Learn to Read the Charts

Practical guides to candlestick charts, patterns and trading with rules instead of guesswork. Written by Matt Porterfield for people starting out.

Morning star candlestick pattern: a long red candle, a small star candle and a strong green candle at the end of a decline

October 30, 2026 · 8 min read

Morning Star Candlestick Pattern: How to Spot and Trade It

The three candles of the morning star, what each one says about buyers and sellers, and how traders use the pattern to time a reversal.

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Shooting star candlestick: a red candle with a long upper wick at the top of a series of rising green candles

October 30, 2026 · 8 min read

Shooting Star Candlestick Pattern: What It Means and How to Use It

What a shooting star looks like, what it says about buyers and sellers, and how traders use it to protect profits or plan a short.

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Hammer candlestick pattern: a green hammer with a long lower wick after a series of falling red candles

October 1, 2026 · 8 min read

Hammer Candlestick Pattern: How to Spot It and Trade It

What a hammer looks like, what it says about buyers and sellers, and how traders confirm it before placing an entry and a stop.

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How to Read Candlestick Charts, a beginner's guide illustrated with green and red candlesticks

October 1, 2026 · 8 min read

How to Read Candlestick Charts: A Beginner's Guide

What each candle shows, how to read bodies and wicks, and why context matters more than any single pattern.

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