simply trying to come
into value ? "
Secondly, you must evaluate how succes s ful the market
was at what it was trying to do. For example, suppose
today's market establishes higher value but lower volume. We
do not really know if this is bullish or bearish until we
examine a tt empted djrection. If the market opens .on its low
and moves higher, then the resulting lower volume probably
means that the up auction is slowing, as higher prices are
cutting off activity. If, however, the market opens on its
high and. attempts to sell off, this probably indicates that the
buying auction is continuing- - since the attempted sell-off is
attracting les s volume.
Thirdly, you must differentiate between price and value.
Rarely do "price traders " and "value traders " see the market
Similarly. For example, a market that opens below value,
auctions higher and finally ends the day with lower value,
lower volume and unchanged price may be viewed as strong by a
price trader, since the market "traded up" since the opening.
However, this s ame scenario is perceived as very weak by the
value trader, a s lower value and lower volume were created as
the market attempted t o trade higher (from the open). HiCJher
prj ces were cutting off activity. To aid the trader in the
determination of attempted direction, we offer three
"Composite" parameters (see next page):
11
a. Buying Composite day - Open is in the lower
range.
25%
b.
c.
a.
Short Covering
b.
Liquidating
c.
Gaps
Breaks
of the
25%
5 0%
of the
of the
12
6 . Other Structural Signs
a. Tails
b. Range Extension
7 . Dominant Activity
We are always trying to compare the strength of the initiating
participants relative to the responding participants . These
changes are often s ubtle and slow to develop. An auction has
ended when the responsive party has a greater effect than the
initiator.
13
8. Trade Facilitation Relationships--And What They Mean.
VALUE TRADERS
PRICE TRADERS
Att
D..iJ:
a. up
b.
up
c. up
d. up
e. up
f. up
g. up
h. up
i. up
j. up
Figure
Day Timeframe
Relationship
Sentiment
Sentiment
Very Strong
N/A
Very strong
Non-conviction
Very strong
Weak
Moderately Strong
Could Be Balancing
Strong
Weak
Slowing, Balance
Slowing, Balance
Strong
Weak
Non-conviction, Balancing
Non-conviction, Balancing
Strong
Weak
Slowing, Balancing
Slowing, Balancing
Strong
Weak
Unclear
Unclear
Non-conviction
Weak
Weak
Weak
Strong
Very Weak
Non-conviction
Non-conviction
Strong
Weak
Weak
Weak
1.
Very Strong
N/A
OL=overlapping
14
8.
Att
JllJ:
a. Down
b . Down
c. Down
d. Down
e. Down
f.
Down
g. Down
h. Down
i. Down
j. Down
Day Timeframe
VALUE TRADERS
Longer Timeframe
Relationship
Sentiment
Sentiment
N/A
Very Weak
N/A
Very Weak
Non-convict ion
Very Weak
Strengthening, slowing
Strenghtening, Slowing
Strong
Very Weak
Could Be Balancing
Moderately Weak
Strong
Weak
Slowing, Balance
Slowing, Balance
Strong
Weak
Strong
Weak
Slowing, Balancing
Slowing, Balancing
Strong
Weak
Unclear
Unclear
Strong
Non-convict ion
Strong
Strong
Very Strong
Weak
Non-convict ion
Non-convict ion
Strong
Weak
Strong
Strong
Figure 1 (cont.).
OL=overlapping
15
Trade Facilitation Relationships
A1::t
a.
9 erneswe,
Ilfitj
0
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
87
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
Volume
Price
Up
Down
Higher Value
I
I
I
I
Examples
DT
Strong
N/A
LT
strong
N/A
9000
I
I
IJ
IJ
IJ
IJ
IJJt
IJJt
IJJt
IJJt
IKL
IKL
IKL
BIKL
BIKL
BIKL
BIKL
BIKL
I
8800
HI.
It--
HI.
HI.
HI.
B
B
B
B
GB
GB
GB
DG
DG
BDFG
BDEFG
ABDEFG
ABCDEFG
ABCDEF
ABCDEF
ABCE
ABC
jlV
.
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
I
q{/
8600
, &oAr
L
L
o",
GHI.
xS&
AEGBIJKL
Figure 1a.
ABEGJK
ABEFG
ABCEFG
ABCDEF
DEF
AD
132,000
Copyright 1984
403,000
CBOT.
,/.
'/Z
8400
16
Trade Facilitation Relationships
Att
Dir
b. Up
Relatjonship
Lower Volume, Higher Value
4378
4376
4374
4372
4370
4368
4 3 66
4364
4 3 62
4360
4358
4356
4354
4352
4350
4348
4346
4 3 44
4342
4340
4338
4336
4334
4332
4330
4328
4326
4324
4322
4320
4318
4316
4314
4312
4310
4308
4306
4304
4302
4300
4298
4296
Volume
A
A
A
AFI
YABEFIJ
YZABEFIJ
YZABEFGIJK
YZABDEFGHIJK
YZABCDEFGHIJK
YZABCDEGHIJKL
YZACDEGHJK
YZCDEHJK
YCDHJ
YC
Y
Y
C
AC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABCDK
ABCDFK
ABDFJKL
ADFJK
ADFJK
ADEFGJK
ADEFGIJ
AEFGHIJ
AEFGHI
AEFGHI
AFGH
ZAFG
ZAFG
Z
Z
YZ
YZ
Price
Up
Down
Examples
LT
strong Weakening
Non-con. We akeni ng
-12.'L
'"
o
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
5 6 , 000
Figure lb.
3 7 , 000
17
Trade Facilitation Relationships
Att
Relationship
Lower
j. Up
90
90
90
90
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
89
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
3
2
1
0
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
Volume
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
Examples
Price
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
KE'.:re'ilON
_
Up
Down
DT
strong
Weak
........................................
9600
....j1 .
AL
AL
ABDL
OBDL
ABCDL
g:CL.DS
ABCDEL
ABCDEFL
ABCEFL
BEFL
BFGL
BFGL
BFGHKL
FGHK
FGHK
FGHK
GHK
HJK
HIJK
HIJK
HIJ
HIJ
HIJ
HIJ
HIJ
J
J
A
A
369,000
E
DE
DE
DE
DE
DE
DEJ
DEJ
DEHJK
DEFHJK
CDEFGHJK
CDEFGHIJK
BCDEFGHIJK
BCDEFGHIJKL
BCDFGHIJKL
ABCDFGIJKL
ABFGIJKL
ABFGIJKLM
ABGL
ABGL
ABG
AB
AB
AB
OB
AB
281,000
Copyright
-.:2"1
1984 CBOT.
0/.
Figure 1c.
LT
Weak
Weak
9';'nn
-- -
18
Trade Facilitation Relation ships - Examples
A1:t
Dir Relationship
a. Down Higher Volume, Lower Value
4170
4168
4166
4164
4162
4160
4158
4156
4154
4152
4150
4148
4146
4144
4142
4140
4138
4136
4134
4132
4130
4128
4126
4124
4122
4120
4118
4116
4 1 14
4112
4 1 10
4108
4106
4104
4102
4100
4098
4096
4094
4092
4090
Price
Up
Down
DT
N/A
Weak
nBC
OZABCDE
FIJlt
AEFIJlt
AEFIJlt
YZABCDEF
ZABDEF
ZAF
ZAF
ZABDEFGElIJ'ltL
YZABCDEFGElIJlt
OZABCDEFGB
YZABCDGB
YZCGB
YZC
YZC
FG
YZC
YZC
YZ
YZ
G
G
G
...........................................,
FG
FG
G
G
G
G
G
GJ
GJlt
GJlt
GJlt
GJXL
GJlt
GHJ
GBIJ
GBIJ
GBIJ
GBIJ
GBIJ
GBIJ
GBIJ
GBIJ
GBIJ
GIJ
4088
4086
4084
4082
4080
4078
4076
4074
4072
4070
4068
4066
GIJ
GIJ
GIJ
GIJ
IJ
IJ
IJ
J
J
Copyright 1984 CBOT.
Volume
35,000
Figure
Id.
LT
N/A
Weak
51,000
4750
19
Examples
Down
Belati onshlp
Lower Volume, OL
27 5 . 80
27 5 .7 0
27 5 . 60
27 5 . 5 0
27 5 . 40
27 5 .30
27 5 .20
27 5 .10
27 5 . 00
274. 90
27 4. 80
27 4. 7 0
274. 60
274. 5 0
27 4. 40
274. 30
27 4. 20
27 4. 10
27 4. 00
273. 90
27 3. 80
273. 7 0
273. 60
273. 50
273. 40
273. 30
273. 20
273. 10
273. 00
272. 90
272. 80
272. 7 0
272. 60
272. 50
272. 40
272. 30
272. 20
27 2. 10
272. 00
271. 90
27 1. 80
27 1. 7 0
27 1. 60
271. 50
27 1. 40
27 1. 30
27 1. 20
Vo lume
N
NP
NP
LNP
HLNP
GHLNP
GHLMNP
GHKLMNP
EGHIKLMN
EFGHI JKLMN
EFGHIJKLMN
DEFGHI JKM
DEFGH I JKM
DEFGH I JKM
CDEFGIJKM
CDF I J
CD IJ
CDJ
BCD
BCD
BCD
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
B
to
Lower Value
DT
Strong
Weak
o
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
CLM
CLMN
CFLMN
CEFGHKLMN
CEFGHKLMN
CDEFGHKLMN
CDEFGHIKLMN
CDEGHIKLMNP
DEGHIJKLMNP
DHIJKLMNP
DHIJKLNP
D I JKNP
D I JKN
DJK
DJK
JK
K
1987 CQG
LT
Slowing, Balance
Slowing, B al ance
I1C.
y/1;.: fl'l
8000
:A
1111[1 .11
H
................... 26UUU1
I
I
I
.......................... ----I
?c;nnn I
Copyright
33,000
Price
Up
Down
1984
CBOT
.;:..1=-1 ....L.:.
1 ::=-.
..; : ...c.:...
..:
8
....J..:
___---1
31,000
20
Trade Facilitation Relationships
Att
llir
Price
Up
Down
Relatjonsbjp
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
Volume
Figure 1.
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
KL
KL
AKL
AKL
AKL
AK
AK
AJK
AJK
AJK
AJK
ABJK
ABI J
ABCIJ
ABCI J
ABCHI J
BCHI
CHI
CEFGHI
CEFGH
COEFGH
CDEFGH
CDEFG
OEG
BC
ABC
ABC
aBCI
ABCGI
ABCOGHI
ABCOGHI
ABCOEFGHI
ABCOEFGHIK
ABCOEFGHI K
ACEFGHIK
ACEFGIJK
EFIJK
E I JK
E I JK
I JKL
I JKL
JKL
"
,;,- 'lIZ :
Examples
DT
Strong
Non-cnn.
f.:)
--
LT
strong
Strong
1."'O'7
("'CII";
;
.... I
..........._.
