Bearish market structure - Illustrations + Structure types

This is the third post on market structure. Do check out the previous 2 posts if you haven't already.

Recap

Market structure is simple and a basic form of understanding, how the markets move. The Price Action is how the market moves based just on price, without the consideration of trends and how they may continue. But the market structure is focused mainly on the trend. The market structure is formed using swing highs and swing lows. You may have already heard about the formation of higher highs and higher lows in a bullish trend or the formation of lower highs and lower lows in a bearish trend. This is what is called as market structure.

What is a Bearish market structure?

A bearish market structure is a structure that constitutes of formation of a series of lower highs and lower lows. In simple words, when the price is making lower lows and lower highs, it is said to be forming a bearish market structure.

Illustration: Bearish market structure


What is the use of identifying a Bearish market structure?

Identifying any market structure plays a crucial role in entry and exit. In the case of a bearish market structure, the previous lows are often seen as resistance zones where new shorts can be entered with an expectation of lower price movement. When the price returns to or near the previous low, it is often seen as a selling opportunity, commonly known as “selling the rip”.

Exhibit: Pullback in a Bearish market structure


If a stock is moving in a bearish trend but the price prints a new higher high, the trader must become cautious because a trend change may be underway or it may just consolidate before resuming the original trend or it may very well be a bull trap. If a trend change is confirmed, the trader may exit the shorts and look for the trades on the long side.

So, after the formation of a new high, there are only 3 scenarios that can arise.
1. Trend reversal
2. Consolidation and continuation
3. Bull trap

Exhibit 1: Creation of a new high


Chart example:

Exhibit 2: Trend reversal


Chart example:

Exhibit 3: Consolidation and Continuation


Exhibit 4: Bull Trap


These are the only structure that can form in a bearish trend and they will occur time and again. Hence, all these concepts are valid on all time frames.

This is all you need to know about a bearish market structure. Now, open any random chart and back test the concepts. The more you practice, the better you will become. Whatever strategy you use, understanding the structure will always make you more confident in your trades.

I spend a lot of time creating these educational posts, illustrations, charts, and PDFs. Please be appreciative of that and leave a like and comment if you found these helpful. It will help to know that people are reading these posts.

Disclaimer:This is NOT investment advice. This post is meant for learning purposes only. Invest your capital at your own risk.

Happy learning. Cheers!
Rajat Kumar Singh (@johntradingwick)