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1 Chart Pattern Recognition Module User Guide

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
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1 Chart Pattern Recognition Module User Guide

Uploaded by

Andy K
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chart Pattern Recognition Module

User Guide

CPRM User Guide

April 2011 Edition


PF-09-01-05
Support

Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information


www.nirvanasystems.com

Nirvana Systems Corporate Headquarters


7000 N. MoPac, Suite 425, Austin, Texas 78731 USA
Tel: 512 345 2545 Fax: 512 345 4225

Sales Information
For product information or to place an order, please contact 800 880 0338 or 512 345 2566. You may also fax
512 345 4225 or send email to [email protected].

Technical Support Information


For assistance in installing or using Nirvana products, please contact 512 345 2592. You may also fax
512 345 4225 or send email to [email protected].

To comment on the documentation, send email to [email protected].

© 2011 Nirvana Systems Inc. All rights reserved.


Important Information

Copyright
Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Nirvana Systems,
Inc.

Trademarks
OmniTrader™, VisualTrader™, Adaptive Reasoning Model™, ARM™, ARM Knowledge Base™, Easy Data™, The Trading Game™, Focus
List™, The Power to Trade with Confidence™, The Path to Trading Success™, The Trader’s Advantage™, Pattern Tutor ™, and Chart Pattern
Recognition Module™ are trademarks of Nirvana Systems, Inc.
Product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.

DISCLAIMER REGARDING USE OF NIRVANA SYSTEMS PRODUCTS


Trading stocks, mutual funds, futures, and options involves high risk including possible loss of principal and other losses. Neither the software
nor any demonstration of its operation should be construed as a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell securities or security derivative
products of any kind.
Neither Nirvana’s OmniTrader™, VisualTrader™, Nirvana Systems, Inc., nor its employees and affiliates recommends any specific security
for purchase or sale, nor do they recommend any specific approach to investing in securities. Nirvana Systems, Inc. is not an investment
advisory service nor a registered investment advisor or broker/dealer.
No representation is being made that the methods presented will guarantee profits in trading. Past performance, whether actual or indicated by
historical systems testing, is no guarantee of future performance or success. Information presented by Nirvana Systems, Inc. is from sources
Nirvana believes are reliable. However, Nirvana has not independently verified such information.
Contents
Chapter 1
Getting Started
Installing the Chart Pattern Recognition Module ................................... 2
Registering the Chart Pattern Recognition Module ................................ 2

Chapter 2
Pattern Settings
Activating the Patterns Toolbar .............................................................. 3
Understanding Pattern Strength .................................................. 4
Editing Pattern Settings .......................................................................... 7
Analyzing Patterns ...................................................................... 8
Displaying Patterns in the Focus List ......................................... 9
Specifying Terms for Pattern Types ........................................... 9
Editing Pattern Properties ........................................................... 9
Modifying the Strength Settings ................................................. 11
Analyze Settings ......................................................................... 12
Filter Patterns .............................................................................. 12
Statistical Results ........................................................................ 13
Specifying Patterns to Display.................................................... 14
Specifying Tags to Display......................................................... 15
Specifying the Right Edge Display Tolerance............................ 16
Specifying the Assistant Display Settings .................................. 16
Displaying Pivot Points .............................................................. 17
Displaying Fibonacci Retracements ........................................... 17
Tag & Pattern Display Examples............................................................ 18

Chapter 3
Patterns Recognized................................................................................ 21
Candle Pattern Types .................................................................. 21
Channel Pattern Types ................................................................ 22
Consolidation Pattern Types ....................................................... 22
Cup and Handle Pattern Types ................................................... 23
Fibonacci Retracement Pattern Types ........................................ 23
Gap Pattern Types....................................................................... 24
Head and Shoulder Pattern Types............................................... 24

© Nirvana Systems Inc. v CPRM User Guide


Contents

Range Pattern Types ................................................................... 24


Saucer Pattern Types .................................................................. 25
Scallop Pattern Types ................................................................. 25
Support & Resistance.................................................................. 25
Tops and Bottoms Pattern Types ................................................ 26
Trendlines ................................................................................... 26
Volume Pattern Types ................................................................ 27

Chapter 4
Pattern Results & Analysis
Viewing Patterns in the Focus List ......................................................... 28
Adding the Columns ................................................................... 28
Interpreting the Results ............................................................... 30
Charts ...................................................................................................... 32
Pattern Tutor ........................................................................................... 32
Filtering Pattern Results.......................................................................... 35
Statistical Results .................................................................................... 36
Pattern Report ......................................................................................... 37

CPRM User Guide vi nirvanasystems.com


Getting Started
1
This manual will review the implementation, theory, and usage of the Chart Pattern
Recognition Module™, with special additional notes on suggested ways to use the
patterns while reviewing signals and market data.

