by Rick Ackerman
RickAckerman.com
The yellow flag is out, since the Nasdaq 100, AAPL and the E-Mini S&Ps all failed to reach their respective Hidden Pivot price objectives on this week’s run-up. In addition, VXX, which tracks short-term S&P 500 volatility, looks like it’s primed to turn higher following a withering decline begun more than a month ago. If this proves correct, it would imply the next move in the underlying index will be down. Rick’s Picks subscribers were able to reef the sails by cashing out half of the bullish AAPL butterfly spreads they’d put on a week earlier for twice their acquisition cost. The position was tied to a $152 rally target that lies 25% above, but my gut feeling is that it will be reached before the options expire on November 20. This is notwithstanding the stock’s fall from a 127.32 peak on Monday to 119.65. We may look to stock up on call spreads again if AAPL continues to fall, so subscribers should stay tuned to the chat room for real-time guidance