Technical Analysis - Introduction to Support and Resistance Trend Lines

Support and Resistance Levelsanalysis are not a particularly difficult concept if you
When looking at support and resistance levels andunderstand what you're seeing. Once you have
integrating how they each work - you should firstselected your trend line as the stock approaches its
refresh your memory with the definitions of eachsupport level, it will signal that this is probably about
word. The dictionary offers the following descriptions:the time that you should consider purchasing a new
Support (verb) is defined as the ability to sustain orposition as it's reached a 'low price' peak. The same is
withstand without giving way; to serve as a proptrue when considering the sale of a position, that
for; resistance (noun) is defined as the act or powerwhen it reaches its resistance levels it may be the
of resisting, opposing, or withstanding.time to consider liquidating your position as the price
While a new investor might be confused by theis approaching its highest level.
terminology that seasoned traders use this is perhapsHow to use the Trendline for Support and Resistance
one of the easiest technical analysis tools that youLevels
will learn. Very simply, support and resistance levelsIt a normal financial market, assets will trend up and
assume that a price will seldom break through past adown and therefore price barriers will change over
low level as it declines in price (i.e. support) and that atime. Trendlines will show that when the market is
price will seldom break through a high level as itheading in a positive direction prices tend to slow and
increases in price.(i.e. resistance).pull back towards the trendline which is often a result
Most traders use what is defined as a 'trend line' toof profit taking resulting in the price of the position
establish support and resistance levels that theypulling back slightly or even stopping all movement
believe will guide the price of a stock. A trend line iscreating a 'top'. Some traders also use the trendline
formed when you draw a diagonal line between morewhen the market is reflecting a decrease in price but
than two price pivot points. These 'trend lines' areforming a trendline of declining values which would
often used to determine when it is the best time toallow them to enter a short position. Typically traders
buy or sell a particular security.are comfortable that the underlying value of the
When a trader is using the support and resistanceposition will sustain the pricing of the position so that
levels they typically understand that occasionally ait does not fall prey to traders who drive the prices
trade will go past a support level and when thishigher or lower.
happens, that support level is typically considered toIt's also important to understand that support and
be a new resistance level and of course the oppositeresistance levels may be governed by round price
is true as well. The typical trader will use charts thateffects since many traders feel more comfortable
are based on specific intervals - it's not sensible tothat any position may be fairly well valued at any
use an annual chart if you're a day trader (or a shortgiven level. Often because of the number of orders
term trader) just as it would not be sensible to use athat may be placed at these levels they will act as
daily chart if you're a long term trader. Traders arestrong resistance or support levels.
looking for signals that a price is showing higher highsWhile there are other more complex methods of
or lower lows which typically will tend to signal aanalysis, the interpretation of trends and trendlines
change in the prices trend.should always be what is reviewed when considering
How to use a support and resistance levelany type of trading.
Support and resistance levels when used for trading