DictionaryconsolidationSideways market movement
noun

consolidation

A period when market prices move within a narrow range without a clear trend.

The stock enters consolidation as its price stays within a narrow range.

Etymology

The Latin verb means to make firm. Market consolidation applies the settling image to prices holding within a range while the preceding movement pauses.

More examples

  • Traders watch for a breakout after weeks of consolidation.
  • During consolidation, the index fluctuates between 4,900 and 5,000.
  • The chart shows two brief consolidations between sharp price increases.

Forms

consolidation · consolidations

consolidate verb — To trade within a narrow price range.

Similar words

sideways trading
Emphasizes trading without a trend, rather than a bounded period.
trading range
Describes price boundaries rather than the period of sideways movement.