Discover the Volatility Contraction Pattern (VCP), a powerful trading strategy for stock breakouts. Learn key elements, how to catch a VCP breakout, and manage risks effectively.

In the world of stock trading, one strategy that has gained significant attention is the Volatility Contraction Pattern (VCP). This pattern, coined by Mark Minervini, is a highly effective trading strategy during strong bull markets. It describes constructive price and volume action as supply is absorbed from left to right during a price base. The VCP breakout is when the stock moves through a clearly defined pivot point, which is the ideal buy point for breakout traders.

What is a Volatility Contraction Pattern (VCP)?

A Volatility Contraction Pattern (VCP) is a chart consolidation that tightens from left to right within a price base. It’s essentially a supply and demand characteristic that creates this chart pattern. This pattern provides a clear pivot point to manage risk against strength.

The VCP is created by supply and demand. It’s an effect of accumulation within a base by institutions. A proper VCP should work on schedule so you are either right away and are in a quick profit or it basically reverses and you’re basically stopped out for a small loss.

Key Elements of a VCP

Understanding the key elements of a VCP is crucial for successful trading. Here are some of the key elements:

1. Tightening from left to right within the base: You want to see multiple contractions, at least two, within the base.
2. Relative strength and accumulation signs: Watch for these signs before this price base and within the overall pricing structure.
3. Volume dry-ups and bursts upwards within the base: On the downtrends within the base, you want to see declining volume. From left to right, you want to see a downward trend line in terms of volume until that pivot point where you want to see a surge upwards in volume.
4. A very tight last contraction: Ideally, this should be less than 10% from the prior high to that low of that contraction. This shows that the sellers have really dried up and the stock is ready to make a large directional move if that demand comes in as shown by the volume.

How to Catch a VCP Breakout

Catching a Volatility Contraction Pattern (VCP) breakout can be a game-changer in your trading strategy. Here are the steps to effectively catch a VCP breakout:

1. Identify Candidates: The first step is to identify potential candidates for a VCP breakout. This should ideally be done when the market is closed, allowing you to analyze the market without the pressure of real-time changes.
2. Set Alerts: Once you have identified potential candidates, set alerts at price levels right below the proper pivot point. These alerts will notify you when the price reaches a certain level, allowing you to act quickly when a breakout occurs.
3. Plan Your Trades: Planning your trades in advance is crucial. This includes determining your stop loss position sizing. A stop loss order is an order placed with a broker to buy or sell a stock once it reaches a certain price, helping you limit your loss on a stock.
4. Look for Large Volume: On the breakout, you want to see very large volume. Large volume indicates strong investor interest and can be a sign of a start of a new trend. Look for above-average volume as it pushes through the pivot point.
5. Execute the Trade: Once the stock pushes through the pivot point on high volume and early on in the day, it’s time to execute the trade. This is all about timing and acting quickly to take advantage of the breakout.

Remember, catching a VCP breakout involves careful planning, quick action, and constant monitoring of the market. With these steps, you can effectively catch a VCP breakout and potentially achieve significant returns.

Managing Risk with VCP Breakouts

Risk management is crucial in any trading strategy. With VCP breakouts, you always want to set an initial stop loss when the setup has failed. Set alerts right at the pivot point so if it crosses back under, you’re able to watch that stock on your screen. Know when the setup has failed beforehand so if a stock reverses from a VCP, you’re protecting your downside and not sitting through a long basing period and a significant drawdown.

Putting it all Together: Mastering the Volatility Contraction Pattern

The Volatility Contraction Pattern (VCP) is a powerful tool for traders looking to capitalize on stock breakouts. It’s a strategy that, when understood and applied correctly, can potentially yield significant returns.

1. Understanding the Key Elements of a VCP: A VCP is characterized by a tightening of price range, or volatility, from left to right within a price base. It’s crucial to understand these key elements and how they interact to form a VCP. This includes recognizing patterns like the ‘cup and handle pattern‘ or the ‘high tight flag‘, both of which can be precursors to a VCP.
2. Learning How to Catch a VCP Breakout: Catching a VCP breakout involves identifying potential breakout candidates, setting alerts at price levels right below the pivot point, planning your trades in advance, and executing the trade when the breakout occurs. This process requires both strategic planning and quick action.
3. Managing Risk Effectively: Trading is not just about making profits, but also about managing risks and protecting your investment. This involves setting an initial stop loss when the setup has failed, moving up stops to protect profits, and knowing when the setup has failed to avoid significant drawdowns.
4. Establishing Routines: As with any trading strategy, it’s important to establish weekly and daily routines to identify and execute potential VCP breakouts. This involves regular market analysis, keeping up with financial news, and constantly monitoring your portfolio.

Remember, successful trading involves more than just recognizing patterns. It requires a deep understanding of market dynamics, a well-planned strategy, and the discipline to stick to your plan. Always do your research and make informed decisions when trading. With the right approach and mindset, the Volatility Contraction Pattern can be a valuable addition to your trading toolkit. Happy trading!

Scanning for VCP in Deepvue

The Relative Measured Volatility Indicator (RMV) provides an objective measure of price contraction/expansion.

You are able to easily use it to visualize and identify tight areas as it approaches 0, or increased volatility as it approaches 100.

In Deepvue it is a screenable data point, making it easy to screen for tight ranges and volatility contraction patterns that can provide excellent entry setups as well as help you identify accumulation in the charts.

RMV makes its easy to read charts like the pros, and save hours looking through charts to find price contractions.

Frequently Asked Questions