How to set price targets using a third tramline

Today, I want to show you an interesting setup in the EUR/USD that illustrates how drawing in the third tramline can be invaluable in setting price targets.

On 11 August, I asked the question: Is the euro ready for a rally? This was the hourly chart then:

I then combined the tramline break on this hourly chart with the longer-term daily chart:

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It showed major chart and Fibonacci support, and I concluded that a rally was very likely.

The euro stages a rally but it was weak

The tramline break was the initial signal that a rally was in the offing, and on that break I could draw a third higher tramline. That is always my practice whenever I see a tramline break.The reason is that my new third tramline gives me a likely price target.

So how far did the rally carry? Here is the updated chart:

Actually, it didn't carry very far. Although my third tramline target was hit, the high reached was only a handful of pips above entry price. This was because my tramlines have a sharp angle down and it did not take long for the third tramline to decline to the region of the entry price.

How to find a new target

Let's take a step back and look at the daily chart:

From the 1.40 high, the pattern has a distinct three-wave feel to it (so far) in a possible a-b-c. The next Fibonacci support lies just below the current market in the 1.3250 area. That is one possible target.

Also, we often see wave equality between waves a and c. That would place wave c low at the 1.32 area.

But let's look at my c wave in close-up:

I have a lovely five-wave impulsive pattern. The new low yesterday has confirmed the pattern. I can also draw in new tramlines.

My waves 1, 2 and 3 are textbook waves with wave 3 containing its own clear five sub-wave pattern. My wave 4 is complex, as is usual, and now we are in the final fifth wave down.

The complex wave 4 is interesting and forms a wedge, which is a typical pattern for a fourth wave. The 1.34 1.3450 area was solid resistance and every time the market tried to break free, it was hit by heavy selling. And just like a coiled spring, the move out of the wedge is sharp.

That is one thing you can reasonably forecast when you see a wedge and that is why it is one of my favourite patterns. A trade in the direction of the breakout will usually be in profit from the get-go. I like those trades!

The equality of waves 1 and 5 gives me another target

But there is also another wave equality rule I can apply here: the equality of waves 1 and 5. That would place the target at the 1.3270 area. Of course, the fifth wave could extend, but as a minimum the 1.3270 level appears valid.

I now have five downside targets from several different methods:

Wave 1 = wave 5 of c wave: 1.3270 Fibonacci 50% support: 1.3250 Centre tramline on hourly: 1.3250

Wave a = wave c on hourly: 1.32 Lower tramline on hourly: 1.32

They all lie between 1.3270 and 1.32, making that a prime target area.

Of course, we could really be in a large third wave of an impulsive five-wave pattern off the 1.40 high, not an a-b-c. If so, the downside target for wave 3 lies much lower than 1.32.

Further market development will help answer than question. But at least I have some firm targets where I can consider taking at least partical profits using my split-bet strategy.

What the sentiment data tells us

commitments of traders

That tells me that when the fifth wave completes, I should expect a decent relief rally (in perhaps an A-B-C pattern).

For short-term trades, the 1.32 region appears a sensible place to take at least partial profits.