Quote from dkm:
With the limitation of acting only on the close of each ES bar, the next action is long at the close of 10:00.
Those individuals who take action at the close of an ES bar have done so in an effort to take action whaen the market has 'locked in' its signal for continuation, or its signal for change. The point in time where the market 'locks in' its signal (referred to in previous posts as 'at some point') differs for each and every bar. For example, one might not know until seconds before the close of the 13:34 [close of] bar (All times Eastern) on the YM (6-13-2008) that the market has shown decreasing volume until almost the very end of the bar (perhaps, only seconds before the close of the bar). However, quite early in the 13:40 [close of] bar (All times Eastern) on the YM (6-13-2008), one has certainty with respect to increasing volume. Due to the 'moving target' nature of this 'at some point' where the market 'locks in' its signal, waiting until the close of the bar avoids making a decision before the market has provided certainty with respect to its signals of continuation or change.
In addition to Volume, Price also plays a role in when the market has 'locked in' its signal. Hence, the term Price-Volume Relationship.
As such, in this specific example, anyone who reached a decision based on information from a specific Price Bar which had not yet 'locked in' its signal did so prematurely. Note, however, the market does 'lock in' its signal, quite frequently, well in advance of the close of the Price Bar. It simply did not do so, in this specific case.
To put it more clearly, at (the actual time) of 9:55 AM Eastern Time, it most assuridly appeared as if the market was dropping (and doing so on a boatload if increasing red Volume). Within 60 seconds (at the close of the 9:56 AM eastern Time YM bar), one could no longer assume the validity of the previous observation. Something had changed (market sentiment) sending the close higher, off its low and back inside the previous bar.
At minimum this represents the market's attempt to signal, "Go find more information," and at best, it represents a signal for change - in the opposite direction.
HTH
- Spydertrader
