Here we take a look at trading pullbacks using the Keltner Channels. I cover the initial setup, the types of entries, and trades to avoid.
This setup contains 3 parts:
The channel touch
The Pullback
The Entry
The Channel Touch
Here is an example of the beginning signal in our setup, a band touch. The top and bottom bands represent the ATR (Average True Range) of a loopback period. So a touch of the band indicates volatility in the underlying stock or commodity. This also presents us with a chance for a nice pullback with continuation.
The Pullback
The pullback is simple, it is a reversion to the mean. So, the price pulls back to the mean (the ema) that the Keltners are based on. From this point, you can start to determine the entry.
The Entry
Depending on your style, a stop order, or limit order trader, you get to create your style to enter the trade. The following are some ideas: zero line MACD cross, second entry (price action) long or short, a trigger zone (for limit order traders), and an ema touch (limit order traders).
Zero Line Entry
Price pulled back and crossed the zero line on the modified MACD indicator.
Second Entry Long (High2)
The entry is the second attempt to break the previous bars high in a pullback.
The Trigger Zone
I created these based on an internal Keltner channel. You can set your limit orders anywhere inside of them.
EMA Touch
Whenever the price touches an offset ema you can enter. So you can place and move your limit order as the ema moves. I like to offset by one because you are guaranteed a price touch (ema doesn't move). Backtesting is also my accurate with an offset ema.
Conclusion
The Keltner channels offer an extremely powerful way to determine a potential pullback within a trend. They also help define trends (on the first touch) and help objectively identify climatic behavior. This strategy as a whole allows for high-quality setups and the flexibility of entering and exiting trades based on trading style. I like to shoot for a 1:1 based on stop placement.
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