Great read. The premise that long term direction can be manipulated is not likely in the sense that any smoothing out of a market move will eventually reverse just on actual data points. You can't manipulate the earnings once analysis examine the details. s for October yes there was some magic at play. but in my mind it only stalls the inevitable and results in more pent up selling.
The real question is how to determine when their tactics fall apart. Is that when we get bursts of breakout or breakdown moves? The middle of the month I never knew such stats. The 19th to 25th of this month might just work out with a dramatic drop (IF) the CPI/PPI news can be treated lightly.
So based on your knowledge what say you for this week? So many are calling for a dramatic drop here.