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Support and Resistance in Trading | Definition &

Examples | Beginner’s Guide

Kadi Arula
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GUIDES Sep 17, 2022

Support and resistance levels are two of the most common concepts in the
technical analysis used in stock trading. If you are a beginner to technical
analysis, support and resistance are the first indicators to know before using
other trading tools.
:
 This guide will explain what support and resistance levels are, how to
accurately identify them, bring some examples, and list special considerations
when using support and resistance.

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What is support and resistance trading?

Support and resistance levels are two core indicators used in technical
analysis to interpret chart patterns, identify future price direction, and
trade entry and exit prices, commonly applied for speculation in stocks,
forex markets, or cryptocurrency.

In simple terms, support and resistance lines are used to identify when to buy
and when to sell an asset, usually stocks or currencies, and at what price. These
:
 levels are usually temporary and short-lived but can also be long-lasting as
markets receive new information.

Before we continue, let’s clarify some of the related terms:

Technical analysis is one of two main methods, along with fundamental

analysis, used by investors to find new trading opportunities by analyzing
past price and volume data on charts to forecast future price movements.

A chart in technical analysis is a visual representation of the price and

volume movements of an asset, common in stocks or forex markets, over a
specific time – either one-day, one-month, or even yearly, year-to-date
BYTDE.

Chart pattern or chart formation is a pattern on a chart that forms when

looking at historical price data and volume or number of trades, used to
identify these patterns and derive insights to forecast future prices.

Support and resistance lines are two separate lines or zones on a chart, which
refer to two price points that act as barriers that prevent the price from moving
up or down past these points.

Moreover, these levels aren’t necessarily completely horizontal and can also be
slanted slightly up or down, depending on the overall price trend. Support
indicates buying interest and is always below the current market price, and
resistance shows selling interest, always above the current market price.

Recommended video: Support and Resistance Explained

How to Use Support and Resistance to Read Stock Charts

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Support definition
:
 Support is a price level in a down-trending market, where the price
doesn’t drop any lower for a period of time.

The support level is the minimum price of an asset that doesn’t drop beyond that
point for a period of time because the purchasing power is sufficient. As the
price of an asset gets closer to the support level, it also becomes more affordable
in the process. In the buyers’ eyes, it is a better deal, and they are then more
likely to buy. And if enough investors are purchasing the stock, it prevents the
price from decreasing any further.

On the other hand, sellers are less likely to sell as the value has dropped. When
this happens, demand (buyers) overcomes the supply (sellers), which will, in
turn, stop the price from falling below the support level.

Resistance definition

Resistance is a price level in an up-trending market, where the price

doesn’t go higher than that for a period of time.

The resistance level is the opposite of support – a maximum price an asset can
reach and won’t exceed for some time. The number of sellers wanting to sell at
that specific price prevents the value from climbing any higher. Meaning that the
selling power (supply) is strong enough to stop the price from rising above it.
:
 The rationale behind this is that if the supply (sellers) is higher than the demand
(buyers), it will stop the price from going above resistance.

Simple support and resistance in stocks example

Traders can use support and resistance levels to determine whether to buy or
sell; here’s a simple example to understand the concept of these two lines and
how they are used by traders.

For example, Michael is a day trader who is interested in purchasing Apple

(NASDAQ: AAPL) stock. He wants to know whether to take a long position and
would use support and resistance levels on charts to identify this.

Michael decides to look at yearly price and volume data graphically visualized on
a chart. He noticed that the price of Apple stock peaked at $160 over the last
year; therefore, the $160 is its resistance level. He also saw that the price didn’t
drop below $119 over the past year, which is then the support level.

With this information, Michael will wait until the next time the stock price drops
close to $119 to place a trade and buy Apple stocks at the support level,
assuming this is the lowest value he can purchase.

The idea behind these two lines may seem simple at first. However, you might
find that after reading up more, the concept is slightly more difficult to grasp as
these levels can come in many different forms.

How to read support and resistance?

Support and resistance can serve as potential entry or exit prices for the trade.
As the price reaches the support or resistance line, there are two options – it will
either bounce back as forecast, or a trend is broken. The price continues in the
other direction until hitting a new support or resistance level.
:
 Support and resistance levels help traders to:

Determine the direction of the market;

Find the best entry price in the market;

Confirm the best exit price points at either a profit or loss.

After identifying support and resistance levels, traders should be able to answer
all of the above points and enter a profitable trade.

Support and resistance levels are generally used for:

Buying when the asset drops to support line;

Selling when the asset increases to the resistance line;

Buying when the asset breaks through a resistance line;

Selling when the asset breaks down through the support line.

Psychological support and resistance levels

Support is when a downtrend – continuously decreasing prices – is expected to

temporarily pause or reverse due to heightened demand, and resistance is when
an uptrend – increasing prices – is expected to temporarily pause or reverse due
to concentration on supply.

This sort of price behavior is often a consequence of market psychology and

herd mentality, and when the majority of the market participants react to the
price movements. For example, if the price of an asset drops, the demand for it
increases, forming support.

