Breakout
A breakout occurs when an asset's price moves outside a defined support or resistance level with increased volume, signaling a potential shift in trend. This technical event suggests that the market consensus has changed, and the previous balance between supply and demand has been disrupted.
Traders look for breakouts to enter positions in the direction of the new momentum. A genuine breakout is typically accompanied by a significant surge in trading volume, confirming that the move is backed by strong conviction.
False breakouts, or traps, happen when the price momentarily moves past a level but quickly reverses, often catching momentum traders off guard. Successfully identifying and trading breakouts requires patience and confirmation, as entering too early can lead to losses if the move fails to sustain.
It is a core strategy for trend followers.