Key Takeaways The trendlines of a triangle need to run along at least two swing highs and two swing lows. Ascending triangles are considered a continuation pattern, as the price will typically break out of the triangle in the price direction prevailing before the triangle, although this won't always occur. A breakout in any direction is noteworthy. A long trade is taken if the price breaks above the top of the pattern. A short trade is taken if the price breaks below the lower trendline. A stop loss is typically placed just outside the pattern on the opposite side from the breakout. A profit target is calculated by taking the height of the triangle, at its thickest point, and adding or subtracting that to/from the breakout point.