Bollinger Bands Part II: Reversal PatternsBollinger Bands Part II: Reversal Patterns
Analzying Two Key Patterns Called M-Tops and W-Bottoms
This post will go into greater depth than the basic introduction to Bollinger Bands published last week. In particular, it will discuss two key reversal patterns. Both the M-top reversal pattern and W-bottom reversal pattern are price patterns that form in conjunction with the Bollinger Bands.
M-Top Pattern
The classic M-top reversal pattern forms when two consecutive price highs form an M-shaped price pattern with the first high tagging the upper band and the second high exhausting before tagging the upper band. An example is shown on Supplemental Chart A involving a topping pattern in BTCUSD from early 2021. This weekly chart shows the M-top in red. The second high meets the traditional (strict) criteria of a second peak near—but not touching—the upper band. This is soon evident as a price failure.
Supplemental Chart A
But an M-top reversal pattern may arise even when two actual tags or pierces of the upper band occur, i.e., the second high may tag the band without invalidating the pattern. This is based on the email discussion this author had with the creator of the Bollinger Bands a while back in 2022, recounted at the end of this post.
In short, the most important feature of the pattern is price exhaustion and reversal at the second high . In other words, look for failure of the price move at or near band resistance (e.g., a failed breakout). The following technical signals may provide additional confirmation: weakening momentum indicators, including negative divergences in momentum indicators or a lower high on %B indicator which may present as a %B line divergence.
W-Bottom Pattern
The classic W-bottom reversal pattern forms when two consecutive price lows form a W-shaped price pattern with the first low tagging the lower band and the second low exhausting before tagging the lower band.
Supplemental Chart B
But note that a W-bottom reversal pattern may arise even when two actual tags or pierces of the lower band occur, i.e., the second low may tag the band without invalidating the pattern. This is based on the email discussion this author had with the creator of the Bollinger Bands a while back in 2022, recounted at the end of this post. In short, the most important feature of the pattern is price exhaustion and reversal at the second low. In other words, look for failure of the price move at band support (e.g., a failed breakdown). The following technical signals may provide additional confirmation: Strengthening momentum indicators, including positive divergences in momentum indicators or a higher low on % B indicator which may present as a %B line divergence.
Understanding the Nuances
In June 2022, John Bollinger, the creator of the Bollinger Bands, posted a monthly chart of BTC/USD on Twitter. He described the chart as a “picture perfect double (M-type) top in BTCUSD on the monthly chart complete with confirmation” from %B and bandwidth indicators. He noted also that the signal led to a tag of the lower band. Supplemental Chart C is my own attempt to recreate the monthly chart Bollinger had shown to reflect the same two major monthly highs in BTCUSD in early 2021 and then again in late 2021. Please note that Supplemental Chart C shows a different M-top than the one shown on the weekly time frame above on Supplemental Chart A, which only focuses on one of the two peaks analyzed in this monthly chart.
Supplemental Chart C
This chart that Bollinger originally posted in 2022 showed two actual tags of the upper band. This was not quite technically within the definition of an M-top in much of the technical literature. My previous reading on M-tops and W-bottoms found that all the definitions and examples showed that the second high or low must not touch or tag the relevant band. But this is incorrect to assume that M-tops and W-bottoms are invalid when this technical definition has not been strictly met, i.e., when two (or more) tags of the bands occurred at both price extremes.
Responding to Bollinger’s chart of a “perfect M-top pattern,” I messaged John Bollinger, the creator of the bands, directly, hoping for clarification about the strict definition of M-tops and W-bottoms. My question was whether they can be valid while having two actual tags of the bands at both price extremes—two tags at both highs of an M-top and two tags at both lows of a W-bottom. Or were the technical books correct to say that the second peak or low must approach the bands but fail to touch them.
In response to my questions, Bollinger clarified that whether a tag occurs at the second peak / high of an M-top is not important as price failure at upper band resistance. This reasoning can be applied in the inverse to W-bottoms as well. In other words, completing the second half of each formation requires a price failure, rather than a band-tag failure, upper band resistance (M-top) or lower band support (W-bottom).
So this broadens the scope of what constitutes a valid M-top or W-bottom pattern. But it does not exclude patterns that meet the conventional technical definition. This means that valid M-top and W-bottom patterns include cases where the secondary high / low fails to tag the upper / lower band. Stated differently, failures to tag the bands at a secondary price high / low can also form valid topping and bottoming patterns.
Finally, beware of seeking reversals too soon when price is trending strongly, or walking the bands —pullbacks in that specific scenario are not at all "price failures," and it's important to recognize the difference.
Conclusion
In short, the key is to apply substance over form, to follow the core concept rather than strictly adhering to the technical rules / definitions. Broaden the scope of the technical requirements to include price failures—on the secondary test—at band resistance or support. This will help traders recognize the patterns arising from this technical indicator more effectively.
Further, Bollinger himself recommended using other indicators for confirmation, such as RSI or another indicator that isn't overlapping in its operation too much. Lastly, it may be important to realize that the final failure at or near the bands may not be the second peak or low but the fourth, fifth or sixth. Just draw the M at the end where it fits if there has been strength followed by a failure at or near the bands. And remember trading time frame (M-tops and W-bottoms that are valid have much less significance on shorter time frames and much more and lasting significance on longer time frames. And keep risk management on as always.
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Author's Comment: Thank you for reviewing this post and considering its charts and analysis. The author welcomes comments, discussion and debate (respectfully presented) in the comment section. Shared charts are especially helpful to support any opposing or alternative view. This article is intended to present an unbiased, technical view of the security or tradable risk asset discussed.
Please note further that this technical-analysis viewpoint is short-term in nature. This is not a trade recommendation but a technical-analysis overview and commentary with levels to watch for the near term. This technical-analysis viewpoint could change at a moment's notice should price move beyond a level of invalidation. Further, proper risk-management techniques are vital to trading success. And countertrend or mean-reversion trading, e.g., trading a rally in a bear market, is lower probability and is tricky and challenging even for the most experienced traders.
DISCLAIMER: This post contains commentary published solely for educational and informational purposes. This post's content (and any content available through links in this post) and its views do not constitute financial advice or an investment or trading recommendation, and they do not account for readers' personal financial circumstances, or their investing or trading objectives, time frame, and risk tolerance. Readers should perform their own due diligence, and consult a qualified financial adviser or other investment / financial professional before entering any trade, investment or other transaction.
