1. Simple 1-2-3 Rule:
Long Side:
1. A stock breaks its down trend line. this is the time to think to buy some.
2. it tests its recent low and holds. this is the time to try some..
3. it breaks out from its recent high. this is the time to add more.
LDK broke out from 39.25 a few days ago and I got in around 40. This breakout is successful and we could declare it's in stage 2 now.
TSL completes its 1-2-3 Rule and now it retests its breakout point. If it could hold it should resume its uptrend soon. I think the pullback is under the market presure.
DSX had the same problem on 05/12
and this was what happenned a few days later. 38-39 was a very area to lock some profit.
I'm waiting for STP to breakout from the small down trend line and get in some.
BYI only finished the step 1 so this one should not be bought around 42. No up no buy is one of my rules.
LVS is still in stage 1 and just tested its down trend line Now it dropped back so it has a long way to go before considering it on the long side.
Short Side:
1. A stock breaks its up trend line. this is the time to think to short some.
2. it tests its recent high and could not make new high. this is the time to try some..
3. it breaks down from its recent low. this is the time to add more.
ISRG: if it could not hold line 3 and goes lower this one will drop hard.
AAPL just violated its uptrend line but managed to close above it. This is why I shorted it at 180 and covered it around 175. I will not short it if it could stay in this very strong uptrend channel.
VISA broke down its uptrend line. This is only step 1 so wait for it to pull back to the upside a little bit.
2. 2B Rule:
Short Side:
A stock trades above its recent high but closes under it in the same day or a few days later. The stock could be shorted once it drops under its recent high. Cut loss it returns back above the signal day's high.
FSLR tried to comple a simple 1-2-3 Rule based on the first steep up trend line. It created a 2B rule five trading days ago. The profit on the short side is very good.
X: I shorted this one around 175 when I noticed it would have a 2B rule and the general market was terrible. The position was covered when X touched its uptrend line at around 167.
Long Side:
A stock trades under its recent low but closes above it in the same day or a few days later. The stock could be bought once it goes above its recent low. Cut loss it returns back under the signal day's low.
CF has a very nice 2B rule. If the market is a little positve it's worth to try some around here. Once again no up no buy.
Same thing happenes to PCU.
3. Breakout
this is quite simple. Every one knows about it. One think is important is that the volume should be heavy on the breakout day.
QCOM is a perfect breakout example.
I'll wait for STLD to breakout from its trading range.
NYX is a breakout failure. Once it drops back to its trading range the party is over and should cut the loss at once. I bought this around 72 and cut loss at 69.9.
Watch for the following two for some potential breakout
4. Pullback
When a stock is in a clear stage 2 up trend the best time to buy some is when the stock has some light volume pullback. It should finish the pullback to get in. No up no buy.