Futures Analysis

Futures Analysis – Reading the Future with Japanese Candlesticks
The name is definitely appropriate; futures analysis rests on being able to predict future movements with a reasonable level of accuracy. For many people, bar charts are their tool of choice; it is familiar for sure but it leaves its users without valuable futures analysis information. When reading a commodity trading chart, the Japanese Candlestick signals provide users with a big advantage because they offer more information and predict trends that the bar chart simply can’t.

The history of Japanese Candlesticks
Japanese Candlestick signals were invented around 1700 as a method of futures analysis and developed over the past few hundred years while trading rice. The Japanese Rice traders analyzed reoccurring signals on their commodity trading chart when trying to pinpoint the exact times to get in and get out of rice trading. Futures analysis with these signals made the Honshu family immensely wealthy. The signals they identified are as effective today in as they were centuries ago.

Why Candlesticks are so powerful
Candlestick patterns are the only trading system for futures analysis that considers human emotion. Emotions will always be the same. Whether you are analyzing a stock trading chart or a commodity trading chart the same factors that have moved prices for centuries will still be in effect today. This is not anything new and the human psyche is very predictable when it comes to investment decisions. Candlestick charts give a visual representation of the investor’s sentiment to futures analysis.

For futures analysis, a commodity trading chart will show a distinct advantage over a stock trading chart. The trends in a commodity trading chart will be more consistent, lasting for longer periods of time. The outside influences on a commodity are dramatically less than those found in a stock price. That can be used to an investor’s advantage when using futures analysis for a commodity trading chart.

You will find through futures analysis that most commodities have fewer elements to affect the supply and demand than do stocks. Grains and some of the soft commodities might have weather affect supply and different currencies may be affected by each other. The British pound, the Eurodollar and the Swiss franc will usually trade the opposite direction of the US dollar.

The ability to analyze a commodity trading chart very quickly with Candlestick signals produces a huge advantage for being able to analyze what the equity markets would do. Crude Oil prices, the US dollar, Gold or any other commodity that could be affecting the direction of the equity markets can be seen and analyzed very efficiently using Candlestick signals.

There are 12 major candlestick signals that relate to trading commodities just as much as they do stocks and probably even more so! The bullish signals contained in them are just as powerful and effective as the bearish signals. Demonstrating when to get into a position is very important; however, what is more important is being able to analyze when to get out of a position. Commodity trading information comes to investors in different forms and different times. The analysis of that information can be interpreted dramatically different by investors. When the media creates euphoric buying at the top, it is hard for many investors to take profits. What if this is the position that is going to make the big money? Should I be buying? I don’t want to be selling with all this great Wall Street news around. Emotions such as there keep most investors from selling at the appropriate times.

In futures analysis it is important to avoid reacting based on emotions. This is why you should have trading rules, a trading plan, and follow the signals you find with candlesticks. Futures analysis with Japanese Candlesticks is a highly developed means of looking into the future.

Be sure to read more about futures trading and the futures markets  in addition to learning about the multiple candlestick patterns available.

 

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Matching Low

The matching low candlestick pattern is similar to the homing pigeon candlestick pattern. The exception is that both days of this two-day pattern’s close are at the same low level. Since both day’s black (or red) candles close at the same level, this matching low signal indicates that the bottom is hit after a long downtrend. See criteria for matching low candlestick pattern below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Criteria for Matching Low

  • The body of the first candle is black (or red) and the body of the second candle is black (or red).
  • The downtrend is evident for a good period of time and a long black (or red) candle occurs at the end of the trend.
  • The second day opens higher than the close of the previous day and it closes at the same close as the prior day.
  • For a reversal signal, further confirmation is required to indicate that the trend is moving up in direction.

Pattern Psychology Behind the Matching Low
After a strong downtrend is in effect, and after a long black (or red) candle occurs, the bulls open the price higher than the previous day’s close. The shorts get concerned and start to cover; however, the bears still have enough control to close the price at the low of the day. Again this low is the same low as the close of the previous day. The psychological impact for the bears is that the second day couldn’t close below the previous day’s close and it causes concern that this is a support level.

