Reversals in Trading: How to Detect Them?

A reversal is a change in the direction of a price trend from going up and going down and vice-versa. Identifying reversals in trading is all about spotting potential changes in the price trend. Learn more about how to predict the price change in today’s article.

How to identify reversals

Here are some ways and resources that can aid in this task:

Trend lines. These are lines drawn on a chart to illustrate the direction of a trend. If the price deviates from the trend line, it could signal a potential reversal.

Support and resistance levels. These horizontal lines denote the price point where a stock has previously had difficulty going below (support) or above (resistance). If the price pierces these levels, it could hint at a potential reversal.

Volume analysis. Sudden increases in volume, especially on a declining day, can sometimes suggest a potential reversal. This could mean sellers are exiting their positions, leading to a potential price correction.

Price patterns. Certain price patterns such as head and shoulders, double top/bottom, and flags can signal potential reversals.

Indicators. Technical indicators like Moving Averages, Stochastic Oscillator, Relative Strength Index (RSI), Donchian Channels, and On Balance Volume (OBV) can aid in identifying potential reversals. Learn more about them below.

News events. Occasionally, significant news events can trigger a sharp reversal in the market. Staying updated on financial news can help predict these events.

Please, notice! While these tools and techniques can offer valuable insights, they should not be used alone. Consider them with other factors and indicators for a more holistic understanding of the market.

Indicators or tools to detect reversals in trading

Five main techniques will help you to determine the changes in price trends:

Moving Averages. There are multiple types of Moving Averages, such as Simple Moving Average (SMA), Exponential Moving Average (EMA), and Weighted Moving Average (WMA). Each has unique features and applications. For instance, EMA assigns more importance to recent data points, making it quicker to react to new information. However, it can also be more susceptible to price gaps.

Stochastic Oscillator. This tool comprises two lines: %K and %D. The %K line is computed using the current close price, high, low, and specific period. The %D line is a three-day simple moving average of %K. When %K exceeds %D, it triggers a bullish signal, and when it falls below %D, it triggers a bearish signal.

Relative Strength Index (RSI). The RSI is determined using the average gain and loss over a set period. Readings above 70 suggest overbought conditions, and readings below 30 suggest oversold conditions. Typically, RSI is seen as overbought at 70 and oversold at 30.

Donchian Channels. Named after Richard Donchian, who devised the concept, Donchian Channels are plotted above and below the moving average line, symbolizing the highest and lowest prices over a certain period. A breakout above the upper line or below the lower line can signal a trend reversal.

On Balance Volume (OBV). OBV is calculated by summing the volume on up days and subtracting the volume on down days. An increasing OBV signifies positive buying pressure, and a decreasing OBV signifies negative selling pressure.

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