As of 09/22/2023   Indus: 33,964 -106.58 -0.3%     Trans: 14,988 -70.12 -0.5%     Utils: 871 -3.09 -0.4%     Nasdaq: 13,212 -12.17 -0.1%     S&P 500: 4,320 -9.94 -0.2%	YTD  +2.5%    +11.9%   -9.9%    +26.2%    +12.5%	Targets    Overview: 09/15/2023     36,250 or 33,850 by 10/01/2023   15,900 or 14,800 by 10/01/2023   900 or 850 by 10/01/2023   14,400 or 13,000 by 10/01/2023   4,575 or 4,300 by 10/01/2023
Chart Pattern Indicator: on 9/15/23

As of 09/22/2023   Indus: 33,964 -106.58 -0.3%     Trans: 14,988 -70.12 -0.5%     Utils: 871 -3.09 -0.4%     Nasdaq: 13,212 -12.17 -0.1%     S&P 500: 4,320 -9.94 -0.2%	YTD  +2.5%    +11.9%   -9.9%    +26.2%    +12.5%
Targets    Overview: 09/15/2023     36,250 or 33,850 by 10/01/2023   15,900 or 14,800 by 10/01/2023   900 or 850 by 10/01/2023   14,400 or 13,000 by 10/01/2023   4,575 or 4,300 by 10/01/2023
Chart Pattern Indicator: on 9/15/23

Bulkowski's Ugly Pattern Performance Study

Do perfectly shaped chart patterns perform better or worse than ugly ones? In a test of two chart pattern types, the uglier patterns outperformed the well-shaped ones.

Ugly Pattern Performance: Detailed Results

I looked at double bottoms and double tops to determine whether ugly (uneven) tops or bottoms performed better than those with even peaks or valleys. Here's what I found.

Numbers in parentheses are samples used in the test and the percentages are the average move post breakout. Double bottoms have the most samples. When the valleys are within 0 to 1% in price from each other, the rise averages 31.5%. When the valleys are 4 to 5% apart in price, the rise averages 42.8%. Thus, the uglier the chart pattern, the better the performance.

Ugly Pattern Performance: Definitions

I measured the rise or fall from the breakout price to the ultimate high or low. A breakout occurs when price climbs above the highest high between the double bottoms, or below the lowest low between the double tops. The ultimate high is the highest high before price tumbles at least 20%. The ultimate low is the lowest low before price rises at least 20%. In the test, I used 1,275 stocks covering 7/1991 to 3/2006. Not all stocks covered the entire period and only qualifying double tops and bottoms were used. I found 2,239 double top or bottom patterns, but not all of them had usable data (the ultimate high or low wasn't found yet because price hadn't reversed).

-- Thomas Bulkowski

See Also

• Width. Use the width of peaks or valleys to improve trading results.
• Explore the world of ugly double bottoms.
• The nature of bottoms.
• Busted chart patterns. The answer to profits?
• Double bottoms, overview. Article explains the 4 varieties.

 

Support this site! Clicking any of the books (below) takes you to Amazon.com If you buy ANYTHING while there, they pay for the referral.
Legal notice for paid links: "As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases."

My novels:

My stock market books:

Copyright © 2005-2023 by Thomas N. Bulkowski. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: You alone are responsible for your investment decisions. See Privacy/Disclaimer for more information.

Some pattern names are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Home Advertise Contact Donate Privacy/Disclaimer ☰

Never trim your moustache before applying Chapstick.