Cup with Handle

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chart_analysis:chart_patterns:cup_with_handle_continuation [2019/06/24 19:38]
127.0.0.1 external edit
chart_analysis:chart_patterns:cup_with_handle_continuation [2023/06/07 14:20]
jayanthi [How can you find stocks that have formed a Cup With Handle pattern?]
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 ====== Cup with Handle ====== ====== Cup with Handle ======
  
-The Cup with Handle ​is a bullish continuation pattern that marks a consolidation period followed by a breakout. It was developed by William O'Neil and introduced in his 1988 book, //​[[https://​store.stockcharts.com/​products/​how-to-make-money-in-stocks|How to Make Money in Stocks]]//.+===== What Is the Cup With Handle ​Pattern? =====
  
-As its name implies, there are two parts to the patternthe cup and the handle. The cup forms after an advance and looks like a bowl or [[:​glossary_r#​rounding_bottom|rounding bottom]]. As the cup is completed, a trading range develops on the right-hand side and the handle is formed. A subsequent breakout from the handle'​s trading range signals a continuation of the prior advance.+The Cup with Handle is a bullish continuation pattern that marks a consolidation period followed by a breakout. It was developed by William O'Neil and introduced in his 1988 book, //How to Make Money in Stocks//. 
 + 
 +As its name implies, there are two parts to the patternthe cup and the handle. The cup forms after an advance and looks like a bowl or [[:​glossary_r#​rounding_bottom|rounding bottom]]. As the cup is completed, a trading range develops on the right-hand sideand the handle is formed. A subsequent breakout from the handle'​s trading range signals a continuation of the prior advance.
  
 {{:​chart_analysis:​chart_patterns:​cup_with_handle_continuation:​cuphandle-jbl.png|Jabil Circuit, Inc (JBL) Cup with Handle example chart from StockCharts.com}} {{:​chart_analysis:​chart_patterns:​cup_with_handle_continuation:​cuphandle-jbl.png|Jabil Circuit, Inc (JBL) Cup with Handle example chart from StockCharts.com}}
  
-  - **Trend:** To qualify as a continuation pattern, a prior trend should exist. Ideally, the trend should be a few months old and not too matureThe more mature ​the trend, the less chance ​that the pattern ​marks a continuation ​or the less upside potential.\\ \\ +  - **Trend.** To qualify as a continuation pattern, a prior trend should exist. Ideally, the trend should be a few months old. If the trend is too mature, the less chance ​of the pattern ​marking ​a continuation. In other words, there'​s ​less upside potential.\\ \\ 
-  - **Cup:** The cup should be "​U"​ shaped and resemble a bowl or rounding bottom. A "​V"​ shaped bottom would be considered too sharp of a reversal to qualify. The softer "​U"​ shape ensures that the cup is a consolidation pattern with valid [[:​glossary_s#​support|support]] at the bottom of the "​U"​. The perfect pattern would have equal highs on both sides of the cup, but this is not always the case.\\ \\ +  - **Cup.** The cup should be "​U"​ shaped and resemble a bowl or rounding bottom. A "​V"​ shaped bottom would be considered too sharp of a reversal to qualify. The softer "​U"​ shape ensures that the cup is a consolidation pattern with valid [[:​glossary_s#​support|support]] at the bottom of the "​U"​. The perfect pattern would have equal highs on both sides of the cup, but this is not always the case.\\ \\ 
-  - **Cup Depth:** Ideally, the depth of the cup should retrace 1/3 or less of the previous advance. However, with volatile markets and over-reactions,​ the retracement could range from 1/3 to 1/2. In extreme situations, the maximum retracement could be 2/3, which conforms with [[:​glossary_d#​dow_theory|Dow Theory]].\\ \\ +  - **Cup Depth.** Ideally, the depth of the cup should retrace 1/3 or less of the previous advance. However, with volatile markets and over-reactions,​ the retracement could range from 1/3 to 1/2. In extreme situations, the maximum retracement could be 2/3, which conforms with [[:​glossary_d#​dow_theory|Dow Theory]].\\ \\ 
-  - **Handle:** After the high forms on the right side of the cup, there is a pullback that forms the handle. Sometimes this handle resembles a [[:​glossary_f#​flag|flag]] or [[:​glossary_p#​pennant|pennant]] that slopes downwardother times it is just a short pullback. The handle represents the final consolidation/​pullback before the big breakout and can retrace up to 1/3 of the cup's advance, but usually not more. The smaller the retracement,​ the more bullish the formation and significant the breakout. Sometimes it is prudent to wait for a break above the [[:​glossary_r#​resistance|resistance]] line established by the highs of the cup.\\ \\ +  - **Handle.** After the high forms on the right side of the cup, there is a pullback that forms the handle. Sometimes this handle resembles a [[:​glossary_f#​flag|flag]] or [[:​glossary_p#​pennant|pennant]] that slopes downwardother timesit'​s ​just a short pullback. The handle represents the final consolidation/​pullback before the big breakout and can retrace up to 1/3 of the cup's advance, but usually not more. The smaller the retracement,​ the more bullish the formation and significant the breakout. Sometimes it is prudent to wait for a break above the [[:​glossary_r#​resistance|resistance]] line established by the highs of the cup.\\ \\ 
-  - **Duration:** The cup can extend from to months, sometimes longer on weekly charts. The handle can be from week to many weeks and ideally completes within ​1-4 weeks.\\ \\ +  - **Duration.** The cup can extend from one to six months, sometimes longer on weekly charts. The handle can be from one week to many weeks and ideally completes within ​one to fourweeks.\\ \\ 
-  - **Volume:** There should be a substantial increase in volume on the breakout above the handle'​s resistance.\\ \\ +  - **Volume.** There should be a substantial increase in volume on the breakout above the handle'​s resistance.\\ \\ 
-  - **Target:** The projected advance after breakout can be estimated by measuring the distance from the right peak of the cup to the bottom of the cup.\\ \\+  - **Target.** The projected advance after breakout can be estimated by measuring the distance from the right peak of the cup to the bottom of the cup.\\ \\
  
