Exhaustion Gap Definition & Trading Strategy

Gaps occur when the lowest price traded is above the high of the previous day or, conversely, when the highest price traded is below the previous day's low. Common gaps occur in markets without a strong trend. They are not followed by new highs or new lows and are quickly closed in subsequent days' trading.

Breakaway gaps are normally accompanied by heavy volume and occur when prices break out of a trading range. They are usually followed by a series of new highs in an upside breakout or, a series of new lows in a downside breakout, and are seldom closed. If the gap is accompanied by heavy volume, go long and place a stop-loss at the lower end of the gap.

If the gap is accompanied by heavy volume, go short and place a stop-loss at the upper end of the gap. Continuation gaps occur near the middle of strong trends and are useful in projecting how far the trend will continue. They are followed by new highs in an up-trend or new lows in a down-trend, which distinguishes them from exhaustion gaps. They are not normally closed.

Enter the trade early and wait for new highs or new lows in a down-trend to confirm the pattern. If there are none in the next few days then exit immediately — it could be an exhaustion gap. Exhaustion gaps occur at the end of a strong trend and are the last surge before the trend expires, normally on heavy volume.

They differ from continuation gaps in that they are not followed by new highs in an up-trend or new lows in a down-trend and are closed shortly afterwards. Look out for island clusters, identified by an exhaustion gap followed after a few days by a breakaway gap in the opposite direction, they are powerful reversal signals.

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We do not spam. A gap is filled when the range of subsequent bars closes the gap. There are two basic rules: Avoid trading common gaps, and Only trade gaps when they are confirmed by volume. Equivolume charts highlight the interaction of price and volume.

Common Gaps Common gaps occur in markets without a strong trend.

Some gaps are caused by events and should be ignored: Ex-dividend gaps occur as price adjusts on the day after a dividend becomes payable; New share issues; and Expiry of futures contracts. Breakaway Gaps Breakaway gaps are normally accompanied by heavy volume and occur when prices break out of a trading range.

Trading Rules Upside Breakaway If the gap is accompanied by heavy volume, go long and place a stop-loss at the lower end of the gap. Downside Breakaway If the gap is accompanied by heavy volume, go short and place a stop-loss at the upper end of the gap.

Gaps and Gap Analysis [ChartSchool]

Continuation Gaps Continuation gaps occur near the middle of strong trends and are useful in projecting how far the trend will continue. Exhaustion Gaps Exhaustion gaps occur at the end of a strong trend and are the last surge before the trend expires, normally on heavy volume. Trading Rules Upward Exhaustion Gap Sell short or close your long position and protect yourself with a stop above the last high.

Incredible Charts: Gaps

Downward Exhaustion Gap Go long or close your short position with a stop below the latest low point. Island Clusters Look out for island clusters, identified by an exhaustion gap followed after a few days by a breakaway gap in the opposite direction, they are powerful reversal signals.

Trading Rules Trade in the same way as exhaustion gaps. The weekly Trading Diary offers fundamental analysis of the economy and technical analysis of major market indices, gold, crude oil and forex.

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