If the price on a chart crosses the support level, it is a chance for investors to
take a short position – as the price is expected to decrease, and if the price
breaches the resistance level, it is an opportunity to take a long position – as
prices are expected to go up again.
:
 Ultimately, it is important to note that support and resistance levels can be
subjective to each individual interpretation, as they can be applied in different
time ranges and price points.

How to find support and resistance levels?

Several technical analysis indicators can be used to help identify the most
important levels of support and resistance to speculate on where the prices
might retrace.

Some of these indicators include trendlines, Fibonacci numbers, horizontal

lines, and moving averages. What is more, individual traders often also develop
their own style and strategy of how to find them, using a mixture of different
tools.

Moreover, higher frames are essential for correctly identifying the support and
resistance areas. Whenever you draw the levels, as with any other part of your
analysis, you should always start from a higher timeframe -— it has the biggest
influence over the market.

Below is an example of different timeframes drawn on a chart:

:
 Support and resistance levels, different time frames. Source: medium.com

Best indicators for support and resistance trading

strategy

Various technical indicators can identify more advanced support and resistance
areas, including trendlines, Fibonacci sequences, or moving averages.

1. Trendlines

Highlighting support and resistance levels with trendlines can help to identify
the overall price trend and direction. This can be highlighted on the chart using
straight lines that connect together several price points.

This visualization gives traders a good idea of where asset prices might move in
the future. Trendlines can be used for support and resistance levels within any
time frame and also show the speed of price movements and periods of price
contractions.

In an uptrend, the price can form higher highs and higher lows; in a downtrend,
the price makes lower lows and lower highs. Connecting highs and lows with a
trendline can help to show where the price might find support and resistance in
the future. For both, you should be able to draw at least two or more lows and
highs to draw a trendline.
:
 A horizontal line is drawn when the price stops or reverses in the same price
area on two occasions in a row, a horizontal line is drawn, showing the market is
struggling to break past that area. If it is a strong trend, the price will bounce off
this trendline and continue to move in the same direction – look for any entries
in line with the trend.

2. Moving averages in support and resistance

Moving averages (MA) are one of the best indicators for identifying support and
resistance levels. A moving average appears on a chart as a curving line, used as
dynamic support and resistance, as it is already plotted on the chart.

A simple moving average (SMA) is a calculation of a weighted average of a set of

prices over a specific time. An exponential moving average (EMA) from the most
recent time frame, like recent days, means it accounts for more up-to-date
information and is, therefore, more accurate.

Popular moving averages are 20-day and 50-day periods as they are better
suited for short-term trading (intraday or day), following prices with the most
:
 recent information. 100-day and 200-days are also used, however, more
commonly by long-term traders.

i d l e
reg •50PeriodEMA

Moving averages support and resistance. Source: medium.com

In the chart above, we can see that the market is continuously supported by the
50-period EMA, which acts as the support level. The 50 EMA has become the
dynamic level of support.
:
 Moving averages support and resistance. Source: medium.com

In the chart above, we can see both 50-period EMA and 100-period EMA.
Similarly to identifying the “trading zones” between two support and two
resistance levels, traders can identify zones between two moving averages. As
you can see, the prices sometimes fall below 50 MA but never below 100.
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 Moving averages support and resistance. Source: medium.com

And lastly, on the above chart, we can see the 50-day moving average that has
been acting as support reverse, becoming resistance.

3. Fibonacci retracement levels

Using Fibonacci retracement levels is one of the best ways to spot potential
resistance and support levels and conduct a precise technical analysis to know
the best entry, exit, and target prices.

Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers that result in a particular order by

always adding the previous two numbers together, for example, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8,
13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, etc., named after Italian mathematician Leonardo
Fibonacci.

As an example, let’s take the retracement level of 61.8%. When we take one
number divided by the next highest, it comes to .6180 (13/21=.6190,
34/55=.6181, 55/89=.6179, etc.) – all of the numbers approximate nearest to
:
 .6180, as the numbers go higher, which is the basis of the 61.8% retracement
level.

Common Fibonacci retracement levels applied on charts in technical analysis

are 23.6%, 38.2%, 50%, and 61.8%. 50% is also used, even though not a
Fibonacci number. Here’s an example of how to combine support and resistance
with Fibonacci levels:

Fibonacci retracement levels are applied on a chart. Source: babypips.com

The above chart depicts price movements of support and resistance in the forex
of a currency pair USD/CHF, where common Fibonacci retracement levels are
applied. For example, once one Fibonacci level is broken, it is more likely the
price will turn into support and be a good entry place.

Traders can leverage several of these common price areas, as many others are
monitoring them as well, and the chance of price bouncing from them is higher.

4. Round numbers
:
 Another way to identify support and resistance levels is by tracking whole
number levels such as 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, or 1000. This strategy is based on
market psychology – as a large proportion of traders tend to set their stop levels
and profit targets around whole numbers, these price points have more people
entering the market.

AD

Support and resistance on round numbers. Source: forexlive.com

For example, on the above chart, we can see that support and resistance lines
formed at 1.1800 and 1.1500 levels, which is probably as more people entered at
round numbers.

