Percentage movements are the third piece of our jigsaw puzzle and it is a very large piece indeed.
'One of the greatest discoveries I ever made was how to figure the percentage of high and low prices on the averages and individual stocks. The percentages of extreme high and low levels indicate future resistance levels. W.D. Gann 1949.
This Gann principle is, without doubt, the most important of all technical analysis techniques. When the 'Percentage' technique is truly mastered the true reasons why highs and lows are formed whether short term, medium term or long term will be fully understood. Such knowledge will allow the determination of the natural laws that dictate all tops and bottom for all the world's price movements. You don't believe it? Then join the crowd.
With this amazing knowledge the practiced and experienced exponent of the technique will be able to anticipate areas where 'future' tops and bottoms will fall no matter which market your are assessing. These laws are universal!
Gann's predetermined percentages calculated from past significant tops and bottoms will assist in identifying all future tops and bottoms. Experience warns that these levels should not be considered as definite buying and selling levels. They should be determined as 'Decision Levels' only that are then subject to the market itself recommending whether to buy, sell or hold. This conforms to the market maxim 'Let the market tell you what to do…don't tell the market what it should do.
At this point you may have concerns due to these two conflicting statements. Firstly we claimed that a past study will prove that all future highs and lows have a mathematical relationship with past highs and lows. We then stress that the calculated levels are only 'Decision Levels' subject to confirmation by the market itself. The reason for this final market confirmation is two fold.
1 - We are all human with all the psychological problems and traits associated with speculative trading and investing. We are all, at some time of other, subject to the temptation to fit an analysis to suit our desires and aspirations. This strong desire to fit an analysis to suit traders hopes, fears and dreams can prove extremely dangerous especially for the emotional and inexperienced. Such emotional misjudgments can often be nullified by insisting that the market itself is the final arbitrator.
2 - When using charts it is easy to overlook the analytical problems that are present without the benefit of hindsight as conveyed by the chart. To explain, when the calculated percentages line up and determine a 'Decision Level' this is the next level at which there is an expectation of a market turn. However in very strong or weak markets such levels may only halt the main trend fleetingly. By allowing the market itself to determine the action to take at the 'decision' level this often avoids the embarrassment of making an erroneous market entry. And now for the practical application of percentage moves from past highs and lows. To commence this analysis it is necessary to establish the order of importance of the different 'Percentage' moves from past highs and lows.
No 1 - The 50% moves
A - The most important percentage of all is a 50% move up or down from past tops and bottoms. For example the 50% move down from the historic high is of course our G1 level which is the most important level of all.
A1 - 50% moves up from lows are significant and often provide a future selling level.
A2 - 50% from a high, as well as the historic high, can often provide future lows.
A3 - There again 50% from a previous low can accurately provide the low for a future low.
An outstanding example is the Dow Jones Index from the 1970's. This chart shows how extremely effective a 50% analysis can be.
(a) By adding 50% to the March 1980 low of 729 the projection is 1093. (The next major low in May 1984 was 1084…almost perfect.)
(b) By adding 50% to the May 1984 low at1084 the result is 1626. The next major low in October 1987 was 1616…almost perfect)
(c) By adding 50% to the October 1987 low at 1616 the result is 2424. The next major low in October 1990 was 2344…just a fraction out)
(d) By adding 50% to the October 1990 low at 2344 the projection is 4016. The next major low in April 1994 was 3520
No 2 - The 100%, 200%, 300% moves etc.
No 3 - The 33.33%, 66.66%, 133.33% etc
No 4 - The 16.66%, 8.33%, 4.165% etc.
No 5 - The 25%, 75%, 125% etc.
No 6 - The 12.5%, 37.5%, 62.5% etc
No 7 - The 6.25%, 18.75%
FORMATIONS AT PERCENTAGES
Once the 'Decision' levels have been calculated and the price rises or falls to the 'Decision' level there are then three basic possibilities.
1 - Prices fall from the 'Decision' level
2 - Prices travel sideways and consolidate under the 'Decision' level.
