Blow-off top

A rise that keeps getting steeper until it goes almost vertical on record volume, then reverses sharply.

What it means

The last buyers rush in at the top; when they're in, there's no one left to push the price higher.

What to watch

A near-vertical chart and extreme volume are a warning, not a reason to buy.

How Compass-Alpha uses it

Background only; not used in any figure on Compass-Alpha.