Right now SPX has formed a Tri-Star Reversal pattern.
The past three days SPX has closed almost at unchanged, forming three consectuive doji's which together formed a Tri-Star Reversal Pattern. The pattern is also accompanied by low volume during the last three days.
The pattern is rare, and is meant to signal a reversal of the current trend, of course with all candle stick patterns the fourth down should give confirmation of the candlestick pattern.
The Psychology Behind the Market
Candlesticks can show you the psychology of the traders, think about the psyche of trader during the last three days. The market reaches new highs, has good economic data, yet each day pulled back from those high's and finished almost unchanged. If you are bullish you are worried, if you are bearish you see resistance.
The long shadows of the three candles shows that sellers have been able to control the upper levels of the candles and that buyers are unsure to buy at these levels.
If buyers are unsure about buying at these levels, then any downward pressure could force them to sell quickly.
The last time SPX formed 3 doji's was on July 8th, 9th and 10th, and on the 13th, the market reversed to climb to new highs. This pattern was not a Tri-Star reversal but still signaled three days of indecision in the market after a trend down.
Here is a Tri-Star bullish reversal
The Market Sentiment
Think about July, the market was at it's critical support level of 880. Everyone was screaming HEAD AND SHOULDERS! there was a strong bearish sentiment around Wall st, then there is days of indecision and then the market rallies after GS had great "earnings".
The psychology and sentiment is similar now to what is was in July, but to the bullish side. The t Investor Intelligence Sentiment is well shifted to the Bullish side. This sentiment index was, well shifted to the bearish side in July.
Will the market play out like it did in July but to the opposite side, if SPX has a strong down day tomorrow it will confirm the Tri-Star reversal.
Tomorrow the market is stacked with economic data, could this be the straw that breaks the bulls back. Just have to wait and see.