Read books

Point and Figure Patterns

                               
This entry is part 14 of 18 in the series Point and figure charting

Point and Figure Patterns

Overview

Point and Figure charting differs from other charting techniques by the fact that it only requires price for analysis, not time. It is also plotted differently by using columns and rows using price movement only.

Point and Figure was developed towards the end of the nineteenth century. This new form of charting was referred to as the “book method”. The book method was applied by entering the actually prices into the rows and columns however this proved to be not very popular since it was time consuming to enter the entire price. It was upgraded by the early twentieth century into point and figure. Unlike the book method, point and figure uses the symbol X or O to describe the price movement rather than writing the entire price into the field.

There is also a significance given to the number three in point and figure charting. When movements hit the support or resistance line, extra attention should be spent on the third collision. There is also quite a few patterns where the third hit is when the signal is generated.

Due to the accuracy of the signals provided by point and figure charting, interest in this form of analysis is continuously growing.

Point and Figure patterns can be categorized by “bearish“, “bullish“, “reversal“, and “wait and see” (trend continuation).

Bullish Point and Figure Patterns

Triple Top

The pattern is formed by three rallies (1,2,3), on the third rally it pushes past the resistance line formed by the first two.

The third column will rise past the resistance line an equal distance to that of the bottoms.

Breakout of a Spread Triple Top

This pattern is a variation to the triple top except that on the third rally it fails to reach the resistanceline. On the fourth move it breaks past the resistance line and should rise an equal amount to that ofit’s bottoms.

Ascending Triple Top

Another variation of the triple top except in this case each consecutive top is higher than the last.However this pattern does not give a price objective like the triple top. The signal in this variation is to buy on the breakout.

Upward Breakout of a Bullish Resistance Line.

A variation of the ascending triple top except in this case there is a fourth consecutive top is higherthan the last. The signal in this variation is to buy on the breakout.

Upward Breakout of a Bearish Resistance Line.

This pattern consists of a consecutive series of lower highs. When the price breaks through theresistance line a buy signal is given.

Bullish Trend Reversal Patterns

Inverted Head and Shoulders Pattern

The inverted head and shoulders pattern is found in candlestick, point and figure, and chart patterns and is considered one of the most reliable reversal patterns.

The price forms a low on column one, followed by a period of consolidation. A second low is created followed by another period of consolidation, the right shoulder is then formed followed by a buy signal as it crosses the neckline.

Parralel support and resistance lines can be drawn as well as a visible neckline.

The height of the lowest low should give a projection of the strength of the upward move.

Triple Bottom

The triple bottom is a variation of the inverted head and shoulderspattern. This pattern consists of three lows of similar height. After thethird low is formed and the price movement breaks the neckline, a bullish signal is given. The expected rise should be of similar height as from the neckline to the low.

Double Bottom

The double bottom is a variation of the triple bottom pattern. Thispattern consists of two lows of similar height. After the second low is formed and the price movement breaks the neckline, a bullish signal is given. The expected rise should be of similar height as from the necklineto the tops. It is important to note that before the breakout, the trend lineis broken.

Bullish Rectangle Reversal

The downtrend forms a clear period of consolidation, the resistance lineis then broken on a heavy volume day, it is at this point where thebullish signal occurs.

Bearish Point and Figure Patterns

Triple Bottom

The pattern is formed by three downs (1,2,3), on the third drop it pushes past the support line formed by the first two.

The third column will drop past the support line an equal distance to that of the tops.

Breakout of a Spread Triple Bottom

This pattern is a variation to the triple bottom except that on the third rally it fails to breach thesupport line. On the fourth move it breaks past the support line and should drop an equal amount to that of it’s tops.

Descending Triple Bottom

Another variation of the triple bottom except in this case each consecutive low is lower than the last.When the price drops below the support line this generates a clear selling signal.

Downward Breakout of a Bearish Support Line.

A variation of the descending triple bottom except in this case there is an upward bias. The signal is to sell on the support line breakout.

Downward Breakout of a Bullish Support Line.

This pattern consists of a consecutive series of higher lows. When the price breaks through thesupport line a sell signal is given.

Bearish Trend Reversals

Head and Shoulders

The head and shoulders pattern is found in candlestick, point and figure, and chart patterns and is considered one of the most reliable reversal patterns.

The price forms a high on column one, followed by a period of consolidation. A second high is created followed by another period of consolidation, the right shoulder is then formed followed by a sell off. High volume should be seen on the last downward move.

Parralel support and resistance lines can be drawn as well as a visible neckline.

The height of the highest high should give a projection of the drop of the final downward move.