"
..
H H H H H. H H H H H H H
. . .'b 1
1 1)(
" "l
D
D
Copyright
189,000
9000
"t
KL
KL
KL
KL
KLM
KL
280,000
fJ(",
, ,.....
1984
CBOT.
jj
:::400
I
I
21
9. Recon:ting Longer Timeframe Information.
a. Factors to isolate:
4 . Attempted Direction.
5 . Volume
22
b. The Long Tenn Activity Recoro.
II
S E
I
I
I
I
L L I N G
!RESPONSIVE
I
IVAL DIRI ( weaker )
I
I
I
I
INITIATIVE
( stronger )
R
I
I
I
I
I
ivaluA ArAa
BUY I
INITIATIVE
( stronger )
i
RESPONSIVE!
I
( weaker ) IDIRIVAL
_t
_r
a I R ! V,viVOL
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I-
N G
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
23
3. Interpreting Long Term Activity Collecti.vel.y.
The Dalton LTA and WINdoTRADEr"
a. The Dalton LTA - Long term activity record.
b. Bar Value Charts - Daily bar charts containing value area and
point of controL
c. The PRI - Longer term s trength index based exclusively
on market-generated informatio
7 0 - 10 0
31 - 6 9
a 30
=
=
=
BUlli s h
Neutral
Bearish
Iun
SELLI"GIBUYI"G
resI"! I I"Ires
DATE
I RO
Bu
",B8-22
ORTIT
B8-23
ITRO
BU
B8-24
B8-25 uS tOR I
ORTI
B8-26 US
ORT
",B8-29 uS
ro
B8-38 US
RO
Bu
B8-31
OR
R
89-81
t 0
RT
89-82 US
RT
ROt
B9-B6 u
ROt
RT
89-87 u
RO
Bu
t R
B9-B8
u
ORT
89-B9 uS
R
tro
",89-12 U
RO
u
t R
B9-13
0
R
u
B9-14
RT
B9-15 US
0
ORT
B
t
89-1:. U
",89-19 U
89-28 US
tro
t
47
41
71
53
32
11(
8
18
1:.
8
8
8
8
8
8
2
7
8
8
3
8
PRI
8 88
24
c. Market Activity
Market activity is created through a continuous two-way auction
proces s , from high to low and from low to high. In an up auction,
what is being purchas ed continues to rise in price until the
highest bid is filled. In a down auction prices are offered down
until the lowes t offer is satis fied.
As the auction continues , the
bidders or offerers are either satis fied or stand aside until only
one party remains. This last participant has either s old too
cheaply or paid too dearly, establishing at least a temporary high
or low price (herein after referred to as "exces s ").
L Excess .
Exces s can develop in any period o f time. V 2 hour, 1 day, 3
days , 1 week, 1 month, 1 year or several years (we will
subsequently refer to these periods as timeframes).
The best trading opportunities will occur at the moment of
exces s , and will dllruId s h as price moves further away from the
exces s .
a. Day time frame exces s
7882
7880
7878
7876
7874
7872
7870
7868
7866
7864
7862
7860
785 8
785 6
7854
7852
7850
7848
7846
7844
7842
7840
C
C
C
C
C
Z
C
Z
B C
Z
B C
Z
B
Z A B
Z A B
Z A B
A
A
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
0
0
0
0
E
E
E
E
E
E F
E F G
E F G
F G
G
G
G
G
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
J
J
J
J
J
H
H
H
H
H
H
E
E
E
CE
CDEJ
CDEFIJK
YCDEFGI J
YCDEFGI J
Y ZCFGHI J
YZBCGHI
YZBCGHI
OZBGHI
ZABGHI
ZABH
ZAB
A
A
A
Copyright
Figure 4 .
1984
CBOT .
June Japanese
25
.
0=
H=
L:::
L=
t.=
10
4417
4418
4402
4407
-2.
4800
l
f
l
4400
el=
I 1"=
L=
t c=
'
4417
4418
4402
4407
'_"
'J.
'..JV
PYRIGHT
1987 COG
Figure 5 .
INC.
26
2.
T imeframes .
F igure
6.
Two-timeframe turned
one-t imeframe market,
June treasury bonds,
May 6, 1987 .
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
Copyright
a.
b.
C
C
C
C
CD
BCD
BCD
ABCD
ABCDFG
ABCDFGH
ABDEFGH
ABDEFGH
ABDEFGH1
ABDEFGH1
ABDEFGH1
ABDEGH1
ABEH1
ABEH1
AB1
B1
I
I
I
I
I
1JK
1JK
1JK
1JK
JK
JK
JK
JK
JK
JK
K
KL
KL
KL
KLM
KL
KL
KL
KL
KL
KL
KL
KL
K
K
1984
CBOT .
c.
27
3. The Auction.
The auction is the market's means for establishing a fair price
to conduct busine s s . It is in this proces s that price excesses
are created. The auctions also determine the shape of the
profiles . Exces s is created because price must auction too
high or too low before you know price has reached an extreme
(another term for exces s).
The auction determines the fair price at which to do
busines s . Price o nly has t o be fair in the day tjmeframe. What
is fajr for the day timeframe may be fair or unfair for the
longer timefrarne.
4.
Price.
Price is the market's mechanism for advertising opportunity.
Most traders misunders tand the purpose of price. In effect,
most traders concern themselves with price, not value.
28
5 . Time.
a. Price exces ses, extremes or opportunities (these are all the
s ame thing) are regulated through time. Thus, the market
regulates itself through time. If it is truly a good
opportunity it should not exist for very long.
b. Over time, it is the lasting acceptance and quick rejection
of price that creates the Market Profile* s tructures. llme.
BujJd s Structure.
c. Time is the market 's invisible referee--if yardage is not
gained in one direction, the ball will be turned over.
d. Time is a two-edged sword--time goes from acceptance to
rejection if too much time is spent at one price.
29
7. Behavior.
The auctions reflect the attitudes of the market participants,
thus creating market-generated information.
l.
97-10
6.
97-09
97-08
1.
97 -07
AC
97 -06
AC
97 -05
97 -04 2.
ABCD
97 -03
ABCDGL
97 -02
ABCDGHLM
97-01
8.
ABCDGHLM
97-00
ABCDFGHLM
96-31
96-30
ADFGHIJL
ADEFGHIJL 7 .
96-29
96-28
DEFJL
96-27
DEFJL
96-26
DEFJL
96-25
DEJKL +- 9.
96-24 3.
96-23
KL
96-22
96-21
96-20
4.
96-19
96-18
Copyr ight 1984 CBOT .
2.
3.
4.
5.
:J
F igure
7.
5.
September treasury
6.
S ingle Pr int Sel l ing Tail - Initial opening was too high and
attracted attention of OT sel ler , who entered vo luntar ily and
caused pr ice to fal l away quickly .
7.
8.
9.
A TPO - Time Pr ice Opportunity - TPO ' s are the bas ic unit
u sed to measure market act ivity .
30
8. Auction Duration.
For simplicity, we have broken the auctions down into:
a. 1/2 Hour Auction
b. Day Auction
c. Swing Auctions
weeks.
13 2'
0=2,,141)
H=.XXO
L=26100
L=2t'.2';':,/\
t.=. +lO
11..III!Jl
Q
tl
III I I
,
I
'
II
I
cD
. .
;11
:1.
'[,1
. rl .
l'
115
COPYRIGHT
1S7 COG
Figure 8.
INC.
Excess
31
d.
0=2.;140
H=2.:60
L=26100
L=262:;'S \
..
i:.= +170
\
J2;)OO'
13 29
__
.
.
. __
--
111
'
I
I
111111 h Illlldlj'
. II1I1
Ii
I ,
I
Idl
illl
1111)
11I1
I'll
I
'I
I
I
;!6
'
o=2
H=2.;360
L=26100
11' ':1;1I
I ,, '
I
I
!
1,
11" I I
I Wli
1':';'(100
I
I
I
I
i
1. .... 1I
. fl
tI
,
II ! I
jI
f1 I .
If
11
I'::" jUU
C=2';2?5
Juri
j I
--:--j::ClOO!I
f' )
,8:
AU'1
i
i
.:
l 5_-.-J
.. ....:.:.
:! :.._
:
.::-.l.'
..l.!.:
:...
..:... l2-:...::..J:
11 :::.
.. !:.
; -.J
:....r ::: I :::.
0-.l
-L:. ::::.:
:::-t::..:
...; ; i:;:.... 2'::.:' .t::.
J.:...:'---'=-'::.....J.::.---L---L::...:.-l:::..:.....J=-L:...-.t.:.=--..t.:.:::.....t::...--L..--
L-.__
COPYRIGHT
1937 COG
Figure 9 .
INC.
September
32
IlL
L
L\I
L
I
L
L
o\L
AL
ODL
\DKL
ADHIKL
KDfHlJK
KDEHlJK
\CDEHlJK
\BCDEHlJK
."4RKET
STRlCTt'RE
.\BCDEHlJK
o\BCDEHIJK
\ACDEHlJK
ACEHiHJK
AIlHCiHJK
HJK
HeFK
BHK
F
F
f
Figure 10.
Maximum
a. What happened
b. When it haned
,
c. By whom
33
2 . Longer Term Structure.
a. Exces s
B. Time.
Time forms structure, and occurs long before structure is complete.
Time is intangible. It is also relative. The role and proper
interpretation of "time" varies with each commodity and each market
cycle.
34
C. Market Logic.
-In its highest form, market 1Dg:ic is the
marketplace. -
raw
human :i.nstllx:t
of the
3. It is Self Taught.
4 . Market Logic is the La st Step in Becoming an Expert.
35
5. Examples .
36
Other market loc experience factors;
"Sad
Pil l "
k.
37
IV.
38
D. S&P SREAD FUNDAMENTALS.
a. Bullish bia s .
When the current premium (spread) is significantly
greater than fair value. When the premium is
bullish, the futures /cash spread widens. A bullish
premium generally infers bulli sh market conditions.
b. Bearish bia s.
When the premium is les s than fair value. Here, the
spread has narrowed. A bearish premium generally
infers bearish market conditions.
39
E. CALCULATING -FAIR VALUE-.
1. The Fair Value Formula:
Fair
Value
2 7 0 . 0 0 x (1 + . 2 5 x (.10 - . 0 4 )
2 7 0 . 0 0 x (1 + . 015) = 2 7 4 . 0 5
Arbitrage Programs.
a. Triggered by mathematically-derived. premium levels
(when the spread between the cash and the future is
attractive enough to cover commis sions , cover the
spread between the tilid and offer, and to make a
profit).
b. A "buy" arbitrage program is a program to buy
s tocks (cash) and sell futures . Conversely, a sell
program is a program to sell stocks and buy
futures.
c. Market Impact. Day timeframe programs (generally)
that only affect the "minute hand" of the market,
not the hour hand.
