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 constantly 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: Stockland Corporation Ltd (SGP)
Stockland corp has been channeling between $3.45 and $3.95 for six months now, with the support and resistance levels being tested five times so far. The most recent test was of the support level, but the channel held true and the share price has risen ever since. With SGP looking to continue in this channel, we may be about to see a further sideways movement in the short term; with the 200-day moving average coming in at $3.90 acting as further resistance for this stock. With a pattern like this, a trader or investor could profit from an Options trade e.g Bull Call and Bear Puts; or an investor buying near the support level and selling near resistance.
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