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Optimal Guide to Action Trades BetterThere are only a few decisions you need to make as a trader. When you actually need to press buttons to action trades. To enter, to adjust and to exit. It’s crucial for you to know when is the right time to do so. You need to consider certain factors and criteria to enhance the chance of profitability. And at the same time to mitigate risks. So here are four optimal actions you’ll need to take. When the Trading Signals Line Up – ACTION! This one is a given. When your trading system, strategy and signal all align. This refers to the convergence of multiple indicators or technical analysis tools, such as breakout patterns, Smart Money Concepts, moving averages, trend lines, or oscillators. When these signals confirm each other, it presents a higher probability trade setup. You need to wait for the confirmation though and the go ahead. This way, you’ll gain the competitive edge for when to enter and to avoid premature trades. Adjust the Stop Loss or Take Profit Levels – ACTION! During a trade, it is essential to monitor the market closely and be ready to adjust the stop loss or take profit levels (according to your strategy). This should NOT be guess work. This should be calculated on probabilities and in a way that you can optimise the strategy in a mechanical fashion. The stop loss is a predetermined level that limits the potential loss on a trade. While the take profit is a predefined level at which a trader intends to exit the trade with a profit. As the market evolves, price action and new information may necessitate revising these levels to protect profits or minimize losses. Which we often do as traders to increase the win rate and lock in potential and minimal profits. Traders should remain flexible and make timely adjustments to ensure their trade is aligned with the prevailing market conditions. When the Time Stop Loss Hits – ACTION! In certain trading scenarios, there may be a need to exit a trade before it becomes a long-term investment. This is particularly relevant in markets where overnight positions incur daily interest charges, such as in some derivative or forex markets. Traders must set a predetermined time stop loss i.e. 7 weeks holding a trade. You don’t want to incur too many interest charges. You don’t want to MARRY a trade. You don’t want to have capital tied up in stock during nonperforming trades. This is an opportunity cost where you can choose better trades to line up. If this time stop loss is reached, it is prudent to exit the trade (no matter what time of day it is), even if it is still within the specified stop loss or take profit levels. Either you’ll take a less than desired profit or less than expected loss. By adhering to the time stop loss, traders can avoid accumulating excessive interest charges and maintain your trading strategy’s integrity. When a Freak Anomaly Spooks the Market, like a Black Swan – ACTION! In rare instances, unforeseen events or anomalies, often referred to as Black Swan events, can greatly disrupt financial markets. These events are characterized by their unpredictability and magnitude, causing extreme market volatility. Normally when a market or index moves 10 times the standard deviation of it’s normal move. When such anomalies occur, it is crucial to act swiftly and exit the trade. Trying to ride out these events can lead to substantial losses. By recognizing the abnormality and promptly exiting the trade, traders protect their capital and avoid unnecessary risks associated with highly volatile market conditions. That’s it. A few but powerful times you need to take action to lock in, protect, manage, bank and call it quits. Master this and you’ll make better and well-timed decisions and adapt your positions to changing market conditions.
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
4
Why you DID NOT take the trade - 4 REASONSSo you never took a trade again? This could be where the problems are rising. It’s also where you are probably missing out on what could help take your portfolio out of the drawdown. And sometimes, despite favourable market conditions, you may find yourself still hesitating to enter a trade. I want to explore four common reasons why traders fail to take the trade and how to overcome them. #1: The market moved too much One of the most common reasons traders hesitate to take the trade is that… The market has already moved significantly, and they fear they have missed the opportunity. However, it’s important to remember that the market is constantly in motion. The train will move and there is always an opportune moment to get into a trade. A sound trading strategy should take into account different market conditions, including volatile ones, and provide clear entry and exit points. If the market lines up despite how high or low it’s gone. Just take the trade. #2: You’re scared to lose the trade FOLO or Fear Of Losing Out is another common reason traders hesitate to enter a trade. While it’s natural to want to avoid losses. It’s important to remember that trading involves risk, and losses are inevitable. A sound risk management strategy, including setting stop-loss orders and managing position size, can help you to minimize potential losses and build confidence in entering a trade. #3: Too much money to spend Traders may also hesitate to enter a trade if they feel they have too much money to spend. Take oil for example. Most market markets (brokers) offer you to buy Brent crude but you have to buy 100 contracts as a minimum. In this case, it MIGHT be too much money to spend. Not because of how much of your portfolio you’re using up, but also because the risk might outweigh 2% of your portfolio. Then you get other markets like the JSE ALMI 40, where you’ll need to spend around R9,000 to enter a trade. It sounds like a lot (especially if your portfolio is less than 10,000. But, that’s why one should start with a larger minimum account size. I started with R30,000 in 2003 and even then it was too little to grow into a substantial amount. Then when it grew to the first R150,000, I started feeling comfortable with the portfolio size and it opened more opportunities to trade additional markets. So, that’s why if you want to take trading seriously, you got to cough up the cash into your portfolio and trade accordingly to strict money and reward management. #4: No trust in the system yet This one is a given and the most abundant reason to NOT take a trade. You might hesitate to enter a trade if you don’t have faith or confidence in your trading strategy or system. In this case, it’s essential to go back, review and test the strategy, ensuring it aligns with personal trading goals and is backed by sound research and analysis. When you build trust in a trading system, and you take the time and patience to see the good and the bad, then your confidence will grow. And that will be an essential step towards taking more trades to help grow your portfolio. Why don’t you take trades when you should? Is it because: You don’t trust your system You’re scared to lose money You don’t trust certain markets You don’t have enough money to trade different instruments You’re not ready with your strategy You don’t have confidence with yourself, discipline and emotions yet? Find them, harness them, work on them and you might have your answer.
