DEFINITION of 'Downtrend'
Describes the price movement of a financial asset when the overall direction is downward. A formal downtrend occurs when each successive peak and trough is lower than the ones found earlier in the trend.
Notice how each successive peak and trough is lower than the previous one. For example, the low at Point 3 is lower than the low at Point 1. The downtrend will be deemed broken once the price closes above the high at Point 4.
Downtrend is the opposite of uptrend
BREAKING DOWN 'Downtrend'
Many traders seek to avoid downtrends because they can drastically affect the value of any investment. A downtrend can last for minutes, days, weeks, months or even years so identifying a downtrend early is very important. Once a downtrend has been established (series of lower peaks) a trader should be very cautious about entering into any new long positions.
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Trading
Peak-and-Trough Analysis
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Trading
These Stocks Are Still Sell Candidates
Despite a recent rally, these stocks are still in downtrends and do not yet warrant buying. -
Trading
Falling Stocks Still Giving Short Trade Signals
These stocks are in downtrends, and still flashing short trade signals. -
Trading
Bond ETFs Breaking Multi-year Trendlines (HYG, LQD)
Various segments of the bond market are selling off, and approaching pivotal levels on the long-term charts. -
Trading
Stocks With More Downside in the Short-Term
Downtrending stocks that potentially have more room to fall. -
Financial Advisor
Downtrending Stocks to Short or Sell
These stocks are trending lower and currently near a short sale areas, based on breaks lower and falling stock indexes. -
Investing
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Trading
Spotting First Rise Patterns And What To Do With Them
The first rise pattern marks the first 100% retracement of a downtrend within the time frame of interest. -
Investing
Will Silver Recover in 2016? (SLV, GLD, JJC)
The end of the silver downtrend is likely to coincide with similar recoveries in gold, iron and copper. -
Trading
When Not To Trade
When conditions arise where systems are likely to perform poorly, traders must exercise discipline and cease trading.
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