What is Spread in Trading | Everything You Need to Know
Hey traders,
It turned out that many newbie traders completely neglect spreads in their trading.
In this post, we will discuss what is the market spread and how it can occasionally spoil a seemingly good trade.
💱No matter what financial instrument we trade, in order to buy the asset we need to have a counterpart that is willing to sell it to us and vice versa, if we want to sell the asset, we need to have someone to sell it to.
The market provides a convenient exchange between buyers and sellers. The asset price is determined by a current supply and demand.
However, even the most liquid markets have two prices: bid and ask.
🙋♂️ Ask price represents the lowest price the market participants are willing to sell the asset to you, while 🙇♂️ bid price shows the highest price the market participants are willing to buy the asset from you.
Here is how bid and ask prices look like.
Bid and ask price are almost never equal. The difference between them is called the spread .
📈The spread size depends on liquidity of the market.
📍Higher liquidity implies bigger trading volumes and greater number of market participants, making it easier for them to make an exchange.
On such markets we see lower spreads.
📍From the other side, less liquid markets are categorized with low trading volumes, making it harder for the market participants to find a counterpart for the exchange.
On such market, spreads are usually high.
For example, current EURUSD price is 1.0249 / 1.0269.
Bid price is 1.0249 - you open short position on that price.
Ask price is 1.0269 - you open long position on that price.
The spread is 2 pips.
❗️Spreads must always be considered in a calculation of a risk to reward ratio for the trade. For scalpers and day traders, higher than usual spread may spoil a seemingly good trade.
Always check spreads before you open the trade.
Check how the spread is displayed in the trading terminal.
In 2020, for example, we saw unusually high spreads on Gold during UK/NY trading sessions. Spreads were so high that I did not manage to open a trade for a couple of days.
Not considering spreads in such a situation would cost you a lot of money.
Do you consider spread when you trade?🤓
Learntotrade
Head and Shoulders Tutorial on Crude Oil ChartI have decided to start a short series of tutorials covering common instruments used in technical analysis.
In today's tutorial, we observe a successfully identified head and shoulders pattern on the 4-hour chart of Crude Oil, resulting in a substantial movement of around 17%.
Here's how to find the instrument: navigate to the left sidebar and select 'Patterns,' where you will find 'Head and Shoulders.'
Analyzing and trading correctly involve the following steps:
1) Both shoulders must form within a rising or falling trend. In the case of that Oil chart, we observe a rising trend, indicating a potential short position.
2) The size of the head becomes our target for take profit (TP), and upon reaching TP, we close 80% of the position.
3) Ideally, volumes at the right shoulder should decrease, and upon breaking, they should increase.
Risk Management Strategy:
1) Limit each trade to no more than 2% of your deposit.
2) Always utilize stop-loss and take-profit orders.
3) Never trade money you are not prepared to lose.
4) Start with small budgets.
It is crucial to emphasize that risk management must be adhered to whenever you engage in trading!
Register and trade stocks and crypto using my link with a discount on commissions: bingx.com/invite/E6RCUFJT
LEARN THE MOST IMPORTANT FOREX FUNDAMENTALS 📰
Even though I am a pure technician and I rely only on technical analysis when I trade, we can not deny the fact that fundamentals are the main driver of the financial markets.
In this post, we will discuss the most important fundamentals that affect forex market.
You can check coming fundamental news on TradingView in the economic calendar.
The calendar button on the right side will display the coming news.
Click "only high importance" button and the system will display only the most important news.
Here are the most important fundamental releases that you should pay close attention to:
📍Unemployment rate.
Unemployment rate reflects the percentage of people without a job in a selected country or region.
Rising unemployment rate usually signifies an unhealthy state of the economy and negatively affects the currency strength.
📍Housing prices.
Housing prices reflect people's demand for housing. Rising rate reflects a healthy state of the economy, strengthening purchasing power of the individuals and their confidence in the future.
Growing demand for housing is considered to be one of the most important drivers in the economy.
📍Inflation.
Inflation reflects the purchasing power of a currency.
It is usually measured by evaluation of the price of the selected basket of goods or services over some period.
High inflation is usually the primary indicator of the weakness of the currency and the unhealthy state of the economy.
📍Monetary policy.
Monetary policy is the actions of central banks related to money supply in the economy.
There are two main levers: interests rates and bank reserve requirements.
Higher interest rates suppress the economy, making the currency stronger. Lower interests rates increase the money supply, making the economy grow but devaluing the national currency.
📍Political discourse.
Political discourse is the social, economical and geopolitical policies of the national government.
Political ideology determines the set of priorities for the ruling party that directly impacts the state of the economy.
📍Payrolls and earnings.
Payroll reports reflect the dynamic of the creation of new jobs by the economy, while average earnings show the increase or decrease of the earnings of the individuals.
Growing earnings and payrolls positively affect the value of a national currency and signify the expansion of the economy.
Pay closes attention to these fundamentals and monitor how the market reacts to that data.
What fundamentals do you consider to be the most important?
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
5 Elements of the Best Key Level in Trading
What are the best key levels to trade?
Last year I analysed more than 1500 key structures on Forex, Gold, Crypto and Indexes.
In the today's article, I prepared for you a list of 5 elements of a perfect support and resistance for trading.
As always, remember that the best key levels are always on a daily time frame. So all the structures that we will discuss will be strictly on a daily.
Also, all the structures that I analyzed and traded are available on my TradingView page, so you can back test them by your own.
1. Clear historical significance
The structure that you spotted should act as a significant historical support or resistance.
Here are the important historical support and resistance that I spotted on USDCAD on a daily time frame.
2. Psychological significance
The structure that you identified should match with round numbers.
All the structures that we spotted on USDCAD match with psychological numbers.
3. Confluence with other technical tools
The best structure should align with other trading tools such as trend lines of Fibonacci levels, strengthening its significance.
After adding fibonacci levels and a significant falling trend line on the chart, the confluence was found in Resistance 6, Resistance 3, Resistance 2, Resistance 1, Support 2. Other structure does not match with technical tolls.
4. Volume
The level experiences high trading volumes, indicating strong participation and interest from market participants, especially smart money.
All the structures that we underlined show significant volume spikes. By volume spike, I mean a volume being higher than the average volume - a blue curve on volume.
5. Multiple touches
The more, the better. There are numerous instances where price has respected and reacted to the structure, confirming its strength (at least 2).
Only these 3 structures were confirmed by the multiple touches. These resistances will be considered the strongest ones.
That checklist will help you to identify the most significant structures from where you will be able to catch impulsive movement and make nice profits.
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
Why Traders Often Fail and How to Turn the Tide in Your FavorAs a day trader, I understand the allure of making your mark trading financial instruments. The idea of making quick profits and essentially being your boss can be incredibly enticing. However, the reality is that day trading is more challenging than it may seem. The statistics are alarming - the majority of day traders lose money. But why is that? Today, I will delve into the truths behind why day traders often fail and provide you with methods to begin turning the tide in your favor. So, let's get started and uncover the not-so-secret secrets to successful day trading.
