Potential Bullish Head and Shoulders, Heading Down FirstQualcomm has been potentially forming a well-known technical trading indicator called a head and shoulders (HnS) pattern. This pattern is basically made up of three peaks or triangles with the middle triangle have a higher top than the ones flanked on each side. A HnS pattern with the peaks on top is bearish as the stock drops upon the final triangle (or shoulder) taking shape. A bullish HnS is the opposite where the peaks are actually valleys. Upon the final shoulder being created, the stock goes up. I have outlined the case below on the currently forming bullish HnS pattern.
When we take a look at other technical indicators, the relative strength index (RSI) is at 75.1524. RSI tends to determine trends, overbought and oversold levels as well as likelihood of price swings. I personally use anything above 75 as overbought and anything under 25 as oversold. Currently the RSI is overbought and due to drop. The stock should drop with this. A drop will begin the formation of the final shoulder in the HnS pattern.
The true strength index (TSI) is currently -0.4758. The TSI determines overbought/oversold levels and/or current trend. I solely use this as an indicator of trend as overbought and oversold levels vary. The TSI is double smoothed in its calculation and is a great indicator of upward and downward movement. The current reading declares the stock has been moving up, but it is near the levels of reversal that occurred at the initial forming of this HnS. This further aids in a potential indicator of near-term downward movement.
The positive vortex indicator (VI) is at 1.3659 and the negative is at 0.5682. When the positive level is higher than 1 and higher than the negative indicator, the overall price action is moving upward. When the negative level is higher than 1 and higher than the positive indicator, the overall price action is moving downward. Currently both indicators are at extreme levels which typically lead to a reversal of the stock. This is the third indication of near-term downward movement for the stock.
The stochastic oscillator K value is 84.6919 and D value is 85.7988. This is a cyclical oscillator that is highly accurate and can be used to identify overbought/oversold levels as well as pending reversals and short-term activity. I personally use anything above 80 as overbought and below 20 as oversold. When the K value is higher than the D value, the stock is trending up. When the D value is higher that the K value the stock is trending down. The stochastic is currently overbought and due to retreat. This is the fourth indication of pending near-term downward movement.
During the possible formation of this current HnS setup, the 200 day moving average (DMA) has acted as a strong level of resistance. This means the stock approaches the 200 DMA (redline across the chart) and then it drops. Currently, the stock is nearing this DMA further signaling a retreat is coming.
I am only focusing on the first leg of the remaining HnS in this article. The chart above does display the movement of this leg that completes the final shoulder top and the green up arrow depicts estimated completion of the shoulder. After the right shoulder is completed, earnings should be reported for QCOM. The results from earnings could be the jolt that fully completes this pattern and finally excels above the 200 DMA.
Considering the RSI, TSI, VI and stochastic levels, the overall direction favors a move to the downside. Based on historical movement compared to current levels and the current position, the stock could drop at least 8% over the next 28 trading days if not sooner.
