Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Vvvu
Vvvu
Steven W. Poser
Managing Director, Research
New York Stock Exchange
212-656-4512
sposer@nyse.com
Today’s Objectives
Review fundamentals of the Elliott
Wave Principle (EWP)
Three rules
• Wave-2 never moves beyond start of wave-1
• Wave-3 never the shortest
• Wave-4 never overlaps wave-1, except in a
diagonal triangle
4
Elliott Wave Theory Basics
• Developed by Ralph Nelson Elliott, mostly
in the 1930s
1
4 A
C
2
7
Elliott Wave Basics
• Wave modes
• Motive waves – subdivide into five waves
• Corrective waves – subdivide into a three wave
structure or a triangle
10
Elliott Wave Notation
• Elliott created names for cycles of varying sizes and time. Frost
and Prechter revised the names and notations
1. Supermillenium 1 A
2. Millenium (1) (A)
3. Submillenium 1 A
4. Grand Supercycle I a
5. Supercycle (I) (a)
6. Cycle I a
7. Primary 1 A
8. Intermediate (1) (A)
9. Minor 1 A
10. Minute i a
11. Minuette (i) (a)
12. Subminuette i a
13. Micro 1 A
14. Submicro (1) (A)
15. Miniscule 1 A
11
Extensions
• Usually, one wave in an impulse move extends –
breaks into a larger five wave move. This is
typically the third wave in the stock market and
is often the fifth wave in the commodity
markets.
• A full five wave impulse therefore breaks into a
nine leg cycle. For example: (1)-(2)-1-2-3-4-
5(3)-4-5 where wave-(3) extended into 1-2-3-
4-5.
• Extensions can extend as well: 1-2-3-4-(1)-(2)-
(3)-(4)-1-2-3-4-5(5)5
• The circled waves are primary, the ones in parentheses
are intermediate and the last are minor degree.
12
Truncations
• More commonly known as failures,
but Frost/Prechter changed the name
to truncation.
13
Diagonals
• Motive, but not actionary (impulsive)
16
Corrections – Zig-Zags
• Both waves are 5-wave motive moves.
• Zig-zags are usually faster and correct more price territory than
flats.
17
Corrections – Flats
• Usually retraces less ground than a zig-
zag.
19
Corrections – Triangles
• Possibly the single most important thing you can
learn from triangles is that the classic technical
analysis books have triangles all wrong:
• You can always predict which direction a triangle will
break.
• Although an ascending triangle is more likely to appear
as a correction in an up trend, the direction it breaks is
based on the prior wave pattern. They are not inherently
bullish. The same is true of descending triangles.
21
Terminology
• Frost/Prechter state that stocks are
directionally progressive. That is, that the
general direction of stock prices is higher.
22
Irregular Tops
• Frost/Prechter disagree with Elliott’s irregular top idea.
23
Alternation
• This is not a rule, but it is a strong tendency.
25
Symmetry
• In an impulse move, the two non-extended waves tend to
be about equal in size.
• The best measurement tool for equality, for all but very
minor cycles (ie, above minor) is percentage, not price
points.
• Note: The book talks about how you cannot use intraday
highs and lows in the Dow. This is no longer true, although
it was correct at the time the book was first published.
26
Channels
• A whole impulse cycle often develops in a channel.
28
Wave Characteristics
Wave-2
Correction of first leg of bull move
Fundamentals still mostly negative
29
A Diversion: Behavioral Finance
Studies how human emotion and
crowd psychology can cause
inefficiencies in the markets
30
Behavioral Finance
Some academics in behavioral
finance have embraced technical
analysis as a tool in their cadre.
31
Back to Elliott – Wave-3
Characteristics
Elliotticians dream of third waves (they don’t
have much of a life, do they?)
Usually most powerful and largest price move
The public jumps on board during this move
High volume, momentum confirms
Typically at least 1.618 times as large as wave-1
Fundamentals (finally) confirm the positive price
action
Breakouts, continuation gaps are common.
Excellent market breadth with Dow Theory
confirmation for higher degree stock market bull
cycles.
32
Wave-3 and Behavioral Finance
Sentiment should be at highest level
during this move
Forecasts should show revisions to extend
earlier expectations
Recognition that this is a bull market is
likely
While should be easy to get in, some will
want to wait for a pull back to get a
bargain, and they will miss the boat
33
Wave-4 Characteristics
Often the most difficult wave to trade
Trend is still up
34
Wave-5 Characteristics
Everybody is bullish; it is a true bull
love fest
Bears are regularly ridiculed in the
financial media
The news is all good
Prices make new highs
BUT....
35
Wave-5 Characteristics
Volume probably lower than at end of third wave, except in
Primary degree and higher where there can be a blow-off
type situation. Also, volume is high in a fifth wave
extension.
36
Wave-5 Behavioral Clues
Forecast targets extended to allow for new
paradigms
38
Wave-B Characteristics
A wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Market participants still following the bullish
mantra and see the just completed wave-A as
corrective.
