In this final tutorial in the series of trading the flag patterns, we take a closer look into the main elements that comprise the flag pattern and also how traders can make use of these elements in order to not only enter trades based on the flag pattern formations but also be able to manage their trades better. So far, we have learned that flag patterns can be a great way to trade, especially around a news release as it shows a perfect confluence of both fundamentals and technical analysis. Flag patterns basically come under the break out trading strategies, where trades are taken when price breaks out of a consolidation phase. The added advantage of trading with the flag patterns comes from the fact that they are often continuation pattern of the previous momentum, be it bullish or bearish. Therefore, flag patterns offer a higher level of reliability than trading traditional horizontal break outs.
Elements of a Flag Pattern
The flag pattern comprises of nothing more than support and resistance levels that are formed. The chart below gives the key levels in a flag pattern.
The main elements of the chart pattern can therefore be as follows:
- The flag post high and low are usually the main resistance and support levels (or reversed in case of a bullish flag).
- When price bounces off the flag post’s low (or high in case of a bullish flag), price consolidates into a flag pattern and usually reverses near what is known as a minor resistance (or support).
- After plotting the flag pattern, trades are entered on the break out of the flag or on retest to the break out level
- In most cases, traders tend to place their stops above the minor resistance formed in the flag (or below the minor support formed in a bullish flag) and target the measured distance from the break out level.
- A major flaw here being that flags can be invalidated and this is often seen based on how price reacts to the bottom of the flag post (or the high in case of a bullish flag). Flags that fail often tend to reverse from this level. In such a scenario price may or may not reach the flag’s target price level.
The importance of the support/resistance levels in the flag
Understanding the major support and resistance levels and the minor support and resistance levels can help traders to manage their trades. As noted above, traders should always look for price to clear the major resistance or support levels which generally provides good hints as to whether price will reach the flag’s target level as intended.
The chart below shows an example of a failed flag pattern that invalidated the set up merely based on how price reacted to the major support or resistance levels.
Here, we can notice that while initially price broke out from the bullish flag meeting most of the criteria, price failed to break above the major resistance level. For the astute trader, the reversal near this major resistance level provides early clues that the flag pattern could potentially fail. Thus, instead of continuing to keep the trade open, traders could either move their trades to break even or even look to locking some profits in anticipation of an invalidation of the flag pattern.
True enough, we notice a bearish harami candlestick pattern formed right near the major resistance which later resulted in price falling lower and invalidating the bullish flag.
Another way to ensure that you are trading on the right side of the trend is to take into consideration the major prevailing trend and only trade flag patterns that validate the major trend. For example, if the overall trend is up, look to trading only the bullish flag and if the trend is down, look to trading the bearish flag patterns in order to minimize the rate of failure.
Flag Chart Patterns – In Conclusion
As we can see in this article as well as the previous two articles, flag patterns can be a good and simple way to trade with the trend while at the same time taking advantage of break outs. While flags usually offer a low risk high reward trade set ups, combining the elements of the flag patterns as well as looking to the candlestick patterns can help traders to greatly improve their win rates at the same time be able to manage their trades as well.
