1/12 Morningline

• Crude oil to confirmed bull phase (USO).
• Gold to bull phase, unconfirmed; three phase changes in 12 trading days (GLD).
• Emerging markets to confirmed bull phase, second phase change in five trading days (EEM).

Stocks and Rates

	pps	pfe trend	pfe loc
SPY
QQQQ
VIX
TLT
JNK

Tangibles

	pps	pfe trend	pfe loc
USO
GLD

Global

	pps	pfe trend	pfe loc
EUR/USD
USD/JPY
EEM

Indicator Exchange-Traded Fund Symbols:
EEM - emerging markets
EUR/USD - euro/dollar currency pair
GLD - gold
JNK - high-yield corporate bonds
QQQQ - Nasdaq 100 index
SPY - S&P 500 index
TLT - Treasury long-term bonds
USD/JPY - dollar/yen currency pair
USO - crude oil
VIX - fear index


Abbreviations:

• pps - Person's Proprietary Signal.
• pfe trend - Trend of the polarized fractal efficiency line.
• pfe loc - Location of the polarized fractal efficiency line.

Key to the PPS/PFE tables

column	color	meaning
pps		bull phase
		bear phase
pfe trend		uptrend
		no trend
		downtrend
pfe loc		+100 and above
		+50 to below 100
		0 to below +50
		below 0 to above -50
		-50 to above -100
		below -100

PPS/PFE Analytical Tools

The analysis uses the daily Person's Proprietary Signal (pps), developed by John Person.

This is a black box signals -- the "proprietary" means that Mr. Person knows how it works under the hood, and I don't. But it has shown a fair degree of success in identifying good entry and exit points, and I find it useful.

For confirmation, the analysis uses an indicator called the polarized fractal efficiency (pfe) technical tool. It uses the fractal math of Benoit Mandelbrot to measure how efficiently move between levels. The higher the efficiency, the more directional the price trend.

The math for the pfe is public knowledge, but it is well above my math knowledge, and so to me is also a black-box signal.

This is a relatively new technical tool, based on fractal math. Investopedia has only a cursory explanation. Wikipedia is silent on the subject. ThinkOrSwim has a fuller explanation.

PPS/PFE Trading Rules

These rules are very preliminary. I’m still trying to figure out how the polarized fractal efficiency signal works.

When Person’s Proprietary Signal (pps) is in bull phase, enter when the polarized fractal efficiency (pfe) line crosses the zero line in an uptrend trend) A pps signal and pfe uptrend have less strength but greater upside potential when the pfe location (pfe loc) is below +50, and greater strength but less upside potential when the pfe location is at or above +50.

When the pps in in bear phase, enter when the pfe trend crosses the zero line in a downtrend. The set up has less strength but greater downside potential when the pfe loc is above -50, and greater strength but less downside potential when the pfe loc is at or below -50.

How should the pfe line be treated when it has flatlined at either end of its range, around +100 or -100. My preliminary observations are that the price by then has had a large run and tends to present a picture of exhaustion. However, by the description of the pfe, a high level should indicate a continued strong trend.

This is something that I’ll figure out as I go along.

Disclaimer

Tim Bovee, Private Trader tracks the analysis and trades of a private trader for his own accounts. Nothing in this blog constitutes a recommendation to buy or sell stocks, options or any other financial instrument. The only purpose of this blog is to provide education and entertainment.


No trader is ever 100 percent successful in his or her trades. Trading in the stock and option markets is risky and uncertain. Each trader must make trading decision decisions for his or her own account, and take responsibility for the consequences.