The double bottom pattern is a popular charting technique used by traders in the stock market. It signals a potential trend reversal, wherein a security’s price, which was moving downwards until recently is likely to move upwards.
If a trader is able to spot the double bottom pattern correctly, he will be able to buy a security precisely when its price is expected to rise. And, if its price indeed rises as expected, he will be able to sell it at a higher price, thereby booking a profit.
So, the double bottom pattern is extremely useful for stock trading. That said, it is important to identify it correctly because any mistake in its identification can make a trader lose money. So, let us learn this pattern in detail, how it is formed, and its strengths & limitations.
Formation of the Double Bottom Pattern
This pattern is typically formed after a security’s price declines for a prolonged period, wherein it forms two distinct bottoms. These two bottoms are separated by a peak in between. In other words, the security’s price first falls, then rises a bit, but later falls again, forming a curve like the letter “W.”
When the security’s price first falls, it shows that the sentiment towards it is bearish. However, when it rises briefly, it reflects that the sentiment is trying to become bullish. But, a subsequent decline shows that more people are again selling it than buying it.
For the double bottom pattern to be established, the second bottom in a security’s price should be within close range of its first bottom. To confirm that this pattern is created, traders check whether the price rises enough to break above the peak between two bottoms after hitting the second low.
Moreover, if the price rise after hitting the second bottom is accompanied by a rising volume, it means more people are buying this stock in large volumes, which establishes a bullish pattern.
What Does a Double Bottom Suggest About Market Sentiment?
A double bottom shows that a downward trend in a security’s price is likely to reverse. It is extremely important to note that it suggests “a potential reversal of a bearish trend.” It does not mean that a downward trend is “definitely” going to reverse.
That said, if a double bottom pattern is correctly identified, it suggests that the market sentiment is set to shift from negative to positive. When a security’s price hits two bottoms, it shows that it is facing selling pressure. However, as the price does not go lower than the second bottom, it reflects that the selling pressure is going to fade away.
Therefore, a reversal is around the corner, which means that the price is expected to increase. However, as with all technical indicators, you should not rely only on the double bottom pattern. Instead, you should use it with other indicators and then take a call. If you rely only on it, you could be misled.
Double Bottom’s Example
Let us understand the double bottom pattern with the help of an example. In the following graph, you can see that a security’s price falls and reaches a point called “1.” Then, it rises a bit to reach point “2.” But, instead of rising further, it falls to point “3.”
The two bottoms, that is point 1 and point 3, are within a narrow range, which shows that although people are selling this stock, they are not able to create more selling pressure, which will lower the price even further.
After hitting point 3, the price starts rising and increases beyond point 2. Hence, it breaks the resistance level created by point 2. As a trader, when you notice that the price is increasing after hitting a low at point 3, you should check whether it is increasing with high volumes because that will suggest that a reversal is happening and the price will remain