Technical analysis is a form of analysis used by traders to evaluate future price action based on historical price data.
Many traders use technical indicators and charting analysis as an approach to analyse the markets and spot potential trading opportunities and suitable entry and exit points. This article looks at five advanced approaches to technical analysis to help you improve your trading strategy.
Lots of traders use candlestick charts when looking at price data and it is easy to see why. Candlesticks present the battle between buyers and sellers in a very simple-to-interpret graphical way. Candlestick charts also have their own range of patterns, with many focusing on the psychology of the market and constant battle between buyers and sellers.
Bullish engulfing pattern
The bullish engulfing pattern occurs when a market has been in a downtrend. Bullish engulfing patterns usually consist of two complete candlesticks spanning two time periods (for instance one hour or one day). The first is a 'down' or bearish candlestick, followed by an 'up' or bullish candlestick covering the subsequent time period.
The size of the first candle can vary from chart to chart. The first candle usually signifies the end of declining prices for the markets. The second candle in the pattern should be bigger than the previous candle and should cover (or engulf) the 'body' of the previous candle. The bigger the second candle and the higher it advances, the stronger the signal.
In this example, the market had been falling for more than a week but there is a relatively large 'up' day that completely overshadows the previous day’s candle. These two candles together form the bullish engulfing pattern and suggest that weakness is coming to an end and the trend may be about to reverse.
Bearish engulfing pattern
Bearish engulfing patterns are a mirror image of the bullish variety, with the difference being that with bearish engulfing patterns the market is heading higher, but then there is a candle in the opposite direction to the trend which engulfs the previous candle – signifying a change in sentiment from buying pressure to selling pressure.
As with the previous candlestick chart pattern, the first candle in this formation signifies that the current trend is coming to an end. The size of the first candle can vary from chart to chart and it is the second or 'engulfing' candle that signals the change in trend. To qualify as a bearish engulfing pattern, the second candle must completely engulf the previous candle. Ideally, the high should extend above the previous candle's high and a new low should be created – signifying renewed downward selling pressure.
The below example shows the price of oil, and each candle represents one hour of trading.
As with all other trading strategies, candlestick charts should be used in conjunction with other forms of analysis to weigh up when market sentiment may be shifting.
Bullish divergence signal
Many traders will use technical indicators to figure out market direction. You may have seen charts with stochastic oscillators, moving average convergence divergence (MACD) and other lines underneath the price. One variation of the indicator approach is to look for divergences. This is where the price does one thing, but the indicator does something else – it can be a sign that a trend is running out of steam, offering the opportunity to profit from a move in the other direction. In the chart below, the price of gold has a relative strength index (RSI) shown below the price, which is always a popular indicator.
In the chart above, it can be seen that there is a significant slide in the price of gold, as indicated by the red and blue arrows, and the RSI becomes very oversold, pointing to how weak the market has been. Later in the same month and the following month, the price of gold slips further, below those previous lows. But interestingly, the RSI has started moving higher. This is bullish divergence – and can be a suggestion that the downtrend is running out of steam, which proved to be the case in this example.
Bearish divergence signal
For every positive pattern there is usually a negative alternative and this is also the case when it comes to divergence. When a market is making higher highs, but the RSI is not following suit, this is referred to as 'bearish divergence' and can be a warning that a top is near. The example below is an hourly chart for the GBP/USD forex pair. As indicated by the blue and red arrows below, the market was strong towards the middle of the month but the RSI then makes a lower high than previously, suggesting that momentum may be starting to fade away.
This divergence approach using indicators is thought to be more reliable than just using them as simple overbought or oversold signals. As ever, nothing works all the time but they can help to 'take the temperature' of a market and act as a warning that a previously good trend could be about to stall.
The false breakout
As mentioned before, no trading strategy is right all of the time but even false signals can give a hint into market direction. The breakout strategy is a popular one with momentum traders: when a previous low or high is broken on the chart some will see it as the sign of a new trend. But a lot of the time this does not happen. This false breakout can still give us an aggressive trading strategy and is a useful bit of technical analysis on its own.
The US 30 index chart demonstrates this. The 17,900 level had acted as support over a couple of days. The market then broke below this, but very quickly tried to regain its lost ground. There was no real follow-through of selling. An aggressive trading strategy would be to buy into this strength with a stop-loss order below the low following the break of that support. False signals like this can end up being powerful. In this example weak sellers were flushed out and the market ended up moving 150 points higher.
Summary
As a trader, it’s important to remember that no one form of analysis can be 100% accurate all of the time. It’s therefore invaluable to use a combination of trading strategies and technical indicators to identify potential entry and exit points, so you can put together a robust trading strategy.