Throughout his investment career, Stephen Bigalow has directed his investment acumen towards developing improved methods for extracting profits from the investment markets. His research, encompassing all fundamental and technical methods, resulted in verifying that Candlestick analysis was superior to any other method.

One of the biggest misconceptions of investors is that prices move based upon fundamental reasons when in fact prices move based upon the “perception” of fundamental reasons. The Japanese Rice traders discovered this many centuries ago. Why do prices go down when good news is announced? The answer is that the anticipation of that good news was already built into the stock price.

Please continue to learn how to identify each different candlestick trading pattern as well as what that pattern indicates is occurring in the markets.

 

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Ladder Bottom

When witnessing a ladder bottom candlestick signal you will notice that the downtrend finishes with four consecutive black (or red) candles. Each black (or red) candle closes lower than the previous day. The fourth day is different since it opens and trades higher during the day and closes the day low. The following day opens higher than the open of the previous day, there is a gap up, and it continues to head up in direction all day. The final day of the signal closes higher than the trading range of the past three days.


 

 

 

 

 

Criteria for the Ladder Bottom Signal

  • Similar to the three black crows pattern, the beginning of the signal has three black (or red) candle days, each with lower opens and closes than that of the previous day.
  • The fourth day resembles a reverse hammer signal, which opens and then trades up during the day before it then closes on its low.
  • The final day opens above the open of the previous day’s open. There is a gap up and it continues upward for the rest of the day. It finally closes above the trading range of the previous three days.

Pattern Psychology Behind the Ladder Bottom Candlestick Signal
After a strong downtrend is in effect for a period of time, there is a day when prices try to climb back up to the previous day’s high. This gets the bears attention even though it closes on the low that day. When it opens up much higher the following day, the bears start to scramble to cover, and the bulls begin to take control. If volume increases noticeably on the final day, then that is a good indication that the bulls and the bears exchanged their positions.

Candlestick patterns identify where money is flowing in and out of stocks/sectors. Being able to identify and understand the investor psychology that creates the candlestick signals produces a huge advantage. It allows an investor to participate in stock investments that have an extremely high probability of moving in the right direction.

Japanese Candlestick trading signals consist of approximately 40 reversal and continuation patterns. All candlestick patterns have credible probabilities of indicating correct future direction of a price move.

Please continue to learn how to identify each different candlestick trading pattern as well as what that pattern indicates is occurring in the markets.

 

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Homing Pigeon

 

 

 

 

 

Description
The homing pigeon is the same as the harami (see bullish harami and bearish harami signals), except for the color of the second day’s body. The homing pigeon is composed of a two-candle formation in a down trending market. Both candles are the same color as the current trend. The first body of the pattern is a long body and the second body is smaller. The open and the close of the second day occur inside the open and the close of the previous day. When a homing pigeon present itself it indicates that the trend is over.

Criteria for Homing Pigeon:

  • The body of the first candle is black (or red) and the body of the second candle is black (or red).
  • The downtrend is evident for a good period of time and a long black (or red) candle occurs at the end of the trend.
  • The second day opens higher than the close of the previous day, and closes lower than the open, but still above the closing price of the prior day.
  • Unlike the western inside day, just the body needs to remain in the previous day’s body. Please note that the inside day requires both the body and the shadows to remain inside the previous day’s body.
  • For a reversal signal, further confirmation is required to indicate that the trend is moving up.

Signal Enhancements for the Homing Pigeon
The higher the second candle closes up on the first black (or red) candle, the more convincing it is that a reversal occurred.

Pattern Psychology
After a strong downtrend has been in effect and after a long black (or red) candle, the bulls open the price higher than the previous close. The shorts get concerned and start to cover. The price finishes lower for the day but not as low as the previous day. This is enough support needed so that the short sellers take notice that the trend is violated. A strong day following would convince everyone that the trend is reversing. Usually the volume is above the recent norm due to the unwinding of short positions.

