This presentation on basic technical analysis I made a week ago. Hope you enjoy it
Chart C1: DPTR 4-month daily chart with 50-SMA
1/ Stochastic gave a buy signal first
2/ MACD also gave a buy signal one day later
3/ Bullish sentiment with the MACD confirmation, prices started to move, volume picked up. In the next 2-trading days, prices increased to $2.28 & $3.03 and daily volumes increased to 11 & 64 MM. Prices kept moving up (4a) 5 of the next 6 trading days to $4.25 (See 4a) but the volume kept decreasing (4b).
Since volume did not go up to follow the prices, we have a situation where technical analysts called: Price volume diversion and the effect is a price reversion is imminent.
Stochastic gave a signal to sell (5a) on Sept 15 when traders could unload their position at around $3.75 a share. Those who waited for MACD signal to sell, it occurred later at the close of Sept. 21 where the traders could unloaded the shares for around $2.00 which meant most of the gain from the run-up was evaporated.
A person with some basic technical trading skills would have sold DPTR at the first signal that came up which is Stochastic signal due to the warnings of the price and volume diversion, also the gain of more than 100% in such a short period is another good reason for the traders to take the first exit. MACD has a weakness due to its nature as a trend follower.
The general rule of technical analysis is traders should rely on more than one indicator to make the trading decision. While traders could be more safe to wait for the MACD bullish signal to get into a position the trade, but waiting for MACD sell signal is always late, and follow Stochastic for selling signal is more proper.
Conclusion: Buy at MACD confirmation, sell at pointing gun 5-a and you'll be happy