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
5 STUPID Trading Advice SayingsIt’s true. When it comes to financial trading, everyone has an opinion, and there is no shortage of advice floating around. However, some advice is just plain ridiculous and some tips can be downright detrimental to your trading success. I want to cover the 5 stupid trading advice points, that many traders still follow and why you should avoid them by all means. #1: Go Big or Go Home This advice suggests that you should take significant risks in trading. You should aim for massive gains. And you should adopt the casino mentality of going full port! It is true that higher risks can lead to higher rewards. But when you adopt a “go big or go home” mentality, it can result in substantial losses that are difficult to recover from. Instead, follow a disciplined approach to risk management, using appropriate position sizing and stop-loss orders to protect your capital. Risk little to make a little more. Risk 2% to make 4%. Or risk 1% to make 3%. Those small gains will eventually outweigh the losses. #2: The Next Trade Will Be Better If you believe that the next trade will magically be more successful than the previous one, you’re in for a bad time. This is nothing but a dangerous mindset to adapt to. This belief can lead to overtrading and a lack of discipline when you stick to your trading strategy. To avoid falling into this trap, focus on maintaining a consistent and well-defined trading plan, rather than trying to chase the elusive “better” trades. #3: Follow Your Heart Emotions are proven to be the trader’s worst enemy. They will often cloud judgment and lead to impulsive decisions. “Follow your heart” in trading and you’ll find you’ll ignore your strategy and you’ll take irrational risks. Instead, rely on your trading plan, technical analysis, and fundamental research to make informed decisions, and always keep your emotions in check. #4: Everything Happens for a Reason When you depend on fate, the stars and the mysterious cosmic plan, it is a surefire way to lose money in trading. The stock market doesn’t work on esoterical means. It works on simple demand, supply and volume. The financial markets are also influenced by countless factors, from economic data releases to geopolitical events, and it’s essential to understand these factors to make well-informed trading decisions. Don’t rely on fate or superstition when trading. Instead, focus on analysis, strategy, and risk management. #5: Work Harder and You’ll Win More While hard work and dedication are essential for success in any field. The belief that you need to work harder in a trading day, will guarantee more wins in trading is misguided. If the environment is not conducive. Or trades have not aligned according to your strategy, it’s pointless taking more trades for gain. Think of sideways markets. Whether you buy (go long) or short (go short), you’re more likely to fail. Trading is not just about putting in the hours; it’s about working smart, refining your strategy, and maintaining discipline. Instead of trading harder, focus and develop a comprehensive trading plan, continually educate yourself on market dynamics, and consistently reviewing and refining your strategy. And of course. JUST TAKE THE TRADE – When it lines up according to your strategy. Can you think of anymore?
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
5 QUESTIONS Before you Take your TradeWith each trade you take… There are these 5 standard questions you’ll need to ask an answer. Jot these down and have them ready… Do I Have a Trade Lined Up? When you go through your watchlist. You need to see any opportunities in the market that align with your trading strategy. These should stick out like a sore thumb. If it’s not, then it’s probably not a high probability trade. It’s important to analyze the market trends and indicators to identify potential trades. This will help you to make informed decisions and avoid taking unnecessary risks. Do I Have a Trading Strategy? Once you have identified a potential trade, it’s important to have a solid trading strategy in place. Your strategy should outline the rules for entering and exiting trades, as well as risk management guidelines. Follow your strategy and avoid making impulsive decisions based on emotions or market rumors. Where Should I Place My Trading Levels? You got the strategy so now you have to set up your trading levels. (Entry, Stop loss, Ghost level, Take profit levels) Are you using Order Blocks, key support and resistance levels, patterns, indicators or trend lines? Whatever you use, keep consistent to determine where to place your trading levels. This will help you to choose your trading levels based on the R:R for each trade. How Much Am I Trading? Trade size is crucial. You need your calculator to work out your risk per trade. This will help you to manage your risk effectively and avoid making emotional decisions. Your risk management plan should outline the maximum amount you are willing to lose on any given trade, as well as the maximum percentage of your trading account you are willing to risk. What Is My Exit Strategy? exit strategy should outline the conditions under which you will exit a trade. So you’ll know where to cut your small losses, ride your winners, lock in profits, or even adjust your take profit levels when the markets move well in your favour. Also, make sure you stick to your exit strategy and avoid making emotional decisions based on market fluctuations. THEN YOU’RE READY TO EXECUTE! Once you have gone through the five questions… It’s time to ask yourself whether you are truly ready to take the trade. Focus your mind, clear the distractions, confirm everything is ready to go… That takes emotional discipline. You got the questions, now go start asking and answering them with your trading…
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
When you’ve taken a trade – Let It Go!One of the key principles of successful trading is… Once you have taken the trade to just let it go and allow it to run its course. The system lined up – tick. The entry orders are all in place – tick. It matches your risk and reward criteria – tick. You know your trade size – tick. Now let it go. You may get the urge to interfere, change the levels and lock in profits early or limit losses even more. You need to resist the urge. Here are some factors to consider… Don’t Interfere… When you’ve taken a trade, it’s important to have a plan in place for how you will manage it. This means you’ve got your entry, stop loss and take profit in place. These actions may seem like a good idea at the time. But they can often lead to bigger losses, smaller profits and even missed opportunities. But then there are times where you need to adjust the course. You might even have a time stop loss. Or a strategic and mechanical criteria for when to adjust your levels. But other than that, you need to have the discipline to stick to it and resist the temptation to interfere with your trades. Don’t Get Excited When It’s in the Money One of the most common mistakes that traders make is getting too excited when they’re in the money. You might feel overconfident and “know-better” about a trade. Or you might have this irrational decision-making idea to quickly move your stops and take profits, which can quickly erase any gains that you’ve made. It’s essential to remain level-headed and stick to your plan, even when your trades are performing well. To avoid getting too excited when you’re in the money, go back to your journal and look at how your trades have played in the past. It’s important to have a clear idea of your risk tolerance and profit targets before you enter a trade. This will stop you from making any quick and unnecessary decisions along the way. Don’t Fear When It’s Going Against You Another common mistake that traders make is letting fear dictate their decisions when a trade is going against them. It’s natural to feel anxious when you’re losing money. But it’s important to remember that losses are a normal part of trading. We all take them and we are all bound to take them more times than we wish to think. To overcome the fear of losses, it’s important to focus on the long-term goals of your trading strategy. One way to do this is to maintain a positive mindset and view losses as “costs of business” and as learning opportunities rather than failures. Stay calm and level headed. Also stop risking so much that it interferes with your psychology. When you feel emotional take a step back or it could lead to even bigger losses. Don’t Watch Every Tick Finally, it’s important to resist the urge to obsessively watch every tick of the market. This can lead to overtrading and emotional decision-making. And you’ll find it will quickly derail your trading strategy. Instead, it’s important to focus on the big picture and have a long-term perspective on your trades. Close your computer once you’ve taken a trade. Or close your trading platform and move onto something else. You’ve done your job now stop watching every tick the market moves. By doing so, you’ll be less likely to make rash decisions based on short-term fluctuations in the market. I hope this helps and if there is one thing to remember out of them all. When you’ve taken a trade, just let it go and let it run its course.
