Reversal: Definition, Example, and Trading Strategies (2024)

What Is a Reversal?

A reversal is a change in the price direction of an asset. A reversal can occur to the upside or downside. Following an uptrend, a reversal would be to the downside. Following a downtrend, a reversal would be to the upside. Reversals are based on overall price direction and are not typically based on one or two periods/bars on a chart.

Certain indicators, such a moving average, oscillator, or channel, may help in isolating trends as well as spotting reversals. Reversals may be compared with breakouts.

Key Takeaways

  • A reversal is when the direction of a price trend has changed, from going up to going down, or vice-versa.
  • Traders try to get out of positions that are aligned with the trend prior to a reversal, or they will get out once they see the reversal underway.
  • Reversals typically refer to large price changes, where the trend changes direction. Small counter-moves against the trend are called pullbacks or consolidations.
  • When it starts to occur, a reversal isn't distinguishable from a pullback. A reversal keeps going and forms a new trend, while a pullback ends and then the price starts moving back in the trending direction.

What Does a Reversal Tell You?

Reversals often occur in intraday trading and happen rather quickly, but they also occur over days, weeks, and years. Reversals occur in different time frames which are relevant to different traders. An intraday reversal on a five-minute chart doesn't matter to a long-term investor who is watching for a reversal on daily or weekly charts. Yet, the five-minute reversal is very important to a day trader.

An uptrend, which is a series of higher swing highs and higher lows, reverses into a downtrend by changing to a series of lower highs and lower lows. A downtrend, which is a series of lower highs and lower lows, reverses into an uptrend by changing to a series of higher highs and higher lows.

Trends and reversals can be identified based on price action alone, as described above, or other traders prefer the use of indicators. Moving averages may aid in spotting both the trend and reversals. If the price is above a rising moving average then the trend is up, but when the price drops below the moving average that could signal a potential price reversal.

Trendlines are also used to spot reversals. Since an uptrend makes higher lows, a trendline can be drawn along those higher lows. When the price drops below the trendline, that could indicate a trend reversal.

If reversals were easy to spot, and to differentiate from noise or brief pullbacks, trading would be easy. But it isn't. Whether using price action or indicators, many false signals occur and sometimes reversals happen so quickly that traders aren't able to act quickly enough to avoid a large loss.

Example of How to Use a Reversal

Reversal: Definition, Example, and Trading Strategies (1)

The chart shows an uptrend moving with a channel, making overall higher highs and higher lows. The price first breaks out of the channel and below the trendline, signaling a possible trend change. The price then also makes a lower low, dropping below the prior low within the channel. This further confirms the reversal to the downside.

The price then continues lower, making lower lows and lower highs. A reversal to the upside won't occur until the price makes a higher high and higher low. A move above the descending trendline, though, could issue an early warning sign of a reversal.

Referring to the rising channel, the example also highlights the subjectivity of trend analysis and reversals. Several times within the channel the price makes a lower low relative to a prior swing, and yet the overall trajectory remained up.

Difference Between a Reversal and a Pullback

A reversal is a trend change in the price of an asset. A pullback is a counter-move within a trend that doesn't reverse the trend. An uptrend is created by higher swing highs and higher swing lows. Pullbacks create the higher lows. Therefore, a reversal of the uptrend doesn't occur until the price makes a lower low on the time frame the trader is watching. Reversals always start as potential pullbacks. Which one it will ultimately turn out to be is unknown when it starts.

Limitations In Using Reversals

Reversals are a fact of life in the financial markets. Prices always reverse at some point and will have multiple upside and downside reversals over time. Ignoring reversals may result in taking more risk than anticipated. For example, a trader believes that a stock which has moved from $4 to $5 is well positioned to become much more valuable. They rode the trend higher, but now the stock is dropping to $4, $3, then $2. Reversal signs were likely evident well before the stock reached $2. Likely they were visible at before the price reached $4. Therefore, by watching for reversals the trader could have locked in profit or kept themselves out of a now losing position.

When a reversal starts, it isn't clear whether it is a reversal or a pullback. Once it is evident it is a reversal, the price may have already moved a significant distance, resulting in a sizable loss or profit erosion for the trader. For this reason, trend traders often exit while the price is still moving in their direction. That way they don't need to worry about whether the counter-trend move is a pullback or reversal.

False signals are also a reality. A reversal may occur using an indicator or price action, but then the price immediately resumes to move in the prior trending direction again.

Reversal: Definition, Example, and Trading Strategies (2024)

FAQs

Reversal: Definition, Example, and Trading Strategies? ›

A reversal is when the direction of a price trend has changed, from going up to going down, or vice-versa. Traders try to get out of positions that are aligned with the trend prior to a reversal, or they will get out once they see the reversal underway.

