Torchmark - Traders Looking for a Bottom

Published on Monday, 16 January 2012 20:00 Written by Christopher Lynn

New York, January 16th (TradersHuddle.com) - Shares of Torchmark Corporation (NYSE:TMK) ended the trading session lower by $0.15 or -0.34% from its previous close. Torchmark's price action in today's session formed what is considered to be a Hammer, where bears drove prices lower intraday. However, the strong finish indicates that bulls regained control forming a trend reversal.

Torchmark Corporation (NYSE:TMK) is an insurance and financial services holding company. The company offers life and health insurance, and annuities. Life products include traditional and interest sensitive whole life insurance as well as term life insurance. Health products include Medicare supplement, accident, and limited hospital and surgical coverages.

Torchmark's stock has been trading in a well defined range with support at $39.62 and resistance at $44.83, this range is also being used by traders to plan their positions.

Traders wanting to establish a position in Torchmark or traders that are already holding the stock can use the hammer formation to their advantage, since the pattern signal a potential bullish trend reversal.

Hammers are important candlesticks as they mark bottoms and support levels. Further buying pressure, and preferably on expanding volume, is needed before acting, as heavy volume will serve to confirm the validity of the reversal.

In the case of Torchmark, traders who want to add to their positions or start a new position, need to watch for confirmation of the reversal. Below a Hammer illustration: