As of 05/01/2025   Indus: 40,753 +83.60 +0.2%     Trans: 13,624 -15.91 -0.1%     Utils: 1,036 +2.75 +0.3%     Nasdaq: 17,711 +264.40 +1.5%     S&P 500: 5,604 +35.08 +0.6%	YTD -4.2%   -14.3%    +5.4%   -8.3%   -4.7%	Targets    Overview: 04/25/2025     41,700 or 38,000 by 05/15/2025   14,400 or 13,000 by 05/15/2025   1,075 or 1,000 by 05/15/2025   18,300 or 16,500 by 05/15/2025   5,700 or 5,300 by 05/15/2025
Chart Pattern Indicator: on 4/15/25

As of 05/01/2025   Indus: 40,753 +83.60 +0.2%     Trans: 13,624 -15.91 -0.1%     Utils: 1,036 +2.75 +0.3%     Nasdaq: 17,711 +264.40 +1.5%     S&P 500: 5,604 +35.08 +0.6%	YTD -4.2%   -14.3%    +5.4%   -8.3%   -4.7%
Targets    Overview: 04/25/2025     41,700 or 38,000 by 05/15/2025   14,400 or 13,000 by 05/15/2025   1,075 or 1,000 by 05/15/2025   18,300 or 16,500 by 05/15/2025   5,700 or 5,300 by 05/15/2025
Chart Pattern Indicator: on 4/15/25

Bulkowski on the Ascending Triangle Elliott Wave Pattern

This page describes the ascending triangle pattern of the Elliott wave principle, how price moves not in a straight line but in a series of rises and retracements.

The figure to the right shows what an ascending triangle looks like in a bull market. The ascending triangle is a region of horizontal price movement, a consolidation of a prior move, and it is composed of "threes." That means each of the A-B-C-D-E waves have three subwaves. I labeled the B subwaves with red numbers, 1, 2, and 3 as an example. Expect volume and volatility to recede as the pattern moves toward the breakout, but this is not a requirement.

In an ascending triangle, the top of the triangle bumps up against overhead resistance (the horizontal red line), and the bottom of the triangle slopes upward following another red trendline.

An ascending triangle in a bear market is not an inverted picture of a bull market triangle. Rather, the chart to the right shows an ascending triangle with the waves inverted while still obeying the flat top and up sloping bottom trendlines. The A-B-C-D-E waves subdivide into threes, forming a 3-3-3-3-3 configuration.

On rare occasions, an ascending triangle can nest inside an ascending triangle. You see this when the wave count exceeds the A-B-C-D-E format, forming a nine wave pattern. Also, Frost and Prechter say that when price reaches the apex of the triangle, expect the market to turn.

Ascending Triangle Rules

The ascending triangle has rules that govern its shape. They are listed here.

• The tops of the waves peak near the same price, following a horizontal trendline.
• The bottoms of the waves generally follow an up-sloping trendline.
• Five waves compose the ascending triangle (A-B-C-D-E), unless extended.
• Each of the A-B-C-D-E waves are composed of three subwaves, so it has a 3-3-3-3-3 configuration.
• Volume and volatility tend to recede over the life of the pattern, but this is not a requirement.

-- Thomas Bulkowski

See Also

• For performance statistics on ascending triangles, read this article.
• Here is the main resource for Elliott wave information.
• Support and resistance. Learn the various types.
• Market direction. 7 tips to determining.
• Trading cycles help time your entries and exits.
• Trend change detection using a triangle apex.

Two hands and just one mouth...now THAT's a drinking problem!