Case Study 0017: High-Wave and Doji After a Tall Green Candle (AUD/USD)

In this article, we will cover the performance of the AUD/USD after the emergence of a high-wave pattern.

Hourly AUD/USD candlestick chart showing a doji and a high-wave candle followed by a market decline

This case study examines a historical market setup observed in the AUD/USD in October 2023. It is intended for educational purposes and illustrates how specific candlestick patterns behaved in real market conditions.

Case Study Data Sheet (Historical)

1. Signal Formation

On October 24, the AUD/USD pair displayed a tall green candle. Given the relatively short preceding uptrend, this bullish session could be interpreted as a continuation and acceleration of the upward move.

The market, however, halted with a high-wave candlestick, indicating indecision among traders. Since the opening and closing price of this session are almost the same, it can also be viewed as a long-legged doji.

At first, this situation appeared somewhat perplexing. It seemed that the preceding uptrend wasn't sufficiently developed to suggest a reversal. Nonetheless, a doji emerging after a long green candle should always be regarded with caution as a potential warning sign.

Hourly AUD/USD candlestick chart displaying a market rally followed by a doji and a high-wave candle
AUD/USD: High-Wave Session After a Large Green Candle in October 2023 (Hourly Chart)

Another important aspect of this pattern was the area in which it appeared. Note how it emerged in a significant resistance zone, established by another sequence of candlestick patterns on November 18.

Hourly AUD/USD candlestick chart displaying a doji and a high-wave candle at a previous resistance level
AUD/USD: High-Wave Candle Within a Resistance Zone (Hourly Chart)

2. Early Market Transition

As evident from the chart above, the AUD/USD began its descent almost immediately, without additional testing of the highs marked by the high-wave candle.

3. Resolution

The top reversal continued by displaying a sizeable and satisfactory downward move of about 2 percent.

Hourly AUD/USD candlestick chart showing a doji and a high-wave candle followed by a market decline
AUD/USD: Descent After the High-Wave on October 24, 2023 (Hourly Chart)

4. Conclusion and Retrospective Assessment

When evaluating the significance of a candlestick reversal pattern in a chart, there are three main parameters to bear in mind:

  • The length of the preceding trend
  • Whether the reversal pattern emerges within a support or resistance zone
  • The confluence of additional reversal signals within the same price range

While the prior uptrend was not very long in this case, the fact that the high-wave session emerged within a key resistance zone and considering that it could also be viewed as a long-legged doji, contributed to forecast a likely bearish reversal.