Continuation Stock Index Chart Patterns

When these continuation stock indices chart patterns are formed they confirm that the current stock indices trend is going to continue moving in the same direction.

These patterns are used by stock index traders to identify halfway points of the trend, this is because they form at the halfway point of a trend.

There are four types:

• Ascending triangle
• Descending triangle
• Bull flag/pennant
• Bear flag/pennant

Ascending Triangle

The ascending triangle is formed in an up stock indices trend and it shows that the upward direction of the stock indices market is going to continue.

It shows that there is a resistance level that the buyers keep pushing each time moving it higher, and once it breaks stock index price will continue moving upward.

The overhead resistance temporarily prevents the stock index trading market from advancing higher, while the rising stock indices trend line beneath the pattern signals that buyers are still present. An upside penetration of the upper line is a technical buy stock indices signal for a market breaking out from an ascending triangle.

Found within a Stock Indices Trading upward stock indices trend, the ascending triangle forms as a consolidation period within the up stock indices trend and indicates upside continuation will follow.

The market formed an ascending triangle during its up stock indices trend which led to upside continuation. The buy point is when stock index price clears the upper sloping line and the stock indices market continues moving upwards.

Descending Triangle

The descending triangle is formed in a down stock indices trend and it shows that the downward direction of stock index price movement is going to continue.

It shows that there is a support level that the sellers keep pushing each time moving it lower, and once it breaks stock index price will continue moving downwards.

The support temporarily prevents the stock indices market from declining, while the descending sloping line above the pattern signals that sellers are still present. A downside penetration of the lower line is a technical sell stock indices signal for a market breaking down from a descending triangle, and indicates selling will follow.

Found within a Stock Indices Trading downward stock indices trend, the descending triangle forms as a consolidation period within the down stock indices trend and indicates downside continuation will follow.

The market formed a descending triangle during its down stock indices trend which led to further selling and continuation of the downward stock index trend. The technical sell stock indices signal is when stock index price breaks the lower horizontal sloping line as selling resumes to push the stock indices market lower.

Bull Flag/Pennant

This stock indices pattern forms what looks like a rectangle. The rectangle is formed by two parallel lines that act as support and resistance for the stock index price until the stock index price breaks out. In general, the flag will not be perfectly flat but it will be sloping.

The bull flag is found within a Stock Indices Trading upward stock index trend. In this continuation pattern where the stock indices market retraces slightly, it is therefore a slight retracement with narrow stock index price action that has a slight downward tilt. The technical buy point is when stock index price penetrates the upper line of the flag. The flag portion has highs and lows which can be connected by small lines which are parallel, giving it the look of a small channel.

The pennant occurs at halfway point of a bullish upward stock indices trend and after a breakout a similar move equal to the height of the flagpole is expected.

The bull pennant above was just a resting period as the stock indices market gathered strength to break out and move higher. The continuation signal was confirmed as the upper line was broken to the upside.

Bear Flag/Pennant

This flag is found in a Stock Indices Trading downward stock index trend. The bear flag is a continuation pattern where the stock index price retraces slightly with a narrow stock index price action that has a slight upward tilt. The technical sell point is when stock index price penetrates the lower line of the inverted flag. The pennant portion has highs and lows which can be connected by small lines which are parallel, giving it the look of a small channel.

The bear pennant above was just a resting period for the stock indices market prior to more selling. The continuation signal was confirmed as the lower line was broken to the downside.