Patterns and Sticks in their time, Opera too

I thought I'd make a quick point about candlesticks and patterns in the context of a time frame. I know that candlesticks have been somewhat of a focus lately and we've talked about double tops and bottoms recently, so I thought I'd point out an observation I made this week.
Candlesticks, like chart patterns, are applicable to all time frames and have increasing signficance the larger the time frame. Take a look at this double top formation on the SPX this week. This chart of the SPY shows each candle representing 15 minutes. There is a Double Top reversal pattern that would have worked out nicely as a clear and clean entry point for a bearish intra day trade. There is even a confirmed Hanging Man candle pattern on the second top. One might even consider playing a downward break of the symmetrical triangle in the most recent day for a bearish continuation on an intraday basis.
(Click the image to see it larger)

But would this bearish entry make sense for an intermediate or long term entry? Looking at the daily chart, probably not. Of course, there are plenty of signs that the chart is weakening. My uptrending support line from March was broken and then acted as resistance. The incline of the trend is becoming less steep. This week shows three days with topside shadows followed by a big red candle on Thursday. One could look at this cluster like an evening star formation. It's not textbook, but it tells the same story. With the Investools study set, you will even find that the chart now shows 2 red arrows on the MACD and Stochastic. Nevertheless, the SPX is still in an uptrend and has now found support for the second time in recent weeks at the 20 MA. Though many things may be pointing us to look for a reversal, it is a bit early to call it a top here, particularly when the recent months have repeatedly shown us drastic down days followed by days and weeks of upward movement.

Finally, the weekly chart shows just how the candlesticks and patterns can be used to simplify everything in the bigger picture. It is really quite amazing when you think about the amount of information, news and action that is represented in that one simple candle. This image shows the SPX, DJX, Nasdaq composote, and Russel 2000. The SPX and Dow show very strong weekly candles with the most recent week resulting in a harami, which is a potential reversal. According to Steve Nisson, the Japanese will say that with a harmai the market is "losing its breath." I would say, though, before seriously worrying about a drastic bearish move, we should like to at least see this weekly pattern confirmed with a lower close at the end of this week. For now we must look at these markets in a strong uptrend as taking a very natural breather and perhaps a very healthy pullback.
The Russel and Nasdaq, on the other hand, are looking a bit more ominous. Neither have participated in the strength of the SPX and Dow in the last month and look to be more setup to roll over. The Russell small caps, in particular, have barely found life above the resistance level from late February. Of the "Gravestone Doji" which is seen on the Nasdaq, Nisson says that the Japanese call it this because it "represents the gravestone of the bulls that have died defending their territory."

I hope this is of some use to you. I just want to reiterate that the use of candlesticks and patterns are fantastic but must be appropriately applied to the time frame you are looking at.
On the subject of watching for a reversal, it is worth noting that the VIX has established a very clear level to watch for. Remember, "When the VIX is low(and starts to rise), it's time to go." 14.50 or so seems to be the magic signal for the moment.


So in addition to the ideas from the last post on REITs, Retail may be a good place to look for potential bearish setups if the market does continue to show weakness. We know that our COH has been taking it a bit on the chin lately. But this weekly chart of the $RLX shows a symmetrical triangle that could have big potential to the downside. Having shown relative weakness to the Dow and SPX recently, and with consumers being pinched by the high costs of gas going into the summer season, it would make sense that this sector might take a hit. As is noted in "Week Ahead" found in the strategies tab on the Investools site, Dell, Costco and Sears report this Thursday.


And now for a shameless plug:

As you may know, I am an opera singer.

In case you are looking for a little culture in the coming months, I thought I’d share the information on my performances this summer.
I will be singing in three different operas in June and July. In June, I sing the role of Basil Howard in The Picture of Dorian Gray, a setting of the Oscar Wilde novel by composer Lowell Lieberman . The music is quite impressive and the cast is a very good group of singers. This is being done with Center City Opera at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.

There are four performances but it is double cast, so make sure you buy tickets for one of these two dates when I’ll be singing. For more info on the company and these performances, go to their website.

My performances:
Wednesday, June 6, 8 PM
Sunday, June 10, 2:30 PM

In July I will sing two roles with the New Jersey Opera Theater, performing at the Berlind Theater at McCarter in Princeton. In Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) I will sing Sarastro, the high priest of the temple of Isis. In Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet, I will sing Frere Laurent, the provider of poison. For information on tickets, go to their web site.
This is one of my favorite pictures from past performances with that company.

The dates for those shows:

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), Sarastro

Friday, July 13,8pm
Sunday, July 15, 2pm
Saturday, July 21, 8pm
Saturday, July 28, 1pm

Roméo et Juliette, Frère Laurent

Friday, July 20, 8pm
Sunday, July 22, 2pm
Saturday, July 28, 8pm

Both of the theaters where these performances will take place are ideal for seeing and hearing opera in a more intimate environment. I think they seat somewhere around 600 people. The casts are all young, up and coming talent. So there will be no old, tired, park-and-bark singing here. So come on out to the opera!

For a few last laughs, here's a picture of me as Sarastro in a children's production of The Magic Flute in Zurich. The costume was all mirrors from head to tow. By far the heaviest costume I've ever worn. Not very mobile, but it made quite an affect under the lights on stage.

Here's a picture of me as one of the waiters in Rosenkavalier. Baron Ochs refers to them as Maikäfer, a type of bug that comes out in Spring, so the designers decided to have us painted up as bugs in very nice, linen servant outfits. They do some crazy stuff in the German speaking countries. I won't show you the picture of me as an "old servant" dressed in tight, white boxer briefs and a pink, silk ladies bathrobe with a choker around my neck!


The opera world is a strange and wondrous place.
I do recommend coming out to see any of the productions I'm involved with this summer, even if you've never been to the opera before. They're all good shows, and seeing opera up close is quite impressive. And for those worried about language, they will all have super-titles projected above the stage. I would recommend buying tickets very soon. Almost all of the performances for New Jersey Opera Theater sold out last year and I would expect them to do the same this year. And don't worry, there's not a bad seat in the house, so just buy whatever is available. Ideally, I'd recommend somewhere in the middle of the house and no closer than the first 3 or 4 rows. That way, there's a little room for the sound of the voices to come out and blend with that of the orchestra.