Stock trading is about simplifying complexity and operating in the most straightforward way: First, a volume-down rally will still go up, and a volume-down decline will still go down. Second, a volume-increasing rally at low levels indicates potential for a pullback later, while a volume-increasing rally at high levels suggests the market is about to decline. Third, a volume-spreading stagnation signals a top, while a volume-consolidation without decline indicates a bottom. Fourth, low-volume consolidation at the bottom suggests that the bottom has been reached, and an increase in volume and price at the bottom indicates a trend has been established. Fifth, a decline with no volume at the top means there are still new highs ahead, while a volume-increasing decline at the top suggests it will be difficult to reach new highs later. $ME $XTER $SXT