Candlesticks report2
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Candlestick charting traces its roots to Japanese rice traders in the 17th century. The document discusses the history and development of candlestick charting. It then provides an overview of various candlestick patterns including indecisive patterns like dojis, and reversal patterns such as engulfing patterns, morning/evening stars, and hammers. The document is a primer on candlestick charting techniques for technical analysis.
Candlesticks report2
- 1. T R AD ER PL ANE T SPECIAL REP OR T B y Darrell Jobman
- 2. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J obman 1 Candlestick charting traces its roots to The person generally credited with bringing Japanese rice traders in the 17th and 18th candlesticks to the attention of the Western centuries as trading in physical rice moved to world is Steve Nison, an analyst at Merrill the first futures exchange, the Dojima Rice Lynch who introduced candlestick techniques Exchange of Osaka. Munehisa Homma in an article in the December 1989 issue of (1724-1803), also referred to as Sokyu Homma Futures magazine and in his first book, or Sokyu Honma, was a wealthy rice merchant Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques: A and trader who is widely credited with being a Contemporary Guide to the Ancient pioneer in technical analysis and the father of Investment Techniques of the Far East, Japanese candlestick charting. In1755, he published in 1991, followed by another book a wrote The Fountain of Gold - The Three few years later, Beyond Candlesticks: More Monkey Record of Money, a text focused on Japanese Charting Techniques Revealed. Since market psychology. Nison’s introduction, candlesticks have become the charting method of choice for many traders, and numerous other books and articles have been written about candlestick concepts.
- 3. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J obman 2 Candlesticks caught on quickly in the West for several reasons: (1) They could be analyzed and interpreted with the same techniques used for the familiar bar charts, (2) they could be produced easily by computers using analytical software, (3) they could be adapted to any time period, and (4) most important, they provided the same information as the traditional bar chart – open, high, low and close price – but in a way that is a more visual presentation of price action during a single period or a series of time periods. The graphical differences between bar charts and candlestick charts show up clearly in the following charts. Constructing the candles Western bar chart Candlestick chart using same price data One candle by itself can provide important information about the strength or weakness of High the market during a given day or other time period, visually portraying where the market Close closed relative to the open. REAL The real “body” of the candle represents the BODY difference between the opening price and the closing price. If the body is white or clear or Open some other color of the user’s choice, it indicates prices moved higher from the open Low to the close for the period and buying was the dominant force. This is a bullish sign.
- 4. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J obman 3 If the body is black or a solid color, it various patterns clever names and providing indicates prices moved lower from the open to more descriptive characteristics for these the close for the period, and selling was the patterns than is the case in typical bar chart larger factor. This is a bearish sign. analysis. Both types of charts have their double tops, inside days, gaps and other formations. But the serious candlestick analyst has identified and labeled dozens of candle patterns and given them specific meanings, High depending on their location on a chart and the length of their bodies and tails. Open This brief guide to candlesticks covers some of the major patterns. The color combination used for the bodies of the candles here is white REAL BODY or clear candles to indicate the close is higher than the open and black or solid candles to indicate the close is lower than the open. Some Close traders prefer to use red to indicate bearish candles and green or black to indicate bullish candles. Whatever combination you use, candlesticks will provide a quick visual Low representation of trading activity that occurred during the period covered by the candle. This tutorial splits the candle patterns into three major categories – indecisive, reversal Although the color of the real body and continuation. generally sets the bullish or bearish tone of a trading session, the “wicks” or “tails” or Indecisive patterns “shadows” – that is, the price activity beyond Individual candlesticks or candlestick the open-close range – are also important, patterns tend to be most useful in helping to showing how far traders were willing to push spot market reversal tops or bottoms, but they prices during the period before coming back can also provide information as a trend is to close in the real body. unfolding. Some candlesticks suggest that One candle alone can be significant but, bullish and bearish traders may have achieved depending upon its location on a chart, a some kind of balance, and the market can’t candlestick pattern usually takes several decide which way to go next. This candlestick candles to produce chart formations that give pattern may just be setting up to continue the the best signals, sometimes in combinations trend that is already in place or may become a of three candles. Candlesticks may look turning point if the market has been trending. identical but may have an entirely different meaning after an uptrend than they do after a Dojis downtrend. Perhaps the best-known candlestick analysis Candlestick analysts have added a little reflecting an indecisive market condition is a mystique to candlestick charts by giving group of individual candles known as doji.
