The chart of Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) has accomplished a roundtrip from the February excessive round $740 to the April low at $480 – and all the best way again once more. During the last couple weeks, META has pulled again from its retest of all-time highs, leaving traders to surprise what could come subsequent.
Is that this the start of a brand new downtrend section for META? Or is it only a transient pullback earlier than a brand new uptrend section propels META to new all-time highs? To investigate this, we’ll take a look at two potential eventualities, together with the double-top sample and the cup-and-handle sample, and share which technical indicators and approaches may assist us decide which path performs out into August.

The double-top situation principally implies that the late July retest of the earlier all-time excessive was the top of the latest uptrend section. The double-top sample is actually when a serious resistance degree is about after which retested. The implication is {that a} lack of keen patrons means the uptrend is exhausted, and there’s nowhere to go however down.
Whereas the 21-day exponential transferring common is at present in play for META, I’d say {that a} break under the 50-day transferring common may verify this as the proper situation. If that smoothing mechanism doesn’t maintain, then the worth motion would indicate much less of a pullback and extra of a starting of an actual distribution section.

However what if META pulls again however then resumes an uptrend section, main META to a different new all-time excessive? That will end in a confirmed cup-and-handle sample, created by a big rounded bottoming sample adopted by a short pullback. The important thing to this sample is the “rim” of the cup, which sits proper at $740 for META.
Given the pullback META has demonstrated to this point in July, I’d say {that a} break above the $740 degree would principally verify a bullish cup-and-handle sample. That will counsel far more upside potential for META, because the inventory would actually go into beforehand uncharted territory.

So how can we decide which situation is extra prone to play out? That is the place we have to incorporate extra technical indicators into the dialogue, as a method to additional validate and ensure our funding thesis.
Simply to evaluation, I believe a break above $740 would verify a bullish cup-and-handle sample. I’d additionally say {that a} break under the $680 degree, which might symbolize a transfer under the 50-day transferring common in addition to the June swing lows, would principally verify a bearish double high sample.
We are able to additionally use the Relative Power Index (RSI) to assist decide whether or not META stays in a bullish pattern section. Throughout bull phases, the RSI not often will get under 40, as a result of patrons often step in to “purchase the dips” and hold the momentum pretty constructive. So if the worth had been to interrupt down, and the RSI not maintain that essential 40 degree, that might make a bearish outlook warranted.
Lastly, we will use volume-based indicators to evaluate whether or not strikes within the worth are supported by stronger quantity readings. Right here, I’ve included the Accumulation/Distribution Line, which tracks the pattern in every day quantity readings over time. We are able to see that the excessive in July resulted in a divergence, because the A/D line was trending decrease. If the A/D line would break under its June and July lows, marked by a dashed crimson line, that might symbolize a bearish quantity studying for META.
Technical evaluation is much less about predicting the long run and extra about figuring out probably the most possible eventualities primarily based on our evaluation of pattern, momentum, and quantity. I hope this dialogue exhibits how the outlook for META may be simply decided and tracked utilizing one of the best practices of technical evaluation!
RR#6,
Dave
P.S. Able to improve your funding course of? Take a look at my free behavioral investing course!
David Keller, CMT
President and Chief Strategist
Sierra Alpha Analysis LLC
marketmisbehavior.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/MarketMisbehavior
Disclaimer: This weblog is for instructional functions solely and shouldn’t be construed as monetary recommendation. The concepts and techniques ought to by no means be used with out first assessing your individual private and monetary scenario, or with out consulting a monetary skilled.
The creator doesn’t have a place in talked about securities on the time of publication. Any opinions expressed herein are solely these of the creator and don’t in any approach symbolize the views or opinions of another individual or entity.

About The Writer:
David is President and Chief Strategist at Sierra Alpha Analysis LLC, the place he helps lively traders make higher choices utilizing behavioral finance and technical evaluation. He’s a former President of the CMT Affiliation.