Inside Bar: A Short-Term Trading Pattern

By Chris Blanchet

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.

A short-term pattern that many investors will rely on is the inside bar pattern. This pattern indicates a possible reversal of the current trend. For example, if the trend has been down and the inside bar appears at the end of such a trend, then there is a possibility that the trend will reverse and head up.

Spotting an Inside Bar

For investors who are learning technical analysis, identifying the inside bar might be a little more difficult. It involves a taller bar one day, followed a smaller bar the next. The smaller bar consists of a trading range within the preceding day's taller bar.

Find Supporting Data

When it comes to using the inside bar to commit to a trade, investors should seek additional confirmation through additional analysis. This step is often overlooked when investors start learning technical analysis. Other analysis includes fundamental data for the security, sector and market, as well as technical data such as support and resistance levels and momentum.

In terms of the inside bar itself, investors will find greater reliability when they discover the bar that follows a sharper inbound trend. As well, the wider the first bar and shorter the following bar, the better as this indicates the stronger momentum has ended, and the possibility for a more dramatic turn.

And lastly, the volume level should be lower for the second bar than for the first, as this hints at a better balance.

For investors learning technical analysis, please remember that no single indicator should be used in isolation. Confirmation is highly recommended from other tools. For investors who would prefer a hands-off approach, there are trading software programs that will simply make buy or sell calls. - 23226

About the Author:

Chris Blanchet has been a Financial Advisor for more than 16 years. For investors looking to learn technical analysis for free, Chris offers a free e-course at Online Trader Today.com. His personal debt-free blog can be found at How To Repay Debt.com.