Welcome to Bravechart. Your in-depth article on chart analysis from a Scotsman stationed in the Outback.
As traders, we use technincal analysis as a reliable method for speculating on future price direction of both equities (shares) and indexes. Technical Anyalysis in simple terms is the study of historic price movements in a chart in search of patterns or consistantly traded support and resistance levels. Today we are looking at a specific chart pattern that falls under continuation patterns, the Channel.
Appearance: A channel pattern comprises of:
- A strong resistance level the stock has reversed from.
- A strong support level where the stock has moved bullish after touching or getting close to.
- A mid to long term period where the stock has channeled between the resistance and support levels.
Continuation Pattern: The Channel Pattern is one of the most common continuation patterns you will see when looking at a sideways market. You can see that when the stock hits that key resistance level, the share price moves down to start looking bullish. Once it has hit its support level, it usually changes to bullish straight away.
Important Note: To time this pattern correctly usually takes a little while since you will need the support and resistance levels to be confirmed before you can have a clear view that the stock is stuck between the channel lines. If the levels are not confirmed, the price level may just be taking a breather before heading in either the long-term trend line, or a breakout to the opposite direction.
Example: S&P/ ASX 200
BHP has been in a channel for around 4 months now and looks to be continuing in the same trend. The share price has intermittently breached the resistance level of the channel but has come back in to continue the pattern. As you can see from the below chart, $31.92 (support) and $34.57(resistance) are holding very strong in the mid-term. For the continuation pattern to be broke, there would have to be a strong break in either direction and then a continuation in that direction for a short period. If that is seen in the current bearish move, then sentiment may turn to a falling share price.
There are many ways that you could take advantage of these patterns. As a specialist in derivatives, we are able to profit on a stock when it falls as well as when it rises.
If you would like to learn how to pick a stocks direction, then Join us at our live face to face one day “Technical Analysis, Picking the Direction of a Stock” course.
Contact us today on 03 8080 5788.
Regards,
Your Friendly Kilted Advisor,
Benjamin Farkas