Bonsai, I have no problem with expanded flats. I think the dow's just done one! You could be right.
A key lesson I've learnt is to have a view on the wave count but to trade the market as it happens. I think you said that some time ago. I still make mistakes, but I've done a lot better over the last few weeks.
My biggest mistake recently has been to be influenced by other peoples views and events. It was a couple of weeks a go that I predicted a Ftse high today ( I said I didn't know if it would be a new yearly high or not). Events last week convinced me to change my analysis, then I didn't recognise the trend change.
Bonsai, It missed target by about 10 points or so, but did hit a fib extension. EW count looks complete, but if it's going up again the next likely day for a top is Monday, if it can hold up that long.
candlesticks a bit mixed. After the stalled pattern todays action
resulted in a high wave (shooting star type) which is a further
negative if confirmed by downward open/movement tomorrow.
however, Monday's long white candle should start giving support
from half way down (4350) to its base (4319). It should be bad
news for the bulls if 319 goes.
Some bullish cheer is that the high wave can signal a market in
indecision so an upward break may result.