What is an example of a reversal in trading? ›

It's a pivotal moment for traders, as it can signal a new trading opportunity. For example, let's say a stock has been in a steady uptrend, consistently hitting new highs. Suddenly, the momentum shifts, and the stock begins to hit lower lows and lower highs, indicating a reversal into a downtrend.

What are some examples of reversal? ›

In a reversal of roles, he is now taking care of his mother. In a sudden reversal, the mayor has decided not to run for reelection. We had a role reversal. I became the leader and he became the follower.

What is the reverse trading strategy? ›

The reversal intraday strategy hinges on the concept that after a substantial price trend, the market is likely to reverse direction. Traders employing this strategy aim to identify key turning points and capitalize on the subsequent price movements.

What is a reversal of trade? ›

Reversing trade. Entering the opposite side of a currently held futures position to close out the position.

What is the most accurate reversal indicator? ›

Some of the most effective reversal indicators include Moving Averages, Bollinger Bands, MACD, and RSI. By combining these indicators and observing key elements such as support and resistance levels, long-term trendlines, and price action, traders can accurately identify trend reversals.

How do you predict reversal in trading? ›

Moving averages may aid in spotting both the trend and reversals. If the price is above a rising moving average then the trend is up, but when the price drops below the moving average that could signal a potential price reversal. Trendlines are also used to spot reversals.

What is an example of reversal technique? ›

To use this technique, you start with one of two "reverse" questions: Instead of asking, "How do I solve or prevent this problem?" ask, "How could I possibly cause the problem?" And instead of asking "How do I achieve these results?" ask, "How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"

What is reverse example? ›

Examples of reverse in a Sentence

The runners reversed their direction on the track. There is no way to reverse the aging process. Can anything reverse the trend toward higher prices? Reverse the “i” and “e” in “recieve” to spell “receive” correctly.

Is reversal trading profitable? ›

Reversal patterns can be very profitable to trade, as they offer opportunities to enter or exit the market at the right time. However, not all reversal patterns are equally reliable or effective.

How to do reverse trade? ›

For example, let's say a trader sees that the price of a particular stock is rising rapidly. He will buy the stock to sell it again a few seconds later, once the price goes up. Alternatively, if he thinks that the price of a stock is about to fall, he will sell it and buy it back at a lower price shortly after.

Which technical indicator is the most accurate? ›

Which is one of the most accurate trading indicators? The most accurate for trading is the Relative Strength Index. It is considered one of the best momentum indicators for intraday trading. It helps investors identify the shares which are bought and sold in the market.

Is reversal trading illegal? ›

Reversal trades are non-genuine as they are executed in the normal course of trading, leading to a false or misleading appearance in terms of generating artificial volumes, Sebi said. By indulging in such trades, the entities violated the Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (PFUTP) norms, it said.

What is an example of a reversal? ›

In a sudden reversal, the mayor has decided not to run for reelection. We had a role reversal. I became the leader and he became the follower. In a reversal of roles, he is now taking care of his mother.

What is the mean reversal strategy? ›

Mean reversion is a financial theory which suggests that, after an extreme price move, asset prices tend to return back to normal or average levels. Prices routinely oscillate around the mean or average price but tend to return to that same average price over and over.

What is the key reversal pattern? ›

Key Reversal: In a bearish key reversal the market OPENS above the prior close, often leaving a gap, sets a new high, and then closes the day lower than the prior days close. The pattern becomes stronger if the two days comprising the pattern are wide range days (spikes) or if the spike on the reversal day is extreme.

What is an example of a reversal transaction? ›

Reversible Transaction means any of the following: (a) any payment (or portion thereof) made in error on the partof the Bank, any correspondent bank or any other bank in a relevant payment chain, including, without limitation, in connection with any (i) return of funds, (ii) duplication of payment or (iii) routing of ...

What is an example of mean reversion trading? ›

Mean reversion in pairs trading

This is also sometimes referred to as statistical arbitrage​. For example, the EUR/USD and GBP/USD often move in the same direction. Yet on the far right of the below EUR/USD chart, the GBP/USD is rising (red line) while the EUR/USD (candles) is falling.

What is an example of a risk reversal trade? ›

For example, let's say an option trader is long 100 shares of stock XYZ at the current market price of $75. To implement a risk reversal, the trader could buy an OTM downside put at a 65 strike, which would act as downside protection for the underlying long stock position.

What is an example of a reversal word? ›

Examples of reversals are: dog-god, now-own, meat-team.

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