What is an Expanding Triangle?

In terms of position of occurrence, wave structure and consequences the expanding triangle is the same as the regular contracting triangle. It can occur as a wave X, wave B or wave 4. It is a sideways movement. It consists of 5 waves marked a-b-c-d-e, structured 3-3-3-3-3. It also precedes the final movement of the trend of one larger degree. The only difference is its shape. Instead of contracting, it is expanding, which means that wave “a” is the smallest and wave “e” the biggest. Example:

expanding triangle 1

On a real chart the expanding triangle looks like the one below:

expanding triangle

The expanding triangle is a very tricky pattern, because price is making new lows and new highs in each wave. On that real chart example you can see that the triangle is a B wave, which precedes the final movement of the sequence – wave C. Afterwards, there is a sharp reversal.

New to Elliott Wave?

Elliott Wave principle offers a completely new understanding of what the nature of the markets is, what drives them and what can be derived from their movement. This course is for those of you, who have been looking for an honest Elliott Wave guide, describing the method’s advantages over other trading tools, but not hiding its weaknesses.

Check Video Course    or     Check our eBook


See our Video Course
or check our eBook

Last year over 60k readers trusted EWM Interactive to help them in their trading decisions.

I’m very happy i discovered your service. Thanks so much and keep up the good work!

- Xavier N.

Just loving your analysis. Thank you so much, really wished you add some more currencies to your list You have a client for life :)

- J. Kotzee

I love the way EWM does business: response times & overall friendly demeanor are fantastic... and the prices are very fair. The trade recommendations read like like they come from a seasoned trader that is used to winning. Couldn't ask for more.

- C. Montgomery

I love the way EWM does business: response times & overall friendly demeanor are fantastic... and the prices are very fair. The trade recommendations read like like they come from a seasoned trader that is used to winning. Couldn't ask for more.

- C. Montgomery

I’m very happy i discovered your service. Thanks so much and keep up the good work!

- C. Montgomery

Just loving your analysis. Thank you so much, really wished you add some more currencies to your list You have a client for life :)

- C. Montgomery