congestion area

Congestion Area

In technical analysis, a series of very similar prices at which a security trades for an extended period of time. For example, if a stock trades between $12.50 and $13.25 for several trading days, this price range is said to be that stock's congestion area. A congestion area indicates that supply and demand for a security are relatively equal; as a result, most technical analysts do not recommend buying or selling such a security until it breaks the congestion area in one direction or another.

congestion area

congestion area In technical analysis, a horizontal band on a point-and-figure chart resulting from a stock price fluctuation within a narrow price range. Because a congestion area indicates an equality of supply and demand, technicians wait until the stock breaks through the upper or lower bound before committing funds. See also horizontal count.