Swing high

A candle whose high is higher than the candles either side of it — a local peak where an advance stalled.

Swing highs are the levels a later break has to clear, which makes them the raw material for both break of structure and change of character.

Pick a consistent rule for what counts — a candle higher than the two either side is common — and apply it everywhere. Marking every minor wiggle produces structure that says nothing.

Taught in

Highs, Lows and the Shape of a TrendMarket Structure

Swing highs and swing lows are the skeleton of every chart. Learn to mark them, and "trend" stops being a feeling.

Also covered in that lesson

Swing lowA candle whose low is lower than the candles either side of it — a local trough where a decline stalled.UptrendA sequence of higher swing highs and higher swing lows. Both conditions are required — rising highs alone are not an uptrend.DowntrendA sequence of lower swing highs and lower swing lows.

Related terms

Swing low Break of structure (BOS)