The Alarming Statistics of Day Traders Losing Money
It's essential to begin by acknowledging the harsh reality that day trading is NOT a guaranteed path to riches. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of day traders end up losing money. Depending on which study or report you look at, the deck is stacked against the average day trader, with 70-90% of traders losing money within the first year of trading. That's a tough pill to swallow for anyone who wants to pursue day trading as either a full-time gig or a supplemental means of generating income. So, how does one stack the odds in their favor to become a successful trader?
Understanding the Psychology of Day Traders
There are three factors contributing to the high failure rate among day traders. Those factors include but are not limited to mindset, psychology, and discipline. I want to break these down for you so we can take a look at where most traders go wrong.
Mindset: One may believe that mindset and psychology are the same, and though they are connected, they are not the same. In trading, mindset plays a crucial role in shaping a trader's attitude toward the market. A trader's mindset encompasses their beliefs, perspectives, and overall mental framework towards trading, risk, and uncertainty. Traders often have short-term sights set on finding unicorn gains or high win rates with little thought on a fundamental foundation to build upon for long-term growth.
Having a strong and disciplined mindset is essential for navigating the complexities of the market, as it fosters critical traits such as patience, adaptability, and a long-term growth-oriented outlook. A resilient mindset can help traders weather the inevitable ups and downs of the market, maintain discipline in executing their trading strategies, and stay focused on their long-term goals. Ultimately, a positive and disciplined mindset can contribute significantly to a trader's ability to navigate challenges they will inevitably face.
Psychology: Day trading can be an emotionally intense endeavor, and many traders fall victim to their emotional state. Emotions such as fear, greed, and hope, as well as cognitive biases, play a crucial role in shaping day-to-day trading decisions. For instance, the fear of missing out (FOMO) can prompt impulsive trading, while the aversion to realizing a loss can lead to holding onto losing positions for too long. Day traders must recognize and control these emotions to improve their chances of success. If you let your emotions best you, you will end up giving your money to someone who keeps those emotions in check.
Overcoming psychological hurdles such as these is essential for making rational trading decisions. Additionally, being aware of cognitive biases like confirmation bias and recency bias can help traders avoid making decisions based on flawed reasoning. Understanding and managing these psychological factors is vital for maintaining discipline, especially in the face of market volatility and uncertainty.
Discipline: I feel like discipline is wildly overlooked in the world of trading. There is so much toxicity bred in the field by so-called gurus who tell you trading is so simple and that massive gains are just around the corner. That is not the case in the realm of trading or any skill you hope to master. Olympic athletes do not wake up one day being the masters of their respective sport. They spend years practicing their skills with the highest level of discipline imaginable. Is trading the Olympics? No, but the principle is the same. If trading is a lifelong skill that you want to acquire, then you must commit to self-discipline in your approach to trading.
So, from here, where do we start? How do we turn these three pillars in our favor and become successful in the long term?
Lack of Proper Risk Management
One of the primary reasons why day traders lose money is their failure to implement proper risk management strategies. Our brains are not wired to embrace loss; our minds will make every mental backflip to avoid it. This is why traders often let losers run rampant and cut their gains short. Think back to any of your previous trades. Did you justify staying in a losing trade based on some afterthought? An example justification could be, "This price can't go any higher; look how overbought XYZ stock is!"
Additionally, day traders often need to pay more attention to potential profits and pay attention to potential losses. This can lead to reckless trading decisions and a failure to cut losses when necessary. With so much focus in the industry on winning, many overlook the discipline of being a great loser. Could you let that last sentence sink in for a second and give it some deep thought?
Day trading inherently involves the risk of loss, and without a solid risk management plan in place, traders are essentially gambling with their money. It's essential to set clear risk limits, determine the maximum amount of capital you are willing to risk on each trade and stick to your plan.
Implementing Effective Risk Management Strategies
Now that we understand the importance of risk management, let's explore some practical strategies that day traders can implement to protect their capital and improve their chances of success.
Use stop-loss orders: A stop-loss order is a predetermined price at which you will automatically exit a trade to limit your losses. By setting stop-loss orders at strategic levels, you can protect yourself from significant losses and maintain your risk management plan. A critical aspect of stop-losses is that they need to be a one-way street. It's okay to move a stop-loss up as a trade moves in your favor. However, never push your stop-loss back or make it wider after your trade has been initiated. This is only setting you up for long-term failure. Think of it this way: allowing a stop loss to do its job is like subjecting yourself to paper cuts compared to letting losers run, which would be akin to taking a slash from a sword. Which do you think you would better withstand in the long term?
In a previous article, I highlighted different methods for setting stoplosses. I will link that article below this one, as I highly recommend you read it if you have further questions on how to set a stop-loss. Though that is only half the battle, the real challenge comes with maintaining discipline and respect for that stop-loss on every trade you take.
Size your positions appropriately: It's crucial to determine the appropriate position size for each trade based on your risk tolerance and the specific trade setup. Avoid risking a significant portion of your capital on a single trade, as it can have devastating consequences if the trade goes against you, especially if you do not heed the previous advice of a disciplined stop loss. Never risk more than you are willing to lose!
Diversify your portfolio: Only a few people want to day trade forever; it is a stepping stone for building wealth that you can diversify and let grow. However, if you have the capital early on to spread your investments across multiple stocks or assets, you can reduce the impact of a single trade going wrong. Diversification helps to mitigate risk and increase the likelihood of positive returns over the long term.
The Importance of Having a Solid Trading Plan
How do we implement discipline and solid risk management in our daily trading? We turn to the often underutilized trading plan. Day trading without a well-defined trading plan is akin to sailing without a compass. A trading plan serves as your roadmap, guiding you through the ups and downs of the market. It outlines your entry and exit strategies, risk management rules, and overall trading approach. Without a solid plan, day traders are more likely to make impulsive decisions based on emotions or market noise. This is where your discipline can help keep your emotions in check.
When creating your trading plan, consider the following elements:
Define your goals: Please be sure to determine your financial goals and the timeframe in which you aim to achieve them. This will help you stay focused and avoid chasing unrealistic profits. This is where you formulate your mindset and build your long-term foundation.
Choose a trading strategy: Select a trading strategy that aligns with your risk tolerance and trading style. Whether it's trend following, breakout trading, or any other approach, make sure to thoroughly back-test and validate your strategy before implementing it.
Set realistic expectations: Understand that day trading is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It requires dedication, continuous learning, and patience. Set realistic expectations and avoid succumbing to the allure of overnight riches.
By having a well-defined trading plan and sticking to it, you can significantly increase your chances of success in the challenging world of day trading.
Learning from Past Mistakes and Analyzing Trading Data
One of the most effective ways to improve as a day trader is to learn from your past mistakes and analyze your trading data. It's essential for you to keep a detailed record of your trades, including entry and exit points, profit or loss, and any relevant notes or observations.
