Quote from crgarcia:
So then losses are not the reality?
Yeah I forgot that you don't trade.
You profit from churning commissions.
I'm not too convinced YOU trade garcia.
Then again, maybe you filled a few in between those 3500 posts, but you don't make a living from the river of fish.
To answer the thread's question, using SPY as a proxy, it hit two consectiive 20 day lows on 5/4 & 5/5. 10 day low is a warning, 20 day low (which approximates a month) calls for action. Either cash, getting smaller, or establishing shorts. The latter is an artform.
Additionally, the 34 day rate of change, a nice smooth curve that approximates a month and a half, pierced zero on 5/5 after being positive since March. In essence, the rally was over.
SPY's price also moved 2.5 ATR (a half week) away from the highest value on 5/5. a/k/a a Chandalier stop.
Related, the NYSE advance/decline line made 10 day lows on both 5/4 and 5/5. A warning.
New 52 week highs had dropped off materially after 5/3. In essence, new virgin territory had narrowed.
Then of course, there's the time-tested adage to "sell in May and go away".
I wish YOU'D go away, but that's wishful thinkin' , isn't it?
The Lehman "crash" of 11/08 was far MORE scathing. And...........it couldn't be predicted by outside observers.