3 - Prices rise or fall straight through the 'Decision' level.
In his research, my son, Gary, made some remarkable discoveries regarding future price movements after determining which of the three actions noted above took place. The rules introduce an extraordinary degree of certainty for moves following the determination of the action after prices hit a 'Decision' level. Details of these rules will be fully explained in Lesson 4.
Depending upon the type of action at the 'Decision' level the trader can be confident of the direction and exactitude of future prices with an extraordinary degree of certainty. In most instances it is quite magical in the way the rules unerringly determine future price movements.
FINDING THE DECISION LEVELS
To continue note the following list of 'Percentages' making up what we term LEFT HAND and RIGHT HAND Percentage columns.
'One of the greatest discoveries I ever made was how to figure the percentage of high and low prices on the averages and individual stocks. The percentages of extreme high and low levels indicate future resistance levels. W.D. Gann 1949.
This Gann principle is, without doubt, the most important of all technical analysis techniques. When the 'Percentage' technique is truly mastered the true reasons why highs and lows are formed whether short term, medium term or long term will be fully understood. Such knowledge will allow the determination of the natural laws that dictate all tops and bottom for all the world's price movements. You don't believe it? Then join the crowd.
With this amazing knowledge the practiced and experienced exponent of the technique will be able to anticipate areas where 'future' tops and bottoms will fall no matter which market your are assessing. These laws are universal!
Gann's predetermined percentages calculated from past significant tops and bottoms will assist in identifying all future tops and bottoms. Experience warns that these levels should not be considered as definite buying and selling levels. They should be determined as 'Decision Levels' only that are then subject to the market itself recommending whether to buy, sell or hold. This conforms to the market maxim 'Let the market tell you what to do…don't tell the market what it should do.
At this point you may have concerns due to these two conflicting statements. Firstly we claimed that a past study will prove that all future highs and lows have a mathematical relationship with past highs and lows. We then stress that the calculated levels are only 'Decision Levels' subject to confirmation by the market itself. The reason for this final market confirmation is two fold.
1 - We are all human with all the psychological problems and traits associated with speculative trading and investing. We are all, at some time of other, subject to the temptation to fit an analysis to suit our desires and aspirations. This strong desire to fit an analysis to suit traders hopes, fears and dreams can prove extremely dangerous especially for the emotional and inexperienced. Such emotional misjudgments can often be nullified by insisting that the market itself is the final arbitrator.
2 - When using charts it is easy to overlook the analytical problems that are present without the benefit of hindsight as conveyed by the chart. To explain, when the calculated percentages line up and determine a 'Decision Level' this is the next level at which there is an expectation of a market turn. However in very strong or weak markets such levels may only halt the main trend fleetingly. By allowing the market itself to determine the action to take at the 'decision' level this often avoids the embarrassment of making an erroneous market entry. And now for the practical application of percentage moves from past highs and lows. To commence this analysis it is necessary to establish the order of importance of the different 'Percentage' moves from past highs and lows.
No 1 - The 50% moves
A - The most important percentage of all is a 50% move up or down from past tops and bottoms. For example the 50% move down from the historic high is of course our G1 level which is the most important level of all.
A1 - 50% moves up from lows are significant and often provide a future selling level.
A2 - 50% from a high, as well as the historic high, can often provide future lows.
A3 - There again 50% from a previous low can accurately provide the low for a future low.
An outstanding example is the Dow Jones Index from the 1970's. This chart shows how extremely effective a 50% analysis can be.
(a) By adding 50% to the March 1980 low of 729 the projection is 1093. (The next major low in May 1984 was 1084…almost perfect.)
(b) By adding 50% to the May 1984 low at1084 the result is 1626. The next major low in October 1987 was 1616…almost perfect)
(c) By adding 50% to the October 1987 low at 1616 the result is 2424. The next major low in October 1990 was 2344…just a fraction out)
(d) By adding 50% to the October 1990 low at 2344 the projection is 4016. The next major low in April 1994 was 3520
No 2 - The 100%, 200%, 300% moves etc.