In this chapter, you will learn how to install and begin using the Chart Pattern
Recognition Module.

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module represents a significant advance for chartists
and traders alike. Chart Patterns have been used with great success for many years.
However, up to now, the effectiveness and identification of these patterns has been
subjective and mostly confined to textbooks and seminars. With the Chart Pattern
Recognition Module, you can instantly see patterns identified in your data across an
entire chart.

You can also instantly determine whether or not a confirming pattern occurs with a
given signal in the Focus List, thanks to special columns that illuminate the patterns
as they occur at the right edge of the chart—where all of us trade the market. Finally,
customer education on patterns is facilitated with the Pattern Tutor™, which is capable
of pointing out all examples of a given pattern in your data.

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 1 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 1 Getting Started

Installing the Chart Pattern Recognition Module


Follow these instructions to install the Chart Pattern Recognition Module:
1. Go to:
http://www.nirvanasystems.com/oti/downloads/all/index.asp?Prodcode=380.
2. Enter your Nirvana ID and password, click the "Login" button
3. Click the "Install" button on the top right.
4. Follow the instructions that appear in the installation wizard dialog boxes.

Registering the Chart Pattern Recognition Module


Before you can use the CPRM4, you must register it.
1. Click Help»Registration.
2. Enter the CPRM4 CD key provided on your invoice or click Get My CD Keys
and your registration file will be updated automatically with your new key.

Figure 1-1. Product Registration Dialog Box

Figure 1-2.

CPRM User Guide 2 nirvanasystems.com


Pattern Settings
2
Activating the Patterns Toolbar
To activate the Patterns Toolbar, complete the following steps:
1. Select View»Toolbars in OmniTrader. In VisualTrader click View››Patterns
Feature.
2. In the Toolbars dialog box, enable the Patterns checkbox.

Figure 2-1. Toolbars Dialog Box with Patterns Toolbar Activated

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 3 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

3. Click OK to accept your changes and add the Patterns Toolbar to the OmniTrader
interface.

Figure 2-2. Patterns Toolbar

As with other OmniTrader toolbars and buttons, you can drag the Patterns Toolbar to
the edge of the OmniTrader interface to dock it.

Understanding Pattern Strength


The buttons on the Patterns toolbar set the strength of the patterns shown in the charts.
A strength of 1 is the weakest, and a strength of 5 is the strongest.

Figure 2-3. All Pattern Strengths Activated

The strength rating comes from an analysis of over one million bars of market data
and is based on the profitability of the pattern. Each pattern is subdivided into groups,
so that strength varies within each pattern. For example, Consolidations are divided
into the various types of Consolidations, such as Ascending Triangles, Rectangles,
and Flags.

You should experiment with the strength rating buttons to determine the strength that
best suits your particular trading style. Using a setting of 1 displays all patterns
detected by the module, while a setting of 5 displays only the most historically
profitable patterns.

Figure 2-4. Only Strength 5 Patterns Activated

CPRM User Guide 4 nirvanasystems.com


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

The Patterns Toolbar has no bearing on which patterns are analyzed. It only specifies
the strength cutoff for displaying the patterns. You can change the settings any time
without incurring a processing penalty.

The following examples illustrate the effect of varying the Strength rating. Figure 2-5
displays all tags and all patterns with strengths of 3 and above.

Figure 2-5. Strengths of 3 and Above Activated

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 5 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Figure 2-6 displays all tags and all patterns with strengths of 5.

Figure 2-6. Strength of 5 Only

Again, you will want to experiment with the strength cutoff to find the best value to
use for your particular trading style.

CPRM User Guide 6 nirvanasystems.com


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Editing Pattern Settings


Click the Patterns button on the left side of the Patterns Toolbar to launch the Edit
Pattern Settings dialog box.

