6. PRICE GAP

Gaps are simply areas on the bar chart where no trading has taken place.An upward gap occurs when the lowest price for one day is higher than the highest price of the preceding day. A downward gap means that the highest price for one day is lower than the lowest price of the preceding day.There are different types of gaps that appear at different stages of the trend. Being able to distinguish among them can provide useful and profitable market insights.Three types of gaps have forecasting value—breakaway, runaway and exhaustion gaps (See Figure 6-1).


The breakaway gap usually occurs upon completion of an important price pattern and signals a significant market move. A breakout above the neckline of a head and shoulders bottom, for example, often occurs on a breakaway gap.

The exhaustion gap occurs right at the end of the market move and represents a last gasp in the trend. Sometimes an exhaustion gap is followed within a few days by a breakaway gap in the other direction, leaving several days of price action isolated by two gaps. This market phenomenon is called the island reversal and usually signals an important market turn. The runaway gap usually occurs after the trend is well underway. It often appears about halfway through the move (which is why it is also called a measuring gap since it gives some indication of how much of the move is left.) During uptrends,the breakaway and runaway gaps usually provide support below the market on subsequent market dips; during downtrends, these two gaps act as resistance over the market on bounces.