A Double Bottom

06/19/14 05:25:36 PM

by Koos van der Merwe

A double bottom usually represents a buying opportunity. Are we seeing one now?

Security: XONE, CGEN
Position: Buy

Keeping an eye on a share price that forms a double bottom is a must. Double bottoms represent a buying opportunity. Most double bottom formations form a 'W' pattern, and a buy signal is usually triggered when the share price rises above the 'middle' of the pattern. Many analysts are inclined to misinterpret a double bottom formation because they look for an inverted head & shoulders (H&S) pattern. The problem with this is that they miss a buying opportunity. Volume in a double bottom formation also tends to increase as the share price starts rising. This is a pattern that should not be discarded.

Figure 1. Daily chart of EXONE showing double bottom formation.

Graphic provided by: AdvancedGET.

The chart of ExOne (XONE) is suggesting a double bottom formation developing. The chart in Figure 1 is a daily chart showing how the price fell from a high of $70.25 on January 13, 2014 to a low of $24.53 by April 15th, 2014. The price then rose to $37.82 on May 6, 2014 and promptly fell to $24.20 by May 20, 2014 to form a double bottom. Had the share price fallen below $24.53, I would have looked for an inverted H&S pattern rather than a double bottom pattern. With the share price rising as suggested by the relative strength index (RSI), chances are that the price will test the $37.82 level. A move above this resistance level will see the share price rise to the target of $50.44 (37.82-25.20=12.62+37.82=50.44).

Figure 2. Daily chart of Compugen showing both double bottom formations.

Graphic provided by: AdvancedGET.

Of course then there is the false double bottom formation, that is when a double bottom forms over too long a time period as shown in the chart of Compugen Ltd. (CGEN) in Figure 2. The chart shows how the share price hit a low of $7.96 on December 16, 2013, rose to a high of $14.36 by February 27, 2014, and then fell to a low of $7.76 by May 21, 2014 to form a double bottom. Because of the time difference of five months, this is a double bottom pattern that is easy to ignore. However, looking at the chart more closely you can see that a double bottom pattern recently formed. A double bottom formed between May 21, 2014 and June 4, 2014 and a buy signal was triggered when the price broke above $8.62 on June 13, 2014.

A double bottom pattern should always trigger a 'watch me' signal. They should never be ignored because they can be profitable.

Koos van der Merwe

Has been a technical analyst since 1969, and has worked as a futures and options trader with First Financial Futures in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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DOUBLE BOTTOMS

A Double Bottom

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