Japanese Candlestick trading signals consist of approximately 40 reversal and continuation patterns. All candlestick patterns have credible probabilities of indicating correct future direction of a price move.

 

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Stick Sandwich

 

 

 

 

 

Description 
The stick sandwich candlestick pattern looks somewhat like an ice cream sandwich. It consists of two black (or red) candles with a white (or green) candle in between. The closing prices of the two black (or red) candles are equal. This demonstrates an obvious support price and the probability of a reversal in the trend is high.

Criteria for Stick Sandwich Candlestick Pattern

  • A downtrend is concluded with a large black (or red) candle followed by a white (or green) candle. The white (or green) candle opens above the black (or red) candle’s close, and it closes above the black (or red) candle’s open.
  • The final day completely engulfs the white (or green) candle and closes at the same level as the previous black (or red) candle.

Pattern Psychology Behind the Stick Sandwich
The Bears are in control for a while. At the end of the downtrend, the last black (or red) candle is followed by a large white (or green) candle. The white (or green) candle opens higher than the close of the last black (or red) candle. It trades up for the rest of the day and closes above where the previous day opened. This action makes it clear to the Bears that the downtrend may be coming to an end. The following day opens higher but trades down for the rest of the day. It cannot close lower than the previous close of two days prior, which are low. The shorts take notice and start to cover any buying strength over the next couple of days.

Japanese Candlestick trading signals consist of approximately 40 reversal and continuation patterns. All candlestick patterns have credible probabilities of indicating correct future direction of a price move.

Continue to learn about more candlestick patterns to see how it can greatly improve your profits! Primary candlestick patterns should be understood first (such as the doji and hanging man patterns). Once you have a basic understanding of the primary signals, move onto the secondary candlestick signals and then eventually the continuation pattern such as this upside tasuki gap pattern.

The average investor does not have to be dependent on the investment professional when utilizing candlestick patterns. Professional recommendations are not always in your best interest at the forefront. Whether totally unfamiliar with investment concepts or very sophisticated in investment experience, the Japanese Candlestick trading formations are easily utilized. The signals and patterns are easy to see and their interpretations are reliable.

Please continue to learn how to identify each different candlestick trading pattern as well as what that pattern indicates is occurring in the markets.

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Upside Gap Three Methods

The upside gap three methods is a simplistic pattern, similar to the upside tasuki gap and it occurs in a strong trending market. In an up-trend, a gap occurs between two white (or green) candles, and the final day opens within the top white (or green) body. It closes in the lower white (or green) body which then fills the gap between the first two candles.

Upside Gap Three Methods Image

 

 

 

 

 

Criteria for Upside Gap Three Methods:

  • In an up-trend two white (or green) candles form
  • The second candle in the formation gaps above the first
  • The third day opens lower, into the body of the top white (or green) candle and closes into the body of the first white (or green) candle.

Pattern Psychology behind the Upside Gap Three Methods
The market is moving in a direction and then a gap appears between two white (or green) candles. Keep in mind that gaps are significant in that they eventually have to be filled. The fact that the gap fills immediately leads investors to think that the pullback is just a profit-taking pullback. The trend should resume immediately after the gap is filled.

The psychology built into a major candlestick signal is simple common sense investment philosophy. When you learn how to utilize the candlestick patterns correctly you now have the knowledge to improve your trading techniques for those trading entities you want to trade. You do not have to depend on canned programs that sometimes work and sometimes don’t work and you do not have to buy or sell stock recommendations blindly based on a research analyst’s recommendation.

Japanese Candlestick trading signals consist of approximately 40 reversal and continuation patterns. All candlestick patterns have credible probabilities of indicating correct future direction of a price move.

