The Elliott Wave Theory was developed in the first half of the 20^th century. Ralph Elliott noted that the market forms corrective and impulsive waves when rising or falling.

Using an ingenious approach of interpreting market cycles, Elliott defined the waves within the overall theory. First, he split them into impulsive and corrective waves. Or, five-wave and three-wave structures.

Next, he further divided the corrective waves into simple and complex. By introducing a connecting wave, the x-wave, he successfully explained complex corrective waves forming in financial markets.

But perhaps the greatest innovation of the Elliott Theory was the introduction of Fibonacci ratios in the technical analysis. Cleverly, Elliott used them to set strict rules for both impulsive and corrective waves.

Fibonacci Ratios to Consider in Impulsive Waves

The 61.8% or the golden ratio is the most important Fibonacci level of them all. It appears both in impulsive and corrective waves.

In impulsive waves, traders use it to spot the 2^nd wave pullback before the extended third wave. For instance, the market advances or declines and suddenly a counter move starts.

The second wave typically retraces between 50% and 61.8%, with the golden ratio being the entry point of a new Elliott trade. While the entry is at the 61.8% level, the stop-loss must be at the start of the impulsive wave. As for the take-profit, savvy traders use either a risk-reward ratio more significant than 1:3 (meaning the reward exceeds the risk by a factor of 3 to 1) or a Fibonacci ratio.

As the 3^rd wave in an impulsive wave is most likely to extend, the minimum extension is 161.8% of the 1^st wave. Therefore, traders use a Fibonacci tool (either the retracement or the expansion tool) to find out the minimum distance that the market must travel in the 3^rd wave.

Other important ratios to consider when trading impulsive moves are:

• 2%
  • While not mandatory, the 4^th wave retraces between 23.6% and 38.2% of the 4^th wave
• 8%
  • In strong impulsive waves, the 3^rd waves extend much more than the minimum 161.8% level, reaching 261.8% or even more

Fibonacci Ratios in Corrective Waves

Once again, the 61.8% retracement is key. The b-wave of a flat pattern must exceed this level, in order for the corrective wave to fall into the category of a flat.

In sharp contrast, a zigzag requires little retracement. The market must NOT retrace more than the golden ratio for the b-wave.

Instead, the 23.6% and 38.2% levels act as normal levels for the b-wave in a zigzag. If the price extends the retracement beyond the 38.2% level, the chances that the market forms a zigzag decrease significantly.

Other ratios to consider when labeling corrective waves:

• 6%
  • If the b-wave of a flat pattern retraces more than 123.6% when compared with the previous a-wave, the c-wave is unlikely to retrace the b-wave
• 2%
  • If the b-wave of a flat exceeds this level, the market forms an irregular flat
• 8%
  • If the b-wave of a flat exceeds it, the market most likely forms a running flat

Conclusion

The Elliott Waves Theory as we know it today wouldn’t be possible without the Fibonacci ratios. Elliott used the ratios to set clear rules for corrective and impulsive waves. Without these rules, the theory simply would not exist.

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