- 5. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J obman 4 When the open and close prices are at the Colorful names have been given to some same price level or nearly so, there is no real dojis based on the images that the candle tails body. A doji indicates neither buyers nor leave on a chart. For example, dragonfly doji sellers were in charge from the open to the has a long lower tail and little or no upper tail. close during the trading session and suggests If it appears after an uptrend, it may mean a the market has reached some kind of bearish reversal. If it appears after a equilibrium. downtrend, it may indicate that traders have Charts may display a number of dojis during rejected lower prices and may trigger a shift to a trend, implying some uncertainty about the an uptrend. trend. Not all dojis are significant, but they provide a visual alert for a possible trend change. After a series of downtrending candles, a doji can suggest a bottom and a potential turn higher – a bullish situation. A doji candle that appears after a series of uptrending candles hints that buying is diminishing and is generally more reliable in signaling a price turn – a bearish situation. For the chart analyst, the key value of a doji Dragonfly doji is providing a point to place orders to take advantage of what might happen to prices after the doji. A gravestone doji looks like the dragonfly doji upside down – the upper tail is long and there is no lower tail. If prices have been moving up and a doji forms with the open and close at the low of the period, it suggests traders have rejected higher prices and is bearish. The longer the upper tail is, the more bearish the outlook may be. Bullish doji Bearish doji Gravestone doji
- 6. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J obman 5 A four price doji is a name given to a candle Reversal patterns when the open, high, low and close are all at One of the most important clues that most the same price. This doji can occur when traders want is when and where a market is trading is very quiet or thin. Keep in mind that ending one trend and starting another so they this same type of candle can appear with a can get on the new trend early. For this reason, limit up or limit down price move, sometimes many traders are most interested in the leaving a large gap, so location must be taken reversal signals that candles can provide. into account along with appearance. While the indecisive candles described Other doji names include long-legged doji, above generally provide an alert based on the which has both very long upper and lower tails, appearance of one candle, reversal patterns and rickshaw man, similar to a long-legged typically require several candles – in many doji but with the open and close in the middle cases, a series of three. Analysts have identified of the price range. and named a number of candlestick reversal Where any of these dojis appear on a chart is patterns, keeping in mind that in all cases the an important factor in their interpretation, and location of the candles on a chart and they all require followup price action to confirming followup price action are essential confirm the validity of their signals. in assessing their value. Spinning top Stars When you have a doji but add a real body to Stars as a reversal pattern come in several the candle, you have a spinning top – that is, different forms. The pattern usually consists of the open and close are not at the same price three candles, the first a large candle at the end level and the tails are longer than the real body. of an extended trend followed by a second Whether the real body is white (close higher smaller candle that leaves a gap or window than open) or black (close lower than open) is and then another large body candle in the not important. Like dojis, spinning tops direction of the new trend. Large volume indicate indecision or a balance of bullish and would help to confirm the reversal signal. bearish forces. The shooting star has a long upper tail, a small real body at the lower end of the price range and little or no lower tail. In many respects, it looks like the hammer described below, but it appears at the top of a trend rather than the bottom. The candle pattern following an upward move suggests a strong rally off the open on buying enthusiasm, which fades as the market rejects the higher prices and collapses back down to close near the open. Demand has dried up. If the market has gapped up on the open before failing, the move is even more significant. Spinning top
- 7. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J obman 6 The evening star pattern covering three body of the first candle. The third candle has a candles depicts this type of bearish scenario. long white real body that closes well into the The first of three candles is a long white candle. price range of the first candle’s long black The second candle features a gap-higher open body. The longer the white real body of the and a small real body (black or white) that is third candle is, the more meaningful it is as a completely above the real body of the first bullish turn signal. Again, high volume on the candle. The third candle has a black real body third candle adds confirmation to the reversal that closes well into the range of the first signal. candle’s white body. The longer the black real body of this third candle is, the more meaningful it is in forecasting a bearish turn. High volume on this third down candle adds confirmation to the reversal signal. Morning star If the middle candle is a doji, the pattern is called a morning doji star, which has more Evening star meaning than an ordinary morning star. If the tails of the middle doji are totally below the tails of the first and third candlesticks, the pattern is called an abandoned baby bottom, If the middle candle is a doji, the pattern is which adds to its significance. called an evening doji star, which adds more significance to an ordinary evening star. If the doji’s lower tail is isolated completely above the tails of the first and third candle tails, the pattern is called an abandoned baby top, increasing the significance of the topping signal. Turn that pattern around and you have the morning star bottom reversal signal after a price. This pattern also includes three candlesticks. The first is a long black candle after a decline. The second features a gap-lower open and a small real body (black or Abandoned baby bottom white) totally below and not touching the real
