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Expanding Triangle

Elliott Wave Theory glossary · Corrective Structures & Sub Wave Math

Definition

A ve-wave corrective triangle pattern where boundary lines diverge and each successive wave is longer than its predecessor. Rare.

Expanding Triangle in plain English

Elliott Wave Theory says that after a strong price move (a 'wave'), the market often pauses and chops sideways in a 'corrective' pattern before continuing. An expanding triangle is one kind of that sideways pause, but it gets WIDER over time instead of squeezing tighter: each swing up is higher and each swing down is lower, so the top and bottom boundary lines spread apart like an opening hand-fan (the opposite of the usual narrowing triangle). It has five swings labeled A-B-C-D-E, and it's rare, which is why traders get excited when they spot one — it usually signals a market that's getting jittery and indecisive before its next big move.

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