-As with most chart patterns, ​it is more important ​to capture the essence of the pattern ​than the particulars. The cup is a bowl-shaped consolidation and the handle is a short pullback followed by a breakout with expanding volume. A cup retracement of 62% may not fit the pattern requirements,​ but a particular stock'​s pattern may still capture the essence of the Cup with Handle.+As with most chart patterns, ​capturing the pattern'​s essence ​is more important than the particulars. The cup is a bowl-shaped consolidationand the handle is a short pullback followed by a breakout with expanding volume. A cup retracement of 62% may not fit the pattern requirements,​ but a particular stock'​s pattern may still capture the essence of the Cup with Handle.
  
 {{:​chart_analysis:​chart_patterns:​cup_with_handle_continuation:​cuphandle-emc.png|EMC Corp. (EMC) Cup with Handle example chart from StockCharts.com}} {{:​chart_analysis:​chart_patterns:​cup_with_handle_continuation:​cuphandle-emc.png|EMC Corp. (EMC) Cup with Handle example chart from StockCharts.com}}
  
  
-  * **Trend:** EMC established the bull trend by advancing from 10 and change to above 30 in about 5 months. The stock peaked in March and then began to pull back and consolidate its large gains.\\ \\ +  * **Trend.** EMC established the bull trend by advancing from 10 and change to above 30 in about 5 months. The stock peaked in March and then began to pull back and consolidate its large gains.\\ \\ 
-  * **Cup:** The April decline was quite sharp, but the lows extended over a two-month period to form the bowl that marked a consolidation period. Also, note that support was found from the Feb-99 lows.\\ \\ +  * **Cup.** The April decline was quite sharp, but the lows extended over a two-month period to form the bowl that marked a consolidation period. Also, note that support was found from the Feb-99 lows.\\ \\ 
-  * **Cup Depth:** The low of the cup retraced 42% of the previous advance. After an advance in June and July, the stock peaked at 32.69 to complete the cup (red arrow).\\ \\ +  * **Cup Depth.** The low of the cup retraced 42% of the previous advance. After an advance in June and July, the stock peaked at 32.69 to complete the cup (red arrow).\\ \\ 
-  * **Handle:** Another consolidation period began in July to start the handle formation. There was a sharp decline in August that caused the handle to retrace more than 1/3 of the cup's advance. However, there was a quick recovery and the stock traded back up within the normal handle boundaries within a week. The essence of the formation remained valid after this sharp decline.\\ \\ +  * **Handle.** Another consolidation period began in July to start the handle formation. There was a sharp decline in August that caused the handle to retrace more than 1/3 of the cup's advance. However, there was a quick recovery and the stock traded back up within the normal handle boundaries within a week. The essence of the formation remained valid after this sharp decline.\\ \\ 
-  * **Duration:** The cup extended for about 3 months, while the handle extended for about 1 1/2 months.\\ \\ +  * **Duration.** The cup extended for about 3 months, while the handle extended for about 1 1/2 months.\\ \\ 
-  * **Volume:** In early Sept-00, the stock broke handle resistance with a gap up and volume expansion (green arrow). In addition, [[:​glossary_c#​chaikin_money_flow_cmf|Chaikin Money Flow]] soared above +20%.\\ \\ +  * **Volume.** In early Sept-00, the stock broke handle resistance with a gap up and volume expansion (green arrow). In addition, [[:​glossary_c#​chaikin_money_flow_cmf|Chaikin Money Flow]] soared above +20%.\\ \\ 
-  * **Target:** The projected advance after breakout was estimated at 9 points from the breakout around 32. EMC easily fulfilled this target over the next few months.\\ \\+  * **Target.** The projected advance after breakout was estimated at 9 points from the breakout around 32. EMC easily fulfilled this target over the next few months.\\ \\ 
 + 
 +===== Cup With Handle FAQs ===== 
 +==== Is a Cup With Handle pattern bullish? ==== 
 +A Cup With Handle pattern is a bullish continuation pattern that marks a consolidation period followed by a breakout.  
 + 
 +==== What does a Cup With Handle pattern indicate? ==== 
 +A Cup With Handle pattern has two parts—a cup and a handle. The cup forms after an advance in price. This prior trend is important as is the duration of the trend. The trend should only be a couple of months old. After completing the cup pattern, a trading range develops on the right side and the handle is formed. When price breaks out of the handle'​s trading range, it signals a continuation of the prior trend. 
 + 
 +==== How can you find stocks that have formed a Cup With Handle pattern? ==== 
 +Cup With Handle patterns are relatively easy to spot.