Bull Flag Pattern Explained: How to Identify and Trade this Bullish Signal

Now, I’m not expecting us to see the same thing all the time because the bull flag pattern is a discretionary trading concept. That’s why we have other chart patterns, such as the ascending triangle if the price needs more time to develop. You want to see a strong move upward in prior days to form the « pole » of the flag. Then you want a tight consolidation where the price begins to move downward or countertrend on lower volume. In the chart below, we see GBP/USD price movements on a daily basis. The flagpole (the blue ascending trend line) covers the beginning of an uptrend.

  1. Read on to learn more about the bull flag and its use in trading forex currency pairs.
  2. The flag occurs afterwards, and is marked by the asset’s price ranging within either a horizontal rectangle shape, or two parallel, downward-facing lines.
  3. Additionally, if the flagpole represents significant upward momentum without an equally notable increase in volume, then the trader may need to carefully watch the chart for signs of future weakness.
  4. The basic method of trading breakouts of support and resistance levels is to sell as soon as we break below support and buy as soon as we break the resistance level.

Traders can also use these patterns alongside indicators, which might help them identify further variations or incoming movements in the price of an asset. The flag formation represents a balance https://g-markets.net/ between profit-taking and sustained bullishness. During this period, traders assess the strength of the underlying trend, preparing for a potential continuation of the upward movement.

American Flag Pattern Stock Photos, Vectors, And Illustrations Are Available Royalty

But for the sake of consistency, master trading one type of trend first by having trades clocked in. Leveraged trading in foreign currency or off-exchange products on margin carries significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. We advise you to carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for you based on your personal circumstances. We recommend that you seek independent advice and ensure you fully understand the risks involved before trading. Information presented by DailyFX Limited should be construed as market commentary, merely observing economical, political and market conditions.

What Are Books To Learn About Bull Flag Patterns?

From beginners to experts, all traders need to know a wide range of technical terms. Bull flags can be applied to scalping strategies, day trading strategies, swing trading strategies, and position trading strategies. Secondly, draw an upper boundary downward sloping trend line from left to right which connects the swing high points together. As such, the best strategy is usually to buy the stock when it moves past the upper side of the channel.

What Is The Least Popular Technical Indicator Used With Bull Flag Patterns?

After a stock has an initial bull run, then consolidates on lower volume, you expect the initial demand to return and force a new breakout in the stock. Never assume that any pattern in the market will work 100% of the time. Always set your stop and move on if the trade doesn’t go in your favor. As we mentioned above, you want a bull flag to put in a series of lower highs so that you can buy the breakout of the most recent candle’s lower high.

If the price moves in your favor, then trail your stop loss with the 50-period Moving Average. In such market conditions, there is a lot of “meat” for the trend to continue and the only way to ride it is to trail your stop loss. However, I prefer to trail my stop loss until the market takes me out of the trade. You don’t want to set your stop loss at obvious levels like Support & Resistance, swing high & lows, and etc.

For example, the best bull flags occur at the start of a new uptrend. So, the earlier you are in a bull run or momentum swing, the better your bull flag should perform. However, once the stock has had a chance to pull back and consolidate, the bull flag should produce a breakout, allowing the stock to resume its prior momentum. In other words, there are more traders willing to buy the flag than sell it.

What Is The Most Popular Technical Indicator Used With Bull Flags?

As the pennant narrows into its apex, it can be difficult to determine which direction it will resolve. A bull flag doesn’t typically form an apex, nor is it completely symmetrical. A bull flag will most often have a downward trajectory instead of a horizontal and level consolidation. These formations become the framework for statistical edges in the market. Such information is time sensitive and subject to change based on market conditions and other factors. You assume full responsibility for any trading decisions you make based upon the market data provided, and Public is not liable for any loss caused directly or indirectly by your use of such information.

The bull flag is a continuation pattern which only slightly retraces the advance preceding it. The technical buy point is when price penetrates the upper trend line of the flag area, ideally on volume expansion. The Bull Flag Candlestick bull flag pattern trading Pattern is a valuable tool for traders seeking to capitalize on strong uptrends and potential profit opportunities. By understanding the when is a bull flag invalidated pattern’s formation, key components, and trading strategy, you can enhance your trading skills and increase your chances of success in the market. Bull and bear flags are among the most common chart patterns used by technical traders, as they frequently appear in trending markets on assets that are experiencing momentum. Many traders also use on-chain analysis to augment their technical analysis.

A bull flag pattern has parallel downtrending resistance and support lines while a bullish pennant has a downward sloping resistance level and an upward sloping support line. The top bull flag pattern trader is swedish trader Kristjan Kullamägi who turned a few thousand dollars to over $100 million since 2011 trading bull flags and other similar chart patterns. A bull flag pattern risk management is set by placing a stop-loss order below the swing low of the declining support trendline of the pattern.

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The bottom support levels may continue to ascend creating a triangle (sometimes called a ‘pennant’). Traders also look at the volume during the flag phase to provide information on the sell pressure from existing holders. Although relative volumes by themselves are rarely used as a trade invalidation, they are still often considered for any potential trade.

The Apple stock price intially moves in a bull trend over multiple months which forms the flagpole. The price starts a consolidation period over 14 months which forms the flag component. The price rises above the resistance line and trends higher to the upside before reaching the trade target level. A bull flag pattern forex market example is shown on the weekly price chart of GBP/USD forex currency pair above.

As always, the market decides and speaks and we traders need to listen and follow – NOT the other way around. A larger candle indicates a strong breakout candle than a smaller candle, relative to the candles of that time frame. Although candle size is a factor to consider, I personally think the candle close is more important. This is a great lesson on managing risk and respecting your stops.

Securities products offered by Public Investing are not FDIC insured. Apex Clearing Corporation, our clearing firm, has additional insurance coverage in excess of the regular SIPC limits. An advantage of the bull flag is that it suggests particular profit targets and allows for the setting of a tight stop loss, as explained below.

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About the Author : Cédric CARON

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