Stocks & Commodities V. 29:4 (38-45): Identifying Cup Formations Early by Giorgos Siligardos
Product Description
Identifying Cup Formations Early by Giorgos Siligardos
Here’s a simple mechanical recognition method for identifying possible emerging cup formations.
my article “Identifying The Cup (With Or Without The Handle),” which appeared in the February 2006 Stocks & Commodities, I introduced a simple mechanical algorithmic method for identifying cup formations (also known as rounding bottoms) in their late phase. The core part of the algorithm was based on the idea of using a virtual grid on the chart. Since then, I have been asked by technical analysts to provide an algorithm for identifying possible cup formations in their early phase. This time I will show you how you can easily use the grid technique for spotting possible cup formations during their development.
THE CUP FORMATION
In Figure 1 you can see a typical cup formation. I will not elaborate on the technical details of the cup formation (see “Related reading”). I will say that the identification method I introduced in my previous article on the subject was able to spot cup formations in their late phase (to the right after point C in Figure 1). The goal of the algorithm I will describe is to identify the development of such a formation before or near point C. “But are you sure a cup is being formed at point C?” you might ask. No, we are not. We can’t be sure that a specific formation is going to take place. However, if the price is about to form a cup, it has to form a half-cup before integrating the formation in its entirety. You might want to be informed that the price shows such intentions.
THE SEMI-CUP FORMATION
Since we seek early identification of a possible cup (and particularly for the bottom phase of a possible cup), we essentially seek a pattern I will refer to as a “semi-cup.” The typical semi-cup formation is like a completed cup cut in half. This formation has a distinct advantage over an integrated cup: The price is relatively low and there is room for a prosperous upward movement (even when the overall long-term trend is bearish). In addition, most of the time, it is easy to set a profit objective (price target) and a stop-loss level when trading the formation.
Here’s a simple mechanical recognition method for identifying possible emerging cup formations.
my article “Identifying The Cup (With Or Without The Handle),” which appeared in the February 2006 Stocks & Commodities, I introduced a simple mechanical algorithmic method for identifying cup formations (also known as rounding bottoms) in their late phase. The core part of the algorithm was based on the idea of using a virtual grid on the chart. Since then, I have been asked by technical analysts to provide an algorithm for identifying possible cup formations in their early phase. This time I will show you how you can easily use the grid technique for spotting possible cup formations during their development.
THE CUP FORMATION
In Figure 1 you can see a typical cup formation. I will not elaborate on the technical details of the cup formation (see “Related reading”). I will say that the identification method I introduced in my previous article on the subject was able to spot cup formations in their late phase (to the right after point C in Figure 1). The goal of the algorithm I will describe is to identify the development of such a formation before or near point C. “But are you sure a cup is being formed at point C?” you might ask. No, we are not. We can’t be sure that a specific formation is going to take place. However, if the price is about to form a cup, it has to form a half-cup before integrating the formation in its entirety. You might want to be informed that the price shows such intentions.
THE SEMI-CUP FORMATION
Since we seek early identification of a possible cup (and particularly for the bottom phase of a possible cup), we essentially seek a pattern I will refer to as a “semi-cup.” The typical semi-cup formation is like a completed cup cut in half. This formation has a distinct advantage over an integrated cup: The price is relatively low and there is room for a prosperous upward movement (even when the overall long-term trend is bearish). In addition, most of the time, it is easy to set a profit objective (price target) and a stop-loss level when trading the formation.
FOR THOSE ORDERING ARTICLES SEPARATELY:
*Note: $2.95-$5.95 Articles are in PDF format only. No hard copy of the article(s) will be delivered. During checkout, click the "Download Now" button to immediately receive your article(s) purchase. STOCKS & COMMODITIES magazine is delivered via mail. After paying for your subscription at store.traders.com users can view the S&C Digital Edition in the subscriber's section on Traders.com.
| Take Control of Your Trading. |
| Professional Traders' Starter Kit |
| All these items shown below only $299.99! |
| Click Here to Order |