September 23, 2023 - The RightLine Report

 
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                      NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
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Common Trading Mistakes...And How to Avoid Them (Part III)

In recent RightLine Reports we've looked at potholes and traps that can wreak havoc on even the most carefully-formulated trading strategies. Here are three more common mistakes for your consideration.

Mistake #6: Trading stocks like you're gambling in a casino

On the surface, trading and gambling seen to have a lot in common. You risk money to make money. Sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're not. Occasionally you'll find yourself on a hot streak or losing streak. But dig deeper, and you'll find that Wall Street is a far cry from Vegas.

The most important difference? When trading, the only "house" advantage is the commission you pay your brokerage. The odds aren't inherently stacked against you. But traders sometimes make the mistake of being haphazard with their choices; they throw their money at a stock without really taking the time to think it through, or without using risk management techniques. This approach might work okay at the craps table, but it's ill-suited to trading.

Mistake #7: Averaging down

This goes hand-in-hand with a mistake we covered last week: holding on to losing positions. This trap is easy to fall into unless you have some serious discipline. It's human nature to look for the silver lining in a bad situation. But if you're holding a losing position, buying more shares at a cheaper price is rarely a good option.

Think of it this way: if the stock is already heading the opposite direction, then it's not behaving the way you thought it would. Something is amiss. Buying more shares and averaging down will only compound your losses if the equity continues to go against you. The better approach is to keep your original stop in place, and focus your resources on finding promising set-ups somewhere else.

Mistake #8: Overtrading

Constant trading can be tempting because you're more likely to hit a nice winner. However, you'll also be more likely to throw caution to the wind and be less selective when finding potential trades. And boy oh boy, do brokerages love this mistake; commissions can add up fast when you're overtrading, eating away at any profits you may have accumulated.

Frantic trading may be the bread-and-butter of daytraders, but it's ill-suited to those who use a longer timeframe. The better approach is to be picky, trading only when a stock meets your requirements. Also remember that sometimes - especially in a sideways or extremely choppy and unpredictable market - staying on the sidelines is the best option.

Here's to profits,

Kent Barton
Senior Analyst

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                           "QUICK LIST"
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Stock     09/22     09/22      Buy      Short   Trailing Stops     Gain 
Symbol    Price      +/-      Entry     Entry   Initial/Tighten   Amount 
------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------------  --------

FVRR      24.25      0.44      24.8     23.25        1.55/0.78      2.24
DFH       22.32      0.19     22.92     21.27        1.65/0.83       2.4
GH        25.93     -0.18     26.73     24.64        2.09/1.05      4.36
ARWR      27.24      0.01        28     26.22        1.78/0.89      2.04
CFLT      29.41      0.00     30.35     28.29        2.06/1.03      2.94


The "Quick List" provides a brief summary of each stock write-up and should be taken in the context of the related write-up presented in the "Stocks Covered in This Issue" section of this Report.

Be sure to read "How To Use The RightLine Quick List" at https://prorightline.com/index.php/rightline-report-quick-list/. In addition,always use the RightLine Risk Calculator before entering any position. For access to the Risk Calculator, go to https://prorightline.com/index.php/risk-calculator/.

To learn more about controlling risk go to the RightLine Risk Control System at https://prorightline.com/index.php/rightline-risk-control-system/

For a glossary of terms unique to The RightLine Report go to: https://prorightline.com/index.php/glossary/

Questions? Send us an email using our contact form at: https://prorightline.com/index.php/contact-us/
 
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                           MARKET SUMMARY
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Stocks experienced a slight decline on Friday, capping off their largest weekly loss in six months, as investor confidence remained fragile due to recent actions by the Fed. Despite bond yields hovering near their recent highs, they saw a slight decrease today, offering some respite to tech and growth-focused investments compared to value investments. The Nasdaq remained relatively stable, with Activision Blizzard making gains as Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of the gaming company is poised to clear its final regulatory hurdle. Meanwhile, European stocks closed with modest losses, and oil prices climbed above $90, bolstered by Russia's announcement of a ban on diesel-type fuel and gasoline exports.

Concerns about sustained higher interest rates persist as global central banks cautioned against premature expectations of rate cuts this week, resulting in rates across the yield curve reaching multiyear highs. While the Federal Reserve is likely finished or nearly finished raising interest rates, investors are now contemplating what comes next.

Policymakers have adjusted their expectations, predicting two rate cuts in 2024 instead of the four previously priced in by the markets. The Fed anticipates stronger growth, with the economy returning to its long-term average of 1.8% GDP growth accompanied by 2% inflation by 2026.