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
1
When to FEEL THRILL when Trading - It may surprise you!First let me tell you. NO you should not feel thrill when you take a profit. NO you should not feel thrill when you are on a winning streak. NO you should not feel thrill after a day, week or month of upside. But I’m not going to be a wet blanket. As a trader, including me, there are times to feel thrill. Trading is a process, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a game, it’s your control of your financial future. So let’s explore the times you should feel thrill. #1: Analyse the markets A major part of trading is assessing the current state of the markets and identifying potential opportunities. This involves creating your strategy, finding the indicators that work best and identifying the different systems (chart patterns, trend lines, Smart Money Concepts) etc… This process is super exciting part on the journey to becoming a trader. #2: Optimise your strategies Creating a strategy is one thing. But optimising and maximising your system is an ongoing thing. It’s crucial to continuously fine-tune your strategies and adapt to the ever-changing market conditions. When you identify areas for improvement and make changes that lead to better performance, the thrill of knowing that you’re on the path to success can be awesome. #3: Search for high probability trades One of the keys to success in trading is finding high probability trades. It’s these trades that will offer a favorable risk-reward ratio and a high chance of success (regardless whether they win or lose). The hunt for these opportunities is always fun and it’s almost like going on a daily treasure hunt. And spotting the highest probability trades, require a deep understanding of the markets and the ability to spot subtle patterns that others might miss. When you uncover a high probability trade and execute it successfully, the feeling of accomplishment is also a great feel. #4: Reading Fundamentals Sure your strategy might not comprise of fundamentals or news. But still learning about the markets, companies, indices and other micro and macro aspects, is interesting. A solid grasp of fundamental analysis is essential for any serious trader. This involves assessing the financial health of companies, industries, and economies to identify why markets move the way they do. When you can successfully combine technical and fundamental analysis to make informed decisions, the thrill of knowing you have an edge in the market is undeniable. #5: Monitor your results and stats As a trading boss… You need to track, analyse and assess your trading performance. You don’t get more power and thrill as a trader, when you have control of your financial markets. When you see your strategies paying off and your account balance growing, the thrill of your hard work and dedication materializing into tangible results is incredibly rewarding. Conversely, it’s also thrilling when you analyse your losses where you can gain valuable learning experiences. And this will help provide insights into areas for improvement and will motivate you to refine your approach. #6: Find new markets to trade Do you think I was looking at AI, VR, Metaverse type companies to trade 10 years ago? Nope! These markets weren’t in fruition with trading as they are today. So as a trader, this is always an exciting and thrilling venture with trading. To explore, adapt and add on new markets into your watch list. When you add and enter these new markets to your strategy, this can expose you to a whole new set of opportunities and challenges. And this will help broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding of the financial markets. So now you know when to embrace thrill as a trader. Use them to fuel and propel you toward achieving your goals. When else do you feel thrill?
