We got a much needed day of consolidation as stocks digested the most recent gains.  With the NASDAQ running more than 100 points recently it was time for the index to take a breathier.  Volume ran 13% lower on the NYSE while NASDAQ volume ran slightly higher at .39%, but with minimal price declines we avoided what could have been trouble for the market.  In the end, we saw what we needed from the market and that was consolidation of its most recent gains off the lows.

This uptrend is not really out of the woods just yet.  Any distribution within the first few days after a follow-through day has a very HIGH failure rate.  With many stocks showing very little accumulation it may be we do see this uptrend fail.  However, we aren’t in the business of predicting what will happen in the future we only play the best odds that have been presented to us.

What we did see today was big stock leadership breaking into new high ground.  Normally, we want to see fresh innovative companies with explosive fundamental growth emerging as leadership.  We simply aren’t in an economic environment where this is possible and we are seeing larger companies who have been able to innovate enough to exceed the market’s expectations.  It might be some time before we get those companies who show the traits of prior big winners.  Until then, we will continue to be on top of today’s market leadership.

I am still looking for that second follow-through day to really show if this new uptrend has any POWER.  It would also provide me with the conviction to get bigger in positions.  Right now there are enough question marks to keep the chips I hold next to me rather in the market.  It is important to know when to deploy your resources when you have the odds in your favor.  In the stock market, if you gamble when odds are not in your favor it is a recipe for disaster.

Do not over complicate your trading as you will simply run yourself into the ground.  Like Joe Montana in superbowls (0 INTs in 4 superbowl appearances, oh and 4 superbowl wins) stay calm and collected in the pocket.