By reviewing your trading data, you can identify patterns, strengths, and weaknesses in your trading strategy. This process allows you to make data-driven adjustments and refine your approach over time. Additionally, learning from your mistakes helps you avoid repeating them in the future.
Practicing Patience and Emotional Control
Patience and emotional control are two crucial qualities that successful day traders possess. The ability to wait for the right opportunities and avoid impulsive trading decisions can make a significant difference in your overall profitability.
Day trading often involves rapid market movements and fluctuations, which can trigger emotional responses. It's essential to remain calm and composed, sticking to your trading plan and strategy. Emotions such as fear and greed can cloud judgment and lead to irrational decisions. By practicing emotional control, you can make rational and objective trading choices, increasing your chances of success.
The Path to Success in Day Trading
Day trading is undoubtedly challenging, but it's not an impossible endeavor. By understanding the truths behind why day traders often fail and implementing effective strategies, you can turn the tide in your favor. However, you should know that this is not an overnight ordeal. There are no shortcuts worth taking and endless hours of practice to achieve the feat of becoming an elite trader.
Remember, day trading requires discipline, risk management, and continuous learning. Develop a solid trading plan, analyze your trading data, and practice patience and emotional control. By doing so, you can navigate the unpredictable waters of the financial markets with confidence and increase your chances of achieving long-term success as a day trader.
Good luck and happy trading!
Trading Sessions in Forex | Free Market Sessions Indicator
Hey traders,
In this post, we will discuss trading sessions in Forex .
Let's start with the definition:
Trading session is daytime trading hours in a certain location.
The opening and closing hours match with business hours.
For that reason, trading hours are varying in different countries because of contrasting timezones.
❗️Please, note that different markets may have different trading hours.
Also, some markets have pre-market and after-hours trading sessions.
In this post, we are discussing only forex trading hours.
The forex market opens on Sunday at 21:00 GMT
and closes on Friday at 21:00 pm GMT.
There are 4 main trading sessions in Forex:
🇦🇺 Australian (Sydney) Session Opens at 21:00 GMT and closes at 06:00 GMT
🇯🇵 Asian (Tokyo) Session Opens at 12:00 GMT and closes at 9:00 GMT.
🇬🇧 UK (London) Session Opens at 7:00 GMT and closes at 16:00 GMT.
🇺🇸 US (New York) Session Opens at 12:00 GMT and closes at 21:00 GMT.
Asian trading session is usually categorized by low trading volumes
while UK and US sessions are categorized by high trading volumes.
Personally, I trade the entire UK session and US opening and usually skip Australian and Asian sessions.
There is a free technical indicator on TradingView that allows to underline trading sessions on a price chart. It is called "Market Sessions".
Being added, it displays the market trading sessions.
What trading sessions do you trade?
Mastering Fibonacci Retracement :Navigating Bitcoin's VolatilityMastering Fibonacci Retracement :Navigating Bitcoin's Volatility
Navigating the volatile landscape of Bitcoin trading can be a daunting task for both novice and experienced traders alike. However, equipped with the right tools, traders can identify potential support and resistance levels, make informed decisions, and capitalize on market movements. One such tool that has stood the test of time is the Fibonacci retracement tool, a staple in the arsenal of many traders due to its uncanny ability to forecast potential price reversals with remarkable accuracy.
Understanding Fibonacci Retracement
Fibonacci retracement is based on the idea that markets will retrace a predictable portion of a move, after which they will continue to move in the original direction. The concept draws from the Fibonacci sequence, a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on). In trading, these numbers are translated into percentage levels that traders use to identify potential reversal points on price charts.
Key Levels to Watch
The most commonly used Fibonacci retracement levels are 23.6%, 38.2%, 50%, 61.8%, and 78.6%. These percentages represent potential support and resistance levels where the price of an asset like Bitcoin could experience a reversal or consolidation. The 61.8% level, often referred to as the "golden ratio," is particularly noteworthy for its reliability in predicting price movements.
Applying Fibonacci to Bitcoin Trading
When applying Fibonacci retracement levels to Bitcoin's price action, traders often look for significant highs and lows to place their retracement lines. From there, the tool provides a visual representation of potential areas where the price may stall or reverse. For instance, during a downtrend, a retracement to a higher Fibonacci level like 61.8% could indicate a potential area of resistance where traders might consider taking profits or entering short positions.
The Significance of the 78.6% Level
Recent discussions among traders have highlighted the 78.6% retracement level as a crucial point for Bitcoin, suggesting that reaching this level often precedes significant corrections. This phenomenon underscores the importance of Fibonacci levels in anticipating market movements, allowing traders to adjust their strategies accordingly.
Real-world Application
Consider Bitcoin's historic rally and subsequent corrections. Traders have observed that significant pullbacks often align with key Fibonacci levels. For example, during a bullish phase, if Bitcoin's price retraces to the 61.8% or 78.6% levels before bouncing back, this could be seen as a strong signal for trend continuation.
Conclusion
The Fibonacci retracement tool is more than just a mathematical curiosity; it's a reflection of human psychology and market sentiment. By identifying levels where price action may change direction, traders can make more informed decisions, manage risk more effectively, and potentially increase their chances of success in the market.
As with any trading tool, it's important to use Fibonacci retracements in conjunction with other indicators and analysis methods to validate potential trading signals. Remember, no tool can predict market movements with absolute certainty, but by understanding the tendencies and patterns, traders can navigate the Bitcoin market with greater confidence. BINANCE:BTCUSDT BITSTAMP:BTCUSD BINANCE:BTCUSDT.P
Don't forget to check our latest publications
Understanding the ICT BREAKAWAY GAPIn this video I go through the ICT Breakaway Gap and how YOU can use it to your advantage. I include some tips and tricks with a real trade setup demonstration.
The Breakaway Gap may have been an elusive concept to understand, but I present a simple way you can spot them on the chart and frame your trades around them. It is a powerful weapon that can be used to snag some awesome trades.
Simple put, the Breakaway Gap is a gap that does not get traded into with the NEXT FEW CANDLES. Emphasis on the last part because price is fractal, and the best way to frame a trade with ICT's Concepts is by taking a few candles on the higher timeframe for your bias, and going to a lower timeframe to form your narrative, and either entering on that timeframe or even going to a lower timeframe for your entry.
Hopefully this gives you some insight into one of the many concepts that ICT has bestowed upon the public.
If you need clarification about the content, or you are still struggling with finding your groove as a trader and need personal guidance or mentorship, feel free to reach out to me via TradingView’s private message or on X.
Happy trading and happy studying!
- R2F
Types of Orders in Forex Trading. Everything You Need to Know
Hey traders,
In this post, we will discuss types of orders that we use in Forex trading.
➖ Market order.
Trading position is opened at a current price level.
Buying the asset, you will open a trading position at a current ask price.