No 3 - The 33.33%, 66.66%, 133.33% etc
No 4 - The 16.66%, 8.33%, 4.165% etc.
No 5 - The 25%, 75%, 125% etc.
No 6 - The 12.5%, 37.5%, 62.5% etc
No 7 - The 6.25%, 18.75%
FORMATIONS AT PERCENTAGES
Once the 'Decision' levels have been calculated and the price rises or falls to the 'Decision' level there are then three basic possibilities.
1 - Prices fall from the 'Decision' level
2 - Prices travel sideways and consolidate under the 'Decision' level.
3 - Prices rise or fall straight through the 'Decision' level.
In his research, my son, Gary, made some remarkable discoveries regarding future price movements after determining which of the three actions noted above took place. The rules introduce an extraordinary degree of certainty for moves following the determination of the action after prices hit a 'Decision' level. Details of these rules will be fully explained in Lesson 4.
Depending upon the type of action at the 'Decision' level the trader can be confident of the direction and exactitude of future prices with an extraordinary degree of certainty. In most instances it is quite magical in the way the rules unerringly determine future price movements.
FINDING THE DECISION LEVELS
To continue note the following list of 'Percentages' making up what we term LEFT HAND and RIGHT HAND Percentage columns.
| 125% | |
| 100% | |
| 75% | |
| 50% | 66.6% |
| 25% | 33.3% |
| 12.5% | 16.66% |
| 6.25% | 8.33% |
| 3.125% | 4.165% |
| 1.562% | 2.0825% |
| 0.768% | 1.0412% |
Using 25% and 33.33% as the basic Gann percentages with each being added to each other to create the next higher percentage creates the table. Dividing 25% and 33.33% by 2 creates the lower percentages with each subsequent percentage being halved.
The percentages shown above will usually cover most market movements but the process can be taken to any extreme up or down.
NOTES
1 - The paramount percentage is 50%.
2 - The next in order are 100%, 200%, 300% etc.
3 - The right-hand percentages carry twice the weight of importance of the left-hand percentages.
Applying Percentages
Firstly identify significant past highs and lows and then apply percentages up from lows and down from highs. When making a long-term assessment use a monthly chart. A medium-term assessment would be made on a weekly chart and a short-term assessment on a daily chart.
The objective is to find a number of percentages calculated from highs and lows which cluster together to form a future decision area. This would be particularly attractive if it also fell on one of the major G1, G2, G3 or G4 levels and even better if it fell on other Gann checks. When the level is identified take off all the immaterial calculations to leave an uncluttered chart. The best way to illustrate is by examples. Several examples follow.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF PERCENTAGE CALCULATIONS
(HERE ARE SOME OUTSTANDING EXAMPLES)
A LONG TERM ANALYSIS
Way back in the early 1980's the writer anticipated the top of the Sterling rally in November 1980.This important top was isolated by using Percentage movements from important lows up from 1976 to 1980. This is a fine example illustrating how to establish a longer term decision level by the use of Gann pre-determined percentages from important lows.
(Chart 1)
CHART ONE - This chart contains the first percentage to be applied for a longer-term analysis. This is achieved by taking the initial low as soon as it becomes apparent and adding 50% to the value of the low. This is the first stab at a possible, but at this time an unlikely, future top.
(Chart 2)
CHART TWO - The second bottom has formed on this chart. The next percentage lower than 50% is then applied to the new lows, this being 33.33%. The result is disappointing, as the two calculations do not fall within the same area. We would really expect a much closer result than this. This first check therefore tells us nothing.
(Chart 3)
CHART THREE - Now we apply the next percentage lower then 33.33% i.e. 25% and have our first indication of a future top area. The 33.33% and the 25% land exactly together. Now take off the 50% and concentrate upon the other two calculations. Where levels are established early on they should only be considered as an 'area' rather than an exact decision level for the future. As we draw closer to our level the smaller percentages will eventually provide a more precise action level.
