As of 03/28/2024
  Indus: 39,807 +47.29 +0.1%  
  Trans: 16,212 +183.07 +1.1%  
  Utils: 882 +7.51 +0.9%  
  Nasdaq: 16,379 -20.06 -0.1%  
  S&P 500: 5,254 +5.86 +0.1%  
YTD
 +5.6%  
 +2.0%  
 +0.1%  
 +9.1%  
 +10.2%  
  Targets    Overview: 03/13/2024  
  Up arrow40,000 or 38,500 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow16,300 or 15,350 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow885 or 830 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow16,600 or 15,200 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow5,350 or 5,100 by 04/01/2024
As of 03/28/2024
  Indus: 39,807 +47.29 +0.1%  
  Trans: 16,212 +183.07 +1.1%  
  Utils: 882 +7.51 +0.9%  
  Nasdaq: 16,379 -20.06 -0.1%  
  S&P 500: 5,254 +5.86 +0.1%  
YTD
 +5.6%  
 +2.0%  
 +0.1%  
 +9.1%  
 +10.2%  
  Targets    Overview: 03/13/2024  
  Up arrow40,000 or 38,500 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow16,300 or 15,350 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow885 or 830 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow16,600 or 15,200 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow5,350 or 5,100 by 04/01/2024

Bulkowski on the Big M Chart Pattern

Updated with new statistics on 8/25/2020.

The Big M chart pattern is a double top with tall sides. Price often approaches the low of the left side trend start (the launch point -- see the below picture) before recovering.

 

Important Results
Identification Guidelines
Trading Tips
Example
See Also

Big M chart pattern

Ideal example of a Big M

Big M: Important Bull Market Results

Overall performance rank (1 is best): 8 out of 36
Break even failure rate: 14%
Average decline: 17%
Pullback rate: 67%
Percentage meeting price target: 55%

The above numbers are based on over 2,000 samples. See the glossary for definitions.

Big M: Identification Guidelines

CharacteristicDiscussion
Price trendUpward leading to the pattern, often a long, straight-line run upward.
ShapeA big M shape with twin peaks and tall sides.
Reversal patternLook for a double top reversal pattern at the top of the big M.
Tall sidesThe double top should have twin peaks with highs less than 4% apart, but be flexible.
Drop between topsThe drop between the peaks of the double top is 10% to 20% or more, but be flexible.
Breakout confirmationThe pattern confirms as a valid one when price closes below the lowest valley between the two tops.
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Big M: Trading Tips

Consult the associated figure on the right.

Trading TacticExplanation Big M measure rule
The Measure Rule
Measure ruleCompute the height from the highest peak (A) to the lowest valley (B). Subtract the height from the confirmation point (B) to get a target (D). The result is the target price. The link to the left explains the measure rule. If you are lucky, price will bottom (D) at the launch price (E). For a closer target, use half the height in the above steps instead of the full height.
BreakoutDownward breakouts occur when price closes below the confirmation price (the lowest valley between the two peaks, B in this case).
StallFor swing traders, sell short at the second double top peak (F) and ride price downward to confirmation of the double top (the price of B). If price rises above the highest peak in the pattern (A), consider exiting the position because price is likely to continue higher. If price confirms the Big M, expect the decline to approach the left side low (E). It usually does not make it all the way down, but it will be close.
Position tradersWait for confirmation of the Big M (price to close below B) before taking a position and be prepared to exit the position as the stock nears the price of the left side low (E).
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Big M chart pattern example

Big M: Example

The figure on the right shows an example of an unusual Big M chart pattern. In this example, a triple top (ABC) replaces a double top (AB) in the Big M. In my trading (but not for the statistics in this article where I use only double tops), I allow many reversal patterns, such as ascending, descending or symmetrical triangles, triple tops, and so on, to replace the double top.

In this example, price breaks out when it closes below the horizontal red confirmation line then pulls back before resuming the downward march. Price at E, reaches the launch price of D almost exactly before staging a recovery. Notice the tall, straight-line run up from D to A and the slower decline from C to E. That's typical.

-- Thomas Bulkowski

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See Also

 

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