Trend, Support, Resistance Lines and Change in Polarity

Trend, Support, Resistance Lines and Change in Polarity

Trend

Trend is perhaps one of the most important concepts in technical analysis. Under normal circumstances, market participants tend to make similar decisions and a trend may persist for some time. The following are a few additional concepts that every CFA level I candidate is expected to understand before sitting the exam.

The Two Aspects of Trend

We say a market is in an uptrend when the price consistently goes to higher highs and higher lows. As the price of a security increases, the subsequent new high attained is higher than the one preceding it. Similarly, each time the price retraces, the new low attained must be ‘higher’ than the one that comes before it. Behind an uptrend lies demand that is higher than supply. Therefore, market participants are willing to pay higher and higher prices as they scramble for the same asset. Such a scenario may happen over a period of time.

Experts say that the market is in a downward trend when an asset consistently makes lower lows and lower highs. As the price of a security decreases, the subsequent new high must be lower than the preceding high. Similarly, each time the price retraces, the new low must be lower than the low preceding it in the trend period. Behind a downtrend lies supply that is overwhelming demand. Therefore, market participants are willing to exit long positions and accept declining prices.

Support and Resistance

Support refers to a low price range in which further decline in price can be averted by some buying activity. It’s the direct opposite of resistance, which is a price range in which further increase in price can be averted by some selling activity. In addition to trend, support and resistance are linked to human psychology, particularly the tendency of buyers and sellers to find common ground on the price of a security.

Change in Polarity

The change in polarity principle asserts that once breached, a support level becomes a resistance level. Similarly, resistance levels become support levels upon a breach. For instance, assume the price of a certain security never rises beyond $15 over a long period of time and actually begins to decline whenever it reaches this level. If the price finally “breaks” the $15 ceiling by a significant amount, the new point to which the price rises effectively becomes a support level.

Reading 56 LOS 56c:

Explain uses of trend, support, resistance lines, and change in polarity.

Shop CFA® Exam Prep

Offered by AnalystPrep

Featured Shop FRM® Exam Prep Learn with Us

    Subscribe to our newsletter and keep up with the latest and greatest tips for success

    Shop Actuarial Exams Prep Shop Graduate Admission Exam Prep


    Sergio Torrico
    Sergio Torrico
    2021-07-23
    Excelente para el FRM 2 Escribo esta revisión en español para los hispanohablantes, soy de Bolivia, y utilicé AnalystPrep para dudas y consultas sobre mi preparación para el FRM nivel 2 (lo tomé una sola vez y aprobé muy bien), siempre tuve un soporte claro, directo y rápido, el material sale rápido cuando hay cambios en el temario de GARP, y los ejercicios y exámenes son muy útiles para practicar.
    diana
    diana
    2021-07-17
    So helpful. I have been using the videos to prepare for the CFA Level II exam. The videos signpost the reading contents, explain the concepts and provide additional context for specific concepts. The fun light-hearted analogies are also a welcome break to some very dry content. I usually watch the videos before going into more in-depth reading and they are a good way to avoid being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content when you look at the readings.
    Kriti Dhawan
    Kriti Dhawan
    2021-07-16
    A great curriculum provider. James sir explains the concept so well that rather than memorising it, you tend to intuitively understand and absorb them. Thank you ! Grateful I saw this at the right time for my CFA prep.
    nikhil kumar
    nikhil kumar
    2021-06-28
    Very well explained and gives a great insight about topics in a very short time. Glad to have found Professor Forjan's lectures.
    Marwan
    Marwan
    2021-06-22
    Great support throughout the course by the team, did not feel neglected
    Benjamin anonymous
    Benjamin anonymous
    2021-05-10
    I loved using AnalystPrep for FRM. QBank is huge, videos are great. Would recommend to a friend
    Daniel Glyn
    Daniel Glyn
    2021-03-24
    I have finished my FRM1 thanks to AnalystPrep. And now using AnalystPrep for my FRM2 preparation. Professor Forjan is brilliant. He gives such good explanations and analogies. And more than anything makes learning fun. A big thank you to Analystprep and Professor Forjan. 5 stars all the way!
    michael walshe
    michael walshe
    2021-03-18
    Professor James' videos are excellent for understanding the underlying theories behind financial engineering / financial analysis. The AnalystPrep videos were better than any of the others that I searched through on YouTube for providing a clear explanation of some concepts, such as Portfolio theory, CAPM, and Arbitrage Pricing theory. Watching these cleared up many of the unclarities I had in my head. Highly recommended.