Pennant — Trend Is Your Best Friend 🚩 Pennant — Trend Is Your Best Friend 📈
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🔍 Introduction
The Pennant is a trend continuation pattern, resembling a small triangle that forms after a strong initial move (known as the “flagpole”). It is similar to the Flag pattern, but with one key difference: the body of the Pennant is formed by two converging trendlines, rather than parallel ones.
📐 Pattern Description
The Pennant forms after a strong, impulsive price move, indicating that the trend is likely to continue after a short pause.
Like the Flag, the Pennant consists of two main components:
The flagpole — a sharp, directional move (either bullish or bearish)
The Pennant body — a brief consolidation shaped like a symmetrical triangle 🔺
🟢 A bullish pennant forms after a strong upward move
🔴 A bearish pennant follows a strong downward move
🧠 Market psychology behind the pattern:
After a big move, many traders expect a reversal and begin taking counter-trend positions. But when the breakout occurs in the direction of the original trend, it triggers a wave of new orders, pushing price even further. That’s why the Pennant is often used to enter trades in the direction of the dominant trend.
📉 Volume behavior is also key:
High volume during the initial move
Low volume during the Pennant’s consolidation
Rising volume on the breakout
This volume pattern reflects renewed trader interest and often leads to a more explosive breakout compared to a Flag, due to the tightening nature of the consolidation.
⚠️ A weak or sloppy move before the Pennant weakens the signal and increases the risk of false breakouts.
🎯 Entry & Stop-Loss Strategy
📥 Entry: After a confirmed breakout above the Pennant’s resistance (or below it for bearish setups)
🛑 Stop-loss: Placed just below the last local low before breakout
💰 Profit Target:
Partial take profit at the top of the flagpole
Full target = the height of the flagpole projected from the breakout point (aka the Measured Move)
Always account for key support/resistance levels to define the potential range
💡 The Pennant often offers great risk/reward due to its tight structure and explosive potential.
💡 My Pro Tips for Trading Pennants
✅ Pennant Pattern Criteria
Trend continuation pattern
A strong, nearly vertical move preceding the Pennant
Triangle-shaped consolidation (two converging lines)
The Pennant body must be shorter than the flagpole
The lowest point of the Pennant should not exceed half the length of the flagpole
Breakouts should happen in the direction of the initial trend
Tight range before breakout increases accuracy
📈 What Strengthens the Signal
Sharp, clean, directional initial move (strong flagpole) ⚡
High volume on the initial move, and volume surge on breakout 💥
⚠️ What Weakens the Signal
Choppy or weak price action before the Pennant 🫤
Lack of volume during the flagpole or breakout 💤
✅ Examples of My Winning Pennant Setups
🔗 EURUSD Bearish Pennant — Ready to Drop
❌ Examples of My Losing Setups
🔗 XAUUSD Bullish Pennant — Failed Follow-through
💬 Do You Trade Pennants?
They’re one of the most powerful continuation patterns when paired with clean price action and volume confirmation. What’s your experience with Pennants? Share your wins — and fails — below 👇👇
