Broadening Formations
A technical chart pattern recognized by analysts, known as a broadening formation or Megaphone Pattern, is characterized by expanding price fluctuation. It is represented by two lines, one ascending and one descending, that diverge from each other. This pattern typically appears after a significant increase or decrease in security prices and is denoted by a sequence of higher and lower turning points. Normally this pattern is visible when the market is at its top or bottom. The greater the time frame is better the pattern will work.
🔹How to identify: Generally, the Broadening Formation consists of 5 different swings. But the swing has to have a minimum of two higher highs and two lower lows. A trend line is drawn by connecting point 1 and point 3 while points 2 and 4 are also joined together to draw a line. These two lines create a shape that looks like a megaphone or inverted symmetric triangle. These swings’ highs and lows have to close above or below its pivot line and therefore they will create swing high as pivot high (R1, R2, and R3) and swing lows as pivot lows (S1, S2, and S3). A breakout occurs when the line does not respect its support or resistance line and closes outside the shape after making the 5th swing.
🔹Volume: Volume plays an important role when it comes to the recognition of this pattern. In the Broadening Top, volume usually peaks along with prices. An increase in the volume, on the day of the pattern confirmation, is a strong indicator.
🔹Failures: This pattern also can be traded when it fails but is necessary to identify the failure perfectly. A failure can be spotted when it fails to break the trend line (upper or lower as the case may be) after completing the 5th swing. Suppose in a bull market condition, this pattern is formed and if it fails to break the upper trend line, traders go short when the price goes below 3rd swing high (R2). Similar is the scenario, when the market is in a bear phase and it fails to break the lower trend line (S2), traders take a long position when the price closes above the 3rd swing high.
