The Descending Triangle Chart Pattern

The descending triangle is just a mirror image of the ascending, and is generally considered a bearish pattern. The descending upper line and the flat lower line, this pattern indicates that sellers are more aggressive than buyers, and is usually resolved on the downside. The downside signal is registered by a decisive close under the lower trend line, usually on increased volume. A return move sometimes occurs which should encounter resistance at the lower trend line.

The measuring technique is exactly the same as the ascending triangle in the sense that the analyst must measure the height of the pattern at the base to the left and then project that distance down from the breakdown point.

The Descending Triangle as a Top

While the descending triangle is a continuation pattern and usually is found within downtrends, it is not unusual on occasion for the descending triangle to be found at market tops. This type of pattern is not that difficult to recognize when it does appear in the top setting. In that case, a close below the flat lower line would signal a major trend reversal to the downside.

The Volume Pattern

The volume pattern in both the ascending and descending triangles is very similar in that the volume diminishes as the pattern works itself out and then increases on the breakout. As in the case of the symmetrical triangle, during the formation the chartist can detect subtle shifts in the volume pattern coinciding with the swings in the price action. This means that in the ascending pattern, the volume tends to be slightly heavier on bounces and lighter on dips. In the descending formation, volume should be heavier on the downside and lighter during the bounces.

The Time Factor in Triangles

One final factor to be considered on the subject of triangles is that of the time dimension. The triangle is considered an intermediate pattern, meaning that it usually takes longer than a month to form, but generally less than three months. A triangle that lasts less than a month is probably a different pattern, such as a pennant, which will be covered shortly. As mentioned earlier, triangles sometimes appear on long term price charts, but their basic meaning is always the same.