Symmetrical triangles have been very popular with traders over the years trading the chart pattern when it breaks out in either direction. A symmetrical triangle is defined by two lines, one on the upper boundary of the price movement which slopes down and one on the lower side which slopes up. The lines have almost the same angle, hence the name symmetrical.
Symmetrical Triangles Can Be Traded Short
Symmetrical triangles provide no clear breakout direction, but 45% break out to the downside making it possible to trade on the short side. Just 44% of these breakouts are profitable and on average the profit per trade is only 0.33% over a period of 9 days. The symmetrical triangle is not one of the best chart patterns when it breaks to the downside, but applying some filters can make this pattern more attractive to trade.
Refine Your Entries
Short breakouts from symmetrical triangles work better in falling markets which is clear from the historical results that were achieved. The market, sector and the stock should be in a down trend or consolidating for the best results when trading symmetrical triangles short.
Very few trades break down at the start of the pattern, but those that break in the first 30% of the pattern should be avoided. Another key to picking successful short breakouts from symmetrical triangles is to look for a turning point up from the lower boundary that fails to reach the upper boundary and then falls away. This is not a prerequisite, but does produce better trades.
If the volume supports the breakout the results are better. Supportive volume means the volume on the way down is higher than the volume on the way up. Better breakouts occur when the stock closes lower than the previous day.
Short Trading Symmetrical Triangles Can Be Profitable
Incorporating these simple changes when selecting symmetrical triangles to trade short, dramatically improves the results. With an average return per trade of 1.58% in 9 days and a hit rate of 47% it is possible for symmetrical triangles to be traded short successfully.
Note: Statistics for this article have been provided by Patterns Trader after analyzing over 60,000 chart patterns on the Australian market from 2000 - 2008.
Symmetrical Triangles Can Be Traded Short
Symmetrical triangles provide no clear breakout direction, but 45% break out to the downside making it possible to trade on the short side. Just 44% of these breakouts are profitable and on average the profit per trade is only 0.33% over a period of 9 days. The symmetrical triangle is not one of the best chart patterns when it breaks to the downside, but applying some filters can make this pattern more attractive to trade.
Refine Your Entries
Short breakouts from symmetrical triangles work better in falling markets which is clear from the historical results that were achieved. The market, sector and the stock should be in a down trend or consolidating for the best results when trading symmetrical triangles short.
Very few trades break down at the start of the pattern, but those that break in the first 30% of the pattern should be avoided. Another key to picking successful short breakouts from symmetrical triangles is to look for a turning point up from the lower boundary that fails to reach the upper boundary and then falls away. This is not a prerequisite, but does produce better trades.
If the volume supports the breakout the results are better. Supportive volume means the volume on the way down is higher than the volume on the way up. Better breakouts occur when the stock closes lower than the previous day.
Short Trading Symmetrical Triangles Can Be Profitable
Incorporating these simple changes when selecting symmetrical triangles to trade short, dramatically improves the results. With an average return per trade of 1.58% in 9 days and a hit rate of 47% it is possible for symmetrical triangles to be traded short successfully.
Note: Statistics for this article have been provided by Patterns Trader after analyzing over 60,000 chart patterns on the Australian market from 2000 - 2008.
About the Author:
Jeff Cartridge is a private trader and created the website LearnCFDs.com A Simple Timeless Method for Huge Gains
