Gaps
Gaps occur when the lowest price traded is above the high of the previous day or, conversely, when the highest price traded is below the previous day's low.
A gap is filled when the range of subsequent bars closes the gap.
There are two basic rules:
- Avoid trading common gaps, and
- Only trade gaps when they are confirmed by volume.
Equivolume charts highlight the interaction of price and volume.
Common Gaps
Common gaps occur in markets without a strong trend. They are not followed by new highs or new lows and are quickly closed in subsequent days' trading.
Some gaps are caused by events and should be ignored:
- Ex-dividend gaps occur as price adjusts on the day after a dividend becomes payable;
- New share issues; and
- Expiry of futures contracts.
Breakaway Gaps
Breakaway gaps are normally accompanied by heavy volume and occur when prices break out of a trading range. They are usually followed by a series of new highs in an upside breakout or, a series of new lows in a downside breakout, and are seldom closed.
Trading Rules
Upside Breakaway
If the gap is accompanied by heavy volume, go long and place a stop-loss at the lower end of the gap.
Downside Breakaway
If the gap is accompanied by heavy volume, go short and place a stop-loss at the upper end of the gap.
Continuation Gaps
Continuation gaps occur near the middle of strong trends and are useful in projecting how far the trend will continue. They are followed by new highs in an up-trend or new lows in a down-trend, which distinguishes them from exhaustion gaps. They are not normally closed.
Trading Rules
If volume is strong (up at least 50%), trade as for breakaway gaps. Enter the trade early and wait for new highs (or new lows in a down-trend) to confirm the pattern. If there are none in the next few days then exit immediately — it could be an exhaustion gap.
Exhaustion Gaps
Exhaustion gaps occur at the end of a strong trend and are the last surge before the trend expires, normally on heavy volume. They differ from continuation gaps in that they are not followed by new highs (in an up-trend) or new lows (in a down-trend) and are closed shortly afterwards.
Trading Rules
Upward Exhaustion Gap
Sell short (or close your long position) and protect yourself with a stop above the last high.
Downward Exhaustion Gap
Go long (or close your short position) with a stop below the latest low point.
Island Clusters
Look out for island clusters, identified by an exhaustion gap followed (after a few days) by a breakaway gap in the opposite direction, they are powerful reversal signals.
Trading Rules
Trade in the same way as exhaustion gaps.