Swing Trading Strategies & Stock Picks Since 2003

Here is a scan of the point and figure chart I keep by hand for the cash S&P 500. It is a three box reversal chart with each box representing ten S&P points.
An important fact about markets is that they rarely make a big move without first trading sideways to an extent that is roughly proportional to the extent of the big move. This is one reason why point and figure charts can be very valuable.
The chart above shows the action in the cash S&P since October 2008. The sideways action since the October 10 low near 840 until the present is already twice as wide as the sideways action at the 2002-03 low. That prior base supported the move to the October 2007 high of 1576. Even the portion of the base which has formed since November itself would support a move to 1600. Any move on high volume above the 950 level would for that reason be very bullish long term.