Bullish AB=CD – Forex Academy

Introduction

The ABCD is one of the most straightforward patterns in the Harmonic lot. There are two types of ABCD patterns – Bullish AB=CD & Bearish AB=CD. For both the bearish and bullish versions, the AB and CD lines are the legs, whereas the BC line is considered the Retracement or correction. To confirm the formation of this pattern, we use Fibonacci levels that we have discussed in the previous course lessons.

By using the Fibonacci tool on leg AB, see if the BC retracement is reaching the 0.618 level. Next, the line CD should be the extension of 1.272 Fibonacci extensions of BC. This rule applies to both bearish and bullish AB=CD patterns. We go long or short when the price action reaches the point D of the corresponding pattern formed.

How To Trade The ABCD Harmonic Pattern

Bullish ABCD Pattern

The chart that you see below represents the formation of a bullish AB=CD pattern. The CD leg of the pattern is equal to the size of the AB leg. The BC move, which is a pullback, is 61.8% retracement of the AB move. Likewise, the CD move is the 127% retracement, which confirms the formation of a bullish AB=CD pattern on the EUR/USD Forex pair.

We have entered the market at point D, and the stop-loss is placed just below the D point. As you can see, we went for smaller stops, and there is a reason behind it. If the price action goes below point D, the pattern automatically gets invalid.

There are two take-profit areas in the pair. The first one is at point C, and the second is at point A. It all depends on at what point you desire to close your position. It is always advisable to close your positions at higher targets because the end goal for us is to milk the market as much as we can.

Bearish ABCD Pattern

The below NZD/CAD Forex pair represents the formation of a bearish AB=CD pattern. The AB leg of the pattern is equal to the CD leg. Furthermore, the BC is respecting the 61.8% retracement of the AB move, and the CD move was close to 127% extension of the BC move. We have gone short at point D as the price breakout happened.

In this example, we went for deeper targets. If the momentum of the prevailing trend is strong enough, going for a new lower low will be a good idea. The key to winning in trading is to follow the rules and think according to the market situation. These Harmonic patterns require a lot of patience and effort to trade. So it is strongly recommended to master this pattern in a demo account than to trade it in a live market.

Conclusion

The AB=CD is a reversal pattern that indicates the market trend reversal. The AB=CD pattern consists of three legs, and they form the zig-zag shape. This pattern is also known as a lightning bolt, as it looks like one. The AB=CD pattern can be used in any financial market and also in any trading timeframe. Follow the rules, no matter what, to make consistent profits from this pattern. Always execute your trade at point D and ride for the brand new higher high/lower low. Cheers.

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Introduction

H.M Gartley published a book known as ‘Profits in the Stock Market’ in 1932. In this book, Gartley shared the entire group of harmonic patterns that are widely being used by traders across the world. AB=CD is one such pattern from the harmonic group. As time has passed, professional traders and market technicians improved this pattern a lot. They have also incorporated the Fibonacci ratios to this pattern, which will be discussed in this article.

AB=CD is a reversal pattern that helps traders in predicting when the price action of an underlying asset is about to reverse. It is a visual geometric pattern comprised of three consecutive price swings. This pattern helps to identify the trading opportunities in all types of markets, on any timeframe, and in any kind of market condition. Bullish AB=CD pattern helps traders in identifying higher probability buy trades, whereas bearish AB=CD patterns help in determining selling opportunities.

This pattern includes a total of four letters – A, B, C, D. Each turning point represents a significant high or low on the chart. These turning points are referred to as AB move, BC move, and the CD move. Let’s see how traders must perceive this pattern in the upcoming sections.

AB=CD Pattern Rules

Bullish AB=CD Pattern

The bullish AB=CD pattern always appears in a downtrend.
First of all, point A to B will be any random downtrend move.
Then the price action must go into the counter side of the AB move, printing the B to C move.
The original selling trend should resume and print the CD leg resembling the AB leg.
Once all these three moves are completed, we can conclude that the market has printed the bullish AB=CD pattern
Activate the buy trades only at point D.

Bearish AB=CD Pattern

Bearish AB=CD pattern is nothing but a mirror image of the Bullish AB=CD pattern.
The pattern begins with a bullish line from point A to B.
These points could be any random move in an uptrend.
B to C move should reverse the trend of the market but shouldn’t cross point A.
C to D move should be equal in size to point A and B.
Once all these moves are completed, we can conclude that the market has printed the bearish AB=CD pattern
Start taking sell trades only from point D.

AB=CD Pattern – Fibonacci Ratios

As already mentioned, Fibonacci ratios can be used to confirm the validity of the AB=CD patter. Below are the fib levels that are incorporated in the AB=CD pattern by trading experts for pattern validation.

BC leg is the 61.8% Fib retracement of AB leg.

CD leg is the 127.2% Fib retracement of BC leg.

Only at these retracement levels, the length of AB will be equal to the length of the CD.

Only take the trades if these above Fibonacci levels are matching with the setup on your charts. Ignore the setup if the Fib levels aren’t matching.

As you can see in the above image, the BC move retraces 61.8 of the AB and CD move is the 127.2% extension of the BC move. Also, the length of the AB move is equal to the extent of CD, i.e., both the movements must take the same time to develop on the charts. If any underlying currency pair is confirming all the mentioned rules, only then we can safely anticipate a higher probability trade.

AB= CD Pattern Trading Strategy

We believe by now, you understood the formation of the AB=CD pattern very well. Now let’s combine this pattern with the Fibs ratio as discussed to learn how to trade this pattern in the right way. As soon as we identify this pattern on the price chart, the only problem most of the traders have is while determining the accurate Fib ratios. Novice or intermediate traders go wrong most of the time in this aspect. As a result, they lose their trade. So make sure always to set the accurate fibs ratio and only then trade the AB=CD setup.

Bullish AB=CD Pattern

In the below EUR/USD 240 minutes chart, we can see that the pair was in an overall downtrend. We can also see that the CD move is equal in size to AB move. Also, after applying Fib ratios, we now know that the BC is 61.8% retracement of the AB move, and CD is the 127% extension of the BC. Therefore we can confirm the validity of the Bullish AB=CD pattern.

Entry, Stop-loss & Take Profit

Execute a buying trade at point D. Furthermore, always place the stops just below the D point. This is because, if price action goes beyond this point, it invalidates the pattern. This pattern provides two ‘take profit’ targets. The first one is point C, and the other is point A. We have closed our full position at point A because after activating our trade, the price action immediately blasted to the north. This indicates that we can expect more extended targets in this pair.

Bearish AB=CD Pattern

In the below 60 minute chart of the NZD/CAD Forex pair, the market was in an uptrend. This means that if at all, we are expecting an AB=CD pattern, it will be bearish. Notice that the AB is completely equal in size to the CD move. Following the rules of the pattern is critical while trading the AB=CD pattern. After applying Fibs, we can see that the BC is 61.8% retracement of the AB move, and the CD move was also a 127% extension of the BC move on the price chart. This confirms the authenticity of the bearish AB=CD pattern. We have executed a sell trade at point D. Although it was not a smooth ride, we have closed our full position at the major support area.

Bottom Line

AB=CD is one of the most popular trading patterns in the market. It is straightforward to identify, confirm, and trade as well. Also, we get to see this pattern frequently in the market, and traders can pair it with other forms of technical analysis to improve the odds of their trades. Always remember to follow the rules of the game; else, it is very difficult to win the game of trading. We hope you find this strategy useful. Try applying this strategy on a demo account and then apply it on the live charts. If you have enough questions, let us know in the comments below. Cheers!