Neckline

A trendline drawn below a head and shoulders pattern that is used in technical analysis

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What is a Neckline?

Neckline refers to a trendline drawn below a head and shoulders pattern that is used in technical analysis that signals buying opportunities to investors. It is drawn along the support and resistance points of various consolidation and reversal patterns. It connects the low points of the head and shoulders pattern, following the first two peaks.

Neckline

The neckline is used by traders to determine the strategic areas to place orders. The price of the stock falling below the neckline may indicate a reversal in trends of the stock price.

Summary

  • Neckline is a great tool for technical analysts, traders, and other investors to determine possible uptrend and downtrend in stock prices.
  • Neckline helps establish an area of support (head and shoulders pattern) or resistance (inverse head and shoulders pattern).
  • Neckline, coupled with the head and shoulders pattern, is used in conjunction with other technical indicators and chart patterns to get confirmation of price trends and targets.

Neckline – Importance

The neckline drawn represents a support level, and it cannot be assumed that a head and shoulders pattern has been completed until the support level has been broken. One must be careful while analyzing the breakthroughs, as a break greater than 3%-4% may be a cause of concern.

A stock may drift through the neckline due to small volume, and the price may rise. However, the rally normally does not cross the general level of neckline before an increase in selling pressure leads to a price decrease with greater volume.

Neckline – Characteristics

  • The neckline may not be perfectly horizontal. It may slope upwards or downwards.
  • An upward sloping neckline can be used as a decision-making tool only if the lowest point of the right shoulder is significantly lower than the peak of the left shoulder.

Neckline in a Head and Shoulders Pattern

Neckline in a Head and Shoulders Pattern

In the chart above, the stock price movement of XYZ Inc. forms a head and shoulders pattern by forming shoulders at the first and third peaks and the head at the second peak with retracements between them.

The neckline connects the two lowest points of the stock price during the trading period. A price decline below the neckline following the third peak may suggest a reversal of the uptrend and that the stock price might decline further.

The stock trading volume may also play an important role in the head and shoulders pattern. A higher volume during the advance of the left shoulder coupled with a low volume during the advance of the head and the new high of the head signal a warning sign.

The next warning sign appears when volume decreases during the decline from the peak of the head, followed by increasing volume during the decline of the right shoulder.

Price Target Using the Head and Shoulders Top Pattern

  • Measure the distance from the second peak (head) to the neckline
  • Locate the breakout point, i.e., where the neckline meets the outside of the right shoulder. Measure the distance found above to determine the potential downside target price level.

Neckline in an Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern

Neckline in an Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern

In the chart above, the stock price movement of ABC Inc. forms an inverse head and shoulders pattern by forming shoulders at the first and third troughs and the head at the second trough with retracements between them.

The neckline connects the two highest points of the stock price during the trading period. An increase in price above the neckline following the third trough may suggest a reversal of the downtrend and that the stock price might increase further.

Price Target using an Inverse Head and Shoulders Pattern

  • Measure the distance from the second trough (head) to the neckline.
  • Locate the breakout point, i.e., where the neckline meets the outside of the right shoulder. Measure the distance found above to determine the potential upside target price level.

Neckline in a Double Top Pattern

Neckline in a Double Top Pattern

In a double top pattern, the stock price movement tests the resistance level twice but is unable to break the same, and the price declines after the third peak. In the double top pattern, the neckline is formed by connecting the first trough and the third peak.

A double bottom pattern is the inverse of the double top pattern, where the stock price movement tests the support level twice and enters a new trend and heads upwards.

Additional Resources

CFI is the official provider of the global Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA)™ certification program, designed to help anyone become a world-class financial analyst. To keep advancing your career, the additional resources below will be useful:

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