- 8. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J obman 7 A tri-star doji does not occur that often but, These candles suggest a reversal in trend when it does, a combination of three dojis direction as buyers take over in the bullish together can be a significant reversal pattern, version and sellers dominating the market in a especially if the middle doji gaps away from bearish version. the doji preceding it. The tri-star doji formation sometimes follows an extended trend that is losing steam as traders are uncertain about the continuing momentum and direction of the trend. Bullish engulfing pattern Tri-Star dojis Bearish engulfing pattern Engulfing patterns Harami Sometimes an event or other new The harami is a reversal pattern that looks information can cause an abrupt change in somewhat like the engulfing pattern except investor sentiment. This change shows up that this candle is smaller than the previous visibly with several candle formations on a candle, lying completely within the price range chart, the most vivid of which is the engulfing of the previous candle. It looks like a child pattern. As with other candle patterns, they within the body of the mother candle and can can mark tops or bottoms. give birth to a new trend. With a bullish engulfing pattern, prices After an uptrend and especially after a long open below the previous close and then surge white real body candle, a bearish harami is higher, resulting in a white candle body that formed by a shorter black body candle where completely engulfs the body of the previous all prices are within the price range of the candle. With a bearish engulfing pattern, white body of the previous candle. A bullish prices open above the previous close and then harami occurs after a downtrend when prices collapse lower during the trading session, of the current candle all fall within the price producing a black body that completely boundaries of the previous big black body engulfs the previous candle. candle.
- 9. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J obman 8 This pattern does not assure a price reversal Piercing line, dark cloud cover but requires immediate upside price action Another reversal candle pattern that is after a bullish harami or immediate downside similar to the engulfing pattern and harami price action after a bearish harami to confirm occurs when the current candle does not the candle pattern signal. entirely cover or stay within the previous candle in a trend. These candle patterns feature a gap opening followed by a sharp move in the opposite direction of the trend with the close at least halfway through the previous candle body’s price range. The piercing line appears after a downtrend and a large black body candle when the market gaps lower on the open, then rallies sharply and closes in the upper half of the previous black candle. The dark cloud cover is a mirror image that occurs at a top after a long white candle body – the market gaps higher, indicating bulls are still willing to push prices Bullish harami up, but then tumbles and closes below the midpoint of the previous white candle’s body. The extent of the drive into the previous candle’s body can reveal how strong or weak these candle signals are, again assuming price action follows through with the signal. Bearish harami When the harami candle is a doji with the open and close at the same price level, the signal is even more effective. A bearish harami cross is a doji within the confines of the previous long white body candle after an uptrend. A bullish harami cross is formed by a doji candle within the price range of the previous large black body candle after a downtrend. They also require confirmation by Piercing line followup price action.
- 10. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J obman 9 Hammer Dark cloud cover The hanging man is a bearish reversal pattern that occurs within an extended Hammer, hanging man uptrend. It has the appearance of man (body) These two reversal patterns look very much with a leg dangling down (tail). The small real alike, but their name and impact on prices body may be white or black, but black is more depend on whether they occur at the end of a bearish than white. If prices gap lower or form downtrend or an uptrend. In either case, the a long black candle during the next period, it signal candle has a small real body that forms would increase the odds of a bearish price at or near the high, little or no upper tail and a move. long lower tail, suggesting the previous trend is losing momentum. The hammer occurs within an extended downtrend and has the look of a hammer (body) with a long handle (tail). The body may be white or black, but white would be more bullish than black. If prices gap higher or form a long white candle during the next period, it would enhance the prospects of a bullish move as traders appear to be rejecting a move to lower prices and the downward momentum is declining. If this candle has no upper tail or shadow, it is also known as a shaven head pattern (white or black body). Hanging man
