On a P&F chart, price movements are represented with rising X-Columns and falling O-Columns. Each chart has a setting called the Box Size, which defines the price range for each box. The key to P&F charts is the establishment of the unit of price, which is the unit measurement of a price movement plotted on the graph. Rising stock prices are shown with X’s and falling prices are shown with O’s. These points appear on the chart only if the price moved at least one unit of price in either direction.

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Selecting appropriate box and reversal sizes

In particular, a sequence of X-Columns with equal highs marks a clear resistance level. Support is the price level at which demand is thought to be strong enough to prevent the price from declining further. In particular, a sequence of O-Columns with equal lows marks a clear support level.

• These charts are a useful tool in technical analysis, particularly helpful for identifying resistance and support levels.
• P&F charts show us the establishment of trends, trend reversals and the supply and demand of charted issues.
• A column of X’s is always followed by a column of O’s, and vice-versa.
• If the price continues to move up, X’s are added in a single column for every $2.00 increase in price.

By using point and figure charting to identify overall price trends, technical investors can take positions that have a strong probability of profiting. When a reversal occurs, several X’s or O’s will be drawn at the same time. The charts are constructed by deciding on the value represented by each X and O. Any price change below this value is ignored so point and figure acts as a sieve to filter out the smaller price changes. The charts change column when the price changes direction by the value of a certain number of Xs or Os.

Creating a P&F Chart

The chart is composed of multiple boxes, with each box equal to a certain price level. The box is filled with an X if price increases to that level. The box is filled with an O if price decreases to that level.

A new column is added when the security’s price decreases by an equal or greater amount than the reversal size. Then, the first O in the new column is plotted 1 box below the last X of the previous column. A decline in price and a reversal to the upside follow the same rules. For example, a trader chooses a box size of 2 and a 3-box reversal (2×3 P&F chart). If the price continues to move up, X’s are added in a single column for every $2.00 increase in price. When the price declines by at least $6.00, the reversal is triggered and a new column of O’s is started with a first O plotted 1 box below the last X of the previous column.

Closing Price

Cohen is credited with the classic 3-Box Reversal P&F charts with X’s and O’s. Cohen wrote several books on this “Three-Point Reversal Method” and became the editor of ChartCraft. An optional variable is whether to use high and low prices for the underlying asset or to use closing prices. For example, if the box size is $1, the reversal amount is $3. The reversal can be set at anything the trader desires, such as one times the box size, or 5.5 times the box size. Point-and-figure charts don’t require calculation, but they do require at least two variables to be set.

Traditionally this was one and is called a 1 box reversal chart. In contrast to bar charts, the spacing between price changes will not be symmetrical. The chart evolves only when there is a price change big enough to warrant a new X, a new O, or a new reversal column. Numbers and letters on the chart indicate when a new month has begun. The letters “A”, “B”, and “C” are used to indicate the beginning of October, November, and December.

Point and Figure (P&F) Chart

Renko Charts are also based on box size, and when the price moves by the box size it creates an up or down brick that moves at a 45-degree angle to the prior brick. Therefore, a reversal occurs if the price moves in the opposite direction by two box amounts. There are several different ways to establish box scaling or size. The most commonly-used method involves a predefined table of price ranges to dictate what the box’s size should be. The table below shows a typical table of price ranges and box sizes.