Figure 2-7. Edit Pattern Settings Dialog Box

The following sections explain the functionality of the controls in the Edit Pattern
Settings dialog box.

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 7 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Analyzing Patterns
The Edit Pattern Settings dialog box defines which patterns are analyzed. By default,
all patterns are turned off. To enable pattern analysis, select a pattern classification to
view the available pattern types.

You will need to enable the specific pattern types you would like plotted for each
pattern classification. Each pattern classification has its’ own sub-set of pattern types.
The following example shows the pattern classification ‘Candles’ enabled and then
available pattern types for that classification are shown to the right.

Figure 2-8. Consolidation Pattern Classification showing the Available Pattern Types

All pattern types for a classification or multiple pattern types can be enabled by
clicking and dragging over the pattern types and using the Enabled button.

When you run the To Do List, the Chart Pattern Recognition Module searches on all
patterns that are enabled. You can add columns to the Focus List to help you see the
patterns form with signals in the Focus List. For more information on this feature,
refer to the section of Chapter 4, Viewing Patterns in the Focus List.

CPRM User Guide 8 nirvanasystems.com


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Displaying Patterns in the Focus List


The FL column specifies whether patterns are shown in the Focus List or not. This is
useful if one pattern tends to dominate the list, such as Candles. Deselecting the FL
option prevents the pattern from showing up in the Focus List.

Note Deselecting the FL option has no effect on whether a pattern appears


in a chart. If a pattern is enabled, it will still appear in the chart.

Specifying Terms for Pattern Types


Each pattern classification, Candles, Channels, Consolidations, Cup and Handle,
Fibonacci Retracements, Gaps, Head and Shoulders, Ranges, Saucers, Scallops,
Support and Resistance, Tops and Bottoms, Trendlines and Volume are broken down
into specific pattern types. Pattern types are analyzed according to the following
terms: Short (S), Medium (M), or Long (L). A short-term pattern occurs from 1-16
bars. A medium-term pattern falls between 17-32 bars, and a long-term pattern occurs
at 33 bars or greater. Click in the Term column to specify which terms you want to
display.

Editing Pattern Properties


You can edit the line settings by selecting a pattern from the list and clicking the Edit
button. You can change the color, width, and style of each line.

Depending on the pattern you have selected, you may see the following options:

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 9 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

• Shorts—Displays bearish patterns on the chart.


• Longs—Displays bullish patterns on the chart.
• Breaks Down—Displays patterns in the chart where the security is breaking to
the downside.
• Breaks Up—Displays patterns in the chart where the security is breaking to the
upside.
• Anchor—Displays a pivot point of reference used for pattern recognition.
• Forming—Displays potential patterns that are forming at the right edge of the
chart.
• Band—Displays a band of deviation that is used for pattern recognition.
• Short Extension—Extends the pattern line to the right edge of the chart for a
bearish pattern.
• Long Extension—Extends the pattern line to the right edge of the chart for a
bullish pattern.
• Neck Line—Displays the support/resistance level for the head and shoulder
pattern.
• Peak Line—Displays the support/resistance level across the peaks of double and
triple tops and bottoms.

CPRM User Guide 10 nirvanasystems.com


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Modifying the Strength Settings


The Pattern Recognition Module assigns a strength value to each pattern. This value
is based on the pattern’s historical performance. The Chart Pattern Recognition
Module calculates typical measurements for each pattern and groups these with
similar characteristics. Statistics about the patterns are recorded in a database and
used to assign strength values.

Figure 2-9. Strength Settings Dialog Box

When you select a pattern from the Pattern drop-down menu, you can choose to have
the values determined automatically or you can customize them to meet your needs.
• Automatic—Automatically sets values for Min Hits and Min Profit for the
selected pattern and displays the results in the Strength Settings dialog box. The
strength settings influence the patterns you see in your charts.
• Custom—Allows you to edit the minimum number of hits and minimum average
profit that define each strength value for the pattern. When you edit the Min Hits
and Min Profit columns, the statistical results for count, average hit rate, etc. are
updated.

The statistics for the selected pattern are displayed in the columns below the Pattern
drop-down menu. The Strength Settings dialog box contains the following columns.
• Strength—Displays the strength rating for the selected pattern. For more
information, refer to the Understanding Pattern Strength section in this chapter.
• Min Hits—Specifies the minimum number of times the selected pattern occurred
in history. This field is editable if you have chosen the Custom option.
• Min Profit—Specifies the minimum profit per trade required for each pattern and
strength value. This field is editable if you have chosen the Custom option.

