BEARISH BELT HOLD
Definition
Bearish Belt Hold is a single candlestick pattern, basically, a Black Opening Marubozu that occurs in an uptrend. It opens on the high of the day, and then prices begin to fall during the day against the overall trend of the market, which eventually stops with a close near the low, leaving a small shadow at the bottom of the candle. If longer bodies characterize the Belt Hold, then the resistance they offer against the trend will be even much stronger.
Recognition Criteria
1. The market is characterized by a prevailing uptrend.
2. The market gaps up and opens at its high, and closes near to the low of the day.
3. A long black body that has no upper shadow (a Black Opening Marubozu) is observed.
Pattern Requirements and Flexibility
A Black Opening Marubozu or a Black Marubozu (with no upper or lower shadow) should be seen, and it should open higher than the two preceding white candlesticks.
Trader’s Behavior
The market opens higher, with a significant gap in the direction of the prevailing uptrend. So, the first impression reflected in the opening price is the continuation of the uptrend. However, after the market opening, things change rapidly and the market moves in the opposite direction from there on. This causes much concern among the bulls, leading them to sell many positions, which could reverse the direction of the trend and start a sell-off.
Sell/Stop Loss Levels
The confirmation level is defined as the last close. Prices should cross below this level for confirmation.
The stop loss level is defined as the last high. Following the bearish signal, if prices go up instead of going down, and close or make two consecutive daily highs above the stop loss level, while no bullish pattern is detected, then the stop loss is triggered.