How the Chande Momentum Oscillator & Bearish Pennant Can Unleash Pro-Level Trades

Most Traders Overlook These Tools—Here’s Why You Shouldn’t
Picture this: You finally spot the perfect trade setup, pull the trigger, and then—BAM! The market flips faster than a bad reality TV plot twist. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most traders struggle because they rely on the same tired indicators without understanding their full potential.
Today, we’re diving into the Chande Momentum Oscillator (CMO) and the Bearish Pennant—two power-packed tools that, when used correctly, can help you time your entries and exits like a market sniper.
The Chande Momentum Oscillator (CMO): The Forgotten Momentum Genius
Developed by Tushar Chande, the CMO is a momentum-based indicator that measures the strength and direction of price movements. While traders obsess over the RSI and MACD, the CMO quietly delivers advanced momentum insights that often go unnoticed.
Why CMO Deserves Your Attention:
- Unlike RSI, which normalizes data between 0-100, CMO swings between -100 and +100, giving a more sensitive reading.
- It’s not as laggy as MACD, meaning it spots momentum shifts earlier.
- Perfect for identifying overbought/oversold conditions when paired with price action.
How to Read the CMO Like a Pro:
- Above +50: Strong bullish momentum—avoid shorting!
- Below -50: Strong bearish momentum—stay cautious with longs.
- Crossing Zero: A shift in momentum—possible trend reversal brewing.
Pro Ninja Move: Use Divergence!
If price is making higher highs, but CMO is making lower highs, momentum is weakening—a potential reversal signal.
The Bearish Pennant: Why It’s the Market’s Hidden Trap
A Bearish Pennant is a continuation pattern that tricks traders into thinking a reversal is coming when, in reality, the market is just taking a breather before crashing further.
How to Spot It:
- A strong downward move (flagpole)
- Followed by a small consolidation (triangle shape)
- A breakout to the downside confirms the pattern.
CMO + Bearish Pennant = Deadly Combo for Shorting
Here’s how to use them together:
- Identify a Bearish Pennant forming on the chart.
- Check the CMO: Is it below zero? Is it trending down? That confirms momentum is bearish.
- Wait for Breakout Confirmation: Once the price breaks below the pennant, enter a short trade.
- Set Your Stop Loss: Just above the pennant’s upper boundary.
- Take Profit Target: Measure the flagpole and project it downward.
Real-World Example:
Imagine EUR/USD forms a bearish pennant after a major sell-off. The CMO stays below -50, confirming strong bearish momentum. Price breaks down, and boom—you enter short and ride the next wave down like a pro surfer catching a perfect swell.
Advanced Insights: A Secret That 90% of Traders Miss
Here’s where it gets spicy: Most traders only use these tools in isolation. But when you combine them, you gain an edge that most market participants miss.
Hidden Strategy: The “Momentum Trap” Play
- Watch for a CMO fakeout above zero while a Bearish Pennant forms.
- If the price fails to break upward and CMO drops back below zero, short aggressively!
- This traps breakout traders who were expecting a bullish move, forcing them to exit and accelerating the downtrend.
Example:
BTC/USD fakes a bullish breakout, but the CMO stays weak. Smart traders recognize the trap, short the market, and profit while the crowd panics.
Key Takeaways: Unlocking a New Level of Trading Mastery
✅ Use CMO for momentum confirmation—avoid getting caught in weak trends.
✅ Bearish Pennant signals continuation—don’t mistake it for reversal!
✅ Combine CMO & Bearish Pennant for high-probability short setups.
✅ Master the Momentum Trap to outsmart the majority of traders.
If you’re ready to elevate your trading game, check out these exclusive resources:
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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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