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8 things stock characteristics to look out for Entering Stage Four.

Identifying when a stock is likely to enter a decline phase can save investors from significant losses. Here are key indicators to watch:

Lower Lows in Price:

  • Significance: If you're entering stage four and the price starts making lower lows, it's time to consider selling your positions. This indicates weakening demand and potential further declines.
  • Screen: Look for stocks where the price consistently makes lower lows over a period, signaling a potential downtrend.

Price Below the 200-Day Moving Average:

  • Significance: Ideally, you don't want to own stocks trading below the 200-day moving average, especially when declining from a prior uptrend. This suggests the stock is struggling with its long-term trend and may face continued downward pressure.
  • Screen: Filter for stocks where the current price is below its 200-day moving average, indicating potential weakness.

50-Day Moving Average Below 200-Day Moving Average:

  • Significance: If the 50-day moving average drops below the 200-day moving average and stays there, the asset has likely entered stage four. This crossover often signals a shift in short-term momentum turning negative compared to the long-term trend.
  • Screen: Identify stocks where the 50-day moving average has recently crossed below the 200-day moving average, indicating a potential bearish trend.

Price Drops on Large Volume (Distribution Days):

  • Significance: If a stock drops in price daily or weekly with significantly higher volume than usual, it's technically called distribution. Heavy selling volume during price declines suggests institutional investors are exiting positions, indicating further downside potential.
  • Screen: Look for stocks where recent price drops are accompanied by significantly higher than average trading volumes, indicating institutional selling pressure.

Earnings Slowdown and Misses:

  • Significance: When a company's Earnings start to slow and miss analyst estimates, it can undermine investor confidence and lead to a decline in stock price.
  • Screen: Monitor stocks where recent Earnings Reports show slowing growth or frequent misses compared to analyst estimates, indicating potential fundamental weaknesses.

Weakening Relative Strength Line:

  • Significance: In stage four, the relative strength line will definitely weaken. A declining relative strength line indicates the stock is underperforming compared to the broader market or its peers.
  • Screen: Identify stocks where the relative strength line has been consistently declining, signaling potential underperformance relative to the market.

Bearish Market Sentiment:

  • Significance: As you go into stage four, market sentiment will become increasingly bearish. This can exacerbate declines in individual stocks.
  • Screen: Look for stocks experiencing declines amidst a broader bearish sentiment in the market, indicating potential for further downside.

Failed Recoveries and Stalled Rallies:

  • Significance: Inability to sustain price recoveries above key moving averages like the 50-day or 200-day suggests underlying weakness and potential for continued declines.
  • Screen: Identify stocks where price rallies fail to hold above key moving averages, indicating potential resistance and weakness in the trend.