"This is Too Good to be True.  Am I sure I can Handle It?"  

2D, 10m. - Apr. 3 - In spite of weak internals the market held on for additional support and gain.  The market continues to absorb bad news and seems to anticipate "better days ahead".  This may be true but caution is advised.
10D, 60m. - Apr. 3 - The "Windsock" proved correct.  In fact it is not even being changed by today's market.  The same tangential is simply projected on what had been there yesterday.  The price action remains on the top side of the Bull Potato.  The Action Buttons remain on "Go."

3M, Daily - Apr. 3 - "The Trend is Your Friend."  The Channel continues to ring "Bull Speed Ahead."  From past experience once you feel that in your emotions it will turn on you like a rattlesnake.  Keep your stops tight.

"Bullish Market Action in the Midst of Travail"

2D, 10m. - Apr. 2 - Gap up with little momentum, follow through after that.  Divergent MACD noted during session outlined by Gold Spot.
10D, 60m. - Apr. 2 - Inconsistent Moving Average crossovers in last few sessions makes Potato calls difficult.  At the moment we are Bullish.
3M, Daily - Apr. 2 - Bullish on this  intermediate chart with Channel clearly to the upside.

"Windsocks are Fundamental to Safe Takeoffs and Smooth Landings"

10D 60m. - Apr. 1st. - Todays channel is trending up, however, the Moving Averages are in a variable mode whipping back and forth flirting with the Devil's Den.  While the Windsock is Bullish caution is advised.  As the Shadow Trader says, "Let the market show its hand."

"Devil's Den Trading is Treacherous"

2D, 10m. - Apr. 1st. - Gap down followed by parabolic gap close and trending day up with snap downs and snap back ups.  Very volatile trading.  Quick roll overs of the moving averages.
20D, 60m. - Apr. 1st. - No definitive bull or bear potato with the price caught up in the Devil's Den which creates high risk trade situations.
3M, Daily - Apr. 1st. - Even on the 3 Month Daily we are in the Devil's Den.  More can be found int the sidebar on our interpretation of the Devil's Den and the problems it presents with Potato Trading.  This is a transitional zone that does not lend itself to confident decision making.   It is problematic in stimulating premature trades that "jump the gun" and do not work out.

"Gimme a Break."

1D, 10m. - Mar. 31st. - The Market is the Market.  It defies all reason.  Every indication was that the market would sell off and it Gapped Up and continued to go up only to collapse in the last hour.  I am sure that a lot of people are suffering from Whip Lash and seeking remedies (including myself).
20D, 60m. - Mar. 31st. - Potato Theory called for a "Down Day" based on failure of the 60 minute MA crossover.  Today the price action challenged this to the point of death.  In the end the theory held up but only after all the faint of heart had headed to the barn.
3M, Daily - Mar. 31st. - On the 3 Month, Daily we find ourselves in the Devil's Den.  This calls for extreme caution as the market is very fickle in this area (from our experience).

"Solutions in Retreat"

2D, 15m. - Mar. 30th. - Gap down followed by gradual decline.  Take note of the Double Bottom near 2:30 PM.  This was a clear signal for a bounce.
10 Day, Hourly - Mar. 30th. - "Potato Peelings" has been devoted toward trying to make a science out of market cycle behavior.  The Hourly 10/30 MA has clearly been violated.  Potato theory would call for a continued movement to the downside.  We have on rare occasions been proven wrong but it is still more often true.  So, the Potato Trader takes a position at this moment to project that the market will go down.

3M. Daily - Mar. 30th. - "V" formation for Victory but we are approaching Resisatance at the next level.  The Drop today was significant and tomorrows reaction to that will be interesting.  Our suggestion is "don't be too sure" until the market shows it hand.

"The Market is Very Reactive to the Actions in Washington."

2D, 15m. - Mar. 27th. - "Failed New Lows" and "Failed New Highs" are opportunities for entry.  A "Double Bottom" or "Double Top" is a Failed continuation of the move.  In other words "Failures" can actually spell "Success" for the Trader.
1D, Tick Chart - Mar. 27th. -  Tick chart shows market movement by Ticks and not by Time.  This can be used in combination with Regression Channels and FNHs and FNLs to spot entry points.  More information is available on request.
20D, 2 Hour - Mar. 27th. - Bull Potato Day 11.  Today was a down day for the market but the Bull Potato remains alive and well.  There are Bearish clouds on the Horizon but for now we cannot count the Bull as being down and out.

"Are We Smokin' Dope or Is This the Real Thing?"

20D, Hourly - Mar. 26th. - Bull Potato Day 11 - "Incredible" - A couple of months ago most Potatoes, Bull or Bear only lasted a few days.  Now we go for a much longer period, but sometimes with more volatility that can leave you with uncertainty as to direction.  The bias here is to the upside.  
5D, 15m. - Mar. 26th. - Lesson for the Day.  First determine the Channel establishing the Highs and Lows.  There is an art to this.  Determine the Trend and look for Reversal Points.  Reversal Points can be Double Tops or Double Bottoms or Failed New Highs or Failed New Lows.  In fact, a Double Top or Double Bottom is a Failed new High or Low.  The market either goes up or it goes down.  Assess the Internals such as A/D lines & Up Volume vs Down Volume."  Be on the right side of the trade.  These are the fundamentals of trading, but there is always so much more to learn to be consistently successful.

This Blog is devoted to helping our friends and contributors become successful traders.  We do not offer specific advice on investments or trades.  The Blog is an effort simply to distribute information that may prove useful to those interested in trading the markets.  It is solely directed to those interested in technical analysis as opposed to fundamental analysis.  We have no apology for that.

Should there be questions or comments, they are welcome.

Potato Trader

"Knock Down, Drag Out -  Who's on Top?"

2D, 15m. - Mar. 25th. - Volatile Day with significant "Double Tops" and "Double Bottoms" that have been recognized frequently as "Reversal Points" in market movement.  Also note the "Lower High" or "Failed New High" at 11 AM.  These are important signals that call for action to either Buy or Sell depending on position.  They should not be ignored.
10D, Hourly - Mar. 25th. - The Bull hangs on after a turbulent day in the market.  An incredible amount of political/economics colors the market activity.  It is more that just business as usual.
20D, 2 Hour - Mar. 25th. - Longer term the 10/30 Moving Averages have been invaded suggesting the possibility of a Bull Potato demise.  This remains to be seen.  In the past Bull and Bear Potatoes have generally sustained themselves without intermittent injury.  More recently we have seen threats and trauma inflicted but at the same time an ability to recover and move forward.  This does present some newer considerations as to Potato health.  Perhaps we need a "Potato Doctor."

Ups & Downs of Bull Riding

"Bull Markets are Not a Walk in the Park"

20D, 2 Hour - Mar. 24th. - Bull Potato Day 10.  Gold Spot highlights the turbulence within the last few days.  Political actions by the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury have been the major contributors.