Our perspective is that the range in which long-term yields may trade over the next year has shifted upward, driven by a more resilient economy rather than heightened inflation expectations. Nevertheless, with the 10-year yield at 4.5%, we believe there is greater downside risk than upside potential. We expect growth to decelerate from above-trend to below-trend levels, core inflation to slow down, Fed policy to plateau or come very close, and bond valuations to be historically attractive.

Looking ahead, there are few significant market catalysts expected in the coming month until the next inflation report and the commencement of the third-quarter earnings season in mid-October. However, markets are likely to react to headlines and developments concerning a potential government shutdown. The government's new fiscal year begins on October 1, and as of now, Congress has not passed any of the 12 appropriations bills required to fund various programs. A government shutdown, in which federal agencies would cease all nonessential operations, appears highly probable if spending bills are not approved by month-end. While government shutdowns have occurred regularly in recent history, they have typically been of short duration.

From a market perspective, this uncertainty could lead to increased volatility. However, like most political events, government shutdowns have had limited impact on equity performance. Stocks have been positive half the time during government closures and have typically been higher three and six months later.


                     Friday                 On The Week      
                  --------------------   --------------------
Dow                 33,963.84  -106.58       -654.4    -1.89%
Nasdaq              13,211.81   -12.18      -496.52    -3.62%
S&P 500              4,320.06    -9.94      -130.26    -2.93%

NYSE Volume                      3.35B                       
NYSE Advancers                   1,372                       
NYSE Decliners                   1,514                       

Nasdaq Volume                    4.32B                       
Nasdaq Advancers                 1,842                       
Nasdaq Decliners                 2,443                       

                                 New Highs/Lows

                   09/15  09/18  09/19  09/20  09/21  09/22
                 --------------------------------------------
NYSE New Highs        45     40     46     50     14     21
NYSE New Lows         91    103    103     68    220    176
Nasdaq New Highs      61     59     44     52     27     32
Nasdaq New Lows      238    271    297    275    444    366

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                              TRADER'S TIP:  
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TRADER'S TIP: "When Your Indicators Contradict The Trend"

Due to their overly sensitive nature, some technical indicators will turn in one direction while the price trend remains in the other. A rule of thumb - whenever a price trend and indicators are in conflict, always go with price until the trend is broken.
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                         THE TECHNICAL ANALYST
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This section contains important technical data for the three major market averages -- the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Comp Index, and the Dow Industrial Average.

For guidance on how to use this information, go to: https://prorightline.com/index.php/technical-analyst-section-rightline-report/
S&P 500 - 4320.06 September 22, 2023

52-Week High: 4607.07
52-Week Low: 3491.58
Daily Trend: DOWN
Weekly trend: DOWN
Weekly Pivot Levels
Resistance 3: 4667.37
Resistance 2: 4517.50
Resistance 1: 4418.78
Pivot: 4367.63
Support 1: 4268.91
Support 2: 4217.76
Support 3: 4067.89
https://www.prorightline.com/rlch/092223SPX.jpg
NASDAQ Composite - 13211.81 September 22, 2023 52-Week High: 14446.55 52-Week Low: 10088.83 Daily Trend: DOWN Weekly trend: DOWN Weekly Pivot Levels Resistance 3: 14489.19 Resistance 2: 13938.55 Resistance 1: 13575.17 Pivot: 13387.90 Support 1: 13024.53 Support 2: 12837.26 Support 3: 12286.62
Dow Industrials - 33963.84 September 22, 2023 52-Week High: 35679.13 52-Week Low: 28660.94 Daily Trend: DOWN Weekly trend: DOWN Weekly Pivot Levels Resistance 3: 35887.19 Resistance 2: 35058.15 Resistance 1: 34510.99 Pivot: 34229.11 Support 1: 33681.95 Support 2: 33400.07 Support 3: 32571.03
************************** MARKET CALENDAR **************************
--ECONOMIC REPORTS AND EVENTS (all times are Eastern):
MONDAY, SEPT. 25					
None scheduled
				
TUESDAY, SEPT. 26					
8:30 am	New home sales
9:00 am	S&P Case-Shiller home price index (20 cities)
10:00 am	Consumer confidence	S
1:30 pm	Fed Gov. Bowman speaks				

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 27					
8:30 am	Durable-goods orders	
8:30 am	Durable-goods minus transportation	

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28					
8:30 am	Initial jobless claims
8:30 am	GDP (revision)
1:00 pm	Fed Gov. Cook speaks				
4:00 pm	Fed Chairman Powell speaks
				
FRIDAY, SEPT. 29					
8:30 am	Personal income
8:30 am	Personal spending
8:30 am	PCE index	
8:30 am	Core PCE index	
8:30 am	PCE (year-over-year)			
8:30 am	Core PCE (year-over-year)			
8:30 am	Advanced U.S. trade balance in goods	
8:30 am	Advanced retail inventories	Aug.		
8:30 am	Advanced wholesale inventories	
9:45 am	Chicago Business Barometer	
10:00 am	Consumer sentiment (final)	

For a chart of typical Up or Down market reactions to specific major US economic reports, go to "Economic Indicator Effects" at this link: https://prorightline.com/index.php/economic-indicator-effects/
 
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                              TRADER'S TIP: 
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TRADER'S TIP: "Stock Too Expensive?"

