Russell 2K (IWM) showing Wyckoff Distribution?
Updated
Richard Wyckoff theorized that one could understand the market and its movement through analysis of supply and demand, which can be ascertained from studying price action, volume, and time. According to Wyckoff, the market moves in cycles. First, there is a period of accumulation followed by a mark up period. Then there is a period of distribution followed by a mark down period. The cycle then repeats itself. Seeking to improve efficiency when trading, Wyckoff created the Wyckoff schematics which depict trading ranges of accumulation and distribution by smart money.
In 2020, we saw a major market crash as COVID caused the world to shut down. Once the F.U.D. diminished, the Wyckoff accumulation cycle began and the Russell was quickly marked up in a matter of months. In 2021, the Russell has traded mostly sideways. Following Wyckoff's cycle, one could presume that this is the Wyckoff distribution pattern which can take up to a year to fulfill.
The Wyckoff Distribution Pattern is split into phases. I have outlined each phase on the chart to provide clarity. The distribution is broken down as such:
Phase A:
The Preliminary Supply (PSY) is established. This is where big money begins to offload some of their accumulated position. It is bought up by retail traders and sent to new highs. Big money then offloads a larger portion of their position at the Buying Climax (BC). This causes a massive wave of selling as supply significantly outweighs demand. Panic selling ensues and stop losses are triggered. An Automatic Reaction (AR) occurs as the supply and demand balance out. The low of the AR and high of the BC establish a trading range for the rest of the distribution.
Phase B:
This phase consists of supply and demand testing. Buyers will attempt to reclaim the trend through upthrusts (UT) but big money meets this demand with more supply and sends shares back into the trading range. Big money will then perform secondary tests (ST) and look for signs of weakness (SOW) to assess the remaining supply and demand imbalances. This results in a long period of consolidation. Not that we should see low volume in the middle of the range and volume spikes toward the boundaries.
Phase C (Optional):
This phase is characterized as a false breakout. It is used to trick traders out of their positions so big money can offload more supply, sending shares lower in one final push. Upthrust after Distribution (UTAD)
Phase D:
This phase will often illustrate a clear imbalance between supply and demand. Price will show large volume and price declines toward the lower boundary of the trading range. At this point, big money has little to no long position left and has likely initiated a short position. The market will begin to make a down-trending structure of lower highs and lower lows. I believe we are currently at this phase of the cycle.
Phase E:
The mark down period begins. There are several possible catalysts to trigger phase E. The most obvious is the anticipation of rate hikes from the Fed. From here, we will begin to look for the start of the next accumulation period.
**It is important to note that the Wyckoff Distribution Pattern is only a model and that the chart wont match it perfectly. As long as the fundamental concepts of the model hold true, the pattern should work. I will be looking for short signals and confirmations via market structure and volume.
Let me know your thoughts on this unusually long explanation. Happy trading!
In 2020, we saw a major market crash as COVID caused the world to shut down. Once the F.U.D. diminished, the Wyckoff accumulation cycle began and the Russell was quickly marked up in a matter of months. In 2021, the Russell has traded mostly sideways. Following Wyckoff's cycle, one could presume that this is the Wyckoff distribution pattern which can take up to a year to fulfill.
The Wyckoff Distribution Pattern is split into phases. I have outlined each phase on the chart to provide clarity. The distribution is broken down as such:
Phase A:
The Preliminary Supply (PSY) is established. This is where big money begins to offload some of their accumulated position. It is bought up by retail traders and sent to new highs. Big money then offloads a larger portion of their position at the Buying Climax (BC). This causes a massive wave of selling as supply significantly outweighs demand. Panic selling ensues and stop losses are triggered. An Automatic Reaction (AR) occurs as the supply and demand balance out. The low of the AR and high of the BC establish a trading range for the rest of the distribution.
Phase B:
This phase consists of supply and demand testing. Buyers will attempt to reclaim the trend through upthrusts (UT) but big money meets this demand with more supply and sends shares back into the trading range. Big money will then perform secondary tests (ST) and look for signs of weakness (SOW) to assess the remaining supply and demand imbalances. This results in a long period of consolidation. Not that we should see low volume in the middle of the range and volume spikes toward the boundaries.
Phase C (Optional):
This phase is characterized as a false breakout. It is used to trick traders out of their positions so big money can offload more supply, sending shares lower in one final push. Upthrust after Distribution (UTAD)
Phase D:
This phase will often illustrate a clear imbalance between supply and demand. Price will show large volume and price declines toward the lower boundary of the trading range. At this point, big money has little to no long position left and has likely initiated a short position. The market will begin to make a down-trending structure of lower highs and lower lows. I believe we are currently at this phase of the cycle.
Phase E:
The mark down period begins. There are several possible catalysts to trigger phase E. The most obvious is the anticipation of rate hikes from the Fed. From here, we will begin to look for the start of the next accumulation period.
**It is important to note that the Wyckoff Distribution Pattern is only a model and that the chart wont match it perfectly. As long as the fundamental concepts of the model hold true, the pattern should work. I will be looking for short signals and confirmations via market structure and volume.
Let me know your thoughts on this unusually long explanation. Happy trading!
Note
I have entered a short position. First target looks to be 190 (100WMA), longer term target is 155.Trade closed: target reached
First target was reached. Looking for 155 over time.
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