- 11. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J o bman 10 Turning the tails on the candle patterns consecutive or requiring followup for around can give the pattern a different confirmation. Traditional bar chart analysis meaning. For example, the inverted hammer might consider these double tops or double can be a bullish reversal pattern if it appears bottoms. during a downtrend. The small real body (white or black) is the same, but the long tail on this pattern is the upper tail and there is little or no lower tail. This pattern requires confirmation with a strong followup price move to the upside producing a large white real body during the next trading period. Another name for this candle (white or black) when there is no lower tail is a shaven bottom pattern. Tweezer bottom Tweezer top After an uptrend, the two crow pattern Inverted hammer indicates a reversal. A relatively small black candle suggests a loss of upside momentum. Then a much larger black candle confirms a bearish change in momentum that could lead Combinations to a downtrend. When the various types of candles are put together in different combinations, they provide a large group of other reversal candle patterns. Spotting these patterns may be a little more difficult than the basic patterns described above, but their colorful names add to the mystique of candle analysis. Tweezers are minor reversal signals that have two or more candles with matching bottoms or matching tops – not necessarily Two crows
- 12. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J o bman 11 Three black crows just adds another black The belt hold candle pattern forms when candle to provide a more decisive clue that the prices gap open much higher or much lower existing uptrend is turning. The three large but then give up much of their gain, closing black candles should close near or at their lows, significantly higher (bullish) or much lower perhaps even forming an identical three black (bearish) for the trading session. crows pattern. Belt hold Three black crows If three black crows suggest the reversal of an uptrend, three white soldiers reverse an existing downtrend. Again, there are three relatively large consecutive candles – in this case, white bodies that close near or at their highs of the period. Belt hold A bearish counterattack line forms in uptrending market conditions when a large white candle is followed by a large black candle that has had a gap higher open but then falls back during the trading session and closes at the same price as the previous close. Confirmation to the downside is required to Three white soldiers complete the pattern.
- 13. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J o bman 12 white candle – the harami. The third candle is a large black candle closing below the lows of the two previous candles, indicating loss of momentum and a shift to a bearish trend. Three outside down is also a three-candle pattern that builds on the engulfing candle pattern. After an uptrend, a white candle is followed by a larger black candle that entirely covers the white candle’s price range – an engulfing candle. That already bearish pattern then gains additional confirmation for a shift to Bearish counterattack line a bearish downtrend when the third candle is a large black candle that closes below the lows of the two previous candles. A bullish counterattack line has similar Kicking might be regarded as a two-day bull price action but on the downside. In a falling trap. After a period when prices open on their market, a large black candle is followed by a lows but then close on their highs – a white large white candle that has opened with a gap candle with no tails – the next candle is just the down, then rallied during the trading session opposite, making a large downside gap on the to close at the same price level as the previous open and then falling during the period to black candle close. Again, confirmation to the their lows – a black candle with no tails. That upside is needed. type of formation can be a back-breaker for bulls, leading to further price weakness in the next few sessions. Deliberation suggests a bit of uncertainty causing a congestion area on a chart. The first two white candles of this pattern during an uptrend are relatively large but the third is small, suggesting a loss of upward momentum while waiting for resolution of the trend direction. Advance block takes deliberation a step further in an uptrend when a larger white Bullish counterattack line candle is followed by a second and a third white candle with smaller price ranges and smaller bodies than those in the candle before, Three inside down is a three-candle pattern suggesting upward price momentum is that builds on the harami candle described diminishing. above and indicates a downward reversal. After an uptrend, a large white candle is A ladder top follows three consecutive large followed by a short black candle whose prices bullish white candles and reverses an uptrend are entirely within the real body of the big when the fourth candle displays a definite slowdown in upward momentum. The trend
- 14. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J o bman 13 change from up to down is solidly confirmed Eight new price lines is a candle chart by the fifth candle if it is a relatively large back pattern displaying eight new price highs. This candle that closes on its low and below the might be the result of an overbought market lows of the three previous periods. where conditions are ripe to change as traders In the Western world, three Buddha top start to take profit. looks a lot like the longer-term Continuation patterns head-and-shoulders top. As with the head-and-shoulders signals, three Buddha top Although most traders may be analyzing confirms a sell signal when the price falls below candle charts to spot upward or downward the two interim minor lows – the neckline in price reversals intending to get onboard a the Western version. The breakdown gains trend early, continuation candle chart patterns additional credence if it occurs with a large can also be helpful in providing clues about black candle or with a gap down and an when a trend is likely to stay in place or resume increase in trading volume. – that is, when it is wise to hold off on taking a directional position or when to use a Three mountains top also looks like a range-trading strategy. longer-term Western formation – the triple top. A sell signal is confirmed when the price falls Flag formations and triangles in Western below the pullback lows, again adding chart analysis are pauses or consolidation credence if the breakdown occurs with a large areas where the market seems to take a little black candle or a gap down and an increase in breather to let prices adjust to conditions. trading volume to affirm the selling pressure. Candlestick charts also feature similar Another candle formation that has a patterns. Western counterpart is a dumping top, a Rising and falling three methods longer-term pattern that is similar to a rounding top. A breakaway gap to the The rising three methods pattern appears downside would give more emphasis to the in an uptrend and covers five candles. The first selling pressure. candle has a long white body. The next three candles have smaller real bodies, two of which are black, and prices for all three are contained within the price range of the first white body. The fifth candle has another long white body and closes at a new high, confirming that the market is ready to resume the uptrend that existed prior to the first candle in the pattern. Rounding top Rising three methods
