Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Trading Education Tutorial
Hell's Triangle
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Hell's Triangle
The classic Descending Triangle illustrates the painful rollover from bull to bear market better than any other pattern. But why does it work with such deadly accuracy? Most traders don't understand how or why patterns predict outcomes. Some even believe these important tools rely on mysticism or convenient curve fitting. The simple truth is more powerful: congestion patterns in technical analysis reflect the impact of crowd psychology on changes in price and momentum.
Shock and fear quickly follow the first reversal marking a triangle's major top. But many shareholders remain true believers and expect their profits will return when selling dissipates. They continue to hold positions as hope slowly replaces better judgement. The selloff then carries further than anticipated and their discomfort increases. Just as pain begins to escalate, the correction suddenly ends and the stock firmly bounces.
For many longs, this late buying reinforces a dangerous bias that they were right all along. Renewed confidence even prompts some to add to positions. But smarter players have a change of heart and view this new rally as a chance to get out. As they quietly exit, the strong bounce loses momentum and the stock once again turns and fails. Those still riding the issue now watch the low of the first reversal with much apprehension...
Shock and fear quickly follow the first reversal marking a triangle's major top. But many shareholders remain true believers and expect their profits will return when selling dissipates. They continue to hold positions as hope slowly replaces better judgement. The selloff then carries further than anticipated and their discomfort increases. Just as pain begins to escalate, the correction suddenly ends and the stock firmly bounces.
For many longs, this late buying reinforces a dangerous bias that they were right all along. Renewed confidence even prompts some to add to positions. But smarter players have a change of heart and view this new rally as a chance to get out. As they quietly exit, the strong bounce loses momentum and the stock once again turns and fails. Those still riding the issue now watch the low of the first reversal with much apprehension...
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