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Marubozo Candlesticks: Definition, Functionality, Types, and Real-life Examples

Last updated 03/15/2024 by

Alessandra Nicole

Edited by

Fact checked by

Summary:
A Marubozo is a candlestick pattern without upper or lower shadows, representing a day where the security’s price stayed within the opening and closing range. This formation suggests strong market conviction, whether by buyers or sellers, depending on the candle’s direction—up or down. Marubozo is derived from the Japanese term meaning “close-cropped,” often seen as a bullish or bearish indicator in technical analysis.

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Understanding the Marubozo

A Marubozo, originating from the Japanese word “close-cropped,” refers to a candlestick devoid of upper or lower shadows, signifying that the chart doesn’t extend beyond the day’s opening and closing prices. In an upward trend, the opening price aligns with the day’s low, and the closing price aligns with the day’s high, indicating a bullish market. Conversely, in a downward trend, a Marubozo reflects a bearish market, showcasing that the asset’s demand might be lower than the supply or willingness to sell.
Days with gains signal a higher demand for the stock compared to its supply, while losing days imply the opposite. Tracing back to Japanese rice traders, the wide part of the candlestick was referred to as the real body, indicating whether the closing price surpassed the opening price.

Interpreting Marubozo candlesticks

When a Marubozo candle appears during an uptrend, it signifies aggressive buying, potentially continuing the upward momentum. In contrast, a bullish Marubozo observed at the end of a downtrend suggests a sentiment shift, likely leading to further upward movement. Conversely, a bearish Marubozo in a downtrend indicates increased selling pressure, especially when it appears at the top of an uptrend.
Furthermore, the size of a Marubozo candle’s body could signify the intensity of the market’s sentiment. A larger body indicates a stronger buying or selling momentum, reflecting a more pronounced market sentiment, while a smaller body might represent a weaker market sentiment.

Types of Marubozo

While the standard Marubozo has no shadows and its opening and closing prices mark the high and low for the day, variations of this pattern exist. For instance, the Long White Marubozo, known as a “shaven head,” represents an extended bullish sentiment without a high shadow but may have a small lower shadow. Conversely, the Long Black Marubozo, also called a “shaven bottom,” signals a bearish market with a longer black body devoid of a low shadow but might have a small upper shadow.
The significance of these variations lies in their representation of market sentiment. The Long White Marubozo depicts a strong buying momentum, whereas the Long Black Marubozo indicates robust selling pressure in the market.

Why use candlestick charts for technical analysis?

Charting stock market activity is a long-standing practice, predating modern stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange. Candlestick charts provide visual representations of market activity, offering a simplified way to monitor stock changes over time. They allow investors, even novices, to interpret market trends and make informed decisions based on historical price movements and patterns.
These charts illustrate not only the opening and closing prices but also the highs and lows during a specific period, providing a comprehensive view of market sentiment. Candlestick patterns, such as the Marubozo, assist in understanding market psychology, identifying potential trend reversals, and predicting price movements.

Application of Marubozo in trading strategies

Many traders use the Marubozo candlestick pattern as part of their trading strategies. By identifying and interpreting these candles, traders attempt to forecast future price movements, enabling better entry and exit points in the market. Various methods exist for integrating the Marubozo into trading, such as combining it with other technical indicators like moving averages, stochastic oscillators, or volume analysis to enhance the accuracy of predictions.
Furthermore, traders often look for confirmation through subsequent candlestick patterns or indicators to strengthen the reliability of the signals provided by Marubozo candles.

Real-world application and limitations

While the Marubozo candlestick pattern provides valuable insights into market sentiment and potential price movements, it’s not infallible. Like any technical analysis tool, it has limitations. Market conditions, sudden news events, or unexpected economic changes can render the pattern less effective.
Therefore, prudent traders and investors combine the Marubozo pattern with fundamental analysis and other technical tools to create a comprehensive approach to decision-making.

Why Marubozo patterns matter in technical analysis

The Marubozo pattern’s significance lies in its ability to provide clear, visual cues regarding market sentiment. It can offer critical indications of market direction and potential shifts. By understanding and recognizing these patterns, traders gain a valuable tool for making informed decisions in volatile and uncertain markets.
As a prominent component of candlestick analysis, the Marubozo pattern remains an essential tool for technical analysts and traders looking to comprehend market trends and sentiment.
WEIGH THE RISKS AND BENEFITS
Here is a list of the benefits and the drawbacks to consider.
Pros
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Cons
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  • Return of excess reimbursements within a specified timeframe

Frequently asked questions

What happens if an expense isn’t considered business-related under an accountable plan?

If an expense fails to meet the criteria for business-related costs, it could be treated as taxable income by the IRS.

What is the time frame to return excess reimbursement under an accountable plan?

Usually, excess funds should be returned to the employer within 120 days of their disbursement.

Are employers required to submit their accountable plans to the IRS?

While not mandatory, employers should be able to demonstrate that they meet the standards of an accountable plan.

Key takeaways

  • A Marubozo is a candlestick pattern without upper or lower shadows, signifying a day where the security’s price stayed within the opening and closing range.
  • It represents strong market conviction, either by buyers or sellers, depending on the candle’s direction (up or down).
  • Marubozo, derived from the Japanese term meaning “close-cropped,” serves as a bullish or bearish indicator in technical analysis.
  • Marubozo candles can indicate trend continuation or reversal in the market, depending on their placement in an uptrend or downtrend.
  • Charts provide a visual representation of stock market activity, allowing investors to track changes over various timeframes and make informed decisions.

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