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
Gym Well - Trade Well!When you gym well, it’s like trading well. You gym to tone, to lose weight to build muscle and to build discipline. With trading you trade to build your portfolio, build confidence, create a secured financial future and work on your mindset for life. Both pursuits require consistent effort, perseverance, and a strategic approach. Gym is an important element in my life and so I want to explore the similarities between trading and gymming, and how each can lead to success in their respective domains. You Put in the Work Every Day: Gymming and Trading Like a regular gym routine, successful trading requires dedication and consistency. You can’t expect to see results overnight – you need to put in the work every day. As a trader you must constantly educate yourself on market trends, stay informed about global events, and analyze past performance to make informed decisions. Just as gym-goers must adhere to their workout schedules, traders should establish a daily routine that involves researching and analyzing the market. You Pick Up the Portfolio (Weights) as You Make More Money When you gym, you gradually increase the weights you’re lifting to build strength and endurance. Similarly, as you become more experienced and successful in trading, you can gradually increase your investment portfolio. As your confidence and financial gains grow, you may choose to diversify your portfolio and take on a variety of different assets to spread risk, lower risk, optimise and maximize your returns. Don’t Overtrain – Don’t Overtrade Overtraining at the gym can lead to injury and burnout. And if you over trade in the market, it can result in financial losses and emotional exhaustion. It’s essential to strike a balance between staying active and giving yourself time to rest and recover. In trading, this might mean you: Set your limits on the number of trades you make each day or week Identify the goldilocks zone risk per trade Know when to hault trading or lower risks during a drawdown period. And most importantly. Remember, trading is a marathon, not a sprint. So pace yourself accordingly which is crucial to long-term success. It’s a Forever Process (Takes Time) Both gymming and trading are long-term commitments. You won’t see immediate results in either pursuit. It takes time and dedication to achieve your goals and to identify your trading risk and personality. In the gym, you can expect to see gradual improvements in your strength, endurance, and overall fitness. In trading, you’ll gain experience, knowledge, and a more refined strategy as time goes on. So stay dedicated, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals. Let me know if you gym and if it helps your trading :)
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
2
STOP Impulse Trading at once – 5 Actions to takeOne of the most dangerous traits a trader can adopt is… Impulse Trading. This is where they take trades mainly on emotions and gut rather than sound financial analysis. This means, more risk, more irrational choices and that can lead to steering away from what works. Your proven trading strategy! And the end result, you’ll lose in the long term and end up with less confidence for your future endeavours as a trader. So let’s come up with certain ways for you to STOP the impulse trading. ACTION #1: Give it an hour When you feel the urge to make a trade based on emotions, it can be helpful to step back and take a break. One great way is to wait for an hour before you make any decisions. Go get something to eat, grab a beer, go walk your crocodile or go do something other than trading. Close your computer if you feel you’re about to impulse trade. This break can help you regain a sense of perspective and avoid making impulsive decisions that you may later regret. ACTION #2: Remember your long term goal I always say… Financial trading is a long-term game. You need to have a clear and specific long-term goal in mind that guides your decisions. When you feel the urge to make an impulsive trade, take a moment remember your trading record, journal and what works. Also, remember it’s not about the one trade but the hundreds of trades later… Ask yourself whether this trade aligns with your overall strategy or whether it’s just a momentary impulse. This can help you stay focused and disciplined in your trading. ACTION #3: Revisit your journal Your journal is pretty much your game-plan. It foretells of the most probable outcome when you follow it. And it should include a record of all your trades, your thoughts and feelings at the time of the trade, and the results of the trade. When you feel the urge to make an impulsive trade, take some time to revisit your journal. Look at your past trades and the results they produced. My favourite… Go look at your drawdowns. Go look at your biggest drawdowns. Then go see how you came out of the drawdowns and your portfolio headed to NEW all time highs. There is no better feeling than that. Do this and I doubt you’ll want to take any impulse trades again. ACTION #4: Read more trading psychology Mind is everything with trading. It’s a great way to develop your discipline and avoid impulse trading. Either go read trading books, articles, watch YouTubes or just save this article. I can almost guarantee… If you read this article, when you feel like taking an impulse trade – You will stop that primitive way of thinking. You’ll stop that inner conscience from trying to ruin your trading performance. ACTION #5: Avoid Overtrading If you find you take MANY trades at a time… You’ll be more inclined of taking impulse trades, because you feel you need to take more. Try and have a cap when it comes to the number of trades you hold. I used to never hold more than 5 trades. But over time, with adopting into new markets and evolved markets – that number gone up. Now I make sure I never have more than 12 trades opened at any one time. Remember to give yourself time to reflect, keep your long-term goals in mind, revisit your journal, and read more about trading psychology. Let’s bring back the 5 actions to avoid taking any impulse trades. ACTION #1: Give it an hour ACTION #2: Remember your long term goal ACTION #3: Revisit your journal ACTION #4: Read more trading psychology ACTION #5: Avoid Overtrading Let me know if this was useful in the comments.
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
7
Don't listen to your inner NINNY! I can't swear on TV :(Traders have 1 JOB!. To just take the trade. All the other stuff is semantics. But most times you’ll find your inner B I mean Ninny takes over. And it tells you: ~ Don’t take the trade. ~ You’ll lose money. ~ The stars are not aligned! ~ Blah blah fish paste! You need to stop listening to your inner F - inny, or it will destroy your chances of success. So let’s talk about the 4 common excuses traders make and how to overcome them. Excuse #1: I’m not in the mood The markets are awake with or without you. People are making money and doing things in this world. Others are taking ice baths, cold showers, hitting the gym twice a day. They are doing the hard. You need to stop the excuses of not in the mood, get off the couch and take action for your life. You are in control of your life, what you do and what you make. Do what you need to. Create a schedule that includes time for exercise, meditation, and of course trading. Excuse #2: External news event kicked in Financial markets are subject to external events that can impact trading decisions. These events can include political developments, natural disasters, or major economic announcements. The problem is. These events come daily. Every day there are new news announcements, GDP numbers, employment and jobs reports, Interest rates, inflation rates etc…If you’re not taking a trade because of one of these announcements, I’m sorry but. That’s just an excuse! If you must. Write down a few IMPORTANT news announcements that you want to watch for when you trade. Maybe interest rates in America. Maybe NFP reports, Maybe during FOMC meetings. But do the research and find out what news events are worthy to NOT take a trade. I’ve been in the markets for 20 years and I haven’t found one worthy news announcement other than NFP for Forex trading. Excuse #3: Market doesn’t feel right To you it doesn’t feel right. To you, you think the market is some sentimental machine that feels healthy or sick. To me, I see prices, risks and probabilities. I see a robot and mechanical processes with billions of dollars streaming in and out at any one second, the market is opened. You need to develop an objective criteria for assessing market conditions. Have tunnel vision and stop trying to predict the temperature of the market. It’s not human. There is buying. There is selling. There is a repetition of that every day. Market doesn’t feel right, is an excuse. Excuse #4: System lined up but it’s not perfect Ok so you have a system good. You have a strict strategy to follow, great. But the system lined up and it’s not perfect. As I mentioned before. You need to write down the rules and criteria that you can use to identify opportunities and risks. There are only three types of trades in this world. HIGH probability trade – Market lined up perfectly according to the system. MEDIUM probability trade – Market almost lined up perfectly but I will still take the trade and risk a little less. NO trade – Market did NOT line up and therefore I’m not taking a trade. So, are you going to continue to listen to your inner Busy Ninny or are you going to start making money the right way?
