Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

TraderBG

Why Do Candlestick Patterns Work?

Recommended Posts

From the moment I started learning to trade I've heard of candlestick patterns. The concepts of price patterns I have no trouble grasping but I'm curious why such a pattern as an engulfment candle works or even a single doji on a time-based chart? Like for instance if price opens a tick or so above the close of the previous candle, and just so happens to be engulfing that candle at the time the candle closes why would that signal anything? Because a second or two later it may not be engulfing. What does the fact that it opened a few ticks higher imply and what is it about set time intervals that is significant? I can understand a few consecutive dojis meaning that supply and demand are coming in balance but I'm having trouble grasping why a lone candlestick might work. Is it because so many people look for it to happen thus self-fulfilling the prophesy or something else entirely?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Coincidence.

 

A candlestick pattern alone will not work. They only work in conjunction with more important aspects like support and resistance and trends.

 

Remember there is only a handful of big money traders looking at candlesticks, on exactly the same timeframe, and looking for textbook cliche setups. Whereas a very high percentage will be looking at key S/R levels as they don't adhere to timeframes, or chart layout style.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Candlesticks are just another way of illustrating price action i.e buying and selling pressure and hence as Wasp stated are relevant at important support/resistance levels.

 

One can use equivolume bars, point and figure charts, market profile etc to do the same job.

 

Patterns are a result of the way the traders interact in the market.

Greed and fear manifest in some repeatable patterns which can be exploited, ofcourse after having first understood the buying and selling pressure concepts thoroughly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The 2 above replies are really good.

 

I have one reco BG before you dive into anything new, esp candlestick patterns - you cannot JUST use candlestick patterns to trade from. There must be something else helping them, such as support/resistance, moving averages, oscillators, etc. etc. You cannot buy a hammer just b/c you see a hammer on your chart.

 

Also, the lower the timeframe, the less reliable a candlestick pattern can be in and of itself. Again, some other confirmation is needed whatever that may be.

 

To see an example, see this thread that was initially started by BearBull in another thread that I migrated over here to the CC.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to start following the CC closely because it's something I'm highly interested in. I had a look at the thread in the link you posted BrownsFan--very interesting indeed. I like what I see here so keep up the great work guys.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

IMO the 20 EMA thread is the best thread on this entire forum.

 

Why?

 

B/c it provides a very manageable entry system that just about anyone can follow. There's some good threads on TL, but I'm not sure anything else is as clear and cut as the 20 EMA thread for entries.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not one to blow my own trumpet, mainly because it hurts my back and other than the washing, that's what the wife is for but anyhow, I'd also say my live FX trades thread is also rather good for entries, exits, trade management and getting to the bottom of what is really happening in the GJ traders minds and milking it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
...I'm having trouble grasping why a lone candlestick might work. Is it because so many people look for it to happen thus self-fulfilling the prophesy or something else entirely?

 

Single candlestick interval analysis is not reliable if you implied analyzing and making trade decisions based upon one candlestick line.

 

As for candlestick patterns (more than one interval), it's best to use them in combo with another trade approach as already echoed in this thread.

 

Simply, don't use them all by themselves.

 

Mark

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
As for candlestick patterns (more than one interval), it's best to use them in combo with another trade approach as already echoed in this thread.

 

Simply, don't use them all by themselves.

 

Yeah, try it together with astrology. Killer combo. :o

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
IMO the 20 EMA thread is the best thread on this entire forum.

 

Why?

 

B/c it provides a very manageable entry system that just about anyone can follow. There's some good threads on TL, but I'm not sure anything else is as clear and cut as the 20 EMA thread for entries.

 

Hello

 

Can someone send me a link to the 20 EMA thread referenced above?

 

Many thanks

 

algtrader

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
From the moment I started learning to trade I've heard of candlestick patterns. The concepts of price patterns I have no trouble grasping but I'm curious why such a pattern as an engulfment candle works or even a single doji on a time-based chart? Like for instance if price opens a tick or so above the close of the previous candle, and just so happens to be engulfing that candle at the time the candle closes why would that signal anything? Because a second or two later it may not be engulfing. What does the fact that it opened a few ticks higher imply and what is it about set time intervals that is significant? I can understand a few consecutive dojis meaning that supply and demand are coming in balance but I'm having trouble grasping why a lone candlestick might work. Is it because so many people look for it to happen thus self-fulfilling the prophesy or something else entirely?

 

When Steve Nison wrote his Candlestick book, I believe he was using them for daily candles. I am not sure how reliable they are for shorter timeframes, but for the daily bars, the open and close actually mean something.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Lately I seem not to have any success with traditional candlestick patterns.