40
2. Institutional Block Programs.
41
G. THE FOUR STAGES OF S&P PREMIUH/PROGRAM BEHAVIOR.
L Stage One -- Anticipation.
a. Floor Instinct.
There are times when floor traders can " sense" a
change in the make-up of the market. The premium
is away from fair value. Perhaps the activity
around a or fir.ms known for program trading
begins to pick-up. Traders begin to prepare for
the program.
b. Off-Floor Instinct.
If you are a day trader trading S & P'S from off the
42
2. Stage Two
--
3. Stage Three
--
Execution.
43
H. TRADING APPLICATIONS.
"By nrmitorirq the premium in conjunction with the
developnent of the days Market Profile * , traders can
determdne if other timeframe activity is responsible for
price, or if it is just a short term aberration that will
likely correct itself. "
a. Market Risk.
b. B asis Risk.
an
a.
b.
44
c. , The future could rise slighUy while the cash al so
fell slighUy.
declined faster.
45
3. EXPANDED COMMENTARY:
September 9
269 . 00
268 . 90
268 . 80
268 . 70
268 . 60
268 . 50
268 . 40
268 . 30
268 . 20
268 . 10
268 . 00
267 . 90
267 . 80
267 . 70
267 . 60
267 . 50
267 . 40
267 . 30
267 . 20
267 . 10
267 . 00
266 . 90
266 . 80
B
>B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
267 . 00
266 . 90
266 . 80
266 . 70
266 . 60
266 . 50
266 . 40
266 . 30
266 . 20
2 6 6 . 10
266 . 00
265 . 90
265 . 80
265 . 70
265 . 60
265 . 50
265 . 40
265 . 30
265 . 20
2 6 5 . 10
265 . 00
264 . 90
264 . 80
>B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
<- 2 6 5 . 8 8
At this time, the fair value wa s around 2 7 5 . The premium at the day's
open was about 2 2 2 ( 2 6 8.10 [ future s ] - 2 6 5 . 8 8 [ cash]), or 5 3 under fair
value. In other words, the market opened with a negative bias . As
shown in Figure 12 (shown on next page), The cash market proceeded to
sell off from the open of 2 6 5 . 8 8 to a low in D period of 2 6 3. 6 4 --a total
drop of 2 2 4 points .
46
September
268. 20
268. 10
268. 00
267 . 90
267 . 80
267 . 7 0
267 . 60
267 . 5 0
267 . 40
267 . 30
267 . 20
267 . 10
267 . 00
266. 90
266. 80
266. 7 0
266. 60
266. 5 0
266. 40
266. 30
266. 20
266. 10
266. 00
2 65. 90
265 . 80
265 . 7 0
2 6 5. 60
2 65. 50
2 65 . 40
2 6 5. 30
September
B
>B
B
B
B
BC
BC
BC
BC
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
CO
CO
CO
CO
CO
0
0
0
0
0
Copyright
1984
266. 20
266. 10
266. 00
265 . 90
265. 80
265 . 7 0
265 . 60
265 . 5 0
265 . 4 0
265 . 30
265 . 20
265 . 10
265 . 00
264. 90
264. 80
264. 7 0
264. 60
264. 5 0
264. 40
264. 30
264. 20
264. 10
264. 00
263. 90
263. 80
263. 7 0
263. 60
263. 50
2 6 3. 40
263. 30
>B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BC
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
CO
CO
CO
0
0
0
0
0 <-
263. 64
CBOT .
47
Too much tUne spent at these lower levels actually speaks for
rejection of the lower levels in E and F periods (see Figure 13)
because the needed seller conficnation and further elongation of the
Market Profile* have not occurred. Further and equal selling in both
the ca sh and futures would have kept the spread equally below fair
value the whole way down.
But, if further elongation does not occur,
we encounter Ttme's two-edged sword--if a market spends too much tUne
without continuing a trend move, trade reverts to the other tUneframe
participant. In other words , if the other tUneframe sellers fail to
confirm this bearish sentUnent, you will very likely s tart to auction
in the other direction, in which cas e new (responsive) buying in the
futures market would return the spread to fair value.
From this point, at the bottom of the day's range with a bearish 17 6
premium, the fair value level represents an additional 10 0 point risk,
in a sense a risk factor already built into any short positions .
There is no guarantee that the futures price will not return to trade
up and through fair value.
A quick glance at the Market Profile * of September 9 shows that a
change in the market did in fact take place, a s I period rallied price
above the previous range.
But, the day's s tructure provided ample
clues . The lack of elongation (i.e. no selling range extension in
E, F, G or even H period, and consequent fattening of the day's Market
Profile * ) tell us that, regardles s of the bearish premium, this market
will not go down. Figure 13 shows September 9 , with a segmented Market
Profile * through I period, the tUne period which returned to retrace
the day's range in both the futures and the cash.
48
September
268. 80
268.7 0
268.60
268. 5 0
268.40
268. 30
268. 20
268.10
268. 00
267.90
267.80
267 . 7 0
267 . 60
267 . 5 0
267 .40
267 . 30
267 . 20
267 . 10
267 . 00
266.90
266. 80
266. 7 0
266. 60
266.5 0
266. 40
266. 30
266. 20
266.10
266. 00
265 . 90
265 . 80
265 . 7 0
265 . 60
265 . 50
265 . 40
265 . 30
9
266. 80
266.70
266.60
266. 5 0
266.40
266.30
266.20
266.10
266. 00
265.90
265.80
265 . 7 0
265.60
265 .50
265 . 40
265.30
265 . 20
265. 10
265.00
264. 90
264. 80
264. 7 0
264 .60
264. 5 0
264. 40
264. 30
264. 20
264. 10
264. 00
263. 90
263. 80
263. 7 0
263. 60
263. 50
263. 40
263. 30
I
I
I
I
I
I
BI
>BI
BI
BI
BI
BCI
BCI
BCI
BCI
CHI
CHI
CHI
CHI
CHI
CEHI
CEH
CEFH
CEFGH
CEFGH
CDEFGH
CDEFGH
CDEGH
CDEG
CDE
D
D
D
D
D
December S&P Futures
Copyright
1984
September
>B
BI <- 265 . 7 6
BI
BI
BI
BI
BI
BI
BCI
CI
CI
CI
CI
CHI
CEFH
CEFGH
CDEGH
CDEGH
CDE
DE
DE
D
D
D <- 263.64
S&P
500
I ndex ( Cash )
CBOT .
49
27 1.5 0
27 1.40
271. 30
271.20
27 1.10
27 1.00
27 0.90
27 0.80
27 0.7 0
27 0.60
27 0.5 0
270.40
27 0.30
27 0.20
27 0.10
27 0.00
269 . 9 0
269 . 80
269 . 7 0
26 9 . 6 0
269 . 5 0
269 . 4 0
269 . 3 0
269 . 20
269 . 1 0
269 . 00
268 . 9 0
268 . 80
268 . 7 0
268 . 60
268 . 5 0
268 . 4 0
268 . 3 0
268 . 20
268 . 1 0
268 . 00
267 . 9 0
267 . 80
267 . 7 0
267 . 60
267 . 5 0
267 . 4 0
267 . 3 0
267 . 20
267 . 1 0
267 . 00
26 6 . 9 0
266 . 80
266 . 7 0
266 . 60
266 . 5 0
266 . 40
266 . 3 0
266 . 20
26 6 . 10
266 . 00
26 5 . 9 0
265 . 80
265 . 7 0
265 . 6 0
265 . 5 0
265 . 40
265 . 30
LM
LM
LM
LM
LM
LM
LM
LM
LM
LM
LM
LM
LMN
LMN
LMN
KLN
KLN
KLN
KLNP
JKLNP
JKNP
JKNP
JKNP
JKPQ < - C lose
JKP
I JK
IJK
IJK
IJK
IK
IK
BI
>BI
BI
BI
BI
BCI
BCI
BCI
BCI
CHI
CHI
CHI
CHI
CHI
CEHI
CEH
CEFH
CEFGH
CEFGH
CDEFGH
CDEFGH
CDEGH
CDEG
CDE
D
D
D
27 0.00
269.90
269.80
269.7 0
269.60
269.50
269.40
269.30
269.20
269.10
269.00
268.90
268.80
268.7 0
268.60
268.50
268.40
268.30
268.20
268.10
268.00
267 . 9 0
267 .80
267.70
267.60
267 .5 0
267 .40
267.30
267.20
267.10
267 .00
266 . 9 0
266 . 80
266.7 0
266 . 60
266 . 5 0
26 6 . 40
266 . 30
266.20
266 . 1 0
266 . 00
265 . 90
265 . 80
265 . 7 0
265 . 60
265 .5 0
265 . 40
265.30
26 5 . 20
26 5 . 10
265 . 00
264 . 9 0
264 . 80
264.7 0
264 . 60
264 . 50
264 .40
264.30
264.20
264 . 10
264 . 00
263.90
263.80
M
M
M
M
LM <LM
LM
LM
LMN
267 .84
in " L "
LN
LN
LN
LN
LN
KLNPQ <- Close 266 . 84
KLP
KL
K
JK
JK
JK
JK
JK
>BJK
BIJK
BI
BI
BI
BI
BI
BI
CI
CI
CI
CI
CI
CHI
CFH
CEFGH
CDEGH
CDEGH
CDE
DE
DE
Copyright 1 9 8 4 CBOT .
D
S&P 500 Index ( Cash )
50
The sprad at the days close was roughly + 216 ( 2 6 9 . 0 0 - 2 6 6 . 8 4),
slightly below fair value, indicating that early trade on the next
ses sion would probably be near or just below the days close on
September 9 .
Early trade on the day o f September 9 indicates negative market
sentiment. The market sold off, and the premium surged far below
fair value. But, the days structure showed no follow-through.
Eventually, trade occurred both above and below three days of
overlapping value, with a range of over 5 0 0 points.
S1
5. Longer 'fimeframe Applications.
2 . Premium Sensitivity.
A second, and much more subtle use of the premium
lies in recognizing how the premium is reactirq to
day timeframe events. Depending on the behavior, a
variety of s cenarios are suggested:
a. Return to Value.
If after a program has been completed the
premium merely wanders back to fair value, then
traders are infonned that nothing has really
changed in the market.
52
3 . Leading Value.
If the premium does not Return to Value after a
suppo s ed program has ended, then perhaps
something ha s changed. The change in market
sentiment is s till factored into the market.
This suggests that one of two things will
happen:
53
v.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
54
D. Other FODDS of Correction
1. Price does not neces sarily fall even though sellers
are pres ent in the market. For example, a market may
open higher and sell off all day, resulting in higher
prices , higher value and a net higher close. On such
a day (or even a day with no change in value),
correction can stila be taking place even though lower
prices are not evident.