- 15. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J o bman 14 Reverse everything in the rising three Windows methods and you have the falling three A window on a candle chart is a gap on a methods candle pattern, which occurs in a Western chart. It is an area where no trading downtrend. The first candle has a long black occurs from one period to the next as the price body. The next three candles have small real range of the current candle does not touch the bodies, two of which are white, and all prices in price range of the previous candle. those candles are within the price range of the body of the first large black candle. The fifth Windows, like gaps, can have several candle is another long black candle, which different meanings. Often, they are rather closes at a new low, confirming that the minor occurrences and have little influence on downtrend going into the pattern is ready to price direction so they are considered resume. continuation patterns, indicating the existing trend before the window is likely to continue after the window. Windows can also indicate quick, sudden changes in market conditions and act as the catalyst for the new trend direction, either during a running price situation or coming out of a congestion area. A rising window in candle language occurs when the current candle price low is higher Falling three methods than the previous period’s high, leaving an upside gap on the chart. If prices make a In a variation of the rising and falling three downward correction against the potential methods shown, the number of candles in the uptrend, the window is likely to provide middle is not necessarily limited to three, and support against the downward reaction. If the these candles do not have to be totally within downward price move fills or closes the the price range of the first candle. Ideally, gap/window, it negates the support from the however, in the bullish rising three methods, gap. the tails will not drop below the low of the first In a falling window, the current candle price white candle and in the bearish falling three high is lower than the previous candle’s low, methods, the tails of those candles will not leaving a downside gap on the chart. If prices extend above the high of the first black candle. try to react upward with a correction against the downtrend, the window will likely provide resistance at the previous period’s low. If prices The key point is that the three (more or less) fill/close the gap/window, it negates the candles in the middle act as a congestion area resistance effect if the gap. that looks like a flag on Western charts, and the breakout leads to a renewal of the trend in place.
- 16. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J o bman 15 Three windows define an extended price move. The first window is the breakaway gap that launches the move. The second window is a continuation gap (also known as a measuring gap because it tends to occur halfway through the move). The third window is the exhaustion gap at the end of a move when the trend appears to have worn itself out. Three falling windows are three downside gaps followed by a bullish white candle indicating that selling pressure is exhausted. Conversely, three rising windows are three upside gaps followed by a bearish black candle indicating buying pressure is exhausted. Source:VantagePoint Intermarket Analysis Software (www.TraderTech.com)
- 17. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J o bman 16 The Tasuki gap is a brief, contratrend retracement where prices may enter the area of a recent window but do not close the window on a closing price basis. Tasuki gap bottom Tasuki gap top Meeting line is a candle term that defines a window in the direction of the prevailing trend on the open, but the close reverses to meet the previous period’s close. If the trend is to continue, this window closing should not happen so it is likely the trend will reverse. Fry pan bottom is candle talk for another Western pattern, the rounding bottom. After prices slope down and then move back up, a buy signal occurs on a rising window (breakaway gap) to suggest a surge in buying interest. Fry pan bottom
- 18. SPECIAL R EPO R T B y Darrell J o bman 17 Lighting the way Like any other aspect of trading, candle charts will not guarantee profits or instant trading success. You still have to do the analytical work when you use candles, you still have to make tough trading decisions, and you still have to manage your trades and your account carefully to avoid risks or exposure beyond your capability to control it. But, using the same open, high, low, close price data available to all traders using all kinds of charts and methods, candles provide you with a better visual picture of what is happening in a market during a specific period of time. With a clearer view of the dynamics of market movement within that period, you can interpret traders’ reactions to various price levels and make decisions about how you might respond to what the charts are telling you. Candles are a relatively new approach to Western traders, but the speed at which they have become arguably the most popular way to look at markets and charts today attests to the value traders have found in them. For many traders who have become familiar with the various candle patterns and the nuances of each of them, there will be no going back to the traditional old bar charts any time soon.