How to read and use the Fibonacci retracement indicator

Key Takeaways

  • Fibonacci retracement is a technical analysis tool that is used to identify potential support & resistance levels on a financial chart.
  • Fibonacci retracement is mostly used in foxex but can also be used on other financial markets such as stocks, futures, and options.
  • It is most commonly on hourly, 4-hour, and daily charts.
  • To use the Fibonacci retracement, first identify the most recent high and low on your chart.
  • The most important ratios are 23.6%, 38.2%, 50% and 61.8%.

If you’re looking for technical analysis (TA) to help you make informed investment decisions, then the Fibonacci retracement indicator should be one of your go-to tools. This article will teach you everything you need to know about Fibonacci retracements so that you can use this tool confidently in your own trading strategy. We’ll answer all of the most commonly asked questions about Fibonacci retracements, including what they are, why they’re important, and how to use them successfully. So whether you’re just getting started in TA or you’re a seasoned trader looking for a new edge, read on for all the information you need to know about Fibonacci retracements.

Fibonacci retracement & its significance

Fibonacci retracement its significance How to read and use the Fibonacci retracement indicator

Fibonacci retracement is a technical analysis tool that is used to identify potential support and resistance levels on a financial chart. 

The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers. This the Fibonacci sequence each number is the sum of the previous two, starting with 0 and 1. 

The Fibonacci ratios are derived from this Fibonacci sequence, and they can then be applied to charts in order to identify potential support and resistance levels.

Fibonacci retracements are important because they can be used to predict areas where a stock price may find support or resistance. If a stock price is retracing (moving back) from a recent high, then the Fibonacci ratios can be used to identify potential support levels. Similarly, if a stock price is retracing from a recent low, then the Fibonacci ratios can be used to identify potential resistance levels.

The Fibonacci retracement levels you where a stock price may find support or resistance as it retraces from a recent high or low. The Fibonacci ratios will typically be displayed on your trading chart as horizontal lines that intersect with the price action.

How to draw Fibonacci retracement

To draw Fibonacci retracement, first identify the most recent high and low on your chart. Then, using your trading platform, draw a horizontal line at the 23.6%, 38.2%, and 61.8% levels between the high and low. 

Identify the direction of the market. During down-trend draw swing-high to swing-low and during up-trend draw Swing-low to swing-high by using the Fibonacci retracement tool.

These lines will act as potential support or resistance levels if the stock price starts to retrace.

When should we use Fibonacci retracement?

Fibonacci retracement can be used in any market and on any time frame. However, it is most commonly used in the forex market on hourly, 4-hour, and daily charts. 

Other financial markets, such as stocks, futures, and options, can also benefit from Fibonacci retracement.

How do you use Fibonacci retracement?

How do you use Fibonacci retracement How to read and use the Fibonacci retracement indicator

To use the Fibonacci retracement, first identify the most recent high and low on your chart. Then, using your trading platform, draw horizontal lines at the 23.6%, 38.2%, and 61.8% levels between the high and low. These horizontal lines (at 23.6%, 38.2%, and 61.8%) will act as potential support or resistance levels if the stock price starts to retrace.

In the Fibonacci retracement method, traders use 0.618, which is the opposite of 1.618, to figure out where support and resistance can be found for their chosen trading pair. They convert it to a percentage (61.8%) and this forms a horizontal line in their chart to indicate where there is a good chance that support and resistance will happen. If you subtract 61.8% from 100%, you get 38.2%, and this is the other key level for support and resistance used. The 50% level is used too, but is not in fact an official Fibonacci retracement. However, it is usually included as a level because an asset often rebounds by around 50% of a significant move before continuing its trend again.

