As of 11/27/2023   Indus: 35,333 -56.68 -0.2%     Trans: 14,904 -190.22 -1.3%     Utils: 866 -0.47 -0.1%     Nasdaq: 14,241 -9.83 -0.1%     S&P 500: 4,550 -8.91 -0.2%	YTD  +6.6%    +11.3%   -10.5%    +36.1%    +18.5%	Targets    Overview: 11/14/2023     35,450 or 34,050 by 12/01/2023   15,400 or 14,150 by 12/01/2023   900 or 825 by 12/01/2023   14,450 or 13,550 by 12/01/2023   4,600 or 4,350 by 12/01/2023
Chart Pattern Indicator: on 11/17/23

As of 11/27/2023   Indus: 35,333 -56.68 -0.2%     Trans: 14,904 -190.22 -1.3%     Utils: 866 -0.47 -0.1%     Nasdaq: 14,241 -9.83 -0.1%     S&P 500: 4,550 -8.91 -0.2%	YTD  +6.6%    +11.3%   -10.5%    +36.1%    +18.5%
Targets    Overview: 11/14/2023     35,450 or 34,050 by 12/01/2023   15,400 or 14,150 by 12/01/2023   900 or 825 by 12/01/2023   14,450 or 13,550 by 12/01/2023   4,600 or 4,350 by 12/01/2023
Chart Pattern Indicator: on 11/17/23

Bulkowski on Corrective Elliott Wave Pattern

This page describes the corrective phase of the Elliott wave principle, how price moves not in a straight line but in a series of rises and retracements.

Shown is the three wave corrective phase (as opposed to the five wave motive phase) of the Elliott wave principle. Price moves in a rise-retrace pattern that is similar to an incoming tide. The corrective phase retraces a portion of the prior up move that was powered by the motive phase.

The chart shows a corrective wave when the trend of higher degree is bullish.

A corrective phase can come in a variety of flavors. General categories are: zigzag, flat, triangle, or combination, and all of these can come in two styles: sharp or sideways corrections. A sharp correction is just like it sounds, moving quickly against the larger trend. A sideways correction is more sedate. It is a correction, but price tends to move horizontally over time whereas a sharp correction is more vertical.

The trend of the corrective phase need not be downward as the accompanying chart shows. This one occurs when the trend of higher degree is bearish. Price corrects the downward move in three segments, upward moves A and C with a correction between, B.

Each segment of the corrective phase can be composed of smaller waves. The figure to the right shows an example. Notice how the ABC correction has many sub waves. Think of a sub wave as a line segment. Wave A is composed of the 5-3-5-3-5 sequence of sub waves (line segments). Wave B shows 5-3-5. Thus, the ABC correction can be deceptive and difficult to identify especially when additional combinations of corrective waves appear.

Corrective Elliott Wave: Rules

The three wave corrective phase has rules that govern its shape. They are listed here.

• The corrective phase is composed of three waves and never five.
• Corrective waves can head up or down.
• The corrective phase aligns against the trend of one higher degree (a counter trend move).
• Tip: An initial five wave move against the prevailing price trend is not the end of a correction.

-- Thomas Bulkowski

See Also

• Here is the main resource for Elliott wave information.
• Support and resistance. Learn the various types.
• Market direction. 7 tips to determining.
• Trading cycles help time your entries and exits.
• Trend change detection using a triangle apex.

 

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