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How to Get Started with Candlestick Trading

September 20, 2018 by Daniels Trading| Futures 101

Since being introduced to Western traders and investors in Steve Nison’s 1991 book Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques, candlestick trading has grown exponentially in popularity. Everyone from seasonal analysts to novice market participants are using candlesticks as a technical tool for trading in the futures, equities, and forex markets.

Although both the appearance and language surrounding candlesticks may be intimidating at first, given a bit of effort, you’ll be able to grasp the conceptual framework. By gaining an understanding of the bare essentials, including construction and pattern recognition, almost anyone can harness the power of the candle.
Read tips and tricks compiled from the advice of experienced futures brokers in our e-book:Basic Training for Futures Traders

What Is a Candlestick and What Does It Do?

Developed in 18th century Japan, candlestick charting techniques were designed to track the pricing fluctuations of commodities, primarily rice. Over the years, they have been applied to every market and product under the sun. From corn to currencies, traders around the globe use candlesticks on a daily basis.

Candlestick charts illustrate pricing data in all denominations, most commonly in terms of tick or time increments. In the same vein as a traditional open-high-low-close (OHLC) price bar, each candle includes the open, high, low, and close price points relative to a defined period.

What makes the candle more involved than an OHLC bar is the manner in which the pricing data is presented. Through creating a visual illustration of a given period’s price action, candlesticks provide the trader with a unique view of the relationship between periodic extremes and the value area of a trading range.

Each candle has three distinct parts:

  • Body: The body is the area between the periodic opening price and closing price. If the close is above the open, the candle is considered bullish. If the open is above the close, the candle is bearish. Bullish candles are typically left empty or colored green. Bearish candles are filled in or colored red. (Color schemes are customizable, depending on software charting platform functionality.)
  • Upper wick: The upper wick is a single vertical line connecting the extreme high periodic value to the top of the body
  • Lower wick: The lower wick is a single vertical line connecting the extreme low periodic value to the bottom of the body.

After gaining a basic understanding of the candle’s anatomy, you’re ready to begin scanning for the chart patterns involved in candlestick trading.

Basic Chart Patterns of Candlestick Trading

When it comes to candlesticks, “visual” is the name of the game. A number of the monikers given to candlestick chart patterns are derived from physical appearance. For example, the hammer, hanging man and spinning top allude to the visual component of each formation.

Candlestick chart patterns come in many shapes and sizes. They vary from single to multi-candle composition and may be interpreted in any manner of ways. Ultimately, two facets of market behavior aim to be identified by each arrangement:

  • The direction of future price action
  • Trend exhaustion and market reversal points

A literal catalog of formations are used in candlestick trading to place evolving price action into context. Here are several of the most commonly referenced formations:

  • Doji: The doji is a single candle pattern, where the body is small or nonexistent. The opening/closing values are similar or the same, indicating trader indecision and market compression.
  • Bullish engulfing pattern: Bullish engulfing patterns are two candle formations. The body of the second candle is bullish and encloses that of the first, signaling trend exhaustion. A bearish engulfing pattern serves as the inverse, forming when the second candle of the series is bearish.
  • Evening star: The evening star is a three candle formation occurring at the top of an uptrend, indicating reversal. The progression begins with a large bullish candle, is followed by a small bullish/bearish candle, concluding with a large bearish candle. The small bullish/bearish candle forms immediately after a gap up in price and immediately before a gap down resumes price action. The morning star is the corresponding opposite pattern.

It’s important to remember that candlestick patterns are not infallible. As with all technical or fundamental indicators, success depends upon evolving market conditions and price action itself.

Getting Started

Candlestick trading is a popular approach among active traders and investors alike. Many market participants swear by the accuracy of candlestick chart patterns and the power of the entire technical approach.

For more information on how to get started using candlestick charts, or with technical analysis in general, check out the Technical Analysis Learning Center at Daniels Trading. This robust educational suite includes materials facing a wide variety of indicators and studies, from elementary to advanced guidance.

Basic Training for Futures Traders

Filed Under: Futures 101

About Daniels Trading

Daniels Trading is division of StoneX Financial Inc. located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Established by renowned commodity trader Andy Daniels in 1995, Daniels Trading was built on a culture of trust committed to a mission of Independence, Objectivity and Reliability.

Risk Disclosure

The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided. References to over-the-counter (“OTC”) products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets LLC (“SXM”), a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ (“ECP”) and who have been accepted as customers of SXM. StoneX Financial Inc. (“SFI”) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI does business as Daniels Trading/Top Third/Futures Online. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Adviser. References to securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI.

Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.

© 2023 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Risk Disclosure

The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided. References to over-the-counter (“OTC”) products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets LLC (“SXM”), a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ (“ECP”) and who have been accepted as customers of SXM. StoneX Financial Inc. (“SFI”) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI does business as Daniels Trading/Top Third/Futures Online. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Adviser. References to securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI.

Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.

© 2023 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

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