Swing Trading Strategies Part 2: Reversals
In Part 1, we explored a trend continuation strategy for swing trading. Now, let's shift our focus to a reversal strategy that targets market turning points using a fakeout pattern. This method capitalizes on failed breakouts, providing opportunities to trade reversals at key resistance levels.
Strategy Overview
Objective: Identify and trade reversals at key resistance levels using the fakeout pattern.
Key Components:
Identify Key Resistance Level: Locate a significant resistance level where price has struggled to break through in the past. This could be a horizontal line from previous highs or a trendline that the price has respected.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Fakeout Pattern: Look for a fakeout pattern, which occurs when the price breaks above the resistance level but then closes back below it. This can happen either within the same candle or in the following candle. The pattern indicates that the breakout was false and suggests a potential reversal.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Entry and Stop Placement:
• Entry: Enter a sell order just below the close of the fakeout candle. This ensures you are entering the trade as the price starts to reverse.
• Stop-Loss: Place a stop-loss order above the high of the fakeout candle to protect against unexpected price movements.
• Target Setting: Set your profit target at the next significant swing support level. This level should be a prior low where the price previously found buying interest.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Why This Strategy is Effective
The fakeout pattern is effective because it captures the failed breakout phenomenon. Traders who were long during the fakeout are forced to exit their positions as the price reverses, creating selling pressure. By entering the trade just below the fakeout candle, you align with this reversal and benefit from the price move toward the next support level.
Practical Example:
Example: GBP/USD
Let's look at an example in the GBP/USD currency pair. After a rally five-day rally, GBP/USD approached a well-established resistance level. A fakeout pattern formed when the price broke above resistance but closed back below it the following candle.
• Entry: A sell order was placed just below the low of the fakeout pattern.
• Stop-Loss: The stop-loss was set just above the high of the fakeout pattern.
• Target: The profit target was placed at the next significant swing support level, where price had previously found buying interest.
As the price reversed from the resistance level, the trade moved into profit, eventually hitting the target at the swing support level.
GBP/USD Daily Candle Chart: Pre Trade
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
GBP/USD Daily Candle Chart: Post Trade
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Limitations of the Strategy
While the fakeout pattern can be effective, it’s important to be aware of its limitations. Not all fakeouts lead to significant reversals, and false signals can occur. Additionally, the strategy may be less effective in strong trending markets where resistance levels are frequently breached. Traders should also consider market news and events that could cause abrupt price movements.
Conclusion
Reversal strategies based on fakeout patterns provide the opportunity to trade market turning points. By focusing on resistance levels and fakeout signals, traders can enter trades with a clear plan and defined risk. Mastering both continuation and reversal strategies equips traders to adapt to various market conditions, enhancing their overall trading approach.
Disclaimer: This is for information and learning purposes only. The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance. Social media channels are not relevant for UK residents.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 83.51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Strategy Overview
Objective: Identify and trade reversals at key resistance levels using the fakeout pattern.
Key Components:
Identify Key Resistance Level: Locate a significant resistance level where price has struggled to break through in the past. This could be a horizontal line from previous highs or a trendline that the price has respected.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Fakeout Pattern: Look for a fakeout pattern, which occurs when the price breaks above the resistance level but then closes back below it. This can happen either within the same candle or in the following candle. The pattern indicates that the breakout was false and suggests a potential reversal.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Entry and Stop Placement:
• Entry: Enter a sell order just below the close of the fakeout candle. This ensures you are entering the trade as the price starts to reverse.
• Stop-Loss: Place a stop-loss order above the high of the fakeout candle to protect against unexpected price movements.
• Target Setting: Set your profit target at the next significant swing support level. This level should be a prior low where the price previously found buying interest.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Why This Strategy is Effective
The fakeout pattern is effective because it captures the failed breakout phenomenon. Traders who were long during the fakeout are forced to exit their positions as the price reverses, creating selling pressure. By entering the trade just below the fakeout candle, you align with this reversal and benefit from the price move toward the next support level.
Practical Example:
Example: GBP/USD
Let's look at an example in the GBP/USD currency pair. After a rally five-day rally, GBP/USD approached a well-established resistance level. A fakeout pattern formed when the price broke above resistance but closed back below it the following candle.
• Entry: A sell order was placed just below the low of the fakeout pattern.
• Stop-Loss: The stop-loss was set just above the high of the fakeout pattern.
• Target: The profit target was placed at the next significant swing support level, where price had previously found buying interest.
As the price reversed from the resistance level, the trade moved into profit, eventually hitting the target at the swing support level.
GBP/USD Daily Candle Chart: Pre Trade
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
GBP/USD Daily Candle Chart: Post Trade
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Limitations of the Strategy
While the fakeout pattern can be effective, it’s important to be aware of its limitations. Not all fakeouts lead to significant reversals, and false signals can occur. Additionally, the strategy may be less effective in strong trending markets where resistance levels are frequently breached. Traders should also consider market news and events that could cause abrupt price movements.
Conclusion
Reversal strategies based on fakeout patterns provide the opportunity to trade market turning points. By focusing on resistance levels and fakeout signals, traders can enter trades with a clear plan and defined risk. Mastering both continuation and reversal strategies equips traders to adapt to various market conditions, enhancing their overall trading approach.
Disclaimer: This is for information and learning purposes only. The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance. Social media channels are not relevant for UK residents.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 83.51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.