Bollinger Bands (20,2), the Keltner Channel (20,1.5) and the 12

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Trading Lesson: How to Get Positioned for a Big Move
03

May

Posted by Momentum-Trader as Trading Lesson

Imagine being able to get into a trade before a big momentum move takes place. This seems difficult to do, but there is a setup that can help you do this. The setup uses Bollinger Bands (20,2), the Keltner Channel (20,1.5) and the 12 period Momentum Oscillator to predict a momentum move. This setup, called “The Squeeze”, is described in chapter 10 of ‘Mastering the Trade‘ by John Carter.

The Setup
When Bollinger Bands and the Keltner Chanel are narrow, it indicates a period of rest or consolidation. Usually, the Keltner Channel lies within the Bollinger Bands, but when the Bollinger Bands are within the Keltner Channel, it indicates a period of extreme consolidation. When the Bollinger Bands breakout of the Keltner Channel, it usually signals a powerful move is about to take place. The direction of the move depends on the direction of the Momentum Oscillator. If the Momentum Oscillator is above zero, then the breakout is a long signal. If the Oscillator is below zero, then it’s a short signal. It’s that easy.
Let’s look at a chart which shows the Bollinger Bands within the Keltner Channel.


Instead of watching the Bollinger Bands and Keltner Channel, John Carter has developed a custom indicator called the TTM Squeeze Indicator. It displays green and red dots along the zero line of the Momentum Oscillator. When the dots turn red, it means that the Bollinger Bands are inside of the Keltner Channel, or in a ’squeeze’. The dots turn green when the Bollinger Bands breakout of the Keltner Channel and triggers a buy or sell signal, depending on the direction of the Momentum Oscillator.




I like to use this indicator in conjunction with chart patterns. Oftentimes, when the signal fires off, the stock is also breaking out of a clean chart pattern. These can lead to very powerful moves.

Here’s an example:
I noticed that CLF is moving higher towards a resistance level. I also noticed that the Bollinger Bands are very close to the Keltner Channel. With some rest, this could enter a squeeze. A chart of CLF is posted in the Momentum-Trader Report on 3/26/08, recommended as a buy when it breaks into new highs.



The stock rests here and enters the squeeze, with the Bollinger Bands inside the Keltner Channel and the Momentum Oscillator above zero. It also forms a bullish double bottom pattern. There are all indications that a powerful move higher is very likely.

On 4/01/08, the stock breaks resistance on heavy volume.



Although the stock closes below the entry point, the Bollinger Bands have also broken out of the Keltner Channel. This indicates that the stock is on its way for a huge move, and that’s exactly what it does. On 4/18/08, the stock is up $35.31 from the entry price first posted here. That’s a gain of 27.59% in just 14 trading days!



This is a powerful technique that you can use by simply watching the Bollinger Bands, Keltner Channel and Momentum Oscillator couples with chart patterns. It’s much easier though to use a custom made indicator to show the exact breakout. There are a couple of options:

1. You can purchase this indicator at John Carters’ site by clicking here. The indicator is called the TTM Squeeze Indicator and can be used with Tradestation, eSignal and Sierra Charts.

2. If you use Quotetracker, and are a bit computer savvy, you can setup the indicator yourself at no cost. The instructions can be found here.

For more information on this indicator and its application, get a copy of ‘Mastering the Trade‘ by John Carter.

Good luck and good trading!
11 Responses
jeff

June 23rd, 2008 at 4:01 pm

1
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later ..

Momentum Trader Report: 06/27/08 by momentum-trader.com

June 26th, 2008 at 9:12 pm

2
[…] triggered from the Watchlist yesterday, and today, the Squeeze indicator triggered. This indicator is described here, and often leads to power […]

Momentum Trader Report: 08/11/08 by momentum-trader.com

August 11th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

3
[…] the Education section of this site, I posted a trading lesson called “How to Get Positioned for a Big Move”. The lesson talks about using indicators to find periods of tight consolidation which often lead […]

Momentum Trader Report: 08/11/08 by momentum-trader.com

August 11th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

4
[…] the Education section of this site, I posted a trading lesson called “How to Get Positioned for a Big Move”. The lesson talks about using indicators to find periods of tight consolidation which often lead […]

Tony

August 23rd, 2008 at 8:54 am

5
I came across your site while I did a search on Google for trading on the stock market and your article on Trading Lesson: How to Get Positioned for a Big Move by momentum-trader.com was informative.

Stock Market Closed

September 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 am

6
Good site I “Stumbledupon” it today and gave it a stumble for you.. looking forward to seeing what else you have..later

Momentum Trader Report: 03/15/09 by momentum-trader.com

March 15th, 2009 at 9:44 pm

7
[…] TLT and its inverse, TBT. These are both consolidating right now, and have entered the squeeze, described here. This often precedes a substantial momentum […]

Momentum Trader Report: 03/18/09 by momentum-trader.com

March 18th, 2009 at 10:03 pm

8
[…] pulled back to its consolidation area, and didn’t trigger the squeeze, which I mentioned on Sunday, but needless to say, I am liking TLT (disregard my comment last night […]

TTM Squeeze for QuoteTracker - StockRants Stock Market Forum

June 4th, 2009 at 9:03 am

9
[…] how to add it into QuoteTracker for free. A great video on how it works can be found here: Via momentum-trader.com: When Bollinger Bands and the Keltner Channel are narrow, it indicates a period of rest or […]

penny stock pick

July 5th, 2009 at 7:43 am

10
Do you take donations or is this free like some of the penny stock pick site I know that take donations?

Momentum Trader Report: 09/03/09 by momentum-trader.com

September 3rd, 2009 at 8:50 pm

11
[…] is also setting up a squeeze play, described here. These often precede momentum moves, and by the current direction of the momentum oscillator, it […]


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