Using Fibonacci Retracement Levels on thinkorswim®

August 30, 2023 Beginner
Using Fibonacci retracement levels on the thinkorswim trading platform can help traders identify support and resistance price levels in stocks and exchange-traded funds.

Leonardo Fibonacci was a mathematician who worked on the "golden ratio" and developed the Fibonacci sequence. Many technical traders use what's known as a Fibonacci retracement to identify support and resistance price levels.

What is the Fibonacci sequence?

The " Fibonacci sequence" represents a series of numbers (beginning with 1) in which a given number is equal to the sum of the two preceding numbers:

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, etc.

Fibonacci found that creating squares using the numbers in the sequence for width results in a spiral. The sequence of numbers is ultimately less significant than the ratio from dividing any adjacent number into the other—for example, 8/13 = 0.615. As you move up the sequence, say 34/55, the ratio approaches the number 0.618 or 68.1%. This is known as the golden ratio.

How Fibonacci applies to trading

In the 1970s, some investors theorized that buying and selling in the stock market might follow patterns similar to those of a natural ecosystem. They began applying Fibonacci numbers to their charts in the form of Fibonacci retracements.

Fibonacci retracements are designed to locate areas of support and resistance on a price chart based on numbers from the golden ratio converted into percentages. The levels include 23.6%, 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%, and 78.6%.

The 38.2% comes from dividing a number in the series by the number found two places to the right, and 23.6% comes from dividing a number by the number found three places to the right. The 50% level isn't really a Fibonacci number, but many traders still consider it a significant level.

To view these Fibonacci retracement levels, traders can access the Charts tab on the thinkorswim® trading platform. After selecting a chart, the trader selects the time frame to analyze and then identify a high or low point. Select Drawings > Drawing Tools > % (Fibonacci Retracements) and place the cursor on the high or low point, click once, move to the next high or low point to the right, and click again. The tool automatically calculates the corresponding Fibonacci levels based on percentage retracements as seen below.

Fibonacci retracement levels

By plotting the lowest and highest points on this chart, the Fibonacci retracement tool automatically calculates potential resistance levels following a major low.

Source: thinkorswim platform

For illustrative purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Using Fibonacci retracements in technical analysis

In the chart of the S&P 500® index (SPX) above, the top level is 100% and the bottom level is 0%. The retracement levels in between are areas traders can watch for potential technical support or resistance levels. Fibonacci retracements can also be used in the opposite way, from a low point to a high point (as long as the high point is to the right of the low one). In this scenario, retracing a move higher, the Fibonacci series frequently acts as key points of support in the pullback or correction.

When the SPX started to move above its March low, it met slight resistance at the 23.6% level. Even though it broke above it, the close was right around that level. The SPX then continued moving toward the 38.2% level, hesitated there for a few days, and then went back toward the 23.6% level. When reviewing the price chart, it's possible to see how the different retracement levels acted as support and resistance levels.

Traders can try applying this tool to individual stocks. It's also possible to combine Fibonacci levels with other indicators to get more trading signals.

Fibonacci retracements are accepted and used by many traders, including some who trade for large institutions and hedge funds. There's no guarantee that using Fibonacci retracements will work effectively as part of a trading strategy, but they can provide some levels to watch when engaging in technical analysis.

After becoming familiar with the Fibonacci sequence and understanding how to use retracements in trading, traders can also explore some lesser-known technical tools to add to their trading toolbox.

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The "S&P 500® Index" is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates ("SPDJI"), and has been licensed for use by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("CS&Co."). Standard & Poor's® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P"; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones"). Schwab Stock Slices is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, or their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of using Schwab Stock Slices or investing in any security available through Schwab Stock Slices, nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P 500 Index.

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions. Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve.

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