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
GLOSSARY Smart Money Concepts - Complete Terms!It's taking the world by a storm. Smart Money Concepts is what has become famous lately. Now I've been trading for 20 years and even I have learnt to adapt and adjust SMC to my trading strategy. I guess we have to evolve and adapt with what there is. Anyways, Today, I've written a complete Glossary on Smart Money Concepts terms for you. Enjoy! SMART MONEY CONCEPTS GLOSSARY Break Of Structure (BOS) (CONTINUATION) A BOS is when the price breaks above or below, and continues in the direction of the trend. (CONTINUATION). Break Of Structure Down When the price breaks and closes BELOW the wick of the previous LOW in a DOWNTREND. Break Of Structure Up When the price breaks and closes ABOVE the wick of the previous HIGH in an UPTREND. Buy Side Liquidity (Smart Money SELLS) Where an Order Block forms where Smart Money SELLS into retailers (dumb money) BUYING orders - Pushing the price DOWN. Change of Character (CHoCH) (REVERSAL) Refers to a much larger shift in the underlying market trend, dynamic or sentiment. This is where the price moves to the point where there is a change in the overall trend. (REVERSAL) Change of Character Down When the price breaks and closes below the previous uptrend. Change of Character Up When the price breaks and closes above the previous downtrend. Daily bias Tells us which direction, trend and environment the market is in and what we are looking to trade. Daily bias Bearish When the market environment is DOWN and the trend is DOWN - we look for shorts (sells) in the market. Daily bias Bullish When the market environment is UP and the trend is UP - we look for long positions (buys) in the market. Discount market <50% The market is at a discount when the price trades BELOW the equilibrium level. We say the price is at a discount (low price). Equilibrium Equilibrium is a state of the market where the demand and supply are in balance with the price. We say the price of the market is at fair value. Fair Value Gap (FVG) A 3 candle structure with an up or down impulse candle that indicates and creates an imbalance or an inefficiency in the market. Fair Value Gap Bearish A 3 candle structure with a DOWN impulse candle that indicates and creates an imbalance or an inefficiency in the market. Between candle 1 and 3, do NOT show common prices. The price needs to move back up to rebalance and fill the gap. Fair Value Gap Bullish A 3 candle structure with an UP impulse candle that indicates and creates an imbalance or an inefficiency in the market. Between candle 1 and 3, do NOT show common prices. The price needs to come back down to rebalance and fill the gap. Levels of liquidity The area of prices where smart money players, identify and choose to BUY or SELL large quantities. E.g. Supports, resistances, highs, lows, key levels, trend lines, volume, indicators, psychological levels. Liquidity The degree, rate and ability for an asset or security to be easily bought (flow in) or sold (flow out) in the market at a specific price. Liquidity sweep (Liquidity grab) Smart money buys or sells (and sweeps or grabs liquidity) from traders who enter, exit or get stopped. Market down structure When the price makes lower lows and lower highs. Market structure Indicates what a market is doing, which direction it’s in and where it is more likely to go. Market Structure Shift (MSS) MSS shows you when the price is breaking a structure or changing the direction in the market. Market up structure When the price makes higher lows and higher highs. Order block Large market orders (big block of orders) where smart money buys or sells from different levels of liquidity. Order Block Bearish A strong selling or a supply zone for smart money. Order Block Bullish A strong buying or a demand zone for smart money. Order block events Large market orders where smart money buys or sells from certain events i.e. High volume, supports, resistances, highs, lows, key levels, Break Of Structure, Change of Character, News or economic event. Point Of Interest (POI) POI is an area or level in the market where there is expected to be a large amount of buying or selling activity i.e. Order blocks. Premium market >50% The market is at a premium when the price trades ABOVE the equilibrium level. We say the price is at a premium (high price). Sell Side Liquidity (Smart Money BUYS) Where an Order Block forms where the Smart Money BUYS into the retail (dumb money traders orders - Pushing the price UP. Smart Money These are the smart, informed, and savvy financial institutions that invest (buy and sell) their large capital into different financial markets. Smart Money Concepts SMC is a more sophisticated method of price action to spot, identify and locate where smart money is buying and selling their positions Sweep Buy Side Liquidity (Smart Money SELLS) Smart Money SELLS into positions (and sweeps liquidity) from retail traders who are short (get stopped) and for long traders who buy and enter their trades. Sweep Sell Side Liquidity (Smart Money BUYS) Smart Money BUYS into positions (and sweeps liquidity) from traders who are long (get stopped) and for short traders who enter their trades. Feel free to print this out and have it as a guide to your Smart Money Concepts trading journey. All the best!
