Technical Analysis from A to Z

by Steven B. Achelis

FIBONACCI STUDIES

Overview

Leonardo Fibonacci was a mathematician who was born in Italy around the year 1170. It is believed that Mr. Fibonacci discovered the relationship of what are now referred to as Fibonacci numbers while studying the Great Pyramid of Gizeh in Egypt. Fibonacci numbers are a sequence of numbers in which each successive number is the sum of the two previous numbers:

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 610, etc.

These numbers possess an intriguing number of interrelationships, such as the fact that any given number is approximately 1.618 times the preceding number and any given number is approximately 0.618 times the following number. The booklet Understanding Fibonacci Numbers by Edward Dobson contains a good discussion of these interrelationships.  To learn how to apply Fibonacci to stock and commodity trading, refer to The Trend Strategist Handbook By Price Headley.

Interpretation

There are four popular Fibonacci studies: arcs, fans, retracements, and time zones. The interpretation of these studies involves anticipating changes in trends as prices near the lines created by the Fibonacci studies.

Arcs

Fibonacci Arcs are displayed by first drawing a trendline between two extreme points, for example, a trough and opposing peak. Three arcs are then drawn, centered on the second extreme point, so they intersect the trendline at the Fibonacci levels of 38.2%, 50.0%, and 61.8%. The interpretation of Fibonacci Arcs involves anticipating support and resistance as prices approach the arcs. A common technique is to display both Fibonacci Arcs and Fibonacci Fan Lines and to anticipate support/resistance at the points where the Fibonacci studies cross. Note that the points where the Arcs cross the price data will vary depending on the scaling of the chart, because the Arcs are drawn so they are circular relative to the chart paper or computer screen. The following British Pound chart illustrates how the arcs can provide support and resistance (points "A," "B," and "C").

Fans

Fibonacci Fan Lines are displayed by drawing a trendline between two extreme points, for example, a trough and opposing peak. Then an "invisible" vertical line is drawn through the second extreme point. Three trendlines are then drawn from the first extreme point so they pass through the invisible vertical line at the Fibonacci levels of 38.2%, 50.0%, and 61.8%.. (This technique is similar to Speed Resistance Lines.)

The following chart of Texaco shows how prices found support at the Fan Lines.

You can see that when prices encountered the top Fan Line (point "A"), they were unable to penetrate the line for several days. When prices did penetrate this line, they dropped quickly to the bottom Fan Line (points "B" and "C") before finding support. Also note that when prices bounced off the bottom line (point "C"), they rose freely to the top line (point "D") where they again met resistance, fell to the middle line (point "E") and rebounded.

Retracements

Fibonacci Retracements are displayed by first drawing a trendline between two extreme points, for example, a trough and opposing peak. A series of nine horizontal lines are drawn intersecting the trendline at the Fibonacci levels of 0.0%, 23.6%, 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%, 100%, 161.8%, 261.8%, and 423.6%. (Some of the lines will probably not be visible because they will be off the scale.)

After a significant price move (either up or down), prices will often retrace a significant portion (if not all) of the original move. As prices retrace, support and resistance levels often occur at or near the Fibonacci Retracement levels. In the following chart of Eastman Kodak, Fibonacci Retracement lines were drawn between a major trough and peak.

You can see that support and resistance occurred near the Fibonacci levels of 23 and 38%.

Time Zones

Fibonacci Time Zones are a series of vertical lines. They are spaced at the Fibonacci intervals of 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, etc. The interpretation of Fibonacci Time Zones involves looking for significant changes in price near the vertical lines. In the following example, Fibonacci Time Zones were drawn on the Dow Jones Industrials beginning at the market bottom in 1970.

You can see that significant changes in the Industrials occurred on or near the Time Zone lines.

For further reading on Fibonacci Analysis:

Additional information on other trading indicators and chart patterns can be found in the stock trading guide at www.accuinvestor.com.