How to Trade a Bull Flag

One of my favorite intraday patterns is the bull and bear flags. But how do you identify and then trade these patterns?

Let’s focus just on the bull flag for this post.

Why do I like this pattern?

It is relatively simple to identify, only uses price (no complex indicators), and the stop-loss along with profit target projections are clear.

What does it look like?

Graphically, the pattern is comprised of a large volatility upward impulse move (which resembles a ‘flag pole’) which is then followed by a retracement that occurs downward in a near 45 degree angle. After this retracement is complete, a ‘measured move’ component breaks back to the upside which is roughly equal to the original flag pole portion.

I drew this basic graphic to illustrate the pattern:

The first component is the ‘pole,’ which you often can’t detect as it forms. It is the second component that creates the ‘trade.’

Once you see a clean retracement against a large, near vertical price move, this is your clue to begin looking for this trade. If the retracement is bound by near parallel channels which form a 45 degree angle, then this increases your confidence that a flag pattern is occurring.

If the retracement pulls back to the 20 period (or some other) moving average, or some other area of perceived support, this adds confidence to this pattern.

Entry

Generally, once you see price retrace about 50% of the initial ‘pole’ or price comes into a support zone, this would be your entry. If you are an aggressive trader, you can enter as price continues downward in the retracement in anticipation of a reversal. Generally, you’ll fall victim to less slippage and will get a better position if the measured move occurs.

If you are more conservative, you can actually wait for the price to break out of the upper channel and enter at that point. You’ll sacrifice initial trade location, but will put the odds a little more in your favor.

Stop and Target

Where do you place your stop and where do I play for a target? It depends on your style of trading.

The stop should go a ‘comfortable’ distance beneath the lower trend channel of the flag portion. Again, if you are conservative, you can place it just beneath the support zone or bottom trend channel.

If you’re more aggressive, you can place the stop lower than this zone, or even beneath the initial pole (of the impulse).

Keep in mind that you have a clear target once you establish your trade, and so you can easily cut that target in half to establish a clean 2 to 1 reward to risk ratio.

The target is an equal distance of the pole which is added to the bottom of the lower trend channel in the flag.

Example: If the ‘pole’ impulse is $5.00 (taking price from $40 to $45), and the retracement takes price down $2.50 to $42.50, then the ‘measured move’ target would be $42.50 + $5.00 or $47.50. Your stop could be placed where you are comfortable beneath $42.00.

Where does it occur?

This pattern occurs on any of the intraday time frames and the daily timeframe of ETFs, indexes, and futures contracts. Unfortunately, this pattern occurs less frequently on the weekly charts (though the targets are larger) and especially the monthly charts. Classic technical analysis books say that a ‘flag’ portion of the daily chart must unfold in 4 weeks time.

Where can I find examples?

I’m sure I will be discussing this pattern in more detail in the future, as it is one of my favorites. To find all the times I’ve discussed a bull (or bear) flag pattern, feel free to type in the term “bull flag” or “bear flag” in my search box at the top of the blog homepage.

Also, I have selected a few posts to get you started, which show examples on the daily chart and intraday charts:

Ideal Bull Flag on 60-min Chart (DIA)
Summarizing the Day’s Trades (Mar 31, ’08)
POT – What?
Consumer Discretionary Sector Analysis (bear flag example)
Bull and Bear Flag Examples
Goldman Sachs Intraday Bear Flag (good example)
Bear Flag forms on Indexes (my projection came true!)

Keep checking back for more information on this pattern.

Similar Posts

10 Comments

  1. Hi Corey!

    First off, I like the new design of the site. It allows more space to be utilized better. Its done very well.

    Secondly, thank you very much for explaining the flag trade. It is very helpful!

    Have a great weekend!

  2. Thank you for the comment 🙂

    I had to get rid of the yellow page once and for all and I’m thrilled about the new design. More changes are in store!

    I love this trade and the concept behind it. I wish I could have described it more but there’s only so much space on a single blog post.

    All the best.

  3. Once again, thanks for the brilliant explanation. I’m learning alot from your posts and you are helping me identify new trade setups.

    I now find myself in a trade with a bull flag setup (CBQ.TO – Claymore BRIC Index (trading on the TSX) which is similar to EEB that trades on the NYSE).

    From looking at the CBQ chart, it would appear to me that we are close to making a measured move. Of course it could go higher still… that said, now I have to get ready to exit this trade and take profits without getting greedy or holding on too long and losing.

    If you have a chance, take a quick look at the chart and let me know what you think.

    Thanks.
    Gabriel

  4. Is the angle of the pull back not completely dependent on the scaling of the chart?

    In other words, I think that by adjusting the height/width ratio of the charts you can make any pullback ‘near 45 degree angle’.

  5. Very well explained but my problem is that we should never completely be putting everything as even this can go wrong. There is absolutely nothing 100% so we have to trade with proper risk management no matter how sure we are. I always check for the analysis service with OctaFX broker that I use, it is free while it is provided by highly professional team of experts and their accuracy level is well above 80-85%, so that is brilliant for a beginner like me!

Comments are closed.