Everything is going to be okay.
But, volume probably not very strong (except in
Primary Degree and higher) and market breadth
is poor even if sentiment is still strong and
fundamentals, which tend to be trailing, still look
constructive.
Wave-B is the right shoulder of the classic head
and shoulders reversal pattern.
39
Wave-C Characteristics
Cousins of third waves.
Usually impulsive, but can be diagonal
triangles.
High volume as end of wave is reached (at
the end of a bear, this would be termed a
capitulation)
Everybody finally buys into the bear
market.
However, as the end approaches, there
might even be some technical lights at the
end of the tunnel (which are not an
oncoming train).
40
Waves D&E (Triangles)
Wave-D might see higher volume in non-
expanding triangles.
This may be due to the fact that they
follow c-waves and can be initially
believed to be the start of the next cycle
and the end of the correction.
E-waves look like the resumption of the
bear market and news can be very
negative. They often break below triangle
support. But, they are a fake-out as the
market is then ripe for a return to the
prior up trend.
41
Da Rules!
It is not worth going through all of the guidelines
and rules noted in the 2005 edition on pages 86-
91, but you should be familiar with most of them.
Note that most of these guidelines have been
discussed in prior slides.
Here are a few of the less obvious but more
important rules and guidelines:
• Usually, only one motive wave extends, but two might in
Cycle or Supercycle degree.
• When wave-5 extends, it is typically in a Fibonacci
proportion to the distance traveled by waves 1-3
• Wave-4 usually ends in the area of the fourth of wave-3
• Wave-4 often subdivides the entire impulse in a
Fibonacci price or time proportion
42
Da Rules! (con’t)
An ending diagonal always appears as wave-5 of
an impulse or wave-c of a zig-zag or flat.
A leading diagonal always appears as wave-1 of
an impulse or wave-A of a zig-zag or flat.
All waves of an ending diagonal and waves 2&4
of a leading diagonal always divide into a zig-zag.
Wave-4 of a diagonal always overlaps wave-1.
Diagonals look like classic TA wedges.
Wave-3 is still never the shortest wave and in an
expanding diagonal wave-5 always ends beyond
the terminus of wave-3.
Waves 2&4 usually retrace 66% to 81% of the
prior wave.
43
Da Rules! (con’t)
In an impulse, a diagonal is unlikely unless wave-3 is
extended.
In a zig-zag, wave-B never retraces more than 100% of
wave-A
If wave-B is a running triangle, it will typically retrace 10-
40% of wave-A
Wave-B usually retraces 38-79% of wave-A if it isn’t a
running triangle.
If wave-B is a zig-zag, it typically retraces 50-70% of wave-
A.
Wave-A is never a triangle in a flat (or a zig-zag).
Wave-B always retraces at least 90% of wave-A and usually
retraces 100-138% of wave-A in a flat.
In a flat, wave-C is typically 100-162% of wave-A.
Wave-C usually ends beyond the end of wave-A in a flat.
44
Da Rules! (con’t)
An expanded flat is when wave-B is more than 105% of
wave-A and wave-C ends beyond the end of wave-A.
If wave-B is more than 100% of wave-A, but wave-C does
not move past the end of wave-A, then the flat is called a
running flat.
In a contracting triangle, at least four of the waves must
divide into a zig-zag or a zig-zag combination.
Except for wave-E, a wave in a contracting triangle never
retraces more than 100% of the prior wave.
A triangle never has more than one complex wave and if it
does, it is either a zig-zag combination or a triangle itself.
About 60% of the time, wave-B does not end beyond the
end of wave-A. This is a running triangle.
Wave-5 following a triangle is typically either brief or an
exceptionally long extension.
45
Da Rules! (con’t)
In an expanding triangle, waves c,d and e retrace at least
100%, but not more than 150% of the prior subwave. They
usually retrace 105-125% of the previous subwave.
Combinations are formed by two or three corrective
patterns separated by corrective pattern(s) in the opposite
direction.
A double three flat is either a zig-zag&flat, a flat&zig-zag,
two flats, a zig-zag and triangle or a flat&triangle.
A triple three flat comprises three flats.
Double and triple zig-zags take the place of zig-zags while
double and triple threes stand in for flats or triangles.
An expanding triangle has never been seen as part of a
combination.
46
Determining Your Count
You should consider all factors discussed to this point in
developing a wave count.
More than one count may be possible. Frost&Prechter
recommend always having an alternate count. Alternates
must also abide by these rules and guidelines.
Never forget that wave form is more important than
volume, exact timing, price target calculations of non-Elliott
indicators, be they technical or fundamental in developing
your count.
In the next section, we will cover in greater detail Fibonacci
ratios to help you more closely compute potential time and
price targets. However, these calculations remain less
important than wave form.
Despite these admonitions, if several methods provide you
with a good price target (such as equality between wave-1
and wave-5, a trend line, a day count, plus volume and
indicators), the probability of your being correct is better.
