Trading: The Almighty Head And Shoulders Top Pattern
When it comes to technical analysis, the Head and Shoulders Top is a classic pattern. It is arguably one of the most popular and reliable patterns, period. The reason for its popularity has to do with the fact that new and veteran investors alike can easily recognize it. Is it reliable? You bet. This pattern rarely produces false positives.
What a Head And Shoulders Top Looks Like Quite simply, the Head and Should Top pattern resembles a human. The head (the highest peak) has two shoulders on each side (smaller peaks). The patterns is formed when a rally experiences a pull-back, followed by another rally that reaches a higher high than the last, and then a third rally (the right shoulder) that reaches the same left as the first (left shoulder).
When it comes to technical analysis, a head and shoulders pattern has a volume requirement as well. For the pattern to be legitimate, the first shoulder (rally) will rise on heavier volume than the head and right shoulder.
More Technical Considerations Aside from the easily identified pattern that a head and shoulders top creates after the three rallies and the volume requirement listed above, investors should note that the left and right shoulders will peak at roughly the same price levels. As well, the investor can draw neckline between to the two pullbacks and this can slope upwards or downwards. If that neckline is upward-sloping, then the pattern is considered more bullish than a flat or downward sloping neckline. For a solid bearish trade, confirm a downward sloping neckline.
Investors also need to consider the moving average (MA). The Head and Shoulders Top should occur above an appropriate MA, which is often the 50-day moving average but can also be the 200-day MA for longer patterns. As well, the MA should be trending in the same direction as the head and shoulders pattern. In the event that it does not, then it simply suggests that the head and shoulders top is less reliable.
Trading The Head and Shoulders Top Since this is a bearish pattern, investors are advised to sell their position or take a short position in the underlying security. Investors who look to make trades based on the head and shoulders pattern should understand that the longer it takes for the pattern to develop, the longer it will take for the price to reach its target level. With this in mind, investors should also look at the inbound trend to determine whether it simply a period of consolidation or a legitimate head and shoulders. The rule of thumb here is that the inbound trend is longer than the trend of the pattern itself.
There are literally hundreds of securities that create head and shoulders tops after every trading day. The strength of this pattern will differ from security to security, which makes it difficult for investors to trade. As well, considerable knowledge of technical analysis is generally needed to properly identify the pattern. Consequently, for beginners or hands-off traders, trading software is often recommended.
Article Source: FxTradingStock.com
About the Author
With more than 16 years of experience as a Financial Advisor for one of the world's largest commercial banks, Chris Blanchet is responsible for the Free Technical Analysis Course at Online Trader Today.com. He also maintains a Debt-Free Blog at How To Repay Debt.com.
by: Chris Blanchet
Total views: 123
Word Count: 527
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009
Publish/Share this article
To use this article on your site click here to get the HTML code
Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote
Related Articles
Forex Currency Trading - A Global ExchangeReal Advantages of Binary Options Trading
Essential Skills To Get You Up And Running In The Forex Market
Automated Fx Trading Systems - Become Successful in Foreign exchange Trading Now
Getting and selling techniques that must be implemented
Successful Online Binary Options Trading Detail
Understanding of Currency Trading
Acquiring Private Funds For Forex Investments.
