What Is a Triple Bottom?
A “Triple bottom” chart pattern is a technical analysis pattern that occurs at the lows of a downtrend and indicates a trend change, showing the balance of power shifting from sellers to buyers.
A “Triple bottom” is one of the basic patterns that may appear on the charts of any asset and on any time frame. However, similar to most price patterns, it tends to be most effective when observed on the 4-hour and higher time frames.
This chart pattern represents three successive price lows, emerging at the same level after a long downtrend and forming a short-term channel with a strong support line. The channel may have a descending, ascending, or sideways direction. The key condition for identifying this pattern on the chart is the same pip value of each of its three bottoms.
How Does a Triple Bottom Pattern Form?
The “Triple bottom” pattern formation involves three main stages:
- Firstly, the price chart shows a prolonged downtrend where bears are in control of the price action. During this bearish sentiment, the price action starts to generate a pullback at the lows. The pattern begins to take shape after forming its first bottom or low. Once the low is established, the correction rises, covering more than 10% of the previous downtrend.
- Secondly, the pattern forms its first high, which is the end of the upward correction. Once the first low and high are in place, the pattern develops the first wave. Subsequently, the price declines to the level of the first low and attempts to drop even further. If the price fails to reach below this low and the price reverses, the second bottom will be formed, confirming a “Double bottom” pattern. At the first high, the price should reverse again, establishing the second high. If all these scenarios are fulfilled, the pattern enters the third phase.
- After completing the second high, the price decreases, suggesting the formation of a “Triple bottom” pattern. During the third stage, the price forms a third low in parallel with the previous ones. Subsequently, there is an upward reversal in quotes. The price surge, formed after the third bottom, is a breakout wave, which typically marks the beginning of the pattern’s growth.
The pattern may signal a bullish reversal once the price reaches the first and second highs.
How to Identify the Triple Bottom Pattern
In order to correctly identify the pattern on the price chart, it is necessary to wait until the first two stages of its formation have fully developed. Only after the first and second lows and highs have been established can a “Triple bottom” pattern be confirmed. However, the pattern may not work even if the formation of all three lows is complete. The pattern may transform into a regular channel of any direction.
Many patterns are similar to a “Triple bottom” in appearance and principle of work. A prominent example is when a “Double bottom” transforms into a “Triple bottom.” Another similar pattern is the “Inverse head and shoulders” chart pattern, which is distinguished by having a central bottom lower than the other two. The following signs will help you distinguish a “Triple bottom” from other patterns on the chart:
- All three lows should be approximately the same.
- The levels of the three highs and lows should be parallel.
- The pattern is always formed after a strong downtrend and cannot occur after a sideways movement.
Triple Bottom Example
The picture below shows three variations of the pattern on the price chart.
- The pattern forms an ascending channel, which was confirmed once the price broke through the resistance line. This type of “Triple bottom” pattern is the weakest, as its probability of reversing the trend does not exceed 60%. This happens because of premature market entry, leading to the pattern’s incompletion and false signals.
- The pattern represents a simple sideways channel and is the most widespread on the chart. This “Triple bottom” is a classic version of the pattern. The probability of the pattern being effective is about 65%, slightly higher than in the previous type.
- The pattern is a descending channel, indicating a slowdown phase of the global trend. This variation of the pattern is the most favorable for traders, as it allows them to enter a trade at a later stage after all the reversal signals have already been confirmed. The probability of this pattern to give a reliable reversal signal surpasses 74%.
How to Trade Using the Triple Bottom Pattern
In order to correctly use a “Triple bottom” pattern in trading, you need to follow a number of simple rules, which will also help automate trading with this pattern.
Once the price has exceeded 50% of the trade’s upside potential, you can shift the stop loss to the breakeven point.
It is necessary to identify the pattern correctly, eliminating all similar formations.
If a potential pattern is formed after a downtrend, there is already a 50% chance of its completion.
Wait until all three lows are formed and get ready to place a pending buy order.
Once the price has increased by half of the previous low, place a pending buy stop order.
The level of a buy stop order is located just above the second high. There are cases when a long trade is opened after the price has tested the resistance level. However, it is not recommended to do so, as you can miss more than half of the transaction or not enter it at all.
The take-profit level is determined by adding a buy stop and H1, where H1 represents any low of the pattern in pips.
A stop-loss order is set at the third low level.