What exactly is meant by the phrase "double top"?

When an asset reaches a high price two times in a row with a slight price decline in between the two highs, a double top, which is a highly unfavorable technical reversal pattern, occurs. Double tops are extremely negative for investors. 

Double peaks are a common occurrence in he markets for financial commodities. It is established when the price of the asset drops below a level of support that is equivalent to the lowest point between the asset's two most recent highs.

What exactly is meant by the term "double top"?

The formation of a double top may indicate a shift in the medium- to long-term trend of an asset class. This change may be positive or negative. The double top pattern that formed in the share price of Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) during the months of September and October of 2018 at a price of $2,050 is depicted in the chart that can be seen just above this one. In light of these particular circumstances, the amount of support that came to be roughly $1,880 was significant. Even though the stock dropped around 8% from its high point in October to the support level at $1,880, the double top could not be verified until the stock dropped below the $1,880 mark. This is because the stock had previously reached its high point in October. After that, the price of each share continued to fall until it eventually reached a point that was more than 31% below its previous value.

In the following illustration, we will utilize Netflix Inc. (NFLX), and in March and April of 2018, we can observe what looks to be the construction of a double top in the company's stock price. On the other hand, as the stock price continues to rise in tandem with an uptrend, we can see that the support level has not been broken and is not even being tested in this instance. If one scrolls further down the chart, one will notice that the stock appears to form what looks like a double top throughout the months of June and July. This can be seen by comparing the two months' prices. 

The pattern does, however, turn out to be a reversal pattern this time, as indicated by the price falling below the level of support at $380, which ultimately caused a decline of 39% to $231 in December. This particular instance of the pattern was caused by the price falling below the level of support. Also, pay attention to how the support level at $380 worked as a barrier to the stock's upward trend twice in the month of November. This is something that should be noted.

Double Top in Contrast to Failed Attempts A Pair of Tops

In point of fact, there is a significant difference that can be made between a double top and an attempt that was not successful. A true double top is a highly undesirable technical pattern that has the potential to bring about a significant decline in the price of a stock or asset. A decline to such a degree might be extremely catastrophic. However, in order to determine whether or not there has been a double top, it is very necessary to exercise patience and locate the level of vital support. If you determine a double top just based on the appearance of two consecutive peaks, you run the risk of receiving an inaccurate reading, which may cause you to get out of a trade too soon. This can happen if you merely look at the appearance of the peaks.

Double Tops Limitations

Like every other type of chart pattern, double top and double bottom formations have a high risk of being invalidated. The most important issue is the incorrect break in the neckline, which can be seen in the image. The price has a tendency to break through the resistance level simply to retrace its steps and then continue moving in the same direction as the trend that came before it. Instead of waiting for prices to drop back and retest the neckline, many traders initiate the trade as soon as it breaks through the neckline.

Both the tops and bottoms of the patterns do not have a uniform appearance, nor do they exist in any specified shapes. They can be slightly different from one another based on the volatility of the market, the velocity of the price, and the time at which the pattern occurs. There is a possibility that many traders will incorrectly identify or perhaps fail to identify.

Even before the pattern has been completely formed, many traders enter the pattern at the midpoint, which is the position that is exactly halfway between the neckline and the highest top point.

Instead of providing a take profit point, the patterns rely on other technical or risk management measures to determine where the profit should be taken.