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 11 CPRM User Guide


• Count—Displays the total number of times the selected pattern occurred at the
specified strength or at a higher strength.
• Avg HR—Displays the average hit rate (percentage of winning trades) for the
selected pattern and strength value.
• Avg Profit—Displays the average profit per trade for the selected pattern and
strength value.
• Avg APR—Displays the average annualized percentage rate for the selected
pattern and strength value.
• Avg Bars—Displays the average number of bars between pivot points for the
selected pattern and strength value.

Note You can only edit the Min Hits column and the Min Profit column
when the Custom option is enabled. All other columns in the Strength
Settings dialog box are automatically populated with statistics about the
pattern’s historical performance.

Analyze Settings
The Number of Bars to Analyze field is used to specify how many bars of historical
data to analyze for each selected sub-pattern for every symbol in the list. For example,
a setting of 250 in an end of day profile using daily bars would look at one year’s
worth of historical data for every symbol in the list for each of the sub-patterns that is
enabled.

Filter Patterns
Specify the minimum statistics required for patterns to be displayed. Statistics are
calculated in percentages. For more information about this feature see Chapter 4
Filter Patterns section. A total number of patterns and pattern types is also displayed
in this section.
Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Figure 2-10. Pattern Filtering Options


• Min#—Specify the minimum number patterns that must have occurred during the
analysis period.
• Min PPT—Specify the minimum average profit per trade for each pattern.
• Min HR—Specify the minimum average hit rate for each pattern.
• Min APR—Specify the minimum average annual percentage rate for each
pattern.
• Max ADD—Specify the maximum average drawdown for each pattern.
• Filter patterns without Results—Enabling this option will remove the enabled
check from any patterns that are not found over the analysis period. For example, if
no channels are found, there is no criteria to filter, enable this option so it will not be
considered on future runs.
• Apply—Activates the filter according to the settings that are input. Patterns not
meeting the minimum criteria will be deselected in the list.
• Restore—Removes the filter settings and reenables the patterns that were
deselected when the filter was applied.

Statistical Results
View the results for each enabled sub-pattern by clicking on the pattern in the list
above. These results will display for each enabled pattern and will instantly update
when Filter Pattern criteria is applied.

Note The focus list, charts, statistical results, & patterns report will not
reflect the filter until the analysis is rerun.

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 13 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Figure 2-11. Statistics for Patterns

For more information on this feature see Statistical Results in Chapter 4.


• Term—Displays Short, Medium, Long or All.
• #—Displays the number of sub-patterns found.
• PPT—Displays the average profit per trade of the patterns founds.
• HR—Displays the average hit rate of all patterns found.
• APR—Displays the average annual percent rate for all patterns of the selected
type and term.
• ADD—Displays the average drawdown for all the patterns of the selected type
and term.

Report—The report button will display a comprehensive list of all selected


sub-patterns along with their statistical results.

Specifying Patterns to Display


The Patterns to Display section specifies which patterns to display in the charts.

Figure 2-12. Patterns To Display Settings

CPRM User Guide 14 nirvanasystems.com


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

• All—Displays all patterns in the entire chart for the chart period displayed.
Patterns are shown exactly as they would have been drawn on the bar where the
pattern was found.
• Right Edge Only—Displays patterns relative to the right edge of the chart. With
this option, you must also specify the number of bars for which you want to
display patterns. For more information, refer to the Specifying the Right Edge
Display Tolerance section in this chapter.
• Most Recent—Displays only the most recent visible pattern of each enabled
pattern type. For example, the Chart Pattern Recognition Module will display the
most recent Consolidation, the most recent Trendlines, the most recent Fibonacci
Retracements, and so on. This is probably the most useful setting for trading and
is the default.
• None—Disables the display of all patterns.

Specifying Tags to Display


Patterns are indicated by tags in the chart. Bullish patterns are indicated with a green
tag below the chart, and bearish patterns are indicated by a red tag above the chart.

The tag shows the bar at which the pattern was confirmed and where it is most likely
to be tradeable.