2. Old Busines s vs. New Busines s
Correction without net change can occur because
if you make an overall asses sment of the days
trade, old buyers have taken profits (selling) while
new buyers are just decUting to enter the market.
Thus, what you have in effect is responsive selling
(old buyers taking profits) met by initiating buyers
(new buyers s till looJdng to enter the fray). Since
initiating action is stronger than responsive, it
s tands to reason that actual price may not go down- -or
may even go up- -while normal "housecleaning" of old
busines s is taking place.
3. Overbought/ Oversold
"Sometimes a market is too long to go any higher."
a. In effect, a form of counteraction: The act of
selling, of taking profits and cleaning up old
busines s , regardles s of its overall effect on price
change.
E. The Function of Corrective Acti.on
1. All ows for profit takjog--a vital ingredient in maintaining a
healthy market. Profit taking eases the anxiety level of the
market. LocJdng in a profit reduces your anxiety leveL
2. Counteraction als o serves as a test to determine the strength
of a rally (or a break).
55
F. Example: Treasury bond market activity of August 2S-3L
Aug. 25
'B/VfeKe -r
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
86
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
85
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
84
10
9
8
7
6
5
3
2
1
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
li
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
/32
13 2
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
13 2
13 2
/32
/32
13 2
13 2
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/ 32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
/32
Aug.
26
Au g . 29
Aug.
30
Aug.
31
A
o
A
A
A
ABC
ABC
ABCLM
A
A
A
A
oc
ABC
ABeJa.
BCLM
CDL
CDEFIL
CDEFHIL
CDEFHIJltL
DBFGHIJltL
EFGHIJltL
EFGJKL
ABeJa.
FGJlt
BCXLM
eJa.
FJIt
J
CDlt
XLM
CDEJIt
ltL
ltL
CDEJ
DEFBIJ
DEFBIJ
Jlt
Jlt
CDJJt
IJIt
FGHIJ
FGHIJ
IJ
FGHIJ
IJ
FGIJ
IJ
HI
CHI
CGHI
ABCDEFGH
ABCDEFG
ABCDEFG
AB
A
A
A
A
A
8800
DJ
DJlt
DFIJKLH
CDEFGIJltL
A
0
CDEFGHIltL
CGHIKL
CGHL
CG
C
lt
ltL
JltL
JltL
BJXL
BCIJlt
ABCDEIJ
ABCDEIJ
C
C
C
OBC
ABC
ABC
ABCDEFGHI
ABEFGH
AEFGH
AFG
AFG
AF
8400
56
Discus sion of Figure 15.
AUWls t 25: Exces s created. Exce s s which ultimately marked the beginning
of an up auction. As shown in Figure 15, this auction continued with a
break-out above a previous short tenn high of 8 5 -11.
AUWls t 30: The market opened above value and attempted to go lower most
of the ses sion (until "J" period). As prices open higher--and selling
begins - -the sellers are given ample opportunity to sell all they want.
Although lower prices are not evident, this selling is nonetheles s a
"counteraction" to what has been occurring over the past three days. The
day's value and close were actually higher than the previous day. But,
as the activity of subs equent days proved, within the sell-off of
August 3 0 was the well-disguised correction that alert buyers had been
waiting for.
Lesson: The mo st visual (i.e. obvious) clues, such as lower prices, are
not always available. Traders must recognize that price does not have
to go lower in order for a correction to take place.
GOAL:
57
VI.
The first s tep toward cog some of the clas sical technical tools and
concepts occurred with the reali2ation that viewing a daily bar chart was
similar to viewing a s egmented daily Market Profile * . The difference
being that each bar repres ented one day rather than 1/ 2 hour. Using
the daily bar allows us to speed-read the longer tenn auctions.
It quickly becomes evident that one can easily scan a large number of
markets using conventional technical tools, and then use the Market
Profile * to "zoom-in" for a much more detailed analysis of the trade
facilitation proces s .
From a trading standpoint, when technical and market-generated infonnation
are used in isolation, each has its own potential drawbacks. For example,
market-generated infonnation embod[es greater subjective reasoning on the
part of the trader. This can be either an extremely powerful tool or a
hindrance, depending on the dis cipline of the trader.
Technical infonnation, being largely ba sed on price and derived from a
fonnula, will almost always be late getting in and out of a move (if using
a trend following system) or get you in way too early (if using a
stochastic type of model). When used together, however, it is pos sible
to draw on the strengths of both market-generated and technical sources.
58
A. Harlcet Profile* /Teclmi.cal Combination 1:
59
June and September S&P 5 0 0, May 31
Figure 1 6.
2 .
2n .
.., ll
_ I'
_u
_ u
27. 00
27' . 10
2ll.WI
271.40
aoUCII IJu'
aDEfCII I Jt1.
IDtrClllJILI
IDF"JUII
n1 . 2o
277.00
on...
Z7'.1O
2" .U
2".40
2"./0
27',00
..
..
..
IWP
1-
JII.
JII.
JlI.
JII.
UII.
IJL
!lJL
FliJL
FIlL
FGlIUli
17!l.1O
zn.WI
27$.40
275.20
27 . 00
274 .10
274,.0
274.4.0
214./0
r:r4.00
273.to
If
I
IFClIW
om;w
EFCLJI'P
' 'P
:0'
COW
C_
CW
CDIII
n ). b(I
213.40
213.20
273.00
k1
H2.IO
272.40
Z72.20
272. 00
21!.!O
271.60
271.40
"n.20
Long .
214.00
no iO
210 .
nO.tO
270.20
<70
S n or t
z,. so
2U &0
69 , 40
29. 20
29.00
U,IO
Ibl.6G
2b& , 4 0
lbl.la
2bl.00
2 6 7 . 40
Z67 . 20
I JI,
Zoo. '-'I
2111>.40
9CU11; [
ac"uu
100PO
ICWIP
2b6.:0
21)0 00
2!lS 60
H , 1I 0
a . 40
2b.ZO
IbS.OO
264 80
2 b 4 . 1rO
Z4. 4 0
2.20
64.00
21l.1O
26 1 .
263.40
IbJ.20
ZbJ. OO
1Il.1O
262.0.
2&2 . 40
. I
./
"
,
,
,/
I ,/
,....
/'.
Short
.,
.
II
11<1
feHl
r;.
FCI
Fe
F
F1
DF1
CDE
ICD!
ICDE
!CD
oc
I
OCI!.MP
ICUIIP
BUAlP
1:JI1l
LlIP
W
L
L
L
L
.w .ao
., o
2 ; :10
)e dfI
2" 6)
_ So o
:Sb 20
.)b JV
2 . ac
t 00
: } . 40
2S 20
,,!IS 00
2 S 4 . 1O
:S<l.
2>4 .0
lS<l 20
2SU ) O
2 S 1 . 1C
2) . 4tC
!J .40
S 3 ZC
H 00
,
, I
.,t
L
O[L
J'L
OE.JtL
[JII.
i!J
Di':Ii.J
)(i-:,.] 1
JErC
L ong
KEY
J -D ay MA
5 - D Y: MA
1F
0
0
0
0
0
CD
co
CO
OC
OC
I
0
I
I
I
I
,
D
"
LIP
LIP
- 1.1
W
W
IW
BWt.
ILl
11.1
ICDEFl.
ICOEFl.
l1li 1
ODtTL
CHI
CEFl.
CKIJap
F(;[L
FGIJIWPQ
".
o:ul;r!Jil,
ret
:F!J[!JllI
<:(
ICOFIJ[W <:(
KEf;[LU
'"
OCDJIAI
'"
!C'!.I
10
262 . 20
2 6 2 . 00
2 ; . so
Z6 1 . r.o
26 1 . 40
2111.20
t . . \J
Po
..., -
/1
I)CJ
!>CHlJ
Ct!CIIJI
DUmJt
s.:'fH IJI
a7.:MI
1>6 . 10
}l
IJI
,
,
D1.&O
2f11.bO
: , 20
2' 1)0
27 10
27 bO
H7 . 40
_ It
1C0IIl.
11....
m . 1O
m . 60
271,.0
9 00
: Ie
.d.
:i 4 0
_ II _ 17
ICDUI:IIII.
ICDEFCllJtL
27'.20
26,).1tO
.. o 40
160.2C
2 Q O . "O
l S 'i . 1O
29 1M)
:59 40
2'1 .:0
I
I
I
I
OCt
1m
ICD<L
m . ..
m.
27'. 20
21 2 .
_ It
(;[
"
CI'
CIJI:
calJr
il
"I
Cil
I
60
3. Running Commentary: S&P 5 00, May 31 - June 21, 19 88
a . May 3 1,
1988
MP
R
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28000
Excess
27000
b . June 1 - 7
26000
MP
Exc ess
25000
. .
. . . . ..
. 'v:j.:I
.
c.
June 8
Initiat ing
- Buying Compos ite day .
break-out to up s ide--hold long .
MA
- Reverse and go long .
RSI
Keep sel l ing ( RS I
80 ) .
MP
(Jf'-.Il .
.
..:
. .
.
.:.... :.
o f
d . June 9
- After 6 / 8 ral ly, value overlaps
6 / 8 spike, instead of building
above it, as was the case on
5 / 3 1-6 / 1 .
The buying auction may
be s l owing .
Longs should begin to
monitor for exit .
MA
- Hold long .
RS I - Keep sel l ing .
MP
Figure 17 . Daily
bar, 3 / 5 day MA ,
and 5 day RS I .
Sept . S&P 5 00,
5 / 3 1 -6 / 2 1 / 8 8
75
50
25
61
e . June 1 0 - 1 3
MP
R
000
f . June 1 4
MP
000
MA
82
RS I
g . June 1 5
MP
MA
RS I
h . June 1 6
MP
i.
June 1 7 - 2 1
MP
.J'. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
:.
26000
:J
.
. .. ... ....
.
. . .
.. ... \'
. .
. . .
.......
. . .
25000
. . . . . .. .
.
..
.
FtJl
. . Jj
.
"
.. .
.
.. ....
.
F igure 1 8 . Daily
bar, 3 / 5 day MA ,
and 5 day RS I .
