you can basically see what smart money does by studying the spy chart. u have to ask yourself what is the other half doing, who is getting trapped, and what would jesus do in this case etc.?
The smart money or institutions (banks, brokers, hedge funds, mutual funds) try very hard to hide their activities for the simple reason that the retail traders will piggy back and make the price of any stock they are trying to accumulate skyrocket. You will never notice because they tell their broker to buy small amounts of stock over a longer period of time say, 3 months. So, the price hardly, budges when they are buying. When they are selling, it is too obvious for anyone to see. Of course, you got to get out when they are getting out or get run over by the stampede of sellers.
In addition, SM shows it's hand on every chart in any liquid asset class. Once it is seen, it cannot be unseen - along the lines of "why is the obvious, not so obvious" and variations of the theme. Understandably, the statement does sound cryptic and straight bs. For me, it's taken a journey to change my perspective on it and largely dependent on the definition of "what is smart money?" The answers to that question have evolved just as my questioning of the concept has as well. My current conception and understanding of it, my former self would not or could not accept based upon the beliefs and experience of that younger more naive me.
https://www.cftc.gov/MarketReports/CommitmentsofTraders/index.htm This book is all about analyzing the COT data to position yourself with smart money. Also plenty of free COT based charts can be found with a quick google search...much better than the raw data IMO.
Follow the Smart Money thusly and be always right .......... Do the opposite of what Overnight and vanzandt call/do
Downloaded! PS: For all those on here who say I just come here to argue and never listen, look at the immediate action I take when confronted with useful information!
Additionally for several items get the COT data and go with the Commercial Hedgers. these guys are opposite of Hedge funds and small traders like those at ET and Retail. Go with commercial Hedgers and watch how they build their positions. then use TA to time your entry into the short or Long
that's what i do too...my work colleague is in the investing type of mindset and thinks he is a trader. he likes to average down on loser etc. i usually asked his opinions on certain stonks and do the opposite of what he thinks. so far, that strategy has been making me money. i call that strategy "what dumb money do."