Snapshot of price readings (usually the closing price) over time connected by the line. It gives an overall idea of the direction and volatility of movement of the price. Line can be connected to any value of technician's choosing (eg Opening price, high/low price, average of open and close etc).

Simple to understand but limited in the amount of information it displays.

Contains a set of vertical bars representing each time increment measured (eg daily bar, weekly bat or a 10-minute bar).

Tick mark to the left represents the opening price

Tick mark to the right represents the closing price

Shows not only the closing price at the end of the time period but also how the price moved during this time. This information gives us a clearer picture of what traders were doing with a security.

Demphasise bar by bar action and focuses on the big picture, the significant thrusts and pullbacks in price behaviour. Achieved by drawing straight lines connecting successive swing lows with swing highs in a zigzag fashion (allows us to see the thrusts and pullbacks).

This helps traders to find potential future price and time targets.

Created by drawing a straight line connecting the most recent swing low to the highest high reached thus far in the current swing. Each time a new high is achieved, the line is extended to connect to the new high. Process continues until prices stop making new highs, reverse and begin making new lows.