Selling the asset, you will open a trading position at a current bid price.
Even though market order is the most preferable type of orders among newbie traders, I highly recommend not to use that, especially if you are a day trader.
❗️The main problem is that prices constantly fluctuate and there is a certain delay between order execution and position opening. For these reasons, the position will be opened from a random price level within the range where the market is currently staying, affecting a risk to reward ratio.
➖ Limit order.
Trading position will be opened only from a desired price level.
With buy limit , you will buy the asset from a certain level.
(current price remains above the order)
With buy stop order, you will buy the asset from a certain level.
(current price remains below the order)
With sell limit, you will sell the asset from a certain level.
(current price remains below the order)
With sell stop , you will sell the asset from a certain level.
(current price remains above the order)
I prefer to trade with limit orders. Limit order helps you to trade from a desirable level, automatically executing the order once it is reached, letting you preliminary set it.
❗️However, remember that there is one big disadvantage of that order type: there is no guarantee that the price will reach the desired price level to activate a trading position. For that reason, occasionally you will miss the trades.
Setting a sell limit order on Gold on 2049 level, the trade would be missed because the price respected 2048 level and dropped immediately then.
Try these order types on a demo account to learn how they work in practice.
Which order type do you prefer?
Learn What is FOREX Market. Trading Volumes & Market Participant
Forex - foreign exchange market, is a location where international currencies are bought and sold by economic participants at various exchange rates.
Forex market is the biggest market in the world, reaching on average 6 trillion dollars trading volumes daily.
Forex market is a vital element for a global economy because it provides capital exchanges between the countries.
The main market participants of forex market are central banks, commercial banks, commercial companies, hedge funds and investors.
🕰In order to grasp how big is that market, take a look what is happening on that just in 60 seconds:
📎Total transactions value reaches 3.52 billion US dollars.
📎 1.15 billion dollars of spot transactions.
📎 1.65 billion dollar of exchange swaps.
📎 Total transactions value involving USD reaches 3 billion US dollars.
📎 Total transactions value involving EURO reaches 1.1 billion US dollars.
📎 Just one single EUR/USD pair accumulates 812 million US dollars transactions value.
It is hard to imagine how such big amounts are rolling with such a frequency and how insignificant are the orders of individual traders.
Range Bar Chart, Line Chart & Candlestick Chart - Everything You
Hey traders,
In this post, we will discuss 3 most popular types of charts.
We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each one, and you will decide what type is the most appropriate for you.
📈Line Chart.
Line chart is the most common chart applied by analysts. Reading financial articles in different news outlets, I noticed that most of the time the authors apply line chart for the data representation.
On a price chart, the only parameter that the one can set is a time period.
Time period will define a time of a security closing price. The security closing prices overtime will serve as data points.
These points will be connected with a continuous line.
Line charts are applied for displaying an asset's price history, reducing the noise from less volatile times.
Being simplistic, they can provide a general picture and market sentiment. However, they are considered to be insufficient for pattern recognition and in depth analysis.
Above, a line chart is applied for analysis of a long-term trend on Gold.
📏Range Bar Chart.
In contrast to a line chart, a range bar chart does not consider time horizon. The only parameter that the one can set is a price range.
By the range, I mean a price interval where the price moves. A new bar will be formed only once the prices passes the desired range.
Such a chart allows to completely ignore time variable, focusing only on price movement and hence reducing the market noise.
The chart will plot new bars only when the market is volatile, and it will stagnate while the market is weak and consolidating.
Accurately setting a desired price range, one can get multiple insights analyzing a range bar chart.
In the example above, one range bar represents 10 pips price range on EURUSD.
🕯Candlestick Chart.
The most popular chart among technicians and my personal favorite.
ith just one single parameter - time period, the chart plots candlesticks.
Each candlestick is formed as a desired time period passes.
It contains an information about the opening price level, closing price, high and low of a selected time period.
Candlestick chart is applied for pattern recognition and in-depth analysis. Its study unveils the behavior of the market participants and their actions at a desired time period.
Each candle stick represents a price action within 4 hours on AUDUSD chart above. (time frame is 4H)
Of course, each chart has its own pluses and minuses. Choosing its type, you should know exactly what information do you want to derive from the chart.
What chart type do you prefer?
Best Trading Confirmation. Learn 95% Accurate Entry Signal
I have analyzed 1300 forecasts and signals that I shared on TradingView last year and found 95% accurate trading confirmation.
In this article, we will discuss multiple types of confirmations and their winning rate on Forex, Gold, Indexes, Crypto & Commodities.
First, let me introduce you to the types of analysis that I provided.
1 - Structure based forecast
I have shared more than 55 trading setup with key levels analysis:
Where the price is approaching a key daily horizontal support and resistance.
Here is the example of such a post.
Test of a key horizontal or vertical support/resistance turned out to be a poor trading signal.
Total accuracy of structure based forecasts is 38% .
Please, note that if we consider the market trend in our calculations,
the trend-following structure based setup will be 42% accurate, while a performance of a counter trend setup drops to 35%
2 - Structure breakout based forecast
I analyzed and posted 73 posts with a key structure breakout as a confirmation on a daily.
Above is the example of a such a forecast.
Key levels breakout turned out to be a strong bullish or bearish confirmation with 59% accuracy.
Trend direction did not affect the efficiency of a key structure breakout that much, with a 60% accuracy of a trend following setup versus 57% of counter trend.
3 - Structure based forecast with a single intraday confirmation
I shared more than 500 setups with a test of a key structure on a daily and a single price action based bullish or bearish confirmation on a 4h/1h time frame.
My intraday confirmation is a formation of a price action pattern with a consequent breakout of its neckline/trend line in the projected direction.
Please, check the example of such a signal.
Just a single intraday confirmation dramatically increases the accuracy of a structure based setup.
Average winning rate is 66%.
4 - Structure based forecast with multiple intraday confirmations
I spotted and posted 200+ forecasts with a test of a key structure on a daily and multiple price action based bullish or bearish confirmations on a 4h/1h time frame.
Multiple confirmations imply the formation of multiple price action patterns on 4/1h t.f.
Here is the example of such a setup on EURGBP.
Two or more confirmations on a key structure increase the average winning rate to 72%.
Among multiple confirmations, I found a 95% accurate bearish signal:
The market should be in a bearish trend.
The price should test a key daily structure resistance.
The market should form a rising wedge pattern on a 4h/1h time frames and the highs of the wedge should strictly test the key structure and should not violate them.
After a test of structure, the price should form a bearish price action pattern on the highs of the wedge.
Above is a setup with the best trading confirmation.
A bearish breakout of the neckline of the pattern and a support of the wedge was a 95% accurate trading signal this year.
Of course, there are various confirmations, depending on a trading style. The ones that I shared with you are structure/price action based.
And I am truly impressed by their accuracy.
