TM Editors' note: This article discusses a penny stock and/or microcap. Such stocks are easily manipulated; do your own careful due diligence.

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A security pattern traces the distinct movements of security prices that, once recognized, help traders to make informed trading decisions. These patterns are identified by their vital geometrical elements, which are formed by changing security prices. Here is a closer look at some energy stock opportunities that may be revealed by analyzing these patterns.

Buy Signal for Southwestern Energy Company (SWN) (Triangle Symmetrical Bottom)

The triangle symmetrical bottom pattern forms when the price of a security fails to retest a high or a low, and it ultimately forms two narrowing trend lines. As the support and resistance levels consolidate, it forms a triangle (as shown by points 1 through ­5).

Symmetrical triangles are characterized by the upper line sloping downward and the lower line sloping upward. The price movement inside the triangle should fill the shape with some uniformity without leaving large blank areas.

This pattern is commonly associated with directionless markets, since the contraction (narrowing) of the market range signals that neither bulls nor bears are in control. However, there is a distinct possibility that market participants will either pour in or sell out, and the price can move up or down with big volumes (leading up to the breakout).

Trade ideas:

• Buy near the breakout (entry) price – $7.31.
• Sell at the target (exit) price – $8.38.

Trend trading is a strategy based on the technical analysis of changing market prices. The trend trader enters into a long position when a stock is trending upward, and uses the short position when a stock is trending downward.

Buy Signals for Valero Energy Corporation (VLO), SunCoke Energy, Inc. (SXC), & Enerplus Corporation (ERF)

Trade ideas:

• Buy at the opening of the stock market on Monday if the opening price has gone up by no more than 0.5% of Friday's closing price.
• Sell after the price has risen by 2% from Friday's closing price, or at the end of the trading week if the target is not reached.

Buy Signal for MV Oil Trust (MVO)

Trade ideas:

• Buy MVO at the current market price if seen as appealing.
• Sell MVO after receiving the "sell" recommendation from trusted analyses.

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