Double Top Pattern: Chart Analysis, Meaning, and Trading Strategies
However, the potential profit target may be limited compared to the initial risk or stop-loss level. Market conditions might prevent the price from hitting the expected target, resulting in lower earnings. Identifying a double-top pattern helps traders set profit goals and downside targets based on pattern height. Since profit potential often exceeds initial risk (stop-loss), it offers a favorable risk-reward ratio. So many traders rush into a trade when they anticipate a double top to form, but then the chart pattern does not complete and the price continues its uptrend instead. This will help you understand why it is so important to only trade the double top on a breakdown confirmation.
The “tops” are peaks that are formed when the price hits a certain level that can’t be broken. A double top is a reversal pattern that is formed after there is an extended move up. The Services provided on this website are “Professional Skill-Assessment” Services. Each time the price runs into these Liquidity Pools, there is a reaction, and this is possibly a tradeable move on a lower time frame, another fractal of the pullback that is playing out. So, as the market is pulling back in a bullish trend, the price keeps running the lows of the Double Bottom Pattern until Liquidity is exhausted.
How to trade double top patterns?
If the price bounces slightly off this support area before penetrating and dropping below it, the double top pattern has been identified. A profit goal is necessary double top forex while trading with the double-top pattern as it can minimise the volatility of trade. The profit goal for the double-top pattern is usually kept at two or three times the distance between the neckline and the double tops. A profit goal is a predetermined price that the investor sets at which point he/she will exit the trade making a profit. Profit goals are set at certain price levels at the time of entering the trade.
Right Swing Peak
- Each trader observed in the chart a figure in the form of the letter M called double top.
- The double top formation features two peaks at the same level, signaling failed attempts to break a resistance level.
- This is a critical point in the pattern as it indicates that the previous left peak high could not be penetrated.
- Typically, this would come in the form of a price retracement that breaks the bullish trendline.
I hear many traders calling two tops near an important level a double top all of the time. The distance from the double top resistance level to the neckline, in this case, is 270 pips. The market then pulled back to support and subsequently retested the same resistance level (second top).
As you can see below, the instrument’s quotes fell even lower than the expected target. In this case, entering trades with partial profit-taking was possible when key support levels were reached. These trading indicators help find a technical reversal and technical trend change. The fifth double top pattern trading step is to conduct post-trade analysis.
- When the chart pattern shows a big red candlestick as it hits the first bottom and the red candlesticks become smaller as the second bottom is hit.
- By following these steps, you manage to capture a potential 200 pip movement, capitalizing on the bearish reversal indicated by the double top pattern.
- Look for a price break below, wait for a retest, then seek a bearish confirmation (like a candlestick pattern) to place a short trade.
- Monitor the price action to ensure the double top pattern reflects two failed bullish attempts followed by a bearish reversal.
- The positions of the peaks and troughs, as well as how symmetrical the pattern ought to be, may be interpreted differently by traders.
#6 Wait for confirmation
A double top pattern is important for indicating bullish trend price exhaustions, potential profit taking amongst bullish traders, increased selling pressure, and bearish reversals. The double top pattern is an important chart pattern for traders to recognize. This reversal pattern forms when a stock price hits the same peak level twice before declining.