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Understanding Horizontal Resistance Breakouts

In the world of technical analysis, breakouts are among the most powerful patterns traders use to identify potential trading opportunities. One of the most reliable and widely observed breakout patterns is the Horizontal Resistance Breakout. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned trader, understanding this setup can significantly enhance your trading edge.


A horizontal resistance breakout occurs when the price of a financial instrument breaks above a well-defined resistance level that has repeatedly prevented the price from moving higher.

Resistance Level: A resistance level is where selling pressure halts price advances. When price repeatedly fails to break a flat level, it forms horizontal resistance, seen as a straight line on the chart.

Breakout: A breakout happens when the price convincingly closes above this resistance level, signalling a potential shift in market sentiment from bearish or neutral to bullish.


How to Trade a Horizontal Resistance Breakout

Entry Point

  • Enter the trade once the price closes above the horizontal resistance on strong volume.
  • A confirmed breakout typically includes above-average volume and a decisive candle body (not just a wick above resistance).
  • A better way can be to enter 50% of your quantity at breakout and 50% after a confirmation candle.
Understanding the Retest of a Breakout

A retest happens when the price, after breaking above resistance, pulls back to test that former resistance level—now acting as support.

This is a healthy market behavior and adds credibility to the breakout.

How to use the retest in your strategy:

  • Wait for the price to pull back to the breakout level.
  • Look for bullish reversal patterns (e.g., hammer, bullish engulfing) or support-holding price action near the breakout zone.
  • Enter the trade if the level holds and price resumes upward movement.
  • This provides a better risk-reward entry and confirms the breakout isn’t a false breakout.
Target Price: There are a few ways to estimate the target price:
  • Using chart:
    • Measure the height of the prior range (from support to resistance).
    • Add this height to the breakout point. Target = Resistance Level + (Resistance - Support)
  • Fibonacci Extension or Pivot Points: These tools can also be used to estimate logical resistance levels or profit-taking zones above the breakout.
Stop-Loss Placement
  • Place a stop-loss just below the breakout level or below the most recent swing low.
  • A tighter stop-loss can be placed at the low point of the breakout candle.
Additional Tips

  • Combine resistance breakout patterns with momentum indicators like RSI or MACD to strengthen your conviction.
  • Look for breakouts occurring in strong market trends or sectors showing relative strength.
  • Always use a risk-reward ratio of at least 1:2 to make your trades worthwhile.
Charting Exercise: We have tried analysing this pattern on a weekly chart in the blog of 19th May 2025. Let’s apply this on daily chart as well. Open a daily chart and do your own technical analysis.

Homework: Check the following two stocks and select the one that fits the horizontal resistance breakout pattern.

1. Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd. (BAJAJHLDNG)

2. LIC Housing Finance Ltd. (LICHSGFIN)

You may also add the stock to your watch list to understand further price action.

Disclaimer: This analysis is purely for educational purpose and does not contain any recommendation. Please consult your financial advisor before taking any financial decision.