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
The Trader's Toolkit: Building a Dynamic Trading JournalJoin us in this comprehensive tutorial as we walk through the essential process of building a personalized trading journal. Whether you're new to trading or aiming to elevate your strategies, this educational video empowers you with the knowledge of why building a trading journal is a critical step in your trading journey. Learn with us, and discover why a trading journal is a crucial addition to your trading toolkit.
Predict the clarity of the price, not it's direction☝️The main purpose of my resources is free, actionable education for anyone who wants to learn trading and improve mental and technical trading skills. Learn from hundreds of videos and the real story of a particular trader, with all the mistakes and pain on the way to consistency. I'm always glad to discuss and answer questions. 🙌
☝️ALL videos here are for sharing my experience purposes only, not financial advice, NOT A SIGNAL. YOUR TRADES ARE YOUR COMPLETE RESPONSIBILITY. Everything here should be treated as a simulated, educational environment.
Navigating Markets with Gann Fans: A Step-by-Step GuideWelcome to our comprehensive tutorial on placing and utilizing Gann Fans. In this step-by-step guide, we'll dive into the practical aspects of Gann Fans, a powerful tool for assessing non-horizontal support in resistance for technical analysis. We will thoroughly explain how Gann Fans are placed and what pitfalls to avoid when placing them. Whether you're new to Gann Fans or looking to enhance your trading strategy, this video provides actionable insights and a real-world example to help you harness the potential of Gann Fans with confidence. Join us as we demystify Gann Fans and empower you to navigate market swings with precision and skill.
THE KOG REPORTKOG REPORT:
In last week’s KOG Report we said we would stick with the same bias, bearish below and would be looking for price to attempt the order region 2035-8. This is the level we wanted to see a reaction in price, which as you can see didn’t come. Instead, we got the flip and managed to trade down completing numerous Gold targets. Once price reached that lower support level, we switched again, looking for the long trades back up towards the 2016, 2022 and above that 2030 level, which was again achieved and where we suggested traders take the exit, or at least protect and take a majority of the trade.
A great week on the markets again, not only on gold but the numerous other pairs we trade.
So, what can we expect in the week ahead?
For this week we’re going to play caution, please read the report carefully as the plan is detailed! We would like to see how the market opens and let the Asia session play out at least. What we’re expecting here in the early sessions is potential ranging playing between the 2030-35 resistance level and the 2018-22 support level. Both these levels are important and will need to break to determine the next move!
So, if we open and find resistance at the 2035 and above that 2043-5 region, based upon a confirmed set up, we feel an opportunity to short the market level to level is available into the 2020-22 region to play it safe. Now, if we support here and get a nice set up, we feel this level represents an opportunity to attempt the long swing trade back up towards the 2050 level and above that potentially 2070 in extension of the move before again, if not broken above we’ll look to swing short for the lower levels.
On the flip, if we break below 2020-18, we will be looking to trade this level to level downside in attempt to break the 2000 level and will be looking to take a larger position long from lower down.
As we usually do, we will update the plan and share KOG’s bias of the day for traders to keep up to date.
KOG’s bias for the week:
Bullish above 2020 with targets above 2050 and above that 2070
Bearish on break of 2020 with targets below 2005 and below that 1990
Key levels to watch:
Support – 2022 / 2020 / 2018
Resistance – 2035 / 2043 / 2046 / 2050
Please do support us by hitting the like button, leaving a comment, and giving us a follow. We’ve been doing this for a long time now providing traders with in-depth free analysis on Gold, so your likes and comments are very much appreciated.
As always, trade safe.
KOG
Learn Best Price Action Patterns by Accuracy
Last year, I shared more than 1300 free signals and forecasts for Gold, Forex, Commodities and Indexes.
In my predictions, quite often I relied on classic price action patterns.
In this article, I will reveal the win rate of each pattern, the most accurate and the least accurate formations of the last year.
Please, note that all the predictions and forecasts that I shared this year are available on TradingView and you can back test any of the setup that I identified this year by your own. Just choose a relevant tag on my TradingView page.
Also, some forecasts & signals were based on a combination of multiple patterns.
Here is the list of the patterns that I personally trade:
🔘 Double Top or Bottom with Equal Highs
The pattern is considered to be valid when the highs or lows of the pattern are equal.
The pattern gives a bearish/bullish signal when its neckline is broken.
🔘 Double Top or Bottom with Lower High/Higher Low or Cup & Handle
The pattern is considered to be valid when the second top/bottom of the patterns is lower/higher than the first one.
The pattern gives a bearish/bullish signal when its neckline is broken.
🔘 Head & Shoulders and Inverted Head and Shoulders
The pattern gives a bearish/bullish signal when its neckline is broken.
🔘 Horizontal Range
The pattern is the extension of a classic double top/bottom with at least 3 equal highs/lows.
The pattern gives a bearish/bullish signal when its neckline is broken.
🔘 Bullish/Bearish Flag
The pattern represents a rising/falling parallel channel.
It gives a bullish/bearish signal when its upper/lower boundary is broken.
🔘 Rising/Falling Wedge Pattern
The pattern represents a contracting rising/falling channel.
It gives a bullish/bearish signal when its upper/lower boundary is broken.
🔘 Rising/Falling Expanding Wedge
The pattern represents an expanding rising/falling channel.
It gives a bullish/bearish signal when its upper/lower boundary is broken.
🔘 Descending/Ascending Triangle
The pattern is the extension of a cup & handle pattern with at least 2 lower highs/lows.
The pattern gives a bearish/bullish signal when its neckline is broken.
Please, also note that all the patterns that I identified and traded were formed on key horizontal or vertical structures.
Remember that the accuracy of any pattern drops dramatically if it is formed beyond key levels.
I consider the pattern to be a winning one if after a neckline breakout, it managed to reach the closest horizontal or vertical structure, not invalidating the pattern's highs/lows.
For example, if the price violated the high of the cup and handle pattern after its neckline breakout, such a pattern is losing one.
If it reached the closest structure without violation of the high, it is a winning pattern.
🔍 Double Top or Bottom with Equal Highs
I spotted 85 setups featuring these patterns.
Their accuracy is 62%.
🥉 Double Top or Bottom with Lower High/Higher Low or Cup & Handle
96 setups were spotted.
The performance turned out to be a little bit higher than a classic double top/bottom with 65% of the setups hitting the target.
🔍 Head & Shoulders and Inverted Head and Shoulders
58 formations spotted this year.
Average win rate is 64%
🏆 Horizontal Range
The most accurate pattern of this year.
More than 148 patterns were spotted and 74% among them gave accurate signal.
🔍 Bullish/Bearish Flag
38 setups identified this year.
The accuracy of the pattern is 57%
Rising/Falling Wedge
The pattern turned out to be a little bit more accurate.
Among 62 formations, 59% end up being profitable.
👎 Rising/Falling Expanding Wedge
The worst pattern of this year.
I recognized 24 patterns and their accuracy was just 51%.
🥈 Descending/Ascending Triangle
64 patterns were identified.
