Learn Technical Analysis – The Inside Bar
As far as learning technical analysis goes, many investors will make short-term trades based on longer-term, “solid” patterns such as the head and shoulders top covered previously in this series. The problem with relying on solid patterns is that they are generally longer-term in nature and may not produce the short-term returns one hopes for.
One of short-term patterns that investors seek is a two-bar pattern known as the inside bar. This pattern reflects a short-term change in investor sentiment, so that if a pattern has been driven downward, the possibility is that the short-term prices will turn around and head the other way.
Discovering an Inside Bar Pattern
Investors who are just learning technical analysis might have a tough time identifying the inside bar. Explained (our website has a diagram), the inside bar pattern consists of a taller bar (wide trading range) followed by a shorter bar (tighter trading range). The shorter bar will fall within the same range as the preceding bar.
Confirm The Pattern
One thing many investors understand is that an inside bar should never be used in isolation when making trade decisions. When learning technical analysis, it makes sense to find support for other patterns and trends in other analysis. With the inside bar, investors should consider support and resistance levels, momentum readings, and other fundamental data relating to the security, sector, and market as a whole.
As far as the reliability of the inside bar pattern, investors will find greater success when the bar takes shape following a steeper inbound trend. In terms of the bars themselves, investors will want to see a longer first bar (which suggests that stronger momentum has dissipated and reversal is imminent) and a shorter second bar, which suggests a more dramatic reversal to come.
And lastly, the volume level should be lower for the second bar than for the first, as this hints at a better balance.
When it comes to learning technical analysis, investors should remember that there are many other indicators that need to confirm their trade decisions. As well, there are plenty of specialized software programs available to make simple buy and sell recommendations.
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