Futures Time & Price

Markets move in rhythms and cycles. Time analysis helps predict WHEN reversals are likely, complementing price analysis which shows WHERE. Combining both creates higher probability setups than either alone.

Start simple: Note the time between recent swing highs and swing lows. Look for patterns (e.g., lows every 15-20 days). Project the next turn based on average. Add session time zones (9:30, 10:00, 2:00 p.m. ET pivots).

For the TSX/ET session: 10:30 a.m. (end of the first hour / Initial Balance), 11:00 a.m. (mid-morning), 2:00 p.m. (afternoon reversal, and the FOMC statement time on Fed days). These consistently produce reversals or momentum shifts. Because Canada and the US open and close at the same Eastern Time, US data at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. ET also drives the morning rhythm. Track which pivots work best for your instruments.

No. Always combine time with price. A time cycle suggests WHEN, but you need price at a key level and a confirmation signal. Time alone is insufficient for entry - require confluence.

Individual cycles have 50-60% accuracy. Confluence of multiple cycles significantly improves probability. Track your accuracy - if below 50% consistently, the approach or regime may need adjustment.

Calculate projections from each method (swing cycles, Fibonacci time, Gann). Mark all on chart. Where 2-3 methods converge within 2-3 days, you have high-confluence window. Grade by number of converging cycles.

A Gann concept where time and price are geometrically balanced. When time units equal price units (or related by ratio), a turn is likely. Example: 500-point move suggests watch for turn around 500 hours/days.

When cycles converge but no reversal: the trend is exceptionally strong. Don't fight it. Wait for next cycle cluster. The eventual reversal, when it comes, may be significant.

Price stop exits when price exceeds your level. Time stop exits when expected reversal doesn't materialize within the window. Both are valuable - time stops prevent holding dead trades.

Markets often react near anniversaries of prior major turns. If a significant low occurred on June 15 last year, watch June 13-17 this year for potential turn. Gann tracked anniversaries extensively. In Canada these often line up with recurring catalysts - Big Six bank earnings and the quarterly index-futures roll.

Gann angles represent price/time ratios. 1x1 (45 deg) is balance - price above is strong. Steeper angles (2x1, 3x1) show stronger trends. Angles provide dynamic S/R. Breaking one targets the next angle.

Numbers spiral from center. Numbers on same angle (90, 180 deg apart) are related. Find price or date on wheel, project to related numbers for support/resistance or cycle times. When price and time numbers align, strong confluence.

Trending: Cycles extend, use for pullbacks. Ranging: Cycles reliable, full confidence. Volatile: Wider windows, reduce size. Track accuracy (and VIXC) to detect regime change. Below 50% accuracy suggests regime shift.

Grade A (3+ cycles + price): 2% risk. Grade B (2 cycles + price): 1.5%. Grade C (1 cycle + price): 1% or skip. Grade D (time OR price only): No trade. Concentrate capital in highest confluence.

Calculate cycles historically. Project forward from each swing. Measure accuracy (did turn occur within window?). Track by cycle type (swing, Fib, Gann). Test across regimes. Requires clean swing identification.