The win rate of the pattern is 66%.
The most important conclusion that we can make analyzing the performance of these patterns is that they all have an accuracy above 50%. If you properly combine these patterns with some other technical or fundamental tools, the accuracy of the setup will increase dramatically.
Good luck in your trading!
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9 Essential TIPS For Newbie Traders (Learn from my Mistakes!)
In the today's article, I will reveal trading secrets I wish I knew when I started trading.
1️⃣ Forget about becoming a pro quickly
Most of the traders believe, that you can learn how to trade easily and that it takes a very short period of time in order to master a profitable trading strategy.
The truth is, however, that trading is a long journey.
I spent more than 3 years, trying different strategies and looking for a profitable technique to trade. Once I found that, it took more than a year to polish a trading strategy and to learn how to apply that properly.
Be prepared to spend YEARS before you find a way to trade profitably.
2️⃣ Focus on One Strategy
While you are learning how to trade you will try different techniques, tools and strategies. And the thing is that newbies are trying multiple things simultaneously. The more strategies you try at once, the more setups you have on your chart. The more setups you have on your chart, the more complex and difficult is your trading.
Remember that in this game, your attention is the key.
You should meticulously study each and every trading setup.
For that reason, I highly recommend you to focus on one strategy, one approach, one technique. Test it, try it and look for a new one only when you realize that it doesn't work.
Here is the example how the same price chart can provide absolutely different trading opportunities depending on a trading strategy.
Price action pattern trader would recognize a lot of a patterns, while indicator based trader could spot absolutely different bullish and bearish signals.
Now, try to imagine how hard it would be to follow both strategies simultaneously.
3️⃣ Start with small capital that you can afford to lose
You will lose your first trading deposit and, probably, the second one and potentially the third one as well.
Losses are the only way to learn real trading. While you are on a demo account, you feel like a king, but once you start risking your savings, the perspective completely changes.
For that reason, make sure that you trade with an account that you can afford to lose. The fact of blowing such an account should be unpleasant, but that should not affect your daily life.
4️⃣ Use stop loss
I am doing trading coaching for more than 4 years.
What pisses me off is that the main reason of the substantial losses of my mentees is the absence of stop loss. Why can it be if naturally everyone: from your broker to Instagram trading gurus repeat that day after day.
Set stop loss, know in advance how much you risk per trade, and know the exact level on a price chart where you become wrong.
Imagine what could be your loss, if you shorted USDJPY and hold the trade while the market kept going against you.
5️⃣ Forget about getting rich quick
That is the iconic fallacy. I believe that around 90% of people who come in this game want to get rich quick, want easy money.
And no surprise, when I share a trading setup on TradingView, and it loses I receive dozens of messages that I am a scammer.
People truly believe that professional trading implies 100% win rate and quick and easy money.
The truth is, traders, that trading is a very tough game. And with a good trading strategy, you have just a little statistical edge that will give you the profits that would slightly overcome your losses.
6️⃣ Train your eyes
Professional trading implies pattern recognition: it can be some technical indicators pattern, the price action or candlestick formation, etc.
Your main goal as a trader is to learn to identify these patterns.
Pattern recognition is a hard skill to acquire.
You should spend dozens of hours in front of the screen in order to train your eyes to identify certain patterns.
Here is how many patterns you would spot on GBPUSD chart, paying close attention.
7️⃣ Track and analyze your trades
Study all the trades that you take, especially the losing ones.
Look for mistakes, look for the reasons why a certain setup played out and why a certain one didn't. Journal your trades and make notes.
8️⃣ Don't use technical indicators
Newbies believe that technical indicators should do the work for them.
They are constantly looking for one or a bunch that will accurately show where the market will go.
However, I always say to my mentees that technical indicators make the chart messy and distract.
If you just started trading, focus on a naked chart, learn to analyze the market trend, key levels, classic price action patterns.
Learn to make accurate predictions relying on a price chart alone.
Only then add some technical indicators on your chart.
They won't do the work for you, but will help you to slightly increase the accuracy of a certain setup.
Above is the classic chart of newbie trader.
A lot of indicators and a complete mess
The same chart would look much better without technical indicators.
9️⃣ Find a Mentor
There are hundreds of trading mentors. Find the one with a trading style that you like.
Follow him, learn from his trading experience, listen to his trading recommendations.
9 years ago I found a guy, his name was Jason.
I really liked his free teachings, and they were meaningful to me.
I decided to purchase his premium coaching program.
It was 200$ monthly - a huge amount of money for me at that time.
However, with his knowledge I saved a lot, I learned a lot of profitable techniques and tricks that helped me to become a professional forex trader.
Of course, this list could be much bigger.
The more I think about different subjects in trading, the more important tips come to my mind. However, I believe that the tips above
are essential and I truly wish I knew all that before I started.
I hope that info will help you in your trading journey!
Good luck to you.
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Trading on Holidays: Liquidity and Spreads
When trading forex, it's essential to check spreads, especially during holidays.
Trading forex during holidays can be a bit more challenging due to reduced liquidity in the market.
Liquidity refers to the ease with which assets can be bought or sold without causing a significant change in price. During holidays, liquidity can be lower as many traders and financial institutions take time off, leading to fewer participants in the market.
Lower liquidity can directly impact the spread, which is the difference between the bid and ask price of a currency pair. In times of reduced liquidity, spreads tend to widen, meaning the difference between the buying and selling price of a currency pair increases. This can lead to higher trading costs for traders, as wider spreads require a larger price movement in the underlying asset before a trade becomes profitable.
It's essential for traders to be aware of these potential spread increases during holidays to avoid unexpected trading costs.
Additionally, wider spreads can also lead to slippage , where a trade is executed at a different price than expected. This can further impact trading results, especially during fast-moving markets with low liquidity.
Therefore, checking spreads during holidays is crucial for forex traders to anticipate potential increases in trading costs and adjust their trading strategies accordingly.
On TradingView, you can check the spreads in the top left corner. There you can find bid, ask prices and the spread between them.
It's important to factor in the impact of wider spreads on profitability and risk management when trading during these periods. By staying informed about spread changes during holidays, traders can make more informed decisions and better navigate the challenges of lower liquidity in the forex market.
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Market Manipulations. Bullish Trap (smart money concepts)
In the today's article, we will discuss how smart money manipulate the market with a bullish trap.
In simple words, a bullish trap is a FALSE bullish signal created by big players.
With a bullish trap, the smart money aims to:
1️⃣ Increase demand on an asset, encouraging the market participant to buy it.
2️⃣ Make sellers close their positions in a loss.
When a short position is closed, it is automatically BOUGHT by the market.
Take a look at a key horizontal resistance on AUDCHF.
Many times in the past, the market dropped from that.
For sellers, it is a perfect area to short from.
Bullish violation of the underlined zone make sellers close their position in a loss and attracts buyers.
Then the market suddenly starts falling heavily, revealing the presence of smart money.
