What is a double top pattern?
It is formed when the price of an asset reaches a peak two consecutive times with a moderate decline between the two. It is confirmed once the price falls below a support level equivalent to the low between the two previous peaks. A double top pattern is a bearish price reversal that signals the end of a bullish market. A double top pattern is the opposite of a double bottom pattern, which suggests a bearish-to-bullish trend reversal and typically occurs at the end of a downward trending or declining market. Recommended video: How to trade double tops and bottoms
What does a double top pattern look like?
A double top chart pattern generally looks like the letter “M,” with two roughly equal peaks that occur after one another. The peaks include a moderate trough in-between. In particular, a double top pattern typically consists of these six elements:
How to identify a double top pattern?
Now that we’ve established what a double top pattern looks like, let’s see how to identify one. Follow these steps to identify a double top pattern on a chart:
How to trade double top patterns?
Once the double top pattern has been identified, you can look for potential shorting opportunities. There are two main ways to trade a double top pattern: either place an order to sell once the price breaks through the neckline or when the price retests the neckline. However, before we delve into that, take note of the following:
The timelines: Similar to other chart formations, longer or medium-term analysis typically yields better results and gives a more accurate representation of the trend’s strength. Utilizing weekly or daily charts is highly recommended, as the likelihood of successfully identifying and predicting a trend on intraday charts is significantly lower; The time between the peaks: Ensure the duration between the two peaks is long enough, as the chances of the chart pattern succeeding are higher and less likely to fail. Peaks should be spaced at least a month apart to get an accurate representation of supply/demand. Too-closely-spaced peaks may indicate normal resistance rather than sustained changes in market dynamics; The magnitude of the decline: Ensure that the valley between the highs declines at least 10%. A decrease of less than this may not indicate a notable surge in sales pressure. After the decline, investigate the drop to gauge the strength of demand. If the trough persists for a stretch and decreases in volume as it moves back up, demand could be drying up, further confirming the reverse pattern; Trading volume: Ensure support is broken with an expansion of volume. The trend remains in force until it’s overturned with substantial evidence. Unless and until support levels are convincingly broken, we should assume that the trend is still intact and heading upwards.
There are two primary ways to trade the double top pattern:
Place a sell order when the price breaks the neckline
The first method to trade a double top pattern is to go short when the price breaks through the neckline/support of the chart formation. The chart below demonstrates when to enter the market, place a stop-loss order, and take profits.
Orange line: Traders should enter the market with a sell order when the price of an asset breaks the neckline; Red line: Strategically position the stop loss above the double top in order to protect your investments. If the price breaches this boundary, the pattern has been unsuccessful, and you must exit from your positions immediately; Green line: To estimate the profit target, take the length of the actual pattern and extend the distance down from the neckline.
Place a sell order when the price retests the neckline
The second method to trade the double top pattern is to wait for the asset to trade below the neckline/support and go short once the price retests the neckline as resistance (broken support is now resistance). The chart below demonstrates when to place a sell order, a stop-loss, as well as when to take profits.
Orange line: Short entry at the retest of the neckline as resistance; Red line: The stop loss would go above the new resistance area after the price has retested the neckline; Green line: Like the first example, to estimate the profit target, take the length of the actual pattern and extend the distance down from the neckline.
Failed double top pattern
There is a significant difference between a genuine double top and one that has failed. A failed double top chart pattern is formed when the anticipated market direction doesn’t develop as expected. A real double top, on the other hand, will indicate undeniably bearish conditions, signaling the potential steep drop in the price of a particular asset. To correctly identify a double top pattern, it is crucial to be patient and determine the critical support level. By solely relying on the formation of two successive peaks to define a double top, you might end up with an inaccurate reading and premature exit from your position.
Double top vs. double bottom pattern
Double tops and bottoms are chart patterns that signify a reversal from the prevailing trend. A double top has an “M” shape and indicates a bearish reversal in trend, while a double bottom has a “W” shape and is a signal for a bullish price movement. A double bottom pattern describes the further drop in the price of a security after a long consistent downtrend, a rebound, another decline to the same or similar level as the initial drop, and finally, another rebound that will likely become a new uptrend. Unlike trading a double top, where traders take a short position, after a double bottom, traders would typically take long positions that will profit from the rising price.
Pros and cons of the double top pattern
Like most other technical analysis tools, chart patterns such as the double top also come with their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. To fully harness this technical indicator in your trading strategy, it’s essential to understand where it triumphs and where it can fall short.
In conclusion
As with any other chart patterns used in technical analysis, a double top pattern is not guaranteed to succeed and is always up for individual interpretation. To confirm a pattern and detect false signals, ensure all criteria are present, including a solid bullish upward trend before the first peak and increased trading volume when breaking the support level. Additionally, as with all indicators, it is crucial to confirm chart patterns with other aspects of technical analysis. Remember, the more confirming factors are present, the more robust and reliable a trade signal is likely to be. Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
