How to Tell If a Meaningful Upturn Is Under Way

Here’s a do-it-yourself method for determining when the bear romp since early February may have ended, at least for the time being:

Using the E-Mini Dow (that’s YMH25 on Tradestation) as a reference, look for a rally of at least 815 points. That would trigger a theoretical 'buy' signal for a ride of at least another 815 points. Based on today’s so-far low at 41,219, the two levels would lie at, respectively, 42,034 (buy signal) and 42,849 (take profits).