MF4: I miss typed. I meant to type VIX. You can enter vix in the quote request box on yahoo finance. The VIX is a measure of volatility. The higher the VIX the higher the level of investor fear and the more scared selling is going on. The higher the VIX the better the bargains available. The lower the VIX the greater degree of investor complacency, thus the higher chance for a sharp reversal downward. These signals are not automatic, but with variable lag times they are always right. As the VIX rises into the high 40's, as right now, we are likely to get a reversal to a move higher. It could take days or even weeks. But unless Europe completely implodes the VIX will probably not rise much higher than the high 40's-low 50's. on the flip side the VIX can stay under 20 for an extended period of a slowly rising stock market. But as it dips below 18 the chances for a reversal increase, and certainly any VIX reading approaching or under 16 means a strong reversal is imminent and a large market drop is in store.