Sept . S&P 5 0 0 ,
5 / 3 1- 6 / 2 1 / 8 8
.,.,
J ..,}
50
25
62
B. Market Profile* /Techni.cal Combination n:
Evalyating A Break- Out (acceptance
VB.
rejection)
0
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
Augu st 3
August 4
August 5
A
AB
AB
ABKL
ABJKL
ABHIJKL
L
KLM
KL
KL
A
AG
AEFGHI
FKL
BFK
BCFJK
BCEFIJK
BCEFHIJK
BCDEFGHI JK
BCDEFGHI J
BCDEFGHI J
ABCDEFG I J
ABCDGJ
ABO
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
ABCFGHIJKL
ABCDFGHIJKLM
ABCDEFGHJKL
ACDEFGHJK
ADEFJK
ADEJK
ADEJK
ADEJ
A
A
A
A
A
A
ADEFGHJKL
A
A
A
A
ABCDEFGHJKLM
ABCDEHIJKL
ABCDHIJK
ABCIJ
BCIJ
BCIJ
I
It)
. IttltlH
tl
/' 111
l}l).. 1fhjPttJl1I1
8800
.t
. . . . . v{f. . . . ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 1 118 j2S
8400
A
A
AB
ABCDEFG
ABCDEFGH
ABCDEFGHI J
ABCDEFGH IJ
ABCDEFHI J
ABCEFIJ
ACEFJK
AFJK
AFJK
AFJK
KLK
KL
KL
KL
KL
KL
L
L
Copyright 1 9 8 4 CBOT .
63
BEYOND
THE
PART
R.ULES
3
It is pos sible for a highly disciplined short term trader who is experienced
in reading day time frame structure to trade and make a little money (or at
least conserve their capital), the best results are res erved for those
traders who begin with a "Top-Down" approach. The Top-Down approach begins
with an objective asse s sment of the longer term movement in the market.
A. A proper analysis of the longer teDll auction will provide us with a
better perspective a s to:
64
c. Ongoing Analysis of a Developing Karket
September Treasury Bonds, February 1 - August 8, 19 8 8
#1 Exces s .
1 2 Excess - First topping action.
1 4 : 50
0= 8724
H= :3728
L = :::6 1 ? . . . . . .
L= :l;25 .....
6= - 1 00
. . .
. . .
..
. . . . . .
. . . .
88
\ GAP
84
14
65
1 4 : 50
0= 8724
H= :72t:
L= :i; l :=-
1:. = - 1 00
88
84
s. . . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - . . '"'"-"-'-'-'--'-'-'-;,oo:;..-.41
66
14
0=
H=
L=
L=
t.=
50
8724
S7<:S
86 1 > .
;625..,
- 1 00
92 .
88
84
0 : :::72'4
H= :::728
L= :,:,;: \ :;.
c= :=:i';25Fb
#12 Six days of overlapping value that finally break to the down
side. Notice that two days before the break bonds left moderate
exces s on the short term highs .
B008 CIA ! L Y :A
14 50
0= 8724
H= :::7:8
L= 'I; I :;'
L= ;6'::: 5 .....
1:.= - 1 00
67
8
0=
H=
L=
c=
Figure 2 3.
:::724
:::72:::
:" ', 1 :;'
',';25 F "b
!1
[,,:
#14 Gap opening. Bonds break out of balanced area to the up side.
A gap indicates that new mQney has entered the market. Entry of
new money signifies that it is early in the move. Strategy:
cover all shorts quickly and go long. Trade location is good.
68
BDU8 DA ! LY BAR
1 4 : 50
0=
H=
L=
L=
t.=
8724
:::728
f:i; 1 :;.
:::625..;
- 1 00
. .
.
...
88
84
CI= ::: ";' 2 ...
H= ::: 7 2 :::
L = ::: ;; 1 ::.
C O P Y R I GH T
1 987
CQG
I NC .
0= 8724
H= :372:::
L= :::6 1 :;'
BDU8 DA ! L Y E:AR
L= :::625",
1:.= - 1 00.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 1 7 ---
,-------,--,
8'
.............
. .
11
Figure 25.
70
1 4 : 50
0= 8724
H= ::;728
l= E:6 1 ?
L = :.;25"/
l!.= - 1 00
8DU8
DA ! LY !::AR
1 ?87 C(3 ! NC .
9600
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
920(;
. 17
. ------------r-
. r
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A_'_'
1
1
1
1
71
D. Balanced Trading Areas
Balanced trading areas are also known as trading range s or
brackets. The concept of balanced trading areas, or trading
brackets, is difficult to communicate in a large group, namely
because the "bracket" is largely relative to own trading
time frame. To the longest time frame trader, five days of
overlapping value (which repres ent a market in balance over the
short term) may be meaningles s . At the same time, five days of
overlapping value may represent the most valuable piece of
information available to day or swing timeframe traders.
All trends, be they short term or long term, start out as price
trends , then proceed to value trends, value area trends and finally
end when the market comes into balance.
When a market is in the balancing or stabilizing proces s , the
responsive buyers and sellers each begin to develop a comfortable
perception of value. In the largest of brackets , tho se perceptions
may vary by several points. If, over a period of time, there is
little new information entering the market, both the buyer and
seller begin to develop similar perceptions of value. At this
stage, value areas begin to overlap, volume shrinks and most
traders senses tend to dulL Watch out, markets to not stay in
balance for long. Usually, when a market moves from one of these
balance area s, the move is quick, violent and non-linear. Gaps,
spikes and trend da)ts are often the clear signal that dynamic
change is underway.
On the following two pages, Figures 2 7 and 2 8 illu strate a market
cOming into --and out of--balance.
72
L
Jan'J"'Y
'Q;:2
J8f'luary Z t
Jenu8I"" y 22
)uery 215
JII"'J8I'"\I 17
Jarouery 2
Jo!JI1U8I 1,j 2q
'9 ::"0
" '1
7" 6
'9'.
q 1 2
79 1 1 1
Q'
i'll,S
7,), It79(14
')II
:'W1O
/J
,.
7898
e
'sq.
'!I
"s q,
'S88
J
J
J
J
"886
'884
:S8,
'8 H
' '8
.l.llL.
..I A( f I J
ClJ
TE J
Pf.
7@ i4
g 72
UH I J
YAO
I i': ABO[HO
v Z .l8O(Hn
YZ180[flo41
1 :ABCO f H !
ZA8([)(f"!j1-11
iflt>2
-f.n
'?<:fI
r,(
- I?
'!l':"'
'8,
G"
F.p
:,lSC[f GJol
:8<;t l
7832
"SlO
i828
'!l26
1824
'8::
7820
7818
7816
18 1 4
i' R 1 2
i fl l (1
-1:I11
'811b
' !11l4
,8(\2
'tEI! !1 I
"%
"l4
" "1
'
-7')11
7 ' 8S
7 :QI;7'84
-Q
' 8n
-7--8
' ,' 7
6
;-74
; 1 ::
;'68
" t-
6
7 7M
7762
7111
'7':18
' 76
" 0,4
- ;')
7-i\
17413
7H
7"4
7 '-1 2
ZCDUGH
:A.coEH
:AO[I-I
lAce
:ABCO
:t.OCD
LABC
ZAB
AS
'8
'8
eGI-!
C'3H
-QJI,
'8!
y zr ' J
TIfe!J
YrCH I J
f;':fGH I J
r z r Gl-t I
ozrCloi1
f40HC !
vlOUCHI
IZCO[FCHI
ZABc;,rC'"
-Q (8
-S4t!
-Q"
1 !l 4 :
H IJ
UOU I )
I ABO( f I J
:87n
"968
-866
7gM
p s
E )6
#rt-
IJ
IJ
HIJ
.to
\U
c
C
CHI,.
G H I ,)
CHIJ
CHIJ
CIJ
CIJ
CI
CoJ
CH
C
C
C
lit
TOCC
lscr c
cecorc
1 Z8CDrC
f:ABC(rc
'Z lBOU
'ZAOH
ZAo(r
ZAGH
ZO(
ID
U-..
'
DC
'BOG
lBorr e
II
r41
tr-
' ZABUGHJ
I ZBCEC H t .,.
8((f GH I J
'f.SCorCH I )
ZABCOr rr,H t Jk.
l ZAC[)UC.H t J
Y:U GHJ
I::K. O tCl-l t J
BCO[ C H I J
'.
' ""
rHJ
rH,t
( qu
(rGH,
E r GH.!
lGH,i
EC
EC
E
E
[
[
E
DE
DE
DE
DE
DE
BD
BCD
arc
"D
B(D
8'T
8':::
:AB(C'
:1( D
"
"
"
"
Z.
:A
'.
- 411
. - ,
-ll'
' - 14
n"
;7)11
2 B OT .
'.
(;I
",I
rZABC O
r:ABCD
v Z Ar:
I,A
HIJ
*:rf:J
'r'ZAf
rlHIJ
OlfGHIJ
CH I
Z.l(Hr;H
zAIlCIl{r
Z.-aeOH
fF'8
8
IAsO[r
, ABorT
r : ABOt
1 AacD
AeclXi
f.t.eCt>I'GJ
E'
E'
0,
T/Jl
IJ
IJ
IJ
CIJ
CH I J
CHIJ
CH I J
HIJ
C o pyr i gh t 1 9 84
'
,
,
,
V
r
OCtJ
(rJ
ZABCOUCJ
ZAec[)[CJ
ZABDE G H I J
: A80U;t.H J
, :AI;W I J
' :Afj : J
,<"" }to
73
2. Figure 28. represents a marlret breaking-out of balance.
Treasury bonds, Harch 30 - April 9, 19 87.
" n ' lZ
')8 )' /)2
" lIJ 1 32
,.
'8
98
9'
99
"
"
98
"
"
99
98
98
'8
98
,.
98
'*'
Z9
28
27
26
}S
24
2l
n
21
10
I ')
18
17
16
IS
14
1)
12
'8
"
9'
9'I
8 /)2
1 1)2
6 112
S 1)2
4 /32
J 1 12
2 /n
ZS
24
23
22
2t
112
1]2
132
/ 32
32
0 132
)1 1 32
)0 III
l't 1 32
?t 112
2 1 ' }2
97
,7
q7
97
97
9'
97
97
97
97
97
97
"
1.
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
'
B
/)2
/32
112
: 32
132
132
32
16 /32
/32
91 2f1 /)2
97
97
97
97
91
97
91
JI
., 2
., J
., 6
In
/32
/32
' 32
32
32
'32
32
/32
) 1 32
1 ! l2
1 , 32
1) ')2
) 1 ')2
l
lL--
110[
II I ,
trII
..,
., 1
IIClIU.
IItOU,
IICOlrc
IICDI"
MCGUel
ICtGIJ
ICGHIJ
CCl!IJ
C(it04 I J
CCl!I"
....
CIlI4Jk
CMJk
HJk,
IIIl
""
>L
mrkl
kl
U
III
>L
II
'l
...
...
II--
IICDI
IICDI
a:D(
CI
CI
CDI
COl
COl
COM I
GrCOIN I
COIN I
OlGil
OlC
OUG
Olro
ore
oro
ro
,
,
f
..
II
..
lilA
lilA
i!m-
..
I
[
If
Efl
['L
[fCl
fIMrC1)(GJIll
ICD(GHI ....l
A8CDlCt4t..l'il
AlCDGHI .a.l"
MCDHI."al
AlCDHlkL
F-..
