They are 1) Bearish Continuation, 2) Bullish Continuation, 3) Bearish Reversal, 4) Bullish Reversal.

The Bearish Continuation Consolidation Pattern

Several strong bearish candlesticks precede the Bearish Continuation pattern where the bears are clearly in control (Figure 12).


The bears and bulls then begin to battle by pushing the stock up and down in price in a tightly formed consolidation zone.

The narrowing size of the candlesticks toward a line of support indicates that the bears are winning the battle.
The bulls finally weaken and allow the bears to penetrate the line of support, at which time the bears quickly conquer new territory by taking the stock to lower prices.

By recognizing the consolidation pattern the trader is able to short the stock just after the stock breaks the line of support, and profit from the sharp move downward.

The cause of the sharp sell off is fueled by the emotions of the traders watching for the outcome of the battle. Traders who bought the stock in the area of consolidation in hope of a rally off of support, are now scrambling to exit their losing positions.

Traders who are short from the period before the area of consolidation are realizing that their original entries were correct and are adding to their winning positions.

                               Figure 12

The Bullish Reversal Consolidation Pattern

Several strong bearish candlesticks precede the Bullish Reversal Continuation pattern where the bears are clearly in control (Figure 13).

The bears and bulls then begin to battle by pushing the stock up and down in price in a tightly formed consolidation zone.

The narrowing size of the candlesticks toward a line against upward resistance indicating that the bulls are winning territory from the bears.

The bears finally weaken and allow the bulls to penetrate the line of resistance, at which time the bulls quickly conquer new territory by taking the stock to higher prices.

By recognizing the consolidation pattern the trader is able to buy the stock just after the stock breaks the line of resistance, and profit from the sharp move upward.

The cause of the rally is fueled by the emotions of the traders watching for the outcome of the battle.

Additional traders who jump in to buy the stock now that its strength has been confirmed fuel the sharp upward move.

Traders who are currently short the stock in the area of consolidation waiting in hope of a breakdown, are now scrambling to cover their short positions.

This buying action also fuels the fire pushing the stock to higher prices.

                             Figure 13

The Bearish Reversal Consolidation Pattern

Several strong bullish candlesticks precede the Bearish Reversal Continuation pattern where the bulls are clearly in control (Figure 14).

The bears and bulls then begin to battle by pushing the stock up and down in price in a tightly formed consolidation zone.

The narrowing size of the candlesticks toward a line of support indicates that the bears are winning the battle.

The bulls finally weaken and allow the bears to penetrate through the line of support, at which time the bears quickly conquer new territory by taking the stock to lower prices.

By recognizing the consolidation pattern the trader is able to sell short the stock just after the stock breaks the line of support, and profit from the sharp spike downward.

Additional traders who jump in to short the stock now that its weakness has been confirmed fuel the sharp sell off.

Traders, who are currently long the stock in the area of consolidation waiting in hope of a breakdown, are now scrambling to sell their long positions.

This selling action also fuels the fire pushing the stock to lower prices.

                                     Figure 14

The Bullish Continuation Consolidation Pattern  

Several strong bullish candlesticks precede the Bullish Continuation Consolidation Pattern where the bulls are clearly in control (Figure 15).

The bears and bulls then begin to battle by pushing the stock up and down in price in a tightly formed consolidation zone.

The narrowing size of the candlesticks toward a line of resistance indicates that the bulls are winning the battle.

The bears finally weaken and allow the bulls to penetrate the line of resistance, at which time the bulls quickly conquer new territory by taking the stock to higher prices.

By recognizing the consolidation pattern the trader is able to buy the stock just after the stock breaks the line of resistance, and profit from the sharp move upward.

The cause of the sharp sell off is fueled by the emotions of the traders watching for the outcome of the battle.

Traders, who shorted the stock in the area of consolidation in hope of a sell off in the area of consolidation, are now scrambling to exit their losing positions.

Traders who are long from the period before the area of consolidation are realizing that their original entries were correct and are adding to their winning positions.

                               Figure 15