As of 03/18/2024
  Indus: 38,790 +75.66 +0.2%  
  Trans: 15,418 -81.05 -0.5%  
  Utils: 853 +3.06 +0.4%  
  Nasdaq: 16,103 +130.28 +0.8%  
  S&P 500: 5,149 +32.33 +0.6%  
YTD
 +2.9%  
-3.0%  
-3.2%  
 +7.3%  
 +8.0%  
  Targets    Overview: 03/13/2024  
  Down arrow38,000 or 39,350 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow16,300 or 15,350 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow885 or 830 by 04/01/2024
  Down arrow15,200 or 16,600 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow5,250 or 5,000 by 04/01/2024
As of 03/18/2024
  Indus: 38,790 +75.66 +0.2%  
  Trans: 15,418 -81.05 -0.5%  
  Utils: 853 +3.06 +0.4%  
  Nasdaq: 16,103 +130.28 +0.8%  
  S&P 500: 5,149 +32.33 +0.6%  
YTD
 +2.9%  
-3.0%  
-3.2%  
 +7.3%  
 +8.0%  
  Targets    Overview: 03/13/2024  
  Down arrow38,000 or 39,350 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow16,300 or 15,350 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow885 or 830 by 04/01/2024
  Down arrow15,200 or 16,600 by 04/01/2024
  Up arrow5,250 or 5,000 by 04/01/2024

Bulkowski on Adam & Adam Double Bottoms

Statistics updated on 8/26/2020.

Overview
Results
Identification Guidelines
Trading Tips
Example
See Also

Adam & Adam Double Bottoms: Overview

On pages 213 to 228 of my book, Encyclopedia of Chart Patterns Second EditionEncyclopedia of Chart Patterns 2nd Edition book., I reported on Adam & Adam double bottoms (pictured to the right). Some of the information I share with you here.

Adam is a term that describes how the bottom looks, in this case, a narrow, pointed bottom, perhaps with a one-day downward spike. Eve bottoms are more rounded looking and wider. If they have spikes, they tend to be more numerous and shorter. Many times the difference between Adam and Eve is the width of each over their entire height. Adam bottoms tend to remain narrow but Eve bottoms widen over their height. When trying to decide which is which, ask yourself if the two bottoms appear different or similar. With Adam & Adam, the two should look similar (both narrow).

The chart pattern is a twin bottom formation that becomes a true double bottom when confirmed (that is, when price closes above the center peak). Only then is it safe to buy, but that does not guarantee success. If you buy the stock before confirmation, the probability of price continuing lower is 48%. Until confirmation, the squiggles on the chart are just that -- squiggles -- not a double bottom.

Adam & Adam Double Bottoms: Bull Market Results

Overall performance rank (1 is best): 26 out of 39
Break even failure rate: 16%
Average rise: 39%
Throwback rate: 67%
Percentage meeting price target: 73%

The above numbers are based on 1,154 perfect trades. See the glossary for definitions.

Adam and Adam double bottom chart pattern
Adam & Adam Double Bottom
Score your chart pattern
for performance

 

Adam & Adam Double Bottoms: Identification Guidelines

CharacteristicDiscussion
Price trendDownward leading to the pattern
ShapeTwo distinct valleys that look similar. Adam bottoms are narrow, V-shaped, sometimes with one long price spike.
PeakThe rise between bottoms should measure at least 10%, but allow wide variations.
Bottom priceThe price variation between bottoms is small (the average is 1%, but allow variations). The two valleys should appear to bottom near the same price.
SeparationThe twin valleys are usually several weeks apart (16 days is the median).
ConfirmationThe double bottom confirms as a true double bottom once price closes above the peak between the two valleys.
VolumeUsually higher on formation of the first bottom.
Top of page More

 

Adam & Adam Double Bottoms: Trading Tips

A trading setup related to double bottoms and throwbacks is located here.

Trading TacticExplanation Adam and Adam double bottom measure rule
Measure Rule
Measure ruleReference the figure to the right. Compute the height from the highest peak (A) to the lowest valley (B) in the pattern then multiply it by the above 'percentage meeting price target.' Add the result to the breakout price (point A, the highest peak in the pattern) to get the target (C).
StopPlace a stop loss order slightly below the lower of the two bottoms (point B in the figure to the right). Check to make sure the stop is not too far below the entry price. If so, then either raise the stop (try a volatility stop) or abandon the trade for a more promising setup.
Price reversalPrice must have something to reverse, so if the decline leading to the double bottom is small, expect a small rise.
Big WLook for a double bottom with a tall left side, one with a steep decline and few or no price consolidations along the way down. Expect price to return to near where the downtrend began. Adam and Adam double bottom chart pattern with handle
Handle
ConfirmationWait for confirmation -- price to close above the peak between the valleys. If you don't wait, there's a 48% chance that price will continue lower without confirming the double bottom.
HandleSometimes price will confirm the double bottom then waffle up and down, forming a handle. When price breaks out of this region, it often moves up in a strong trend. The figure to the right shows an example.
Flat baseExpect a large rise if the double bottom appears after a long, flat base. Use the weekly scale to find the flat base -- the double bottom will look like a pothole in a road. The figure to the lower right shows an example.
TrendsAnything except a short-term decline leading to the double bottom results in the best post breakout performance. Flat base followed by any chart pattern
Flat Base
Yearly lowDouble bottoms within a third of the yearly low perform best. The link to the left discusses performance and this link provides more information.
Volume trendA downward volume trend happens most often. The link on the left shows an example and provides a list of chart patterns that perform best after a downward volume trend.
ThrowbacksThrowbacks hurt post breakout performance. The link to the left defines a throwback and this link discusses performance.
Top of page More

Adam & Adam double bottom chart pattern example

 

Adam & Adam Double Bottoms: Example

The figure shows an example of an Adam & Adam double bottom chart pattern. The two Adam bottoms are pointed needles with a good rise between them (point B) and they appear after a downward price trend. The Adam & Adam double bottom confirms as a valid chart pattern when price closes above point B, shown as the lower horizontal blue line.

To calculate a price target, subtract the price of the lower of the two Adam valleys from the price at peak B (the highest high between the two bottoms) to get the height. Multiply the result by 71% (the percentage meeting price target from Important Bull Market Results table near the top of this page) and add the result to B. That gives a target slightly above C. Even though price fell short of the target, overhead resistance highlighted by the green line doubled as a good price target, indicating profits should be taken near there.

-- Thomas Bulkowski

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See Also

 

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