..
-
II
a:D(
a
a
I
I
Ef
HJ
EfJ
[fJ
'GJIl
f e l ",
rei"
r ' l ,.
rCH'
QHllrt,lft
.......
GII lkl
GHtkl
tal
*!,
Ie.
Ie.
lI-l
l
l
,
l
l
l
l
=t'JIJ
_IJ
_'J
M
H
M
GIl
GIl
-rCMI,J(
'(iH'..a
r." ..
'""-
f l JIl
[fiJill
U I .Ml
CHill
D[fkL
OU'-L"
IIIJ(Fl
IIII(f L
IIIJ(fL
IIIIl
IIIIl
III
Al(IiIJ
"rel Jll
"'tJIl
UJil
B-
C)6 28 , 32
96 27 , 32
% 26 '32
% is J2
% 2"
32
9fi :'J 32
% 22 32
% 2 1 32
% :0 ']2
% 1 , )2
% !8 132
9to 1 7 ' 3 2
% 1 6 32
% I';
12
% 14 il2
% 13 : 3 2
% 1 2 /]2
% I I ' 32
% 10 / 3 2
9f. , ' 3 2
% B '32
96 1 d 2
% 6 / 32
96 5 ']2
96 " 32
96 3 1 ]2
96 2 'Jl
96 I 32
96 1) 1J2
95 ) 1 /32
95 30 I II
,5 1)2
95 28
32
95 2i / ) 2
95 2tl 1 2
95 2 S , )2
95 24 '32
9S 2 3 ,']2
,5 22 , 12
95 21 /]2
95 zr; 'lZ
9'i 1 9 /JZ
95 1 8 n
'5 ] 1 ,')2
'5 1 6 )2
'5 1'5
12
''5 14 , ]2
''5 I] , ) 2
95 l Z /)2
,1Ij 11 / ) Z
'5 1 0 :3 2
,5 , / 3 Z
9'5 8 1 2
,'5
7 d2
'l'i t. 3:'
95 S
32
1)5 32
,5 3
32
95 2 12
95
I 132
'5 Tl /32
" ) 1 ')2
It )0 1 12
9. 2' , 32
'M 2. 32
94 l '
32
2f.
12
2l) 12
Ell
IQ.
"
CD
CD
CD!
l
L
..,
.ICO
fICO
fICO
Be
Be
fIC
fIC
fIC
fIC
fIC
B
B
%
'* )0 ' 32
* =9 32
..
., 7
J1
1)2
32
J2
/)2
112
il2
112
, 32
132
32
/]2
, 32
/)2
112
/32
98
98
,7
97
91
97
91
97
IH
97
97
97
,7
lIJ
. 32
32
98 I I 112
1M 10 132
,. , / 12
,.
98
,.
June
CD!
CD!
CD!
R-a
litHe
IIC(fC
IIC('CH
aea'GI
IIIC[H I ,A
CltI Jll
CltIJll
"'JIll
MIA
I JIll
I JI.
Il
Il
Il
,
l
l
""
l
..
II
..
...,
-_N''-l
a:D(MIJill
ICt)( N I ..al
ICDEQM' ....
CDUlMI..l,
COlrQMI.A.
CtrGNIL
C(fOHll
P['G!,
,
,
.,
AI
AI
AI
ABC
fIC
fIC
fIC
fIC
C
C
C
C
C
C
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
o
[I{
[I{
[I{
[l{r
[l{r
[I{'
[I{ "
[rc><
E'C><
rrc><
rC1
reM I
r CM I J
fIJ
GHJ I
C><JI
HJ
OJ
J
J
J
t--J
J
J
J
J
Jl
J<l
J<l
,l"
Jkl
.t.l
J<l
.o.l
Jkl
J.l
Jkl
"
kl
>L
"
"
kl
"
"
"
"
'"
"
"
."
kl
74
E . Trade Location
2. Trade responsively.
5. Be patient.
75
n. HOW DAY TIMEFRAME STRUCTURE FORMS .AND HOW TO VISUALIZE ITS
COMPLETION
A. Structural Information
When we refer to market structure, we are referring to the Market
Profile * graphics . The graphic allows us to:
1. Record the markets auction proces s and observe market activity
in a logical manner.
2. Visualize the developing volume area and daily range.
3 . illu strate the market's purpose.
4. Identify what the market participants are doing and who is in
controL
Important Notes;
1) Through its continuous 11 2 hour auctions , the market is
seeking a fair price to conduct busine s s for the day
time frame only.
2) What is fair for the day time frame is not neces sarily fair
for the longer timeframe.
76
B.
Dispersion Of Volume.
L
UQUIDITY o,..TA
mLUME SUMMARY
MARCH
.. NOTE -
OF TRADE
S BONDS
REPORT
FOR 01129/88
BANK' REPORT
Trade
,. Of
Price
\b1ume
662
0.2
93 30/32
6530
1.9
93 29/32
10768
3. 1
93 28132
6882
2 .0
93 Z7132
13742
3.9
93 26132
10518
3.0
93 25/32
8194
2.3
55.5
15.5
93 24/32
11028
3.2
51.8
11.3
93 23/32
16530
4.7
56.4
6.5
93 22/32
34520
9.9
93 21132
Z7690
7.9
0.6
so. 5
47.4
51.7
23.6"
T1111eS AI
Occurred
Which Price
L
LM
18.5
10.8
ALM
14.9
ALM
54.8
13.4
AL
56.4
10.2
AIL
AIL
AlL
AFGHIKL
54.8
17.8
57.7
15.2
ADFGHlKL
ADEFGHUKL
402'iU*
11.5
5B
16.8
ADEFGHUK
35164
10.0
55.4
19.5
ACDEFGHUK
93 18/32
31818
9.1
51.4
19.8
ACDEFHUK
93 17/32
25640
7.3
56.8
18.9
93 16/32
22450
6.4
54.5
21.S
93 15132
22706
6.5
58.5
14.3
ABCJ
93 14132
13046
3.7
62.5
14.9
ABC
93 13/32
10766
3. 1
59.4
9.0
BC
93 12/32
1104
0.3
47.7
14.0
55.8
17.8
93 19/32
"Xl%
58.8
Half Hour
Cti2,.
93 31132
93 20/32
88
Ctil,.
Total
RA.NGE
48.8"
ACDEFJ
ABCI
93 14/32
OF DAILY
TO
72 . 4
253304
ABCDEFGHUKL
93 22/32
VOLUME
%OF TOTAL
CTI1
Total
Volume
For
MAR
88
For
cm
BONDS
350.028
55.3
BONDS
361 ,008
55 . 1
15.7
S BONDS
1 ,704
44.6
16.2
16.0
Total
Volume
93:20
2. Sum all the "% of total" volumes above the high volume price (within the value
area).
3. Do the same for the volumes below the high volume price.
2.
Figure 2 9.-
5.8
10.0
9. 1
7.3
6.4
6.5
+ 3.7
5 . 8
9.9
7.9
23.6
hi gh volume
48 . 8 %
77
c. Late-In-The-Day Price Trends (Spikes)
L Definition
2. Trend Review
a. Price trend.
b. Value trend.
Time
Value).
78
4. Three Potential Scenarios for Opening on Day Following a Spike
"SP l k ( [)(Vt"
fl
fHI
HHI
H CH I
[ r CH I
[ CH I J
L Buying spike
bullish
ECIJ
"sr I K ( UP""
Open Above
S p i ke
To p
[ 1 .1
0( 1
0[.11\
00'
Of ,II<
Okl
a s pike up " or
From"" a ,pike
down .
Okl
I)Io.l
COL
BCDL
BCl"
BrLM
81 M
OI M
Bl M
AM ----n-------------------------\PN
"
N
M
/II'
NP
/II'
Nr
Open Within
NP
NP
NP()
(cancdlo:d wilh
or below spike ) .
2. Selling spike
bulli sh
BLM
Spikc
Top
"
M
M
MP
MPO
MP
MNP
MNP
MIiI'
M/II'
"N
MN
MN
MN
MN
M
S pi ke _Mm
N-------------------------- Spikc
BIUA
&mom
Butlom
Bi l l JM
Open Below
BH I JM
8H I J l M
BH I J l M
BCW I Jl M
OCGHJKL"
8( [ GHJKl
Be[ f GH,If\l
BLDf f G I I< l
BrDU C H
or
spike up.
Day
From"'
([ e"' uary 2 S )
Spike Bottom
(cancelled with
>plKe bottom)
duuble TPO
prints
above
Buying spike
bearish
( Me' ch SI P )
2. Selling spike
bearish
CO( f c. L
CO(I CK
COl K
Of
16)
( ,,'" en ';&, )
, O.c """"
Copyright 19 8 4 CBOT.
Figure 3 0 . Three potential opens on a day following a spike.
79
5. Spikes a s Support or Resistance
80
D. Openings
(2)
Open
Test
D rive
Open
Dr ive
o
A
A
A
A
A
AB
AB
AB
BC
BC
BC
C
C
A
A
A
AB
AB
AB
BC
BC
BC
C
C
(3)
Open
Re j ect ion
Reverse
Open
Auct ion
AB
AB
AB
BC
BC
BC
C
C
ABC
ABC
AC
C
C
(4)
r I ,
Market
Convict ion
High
*
"0"
Low
des ignates the open .