(Chart 4)
CHART FOUR - The 16.66% level is now applied to the next low, which falls exactly in line with the previous two calculations. Things are now getting more than interesting.
(Chart 5)
(Chart 6)
CHART SIX - Voila! Gann Magic.
(Chart 7)
CHART SEVEN - In our seminars the skeptics are unimpressed by this demonstration. The skeptic, as always, takes the easy way out by assuming that we have picked out an isolated example in an attempt to prove a point. There is a great degree of solace in taking such a view, as by dismissing a truth, the inconvenience of future effort and research is avoided. Naturally as we are looking at 'Natural Law' and not just another technical analysis technique it is an easy exercise to counteract such skepticism.
To explain, in a future 'Timing' lesson you will learn that Gann has a timing cycle of between 10 to 10 ½ years where as Gann puts it 'Things repeat'! Our Seminar demonstration continues by applying the identical percentages applied in the late 1970's to the lows from 1989 to 1992.
The chart above illustrates how the percentages once again signal an important top. In fact a 'very' important top. This is the Soros Top of 1992 when George Soros took on the British Government as they tried to shadow that monstrosity of all monstrosities the political manoeuverings of the European Union.
(As an after thought It is interesting to note that the 1998 high was a top created by 25%, 16.66% and 8.33% - Just another instance of Gann's magical 'Natural Law'.
IBM
This major US stock nose-dived in the late 1980's. Here is another example of a fall under the G1 level, which then fell to the obligatory G3 level. Tell anyone that this share would drop by a further 50% after it had already fallen 50% from its historic highs would have been met by a huge amount of incredulity. The following chart shows how Gann's percentage calculation isolates the important low in 1993. The main feature is the G3 level that is 75% down from the historic high. This level is supported by the 66.66% calculation down from the important high in 1991 and finally the same percentage down from the 1992 high. The final calculation suggests that the final low would be slightly lower than the G3 level.
NOTE: This chart is not adjusted for the recent script issue.
AMERICA ONLINE
This share has been one of the major successes over the last few years. The chart shows that the low of August 1998 formed on the 50% (G1) level down from the July highs and exactly 37.5% down from the August 1998 highs. The 400% rise was eventually arrested by the following percentages: 166.66% 125% 37.5% 25% After 3 months there was a breakthrough that meant that the rise must reach at least to 155, but more of this in the next lesson. The last high was formed at 100%, 50% and 16.66% and they say trading this share is highly speculative. We call it highly lucrative as it obeys every Gann percentage calculation.
Tellabs
To get in on this 300% move all that was necessary was to apply the following percentages:
1 -66.66& down from the July 1998 high
2 -50% down from the August 1998 high.
3 -37.5% down from the September 1998 high.
4 -16.66% down from the 06/10/98 high.
The S & P 500 Index is a good example of the necessity to adjust a pre-determined 'decision level' as more information became available
Chart one shows 16.66% and 12.5% taken from the July 1998 highs. This is not a guess but applied as the highs of 1997 are to be found here. The question is will this level be confirmed by percentage calculations down from the short-term tops as they are created. The first assessment suggests that the lows might be formed in the 990 area.
(Chart 1)
Chart two shows the index having fallen heavily (always the best time to look for a buy when the 'decision level' is close by). Is this at the 'decision level' ? There are three calculations but they are landing some way apart, not very reassuring. This is not confirmation. More work has to be done.
(Chart 2)
Chart Three - By scrapping the 16.66% from the first top and applying 16.66% from the second top we are given a 'decision level' at 957 where the 12.5% coincides with the 16.66% (Nt. - second tops are often the place to apply percentages). A speculative trader could take this as a possible bottom but perhaps the more reticent trader might not …… I wouldn't for instance. (CHART 3)
(Chart 3)
Chart four - Profits could have been taken at 1060 being 8.33% and 4.154% from the previous lows. An 8.33% fall followed which lands at the original dubious buy 'decision level'.
(Chart 4)
(Chart 5)
Regards,
Fred Stafford
http://www.gann.co.uk
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