Figure 2-13. Tag to Display Settings


• All—Displays all tags in the entire chart for the chart period displayed. Tags are
shown at the confirmation point for the pattern, which will either be a break,
bounce, or continuation confirm point, depending on the pattern.
• Right Edge Only—Displays tags relative to the right edge of the chart. With this
option, you must also specify the number of bars for which you want to display
patterns. For more information, refer to the Specifying the Right Edge Display
Tolerance section in this chapter.

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 15 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

• Most Recent—Displays only the most recent visible pattern tag of each enabled
pattern type. For example, the Chart Pattern Recognition Module will display the
most recent Consolidations, the most recent Trendlines, the most recent Fibonacci
Retracements, and so on. This is probably the most useful setting for trading and
is the default.
• None—Disables the display of all tags.

Specifying the Right Edge Display Tolerance


When you select the Right Edge Only option for patterns or tags, you must also
specify the number of bars (tolerance) you want to display relative to the right edge
of the chart. The default value is 5 bars. For example, if you set the Number of Bars
option to 10, then the Chart Pattern Recognition Module will display all patterns
within 10 bars of the right edge.

The Display Forming Patterns option displays patterns that are beginning to form at
the right edge of the chart.

Figure 2-14. Right Edge Settings

Specifying the Assistant Display Settings


The Assistant Display Settings option determines the color of the tag text. When you
mouse over a tag in a chart, the Chart Pattern Recognition Module displays the name
of the pattern in the color you specify.

CPRM User Guide 16 nirvanasystems.com


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Displaying Pivot Points


A pivot point is defined as a place on the price bar where the security changed price-
direction. The Chart Pattern Recognition Module attempts to find pivot points that
reinforce the short, medium, and long-terms used in OmniTrader.You can display
short, medium, or long-term pivot points in your charts. The selection you make in
the pivot Points to Display section applies to all charts.

Figure 2-15. Pivot Point Display

Displaying Fibonacci Retracements


Fibonacci Retracements indicate reversal points on a price chart using ratios com-
puted from Fibonacci numbers. When you enable this feature, the Chart Pattern Rec-
ognition module uses short, medium, and long-term pivot points to plot the 38%,
50%, and 62% retracements on the right side of the chart.

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 17 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Tag & Pattern Display Examples


The following examples illustrate the benefits of each choice for tags and patterns
display. Figure 2-16 shows only the most recent tags and patterns. In this chart, we
see a Fibonacci Retracement, a Candle Pattern, and a Trend Line Break.

Figure 2-16. Most Recent Tags and Most Recent Patterns Displayed

CPRM User Guide 18 nirvanasystems.com


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

In Figure 2-17, all tags are shown. Note that, due to the abundance of Candle Patterns,
there are a large number of (red) dots above the chart. In this example, the strength
rating was set to 1 so all patterns are shown.

Figure 2-17. All Tags and Most Recent Patterns Displayed

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 19 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 2 Pattern Settings

Figure 2-18 shows all tags and all patterns. This is useful for finding patterns in
charts. For example, you could turn off all patterns except for Consolidations and look
through charts to see only Consolidation pattern types.

Figure 2-18. All Tags and All Patterns Displayed

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module uses the Pattern Tutor and the Focus List to
help you identify patterns. Each of these tools is designed to make identifying patterns
in a chart quick and easy.

CPRM User Guide 20 nirvanasystems.com


Patterns Recognized
3
The Chart Pattern Recognition Module identifies more than 90 pattern types that fit
into fourteen different pattern classifications. The Pattern Classifications are Candles,
Channels, Consolidations, Cup and Handle, Fibonacci Retracements, Gaps, Head and
Shoulders, Ranges, Saucers, Scallops, Support and Resistance, Trendlines, Tops and
Bottoms and Volume. We chose which patterns to include based on classic chart
significance, as well as historical performance.

Candle Pattern Types


Candle Patterns are 1-5 bar patterns formed by the relationship between the open/
close, and high/low of the sequential bars. These patterns were first used by Japanese
chartists, and later popularized by Steve Nison in the West.

Most analysts who have studied candle patterns assert that they are helpful in
determining supply and demand in a freely-traded market. However, there is also
universal agreement that candle patterns cannot be used in isolation, and should be
"confirmed" with other techniques. We typically want to see a candle pattern occur
with a strong OmniTrader Signal, and preferably with another pattern, such as a Gap
or Consolidation break.