81
,(1) Open-Drive.
b. Conviction
c. Free exposure
d. Announces s tructure
e. Trade entry
( 2 ) Open-Test-Drive.
b. Conviction
c. Free exposure
d. Announces structure
82
( 3 ) Open-Rejection-Reverse.
b. Limited conviction
( 4 ) Open-Auction.
a. Characteristics -
b. Patience
83
2. Exceptions to Opens
February 2
January 2 0
2 49 . 40
249 . 20
2 4 9 . 00
2 4 8 . 80
2 48 . 60
2 48 . 40
2 48 . 2 0
2 4 8 . 00
2 4 7 . 80
2 4 7 . 60
2 4 7 . 40
247 . 20
2 4 7 . 00
2 4 6 . 80
2 4 6 . 60
2 4 6 . 40
246 . 20
2 4 6 . 00
2 4 5 . 80
2 4 5 . 60
2 4 5 . 40
245 . 20
2 4 5 . 00
2 4 4 . 80
2 4 4 . 60
2 44 . 40
2 44 . 2 0
2 4 4 . 00
2 4 3 . 80
2 4 3 . 60
243 . 40
243 . 20
2 4 3 . 00
2 42 . 80
2 42 . 60
2 4 2 . 40
242 . 2 0
2 4 2 . 00
2 4 1 . 80
2 4 1 . 60
2 4 1 . 40
241 . 20
2 4 1 . 00
C
CD
CD
CD
BCDE
BDE
BCDE
BCDE
BCDE
B
B
B
o
B
B
G
FG
FGH
FGH
FGHI
FGHI
FGHI
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
IN
IMN
IMN
I LMN
ILMNPQ
IJLMNP
I JKLMNP
IJKLMNP
I JKLMNP
IJKLMNP
IJKLMNP
IJKLKP
IJKLKP
IKL
IKL
K
K
K
2 5 7 . 40
2 5 7 . 20
2 5 7 . 00
2 5 6 . 80
2 5 6 . 60
2 5 6 . 40
256. 20
2 5 6 . 00
2 5 5 . 80
2 5 5 . 60
2 5 5 . 40
2 5 5 . 20
2 5 5 . 00
2 5 4 . 80
2 5 4 . 60
2 5 4 . 40
2 54 . 20
2 5 4 . 00
2 5 3 . 80
2 5 3 . 60
2 5 3 . 40
253 . 20
2 5 3 . 00
2 5 2 . 80
2 5 2 . 60
2 5 2 . 40
252 . 20
2 5 2 . 00
2 5 1 . 80
2 5 1 . 60
2 5 1 . 40
2 5 1 . 20
2 5 1 . 00
2 5 0 . 80
2 5 0 . 60
2 5 0 . 40
2 50 . 2 0
2 50 . 00
2 4 9 . 80
2 49 . 60
2 4 9 . 40
249 . 20
2 4 9 . 00
L
LN
o
B
B
B
B
B
BCG
BCG
BCFG
BCFG
BCF
BCEF
BCEF
CDEF
CDE
CDE
CD
C
KLN
KLN
KLN
KLNP
KLMNP
KLMNPQ
KLMNP
KLMN
KLMN
KM
HJKM
HJKM
HIJK
HIJ
HIJ
IJ
IJ
IJ
I
Figure 3 2.
84
a. Short Covering Rallie s.
4400
4398
4396
4394
4392
4390
4388
4386
4384
4382
4380
4378
4376
4374
4372
4370
4368
4366
4364
4362
4360
4358
4356
4354
4352
4350
4348
4346
4344
4342
4340
YA
Y ZABD
Y ZABC
YZABC
Y ZABC
Y ZAB
YZ
YZ
YZ
YZ
YZ
Y
Y
COMEX Gold
D
D
D
DE
DEF
DEFG
EFGH
EFGH
EFH
EFH
EH
HI
HI
I
IJ
IJ
IJ
IJ
IJ
IJK
IJK
I JK
JKL
K
February 1 8
February 19
February 2 4
94
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
o
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
D
DE
BDE
BCDE
BCDEF
BCEF
BCEF
BEF
BE
B
AB
AB
AB
A
A
A
0
G
GL
GLK
GL
GL
GHIL
GHIL
HIL
HIKL
IJKL
IJKL
JK
JK
JK
JK
JK
J
Treasury Bonds
7740
7738
7736
7734
7 7 32
7 7 30
7728
7726
7724
7722
7720
7718
7716
7714
7 7 12
7710
7708
7706
7704
7702
7 7 00
7 69 8
7696
7 69 4
7 69 2
7 69 0
7 688
7686
7 68 4
7 682
7 680
A
ABC
ABCD
ZABCD
ZABCD
ZABD
YZBD
YZB
YZB
YZ
Y
Y
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
EFGH
EFGH
EFGH
FGHIJ
FGHI J
FGHIJK
FGHIJ
FJ
Japanese Yen
Figure 3 3.
85
24 9 . 40
249 . 20
24 9 . 00
248 . 80
24 8 . 60
248 . 40
24 8 . 20
248 . 00
247 . 80
24 7 . 60
24 7 . 40
24 7 . 20
24 7 . 00
24 6 . 80
24 6 . 6 0
246 . 40
24 6 . 20
24 6 . 00
24 5 . 80
24 5 . 60
24 5 . 4 0
24 5 . 20
24 5 . 00
244 . 80
244 . 60
24 4 . 40
24 4 . 20
244 . 00
24 3 . 80
243 . 60
24 3 . 40
24 3 . 20
24 3 . 00
24 2 . 80
24 2 . 60
24 2 . 40
242 . 20
242 . 00
24 1 . 8 0
24 1 . 60
24 1 . 4 0
241 . 20
24 1 . 00
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
D
E
E
E
E
E
C
CO
CO
CO
BCOE
BCOE
BCDE
BCDE
BCDE
B
B
B
B
B
34.
Short covering
B
B
Copyright 1 9 8 4 CBOT.
Figure
C
CO
CO
CO
BCOE
BCOEG
BCOEFG
BCOEFGH
BCOEFGH
BFGH
BFGH
BFGH
in
C
CO
CO
CO
BCOE
BCDEG
BCOEFG
-BCOEFGH
BCOEFGH
BFGHI
BFGHI
BFGHI
OI
BI
BI
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
IN
IMN
IMN
ILMN
ILMNPQ
I JLMNP
I JKLMNP
I JKLMNP
IJKLMNP
IJKLMNP
IJKLMNP
IJKLMP
I JKLMP
IKL
IKL
K
K
K
March S & P
5 0 0 , January 2 0 , 19 8 8.
86
b.
--
Characteristics
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
E
E
D E
D E
D E
G
G H
F G H
F G H I
H I
F
F
H I
F
I
F
I
I
I
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
B
B
B
B
B
BCG
BCGHJ
BCFGHJ
BCFGHIJ
BCFHIJ
BCEFHIJ
BCEFIJ
CDEFIJ
CDE I J
CDEI
CD
C
L
LN
KLN
KLN
KLN
KLNP
KLMNP
KLMNPQ
KLMNP
KLMN
KLMN
BCGKM
BCGHJKM
BCDFGHJ
BCDFGHI
BCFH I J
BCEFHIJ
BCEFIJ
CDEFIJ
CDE IJ
CDE I
CO
C
Copyright 1 9 8 4 CBOT .
Figure 3 5 .
87
, 3. The Exception to the Exception
a. Characteristics
b. What to look for
c. How to trade
7840
7838
7836
7834
7832
7830
7828
7826
7824
7822
7820
7818
7816
7814
7812
7810
7 8 08
7806
7804
7 802
7 800
7798
7796
7 7 94
7792
7790
7788
7786
7784
7782
7780
ZAC
ZABC
ZABC
ZABC
Y ZABC
YZ
YZ
YZ
Y
Y
Y
Y
J
JK
J
IJ
IJ
HIJ
HIJ
HI
H
GH
EFGH
EFGH
EFG
DEF
DEF
o
o
o
88
E. TPO's Time Price Opportunities.
1. TPO Theory.
93-31
93-30
93-29
93-28
93-27
9 3 -2 6
93-25
93-24
93-23
93-22
93-21
93-20
9 3 - 19
93-18
93-17
93-16
93-15
93-14
93-13
9 3 - 12
L
L:-:-:-___--r
ALM
ALM
AL
AIL
AIL
AIL
AFGHIKL
ADFGHIKL
ADEFGHIJKL
ADEFGHIJK
ACDEFGHIJK
ACDEFHIJK
ACDEFJ
ABCJ
ABCJ
ABC
BC
----"'"
B
30
47
89
a. perfonning the TPO Count.
2
2
2
3
3
3
7
8
30
ALM*
ALM*
AL
AIL
AIL
AIL
AFGHIKL
ADFGHIKL
ADEFGHIJK
ACDEFGHIJK
ACDEFHIJK
ACDEFJ
ABCJ
ABCJ
ABC
BC
47
3 0/ 4 7
90
3. TPO's in a Developing Market Profile * .
94
94
94
94
94
94
94
94
94
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
93
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/3 2
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/3 2
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/ 32
/3 2
/ 32
/3 2
/ 32
"
L
L
AIL
AIL
AF
ADF
ADEF
ADEF
ACDEF
ACDEF
ACDEF
ABC
ABC
ABC
BC
B
ALM
AL
AL
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
13
<
21
Profile A
AFGH
ADFGH
ADEFGH
ADEFGH
ACDEFGH
ACDEFH
ACDEF
ABC
ABC
ABC
BC
B
30
OIL
21
<
Profile B
22
AFGHIKL
ADFGHIKL
ADEFGHIJKL
ADEFGHIJK
ACDEFGHIJK
ACDEFHIJK
ACDEFJ
ABCJ
ABCJ
ABC
BC
B
<
47
Final
Pro f i le
Figure
91
4. TPO's
in a Two-timeframe Harket.
9 : 30
Price
1 0:30
December 1, 1986
2 : 00
1 2: 00
l
lM
99: 1 5
99: 1 4
99: 1 3
99: 1 2
99: 1 1
99: 1 0
JlM
JlM
JKlM
FJ K l
EFG
O E FG
A O E FG
A O E FG
ACOEFGH .
ACOE G H
Close
EFGJ K l
OEFG IJ K l
AOEFGIJ K L
AOEFG I J K L
ACOEFG H I K L
ACOEG H I K L
AD
AD
ACO
ACO
E
DE
AOE
AOE
ACOE
ACOE
ACO
ACO
ACOE .
ACO
AC O E H
ACOH
AC O E H I K L
ACOHL
ABC t
ABC
ABC
AC
ABC .
ABC
ABC
AC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ACH
ABCH
ABC
ABC
ABCH
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
AB
AB
A
A
ABC
98:26
98:25
98:24
ABC
ABC
AB
AB
A
A
ABC
AB
AB
A
A
ABC
ABC
AB
AB
A
A
ABC
ABC
AB
AB
A
A
TPO' S
1 0/"
1 8/1
1 713
9 9 : 09
9 9 : 08
9 9 : 07
99:06
9 9 : 05
99: 04
A
A
AC
AC
AC
9 9 : 03
99 : 02
99:0 1
AC
AC
99:00
98:31
98:30
9 8 : 29
98:28
98:27
AC H
represents the widest point or the widest point closest to the center of the range.
9 : 30 A M :
4%5
T P O ' s favor t h e
1 0 :00 A M :
At the e n d o f
1 0 : 30 A M :
1 2 : 00
Noon :
TPO's are 1 713. buying. The profi le remained buyers for the remainder of the day. Any
trading in H period below the point of control provided another buying oppo rt u n it y . Trading
po i n t o f c o n t r o l .
O n ce K period printed , the point of control could not change. Any market b r e a k wo u l d
s i m p ly add buying TPO's. T h u s , one would n o t expect a b i g break; i n fact, t h e o d d s favor
a strong close. An e a rly break i n l period provided another buying opport u n it y . Trad i n g
oppo rt u n ities favored buying below the point o f control and sel l i ng out o n ra l l i e s .
Figure 3 9 .
