The cup and handle chart pattern can signal a reversal or a continuation of the trend. Wait for the price to break above the handle before taking a trade, and place a stop loss below the handle. An estimated profit target is the height of the cup portion added to the breakout price. The risk/reward on the pattern is favorable assuming the handle is smaller than the size of the cup (must be, otherwise it isn't a cup and handle pattern). Handles can last for weeks and become quite complex, which means some losing trades may occur before a real breakout happens. Decide beforehand if you are willing to enter the same trade more than once if stopped out.