Quote from Thunderdog:
I'm fairly certain that I already posted on this thread before, but let me say it again. Do you really need a "divergence" of some kind to identify a double top or bottom? Is the price action really not clear enough? That is all that divergences are really expected to uncover, and their batting average is about as successful as the simple observation of a double top or bottom (subject to an actual trading plan aside from the observation itself). And since trading should allegedly be kept as simple as possible, how many consultants (i.e., indicators) do you actually need to tell you what time it is?
As some have mentioned already in this thread...
divergence doesn't only occur between price and an indicator.
Divergence signals are used by traders making trade decisions via indicators
and by traders making divergence trade decisions via price action only methods.
I use both and both requires just as much study, preparation and concentration.
Also...divergence signals don't always occur at a top or bottom...
it can occur in pullbacks as a Long signal after a top or as a bearish signal as a failed counter-thrust after a bottom.
Simply...divergence is bigger than many traders think something some of us have been discussing in private message.
Therefore, to answer your questions...
Do you really need a "divergence" of some kind to identify a double top or bottom?
Nope...many other trading tools to help traders to target a top or bottom.
Is the price action really not clear enough?
Not always...especially when there's divergence in whatever your trading while market breadth indices are flat or indecisive.
Last of all...what may be simple to one trader...may be complex to another or vice versa...
this is obvious via the numerous debates at ET about what's simple or easy to understand.
I truly wish trading was easy.
If it was easy...the Psychology thread here at ET may be empty
NihabaAshi