A bear trap is a technical reversal pattern that gives a false signal of continued downward price movement. This causes traders to open short-selling positions anticipating a price decline, only to lose money when prices reverse upward.
This can be very frustrating for traders. However, it is important to identify a bear trap before it forms so you can avoid losing money.
Bullish divergence
Bullish divergence is a market condition that shows prices are at a lower low, but a technical indicator has reached a higher low. This discrepancy is a warning that the momentum in the market is weakening, and a price reversal may be imminent.
Traders use divergence to determine when a market trend is likely to change direction. They exit short positions when they spot a bearish divergence and go long when they see a bullish one.
They also take action to control risk, especially if the indicator is in extreme ranges. For example, if the RSI is in its upper extreme range, then bullish investors are likely to tighten their stop loss levels or use protective options.
Regardless of the type of divergence you’re detecting, it’s important to wait for confirmation that this is a signal that will actually translate into a price reversal. That confirmation could come in the form of a reversal candlestick pattern, or as a trade trigger from a confirming chart study.
Bullish reversal
A bullish reversal is a technical pattern that suggests that the price of an asset will begin rising again. This type of reversal is usually seen after a strong decline in prices.
This can happen in the stock market, as a result of a major event or economic data. It can also occur in currencies or commodities.
It usually occurs after a company publishes positive results or announces an acquisition. Institutional investors will then buy the stock, causing it to rise.
These investors may not realize that the stock price will fall again. However, when it does, they’ll be stuck with a losing trade.
This can lead to a margin call, where the broker requires additional capital in order to cover the losses. Traders can avoid this type of situation by knowing what to look for on a chart and what indicators can signal the reversal.
Bearish reversal
A bearish reversal pattern occurs when a price swing breaks down from a bullish trend into a downward trend. These patterns can provide traders with valuable information about the trend and can be used to forecast a possible reversal.
The three black crows pattern is a bearish reversal pattern that shows sellers overtaking buyers on three consecutive days. Each session opens at a similar price to the previous day but selling pressures push the price lower with each close.
Another common reversal pattern is the hanging man, which signals that sellers are starting to outnumber buyers on a rising market. This candlestick has a long lower shadow that’s at least twice as long as the body.
Breakout
A breakout is the first move in a trend that reveals the direction of the market. This is a positive sign for investors and traders, as it typically indicates that a trend will continue.
However, some stocks can experience a breakout that turns out to be a bear trap. This type of reversal often occurs when traders incorrectly believe that the stock has reversed its upward momentum.
This can be caused by institutional investors and market manipulators (also called liquidity providers). They set up retail traders to take short positions in a stock by making them believe that the upward trend is over.
To avoid this, you need to know when to look for a breakout and when it might be a bear trap. You can do so by monitoring the stock’s price, volume, and RSI or MACD indicators.