Cup and Handle Pattern: How to trade it - Phemex Academy (2024)

Summary

• The Cup and Handle pattern is where the price initially declines, then levels off and begins to rise again, thus resembling a cup with a handle.
• The Cup and Handle pattern is often considered a bullish signal. However, there is also the reverse cup and handle, which represents a bearish trade.
• The cup and handle indicator has been used by traders to determine the direction in which an asset/stock may move. it also defines the entry point, stop-loss, and target placement guidelines.

What is the Cup and Handle Pattern?

The cup and handle pattern is where the price initially declines, then levels off and begins to rise again, thus resembling a cup with a handle. The cup is in the shape of a “U” and the handle can be sideways or even have a slight downward drift that occurs near the “lip” of the cup. It was developed by William O Neil and first discussed in his book, How to Make Money in Stocks.

Cup and Handle Pattern is often considered a bullish signal, with the handle usually experiencing lower trading volume. However, there is also the other side of this pattern, the reverse cup and handle, which represents a bearish trade.

How to Identify Cup and Handle Patterns (With Examples)

Bullish cup and handle pattern

For those unfamiliar with what a cup and handle chart looks like, the chart below is an ideal example of a Bitcoin cup and handle continuation pattern. It is also known as the bullish cup and handle pattern, signaling a potential uptrend in prices.

The typical bullish cup and handle pattern is used to identify buying opportunities (Source: IG)

Inverse (or Bearish) Cup and Handle Pattern

The below is the reverse cup and handle pattern, but in the reversal pattern. Taking a closer look at the chart, you can see that after the handle finishes forming, the price went on a downward trend.

An inverse, or bearish cup and handle pattern is used to identify selling opportunities (Source: IG)

The above is another example of a cup and handle pattern, but in the reversal pattern, which was formed in the ETH/USD daily chart. Taking a closer look at the chart, you can see shaping up an ascending triangle breakout, and the digital asset went post-breakout.

Cup And Handle Pattern Failure

A cup and handle pattern failure, also known as a “failed cup and handle pattern”, is when a cup and handle pattern has formed, prices rise and move a little higher above the resistance level of the pattern. However, it fails to continue increasing in price and instead reverses and trends downward.

A failed cup and handle pattern (Source: TradingView)

Double Cup And Handle Pattern

While there isn’t such a thing as a double cup and handle pattern, there are double top and double bottom patterns.

• A double top is shaped like an “’M” and signals a bearish reversal, as price has hit a resistance level twice and failed to gain more buying momentum. The bears have the upper hand here, and as they sell, prices will fall.
• A double bottom has a ‘W’ shape and is a signal for a bullish price movement, as price has hit a support level twice and failed to sell off further. The bulls have the upper hand here, and as they buy, prices will rise.

For a more in-depth read about double tops and double bottoms, check out our article on divergence trading strategies.

Cup And Handle Pattern Breakout: How Long Does It Last?

The cup and handle pattern is considered a bullish signal, and the formation of the handle (the right-hand side) can take anything from 1-4 weeks to 3-6 months or even more than a year. The breakout, when it does happen, should be accompanied with a marked increase in volume in order for it to be a successful cup and handle pattern.

How to Trade the Cup and Handle Pattern?

When this pattern comes about a handle is formed on a cup, and most often it is in the shape of a triangle. The ideal position to buy is when the price breaks above the top of the shape taken by the handle. As soon as the price moves out of the handle, the pattern is complete and the underlying asset/stock may rise. However, it can decline as well, which is why a stop-loss is needed.

Set a Stop-loss with The Cup and Handle Pattern

A stop-loss order saves traders if the price drops, even after a stock forms the cup and handle chart. The stop-loss will sell off the stocks as soon as the price goes down to a specific price set on the handle.

An ideal trade would be to ensure a handle occurs within the upper half of the cup. An intelligent trader would place a stop-loss order in a way that it doesn’t end up in the lower half of the cup formation. For instance, let’s say a cup forms between $100 and $98. The stop-loss order should be set above $99, since that is the halfway point of the cup. When a stop-loss is below the halfway point, it is better to reject such trades. In order to make the most of stop-loss orders, it is ideal to set them in the upper third of the cup pattern, which allows traders to stay close to the entry point and helps improve the trade’s risk-reward ratio.

Set an Exit Strategy with The Cup and Handle Pattern

Most traders set a target by adding height to the breakout point of the handle, irrespective of the cup’s height. For example, if a cup forms between $40 and $39, and the breakout point is $40, the exit strategy should be at $41. At times, the right side of the cup handle has a different height than the left. In this case, it is wise to use the smaller height and add it to the breakout point for a safer target. Traders can also use the larger height to achieve a more aggressive target.

Cup And Handle Pattern Success Rate

Just how accurate is the cup and handle pattern? Here are several additional tips on maximizing the success of a trade using the cup and handle pattern:

• Patterns with shorter handles have a higher success rate than patterns with longer handles.
• When you identify a cup and handle pattern on smaller time frames e.g. 15-minute, zoom out to see the larger trend in higher time frames e.g. daily.
• If it looks bullish on the 15-minute chart, but has in fact been trending down on the daily chart, then you may want to reconsider making a long trade.
• Similarly, if it looks bearish on the 15-minute chart, but has in fact been trending up on the daily chart, then you may want to reconsider making a short trade.

Tradeoffs of Cup and Handle Pattern

Technical indicators work better when used in conjunction with other signals and patterns. In particular cup and handle patterns, various limitations have come up over the years that have been discovered by traders and investors. First, this pattern can take some time to take full shape.

Secondly, practitioners have found issues with the depth of the cup. While a shallower cup can represent a bullish signal, a deeper cup can produce a bearish signal. It can be confusing to pick up a particular cup and invest on its basis as this can lead to wrong decisions. Lastly, it has been identified that at times cup and handle patterns can be unreliable in illiquid stocks.

Conclusion

Making investments based on chart patterns is a norm nowadays as they help traders better understand technical analysis. The cup and handle indicator has long been used by traders to determine the direction in which an asset/stock may move. Additionally, it clearly defines the entry point, stop-loss, and target placement guidelines. However, it is advised to use this pattern along with other tools to make the most out of the opportunities available on the market.