Divergent Bars
Divergent bars help a trader identify a potential shift in the current price trend. Divergent bars are an effective technical tool for futures, options, and stock traders using any timeframe.
A divergent bar is defined as the following:
1. A potential shift from a bullish trend to a bearish trend is evidenced by the current price bar showing a higher high than the previous bar and the current bar closes in the bottom 50% of the price bar. Also known as a Bearish Divergent Bar. This indicates that bullish movement higher is weakening.
2. A potential shift from a bearish trend to a bullish trend is evidenced by the current price bar showing a lower low than the previous bar and the current bar closes in the upper 50% of the price bar. Also known as a Bullish Divergent Bar. This indicates that bearish movement lower is weakening.
To open a position using the divergent bar:
1. When the divergent bar indicates a possible bearish entry, place an order to buy to open a put (for options traders) or sell short (futures traders) at the low of the divergent bar. If the bullish trend is not complete, it is likely this position will not be filled. If, before the order is filled, the price moves above the high of the divergent bar, the bar is no longer valid as an entry signal and open orders should be cancelled. If the order is filled, use your usual profit targets, which will vary by trader. If the position is filled, futures traders should set a stop based on the high of the divergent bar. Options traders should monitor the price action and close the position if price moves above the high of the divergent bar.
2. When the divergent bar indicates a possible bullish entry, place an order to buy to open a call (for options traders) or buy long (futures traders) at the high of the divergent bar. If the bearish trend is not complete, it is likely this position will not be filled. If, before the order is filled, the price moves below the low of the divergent bar, the bar is no longer valid as an entry signal and open orders should be cancelled. If the order is filled, use your usual profit targets, which will vary by trader. If the position is filled, futures traders should set a stop based on the low of the divergent bar. Options traders should monitor the price action and close the position if price moves below the low of the divergent bar.
The most effective way to use the divergent bar signal is to view it as one signal aligned with another reliable signal, such as the Bollinger Bands, Awesome Oscillator, or other momentum/trend shift indicator. The signal is so specific that it adds exceptional strength to the likely reversal. For example, on the chart of
SPX, two divergent bars are highlighted, each one anticipating a strong and clear reversal in the swing trend.
In the first example, a Bullish Divergent Bar appears at the beginning of October. The low is lower than the previous bar’s low and the current bar closes in the upper half of the price bar. This indicates a potential long entry. It is also paired with a Bollinger Band Snap. The next day stochastic crosses up and the high of the divergent bar is broken, signaling a long entry.
The second example occurs in late January with a Bearish Divergent Bar. The high of that bar is higher than the previous bar’s high and it also closes in the lower half of the price bar, signaling a bearish divergent bar. The next market day the low of the divergent bar is broken, the Awesome Oscillator (AO) is red, and stochastics is crossed down. This alignment between divergent bar, AO, and stochastics signals a short entry.
In both of these examples there is strong follow through from the divergent bar entry. Moving 35 points immediately to the upside on the bullish divergent bar entry and trending about 100 points lower the days following the bearish divergent bar entry. Divergent bars, when paired with other indicators, can be a reliable indication of a potential shift in the trend.
A divergent bar is defined as the following:
1. A potential shift from a bullish trend to a bearish trend is evidenced by the current price bar showing a higher high than the previous bar and the current bar closes in the bottom 50% of the price bar. Also known as a Bearish Divergent Bar. This indicates that bullish movement higher is weakening.
2. A potential shift from a bearish trend to a bullish trend is evidenced by the current price bar showing a lower low than the previous bar and the current bar closes in the upper 50% of the price bar. Also known as a Bullish Divergent Bar. This indicates that bearish movement lower is weakening.
To open a position using the divergent bar:
1. When the divergent bar indicates a possible bearish entry, place an order to buy to open a put (for options traders) or sell short (futures traders) at the low of the divergent bar. If the bullish trend is not complete, it is likely this position will not be filled. If, before the order is filled, the price moves above the high of the divergent bar, the bar is no longer valid as an entry signal and open orders should be cancelled. If the order is filled, use your usual profit targets, which will vary by trader. If the position is filled, futures traders should set a stop based on the high of the divergent bar. Options traders should monitor the price action and close the position if price moves above the high of the divergent bar.
2. When the divergent bar indicates a possible bullish entry, place an order to buy to open a call (for options traders) or buy long (futures traders) at the high of the divergent bar. If the bearish trend is not complete, it is likely this position will not be filled. If, before the order is filled, the price moves below the low of the divergent bar, the bar is no longer valid as an entry signal and open orders should be cancelled. If the order is filled, use your usual profit targets, which will vary by trader. If the position is filled, futures traders should set a stop based on the low of the divergent bar. Options traders should monitor the price action and close the position if price moves below the low of the divergent bar.
The most effective way to use the divergent bar signal is to view it as one signal aligned with another reliable signal, such as the Bollinger Bands, Awesome Oscillator, or other momentum/trend shift indicator. The signal is so specific that it adds exceptional strength to the likely reversal. For example, on the chart of
SPX, two divergent bars are highlighted, each one anticipating a strong and clear reversal in the swing trend. In the first example, a Bullish Divergent Bar appears at the beginning of October. The low is lower than the previous bar’s low and the current bar closes in the upper half of the price bar. This indicates a potential long entry. It is also paired with a Bollinger Band Snap. The next day stochastic crosses up and the high of the divergent bar is broken, signaling a long entry.
The second example occurs in late January with a Bearish Divergent Bar. The high of that bar is higher than the previous bar’s high and it also closes in the lower half of the price bar, signaling a bearish divergent bar. The next market day the low of the divergent bar is broken, the Awesome Oscillator (AO) is red, and stochastics is crossed down. This alignment between divergent bar, AO, and stochastics signals a short entry.
In both of these examples there is strong follow through from the divergent bar entry. Moving 35 points immediately to the upside on the bullish divergent bar entry and trending about 100 points lower the days following the bearish divergent bar entry. Divergent bars, when paired with other indicators, can be a reliable indication of a potential shift in the trend.
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