Source: CMC Markets UK
Disclaimer: Century Financial Consultancy LLC (“CFC”) is Limited Liability Company incorporated under the Laws of UAE and is duly licensed and regulated by the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority of UAE (SCA). This document is a marketing material and is for informational purposes only and must not be construed to be an advice to invest or otherwise in any investment or financial product. CFC does not guarantee as to adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reliability of any information or data contained herein and under no circumstances whatsoever none of such information or data be construed as an advice or trading strategy or recommendation to deal (Buy/Sell) in any investment or financial product. CFC is not responsible or liable for any result, gain or loss, based on this information, in whole or in part.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ACCESS FOR THE PUBLICATION BEFORE THE USE THEREOF.
By use of the publication and continuing to access the publication, you accept these terms and conditions and undertake to be bound by the acceptance. CFC reserves the right to amend, remove, or add to the publication and Disclaimer at any time without any prior notice to you. Such modifications shall be effective immediately. Accordingly, please continue to review this Disclaimer whenever accessing, or using the publication. Your access of, and use of the publication, after modifications to the Disclaimer will constitute your acceptance of the terms and conditions of use of the publication, as modified. If, at any time, you do not wish to accept the content of this Disclaimer, you may not access, or use the publication. Any terms and conditions proposed by you which are in addition to or which conflict with this Disclaimer are expressly rejected by CFC and shall be of no force or effect.
No information as given herein by CFC in this publication should be construed as an offer, recommendation or solicitation to purchase or dispose of any securities/financial instruments/products or to enter in any transaction or adopt any hedging, trading or investment strategy. Neither this publication nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of any contract or commitment whatsoever. Distribution of this publication does not oblige CFC to enter into any transaction.
The content of this publication should not be considered legal, regulatory, credit, tax or accounting advice. Anyone proposing to rely on or use the information contained in the publication should independently verify and check the accuracy, completeness, reliability and suitability of the information and should obtain independent and specific advice from appropriate professionals or experts regarding information contained in this publication. CFC cannot be held responsible for the impact of any transactional costs or any taxes as may be applicable on transactions.
Information contained herein is based on various sources, including but not limited to public information, annual reports and statistical data that CFC considers reliable. However, CFC makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any report or statistical data made in or in connection with this publication and accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any loss or damage caused by any act or omission taken as a result of the information contained in this publication. The articles does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situations and specific needs of recipients. The recipient of this publication must make its own independent decisions regarding whether this communication and any securities or financial instruments mentioned herein, is appropriate in the light of its existing portfolio holdings and/or investment needs.
This document is a marketing material and has been prepared by individual(s), marketing and/or research personnel of CFC. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is purely a marketing communication. In this publication, any opinions, news, research, analysis, prices, or other information constitute is a general market commentary, and do not constitute the opinion or advice of CFC or any form of personal or investment advice. CFC neither endorses nor guarantees offerings of third party, nor is CFC responsible for the content, veracity or opinions of third-party speakers, presenters, participants or providers. CFC will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information.
Charts, graphs and related data or information provided in this publication are intended to serve for illustrative purposes only. The information contained in this publication is prepared as of a particular date and time and will not reflect subsequent changes in the market or changes in any other factors relevant to their determination. All statements as to future matters are not guaranteed to be accurate. CFC expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this publication or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Staff members/employees of CFC may provide/present oral or written market commentary or analysis to you that reflect opinions that are contrary to the opinions expressed in this research and may contain insights and reports that are inconsistent with the views expressed in this publication. Neither CFC nor any of its affiliates, group companies, directors, employees, agents or representatives assume any liability nor shall they be made liable for any damages whether direct, indirect, special or consequential including loss of revenue or profits that may arise from or in connection with the use of the information provided in this publication.
Information or data provided by means in this publication may have many inherent limitations, like module errors or lack accuracy in its historical data. Data included in the publication may rely on models that do not reflect or take into account all potentially significant factors such as market risk, liquidity risk, credit risk etc.
The use of our information, products and services should be on your own due diligence and you agree that CFC is not liable for any failure to achieve desired return on investment that is in any manner related to availing of services or products of CFC and use of our information, products and services. You acknowledge and agree that past investment performance is not indicative of the future performance results of any investment and that the information contained herein is not to be used as an indication for the future performance of any investment activity.
This publication is being furnished to you solely for your information and neither it nor any part of it may be used, forwarded, disclosed, distributed or delivered to anyone else. You may not copy, reproduce, display, modify or create derivative works from any data or information contained in this publication.
Services offered by CFC include products that are traded on margin and can result in losses that exceed deposits. Before deciding to trade on margin products, you should consider your investment objectives, risk tolerance and your level of experience on these products. Trading with leverage carries significant risk of losses and as such margin products are not suitable for every investor and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved and should seek independent advice from professionals or experts if necessary.
Access full range of products,
trading tools and features
Open LIVE Account
Losses can exceed your deposits