Welcome to Bravechart. Your in-depth article on chart analysis from a Scotsman stationed in the Outback.
As traders, we use technical analysis as a reliable method for speculating on future price direction of both equities (shares) and indexes. Technical Analysis in simple terms is the study of historic price movements in a chart in search of patterns or consistently 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 channelled 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: Channel Pattern on Aurizon Holdings Ltd (AZJ)
AZJ has been channelling in a 35-cent range for the last few months. As can be seen, the resistance was formed in the middle of August and held for AZJ ever since. With the resistance holding and the support level being tested a couple of times throughout this period – most recently on the 26th of August – AZJ is clearly trading in a channel between $5.70 and roughly $6.05. With the recent test of the resistance level reversing and turning bearish again, and the fact gold has been falling once more, it is looking likely that we will continue to push lower. If we can see further bearish movement, we will then look at $5.59 as our next target to the downside.
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 two day “Technical Trading for the Australian Market ” course.
Contact us today on 03 8080 5788.
Regards,
Your Friendly Kilted Advisor,
Benjamin Farkas