Al Brooks deals with trades similiar to trades discussed and tested in the 20 ema thread mentioned above. His terminology may be different but basic concepts are about the same. In addition, he goes into many more details and many more trading opportunities. Candlesticks patterns and setups alone are not the key. One must look at market structure and pressures that are present in the context prior to the candlestick pattern or setup evolving.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you know market pressures and context you do not need any indicators. The point in using indicators is that they are supposed to include all that and assist in generating automated systems.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • AMZN Amazon stock, nice buying at the 187.26 triple+ support area at https://stockconsultant.com/?AMZN
    • DELL Dell Technologies stock, good day moving higher off the 90.99 double support area, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?DELL
    • MCK Mckesson stock, nice trend and continuation breakout at https://stockconsultant.com/?MCK
    • lmfx just officially launched their own LMGX token, Im planning to grab a couple of hundred and maybe have the option to stake them. 
    • Date: 2nd April 2025.   Market on Edge: Tariff Announcement and Volatility Ahead!   The US economic and employment data continues to deteriorate with the job vacancies figures dropping to a 5-month low. In addition to this, the IMS Manufacturing PMI also fell below expectations. However, both the US Dollar and Gold declined simultaneously following the release of the two figures, an uncommon occurrence in the market. Traders expect a key factor to be today’s ‘liberation day’ where the US will impose tariffs on imports. USDJPY - Traders Await Tariff Confirmation! Traders looking to determine how the USDJPY will look today will find it difficult to determine until the US confirms its tariff plan. Today is the day when Trump previously stated he would finalize and announce his tariff plan. The administration has not yet released the policy, but investors expect it to be the most expansionary in a century. President Trump is due to speak at 20:00 GMT. On HFM's Calendar the speech is stated as "US Liberation Day Tariff Announcement". Currently, analysts are expecting Trump’s Tariff Plan to impose tariffs on the EU, chips and pharmaceuticals later today as well as reciprocal tariffs. Economists have a good idea of how these tariffs may take effect, but reciprocal tariffs are still unspecified. In addition to this, 25% tariffs on the car industry will start tomorrow. The tariffs on the foreign cars industry are a factor which will particularly impact Japan. Although, traders should note that this is what is expected and is not yet finalised. Last week, President Trump stated that he would implement retaliatory tariffs but allow exemptions for certain US trade partners. Treasury Secretary Mr Bessent and National Economic Council Director Mr Hassett suggested that the restrictions would primarily target 15 countries responsible for the bulk of the US trade deficit. However, yesterday, Trump contradicted these statements, asserting that additional duties would be imposed on any country that has implemented similar measures against US products. The day’s volatility will depend on which route the US administration takes. The harshness of the policy will influence both the Japanese Yen as well as the US Dollar.   USDJPY 5-Minute Chart   US Economic and Employment Data The JOLT Job Vacancies figure fell below expectations and is lower than the previous month’s figure. The JOLT Job Vacancies read 7.57 million whereas the average of the past 6 months is 7.78 million. The ISM Manufacturing Index also fell below the key level of 50.00 and was 5 points lower than what analysts were expecting. The data is negative for the US Dollar, particularly as the latest release applies more pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. However, this is unlikely to happen if the trade policy ignites higher and stickier inflation. In the Bank of Japan’s Governor's latest speech, Mr Ueda said that the tariffs are likely to trigger higher inflation. USDJPY Technical Analysis Currently, the Japanese Yen Index is the worst performing of the day while the US Dollar Index is more or less unchanged. However, this is something traders will continue to monitor as the EU session starts. In the 2-hour timeframe, the USDJPY is trading at the neutral level below the 75-bar EMA and 100-bar SMA. The RSI and MACD is also at the neutral level meaning traders should be open to price movements in either direction. On the smaller timeframes, such as the 5-minute timeframe, there is a slight bias towards a bullish outcome. However, this is only likely if the latest bearish swing does not drop below the 200-Bar SMA.     The key resistant level can be seen at 150.262 and the support level at 149.115. Breakout levels are at 149.988 and 149.674. Key Takeaway Points: Job vacancies hit a five-month low, and the ISM Manufacturing PMI missed expectations, adding pressure on the Federal Reserve regarding interest rate decisions. Traders await confirmation on Trump’s tariff policy, which is expected to impact the EU, chips, pharmaceuticals, and foreign car industries. The severity of the tariffs will influence both the JPY and the USD, with traders waiting for final policy details. The Japanese Yen Index is the worst index of the day while the US Dollar Index is unchanged. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.   Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.   Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar.   Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding of how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!   Click HERE to READ more Market news.   Michalis Efthymiou HFMarkets   Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in Leveraged Products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.