Candlestick signals identify where money is flowing in and out of stocks/sectors. Being able to identify and understand the investor psychology that creates the candlestick signals produces a huge advantage. It allows an investor to participate in stock investments that have an extremely high probability of moving in the right direction.

Throughout his investment career, Stephen Bigalow has directed his investment acumen towards developing improved methods for extracting profits from the investment markets. His research, encompassing all fundamental and technical methods, resulted in verifying that Candlestick analysis was superior to any other method.

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Three-Line Strike

The Three-Line Strike, also known as the fooling three soldiers, is a four-line pattern that occurs during a defined trend. This pattern represents a resting period, but unlike most resting periods, the three-line strike occurs all in one day and it ends up looking like an extended three white soldiers pattern. The criteria required for the three-line strike pattern is pretty simple and is explained below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Criteria for the Three-Line Strike

  • The three white soldiers pattern appears as three white (or green) candles that are continuing the uptrend
  • The fourth day opens higher, however it then pulls back to close below the open of the first white (or green) candle

Pattern Psychology
As explained above, the three white soldiers that preclude the fourth day’s black (or red) candle indicate the trend is continuing. The fourth day opens in a manner that resembles the previous days; however, profit-taking sets in so that the fourth candle continues until the close is below the open of the first white (or green) candle. The black (or red) candle body completely negates the rise of the past three days. As a result, the short-term pullback sentiment is out of the way and the uptrend continues on from this point.

One of the biggest misconceptions of investors is that prices move based upon fundamental reasons when in fact prices move based upon the “perception” of fundamental reasons. The Japanese Rice traders discovered this many centuries ago. Why do prices go down when good news is announced? The answer is that the anticipation of that good news was already built into the stock price.

Japanese Candlestick trading signals consist of approximately 40 reversal and continuation patterns. All candlestick patterns have credible probabilities of indicating correct future direction of a price move.

As you learn how to utilize the candlestick signals correctly you will have the knowledge to improve your trading techniques for those trading entities you want to trade. You do not have to depend on canned programs that sometimes work and sometimes don’t work and you do not have to buy or sell stock recommendations blindly based on a research analyst’s recommendation.

Throughout his investment career, Stephen Bigalow has directed his investment acumen towards developing improved methods for extracting profits from the investment markets. His research, encompassing all fundamental and technical methods, resulted in verifying that Candlestick analysis was superior to any other method.

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Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern

The Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern is similar to the “Rising Three Methods” pattern. The Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern has the look of an “Upside Gap Two Crows” pattern except that the second black (or red) body (third day) dips into the body of the large white (or green) candle. It is followed by another small black (or red) body that dips a bit further into the white (or green) candle body. The final day gaps to the upside and it continues its up-ward movement to close higher than the trading range of any of the previous days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The implication of the Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern is that the trend has not stalled. This is a good point to add to positions. The Mat Hold Candlestick pattern is a stronger continuation pattern than the “Rising Three Methods.” During the days of “rest,” unlike the “Rising Three Methods,” the price stays close to the top of the white (or green) candle’s upper range.

Criteria

  • An up-trend is in progress and a long white (or green) candle forms
  • A gap up day, that closes lower than its open, creates a small black (or red) candle
  • The following two days form small candles somewhat like the Rising Three Method.
  • The final day gaps up and closes above the trading ranges of the previous four days.

Pattern Psychology

The Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern does not pull back as much as the Rising Three Method and it is easier to identify. The pull-back days are less concerning and the relatively flat rest period does not create the same amount of concern that the Rising Three Method creates. There are three days in which the bears are not able to knock the price down to any great degree and as a result the bulls step back in with confidence.

Japanese Candlestick trading signals consist of approximately 40 reversal and continuation patterns. All candlestick patterns have credible probabilities of indicating correct future direction of a price move.

The investment psychology incorporated into candlestick signals makes it easier to understand what is going on in an investor’s mind. The signals were created through hundreds of years of visual analysis and interpretation by successful Japanese Rice traders.