Sometimes traders are hesitant to buy a stock in the $75 to $150 range because it is priced "too high." Actually that price range holds no greater risk than a lower priced stock - if you just enter smaller positions. To do this properly, be sure to use the RightLine Risk Control Calculator 100% of the time. It converts every position to a "low risk" trade, and allows you to take advantage of the more rapid price movement that more expensive stocks often enjoy. You can access it at http://www.rightline.net/rcc/index.html using your email address and password.

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                      STOCKS COVERED IN THIS ISSUE    
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COMMUNICATION SERVICES SECTOR

Fiverr International Ltd. (FVRR: Communication Services/Internet Content & Information) - SQUEEZE PLAY. Friday's narrow price range has created a potentially profitable setup in FVRR, as sellers and buyers find themselves in a near tie for control of price direction. The next short-term trend could go either way, so prepare for a move out of the draw within the next day or so. Set a BUY entry at 24.8 and a SELL short entry at 23.25. Let FVRR's price action determine your long or short entry. Once the order is filled, place a 1.55 trailing stop, and tighten it to 0.78 upon getting a 2.24 gain. FVRR closed Friday at 24.25. Earnings Report Date: Nov 07, 2023. Beta: 1.71. Market-Cap: 930.693M. Optionable.

CONSUMER CYCLICAL SECTOR

Dream Finders Homes, Inc. (DFH: Consumer Cyclical/Residential Construction) - SQUEEZE PLAY. Traders are feeling the pressure as DFH's intra-day price range on Friday shrunk to the narrowest spread in over a week. The tension between buyers and sellers should provide enough pent-up engergy for a breakout move in the days ahead, so get ready to trade with the new trend. To achieve that, place a BUY entry at 22.92 and a SELL short entry at 21.27. DFH's price movement will decide which entry is filled. As soon as you're in the trade, enter a 1.65 trailing stop. Tighten it to 0.83 after you get a 2.4 gain. DFH closed Friday at 22.32. Earnings Report Date: Nov 01, 2023. Beta: 1.59. Market-Cap: 2.078B. Optionable.

HEALTHCARE SECTOR

Guardant Health, Inc. (GH: Healthcare/Diagnostics & Research) - SQUEEZE PLAY. A look at GH's daily chart shows what a price squeeze is all about. The constricted high-low daily trading range has produced a setup similar to a tightly coiled spring. Expect price to move sharply soon, with the direction yet to be determined. Let the upcoming market action resolve whether you will buy shares or sell short. To capture a move either way, place a BUY trigger at 26.73 and a SELL short trigger at 24.64. Once GH shows which way it's headed, place your triggered entry order. As soon as your order is filled, follow with a trailing stop of 2.09 and tighten to 1.05 on a 4.36 gain. GH closed Friday at 25.93. Earnings Report Date: Nov 01, 2023. Beta: 0.86. Market-Cap: 3.205B. Optionable.

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARWR: Healthcare/Biotechnology) - SQUEEZE PLAY. Friday's trading action forced ARWR's daily price range into an abnormally narrow state. This translates into opportunity; for the cyclical nature of price volatility is to shrink extensively, then swell rapidly as shares move in one direction or another. Instead of trying to predict the direction ARWR will take when price volatility begins to increase, we'll set both a BUY (long) and a SELL (short) trigger to get us into the right trade. Be ready to BUY shares at 28 if ARWR moves higher, and place your order to SELL short at 26.22 if price declines to that level. As usual follow your entry with a trailing stop, 1.78 should be sufficient. Reduce your stop to 0.89 on a 2.04 gain. ARWR closed Friday at 27.24. Earnings Report Date: Nov 27, 2023. Beta: 0.99. Market-Cap: 2.92B. Optionable.

TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

Confluent, Inc. (CFLT: Technology/Software-Infrastructure) - SQUEEZE PLAY. CFLT is caught in a dilemma. The stock's compressed price range on Friday has resulted in a condition comparable to a wound up rubber band. We anticipate that this undecided equity will take off soon, but with the direction still in question we'll let upcoming market action tell us whether to buy shares or sell short. CFLT is now at 29.41. We can capture price action either way by placing a BUY trigger at 30.35 and a SELL short trigger at 28.29. Once CFLT reveals its direction, enter your triggered order and disregard the other one. As soon as your position is in place, follow up with a trailing stop of 2.06. When you acquire a 2.94 profit, tighten the stop to 1.03. Earnings Report Date: Oct 31, 2023. Beta: 0.99. Market-Cap: 8.894B. Optionable.


