Hi Hari,
Dang. I don't like to be outwitted using random clusters, or fractal patterns and suchlike. That's just the kind of suggestion I'd be very pleased with if I'd made it. I daresay you have a smug grin on your face as I would in your shoes.
Yep. Definitely possible. Certainly unarguable with. But it makes almost any kind of sales trend analysis impossible.
Still think the return to an incremental expectation is the best bet, unless/until your cluster appears. I held onto my 8 until I felt it was untenable.