What Is a Symmetrical Triangle Pattern? Definition and Trading

Table of Contents

What is a Symmetrical Triangle

A symmetrical triangle is a chart development characterized by way of two converging construction lines connecting a chain of sequential peaks and troughs. The ones construction lines should be converging at a kind of an identical slope. Development lines which can be converging at unequal slopes are referred to as a rising wedge, falling wedge, ascending triangle, or descending triangle.

Key Takeaways

  • Symmetrical triangles occur when a security’s worth is consolidating come what may that generates two converging construction lines with similar slopes.
  • The breakout or breakdown targets for a symmetrical triangle is equal to the gap between the initial high and low performed to the breakout or breakdown stage.
  • Many patrons use symmetrical triangles in conjunction with other kinds of technical analysis that act as a confirmation.

Symmetrical Triangles Outlined

A symmetrical triangle chart development represents a length of consolidation previous to the cost is harassed to breakout or breakdown. A breakdown from the lower trendline marks the start of a brand spanking new bearish construction, while a breakout from the upper trendline indicates the start of a brand spanking new bullish construction. The craze is continuously known as a wedge chart development.

The associated fee function for a breakout or breakdown from a symmetrical triangle is equal to the gap from the high and low of the earliest part of the craze performed to the breakout worth stage. As an example, a symmetrical triangle development would possibly get began at a low of $10 and switch up to $15 previous to the cost range narrows over time. A breakout from $12 would point out a worth function of $17, or $15 – $10 = $5, then + $12 = $17.

The stop-loss for the symmetrical triangle development is steadily moderately underneath the breakout stage. As an example, if the aforementioned protection breaks out from $12 on high amount, patrons will steadily place a stop-loss moderately underneath $12.

Symmetrical triangles vary from ascending triangles and descending triangles in that the upper and reduce trendlines are each and every sloping against a center stage. In contrast, ascending triangles have a horizontal upper trendline, predicting a imaginable breakout higher, and descending triangles have a horizontal lower trendline, predicting a imaginable breakdown lower. Symmetrical triangles are also similar to pennants and flags in some ways, on the other hand pennants have upward sloping trendlines slightly than converging trendlines.

As with most kinds of technical analysis, symmetrical triangle patterns art work best possible imaginable in conjunction with other technical indicators and chart patterns. Traders steadily seek for a first-rate amount switch as confirmation of a breakout and may use other technical indicators to come to a decision how long the breakout would possibly final. As an example, the relative energy index (RSI) could also be used to come to a decision when a security has change into overbought following a breakout.

Exact World Example of a Symmetrical Triangle

The following chart presentations an example of a symmetrical triangle development in Northwest Bancshares (NWBI):

Image by way of Sabrina Jiang © Investopedia 2021


In this example, Northwest Bancshares is forming a symmetrical triangle that might precede a breakout. The associated fee function for a breakout will also be $19.40, or $17.40 – $15.20 = $2.20, then + $17.20 = $19.40. The stop-loss will also be $16.40 for a breakdown or $17.20 for a breakout.

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