A filled black candle is generally considered a bearish indicator, as it reflects a situation where sellers have taken control after an initial gap up. When this type of candle appears, it often suggests that the enthusiasm that led to the gap higher was quickly met with selling pressure, signaling potential weakness in the underlying asset.
An example of a stock with a filled black candle
Bearish candle with a filled body indicating sellers stepped in on a gap up
This bearish implication is emphasized if other technical indicators align, such as resistance levels or overbought conditions, which add to the potential for continued downside. The filled black candle shows that buyers may have lost conviction, with sellers stepping in to push prices lower from an elevated opening.
However, in certain contexts, such as during an uptrend with strong support nearby, a filled black candle could also be seen as a possible bullish setup if buyers re-emerge and sustain the trend. This would require additional signals, as it indicates a potential pullback rather than a reversal if bullish momentum resumes.