SP:SPXEducation
by Timonrosso
Trading Success Stoppers Part 2 Trading can be an excellent way to grow your wealth. But as you may know by now, it’s not a straightforward path without obstacles. In fact, several challenges can hinder traders from achieving success in the field. Here are four more significant success stoppers that traders face in their trading efforts. No Support from Anyone Trading can be a lonely and isolating field. Once you have the strategy, rules and mindset in place – it’s all on you. Initially you may want strong support from a community of traders or confirmation ideas that you’re on the right path. My situation is different. Because I have traded for the last 20 years, it did become very lonely and it felt like I had more to offer. With TradingView at least I have a community to talk to and help out where I can. So you see, having a support system can make all the difference. Without support, it can be challenging to stay motivated and focused on your goals. And in the end you’ll realise there is more to trading than just making money. Solution: The key is to find a mentor or a community of traders who can support and guide you. Join online trading forums or attending trading events can be an excellent way to connect with other traders and build a support system. You can also consider hiring a coach or mentor to guide you and provide feedback on your trading strategies. Success stopper #2: Laziness Look! Trading requires discipline, focus, and hard work, and without these qualities, it can be difficult to achieve your goals. Lazy traders are the worst. They lack the motivation, drive, and discipline that’s necessary to research, analyse, journal and trade in order make informed decisions. You also need to be able to get up off your ass and trade each week. Sure, you can take off a few days a week – that’s the beauty. But don’t let laziness stop you for more than a few days! Solution: The key to overcoming laziness is to set clear goals and create a routine that supports your trading activities. Set aside specific times each day or week to research the markets, analyze charts, and execute trades. It can also be helpful to create a trading plan that outlines your goals and strategies, which can help keep you focused and motivated. Success stopper #3: No Money to Trade This is more of an excuse than a success stopper. You know you can paper trade until you nail the trading game, until you can start putting in capital. And when you do save money, you’ll be able to learn the real world of trading and understand the slippage, costs, liquidity, margin trading etc… Solution: The key to overcoming this challenge is to start small and build your way up. Consider opening a demo account to practice trading without risking real money. You can also start by trading with a small amount of capital and gradually increase your investment as you become more comfortable and confident in your abilities. Success stopper #4: No Skills and Talents That’s what you think. But I honestly believe I can take just about anyone with a bit of computer experience and show them how to make a consistent income trading the markets. Trading requires a specific set of skills, such as market analysis, risk management, and technical analysis. And these skills CAN be taught. Whether you’re a slow learner or a fast learner, you can learn the ways. Solution: The key to overcoming this challenge is to invest in your education and development. Take courses or attend seminars to learn the necessary skills and techniques for successful trading. You can also consider working with a mentor or coach to help you improve your trading skills and develop your talents. So what is stopping you from your trading success? I can only think of 1 thing. Go look at the mirror.
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
How to get your Trading DoneTrading is the easiest hardest way to become financially free. You need to follow a simple approach and then have the discipline to do it again and again for the rest of your life. It can at first be a daunting task because you have to implement an element of risk. But before you know it, you’ll be free from your financial shackles and struggle. Here are five tips to help you get your financial trading done efficiently and effectively. Step #1: Always have your cheat sheet with you. A cheat sheet is a list of rules that you have set for yourself when trading. These rules are from how to spot trading signals, getting your trading setup ready, to implementing the maximum amount of money you’re willing to risk on a trade to the indicators you look for when deciding on a trade. Always make sure you have your cheat sheet with you to have a clear set of rules to follow. This way you’ll avoid making impulsive decisions. Step #2: Look for the right trading setups with high probability trades. Before you enter a trade, it’s essential to look for the right trading setup. A trading setup is a specific combination of conditions that must be met before you enter a trade. For example, you may look for a bullish continuation or reversal price breakout strategy, combined with a moving average crossover and RSI divergence indicator. Once you have identified the right trading setup, you can then look for high probability trades within that setup. Step #3: Execute your trades or just take the trade. Once you have identified a high probability trade, it’s time to execute the trade. When executing a trade, it’s important to remember that the market can be unpredictable. You may have done everything right and still end up losing money on a trade. Therefore, it’s essential to take the trade, execute your plan, and move on to the next opportunity. Step #4: Journal your trades It’s essential to keep a record of all your trades, including the reasons why you entered and exited the trade. This can help you identify patterns in your trading and make adjustments to your strategy as needed. This way you can record, monitor and also identify areas where you can improve and re-evaluate your trading plan accordingly. Step #5: Rinse and repeat the process. Finally, once you have executed a trade, recorded it in your journal, and made any necessary adjustments to your trading plan, it’s time to rinse and repeat the process. Trading is a continuous process. There will always be new opportunities to explore and it’s ALWAYS the right time to start or continue. If you follow the above steps, you’ll increase your chances of success and make the most of your trading endeavours.
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
5 TIF Trading Orders You need to KnowQ. What are the 5 common TIF (Time In Force) Trading Orders to know? GTC: “Good Till Cancelled” Where the order remains active until you manually cancel it. FOK: “Fill or Kill” This type of order requires immediate execution of the entire order quantity. If the full amount is not executed, it is then cancelled. GTD: “Good Till Date” Where you can specify a specific date until which the order is valid. MIT: “Market if Touched” This order is triggered when the market price reaches a specified level (trigger price). It then becomes a market order and is executed at the best available price. LIT: “Limit if Touched” If a Limit if Touched order is triggered when the market price reaches a chosen or trigger price. GTC (Good Till Cancelled). This way you’ll know that your position (order) will stay in the market until you cancel it manually. What trading question do you have? Let me know in the comments. Can you think of anymore?
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
May the Fourth Be With You - And your Stop losses!Star Wars has been around since 1977 which was written and directed by George Lucas. During that time, there have been phenomenal quotes, lessons and adventures that have been shared. Instead of telling you different lessons Star Wars can teach you about trading. How about I share some quotes and how you can apply them? Here are the ones I find are the most applicable. #1: "I find your lack of faith disturbing." Use this as a reminder to stay confident in your trades, even when the market is unpredictable. Have faith in your strategy. Have faith in your commitment. Have faith in your strong mindset. #2: "Your focus determines your reality." Stay focused on your trading goals and strategy. It’s not about what others see. It’s not about what others feel. It’s about you in your own work station, planning, preparing and executing accordingly. #3: "Do or do not, there is no try." Commit fully to your trades, rather than hesitating or second-guessing. When it’s lined up, ACTION. When you see a trade setups, write them down and prepare for execution. Don’t try… DO! #4: "Fear is the path to the dark side." Stay level-headed and not let fear or panic drive your trading decisions. Fear doesn’t exist. Only danger does. We are fearful most times in our head when there is no apparent danger. Remember this when you feel fear. #5: "In my experience, there's no such thing as luck." Successful trading is based on skill, probabilities and strategy, not luck. #"6: The Force will be with you, always." Here’s a reminder that your skills and strategy will guide you through both good and bad trading times. In this case the force is your proven strategy, your will, your commitment and your strong mind. #7: "You must unlearn what you have learned." Be open-minded and flexible when it comes to adapting your trading strategy. We learn as sheeple to buy low sell high. While I have gone against the idea and instead BUY HIGH, SELL HIGHER. Also, when everyone buys, is normally where the Smart Money offloads theirs. And when retail dumb money sells, that’s where Smart money BUYS. Did you find these useful? Which one resonated the most with you?