Please continue to learn how to identify each different candlestick trading pattern as well as what that pattern indicates is occurring in the markets.

 

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Separating Lines Candlestick Pattern

“Lki chigai sen” is defined as “lines that move in opposite directions.” The separating lines candlestick pattern occurs when there is an uptrend in the market and when there is pullback as well. The separating lines candlestick pattern is exhibited by a long black (or red) candle; however, the following day opens back up to the same level as it opened the previous day. This pattern has the same open and is the opposite color. This is the exact reverse of the Meeting Lines pattern. In other Japanese circles, this is also known as “Furiwake” or in other words “Dividing Lines.”

 

Criteria

  • An uptrend is in progress when a day then occurs that is the opposite color of the current trend.
  • The second day opens at the open of the previous day.
  • The second day should open on its low for the day and then proceed to go higher.

Pattern Psychology
During the uptrend a black (or red) body occurs. This causes some concern to the bulls, but the following day the prices gap back up to the previous day’s open. This gives the bulls confidence that the trend still has movement so they jump back in and move the prices higher. Confidence is renewed, and the trend continues. The bearish Separating Line candlestick pattern works the exact same way in the opposite direction.

Candlestick signals identify where money is flowing in and out of stocks/sectors. Being able to identify and understand the investor psychology that creates the candlestick signals produces a huge advantage. It allows an investor to participate in stock investments that have an extremely high probability of moving in the right direction.

When you learn how to utilize the candlestick signals correctly you now have the knowledge to improve your trading techniques for those trading entities you want to trade. You do not have to depend on canned programs that sometimes work and sometimes don’t work and you do not have to buy or sell stock recommendations blindly based on a research analyst’s recommendation.

Continue to learn about more candlestick patterns to see how it can greatly improve your profits! Primary candlestick patterns should be understood first (such as the doji and hanging man patterns). Once you have a basic understanding of the primary signals, move onto the secondary candlestick signals and then eventually the continuation pattern such as this upside tasuki gap pattern.

 

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Side-by-Side White Lines

The side-by-side white lines are found during an up-trend and it is important to note that this pattern is a very strong continuation pattern. Two white (or green) candles form side-by-side after a gap up from the previous white (or green) candle. Narabi in Japanese means “in a row” which also means “whites in a row.” Side-by-Side Lines, whether black or white, indicate a pause or stalemate when they are observed alone and they occur after a gap in the trend’s direction.

SIDE-BY-SIDE WHITE LINES (BULLISH AND BEARISH)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Criteria for the Side-by-Side White Lines

  • An uptrend is in progress and a gap occurs between two candles of the same color.
  • The color of the first two candles is the same as the prevailing trend.
  • On the third day, a candle opens at the same open price or near the open price of the previous day.
  • The third day closes near the close of the previous day.

Pattern Psychology Behind the Side-by-Side White Lines
During an up-trend, a white (or green) candle gaps up from the white (or green) candle of the previous day. The following day opens at the open of the gap up; however, it is persistent in maintaining the up-ward move again. This indicates that the bears are trying to turn the trend around, but instead they lose to the bulls almost immediately. This side-by-side white lines pattern is somewhat rare, however its meaning is clear. It is also important to note that the bearish side-by-side white lines pattern is even rarer than its bullish counterpart. It indicates that a short covering is occurring and when the sellers step in again, even more short covering occurs. Finally when the short covering is over, the downtrend continues.

The psychology built into a major candlestick signal is simple common sense investment philosophy. When you learn how to utilize the candlestick patterns correctly you now have the knowledge to improve your trading techniques for those trading entities you want to trade. You do not have to depend on canned programs that sometimes work and sometimes don’t work and you do not have to buy or sell stock recommendations blindly based on a research analyst’s recommendation.

Throughout his investment career, Stephen Bigalow has directed his investment acumen towards developing improved methods for extracting profits from the investment markets. His research, encompassing all fundamental and technical methods, resulted in verifying that Candlestick analysis was superior to any other method.

 

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