Even with a running start and light volume in the early going, the futures were unable to reach the very modest rally target at 2216.00 that I’d flagged for Wednesday. After seven days of flailing around, it’s tempting to say that something’s gotta give, and soon. Trying to imagine exactly what might happen is another matter.  Clearly, the election shock that briefly energized the stock market has ceased to be a factor. It is headed higher anyway, however, according to some very clear evidence on the charts.  Hidden Pivot analysis suggests this vehicle should reach a minimum 2240.50, or perhaps 2250.00, by year’s end. Notice how the ballistic bounce from election night’s panic-stricken low went on to demolish the 2134.50 ‘midpoint’ pivot with ease. Typically, this kind of price action indicates that the target is very likely to be achieved. For trading purposes, it also implies that a pullback to the pink line, a secondary Hidden Pivot at 2187.50, would generate a buy signal requiring a stop-loss at 2169.75. There are ways to cut the implied $900 entry risk by as much as 90%, and we can apply them if and when the time comes. In the meantime there is no point in trying to guess what might re-activate buyers.  That they believe in Santa Claus is clear enough from the historical record.