IMPORTANT: Before entering any recommended positions, always use the RightLine "Risk Control System" to determine the level of acceptable risk and the maximum number of shares to buy.
Link: https://prorightline.com/index.php/rightline-risk-control-system/

Use "Gap Adjusted Entries" to reset the Entry Price for stocks that gap beyond recommended entry levels.
Link: https://prorightline.com/index.php/gap-adjusted-entries-increase-profits/

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                           STOCK SPLIT SUMMARY
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Below are the stocks that have announced splits and have recently executed or will execute soon. There is generally a return to normal price behavior in the weeks following a split announcement in what we call a "Dormancy Phase." As the stock nears its split execution date it often moves into the "Pre-Split Run" stage where quick and sometimes dramatic gains can occur.
                             Announce     Eff.       Split
Company Name     (Symbol)      Date       Date       Ratio   Options  
---------------- -------     --------    -------     ------  -------   

NOTE: The number of stock split announcments goes up during Bull markets, 
and goes down during Bear market cycles. There are currently no upcoming 
stock splits that meet RightLine's proprietary criteria for split ratio, 
trading volume and price action.  

For a closer look at the different stages of a Stock Split go to: https://prorightline.com/index.php/trading-stock-splits-stages/

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                           TRADER'S CORNER
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"Recognizing False Breakouts And Whipsaws"

Swing traders encounter false breakouts and whipsaws throughout their careers. That shouldn't be surprising, though, because all we're doing is playing an odds game.

Even a perfect setup can fall apart for no reason and with little warning. This reminds us that risk management is mandatory if we want to trade successfully.

Breakouts occur in zones of conflict. Both sides of the market are very passionate at these turning points, but no one knows how much force is required to carry price into a sustainable trend. So any position you take near a breakout level carries considerable risk, no matter how perfect a pattern looks.

Price can respond in different ways to breakouts. First, it may carry through successfully to higher levels. Second, it may generate whipsaws that force losses on both sides of the market. Third, it may trap buyers in a false move and start a trend in the opposite direction. Each of these outcomes requires careful trade management.

See chart - https://prorightline.com/rlr/TCryl032903.gif

A successful breakout occurs in three phases. It begins when price breaks through resistance on increased volume. We'll call this the action phase. Price expands a few points or ticks, and then reverses as soon as buying interest fades.

This starts the reaction phase. The market sells off and spawns the first pullback, where fresh buyers see a chance to get in close to the breakout price. If all systems are go, a second rally kicks in and carries price above the initial breakout high. This marks the resolution phase.

The three phases of a successful breakout depend on certain volume characteristics. Demand must exceed supply during the initial breakout. Volume should "dry up" when it pulls back in the reaction phase. And new buyers need to jump in to ensure a successful resolution phase. Whipsaws and false breakouts result when these supply-demand dynamics fall out of balance.

See chart - https://prorightline.com/rlr/TCorcl032903.gif

What exactly are whipsaws? Simply stated, they're choppy price swings back and forth through common support or resistance levels. Natural tug and pull generates most whipsaws.

But hidden hands also manipulate price through common stop levels in order to generate volume, and intentionally wash out one side of the market. Whatever the source, whipsaws are responsible for many of the losses in a swing trader's portfolio.

Whipsaws emerge when a breakout can't generate an efficient reaction phase. This failure may or may not trigger a major reversal. The pullback shakes out weak hands and forces price back into resistance.

But there's usually a healthy supply of buyers throughout the choppy movement. These bulls step in repeatedly to support the market. A successful breakout can begin quickly after a whipsaw fades out. The loss of volatility actually triggers a buying signal on many trading screens. This starts a bounce that generates the momentum needed to carry price up and beyond the last high.

See chart - https://prorightline.com/rlr/TCchkp032903.gif

Major reversals occur when price action traps one side of the market. Many traders wait to enter positions at key breakout levels. Once these folks execute their trades, they're at the mercy of the market.

In other words, their profits depend on others seeing the breakout and jumping in behind them. False breakouts occur when this second crowd fails to appear.

An overbought, one-sided market can drop quickly below a breakout level. This throws all the traders who bought the breakout into losing positions. Without the support of fresh buyers, a stock can fall from its own weight. Each incremental low triggers more stops and increases fear within the trapped crowd. Momentum builds to the downside, breaks key support and invites fresh short-sale signals from a whole new batch of traders.

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This special guest article was written by Alan Farley, author of "The Master Swing Trader."
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Best of luck and have a Great Week!
 
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