Tag: Continuation Patterns

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Forex Course

121. Trading The Bullish & Bearish AB=CD Harmonic Pattern

Introduction

Introduction

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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Forex Course

113. Introduction To Forex Chart Patterns

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

We have learned a lot of concepts related to technical analysis in the past few course lessons. Starting from Moving Averages, we have extended our discussion to Fibonacci Trading, Candlestick Patterns, and Indicator based analysis. We have also gone through some of the advanced technical trading concepts like Pivot Trading and Elliot Wave Theory.

We hope you have understood these concepts and started to apply them in a demo account. If you have any queries, please post them in the respective lesson comments so that we can address them in the right place. However, this is not the end of the technical analysis basics. We must go through one most crucial concept before going further. And that is to learn the trading of Forex Chart Patterns.

What are Forex Chart Patterns?

Do not mistake these Forex chart patterns with the Candlestick Patterns that we have learned before. Two or more candlesticks form candlestick patterns. And the maximum number of candlesticks in a single candlestick pattern is not more than four. But when it comes to Forex Chart Patterns, there are more candlesticks involved. The number can range from 50 to 500 and beyond.

To explain in simple terms, we know the price action moves in three different stages – Trends, Channels, and Ranges. When moving in these stages, the candlesticks follow specific patterns at times. Primarily, these patterns are formed by a group of candlesticks, and they look similar to the shapes that we see in real life. For instance, below is the snapshot of one of the very well known Forex chart patterns known as Cup & Handle Pattern.

(Image Taken From – Forex Academy)

In the above image, we can see how candlesticks combined to form a Cup & Handle Pattern.

Why is it important to know them?

We can consider these Forex Chart Patterns as land mine detectors. Because, when mastered, we will be able to detect the market explosions before even they occur. Hence any technical trader needs to learn to identify and trade these chart patterns. Forex chart patterns are given the highest importance because of one simple reason – high probability performing trades.

For technical analysts and price action traders, these chart patterns offer reliable clues to make their moves in the direction in which the price might go in the future. The reason behind this is that these patterns have the potential to push the price in a specific direction. There is a logical reason behind the formation of every single chart pattern, and why the price will go in a particular direction after the formation of these patterns.

Types of Forex Chart Patterns

Just like what we have learned in the Candlestick pattern lessons, there are three different types of Forex Chart Patterns.

Continuation Patterns – The appearance of these patterns indicates that the underlying trend will continue, and the price will continue moving in the direction that it is currently moving.

Examples – Pennant Chart Pattern and Rectangular Chart Pattern

Reversal Patterns – If we have identified these kinds of patterns on the price chart, it is an indication that the market is about to reverse its direction. Hence the name – Reversal Patterns.

Examples – Wedge Pattern, Head & Sholders Pattern, and Double Tops & Bottoms.

Neutral Patterns – These patterns are termed neutral because the price can move in either of the directions after the formation of these patterns. So we must be careful while trading these kinds of patterns.

Example – Symmetric Triangle Pattern

We will be covering a combination of these in the upcoming articles so you will get a holistic knowledge of trading Forex patterns. Stay Tuned!