TVC:SA40Education
by Timonrosso
13
MC DONALD'S TRADING LESSONSStory time… One of the greatest success stories of all time, is with the company which is based on the glorious golden arches we still see today. Mc Donalds… It all started in 1940 where, two brothers, Maurice and Richard “Dick” Mc Donald’s made a small fortune selling hamburgers in San Bernardino, California… They took a product and an idea and turned it into a fast, convenient and consistently profitable business. Once they mastered their strategy and system then they introduced Ray Croc (a shrewd American businessman) into an agreement to build more Mc Donalds… However, he barely made enough profits to sustain, find more franchisees and even pay off his expenses… That’s when Harry Sonneborn came about where he made Ray Croc realise, he was in the land business rather than the restaurant business… Ray Kroc explained… “Pretty simple, really. Franchisee finds a piece of land he likes, gets a lease, usually 20 years, takes out a construction loan, throws up a building, and off he goes.” Sonneborne then said: “You don’t seem to realize what business you’re in. You’re not in the burger business. You’re in the real estate business.” This conversation lead to the global expansion of McDonald’s, turning it into the most successful fast food corporation in the world. In this article, I’m not going to talk about Ray Kroc, but instead how the brother’s starting concept applies to trading. Here are three lessons I learnt from Mc Donald’s Success #1: Less is more… The brothers were geniuses from the start… When something didn’t work, they threw it out… When something showed to work, they harnessed it, optimised it and improved it… They did this with data. The brothers took sales data to compare which products were making more money. They found that 80% of their sales in the last 3 years came from simple burgers. Each burger was made with precise ingredients. Any deviation and this caused sales to drop. The rest of the 20% were drinks and barbeque. So the brothers made their life easy and got rid of the barbeque pit completely. They also cut their menu down from 25 items to just 11 items. It mainly had Burgers Fries Milkshakes and Soft drinks They said let’s do less of what’s not helping sales and focus on what is making the most revenue. Once they got rid of the barbeque pit the brothers later on systematised the burger making process. So how does this relate to trading… Less is more is one of my most powerful quotes when it comes to trading… You need to cut out a LOT of data to maximise your returns… Find one or two systems that suit you. Minimise the number of markets, time frames and charts to look at. Cut out unnecessary indicators that conflict with the systems signals and frequency. Choose a certain time that works best for your system. Stick to 1 or two financial instruments to trade. Only have 1 or 2 or max 3 trading accounts with reason. It will take time and effort on your side to cut out what needs to be cut, but you won’t regret it in the long run… As Mc Donald’s did… Take a product improve it drastically then sell it to the masses. #2: Find a system to repeat over and over With Mc Donald’s did you know… They took a tennis court and drew out the compartments of making a burger. They then orchestrated it with their employees until the flow and speed was at the most optimised level. Once they found a winning system, reduced the time to make a burger and optimise the process – they were able to even drop the price to appeal more demand… At the time, they could drop the burger to 15 cents… With trading, you know this… You’ll need to find, adopt, follow and repeat your turn-key system. It doesn’t matter whether it takes you 2 months, 2 years or even 7 years to get right. Once you have it, you’ll be able to generate consistent results year in and year out. Just like the cycle of burgers, you’ll have your very own consistent cycle of success through trading… Also, with your one system you’ll be able to optimise it and improve it when conditions change… This brings us to the third lesson… #3: “We love to see you smile” This was one of Mc Donald’s campaign they used from 2000-2003, which has stuck… Not only does Mc Donald’s keep to their winning formula, systems, products and manner – but they also adapt to change… They continue to offer new items on the menu’s as time’s change… From Happy Meals, Toys, Lollipops, Café’s, Ice creams, food cultural adaptions to even Vegan food… They think of everything to adapt to change… BUT! They don’t stop offering their winning products that bring in revenue. With trading you need to also evolve as a trader and adapt to change. Sure, your system will remain consistent. Sure, your risk management won’t change… But there are certain elements that require change such as… New markets: You might want to incorporate your system with new markets i.e. AI, Electric Vehicles, Metaverse, Cannabis, Energy alternatives, Crypto, NFTs. AI (with ChatGPT, DALLEE, BING) and so on… New instruments: Also, we might need to evolve from the current financial instruments we’re trading… Once day, CFDs and Spread Betting might be a thing of the past. I personally have evolved from shares, warrants, futures to ETFs. You never know what will be next… New automations: We might soon have robots and AI to use out system to find trades and execute them. You get the point… If you want to be successful with trading you have to understand the power of systems to repeat… This way the system will do the job for you… Next time you’re at Mc Donald’s, you’ll see what I mean.
NYSE:MCDEducation
by Timonrosso
EXPLAINED: Runaway GapLESSON OF THE DAY Runaway Gap A Runaway Gap is a continuation move where the price gaps in the middle of a trend e..g Up or Down. The gap is a void (where no prices overlap between two candles) And then the price follows the previous trend. I like to think of a Runaway Gap as a horse that goes from trotting to galloping. The trend then starts to accelerate and continue in the direction. Specifics for this example: · Previous price moves in a downtrend. · Price then gaps. · Price then follows the continuous downtrend. Please react so I know to provide more daily lessons...
