Fibonacci Retracements

How To Use Fibonacci Retracements (with video)

The Fibonacci retracements pattern can be useful for swing traders to identify reversals on a stock chart. On this page we will look at the Fibonacci sequence and show some examples of how you can identify this pattern.

Fibonacci numbers were developed by Leonardo Fibonacci and it is simply a series of numbers that when you add the previous two numbers you come up with the next number in the sequence. Here is an example:

1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55

See how when you add 1 and 2 you get 3? Now add 2 and 3 and you get 5, and so on. So how does this sequence help you as a swing trader?

Well, the relationship between these numbers is what gives us the common Fibonacci retracements pattern in technical analysis.

Fibonacci Retracements Pattern

Stocks will often pull back or retrace a percentage of the previous move before reversing. These Fibonacci retracements often occur at three levels – 38.2%, 50%, and 61.8%. Actually, the 50% level really does not have anything to do with Fibonacci, but traders use this level because of the tendency of stocks to reverse after retracing half of the previous move. Here is an example using a graphic explaining the retracement pattern…

This picture shows a graphical representation of the reversal points for stocks in an uptrend. The pattern is reversed for stocks that are in downtrends.

After a stock makes a move to the upside (A), it can then retrace a part of that move (B), before moving on again in the desired direction (C). These retracements or pullbacks are what you as a swing trader want to watch for when initiating long or short positions.

Once the stock begins to pull back (retrace), then you can plot these retracement levels on a chart to look for signs of a reversal. You do not automatically buy the stock just because it is at a common retracement level! Wait, and look for candlestick patterns to develop at the 38.2% area. If you do not see any signs of a reversal, then it may go down to the 50% area. Look for a reversal there. You do not know if or when the stock will reverse at a Fibonacci level! You just mark these areas on a chart and wait for signal to go long or short.

How To Draw A Fib Grid

So how do we identify Fibonacci patterns on a chart. Easy, we draw a Fibonacci grid (fib grid) using swing points. Here is an example:

Draw the fib grid from the swing point high and the swing point low of a swing. Your charting software should come with this feature. It is a standard option on most charting packages. If not, you can calculate it manually by using this formula:

Calculate the range from the swing point high to the swing point low.

Now multiply the range times a Fibonacci ratio – 38.2% (0.382), 50% (0.500), and 61.8% (0.618).

Finally, subtract that number from the swing point high. That will give you your Fibonacci levels.

This chart shows an actual trade that I made. ARI pulled back into the TAZ and then formed a hammer right at the 50% level. That gave me the signal to go long. Nice trade!

Video Tutorial

Here is a short video that will better explain these retracement levels and how to tell if a stock is strong or weak. Click the play button on the chart to begin...

Find more videos like this on ChartWatchers

Is It Useful?

Well…maybe…sometimes…

Most of the time, when you draw a fib grid on a chart, you will notice that the grid lines up with support and resistance areas that you would see anyway without drawing the lines in! So you really do not need to draw the lines in. Instead, you can just look at a chart and estimate where the levels are.

Look again at the chart above of ARI. If you didn't draw the Fibonacci retracement lines in, you can still tell just by looking at the chart that the stock has retraced 50% of the previous move.

If drawing the lines in helps you to better visualize the fib levels, then by all means use it! The choice is up to you.

Fibonacci Software

You may be interested in getting this Fibonacci software. This software is really easy to use. Just enter a high and a low price and it will plot the price levels for you.

What is unique about this software is that it also gives you Fibonacci time levels. Yep, that's right. On this page we talked about price levels, but stocks can also reverse at certain time intervals.

This software will give you future dates where stocks (or the market) can reverse. Then you look for both price and time to match. This can pinpoint some powerful reversals.

Fibonacci E-book

Also, if you want to get into some really advanced Fibonacci analysis, then you may want to check out this Fibonacci e-book. It was written by Wayne Gorman who has 25 years experience in trading, forecasting, and portfolio management. He also worked for Citibank and Westpac Banking Corporation.

This 90 page e-book goes into detail on Fibonacci time relationships, retracements, extensions, clusters, etc. There is also a big emphasis on Elliott Wave theory in this e-book. Some of it can get complicated but you'll definitely be an expert on Fibonacci by the time you finish reading this!

So there you have it. Hopefully, this page gave you a good idea of how Fibonacci works. At least now you can start plotting fib grids and looking at retracement levels the next time you consider a trade.

Just remember...

Price is king. Wait for signs of a reversal before you initiate a trade!