Most traders would place an order at an exchange rate of 1.00 rather than 1.578
or purchase a stock at $40 rather than $41.56. Because so many orders are
placed on the same levels, round numbers tend to act as barriers because a
strong level of resistance or support is created.
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 5. Support and resistance trading ranges or zones

Support and resistance levels aren’t always just a perfectly straight line, and it
can happen that prices bounce off a particular area rather than a specific price
point. Instead of one line, a range appears because there’s no clear indication of
a trend.

Where the price of an asset or security trades within a range but doesn’t form a
distinct trend over some time – forming no bull or bear run – happens in the
sideways market.

That’s why traders use a range trading strategy – ranges can be identified
between support and resistance levels. Rectangles or trading ranges are
common and can last for a short period to several years, seen on both intra-day
but also longer time frames.

But first, you need to identify the areas on a stock chart.

How to draw support and resistance zones?

Step 1 — On the chart, choose either daily, weekly, monthly, or any other time
frame according to your trading needs.

Step 2 — Look for areas where a pierce reversal happened, and mark those
swing highs and lows.

Step 3 — Use a rectangle tool and cover all swing highs and swing lows. Only
cover price points that are in a line – this zone is your support and resistance.
What is more, you always need two or more swings in one zone for the zone to be
valid.

Step 4 — When done with a higher time frame, move to lower time frames and
repeat.

Mark swing highs and swing lows:

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 Identifying support and resistance zones. Source: medium.com

Connect all swing highs and swing lows with a horizontal line:

Identifying support and resistance zones. Source: medium.com

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 Support and resistance trading strategy
considerations

Some of the key aspects to consider when using support and resistance levels in
your trading strategy:

Look at a higher timeframe, but do your trading at a lower timeframe;

Wait on a trend reversal;

Look at previous most recent resistance or support levels to see how low or
high the price could possibly go;

If trying to identify a counter-trend in support and resistance, look for the

most recent levels that reached that price at least twice before. If the trend
goes the other way, look at other multiple tested price levels for where the
price could reach. Traders often use multiple support and resistance levels
in multiple time frames to estimate where prices could go;

Look for 1N2N3 moves; they are often followed by a reversal. If the price
breaks through previous support or resistance, place short or long trades
within this period of the support area accordingly.

BEST FOR0
Intermediate Traders and Investors

2.8 Million
Active Accounts

Get Started

Finbold is compensated if you access certain of the products or services offered by eToro USA LLC
:
 and/or eToro USA Securities Inc. Any testimonials contained in this communication may not be
representative of the experience of other eToro customers and such testimonials are not guarantees
of future performance or success.

In conclusion

Support and resistance levels are two key concepts used in technical analysis.
Being able to accurately determine these two levels is important to improve the
profitability of trades and your short-term trading strategy.

Regardless of the method used, the bottom line is – it shows the likely highest
and lowest price of an asset, and is used for identifying best trade entry and exit
prices and times, e.g., the best price and time to sell or buy.

Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing
is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.

FAQs of support and resistance trading

What is support and resistance?

Support and resistance are two core technical analysis tools used to assume
future prices of stocks or other assets, commonly applied in forex markets,
stocks, and cryptocurrencies. These two levels indicate the lowest and
highest price points an asset could drop or increase over some time, helping
traders know when to buy and when to sell, and at what price.

How to find support and resistance?

Support and resistance levels are identified on a chart by using various

other technical indicators, such as the Fibonacci sequence, moving
averages, trendlines, or support and resistance trading zones.
:
 Does support and resistance actually work?

Yes, support and resistance levels are two of the best and most commonly
used technical analysis tools that help assume the best trade entry and exit
prices. However, as with any other technical analysis indicators and
patterns, support and resistance lines can be subjective, as they are applied
on charts by individual traders differently and between various time
ranges.

What happens when support and resistance meet?

When the two prices meet, consolidation between support and resistance –
called support and resistance reversal happens. It is when the price of the
asset finally breaks through and increases beyond the identified resistance
level, or vice versa, and becomes the new resistance.

Which time frame is best for support and resistance?

As with any other part of your analysis, starting from a higher timeframe is
best. This helps to find the most accurate support and resistance levels, as
higher time frames have the largest influence over the market. After
identifying support and resistance areas over a longer time, concentrate on
shorter timelines.

What is support and resistance in forex?

Support and resistance in forex work the same way as in support and
resistance in stocks. Support is the “floor” price – when the prices that have
been dropping reach the lowest level and stop for some time. Resistance is
the maximum price level a currency price can climb before stopping for
:
 some time and starting to fall again.

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Kadi Arula
GUIDES Sep 17, 2022

Q1433 Share

Contents
:
 What is support and resistance trading?

Support definition

Resistance definition

Simple support and resistance in stocks example

How to read support and resistance?

Psychological support and resistance levels

How to find support and resistance levels?

Best indicators for support and resistance trading strategy

Support and resistance trading strategy considerations

In conclusion

FAQs of support and resistance trading

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