For me there are 3 states : Bullish Neutral Bearish These are the summation of two variables: Sensitivity (S) Read Path of Least Resistance Or Market Impact, Slippage ... Agressivity (A) Read Activity, Order flow... Which can take three values : Positive (+) Null (0) Negative (-) We then have 9 combinations : (+S) + (+A) (+S) + (0A) (+S) + (-A) (0S) + (+A) (0S) + (0A) (0S) + (-A) (-S) + (+A) (-S) + (0A) (-S) + (-A) This is from a DOM + T&S point of view. Now one has to be able to qualify, quantify it. As an Intraday trader I have more stable signals, These conditions are highly volatile through the day, So it's for Entry Optimization only. Can't scalp ticks. What are the conditions that make you BUY / HOLD / SELL ? Don't be afraid to share ... The devil is in the details ! Experienced or not, share a piece of your puzzle !
That's why all discussions here will never go far beyond generalities But speaking of which I frankly do not see much value for the trader in qualifying market as the bearish, bullish or neutral states. Much more important is determination through witch period to look at the particular point in time: at which chart(s) of the same stock one should draw a line(s). Also, I do not believe there is a neutral state of the market. If one decides that he is looking at the the neutral state of the market then imho he is looking at a wrong time frame.
Mine much shorter. Uptrend Downtrend Counter-trend Patterns There is always trend, to me there is no such thing as no trend, I go with last trend before chop as chop can be a retracement. I will continue to take Long signals so long as price action before present in showing I can. I will continue to sell short so long as price action before present in showing I can. When there are chart patterns showing Support/Resistance at highs/lows, I stop taking trades in Stock market towards those Highs/Lows and find other trending instruments, if highs/lows showing me reversals patterns I will certainly do Counter-trend, and ALL longer term positions are hedged whether trending or Counter-trend. Any more complicated than this, I can't remember.