47
Fibonacci - Introduction
Based on the work of the mathematician
Leonardo da Pisa (later known as Fibonacci).
Many waves relate to prior subwaves and degrees
based on comparisons using Fibonacci-based
ratios.
Ratios based on the series of numbers where Sn
= Sn-1 + Sn-2
• Example: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34
• Example: 6,11,17,28,45,73,118
The ratio of number n in the series, to number n-
1, quickly approaches 1.618.
The inverse of this is 0.618 and is known by the
Greek letter phi (Φ).
48
Fibonacci - Introduction
There is a whole lot of numerology involved with Φ, which
is not all that relevant to Elliott.
What is relevant are the main ratios and retracements that
Elliotticians use:
• 0.382 (Sn/Sn-2) 1.618
• 0.618 2.618 = 1.618*1.618
• 0.236 (Sn/Sn-3) 4.236 = 1.6183
• 0.764 (1-0.236) or 0.786 (Φ0.5)
The Golden Mean (or Golden Ratio) is 0.618 or 1.618
according to Frost/Prechter.
The Golden Section: The point on a line where the ratio
between the smaller part of the line and the larger part of
the line equals the ratio between the larger part of the line
and the whole line. This is at the 0.618 point.
The book covers the Golden Rectangle and Golden Spiral.
49
Using Fibonacci
Some basic tendencies were discussed in “Da
Rules” earlier.
You can use Fibonacci ratios for determining
possible targets for retracements and for current
and later wave termini.
You can also use Fibonacci numbers and ratios to
help you time when waves might end.
On their own, a dependence on Fib numbers can
be dangerous, but when combined with the
principals of channeling as well as by using
volume and momentum, plus an understanding
of Crowd Behavior, you can learn to apply Elliott
Wave in a profitable and easy-to-understand
manner.
50
Using Fibonacci (con’t)
When wave-3 extends, wave-1 and wave-5 end
to be equal in size.
When wave-5 extends, it tends to travel about
1.618 times the distance traveled by waves 1-3
When wave-1 extends, it will often travel 1.618
times the distance of waves 3-5.
Wave-4 often divides a whole move into the
Golden mean (ie, wave-5 is 38.2% or 61.8% of
the distance from the start of wave-1 to the
bottom of wave-4).
In a contracting triangle each alternate wave
tends to be 0.618 times the preceding alternate
wave (ie, wave-e = 0.618 times wave-a)
51
Using Fibonacci (con’t)
You can also use Fibonacci numbers to look for
timing targets.
Waves will often take Fib ratios in terms of time
as well. For example, if wave-1 takes eight days,
wave-2 might take five, and wave-3 13.
I have often found that daily cycles tend take
Fibonacci numbers of days.
My work has also shown that trading days works
better than calendar days. However, neither this
or the previous point is noted in Prechter/Frost.
Frost/Prechter notes the Benner-Fibonacci cycle.
Although I doubt it will be on the exam, this 20-
18-16 year cycle has done a very good job of
forecasting panics and blow-offs.
52
Using Fibonacci
When wave-3 extends, wave-1 and wave-5 end
to be equal in size.
When wave-5 extends, it tends to travel about
1.618 times the distance traveled by waves 1-3
When wave-1 extends, it will often travel 1.618
times the distance of waves 3-5.
Wave-4 often divides a whole move into the
Golden mean (ie, wave-5 is 38.2% or 61.8% of
the distance from the start of wave-1 to the
bottom of wave-4).
In a contracting triangle each alternate wave
tends to be 0.618 times the preceding alternate
wave (ie, wave-e = 0.618 times wave-a)
53
Some Final Thoughts
Frost and Prechter note that wave theory is applicable to
business activity. Prechter has extended this to the new
science of Socioconomics. Socioconomics is not mentioned
in the book, and is not likely to be tested on, but the Elliott
Wave Principle is its basis.
Note that this ties us back into the idea of Behavior
Finance. It is not the news that counts, but how the market
(or stock, or commodity) reacts to the news. In terms of
Elliott, it is how that reaction is represented in wave forms.
Dow Theory has some minor overlaps with Elliott. They
both recognize the behavioral and psychological differences
between bull and bear cycles.
Dow Theory divergences (Industrials at new high,
Transports not) couples well with momentum divergences
often noted at the top of fifth waves.
Dow bull and bear markets are not directly tied to any
specific degree and Elliott does not have a true bull or bear.
54
Charts to Discuss
55
Charts to Discuss
56
Charts to Discuss
57
Further Readings and Sources
Robert Prechter Jr.’s site:
http://www.elliottwave.com
R.N. Elliott’s Masterworks (edited by Robert
Prechter Jr.)
Applying Elliott Wave Theory Profitably (by
Steven W. Poser) – Note that my book does not
exactly follow Frost/Prechter. It should be useful
when you get beyond the exam and wish to start
applying Elliott Wave in the real world.
Pioneering Studies in Socioconomics&The Wave
Principle of Human Social Behavior (by Robert
Prechter Jr.)
58