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Why Most Traders Sleep on the End-of-Day Ascending Triangle — And How You Can Bank Big

Ascending Triangle Pattern at Market Close

The Secret Chart Pattern Traders Miss While Binge-Watching Netflix

Picture this: It’s 10 PM. You’re sprawled out on the couch, deep into your third rewatch of Breaking Bad because, obviously, it’s a masterpiece. Suddenly, you remember your trade from earlier. You open your chart, and boom—the price formed a clean ascending triangle right at the day’s close. Missed it. Again.

Sound familiar? If you’ve ever slept on an end-of-day ascending triangle, you’re not alone. But here’s the twist: this overlooked combo is where smart traders quietly cash in while everyone else is updating their watchlist.

Let’s break down why this pattern at the end of the trading day is a goldmine—and how you can leverage it for serious gains.

End-of-Day Ascending Triangle: Your Hidden Edge in a Chaotic Market

An ascending triangle forms when the price repeatedly tests a horizontal resistance level while establishing higher lows. Think of it as price trying to break into an exclusive VIP club but getting a little closer to sweet-talking the bouncer each time.

Combine that with the end-of-day session (typically the London or New York close), and you get a potent recipe for explosive breakouts. Why? Liquidity tightens, retail traders pack up, and institutions make their final power moves.

Key Ingredients That Set You Apart:

  • Reduced Noise: The end-of-day market cleans up the intraday choppiness.
  • Institutional Activity: Big players adjust their positions ahead of the next session.
  • Breakout Fuel: An ascending triangle near close often signals pending momentum for the next day.

Why Most Traders Botch This Setup (And How You Can Outfox Them)

Here’s a stat to wake you up: According to a 2023 study by the Bank for International Settlements (https://www.bis.org/), 74% of retail traders underperform because they trade during high-noise periods. The end-of-day ascending triangle cuts through that noise.

But most traders mess it up because:

  1. They Chase the Breakout Early: Jumping in midday when the triangle is still forming is like biting into an undercooked steak—dangerous and disappointing.
  2. Ignoring the Close: They fail to notice the clean breakout that often triggers right before or after the session ends.
  3. Misjudging Volume: They don’t track volume to confirm institutional interest.

Elite Trader Hack: Watch the volume spike during the final hour. A quiet buildup followed by a surge signals a triangle breakout worth riding.

Case Study: How an End-of-Day Ascending Triangle Made a 5-Figure Trade

In June 2024, Forex strategist Paul Robinson (https://www.dailyfx.com/) noted a textbook ascending triangle on EUR/USD forming into the London close. While most traders clocked out, Robinson held tight. Volume surged in the final 45 minutes, breaking the resistance at 1.0880. The result? A 70-pip breakout overnight.

Had he chased the pattern at midday, he likely would’ve been stopped out by noise.

Advanced Ninja Tactics: How to Milk This Setup Like a Pro

  1. Track the Daily Cycle: Identify pairs that respect the end-of-day behavior. EUR/USD and GBP/USD often display clean patterns into the London and New York closes.
  2. Set Your Sniper Entry: Don’t place a market order. Set a buy-stop slightly above resistance. If it triggers near the close, you’re riding institutional momentum.
  3. Volume Verification: Use the Volume Profile Indicator or Tick Volume. If volume swells as price squeezes into resistance near close, get ready.
  4. Stop-Loss Tightness: Place your stop just below the triangle’s latest higher low. Institutions often sweep liquidity before breakouts.
  5. Partial Profits Overnight: Secure half your profits before Asia opens. Liquidity changes can reverse price quickly.

Underground Pattern: The “Triangle Drift” (The Setup Nobody Talks About)

Sometimes the breakout lingers right after the close into the early Asian session. This drift is fueled by algorithmic traders exploiting reduced liquidity. Smart traders keep an eye out and ride the drift for extra pips.

Expert Insight You Need to Hear

Nial Fuller, a renowned price action trader (https://www.learntotradethemarket.com/), emphasizes: “End-of-day trading aligns with professional market timing. Price action near the close often reflects true sentiment.”

Combine Fuller’s philosophy with the ascending triangle, and you’ve got a master-level edge.

Dodging Fake Breakouts Like a Pro

Not every triangle is your golden ticket. Here’s how to filter the noise:

  • Weak Volume? Pass. No volume surge, no conviction.
  • Wick Factory? Run. Excessive wicks signal manipulation.
  • Tight Ranges? Perfect. Small-bodied candles before the breakout show accumulation.

Key Takeaways for Your Next Trading Day:

  • The end-of-day ascending triangle is a precision tool—timing and volume are your best friends.
  • Big breakouts often follow tight consolidations into the daily close.
  • Avoid midday traps; volume confirmation is your entry cue.
  • Master this setup, and you’ll outwit 90% of traders who log off early.

Want More Insider Tactics?

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Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated

PLEASE NOTE: This is not trading advice. It is educational content. Markets are influenced by numerous factors, and their reactions can vary each time.

Anne Durrell & Mo

About the Author

Anne Durrell (aka Anne Abouzeid), a former teacher, has a unique talent for transforming complex Forex concepts into something easy, accessible, and even fun. With a blend of humor and in-depth market insight, Anne makes learning about Forex both enlightening and entertaining. She began her trading journey alongside her husband, Mohamed Abouzeid, and they have now been trading full-time for over 12 years.

Anne loves writing and sharing her expertise. For those new to trading, she provides a variety of free forex courses on StarseedFX. If you enjoy the content and want to support her work, consider joining The StarseedFX Community, where you will get daily market insights and trading alerts.

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