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Forex Elliott Wave

Additional Observations in Wave Analysis – Advanced Level

Introduction

R.N. Elliott, in his treatise “The Wave Principle,” emphasizes the importance of the corrective patterns knowledge. Elliott adds that its comprehension can provide to wave analyst an advantage in the forecasting process.

Glenn Neely, in his work “Mastering Elliott Wave,” not only expands this information defining a set of observations about the different corrective patterns and its potential implication for the next path. He also extends these observations to impulsive structures.

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Corrective Patterns

The significative movements occur after a correction; in this sense, the knowledge of the potential extension of the next move provides a valuable edge to wave analyst.

The following list shows the corrective formations according to their strength level.

  1. Triple zigzag. This complex corrective pattern is the strongest of the corrections group. The triple zigzag rarely appears in the real market; however, its appearance is indicative of its strength (or weakness) level. When it surges, it will raise on a terminal structure, or in a triangle pattern. Once the triple zigzag ends, the next move will not experience a complete retracement.
  2. Triple Combination. This type of complex correction can be formed by a combination of flat, zigzag, and triangle. Usually, it will end with a triangle pattern. Once the triple three formation ends, the next path would tend to retrace the entire movement even in an upper degree. If this pattern surges as a terminal structure, the next move should entirely retrace the formation triple three.
  3. Triple Flat. This complex formation corresponds to the combination of three flat patterns. In this case, the next path should not retrace its advance completely, except when the Elliott wave structure surges as a terminal structural series in the fifth wave.
  4. Double Zigzag. This complex corrective pattern should not experience a complete retracement by the next movement.
  5. Double Combination. The double combination is a complex corrective pattern that generally could contain a zigzag or a flat formation with a triangle. In the same way, this structure tends to end with a failure in wave c. This pattern tends to be entirely retraced by the next path.
  6. Double Flat. This complex combination surges in rare cases. However, when it rises, generally, the next move will not retrace the complex structure fully.
  7. Extended Zigzag. This variation of the zigzag pattern generally appears in triangle formations or at the end of a terminal structure. The next path of an extended zigzag generally will never be entirely retraced.
  8. Extended Flat. This variation tends to emerge in triangle patterns. In the same way that the extended zigzag, the next move should not retrace it completely.
  9. Zigzag. This standard corrective pattern can be found in the real market. In general, the next path could retrace wholly and partially the extension of the zigzag pattern.
  10. Flat. Although this pattern and its variations are typical, the retracement of the next movement tends to be unclear.
  11. Double Three. In general, the extension of this complex corrective pattern tends to warn about the potential next movement. In short, while most extended being the double three pattern, the next move will be stronger.

Triangles

Glenn Neely, in his work, considers that triangle patterns require a different treatment. 

  1. Contracting Triangle. The thrust developed in a contracting triangle is a movement with a higher level of momentum. This move will be bigger or smaller, in terms of time, depending on its nature. If the contracting triangle is horizontal, the next path will be equal to the largest segment of the triangle. In the irregular contracting triangle case, the next movement will reach the 161.8% respecting to the largest leg of the triangle. Finally, in the continuous contracting triangle, the thrust can reach the 261.8% of the broadest segment of the triangle. 
  2. Expanding Triangle. In this kind of triangle, the thrust differs from the case of the contracting triangles. The thrust of an expanding triangle tends to be minor than the most extended segment of the triangle.

Impulses

The advantage of the next movement of an impulsive wave is the knowledge of the potential correction. In this context, it is tough to determine what kind of correction will occur before the corrective sequence begins. 

  1. Trend. After the motive wave completion, the impulsive movement should not experience a retracement beyond the origin of its first segment, except if the impulsive wave corresponds to a fifth wave. In general, waves A, 1, or 3, should not experience a retrace greater than 61.8% by the next move.
  2. First Extended Wave. When the extended wave is the first move, the motive wave should experience a retracement until the end of wave 4. 
  3. Third Extended Wave. In this case, once the impulsive wave is completed, the motive structure should experience a retrace between the high and low of the fourth wave.
  4. Fifth Extended Wave. The next corrective structure of a fifth extended wave should retrace more than 61.8% to the impulsive move.
  5. Terminal Structure. The movement after a terminal structure should retrace the progression of the terminal structure completely. The time elapsed in the evolution of the corrective move should be shorter than 50% of the time elapsed in the making of the terminal structure.

Conclusions

In this educational article, we discussed the observations described by Glenn Neely in his work “Mastering Elliott Wave” concerning the potential next movement, depending on the pattern in progress.

In this context, Neely, following the steps of R.N. Elliott, provides an ample proportion of time to describe what to expect after a corrective structure. This knowledge could provide the wave analyst an advantage in its comprehension about the market situation and what should be the potential next move.

In our following article, we will present the advanced applications in the wave analysis in a four-part series.

Suggested Readings

– Neely, G.; Mastering Elliott Wave: Presenting the Neely Method; Windsor Books; 2nd Edition (1990).

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By Eduardo Vargas

Eduardo Vargas is a technical analyst and independent trader based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is an Industrial Engineer and holds a Master in Finance degree. In 2008 began to trade Chilean stocks listed on IPSA. From 2013 started to trade CFDs on Forex, Commodities, Indices and ETFs markets. He analyses different markets combining the Elliott Wave analysis with Fibonacci tools. He provides a market mid-long-term vision.

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