Trading Gaps
Trading Series I Education Hub
Price charts often have blank spaces known as gaps. They represent times when no shares were traded within a particular price range. Gaps result from extraordinary buying or selling interest developing when the market is closed. When the market opens, the price is raised or lowered enough to satisfy all of the buying or selling orders.
Learning Tip
Trading Gaps happen quite frequently in the stock market. These gaps can significantly affect the stock price and its movements. So, it is quite crucial to learn them.
Understanding
Trading Gaps
For an up gap to form, the low price after market close on the day of the up gap must be higher than the high price of the previous day. Up gaps are generally considered bull.
A down gap is just the opposite of an up gap; the high price of the down gap day after market close must be lower than the low price of the previous day. Down gaps are usually considered bearish.
A price chart with gaps almost every day is typical for very lightly traded securities and should be avoided. Prices often gap up or down at market open and then close the gap before market close. Such temporary intraday gaps should not be considered as having anything more significance than normal market volatility.
Many investors mistakenly believe that gaps influence future prices to the point of eventually filling the gap. Instances where gaps close within a few days of forming can be significant. However, gaps have little to no influence on price action weeks or months after forming.
Classification
Types of Trading Gaps
Breakaway gaps signal a change in market psychology about the future prospect of a security, especially when accompanied by above average volume. A bullish breakaway gap forms when a security gaps up after an extended decline, extended base or a consolidation period. A bearish breakaway gap forms when a security gaps down after an extended advance, an extended top or a consolidation period.
Common gaps occur within a trading range or shortly after a sharp move as a reaction. These gaps do not reflect a change in market psychology, but rather represent price volatility or temporary imbalance of supply and demand. For instance, if a security has declined 20% in a week and gaps up, it would be considered a common gap and not likely to signify a change in trend.
Continuation gaps form near the middle of a short or intermediate trend in the same direction. These gaps signal a continuation of the preceding trend. Continuation gaps are also known as measuring or runaway gaps. These gaps can be triggered by news events that bring more market attention to a security.
Exhaustion gaps occur in the direction of extended trends. For an exhaustion gap to be considered valid, prices should reverse soon after the gap and close the gap. In the later stages of a trend, the extent of the trend becomes widely reported; eventually causing a surge in trading that cannot be sustained. These events often mark the end of the trend.
Conclusion
Important Points
Price gaps can be crucial indicators of shifts in trading activity. Gaps provide valuable insights into market sentiment and potential trading opportunities.
Recognizing and understanding the different types of gaps can be an invaluable asset for traders at all levels. Each type signifies different market conditions, with implications for strategy and risk management.
Get PRO
Get access to exclusive premium features and benefits. Subscribe a PRO plan.
