Quote from jeb9999:
Oh wonderful. If the big traders only trade in the same direction that the market is moving then who got it moving in that direction in the first place? If the big traders only trade in the same direction that the market is moving then who gets the market to change direction multiple time a day? And what is it that the derivatives track?
Let me rephrase: perhaps what I should have said is that a LOT (instead of most) of REALLY big traders trade USUALLY (instead of always) trade in harmony with derivatives. Ask a market maker or pension fund manager sometime if you get the chance.
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Simplistically put, to answer your questions, often it is groups of smaller to mid-size traders that get the market started in a direction as they tend to be the ones who try to pick tops and bottoms. Or it may be larger traders using say 1/10 of their position firepower as they nibble at accumulation or distribution.
Then the small groups of really BIG traders either de-rail that move (by creating the support or resistance levels that make the market pivot intraday like you are saying) or else they too pile on in a big way, adding to their initial positions, which creates your high volume trend days in one direction.
A lot of these very big traders watch the put/call ratio, VIX, ADV/DEC ratio, futures contracts, etc. which are all derivative in nature, before making really large commitments. As a small trader, I want to be on the right side of these large commitments, not counter to them.
Therefore, generally speaking, I believe it is much better to buy individual stocks when the options and futures markets are trending up - and to sell them when the derivatives are trending down.
As far as what the derivitives track, I'd suggest to go to the CME or CBOE sites for learning materials.
Hope this helps.