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Candle patterns. The
abbreviation for a Candle pattern is CAN.
• Belt Hold • Piercing Lines
• Counterattack • Shooting Star
• Dark Cloud Cover • Side By Side White Lines
• Doji Star • Stick Sandwich
• Engulfing Lines • Tasuki
• Evening Star • Three Black Crows
• Hammer • Three Inside Up
• Hanging Man • Three Inside Down

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 21 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 3

• Harami • Three Methods


• Inverted Hammer • Three Outside Up
• Kicking • Three Outside Down
• Morning Star • Three White Soldiers

Channel Pattern Types


A Channel is a trading range that is sloping upward or downward, with parallel trend
lines above and below price action. This pattern allows you to trade the swings within
the channel, or a breakout from the channel.

The Chart Pattern Recognition module recognizes channels. The abbreviation for a
Channels is CHN.
• Channel

Consolidation Pattern Types


Consolidations are essentially tight trading ranges, relative to a prior move in the
chart. There will always be an "anchor", or left point in the chart from which the
consolidation came. Our consolidation analysis attempts to find a valid anchor for
any consolidation before identifying it.

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Consolidations. The
abbreviation for a Consolidation is CNS.
• Broadening Bottom • Rectangle
• Broadening Continuation • Rectangle Bottom
• Broadening Reversal • Rectangle Top
• Broadening Top • Triangle, Ascending
• Flag, Falling • Triangle, Descending
• Flag, Falling Continuation • Triangle, Symmetrical
• Flag, Falling Reversal • Wedge, Falling
• Flag, Rising • Wedge, Falling Continuation

CPRM User Guide 22 nirvanasystems.com


Chapter
3

• Flag, Rising Continuation • Wedge, Rising


• Flag, Rising Reversal • Wedge, Rising Continuation

Cup and Handle Pattern Types


A Cup and Handle formation is a pattern that usually indicates a significant reversal.
This pattern is identified by its rounded bottom (the cup) and a higher low (the
handle). Once the handle has formed, a continuation is usually seen

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module recognizes Cup and Handle patterns. The
abbreviation for Cup and Hand is CUP.
• Cup and Handle

Fibonacci Retracement Pattern Types


The term "Fibonacci Retracement" comes from the fibonacci number sequence,
including the values 3/8, 4/8, and 5/8. Each of these retracement amounts (38%, 50%,
and 62%) is considered a Fibonacci Retracement.

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Fibonacci


Retracements. The abbreviation for a Fibonacci Retracement is FIB.
• Fibonacci Retracement (62%)
• Fibonacci Retracement (38%)
• Fibonacci Retracement (50%)

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 23 CPRM User Guide


Gap Pattern Types
Gaps are places in the chart where sudden demand (to buy or sell) has caused price to
jump dramatically at the Open, leaving a hole or gap from the prior Close to the Open.
Sudden changes in supply/demand are highly tradable events. In order for a gap to
be significant, it must be reasonably "rare" in the chart - larger than 90% of the other
price gaps from Close to Open.

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Gaps. The
abbreviation for a Gap is GAP.
• Breakaway Gap
• Measured Gap
• Exhaustion Gap
• Common Gap

Head and Shoulder Pattern Types


Head and Shoulders is a pattern that usually identifies major tops and bottoms. This
pattern has three clearly-defined peaks (two shoulders and a head) and a support line
that can be either horizontal or sloped (called the neck line). A break through the neck
line signals a continuation in the direction of the break.

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module recognizes Head and Shoulders and Inverted
Head and Shoulders Patterns. The abbreviation for Head and Shoulders is HS.
• Head and Shoulders

Range Pattern Types


Ranges are trading ranges that have horizontal support and resistance lines that
contain price action. You can trade the swings within the range, or the breakout from
the range.

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Range Patterns. The
abbreviation for Ranges is RNG.
• Range Breakout
Chapter
3

• Range Reversal

Saucer Pattern Types


A Saucer Pattern is a smooth transition from down to up or vice versa. The curvature
of the pattern must be obvious, which will entice the market to participate in the
pattern. A "handle" pattern often follows the saucer, and should be traded as a
consolidation.

The Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Saucer patterns. The
abbreviation for a Saucer pattern is SAU.
• Rounded Top
• Saucer

Scallop Pattern Types


A Scallop is similar to a saucer, but rises higher on the right edge than the preceding
top at the beginning of the pattern. This formation is bullish in an uptrend, and bearish
in a downtrend.

