Is it possible to create a formula to apply to the S&P 500 Chart (inclusive of the years 2000 to current) which will return a date range (or ranges) where specific price change criteria are met.  I hope to back test on periods of historical data when there has been:
1) A steady and clear Uptrend or,
2) A steady and clear Consolidation period, where the price level at the end is equal to that at the beginning or,
3) A steady and clear Downtrend or,
4) A period of time including all 3 of the above, where the price level at the end is equal to that at the beginning; resulting in a u-shaped or n-shaped price period.

Once the time frames are identified then they would be used as the Custom Sort Dates to apply Scan, Sorts, etc.

The most obvious method is a visual search of the S&P chart but where would the challenge be in that?  I assume "Price Percent Change" formulas can be used in combination but I am guessing these would apply to a date range going back in time from the current date rather than possibly selecting ranges anywhere along the date spectrum.

Thanks,
Phil