As of 02/21/2025   Indus: 43,428 -748.63 -1.7%     Trans: 16,034 -430.64 -2.6%     Utils: 1,023 +3.75 +0.4%     Nasdaq: 19,524 -438.35 -2.2%     S&P 500: 6,013 -104.39 -1.7%	YTD  +2.1%    +0.9%    +4.1%    +1.1%    +2.2%	Targets    Overview: 02/13/2025     42,500 or 45,000 by 03/01/2025   16,900 or 15,800 by 03/01/2025   1,050 or 970 by 03/01/2025   19,200 or 20,500 by 03/01/2025   5,875 or 6,200 by 03/01/2025
Chart Pattern Indicator: on 2/19/25

As of 02/21/2025   Indus: 43,428 -748.63 -1.7%     Trans: 16,034 -430.64 -2.6%     Utils: 1,023 +3.75 +0.4%     Nasdaq: 19,524 -438.35 -2.2%     S&P 500: 6,013 -104.39 -1.7%	YTD  +2.1%    +0.9%    +4.1%    +1.1%    +2.2%
Targets    Overview: 02/13/2025     42,500 or 45,000 by 03/01/2025   16,900 or 15,800 by 03/01/2025   1,050 or 970 by 03/01/2025   19,200 or 20,500 by 03/01/2025   5,875 or 6,200 by 03/01/2025
Chart Pattern Indicator: on 2/19/25

Bulkowski on Running Triangle Elliott Wave Pattern

This page describes the running triangle pattern of the Elliott wave principle, how price moves not in a straight line but in a series of rises and retracements.

The figure to the right shows what a running triangle looks like in a bull market. The running triangle is a region of horizontal price movement, a consolidation of a prior move, and it is composed of "threes." That means each of the A-B-C-D-E waves have three subwaves. I labeled the B subwaves with red numbers, 1, 2, and 3, as an example. Expect volume and volatility to recede as the pattern moves toward the breakout, but this is not a requirement.

In a running triangle, the shape of the pattern follows two converging trendlines, shown here as red lines. Thus, it is a symmetrical triangle with one important difference. The start of the pattern shows the start of wave A falling short of the trendline. In other words, wave B runs well beyond the start of wave A, hence the name running triangle.

A running triangle in a bear market is an inverted picture of a bull market triangle. The price action swings from trendline to trendline, and converges. The A-B-C-D-E waves subdivide into threes, forming a 3-3-3-3-3 configuration. Again, wave B runs well beyond the start of wave A.

Frost and Prechter say that when price reaches the apex of the triangle, expect the market to turn.

Running Triangle Rules

The running triangle has rules that govern its shape. They are listed here.

• The waves bottom and top out following two converging trendlines.
• Five waves compose the running triangle (A-B-C-D-E).
• Wave B runs beyond the start of wave A.
• Each of the A-B-C-D-E waves are composed of three subwaves, so it has a 3-3-3-3-3 configuration.
• Volume and volatility tend to recede over the life of the pattern, but this is not a requirement.

-- Thomas Bulkowski

See Also

• This article on symmetrical triangles gives performance statistics.
• Busted symmetrical triangles
• Here is the main resource for Elliott wave information.
• Support and resistance. Learn the various types.
• Market direction. 7 tips to determining.
• Trading cycles help time your entries and exits.
• Trend change detection using a triangle apex.

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody is looking. -- H.L. Mencken