Continuation Chart Patterns
When these continuation chart patterns are formed they confirm that the current stocks trend is going to continue moving in the same direction.
These patterns are used by traders to identify halfway points of the trend, this is because they form at the halfway point of a trend.
There are four types:
- Ascending triangle
- Descending triangle
- Bull flag/pennant
- Bear flag/pennant
Ascending Triangle
The ascending triangle is formed in an up stocks trend and it shows that the upward direction of the stocks market is going to continue.
It shows that there is a resistance level that the buyers keep pushing each time moving it higher, and once it breaks stocks price will continue moving upward.
The overhead resistance temporarily prevents the stock trading market from advancing higher, while the rising stocks trend line beneath the pattern signals that buyers are still present. An upside penetration of the upper line is a technical buy signal for a market breaking out from an ascending triangle.
Found within a Stocks Trading upward trend, the ascending triangle forms as a consolidation period within the up stocks trend and indicates upside continuation will follow.
The market formed an ascending triangle during its up stocks trend which led to upside continuation. The buy point is when price clears the upper sloping line and the stocks market continues moving upwards.
Descending Triangle
The descending triangle is formed in a down stocks trend and it shows that the downward direction of stocks price movement is going to continue.
It shows that there is a support level that the sellers keep pushing each time moving it lower, and once it breaks stocks price will continue moving downwards.
The support temporarily prevents the stocks market from declining, while the descending sloping line above the pattern signals that sellers are still present. A downside penetration of the lower line is a technical sell signal for a market breaking down from a descending triangle, and this indicates selling will follow.
Found within a Stocks Trading downward trend, the descending triangle forms as a consolidation period within the down stocks trend and indicates downside continuation will follow.
The market formed a descending triangle during its down stocks trend which led to further selling and continuation of the downward stock trend. The technical sell signal is when price breaks the lower horizontal sloping line as selling resumes to push the stocks market lower.
Bull Flag/Pennant
This stocks pattern forms what looks like a rectangle. The rectangle is formed by two parallel lines that act as support and resistance for the stocks price until the stocks price breaks out. Generally, the flag will not be formed perfectly flat but this pattern will be formed sloping.
The bull flag is found within a Stocks Trading upward stock trend. In this continuation pattern where the stocks market retraces slightly, it is therefore a slight retracement with narrow stocks price action that has a slight downward tilt. The technical buy point is when price penetrates the upper line of the flag. The flag portion has highs and lows which can be connected by small lines which are parallel, and it looks like a small channel.
The pennant occurs at halfway point of a bullish upward stocks trend and after a breakout a similar move equal to the height of the flagpole is expected.
The bull pennant above was just a resting period as the stocks market gathered strength to break out and move higher. The continuation signal was confirmed as the upper line was broken to the upside.
Bear Flag/Pennant
This flag is found in a Stocks Trading downward stock trend. The bear flag is a continuation pattern where the price retraces slightly with a narrow price action that has a slight upward tilt. The technical sell point is when price penetrates the lower line of the inverted flag. The pennant portion has highs and lows which can be connected by small lines which are parallel, and it looks like a small channel.
The bear pennant above was just a resting period for the stocks market prior to more selling. The continuation signal was confirmed as the lower line was broken to the downside.
