Trading the Falling Wedge Pattern

In the context of a reversal pattern, it suggests an upcoming reversal of a preceding downtrend, marking the final low. As a continuation pattern, it slopes down against the prevailing uptrend, implying that Build An App Like Exodus Cryptocurrency Wallet the uptrend will continue after a brief period of consolidation or pullback. Overall while not perfect, pairing falling wedge bullish signals with sound risk management kicks trading odds in your favor.

descending wedge bullish or bearish

The ascending triangle has a horizontal trend line on the highs and a rising trend line on the lows. Once the price breaks out from the top pattern boundary, day traders and swing traders should trade with an UP trend. Consider buying a security or a call option at the upward breakout price level. To identify an exit, compute the target price for by adding the height of the pattern to the upward Breakout level. Pattern height is the difference between the highest high and the lowest low. In the today’s post, we will discuss accurate bullish price action patterns that you can apply for trading any financial instrument.

How to trade ascending and descending wedge patterns?

The rising wedge pattern is commonly known as a bearish reversal pattern, but it can also act as a continuation pattern in certain market conditions. When it serves as a continuation pattern, it typically occurs during a downtrend rather than an uptrend. In trading, a bearish pattern is a technical chart pattern that indicates a potential trend reversal from an uptrend to a downtrend. These patterns are characterized by a series of price movements that signal a bearish sentiment among traders.

descending wedge bullish or bearish

While price can be out of either trend line, wedge patterns have a tendency to break in the opposite direction from the trend lines. Now that we’ve covered what falling wedges are and the logic behind them, let’s discuss how to actually trade them for profit. By adding descending wedge patterns to your trading strategy, you can enhance results. Training your eye to spot descending broadening trends in those boundary lines is key to consistently identifying quality setups.

Bullish wedges

So while similar in appearance to a descending triangle, the key difference is the rising support line – reflecting building buying pressure which tends to fuel an eventual upside breakout. This underlying logic is what makes understanding and trading falling wedge patterns so valuable in technical analysis. There are several chart patterns that share similarities with the rising wedge pattern, both in structure and in the trading strategies they inform. Note that the rising wedge pattern formation only signifies the potential for a bearish move.

Ideally, you’ll want to see volume entering the market at the highs of the ascending bearish wedge. This is a good indication that supply is entering as the stock makes new highs. A good way to read this price action is to ask yourself if the effort to make new highs matches the result.

How can I tell whether a Falling Wedge is a reversal or a continuation pattern?

For example, if you have a rising wedge, the signal line is the lower level, which connects the bottoms of the wedge. If you have a falling wedge, the signal line is the upper level, which connects the formation’s tops. Just like the rising wedge, the falling wedge can either be a reversal or continuation signal. A rising wedge formed after an uptrend usually leads to a REVERSAL (downtrend) while a rising wedge formed during a downtrend typically results in a CONTINUATION (downtrend). The Falling Wedge can signify both a reversal and a continuation pattern.

descending wedge bullish or bearish

Get out your trend line tools and see how many rising and falling wedges you can spot. Draw them, and then make note of the price action on the breakout or breakdown, identifying what made them a bearish wedge or a bullish wedge. Conversely, the two ascending wedge patterns develop after a price increase as well.

Trend Reversal

As a reversal pattern, the falling wedge slopes down and with the prevailing trend. Regardless of the type (reversal or continuation), falling wedges are regarded as bullish patterns. However, it’s essential to remember that no single pattern or indicator guarantees flawless price predictions. Always exercise caution and combine multiple sources of analysis in your trading strategy. Differentiating between an ascending wedge signaling a bearish trend reversal and one indicating a continuation is relatively straightforward.

  • These trades would seek to profit on the potential that prices will fall.
  • This takes the participants by surprise triggering a breakout and subsequent up trend.
  • Opposite to rising wedge patterns, falling wedge patterns are typically a bullish wedge, which implies the price is likely to break through the upper line of the formation.

We advise you to carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for you based on your personal circumstances. We recommend that you seek independent advice and ensure you fully understand the risks involved before trading. Information presented by DailyFX Limited should be construed as market commentary, merely observing economical, political and market conditions. This information is made available for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation or a recommendation to trade derivatives contracts or securities and should not be construed or interpreted as financial advice. Any examples given are provided for illustrative purposes only and no representation is being made that any person will, or is likely to, achieve profits or losses similar to those examples.

A breakout occurs when the price of an asset moves above a resistance area, or below a support area. The rising wedge pattern develops when price records higher tops and even higher bottoms. Therefore, the wedge is like an ascending corridor where the walls are narrowing until the lines finally connect at an apex. So for example, if a falling wedge lasts 3 months forming between a $50 initial peak down to $40 at the lows, the height would be $10. If the pattern then breaks upwards from $45, the profit target would be $45 plus the $10 height – which comes out to $55.

descending wedge bullish or bearish

It is a type of formation in which trading activities are confined within converging straight lines which form a pattern. This pattern has a rising or falling slant pointing in the same direction. It differs from the triangle in the sense that both boundary lines either slope up or down. Price breaking out point creates another difference from the triangle.

Thus, you have a series of higher highs in an ascending wedge, but those highs are waning. Notice how price action is forming new highs, but at a much slower pace than when price makes higher lows. Volume is an essential ingredient in confirming a Falling Wedge breakout because it demonstrates market conviction behind the price movement. Without volume expansion, the breakout may lack conviction and be susceptible to failure. FCX provides a textbook example of a falling wedge at the end of a long downtrend.

It’s essential to confirm that the breakout points genuinely form the ascending wedge as defined by the trendlines. Traders often initiate short positions once they correctly identify the pattern and see confirmation of the bearish reversal. It’s worth noting that a decrease in trading volume often accompanies this pattern, although it doesn’t always occur.