Analysis

Candlestick Chart: Definition

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Simple Definition

A type of stock chart where each bar (candle) shows the open, high, low, and close prices for a time period.

Why It Matters

Candlestick charts are the standard way traders and investors view price data. Each candle tells a story: a long green body means strong buying pressure, a long red body means selling pressure, and small bodies with long wicks signal indecision. Learning to read candlesticks is the first step in technical analysis.

Key Points

  • Green/white candle: price closed higher than it opened. Red/black candle: closed lower than it opened
  • The body shows the open-to-close range; the wicks (shadows) show the high and low
  • Patterns like Doji, Hammer, and Engulfing can signal potential trend reversals

Learn More

Investing Essentials Lesson

How to Read Stock Charts

Get a complete explanation with examples, key takeaways, and a quiz to test your knowledge.

Related Terms

Common Questions

A type of stock chart where each bar (candle) shows the open, high, low, and close prices for a time period. Candlestick charts are the standard way traders and investors view price data. Each candle tells a story: a long green body means strong buying pressure, a long red body means selling pressure, and small bodies with long wicks signal indecision.

Candlestick charts are the standard way traders and investors view price data. Each candle tells a story: a long green body means strong buying pressure, a long red body means selling pressure, and small bodies with long wicks signal indecision. Learning to read candlesticks is the first step in technical analysis.

Green/white candle: price closed higher than it opened. Red/black candle: closed lower than it opened

The body shows the open-to-close range; the wicks (shadows) show the high and low

Patterns like Doji, Hammer, and Engulfing can signal potential trend reversals