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Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of rapid money loss due to leverage. 72% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Consider carefully whether you understand how CFDs work and if you can afford the high risk of losing your money.
Candlestick Analysis in Graphical Analysis
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Overview
  • Candlestick analysis is a form of charting analysis that uses candlestick charts to display price movements within a specified time frame.
  • Candlesticks display the opening, closing, high, and low prices for the period, offering insights into market sentiment and potential reversals or continuations.
  • Each candlestick consists of a “body” and “wicks” (or shadows) and can indicate bullish or bearish sentiment based on the shape, color, and position of the candle.
Basic Components of a Candlestick
  • Body: Represents the difference between the opening and closing prices. A green or white body generally indicates bullish sentiment, while a red or black body indicates bearish sentiment.
  • Wicks (Shadows): The lines above and below the body show the highest and lowest prices within the time frame.
  • Open and Close: The top or bottom of the body represents the opening price, and the other end represents the closing price.
Common Candlestick Patterns
1. Hammer and Hanging Man
  • Hammer: A bullish reversal pattern found in a downtrend. It has a small body and a long lower wick, indicating strong buying pressure.
  • Hanging Man: A bearish reversal pattern found in an uptrend. It resembles the hammer but indicates selling pressure at higher prices.
  • Chart Interpretation: The appearance of these patterns at the end of a trend suggests a potential reversal.
2. Engulfing Pattern
  • Bullish Engulfing: A two-candle pattern where a small bearish candle is followed by a larger bullish candle that completely “engulfs” it, indicating a bullish reversal.
  • Bearish Engulfing: A small bullish candle followed by a larger bearish candle, suggesting a bearish reversal.
  • Chart Interpretation: Often seen as a strong reversal signal, particularly if it occurs at a support or resistance level.
3. Doji Pattern
  • Doji: A neutral pattern where the open and close prices are nearly the same, forming a small or non-existent body.
  • Interpretation: Represents indecision in the market and often signals a possible reversal if it appears at the end of a trend.
  • Types: Common variations include the Dragonfly Doji (bullish) and Gravestone Doji (bearish), depending on the wick length.
4. Morning and Evening Star
  • Morning Star: A bullish three-candle reversal pattern that appears after a downtrend, signaling a potential upward reversal.
  • Evening Star: A bearish three-candle reversal pattern found at the end of an uptrend, indicating a potential downward reversal.
  • Chart Interpretation: Both patterns are seen as strong reversal signals, especially when confirmed by increased volume.
5. Shooting Star
  • A bearish reversal pattern with a small body, long upper wick, and little to no lower wick, indicating strong selling pressure.
  • Formation: Appears after an uptrend, suggesting a potential reversal to the downside.
  • Chart Interpretation: The long upper wick shows that buyers pushed the price up, but sellers regained control by the close.
Benefits of Using Candlestick Analysis
  • Quick Insight into Market Sentiment: Candlesticks provide visual cues about price direction and potential reversals.
  • Widely Recognized Patterns: Candlestick patterns are universally used and well-known, increasing their reliability due to widespread adoption.
  • Applicable Across Timeframes: Effective in both short-term and long-term trading, making them versatile for all types of traders.
Limitations of Candlestick Analysis
  • Requires Confirmation: Candlestick patterns are often more reliable when confirmed by other indicators, such as volume or trend lines.
  • Can Produce False Signals: Candlestick patterns may not be as effective in volatile or choppy markets, where false signals are common.
  • Subject to Interpretation: Recognizing and interpreting candlestick patterns accurately requires experience, as patterns may vary in shape and clarity.

Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of rapid money loss due to leverage. 72% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Consider carefully whether you understand how CFDs work and if you can afford the high risk of losing your money.