Both the sellers and the buyers lose their money because of the manipulation.
There are 2 main reasons why the smart money manipulates the markets in a such a way:
1️⃣ - A big player is seeking to close a huge long position
When a long position is closed, it is automatically SOLD to the market.
In order to sell a huge position, smart money needs a counterpart who will buy their position.
Triggering stop losses of sellers and creating a false demand, smart money sell their position partially to the crowd.
2️⃣ - A big player wants to open a huge short position
But why the smart money can't just close their long position or open short without a manipulation?
A big sell order placed by the institutional trader, closing their long position, can have an impact on the price of the asset. If the sell order is large enough, it can push the price downward as sellers outnumber buyers. Smart money are trying to balance the supply and demand on the market, hiding their presence.
It is quite complicated for the newbies and even for experienced traders to recognize a bullish trap.
One of the efficient ways is to apply multiple time frame analysis and price action.
Remember, that most of the time bullish traps occur on key horizontal or vertical resistances.
After you see a breakout, analyze lower time frames.
Quite often, after a breakout, the market starts ranging.
After a breakout of a key daily resistance, gold started to consolidate within a narrow range on an hourly time frame.
Bearish breakout of the support of the range will indicate a strength of the sellers and a highly probable bullish trap.
Remember, that you can not spot all the traps, and occasionally you will be fooled by smart money. However, with experience, you will learn to recognize common bullish traps.
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Technical vs. Fundamental Analysis: Finding a BalanceLooking to make more holistic investment decisions, but not sure how? Understanding the difference between technical and fundamental analysis and how to incorporate both is an essential step to accomplishing holistic investing. Today we will explore how finding a balance between these pillars of trading can help you navigate the complex world of investing.
The Importance of Finding a Balance
Finding the right balance between technical and fundamental analysis can be the key to successful investing. By combining the two approaches, traders gain a comprehensive understanding of a stock's potential, taking into consideration both the short-term market trends and the long-term value.
When it comes to investing, it's important to have a complete view of the market. Relying solely on technical analysis may leave you susceptible to missing out on crucial information about a company's financial health and growth prospects. Similarly, relying purely on fundamental analysis may cause you to overlook short-term market trends that could impact the stock's price in the near future, potentially leading to poor entries and exits.
A balanced approach allows you to leverage the strengths of both technical and fundamental analysis, providing you with a more complete picture of the investment opportunity at hand. So, whether you're a short-term trader or a long-term investor, finding the sweet spot between technical and fundamental analysis can help maximize your chances of making a profitable investment.
Understanding Technical Analysis
Technical analysis focuses on analyzing historical price and volume data to predict future price movements. Traders using this approach often rely on chart patterns, indicators, and trendlines to identify buy and sell signals.
Chart patterns, such as triangles, head and shoulders, and double tops/bottoms, provide insights into potential price reversals or continuations. These patterns are formed as a result of the collective actions of market participants and can signal impending price movements. However, when using price patterns it is critical to understand the statistical odds of success for completion of the pattern. Price patterns can be subjective to the trader's skill and overall directional bias, so traders should combine price patterns with other forms of technical analysis.
Indicators, such as moving averages, Relative Strength Index (RSI), and Bollinger Bands, help traders identify overbought or oversold conditions, measure the strength of a trend, and spot potential entry or exit points. When indicators are combined to form a robust and complementary system traders gain a wealth of information about the near-term health of an underlying asset. It is critical to note that no indicator system is perfect and will not guarantee you a 100% success rate. However, when paired with proper risk mitigation, psychology, and supporting forms of technical analysis, using indicators can lead to long-term success.
Trendlines are used to analyze the direction and strength of a stock's price movement. Drawing trend lines connecting the highs or lows of a stock's price can help identify support and resistance levels, price channels, and potential trend reversal areas.
Support and resistance zones are price levels on a chart that indicates where trends are likely to pause or reverse. Support is a zone where a downtrend pauses due to demand, while resistance is a zone where an uptrend pauses due to supply. These zones are based on market sentiment and human psychology, shaped by emotions such as fear, greed, and herd instinct. Traders tend to congregate near these zones, strengthening them. Support levels indicate a surplus of buyers, while resistance levels indicate a surplus of sellers. It's important to note that these levels are not exact numbers but rather "zones" that can be tested by the market.
Understanding how these tools work and how to interpret their signals is crucial for technical analysis. It allows traders to make intuitive decisions based on historical price patterns and market dynamics. However, it's important to note that technical analysis has its limitations.
Limitations of Technical Analysis
While technical analysis can provide valuable insights into a stock's potential price movements, it's important to recognize its limitations. Technical analysis is primarily focused on historical data and patterns, which may not always accurately predict future price movements.
Market sentiment, news events, and other external factors can significantly impact a stock's price, often rendering technical analysis less effective. If you don't believe me, just look at the price charts for the last four years. Try to pinpoint major world or domestic events such as the start of the pandemic or the Fed's hawkish shift. Additionally, technical analysis does not take into account the intrinsic value of a company, which is a key consideration in fundamental analysis.
Therefore, relying solely on technical analysis to make investment decisions may leave you vulnerable to market uncertainties and potential pitfalls. This is where fundamental analysis comes into play.
Understanding Fundamental Analysis
Fundamental analysis involves examining a company's financials, industry trends, and market conditions to determine its intrinsic value. Investors who lean towards fundamental analysis believe that a company's true worth is reflected in its financial strength and growth potential.
Key factors considered in fundamental analysis include a company's revenue and earnings growth, profit margins, debt levels, competitive positioning, and management team. By analyzing these factors, investors can assess whether a company is undervalued or overvalued, and make investment decisions accordingly. Most, if not all of this information is readily available on the internet, but it can take some digging to find all the information one would need. There is also a wide range of financial-related indicators readily available on TradingView.
Fundamental analysis also takes into account macroeconomic factors, such as interest rates, inflation, and government policies, which can impact the overall market and the performance of individual stocks.
How to Conduct Fundamental Analysis
Conducting fundamental analysis involves a thorough examination of a company's financial statements, such as its income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. These statements provide insights into a company's revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and cash flows.
Analyzing financial ratios, such as the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, return on equity (ROE), and debt-to-equity ratio, helps investors assess a company's financial health and profitability. Much of this information is available on TradingView under the financials tab. TradingView has done an excellent job of making a majority of the aforementioned financial data available, right at your fingertips.
Industry analysis is another important aspect of fundamental analysis. Understanding the industry dynamics, competitive landscape, and market trends can provide insights into a company's growth potential and its ability to outperform its peers. There is a plethora of this information online, and diligence in your research will make a world of difference.
By combining financial analysis with industry analysis, investors can gain a deeper understanding of a company's overall prospects and make more informed investment decisions.