The Chart Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Scallop Patterns.
The abbreviation for Scallops is SCL.
• Scallop, Ascending
• Scallop, Descending

Support & Resistance


A Support or Resistance level is formed by 2 or more horizontal points in the chart.
Support represents a point through which selling has not been able to drive price
through to lower levels. Regardless of whether price penetrates a Support or reverses
off it, we can trade the resulting movement away from the line.

The Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Support and Resistance
patterns. The abbreviation for Support and Resistance patterns is SR.
• Support Break • Resistance Break

© Nirvana Systems Inc. 25 CPRM User Guide


Chapter 3

• Support Break (2) • Resistance Break (2)


• Support Break (3) • Resistance Break (3)
• Support Break (4) • Resistance Break (4)
• Support Break (5+) • Resistance Break (5+)
• Support Reversal • Resistance Reversal
• Support Reversal (2) • Resistance Reversal (2)
• Support Reversal (3) • Resistance Reversal (3)
• Support Reversal (4) • Resistance Reversal (4)
• Support Reversal (5+) • Resistance Reversal (5+

Tops and Bottoms Pattern Types


Tops and Bottoms are clearly-defined support and resistance levels with two or three
touches. Double Tops and Bottoms resemble the letters M and W, whereas Triple
Tops and Bottoms include three peaks or valleys. These patterns usually identify
signal reversals.

The Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Tops and Bottoms
patterns. The abbreviation for Tops and Bottoms patterns is TB.
• Double Bottom • Double Top
• Triple Bottom • Triple Top

Trendlines
A Trend Line is a line drawn across 2 or more sloped points in the chart. Typically,
the more touches a trend line has, the more valid it tends to be. We have two essential
patterns from Trend Lines - Breaks and Reversals.

The Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Trendlines. The


abbreviation for a Trendline is TLN.
• Trend Line Break (2)
• Trend Line Break (3) • Trend Line Reversal (3)

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Chapter
3

• Trend Line Break (4) • Trend Line Reversal (4)


• Trend Line Break (5+) • Trend Line Reversal (5+)

Volume Pattern Types


We identify two primary volume patterns, Volume Climax and Volume Trend. Both
patterns are indicated by an increase and decrease in volume, relative to prior zones
in the chart. The Volume Climax pattern looks for price to reverse, the Volume Trend
pattern looks for price to continue in the same direction.

The Pattern Recognition Module recognizes the following Volume patterns. The
abbreviation for Volume is VOL.
• Volume Climax
• Volume Trend

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Pattern Results & Analysis
4
There are several ways to view the pattern analysis and results. The Focus List, Charts
and Pattern Tutor and the Editing Patterns interface all offer options for reviewing this
information. This chapter will discuss those options.

Viewing Patterns in the Focus List


One of the significant advances in the Chart Pattern Recognition Module is the ability
to see the patterns form with signals in the Focus List. There are four special columns
that you can add to the Focus List for patterns.
• Pat—Pattern Classification Acronym
• PD—Pattern Direction
• Str—Pattern Strength
• PName—Full Name for the Pattern

Adding the Columns


To add patterns and pattern columns to the Focus List, complete the following steps:
1. Click the wrench icon in the Focus List, as shown below.

Figure 4-1. Wrench Icon in the Focus List

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Chapter 4 Pattern Results & Analysis

2. Select the columns you want to add from the Profile Statistics tab of the Configure
Columns dialog box and click Add.
You can also add and remove columns using the Add and Remove arrows. For
more information on using the Configure Columns dialog box, refer to the
OmniTrader Help File by selecting Help»Contents in OmniTrader.

Figure 4-2. Configure Columns Dialog Box

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Chapter 4 Pattern Results & Analysis

Interpreting the Results


You must run the To Do List in order to populate the pattern columns in the Focus
List. The settings in the Edit Pattern Settings dialog box determine which patterns to
analyze. For more information, refer to the Specifying Patterns to Display section of
Chapter 2.

Figure 4-3. Focus List with Pattern Columns Displayed

This illustration of the Focus List contains the PD (Pattern Direction), and Str
(Strength) columns added to the Focus List.