Market Profile *
92
5. TPO's in a Trending Marlcet.
6728
6726
6724
6722
6720
6 7 18
6716
6 7 14
6 7 12
6 7 10
6708
6706
6704
6702
6 7 00
6698
6696
6694
6692
6690
6688
6686
6684
6682
6 68 0
6678
6676
6674
6672
6670
6668
6666
6664
6 6 62
6660
6658
6656
6654
6652
6650
6 64 8
6646
6644
6642
6 64 0
Y
Y Z
0 Z
Y Z
Y Z
Y Z
Y Z
Z
Z
Z
B
B
B
A B C
A B C
A B C
C
A
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J K
J
J
Y
YZ
OZB
YZB
Y ZAB
Y ZABC
Y ZABC
ZABC
ZACE
ZCE
CE
CDE
CDE
CDE
CDE
CDE
CDEF
CDF
CDF
CDF
CDFG
DFG
DFG
FGH
FGH
FGH
GH
GH
GHJ
GHJ
HJ
HIJ
HIJ
HIJ
HIJ
HIJ
HIJ
HIJ
I JK
IJ
J
Copyright 1 9 8 4 CBOT .
Figure 4 O.
93
6 . TPO's in a Changing Harltet.
The RlJ1l1l.in] Profile.
101-22
1 0 1 -2 1
101-20
101-19
101-18
101-17
101-16
101-15
101-14
101-13
101-12
101-11
1 0 1 -0 9
10 1-08
101-07
101-06
101-05
10 1-04
101-03
1 0 1-02
101-01
10 1-00
100-3 1
100-30
100-29
100-28
100-2 7
100-2 6
100-2 5
100-24
100-23
100-22
100-2 1
100-20
100-19
100-18
100-17
100-16
100-15
100-14
100-13
100-12
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
AB
AB
AB
BC
BCD
BCD
BCD
BCD
BCD
CD
CD
CD
C
C
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
AH
AH
AGH
AGH
AFGH
ABFGH
ABEFG
ABEFG
BCEFG
BCDEFG
BCDE
BCDE
BCDE
BCD
CD
CD
CD
C
C
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
AH
AH
AGHI
AFGHI
AFGHI
ABFGHI
ABEFGI
ABEFGI
BCEFG
BCDEFG
BCDE
BCDE
BCDE
BCD
CD
CD
CD
C
C
TPO ' s
8/ 18
3 4/2 1
1 7 / 44
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
KL
KL
AKL
AKL
AKL
AKL
AKL
AKL
AKL
AK
AK
AJK
AJK
AJ
AJ
AJ
AHJ
AHJ
AGHI J
AFGHIJ
AFGHIJ
ABFGHI J
ABEFGI J
ABEFGI
BCEFG
BCDEFG
BCDE
BCDE
BCDE
BCD
CD
CD
CD
C
C
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
H
H
H
H
H
H
I
I
I
I
I
I
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
J K
J K
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
Running Pro f i l e
Figure 4l.
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
94
F. Rotational Logic
(3)
(2)
( 1)
+1
(4)
+1
o
+1
-1
Top-Higher
Bot-Even
Figure 4 2.
o
-1
Top-Higher
Bot-Higher
(5)
Top-Even
Bot-Lower
-1
Top-Lower
Bot-lower
Top-Same
Bot-Same
+1
0
-1
95
2 . Calculating the RF
- -
An Example
To arrive at the RF value, add the day's rotation top values , plus
the day's rotation bottom values , arriving at the Net Plus (buyers)
or Net Minus (sellers) directional RF value. Figure 4 3 illu strates
the RF calculation.
90-20
90-19
90-18
90-17
90-16
90-15
9 0- 1 4
90-13
90-12
90-11
90-10
90-09
90-08
90-07
90-06
90-05
90-04
90-03
90-02
90-01
90-00
89-31
89-30
89-29
89-2 8
89-2 7
89-2 6
89-2 5
89-24
89-23
F +1
F
F
F
F
E +1 F
G -1
E
G
F
+1 E
F +1 G
E
G
E
G -1
E
E
E +1
A
A
A
A
A
0
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
+1
D
C -1 D
D
C
C
D +1
C
C
+1 C
C -1
A
A
A
A
H +1
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H 0
I -1
I
I
I
I
I
I 0
L +1
L
L
L
+1 L
L
L
L +1
K
K
K
K
-1 K
K
K
K
K
K +1
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J
J -1
Copyright 1 9 8 4 CBOT .
Top Tota l
Bot Total
Overa l l RF
+1-1+1+1+1-1+1-1-1+1+1
+ 1- 1+ 1 + 1 + 1 - 1 - 1+0+0- 1+1+1
=
=
( Top + Bot )
=
=
+3
+3
+6
96
m.
A. Philosophy
L Practical Expectations .
2. Timeframe Objectives .
3 . Pragmatic Money Management Plan.
B. Homework
L
Overview.
a. Type of market
1. Trending
2 . Trading
3 . Balanced within trend
2. Direction.
a. Trend
b. Bracket
c. Balanced area
3 . Location.
a. Bracket
b. Balance area
4 . How did we get here ?
a. Straight line
b. Stair-step
97
5 . Yesterday's Activity.
a. Value area
b. Direction
c. Volume
d. Spikes
e. Dispersion of volume analysis
f. Free exposure
6. Overnight Activity.
7 . General Market Conditions .
a. Financials
b. Metals
c. Meats and grains
d. Petroleum
e. Month end, quarter end
8.
News Announcements.
98
c. Trades You Would Like To Do (Wish List)
Do not be shy about identifying ideal trades. Due to arbitrage
programs and the inherent leverage of the futures market, great
opportunities are often created 6y the market.
1650
1629
1628
1627
1 62 6
1625
1624
1623
1622
1621
1620
1619
1618
1617
1616
1615
1614
1613
1612
1611
1610
1 609
1608
1 60 7
1 60 6
1605
1 604
1603
1602
1 60 1
1 600
1599
1598
1597
1596
1595
1594
1593
1 5 92
1591
1590
1589
1588
1587
1586
1585
1584
F
FG
FG
FG
EFG
EFGH
EFGH
EFGH
EFGH
EFGH
EFGH
EFGH
EFGH
EFGHI
EFGI
EFGI
EFGI
EFI
EFI
EFI
DEFI
DEFI
DEFIJL
DFIJL
DFIJL
DJL
DJL
DJL
DJL
DJL
DJL
CDJL
CDJL
CDJL
CDJKL
BCDJK
BCJK
BCKL
BCKL
BCKL
BCKL
BCKL
BCK
BCK
BK
K
I
F igure 44 .
I
September Crude Oi l , Ju ly 6 ,
I
I
I
I
I
I
1576
I
I
I
I
I
I
1988 .
99
7660
7 60 4
7 60 2
7 600
7598
7596
7 5 94
7592
7590
7588
7586
7 5 84
7 5 82
7 5 80
7578
7576
7574
7572
7570
7568
7566
7 5 64
7 5 62
7 5 60
7 5 58
7556
7554
7552
7550
7 548
7 546
7 544
7542
7540
7538
7536
7534
7532
7 5 30
7528
7526
7 524
7522
7520
7518
7516
7514
Y
YZ
YZ
YZ
Y ZA
Y ZA
Y ZA
Y ZABC
YZABCD
Y ZABCD
Y Z BCD
YZBCD
Y Z BCD
YBCD
ZD
ZD
YDE
YDE
YDE
YEG
YEG
YEG
YEFG
YEFG
YEFG
YEFG
YFG
YFGH
YGH
YGH
YGH
YH
YH
YHI
YHI
YI
YI
YI
YI
YI
YI
I
I
I
IJ
IJ
7 5 00
7498
7496
7494
IJ
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
L Initiating
2 . Responsive
F igure 4 5 .
Copyright 1 9 8 4 CBOT .
100
D. Entering The Trade.
Regardle s s of one's individual timeframe, all traders become day
traders on the day a trade is entered and exited. While it is
obvious that a day time frame trade requires favorable day timeframe
trade location, it is more difficult to appreciate the need for
good day time frame trade location for a longer term trade.
Why? Longer term traders need to continually evaluate the trade
objectively. If a los s is carried home on the first day, remaining
objective is more difficult.
L
Risk
opportunity
10
1 -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- 1
10
2. Stra tegies
The next few paragraphs outline the four basic opening strategies
and provide a brief description of the level of expectations, the
risk involved, what the "trader needs to see" prior to initiating
positions, guidelines for entering trades , and how to manage exit.
Each discus sion is broken down into two parts, according to the
desired direction of trade.
It is important to note that the following guide is not
comprehensive. Rather, it is intended as a "mental check-list" --a list
of the types of evaluations that should be continually processed by
day traders as a day unfolds.
101
a. Open-Drive Strategy.
102
6 . If one-timeframe conditions prevail, this day could develop
into a trend day. On trend day's the strategy is to buy or sell
the "pause", (whichever is applicable). Use the same half-hour
progres sion to establish new SRS's . Take note that the risk
increases and the potential opportunity declines with each
additional trade placed in the direction of one-timeframe
activity.
7 . Evaluate the progres sion of the half-hour auctions and adjust
Structural Risk Stops accordingly. Price levels that indicate a
potential return to two-timeframe trade should serve as the
Adjusted Structural Risk Stop (ASRS). The ASRS should be
adjusted as the day develops .
103
5 . Should trade return to a t least two-timeframe conditions (and
assuming the direction of the current auction has not changed),
begin to look for opportunities to enter po sitions better than
or near the point of controL If day structure is nonnal,
normal-variation or neutral, use the TPO count to help time
entry.
6 . The trader should have high personal conviction (or high
confidence in designated price levels) to warrant placing trades
against recent one-timeframe, open-drive activity.
7 . Trades should be entered only after evidence of strong
rejection, such a s that provided by a tail.
8 . Once a day trade is entered, identify exit points. In the
face of recent Open-Drive activity, exit trades if the extreme
serving as support or resistance is erased.
9 . Profit expectations should be small.
104
b. Open-Test-Drive Strategy.
If your desire is to trade in the direction of the Open-Test-Drive
activity: Risk = 3 Opportunity = 7
L Enter early, ideally during the first hour and a half of trade.
2 . Trade location is important, but not criticaL
locate trades as close to the open as po s sible.
Ideally, look to
105
c.
Open-Rejecti.on-Reverse.
106
If your strategy is to trade in the direction opposite the Open
Rejection-Reverse activity:
Risk = 6 Opportunity = 4
Patience is called for here as well, but you may be afforded
an opportunity to trade today.
107
d.
Open-Auction.
Risk
108
IV.
B. Visualize.
A s erious sg or longer term trader wLU examdne each day very
clos ely to determine if the auction is continuing. Each day represents
a new piece of the puzzle. The faster you can visualize the completed
puzzle, the more succe s sful you wLU be.
c.
Do Your Homework.
Repeat the homework steps suggested earlier. After all, exiting a
trade is still a buy or s ell decision. The same proces s used for
entering trades is equally vital to making the right decisions when
exiting trades.