Stocks breakout from properly formed bases everyday but many investors don't understand how to locate a pivot point or what patterns to study that may contain this very important buy signal. A pivot point can be described as the optimal buy point or the area at the end of a familiar base pattern where the stock breaks out into new high territory. William O'Neil, the founder of Investor's Business Daily is considered the pioneer of the pivot point in modern times. As Jesse Livermore explains in his book (1941), the pivot point can also be described as the point of least resistance. When a stock breaks the point of least resistance, we are presented with an opportunity where a stock has the greatest chance of moving higher in a short period of time, especially when volume accompanies the breakout.
The pivot point can be calculated as the stock is forming the handle on a cup-with-handle base. The ideal buy price would be $0.10 higher than the highest spot during the handle, also know as the top of the right side of the base. The intraday high can qualify at the highest point and does not have to be the closing price of the stock. If the stock closes at the high for the day, then we will use this number as the high point.
The exact methods used for finding pivot points vary depending on the base pattern that is forming on a daily and/or weekly chart.
When a flat base occurs, an investor should look for a move $0.10 higher than the top point on the left side of the base or the start of the formation.
A saucer-with-handle follows the same rules as the cup-with-handle and is described in detail above.
A double-bottom formation triggers a pivot point that will be $0.10 higher than the middle peak in the "W" shaped pattern.
Many investors will try to cheat the rules and place a position prematurely before the stock breaks out and passes the pivot point. I do not suggest buying until the stock triggers the pivot point on above average volume also known as qualifying volume. The area considered as the least amount of resistance is weighed so heavily because all overhead sellers are gone as we break into new high territory. The pivot point usually comes within 5% to 15% of the stock's old high 52-week high.
Don't chase a stock that is 5% or more above the proper pivot point. This does not mean that you can't buy on normal corrections and pullbacks to support or moving averages, especially if the stock remains in an uptrend. This rule only applies to the pivot point area as the stock becomes extended. If you buy with the pivot point and sell when a stock falls 7-10% from the pivot point, I guarantee that your yearly performance will increase dramatically.
Chris Perruna - http://www.marketstockwatch.com
Chris is the founder and president of MarketStockWatch.com, an internet community that teaches you how to invest your money with solid rules. We don't stop at just showing you our daily and weekly screens, we teach you how to make you own screens through education. Through our philosophy, you will be able to create your own methods and styles to become successful.
tidy up service Glenview ..There are many important things you need to know to... Read More
Did you know you can make money (and a lot... Read More
So you're started trading, you bought some positions with your... Read More
If you have a pension plan at work you will... Read More
Just about everything you have been told about Social Security... Read More
What the heck am I talking about?It is often said... Read More
Everyone who follows the financial news has heard of mutual... Read More
As the man said, "I've got some good news and... Read More
On November 17 I bought 7 different mutual funds and... Read More
Dollar cost averaging is one of the most popular ideas... Read More
If you go to Haiti or other places in the... Read More
A common problem I often see when working with living... Read More
I use the P/E ratio as a secondary indicator for... Read More
'Sector funds are too risky.' 'I doubled my money with... Read More
When it comes to 401k's there is an overabundance of... Read More
How do you make money without picking tops and bottoms?I... Read More
IT'S REMINISCENT OF THE OLD children's tale about an old... Read More
After some forty years of banking and investments, I retired... Read More
1. Do not spread your money too thin.My friend has... Read More
I receive emails from Morningstar. This company provides statistics and... Read More
Unfortunately, most of you who are reading my column are... Read More
Most advisors will tell you they can beat the market.... Read More
A PEG ratio cannot be used alone but is a... Read More
One of the big advertising kicks today from mutual funds... Read More
The big bad bear is stirring again. So far he... Read More
full-service cleaning Mundelein ..One of the things people are always asking me is... Read More
I cringe every time I hear a novice investor tell... Read More
As GuruFocus updates the stock buys and sells of gurus,... Read More
If you are fed up with early redemption charges and... Read More
How do you make money without picking tops and bottoms?I... Read More
I don't know what kind it is, but I saw... Read More
When will the stock market stop going down and start... Read More
A 'stock option' is a contract between two parties giving... Read More
If you have not back tested your trading system, you... Read More
Ever have one of those sample boxes of candy? Each... Read More
We all know the expression, "My country, right or wrong",... Read More
I read a comment by a forum member on another... Read More
How is it possible that trash Companies are posting less... Read More
When we go to the circus we see a trapeze... Read More
I mean it when I say that. While plastic silverware... Read More
You have a lock on your house. You have a... Read More
No, this is not a symbol for some Latin number.... Read More
This is the continuing story of our two imaginary traders,... Read More
Someday you may want to retire and continue to live... Read More
You've decided to try your luck at trading stocks or... Read More
Trading is a fascinating activity.There are so many layers to... Read More
The Macedonian Stock Exchange (MSE) is not operating successfully. True,... Read More
What the heck am I talking about?It is often said... Read More
One of the main reasons many of us get into... Read More
Forget making a profit; instead focus on the income provided... Read More
Stocks & Mutual Fund |