Support and Resistance Trading Levels

Another extremely important set of terms within technical analysis is that of Support and Resistance. This is another concept that should be learnt at the start of your trading as you will find it referred to continually! Support and Resistance can best be described as graphical representations of the conflicts between supply and demand within any given market.

So, when markets go up, there tends to be more demand, at a Resistance level demand and supply balance their power and when markets go down, there tends to be more supply, at a Support level supply and demand balance their power. Plotting these on a chart, the terms given are Support and Resistance. Let’s look at both more closely:

Interpretation of Support and Resistance

The general rule is, the more often a Support or Resistance level is tested (i.e. bounced off or away from), the more significant the level becomes. And of course, the more times it happens, the more people to stand up and take notice of that level.

Why does this happen though and what is the psychology of Support and Resistance levels? Well, traders who are long, expecting a rise in price, may consider placing a new buy order(s) if the price drops back down to the same Support level. Traders who are short, may buy ‘to cover’ their position at the same Support level.

Keep in mind, if most of the market’s participants actually buy at this level, prices will rebound from the Support. Of course, it can happen in the opposite way, too. If the price breaks through the Support level, long traders may wait for prices to climb back up to the previous Support level, which will now act as Resistance, to hedge or close their position. At this time, short traders may consider adding a new position(s) at the new Resistance level.

For some reason, which can only be logically attributed to psychology, Support and Resistance can also often be seen at big whole numbers. So, for example, let’s say there is a price level of 1.20 in GBP/USD. Often a whole number like that will be used as a Support or Resistance level - probably because traders have set a lot of take profits or stop loss orders here which can affect the inability to break through the level. Have a look at some charts and we are sure you can notice the pattern!

Skilling Summary
Support and Resistance levels are a definite requirement for any serious trader. They form one of the key parts of understanding technical analysis. They are also an easy concept to understand, and many such areas can be spotted on charts without the need of even drawing a line. We feel that Support and Resistance is one area where you should spend a good amount of time studying, so that you become proficient in recognising these key levels. Support and Resistance lines are easy to draw through the Skilling platform.

Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee or predict future performance.