TOM WILLIAMS Resistance & Crowd Behaviour We have all heard of the term `resistance', but what exactly is meant by this loosely used term? Well, in the context of market mechanics, resistance to any up-move is caused by somebody selling the stock as soon as a rally starts. In this case, the floating supply has not yet been removed. The act of selling into a rally is bad news for higher prices. This is why the supply (resistance) has to be removed before a stock can rally (rise in price). Once an up-move does take place, then like sheep, all other traders will be inclined to follow. This concept is normally referred to as `herd instinct' (or crowd behaviour). As human beings, we are free to act however we see fit, but when presented with danger or opportunity, most people act with surprising predictability. It is this knowledge of crowd behaviour that helps the professional syndicate traders to choose their moment to make a large profit. Make no mistake professional traders are predatory beasts and uninformed traders represent the symbolic `lamb to the slaughter'. We shall return to the concept of `herd instinct' again, but for now, consider the importance of this phenomenon, and what it means to you as a trader. Unless the laws of human behaviour change, this process will always be present in the financial markets. You must always try to be aware of `Herd Instinct'. There are only two main principles at work in the stock market, which will cause a market to turn. Both of these principles will arrive in varying intensities producing larger or smaller moves: 1. The `herd' will panic after observing substantial falls in a market (usually on bad news) and will usually follow its instinct to sell. As a trader who is aware of crowd psychology, you must ask yourself, "Are the trading syndicates and market-makers prepared to absorb the panic selling at these price levels?" If they are, then this is a good sign that indicates market strength. 2. After substantial rises, the `herd' will become annoyed at missing the up-move, and will rush in and buy, usually on good news. This includes traders who already have long positions, and want more. At this stage, you need to ask yourself, "Are the trading syndicates selling into the buying?" If so, then this is a severe sign of weakness. Does this mean that the dice is always loaded against you when you enter the market? Are you destined always to be manipulated? Well, yes and no. A professional trader isolates himself from the `herd' and becomes a predator rather than a victim. He understands and recognises the principles that drive the markets and refuses to be misled by good or bad news, tips, advice, brokers, or well-meaning friends. When the market is being shaken-out on bad news, he is in there buying. When the `herd' is buying and the news is good, he is looking to sell. Master the Markets 23 You are entering a business that has attracted some of the sharpest minds around. All you have to do is to join them. Trading with the `strong holders' requires a means to determine the balance of supply and demand for an instrument, in terms of professional interest, or lack of interest, in it. If you can buy when the professionals are buying (accumulating or re-accumulating) and sell when the professionals are selling (distributing or re-distributing) and you do not try to buck the system you are following, you can be as successful as anybody else can in the market. Indeed, you stand the chance of being considerably more successful than most! Master
