Education excerpt: Classic Chart FormationsIntroduction
The part of technical analysis studies chart patterns. Rationale behind this practice is that chart patterns have fractal nature which represents ability of a trend to act similarly over different time periods. Chart patterns are basically configuration of price that is bounded above and below. Boundaries are commonly derived either from a line or a curve. Lines, for example, can be represented by simple horizontal lines or trend lines. Curve, on the other hand, is rather reminiscent of an arc or a bow in its shape. Boundaries in chart patterns can often act as support or resistance. All chart patterns have their development stages. There is first stage which describes the trend preceding the formation and then there is second stage which usually triggers the signal for action. In the first stage of pattern formation analyst merely observes price action and waits for signal to be triggered. This stage can also be called setup. The second stage then begins with signal being triggered. Trigger can, for example, come in a form of a crossover (by indicator, price, etc.) or breakout. In this stage analyst takes action and either enters or exits the market. Entry can be placed from above or from below. Similarly, exit can be downward or upward. The variables of entries and exits are statistically important because some combinations of entries and exits tend to produce better results than other combinations of entries and exits. The chart patterns can be subdivided in two groups: continuation patterns and reversal patterns. Continuation patterns are associated with continuation of trend that was present prior to the formation of a continuation pattern. On the other hand, reversal patterns are associated with reversal of trend that was in place prior to the formation of a reversal pattern.
Double Top and Double Bottom
Double top and double bottom formation is very simple pattern that is well known to many professional and retail traders. It consists of three reversal points. For double top these reversal points are: two peaks and one trough. Opposite to that, for double bottom formation reversal points are: two troughs and one peak. Price enters double top formation from below and double bottom formation from above. Peaks in double top and troughs in double bottom should not be apart from each other’s price level more than 5%. Double top and double bottom normally forms over two to six weeks. If formation takes longer then it starts becoming less reliable. Double top is valid only when point separating two peaks was penetrated. Similarly, double bottom is valid only when point isolating two troughs was penetrated.
Illustration 1.01
Picture above depicts graph of General Motors stock on daily timeframe. It is observable that price touched resistance line twice before reversing to the downside.
Rectangle
Rectangle is simple pattern that is bound by two horizontal lines that are parallel to each other. These lines acting as boundaries are called: support and resistance. Each boundary must also be a trend line. That means it must touch approximately same price reversal level at least twice. This particular requirement is what separates it from a double bottom or a double top formation. Price tends to oscillate between two bounds in the rectangle pattern. Then trigger comes in a form of breakout above resistance or below support.
Illustration 1.02
Picture above depicts graph of Pepsico stock on daily timeframe. It is observable that price action is sideways in this example. Price oscillates between resistance and support lines with occasional false breakouts below support.
Triple Top and Triple Bottom
The triple top and bottom pattern is bounded by horizontal line similarly like double top and bottom formation. However, this pattern differs from double formation in that it has three touches to the support or resistance line instead of just two touches. Triple top and bottom tends to occur with lower frequency in comparison to the rectangle and double formation. In triple top each peak should be roughly at the same level and each peak should have similar shape. Confirmation for triple top comes once troughs are penetrated to the upside. Triple bottom is basically mirror image of triple top and confirmation comes once breakout above peaks takes place. Pullbacks are very common for this formation and they tend to reduce breakout potential.
Standard Triangle
Triangle pattern is bounded by two lines that are crossing each other when they are extended to the future. Triangle pattern has its base and apex. Point of collision between two lines is called apex while base is basically a distance between the first high reversal point and the first low reversal point within triangle pattern. This pattern should consist of least two touches to the support line and another two touches to the resistance line. Standard triangle can be either symmetrical or ascending, or descending. Symmetrical triangle is considered to be continuation pattern while ascending and descending triangle is mostly regarded as reversal pattern. In symmetrical triangle both boundaries are at slope. In ascending triangle only lower bound is at slope while upper bound is horizontal. Contrary to that, in descending triangle upper boundary is at slope and lower bound is horizontal. These patterns are validated once breakout above or below boundary takes place. Another form of confirmation comes when breakout from an apex of triangle occurs.
Illustration 1.03
Picture above shows daily graph of TSLA stock. Formation of symmetrical triangle is observable.
Diamond top
Diamond top formation is rare broadening pattern that is very difficult to observe. It combines two triangles and can be imagined as mirror image of triangle pattern followed by triangle pattern. Price range increases and then decreases throughout this formation.
Wedge
A wedge pattern is simply a triangle pattern with both trend lines being at slope and pointing to the same direction. There are two types of wedges: a rising wedge and a declining wedge. A rising wedge consists of trend lines that point upwards while declining wedge contains trend lines that point downwards.
Illustration 1.04
Illustration above shows daily graph of DAL stock. It is visible that confirmation came after breakout above upper bound. After that price continued to rise. This pattern is very bullish once confirmation occurs.
Rounding Top and Rounding Bottom
Rounding top and bottom patterns are longer term formations that are bounded rather by an arc than horizontal line. Rounding of the pattern usually spans over long time and it tends to contain short term trends within its formation. Another interchangeable name for these formations is: saucer or bowl, or cup. There is also variation of this pattern that develops over shorter period of time and it is called scallop. Volume in rounding top tends to gradually increase as price increases towards the peak of the formation. Then it tends to fall as price decreases from the peak. Similarly, in rounding bottom volume tends to decrease as price is approaching a low. After that volume tends to increase as price starts to rise from a low.
Head and shoulders
Head and shoulder pattern is one of the most famous chart patterns with statistical significance and very high profitability. It is complex pattern that combines trend lines, support or resistance lines, and rounding. Head and shoulders pattern is normally preceded by uptrend while inverted head and shoulder formation is preceded by downtrend. This pattern is considered to be reversal pattern where head and shoulders is topping formation and inverted head and shoulders is bottoming formation. Pattern's structure consists of head, shoulders and neckline. Head is either high in topping formation or low in the bottoming formation. Neckline in topping pattern is simply trend line which connects two troughs that separate head and shoulders. In bottoming formation neckline connects two peaks that separate head and shoulders.
Illustration 1.05
Picture above shows daily graph of Pepsico stock. Inverted head and shoulders pattern is obsrvable bottoming head and shoulder pattern is formed by three troughs. The second trough must belower than the first and the third trough. The first trough is called left shoulder and third trough is called right shoulder. Middle trough is called head. Shoulders do not have to be the same height. Because of that neckline can be at slope in head and shoulder formation. Confirmation in this pattern comes once neckline is penetrated.
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