By www.TheForexNittyGritty.com Technical Analysis of Gaps in Forex Trading Uncertain times give rise to chaotic markets. Stocks, commodities and currencies tend to rise and fall unevenly. When currencies open the trading day well above or below their price at the end of the previous trading day it is called a gap. There is a gap in the price curve. This can be disconcerting for many traders. However, astute traders can profit from technical analysis of gaps in Forex trading. Gaps occur for any number of reasons and gaps are often part of a larger picture which in turn is predictive of future pricing. Thus technical analysis of gaps in Forex trading looks at recent price patterns in order to profitably predict the future. Understanding gaps is a large part of technical analysis of Forex pairs. Technical Analysis Technical and fundamental analysis of Forex pairs are both cornerstones of effective and profitable Forex trading. Understanding the fundamentals is basic to working in Forex. However, much of the profit that traders gain comes from seeing trends and reversals in market sentiment. Traders use technical analysis of gaps in Forex trading as an adjunct to other signals. Oftentimes the most profit to be had in Forex trading is not to have correctly anticipated a gap but to successfully interpret its meaning. Gaps and Signals A commonly used and easy to read technical analysis system is Japanese candlesticks. Many traders use candlestick patterns in Forex trading as a mainstay to their technical analysis or at least as a clear means of visualizing the market. Technical analysis of gaps in Forex trading means recognizing candlestick signals in which a gap is a major factor. With technical analysis of major Forex currencies in mind here are a few examples of technical analysis of gaps in Forex trading from the world of Japanese candlesticks. Bullish Engulfing Pattern This is a major candlestick signal. It occurs at the end of a downward trend for a traded currency and heralds a bull market. Interestingly the direction of the gap is away from the direction in which the currency is headed. In this signal a currency is falling in a clearly defined trend. Then it gaps down to open a day but trades upwards and finishes the day above the opening price of the previous day. When this signal occurs with the second day being a high volume day and when the downward gap to start the day is substantial it is an even stronger indication of an emerging bull market. The Three Black Crows This candlestick signal has not just one but three gaps. There has been a well defined up trend of the traded currency. Then the currency trades downward for the day. On the two subsequent days it gaps up to start the day but both days are losing days. The signal looks like three black crows on successively lower perches. This signal is commonly a strong indication that the upward trend is over and the traded currency is headed downward.