JSE:PIKEducation
by Timonrosso
2
Why is trading NOT working for me?!Even with the right markets, time frames, systems, rules and ideas… Trading is just not playing out you the way you thought it would. It’s not growing your portfolio at the rate you wished… It’s taking forever to get right… It’s overwhelming and you don’t know which strategy to choose… From my experience this is because of one reason. You’re not treating trading for what it is… Let’s REMIND you… TRADING IS… A fun hobby Trading isn’t a tiring job where you need to sit for hours countlessly looking at a screen. It’s also not a job where you need to be cramped up in a cold room, sitting on an uncomfortable chair, wearing a suffocating ‘noose’ I mean tie, around your neck while you’re waiting for the next pay-cheque. If that was the case, I would have stopped trading 19 years ago. Trading should be treated as a fun hobby. With this hobby… You don’t need a lot of time (half an hour a week will do just fine). You don’t need a lot of effort. (Just a few click of the buttons and a few simple grade-8 maths calculations). You don’t need to worry and stress yourself out. (Opportunities come every day, you can manage your own risk and no one is watching over your shoulder.) In other words this is one opportunity which will give you: More free time, Less work and a hobby that will consistently pay you. TRADING IS… A patience game When you’re enjoying a hobby, you look forward to doing it the next day. It’s like anything you enjoy… Watching TV, playing sports, eating your favourite snacks or even having sex… You’ll adapt, incorporate and most importantly look forward to the next time you do it. And the more you do it, the more you’ll improve, the better you’ll get and the easier it will become. Trading is a patience game. The longer you spend the time and days working on it and improving, the faster, better, and more powerful of a trader you will become. And this will lead to one outcome – Financial Independence. TRADING IS… Ever evolving This isn’t your run on the mill, rat-race kind of hobby. This is one heck of an interesting, exciting and thrilling activity that changes so quickly. Every day, week, month and year you’ll to learn a ton of trading tips and lessons. That’s because the markets are always, changing, evolving, adapting and are even suprising… They evolve with: Ever-changing market conditions. New financial markets added to the exchanges. New created instruments to incorporate i.e. Crypto- currencies, ETFs, CFDs etc… New mega-trends driving new global demand i.e. AI, Machine learning, Electric cars, Cannabis, NFTs, Smart contracts and Extended Mixed Reality. TRADING IS… A lonely journey This is one hobby, where YOUR success entirely depends on YOU. This won’t work if you’re asking your family, friends, dogs and even strangers for their opinions on what to buy and sell. This won’t work if you’re listening to the random billionaire analyst on Bloomberg talking about what they have in their portfolios. This won’t work if you’re scrolling on Facebook for an individual’s trading prediction. (INCLUDING MINE). No! With your system, your money and your time – You need to trade alone and on your own terms… You know what will make you money? Taking more trades according to YOUR criteria. Listening to YOUR rules according to YOUR strategy. Spending more of YOUR time, improving on executing trades well. Notice the word YOUR… Not others, not him, not her – YOU… So take trading for what it is and enjoy the process. TRADING IS… A fun hobby TRADING IS… A patience game TRADING IS… Ever evolving TRADING IS… A lonely journey
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso
1
Don't let Captain Hindsight mess with your tradingCaptain Hindsight is bound to get in your head. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been trading for the last 10 years or so. He is going to question you with two simple words. And these two words, can really cause a negative impact on your trading portfolio. In this short article, I’m going to warn you about how he’s going to uppercut your mind and most likely cause havoc with your trading. This way, you’ll know what to watch out for. A dangerous two word question to interfere with your trading What if?” Here are some… “What if the market is in a bubble and I buy too high?” “What if I’m wrong about this trade?” “What if my trading strategy worked then, but won’t work now?” “What if the market is in a period where I’m just going to take losses?” Whenever the captain whispers these questions, you’re going to feel vulnerable and start second guessing your trading system, strategy and skills. Succumb to the Captain and he’ll be back stronger and more powerful than the last time. Here are THREE ways to beat Captain Hindsight before he returns ACTION #1: Extend your back-testing So you have a trading system that you believe works… Prove it. Go back and re-test different markets and jot down every time the system lined up. Record every trade, including the costs and the statistics and prepare yourself for what is to come. The more you back-test your system, the more markets and environments it would have weathered and endured. If it came out with all time highs on your portfolio, it’s a winner. Captain Hindsight – won’t have anything on you – with a decent track record… ACTION #2: Drop your risk The most common way for a trader to feel emotional, is when they have a lot to lose. The larger your trading position, the more desire to win and the more fear you’ll have to lose. This is why greed, fear and panic are the most ongoing reasons for traders to annihilate their portfolios. Trading is a get rich slowly but surely game. And when you accept the gains and losses, you won’t care what the Captain has to say. ACTION #3: Step away from the screen Not only will Captain Hindsight creep in before you take a trade. He’s bound to enter your mind while you’re in the trade. “What if you’re wrong about this one?” “What if you get out of your trade now while you’re in a profit?” “What if you take a small loss, because it looks like this trade is a loser?” The best action to take, when you’ve entered your trade with your trading levels (Entry, Stop loss and Take profit), is step away from your trading account. Distract yourself by getting a drink, water your garden, take a drive or do other work. The less you’re glued to the screen watching your trades, the less you’re going to feel worried about the small moves that happen in the day. Always remind yourself… “My trading strategy will REWARD me for following it. My trading strategy will PUNISH me for NOT following it.” These three actions will eventually help you beat Captain Hindsight for good, as it did for me over 20 years ago.
JSE:J200Education
by Timonrosso