The Nominal Model

The nominal model is our goto reference point for a phasing analysis and is the bedrock of a standard Hurst cycles approach. Learn more in this article!

Modelling Markets

Throughout Sigma-L readers will find references to ‘nominal’ cycles. What does this mean? Hurst coalesced his spectral work in ‘Profit Magic for Stock Transaction Timing’ into a concise and easily referenced ‘model’ for average wavelengths of components in financial markets, most notably stockmarkets, but research and experience shows valid utility in other markets.

This model consists of several entries; from the 18 year component down to the 5 day component. Although the model was somewhat more populated in Hurst’s original work the classic version we use frequently today was introduced in the Cycles Course and attempted to simplify the lineup for practical trading purposes. Let’s take a look at it below.

JM Hurst Nominal Model

Name: 18 year nominal cycle | Average wavelength: 17.93 years

Name: 9 year nominal cycle | Average wavelength: 8.96 years

Name: 54 month cycle | Average wavelength: 53.77 years

Name: 18 month cycle | Average wavelength: 17.93 months

Name: 40 week cycle | Average wavelength: 38.97 weeks

Name: 20 week cycle | Average wavelength: 19.48 weeks

Name: 80 day cycle | Average wavelength: 68.2 days

Name: 40 day cycle | Average wavelength: 34.1 days

Name: 20 day cycle | Average wavelength: 17 days

Name: 10 day cycle | Average wavelength: 8.5 days

Name: 5 day cycle | Average wavelength: 4.3 days

The important aspect to grasp from this model is the fact that wavelengths specified in the model are a guide because they are average wavelengths found to be present in the sample set Hurst originally researched upon in the 1960s and 1970s.

Of course today we can bring to bear the power of modern software to any market and it is striking to see this model work extremely well for most financial instruments, cryptocurrency being the most recent and compelling.

The principle of variation dictates that the wavelengths of components in this model will inherently oscillate around the average wavelengths. We see this as frequency modulation visually. For example, stockmarkets are in general running faster than nominal globally. This may well continue or may indeed revert to longer cycles to compensate in the coming years. Clearly there is also the chance that the average wavelengths are in need of adjustment - the more samples we have the closer we come to converging on the most cogent, consistent period for each component.

What is really wonderful is that over the last 80 years the components listed above have changed very little. This is compelling evidence that the model above is a true synopsis of financial market motion. The 18 month component in particular has stayed very close to the nominal average in stockmarkets, only really decreasing in wavelength in recent years.

Hurst Nominal Model - Visualised

Below is a visual representation of Hurst’s nominal model using simple sinusoids and spanning one 18 month nominal cycle (545.6 days). Cycles here obey principles of proportionality (longer cycles = larger amplitude) and the principle of harmonicity (cycles are related by a simple integer ratio, usually 2:1 or 3:1).

The model here assumes a flat sigma-l and so is an entirely neutral cycle.

Hurst’s nominal model as a series of sinusoids and summed to create the black ‘composite model’. Here the orange line is the 18 month cycle, the light green the 40 week cycle, dark green the 20 week component, light blue the 80 day component, dark blue the 40 day component and finally the 20 day cycle is the purple sinusoid. The X axis represents the number of days.

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