Using Fibonacci retracement during an uptrend

Using Fibonacci retracement during an uptrend How to read and use the Fibonacci retracement indicator

Here the Fibonacci retracement lines are indicated for the Google stock. The high Swing in the graph is set at $70.85, and the low Swing is set at $51.09. But if you will see the 50% of the Fibonacci retracement lines then it is set at $60.96, the 23.60% is at $66.17 and the 61.8% is at $58.59. As you can also see in the green circle, it shows the price did fall to the 23.6% level, and the price did indeed find support there. Then the market changed direction and resumed its upward trend.

Using Fibonacci retracement during downtrend

Using Fibonacci retracement during down trend How to read and use the Fibonacci retracement indicator

Again, you will see the Fibonacci retracement levels for the Tesla stock. Swing high is set at $384.23, while swing low is set at $324.81. The 50% is set at $354.43, 23.60% is at $338.76, 61.8% is at $361.58, and 38.20% is set at $347.46. As you can see in the green circle, the price did rise to the 61.8% level, and the price found resistance there. Then the market changed direction and resumed its downward trend.

The great thing about these approaches is that they can be used for both long and short-term trades, so that means anything from minutes to hours, to months and years. But be aware that they are more powerful indicators for longer time frames – more about that later. You can also use them for a broad range of asset classes, so they are great to understand and apply to your trading strategy before moving on to the next technical indicator.

Fibonacci Retracements vs. Fibonacci Extensions

Fibonacci Retracements vs. Fibonacci Extensions How to read and use the Fibonacci retracement indicator

Fibonacci retracement tool and Fibonacci extension tool are meant for technical analysis based on the Fibonacci sequence. Both tools can be used to identify potential support and resistance levels on a financial chart. 

Fibonacci retracement tool is typically used to identify potential support levels, while Fibonacci extension tool is typically used to identify potential resistance levels.

Limitations of Using Fibonacci Retracement Levels

Like all TA tools, it is not perfect and should be used in conjunction with other forms of analysis. 

Additionally, Fibonacci retracement levels are based on past price action and cannot predict future price movements.

Where can Fibonacci Retracement go wrong?

Where can Fibonacci Retracement go wrong How to read and use the Fibonacci retracement indicator

Like every technical indicator, Fibonacci Retracements are not foolproof. If it were that easy, then there would be no trading manuals or educators needed. The price could burst through and go past the retracement line just as easily as it might bounce in the other direction. You will make far better trading decisions if you also check to see what the price does after you get the thumbs up for your retracement level signal.

Reliability:

The level of reliability of Fibonacci retracement levels is also dependent on the time frame used. That means that a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level on a monthly chart is a far stronger indicator than the same retracement on a 4-hour chart. Therefore, you should consider ascribing more importance to this indicator – and indeed all other technical indicators – when the time frame involved is longer.

Consistency:

It is also crucial to avoid the rookie mistake of being inconsistent when drawing your Fibonacci scale on your trading chart. When setting the swing high and swing low points, always make sure you set it to candle body to candle body, and wick to wick. Inconsistencies with this approach will mean far more inconsistent results, which is of course what traders are always seeking to minimize!

Selection:

The other key problem to be aware of is picking the right swing low and swing high points. When it comes to making your selection, bear in mind that everyone looks at charts in different ways, using different time frames, and then their own preconceptions come into play too. Your idea about where a swing low and swing high is could be completely different from ours, and we would both have good reasons for believing what we do! But will we both be right? Not always.

Fibonacci Retracement FAQs

What is the best time frame for Fibonacci Retracement?

Fibonacci Retracement can be used on any time frame, but is most commonly used on hourly, 4-hour, and daily charts.

What is the Fibonacci sequence?

The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the previous two. The most famous example is 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89…

What are the most important Fibonacci ratios?

The most important ratios are 23.6%, 38.2%, 50% and 61.8%. These ratios can be used to identify potential support and resistance levels on a financial chart.

Conclusion

Fibonacci retracement is a popular technical analysis tool that can be used to identify potential support and resistance levels. However, like all TA tools, it is not perfect and should be used in conjunction with other forms of analysis. Additionally, Fibonacci retracement levels are based on past price action and cannot predict future price movements.