Glossary - D
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A bearish reversal pattern that continues the uptrend with a long white body. The next day opens at a new high, then closes below the midpoint of the body of the first day.
A market stage of a stock that is characterized by a downtrend with subsequently lower highs and lower lows.
The systematic selling of a security without significantly affecting the price. After an advance, a stock may start forming a top and trade sideways for an extended period. While this top forms, a security's shares may experience distribution as well-informed traders or investors seek to unload positions. A quiet distribution period is usually subtle and not enough to put downward pressure on the price. More aggressive distribution will likely put downward pressure on prices.
A continuation pattern with a long black body followed by another black body that has gapped below the first one. The third day is white and opens within the body of the second day, then closes in the gap between the first two days, but does not close the gap.
A straight line drawn down and to the right above successive rally peaks. The longer the down trend line has been in effect and the more times it has been tested, the more significant it becomes. A violation of the down trend line usually signals a reversal of the downtrend.
A style of trading where all positions are cleared before the end of the trading day. Contrast this with , where stocks or securities may be held for longer periods.
See .
A signal where the shorter moving average moves below the longer moving average. Usually, this term is associated with the 50-day moving average crossing below the 200-day moving average. See our ChartSchool article on .
See .
A sideways price pattern between two converging trend lines in which the upper trend line is descending while the lower line is flat. This is generally a bearish pattern. See our ChartSchool article on .
A price oscillator used to identify cycles in a price plot. DPO is based on the price difference and a displaced moving average. For more, see our ChartSchool article on the .
An indicator that plots a positive +DI line measuring buying pressure and a negative -DI line measuring selling pressure. The DMI pattern is bullish as long as the +DI line is above the -DI line. The Average Directional Index line is derived from this indicator and is based on the spread between the +DI and -DI lines. For more, see our ChartSchool article on the .
A situation that occurs when two lines on a chart move in opposite directions vertically. People often look for divergences by comparing a stock's direction to the direction of its RSI, its MACD or its Stochastic Oscillator. There are two kinds of divergences: positive and negative. A positive divergence occurs when the indicator moves higher while the stock is declining. A negative divergence occurs when the indicator moves lower while the stock is rising. See our ChartSchool article on .
A candlestick with a body so small that the open and close prices are equal. A Doji occurs when the open and close for that day are the same, or very close to being the same. See our ChartSchool article on .
A bearish Point & Figure chart pattern that forms when an O-Column breaks below the low of the prior O-Column. See our ChartSchool article on the .
A bullish reversal chart pattern that is typically associated with line and bar charts. The pattern forms with two consecutive troughs that are roughly equal, a moderate peak in between and a resistance breakout. See our ChartSchool article on .
DEMA is a faster moving average developed by Patrick Molloy. Its calculation uses single- and double-smoothed EMAs to offset the lag found in traditional EMAs, creating a more responsive moving average for short-term traders. See our ChartSchool article on .
A bullish Point & Figure chart pattern that forms when an X-Column breaks above the high of the prior X-Column. See our ChartSchool article on the .
A bearish reversal chart pattern that is typically associated with line and bar charts. The pattern forms with two prominent peaks that are roughly equal, a moderate trough in-between and a support break. See our ChartSchool article on .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ($INDU) is a price-weighted average of 30 published by Dow Jones & Co. Because it is price-weighted, stocks with the highest prices will have the most influence, while those with the lowest have the least influence.
The Dow Jones Transportation Average ($TRAN) consists of 20 stocks in the transportation business. Originally, the index included only railroads; now, airlines and trucking companies are included as well. According to the , a new major high in the DJIA should be confirmed by a new major high in this index before it is considered a reliable signal.
The Dow Jones Utilities Average ($UTIL) is used as a surrogate for bond prices. The DJUA is often a leading indicator of broad market trends since these stocks are interest-rate sensitive. Utility companies typically have large amounts of debt on which they pay interest and hold cash for capital improvements, so they are affected by interest rate changes sooner than other industries.
One of the oldest and most highly regarded technical theories. A Dow Theory buy signal is given when the Dow Industrial and Dow Transportation averages close above a prior rally peak. A sell signal is given when both averages close below a prior reaction low. See our ChartSchool article on .
A line where the open and close price are both at the high of the day. Like other Doji days, this one normally appears at market turning points.