Triple Top

The triple top is a variation of the head and shoulders pattern. Thispattern consists of three peaks of similar height. After the third peak is formed and the price movement breaks the neckline, a bearish signal is given. The expected drop should be of similar height as from theneckline to the tops.

Double Top

The double top is a variation of the triple top pattern. This patternconsists of two peaks of similar height. After the second peak is formedand the price movement breaks the neckline, a bearish signal is given. The expected drop should be of similar height as from the neckline to the tops. It is important to note that before the price drop, the trend lineis broken.

Bearish Rectangle Reversal

The uptrend forms a clear period of consolidation, the support line is then broken on a heavy volume day, it is at this point where the bearishsignal occurs.

Point and Figure Patterns

Trend Reversal Patterns

Head and Shoulders

The head and shoulders pattern is found in candlestick, point and figure, and chart patterns and is considered one of the most reliable reversal patterns.

The price forms a high on column one, followed by a period of consolidation. A second high is created followed by another period of consolidation, the right shoulder is then formed followed by a sell off. High volume should be seen on the last downward move.

Parralel support and resistance lines can be drawn as well as a visible neckline.

The height of the highest high should give a projection of the drop of the final downward move.

Inverted Head and Shoulders Pattern

The inverted head and shoulders pattern is found in candlestick, point and figure, and chart patterns and is considered one of the most reliable reversal patterns.

The price forms a low on column one, followed by a period of consolidation. A second low is created followed by another period of consolidation, the right shoulder is then formed followed by a buy signal as it crosses the neckline.

Parralel support and resistance lines can be drawn as well as a visible neckline.

The height of the lowest low should give a projection of the strength of the upward move.

Triple Top

The triple top is a variation of the head and shoulders pattern. Thispattern consists of three peaks of similar height. After the third peak is formed and the price movement breaks the neckline, a bearish signal is given. The expected drop should be of similar height as from theneckline to the tops.

Triple Bottom

The triple bottom is a variation of the inverted head and shoulderspattern. This pattern consists of three lows of similar height. After thethird low is formed and the price movement breaks the neckline, a bullish signal is given. The expected rise should be of similar height as from the neckline to the low.

Double Top

The double top is a variation of the triple top pattern. This patternconsists of two peaks of similar height. After the second peak is formedand the price movement breaks the neckline, a bearish signal is given. The expected drop should be of similar height as from the neckline to the tops. It is important to note that before the price drop, the trend lineis broken.

Double Bottom

The double bottom is a variation of the triple bottom pattern. Thispattern consists of two lows of similar height. After the second low is formed and the price movement breaks the neckline, a bullish signal is given. The expected rise should be of similar height as from the necklineto the tops. It is important to note that before the breakout, the trend lineis broken.

Bearish Rectangle Reversal

The uptrend forms a clear period of consolidation, the support line is then broken on a heavy volume day, it is at this point where the bearishsignal occurs.

Bullish Rectangle Reversal

The downtrend forms a clear period of consolidation, theresistance line is then broken on a heavy volume day, it is at thispoint where the bullish signal occurs.

Point and Figure Patterns

“Wait and See” Patterns

Flag

This pattern shows a large gain, followed by a period of consolidation. It then breaks past the resistance line. The height of the new breakoutshould be similar to that of the opening move in the pattern.

Inverted Flag

This pattern shows a large drop, followed by a period of consolidation. It then breaks past the support line. The height of the new fall shouldbe similar to that of the opening drop in the pattern.

Pennant Pattern

This is a variation of the Flag pattern except for the structure of theconsolidation. In this case it is triangular. The breakout should also havelarge volume and the height of the new breakout should be similar to that of the opening move in the pattern.

Inverted Pennant Pattern

This is a variation of the Inverted Flag pattern except for the structureof the consolidation. In this case it is triangular. The downwardbreakout should also have large volume and the height of thedownward breakout should be similar to that of the opening move in the pattern.

Bullish Breakout of a Symmetrical Triangle

This pattern is similar the pennant pattern except it does not have a “pole”. This patternis rather unreliable and there is real bias to the direction it may actually take. Falsebreakout’s in this case may also occur so look for large volume to accompany thebreakout.

Bearish Breakout of a Symmetrical Triangle

This pattern is similar the inverted pennant pattern except it does not have a “pole”. This pattern is rather unreliable and there is real bias to the direction it may actuallytake. False breakout’s in this case may also occur so look for large volume to accompany the move..
Series Navigation<< CONSTRUCTING A POINT AND FIGURE CHARTUsing Point & Figure Charts >>