Technical Analysis Fundamentals

Master chart patterns, indicators, and trading signals

Intermediate
20 min read
What You'll Master

Chart Reading

  • • Support and resistance levels
  • • Trend lines and channels
  • • Reversal and continuation patterns
  • • Volume analysis

Technical Indicators

  • • Moving averages and crossovers
  • • RSI and momentum oscillators
  • • MACD and trend indicators
  • • Bollinger Bands and volatility

Trading Strategies

  • • Entry and exit timing
  • • Risk management techniques
  • • Position sizing strategies
  • • Portfolio optimization
Chart Patterns
Recognize patterns that predict future price movements
Support and Resistance

Key price levels where stocks tend to bounce or break through

How to Use:

Buy near support, sell near resistance. Breakouts signal new trends.

Example:

If a stock repeatedly bounces off $50, that's a support level

Key Signals:
Strong support = buying opportunity
Resistance break = bullish signal
Head and Shoulders

Reversal pattern with three peaks, middle one highest

How to Use:

Indicates trend reversal. Sell when neckline breaks.

Example:

Stock peaks at $60, $70, $60 then breaks below $55 neckline

Key Signals:
Bearish reversal pattern
Volume should increase on breakdown
Double Top/Bottom

Two peaks at similar levels (top) or two troughs (bottom)

How to Use:

Double top = sell signal, double bottom = buy signal

Example:

Stock hits $80 twice but can't break higher = double top

Key Signals:
Double bottom = bullish reversal
Double top = bearish reversal
Triangles

Converging trend lines forming triangle shapes

How to Use:

Trade the breakout direction with volume confirmation

Example:

Ascending triangle: higher lows, same highs = bullish

Key Signals:
Breakout direction = trend continuation
Volume confirms validity
Technical Indicators
Mathematical calculations that help time entries and exits
Moving Averages

Smoothed price lines showing trend direction

How to Use:

Price above MA = uptrend, below = downtrend. Golden cross = bullish.

Example:

50-day MA crossing above 200-day MA = golden cross (bullish)

Key Signals:
MA crossovers signal trend changes
Price vs MA shows momentum
RSI (Relative Strength Index)

Momentum oscillator measuring speed of price changes (0-100)

How to Use:

RSI > 70 = overbought (sell), RSI < 30 = oversold (buy)

Example:

RSI at 25 suggests stock is oversold and due for bounce

Key Signals:
Divergence with price = reversal warning
Extreme levels = reversal zones
MACD

Moving Average Convergence Divergence - trend and momentum

How to Use:

MACD line crossing signal line generates buy/sell signals

Example:

MACD crossing above signal line = bullish momentum building

Key Signals:
Histogram shows momentum strength
Centerline cross = trend change
Bollinger Bands

Price channels based on standard deviation from moving average

How to Use:

Price touching bands indicates extreme moves, mean reversion likely

Example:

Stock hitting lower band often bounces back toward middle

Key Signals:
Band squeeze = volatility breakout coming
Band walks = strong trends
Volume Analysis
Understanding how trading volume confirms price movements
Volume Confirmation

Volume should increase in direction of trend

How to Use:

High volume on breakouts confirms validity of move

Example:

Stock breaks resistance on 3x normal volume = strong signal

Key Signals:
Volume leads price
Low volume rallies often fail
Volume Patterns

Specific volume behaviors that predict price action

How to Use:

Accumulation/distribution patterns show institutional activity

Example:

Rising prices on declining volume = potential reversal

Key Signals:
Climax volume = potential reversal
Dry up volume = continuation
On-Balance Volume (OBV)

Running total of volume based on price direction

How to Use:

OBV divergence with price warns of potential reversals

Example:

Price makes new high but OBV doesn't = bearish divergence

Key Signals:
OBV confirms price trends
Divergences predict reversals
Practical Trading Strategies
Apply technical analysis concepts in real trading scenarios
Trend Following

Buy uptrends, sell downtrends using moving averages

Entry Signal:

Price breaks above resistance with volume

Exit Signal:

Price breaks below support or moving average

Risk Management:

Stop loss 2-3% below entry, target 2:1 risk/reward

Mean Reversion

Buy oversold conditions, sell overbought conditions

Entry Signal:

RSI below 30 with bullish divergence

Exit Signal:

RSI above 70 or price reaches moving average

Risk Management:

Tight stops, quick profits, high win rate strategy

Breakout Trading

Trade stocks breaking out of consolidation patterns

Entry Signal:

Volume spike on pattern breakout

Exit Signal:

Failed breakout or target reached

Risk Management:

Stop below pattern, target measured move

Essential Trading Principles

Golden Rules:

  • • The trend is your friend until it ends
  • • Volume confirms price action
  • • Cut losses short, let profits run
  • • Never risk more than 2% per trade
  • • Plan your trade, trade your plan

Common Mistakes:

  • • Fighting the trend
  • • Ignoring volume signals
  • • Moving stop losses against you
  • • Overtrading and overconfidence
  • • Not having a clear exit strategy

Ready to Apply Your Knowledge?

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