If you run the To Do List with these settings, you will see that GE has a Long signal
and a green TLN (Trend Line) pattern of strength 5. In this example, the pattern
statistics for GE give us more reason to look at this chart than for the chart of CBS.

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Chapter 4 Pattern Results & Analysis

Figure 4-4. Chart of GE with Long Signal and Trend Line Pattern of 5 Strength

The existence of a 5 strength pattern with a signal is certainly no guarantee of success,


but while developing the Chart Pattern Recognition Module, we have generally
observed better opportunities presented where OmniTrader signals are confirmed
with patterns. Chart Patterns give one more piece of confirming information to help
you make an intelligent trading decision.

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Chapter 4 Pattern Results & Analysis

Charts
Patterns and Pattern Tags are displayed in the chart according to the selections and
preferences specified in the Editing Pattern Settings dialog box. Once all selections
have been made, close the pattern settings dialog box and run the analysis. When the
analysis is complete, plot the charts to display the patterns and tags.

Figure 4-5. Daily Chart of HOLX Showing Two Trendlines Found by CPRM

Mouse over the pattern tags in the chart to view the pattern type. Clicking a pattern
tag in the chart will load the pattern Tutor.

Pattern Tutor
The Pattern Tutor is designed to help you learn about the effectiveness of patterns.
This feature is possible because all patterns are found when you run the To Do List.
The pattern definitions and locations are saved to a database and can be called up
later. To see the Pattern Tutor, click any tag in the chart.

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Chapter 4 Pattern Results & Analysis

Figure 4-6. Click on a tag to see the Pattern Tutor

In this example, clicking on a tag in the chart displays all Trend Line Break patterns
of similar shape and strength.

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Chapter 4 Pattern Results & Analysis

Figure 4-7. Pattern Tutor Showing All Trend Line Breaks of Similar Strength

Click the right and left arrows or press <Page Up> and <Page Down> on your
keyboard to scroll through the patterns.

Note In the example shown, the Trend Line Break occurs in the center of
the data range, which is why the Border Alert (yellow/black warning bar) is
shown. The Border Alert appears on a chart when you are not viewing the
latest price data.

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Chapter 4 Pattern Results & Analysis

Filtering Pattern Results


Filtering allows you to measure the profitability of the chart patterns in your list. After
the analysis is run, pattern results can be filtered using the Filter Pattern criteria option
in the Pattern Editing window.

Figure 4-8. Filter Pattern Criteria Options

The patterns filter can be applied to all of the enabled patterns by clicking the Apply
button. The default settings for the pattern filters are calculated in percentages. The
pattern filters are set to zero for each of the criteria except Max ADD (maximum
average drawdown) which is set to 100. Keep in mind that statistics can return
negative values so the default settings of zero will apply a filter if the Apply button is
clicked.

Criteria can be entered for any or all fields. All patterns not meeting the filter criteria
will be immediately deselected upon clicking Apply and the Patterns Types and
Patterns Found calculations will be updated. You can view the results for the
remaining patterns and tighten the constraints by increasing the filter criteria.

Note .The focus list and charts will not reflect the filter until the analysis is
rerun. Additionally, the filter will need to be reapplied when new data is
collected.

The Statistical Results and Patterns Report will also be updated to reflect the patterns
filter.

Click the Restore button to re-enable the selected patterns prior to applying the filter.

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Chapter 4 Pattern Results & Analysis

Statistical Results
Statistical Results are calculated using the close price of the bar the pattern was
generated on to the next pivot point according to the term that is selected for the
pattern. For example, when a short-term trendline break is detected, CPRM will use
the close of the bar the pattern was generated on and calculate profitability based on
the short-term pivot that followed it.

View Statistical Results for individual sub-patterns that have been analyzed by
clicking on any enabled sub-pattern in the list. A breakdown of the statistics for each
sub-pattern for all enabled timeframes will be displayed.

Figure 4-9. Statistical Results Displayed for Falling Flag Consolidations

To show patterns with higher profitability, tighten the constraints by editing the filter
criteria. Statistical Results will be updated after the analysis has been rerun.

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Chapter 4 Pattern Results & Analysis

Pattern Report

The statistics for all enabled patterns can be viewed together in the Patterns Report.
Click the Report button to view a comprehensive list of all enabled pattern statistics.
This report is also subject to immediate filtering when there is a filter applied.

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