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How to Trade Options » STOCK CHART ANALYSIS » Island Cluster Reversal Pattern

Island Cluster Reversal Pattern

How We Could Trade Island Cluster Reversal Patterns

Let’s start by identifying what a Island Cluster Reversals are. You may be familiar with the term “island reversal” – which is where a gap forms or a chart at the top or bottom of a trend, on either side of the reversal day. Well the Island Cluster Reversal is an extension of this. Let’s take a look at one.

island cluster reversals

Here we can readily observe the typical pattern. We can see a gap on the way into the pattern, followed by anotehr one on the way out (highlighted in yellow). Between these two gaps we find the price action consolidating within a range before the breakout occurs. This pattern can be found either at the top or bottom of a move.

Here’s an example of the island cluster reversal at the bottom of a move.

island cluster reversals

Looking at the above two example, we should note something important. The number of days that form the cluster can and do vary from pattern to pattern. The first pattern had 12 trading days between the gaps wherease the second had only two. The point is, that as long as more than one trading day is involved, the pattern can be called an island cluster reversal and not simply and “island reversal”.

Market Psychology Behind the Island Cluster Reversal

The psychology behind this pattern tells us that the underlying security has come to a point where it makes a last ditch effort to thrust the price higher (or lower) but at this point, has run out of steam, so that now market sentiment is changing about it while the cluster develops.

One thing to look out for, is more volume for the security at the start of the pattern (directly after the first gap) and then this volume begins to fall away as the consolidation process continues. The fall in volume is mostly due to the buyers losing their conviction that the security will produce a profit, while other traders are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the new direction to be established, or volatility to return.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) can be a useful ally when identifying island cluster reversals, as it identifies internal weakness in a trend. Here’s an example of that in the chart below.

island cluster reversals

Notice in the above imagine, how the RSI is indicating internal weakness in the stock priced action with a very strong bearish bias signal, at the same time as priced is consolidating in the cluster. For the RSI to come from the “over bought” zone and breach the 70 signal line indicates that the stock trend is losing internal strength. Even so, we don’t have an entry signal yet. We are still waiting for the island cluster reversal pattern to be confirmed first.

The validation for this pattern is not given until the stock has produced a price gap in the opposite direction after the consolidation period, accompanied by an increase in volume for that particular trading day. Patience will be needed to wait for this outcome.

Further Validation

To further stack the odds in our favour, it is worth looking at what the Bollinger Bands and CStats are telling us. The example below shows the Bollinger Bands flaring open on the validation breakout day. We also notice that the CStats (Stochastics) are showing weakness, as the stock has only slightly dropped and the CStats have gone from their over bought zone to almost their over sold zone.

island cluster reversals

Another validation for short term traders would be a crossover between the 3 and 9 day exponential moving average at the breakout day.

Option Trading Possibilities with the Island Cluster Reversal Pattern

Assuming we are looking at the above chart, here’s how you could use this information to profit from option trades. We believe the price action in this case will reverse and continue to fall.

1. Buy put options with at least 4-6 weeks until expiration date. Be aware of implied volatility.

2. Use a put option debit spread

3. Use a call option credit spread – much less risk than the above two, but lower return on investment. Again, be aware of any implied volatilty issues in each leg of the spread.

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DISCLAIMER: All stock options trading and technical analysis information on this website is for educational purposes only. While it is believed to be accurate, it should not be considered solely reliable for use in making actual investment decisions. This is neither a solicitation nor an offer to Buy/Sell futures or options. Futures and options are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. You must be aware of the risks and be willing to accept them in order to invest in the futures and options markets. Don't trade with money you can't afford to lose. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those discussed in this video or on this website. Please read "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options" before investing in options. CFTC RULE 4.41 - HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER-OR-OVERCOMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFIT OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.