Fibonacci Time Zones are vertical lines based on the Fibonacci Sequence. These lines extend along the X axis (date axis) as a mechanism to forecast reversals based on elapsed time. A major low or high is often chosen as the starting point. Distances start relatively small and grow as the Fibonacci Sequence extends. Chartists can extend the Fibonacci Time Zones into the future to anticipate potential reversal points.
This article is not designed to delve too deep into the mathematical properties behind the Fibonacci sequence and Golden Ratio. There are plenty of other sources for this detail. A few basics, however, will provide the necessary background for the most popular numbers. Leonardo Pisano Bogollo (1170-1250), an Italian mathematician from Pisa, is credited with introducing the Fibonacci sequence to the West. It is as follows:
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610……
The sequence extends to infinity and contains many unique mathematical properties.
- After 0 and 1, each number is the sum of the two prior numbers (1+2=3, 2+3=5, 5+8=13 8+13=21 etc…).
- A number divided by the previous number approximates 1.618 (21/13=1.6153, 34/21=1.6190, 55/34=1.6176, 89/55=1.6181). The approximation nears 1.6180 as the numbers increase.
- A number divided by the next highest number approximates .6180 (13/21=.6190, 21/34=.6176, 34/55=.6181, 55/89=.6179 etc….). The approximation nears .6180 as the numbers increase. This is the basis for the 61.8% retracement.
1.618 refers to the Golden Ratio or Golden Mean, also called Phi. The inverse of 1.618 is .618. These ratios can be found throughout nature, architecture, art and biology. In his book, Elliott Wave Principle, Robert Prechter quotes William Hoffer from the December 1975 issue of Smithsonian Magazine:
….the proportion of .618034 to 1 is the mathematical basis for the shape of playing cards and the Parthenon, sunflowers and snail shells, Greek vases and the spiral galaxies of outer space. The Greeks based much of their art and architecture upon this proportion. They called it the golden mean.
The slow start in the Fibonacci sequence creates relatively tight clustering at the beginning of the Fibonacci Time Zones. Sometimes, it is necessary to ignore the first 5 or so time zones. After the first five zones, these zones expand quite quickly as the sequence unfolds. According to the theory, potential reversal points can be found by looking ahead 21, 34, 55, 89 and 144 days, all of which are Fibonacci numbers. 21 days marks the 8th Fibonacci Time Zone. Some subsequent zones are listed below. Remember, you can find future times zones by adding the previous two time zones (89 + 144 = 233).
- 8th zone = 21 days or periods
- 9th zone = 34 days or periods
- 10th zone = 55 days or periods
- 11th zone = 89 days or periods
- 12th zone = 144 days or periods
- 13th zone = 233 days or periods
Chart 1 shows the Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQQ) with the Fibonacci Time Zones extending from the March 2009 low, which was an important low. The first 7 time zones are difficult to use because of the tight clustering. The sequence gets some breathing room starting with the 8th time zone (21 days). The 9th time zone (34 days) coincided nicely with the July low. The 10th time zone (55 days) occurred in the middle of an uptrend and was not significant. The 11th time zone occurred near the February low.
Chart 2 shows QQQQ with time added to see the next Fibonacci Time Zone. Under "chart attributes" users can add "extra bars" to view future Fibonacci Time Zones. The next Fibonacci Time Zone comes at the 155 day mark at the beginning of September 2010. QQQQ has been trending lower since late April and this zone could mark an important low.
Chart 4 shows the Euro ETF (FXE) with the Fibonacci Time Zones extending from the April 2008 high, which marked a major high. The 8th Fibonacci Time Zone (21 days) marked a top in July, the 34 day line did not mark anything significant and the 55 day line marked a significant low. The March 2009 high formed just after the 89 day line and the November high was a month after the 144 day line. As with most forecasting and cycle tools, a little leeway is required, especially when the lengths grow longer.
Chart 5 shows FXE with time added to see the next Fibonacci Time Zone at 233. Even though the Euro ETF bounced in June-July, another leg lower is still possible with the Fibonacci Time Zones forecasting a low in September 2010. 50 days were added to this chart to see the next Fibonacci Time Zone. After 233, the next line would be at day 377, which means the chart would need around 330 extra days for viewing.
Fibonacci Time Zones are called "zones" for a reason. They are not hard reversal points, but rather potential reversal points to watch as prices approach this zone. Fibonacci Time Zones provide a cross between cycle analysis and Fibonacci analysis. Both have a wide following and turning points can be forecast weeks and months in advance. However, these forecast points serve as an alert for a potential trend reversal. As these reversal points approach, chartists should turn to other aspects of technical analysis to actually confirm the reversal. This could be a bullish or bearish pattern, bullish or bearish candlesticks, bullish or bearish indicators or clues from the price chart itself.
Fibonacci Time Zones can be accessed when annotating a Sharpchart. First, open the annotation window. Second, hover over the Fibonacci Retracements Tool icon in the middle. This square icon has four horizontal lines. Hovering over this icon will show three other icons as a drop down list. The Fibonacci Time Zones icon is the last one with the vertical lines. Click to select. Third, move the pointer/mouse to the starting point, click, move a little to the right and release. This will display the Fibonacci Time Zones on the chart. Users can then click on the dotted line (0) to change the starting point or make adjustments.