How to Find Pivot Points for Technical Analysis

Pivot points are a tool in technical analysis used to forecast future price movements. They offer a structured approach to identifying potential turning points in price action. These specific price levels are derived from prior trading activity and provide market participants with insights into where buying or selling pressure might emerge.

Traders employ pivot points to anticipate areas where a security’s price could encounter resistance, preventing further upward movement, or find support, preventing further downward movement. These levels serve as a framework for analyzing possible price reversals or continuations within a trading period.

Understanding Pivot Points

Pivot points are specific price levels derived from the high, low, and closing prices of a previous trading period. They serve as predictive indicators for potential support and resistance levels in the current or upcoming trading period.

Traders use pivot points to identify price levels where market sentiment might shift. For example, if a price approaches a pivot point from below, it might act as resistance, suggesting a potential reversal downwards. Conversely, if a price approaches a pivot point from above, it might act as support, indicating a potential bounce upwards. These levels are solely derived from past price data.

Calculating Standard Pivot Points

The standard pivot point calculation uses the high, low, and closing prices of the previous trading period. The primary pivot point (PP) is calculated first, and then support and resistance levels are derived from it.

The formula for the pivot point (PP) is: PP = (High + Low + Close) / 3. From this central pivot, three levels of support (S1, S2, S3) and three levels of resistance (R1, R2, R3) are calculated. The first support (S1) is found using (2 PP) – High, and the first resistance (R1) is calculated as (2 PP) – Low.

The second support (S2) is derived from PP – (High – Low), and the second resistance (R2) is calculated as PP + (High – Low). For instance, if a stock’s previous day’s high was $105, low was $95, and close was $102, the pivot point would be ($105 + $95 + $102) / 3 = $100.67. R1 would be (2 $100.67) – $95 = $106.34, and S1 would be (2 $100.67) – $105 = $96.34.

Applying Standard Pivot Points in Analysis

Once calculated, traders use standard pivot points and their associated support and resistance levels to inform trading decisions. A security’s price trading above the central pivot point can suggest a bullish sentiment, while trading below it may indicate a bearish sentiment. These levels act as potential turning points or areas where price action might consolidate.

Traders look for price reactions at these calculated levels. For example, if the price approaches S1 and then reverses upward, S1 has acted as a support level, potentially signaling a buying opportunity. Conversely, if the price reaches R1 and then turns downward, R1 has functioned as a resistance level, which might suggest a selling opportunity. These levels can also assist in setting stop-loss orders, placing them just below a support level or just above a resistance level to manage potential losses.

The strength of these levels can be assessed by how the price interacts with them. A strong rejection from a resistance level, with increased trading volume, might indicate a more significant reversal. Conversely, a clear break above a resistance level could signal a continuation of an upward trend, suggesting the resistance has been overcome.

Other Common Pivot Point Formulas

While the standard pivot point is widely used, other variations exist with different calculation methodologies. These alternative formulas offer different perspectives on potential support and resistance levels, and traders may prefer them based on their trading style or the specific market they are analyzing.

Woodie’s pivot points place a greater emphasis on the previous period’s closing price. The Woodie’s pivot point (PP) is calculated as (High + Low + (2 Close)) / 4. Support and resistance levels are then derived from this modified pivot point.

Fibonacci pivot points incorporate Fibonacci ratios into their calculation of support and resistance levels. After calculating the standard pivot point, the support levels are found by subtracting specific Fibonacci multiples of the range (High – Low) from the pivot point, and resistance levels are found by adding them. Camarilla pivot points, another variation, generate tighter, closer support and resistance levels, making them potentially more suitable for shorter-term trading strategies.

Integrating Multiple Pivot Point Types

Traders combine different pivot point calculation methods to enhance market analysis. By overlaying standard pivot points with Woodie’s or Fibonacci pivot points on a chart, traders can identify areas where multiple methods suggest similar price levels. This convergence of different indicators at the same price point is known as confluence.

Confluence can strengthen the significance of a particular support or resistance level. For example, if a standard R1 level aligns closely with a Fibonacci R1 level, it might indicate a more robust resistance area. Combining various pivot point types, or integrating them with other technical analysis tools like moving averages or trend lines, can lead to more informed trading decisions.