how to interpret Combat Viewer results?

I can't find this anywhere -- what do the little symbols mean in the combat viewer results? I understand the Beam, Missile, and Kinetic symbols, but there are these in the middle:
>

<

They are in white or red, and sometimes there are one of each or two of the same kind.

Then that's followed by Shield, Chaff, or Armor symbol, followed by damage done. 

What do <   and  > mean?  THANKS!