Unlock Your Market Wizardry: Conquer the 2026 Chartered Market Technician (CMT) Test!

The correct answer identifies the distribution phase as the stage most closely associated with a downward trend in market behavior. During the distribution phase, market participants begin to sell off their holdings after a prior upward trend. This selling pressure generally results from the perception that the asset has reached its peak value, prompting traders and investors to take profits.

As a consequence, the increased selling activity contributes to a decline in price, leading to the downward trend observed in this phase. Traders often recognize this phase as a time when supply outweighs demand, validating the downward price movement.

In contrast, the accumulation phase typically occurs after a downtrend has ended, where informed investors start buying at lower prices, setting the stage for potential upward price movement. The public participation phase follows the accumulation phase and is marked by widespread interest and buying activity from the broader market, which reinforces upward price trends. The excess phase signifies an overbought condition where selling may begin as the market becomes saturated, but it often does not directly align with a clear downward trend in the early stages.