Finding a Balance Between Technical and Fundamental Analysis
Finding the right balance between technical and fundamental analysis requires a thoughtful approach. Here are some strategies to help you integrate the two approaches:
Start with fundamental analysis: Begin by analyzing a company's financials and industry trends to assess its long-term growth potential. This will provide you with a solid foundation for your investment decisions.
Use technical analysis for timing: Once you've identified a promising investment opportunity based on fundamental analysis, use technical analysis to refine your entry and exit points. Technical indicators and chart patterns can help you identify optimal times to buy or sell a stock.
Consider the bigger picture: While technical analysis focuses on short-term market trends, it's important to consider the long-term value of a company. Evaluate the fundamental factors that can impact a company's growth potential and use technical analysis as a tool to validate your investment thesis.
Keep an eye on market sentiment: Market sentiment can influence stock prices in the short term. By staying informed about news events, economic indicators, and market trends, you can better understand the context in which technical and fundamental analysis are operating.
By finding a balance between technical and fundamental analysis, you can better manage your investment decisions that take into account both short-term market dynamics and long-term value. This balanced approach can help you navigate the complex world of investing and maximize your chances of success.
In conclusion, understanding the difference between technical and fundamental analysis is crucial for making theoretically sound investment decisions. By finding a balance between the two approaches, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of a stock's potential, considering both the short-term market trends and the long-term value. So, whether you're a short-term trader or a long-term investor, incorporating both technical and fundamental analysis can help provide a better view and maximize your chances of making profitable investment decisions.
Happy Trading!
Know Sure Thing: Navigating Trends and Volatility EffectivelyIn the realm of technical analysis, the Know Sure Thing (KST) indicator stands out as a robust tool for traders seeking to decipher market trends and manage volatility effectively. This momentum-based oscillator amalgamates multiple moving averages to offer a comprehensive perspective on market momentum across various timeframes.
Introduction to the Know Sure Thing (KST) Indicator
The Know Sure Thing (KST) indicator is designed to unveil the market's underlying momentum, encompassing both short and long-term trends. The KST is a dynamic momentum oscillator rooted in the Rate of Change (ROC) principle. It amalgamates four distinct ROC timeframes, smoothing them via Simple Moving Averages. Consequently, the KST generates a fluctuating final value, oscillating above and below a Zero Line. Additionally, it incorporates a signal line, derived from an SMA of the KST line itself.
The moving average methodology of KST empowers traders with a tool capable of identifying both bullish and bearish trends, providing an encompassing view of market momentum shifts. Fundamentally, this indicator gauges momentum using the ROC across four price periods, aiding analysts in detecting divergences, overbought or oversold market conditions, and crossovers.
Understanding Trends with KST
The KST indicator is predominantly used to discern the strength and direction of market trends. When the KST line crosses above its signal line, it signifies a bullish trend shift, indicating a potential upward price movement. Conversely, when the KST line dips below the signal line, it suggests a bearish trend shift, signaling a potential downward price movement.
Similar to the MACD, when a crossover happens and the KST line crosses over the zero the overall signal can be considered to have a greater degree of confirmation.
Moreover, traders rely on crossovers and divergences within the KST indicator for confirming trend reversals or continuations. Bullish and bearish divergences between KST and price action can provide valuable insights into potential market movements, offering opportunities for traders to enter or exit positions.
Managing Volatility Using KST
Beyond trend identification, KST also assists in measuring market volatility. It enables traders to gauge the degree of volatility present in the market at any given time. Sharp spikes or fluctuations in KST readings often coincide with periods of increased market volatility. This information is crucial for traders as it aids in adapting their strategies to accommodate varying market conditions, thereby managing risk more effectively.
Practical Applications of KST
A practical application of KST involves combining its signals with other technical indicators, such as Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) or Relative Strength Index (RSI), to strengthen trade setups. For instance, if KST indicates a bullish crossover and MACD confirms the same, it enhances the confidence of a potential uptrend.
Additionally, traders use KST to identify bullish or bearish signals in conjunction with chart patterns. A bullish KST crossover alongside a bullish chart pattern like a "falling wedge" could reinforce the conviction for a long position.
Tips for Effective Utilization:
Effective utilization of the KST indicator requires a clear understanding of its strengths and limitations. Traders should consider experimenting with different settings and timeframes to find the optimal configuration that aligns with their trading strategies. Always implement some form of backtesting or paper trading to confirm that your strategy is in fact profitable.
The strengths of the KST indicator lies in its ability to offer a more complete view of market momentum. However, like any technical indicator, KST has limitations. During choppy or ranging markets, it might generate false or contradictory signals, leading to potentially misguided trading decisions. Traders should exercise caution and supplement KST readings with additional forms of analysis to mitigate the impact of its limitations.
It's paramount not to rely solely on a single indicator like the KST, but to corroborate KST signals with signals from other indicators or methods of analysis. A fortified approach involving multiple confirmatory signals, fundamental analysis, and risk management strategies strengthens trading decisions and minimizes potential false signals from any single indicator.
Conclusion:
The journey to mastering the Know Sure Thing (KST) indicator involves continuous learning, experimentation with settings, and adapting to evolving market conditions. By staying adaptable, open to new strategies, and consistently refining trading methodologies, traders can harness the full potential of the KST to navigate trends and volatility effectively.
In summary, the KST serves as a valuable addition to traders' toolkits, empowering them to make better trading decisions. Remember, while the KST enhances market analysis, prudent risk management and a comprehensive trading approach remain pivotal for sustained success in the dynamic world of financial markets. Good luck and happy trading!
Fibonacci Retracement/Extensions- How & Why? | Live ExampleFibonacci retracements in technical analysis of various assets use a mathematical sequence discovered by Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci. This sequence is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on. In stock trading, Fibonacci retracements are used to identify potential levels of support or resistance during price corrections.
Imagine you have a stock that has been rising in price for some time. Suddenly, it starts to decline. Traders who use Fibonacci retracements believe that during this downward movement, the stock price will likely retrace or bounce back to certain levels before continuing its downward trend.
These retracement levels are derived from the Fibonacci sequence. The most commonly used levels are 38.2%, 50%, and 61.8%. For example, if a stock's price drops from 100 to 80, traders would expect it to bounce back to around 88.20 (38.2% retracement), 90 (50% retracement), or 93.20 (61.8% retracement) before continuing its decline.
While their effectiveness is debated just like any other tool, many traders including myself believe that these levels act as psychological support or resistance points due to the large number of market participants who follow this approach.
Let us get back on the example above.
I drew a trendline which had helped me back in 2021 to predict the top in GOLD. This is the perfect example of how EVERY PRICE movement matters. The Fibonacci levels are derived from levels from 2008. In this example the Fibonacci extension level 3.618 held as a perfect resistance for the price of GOLD.
2008 to 2023, isn't this amazing? How long can a single price movement can have its affect!
How to draw a Fibonacci Retracement/Extension?
It's fairly simple. Just plot one end of the fib to the high of the price movement and the other to the low or vice versa.
I'll answering all your queries in the comments below. Please feel free to reach out!