Examples of Conditions for Starting a Trade
Hello, fellow traders!
Follow us to get the latest information quickly.
Have a great day!
-------------------------------------
This time, I'm going to talk about when to start and when to close a trade.
Trading has no beginning or end.
In other words, you can start a trade at any time and close it at any time.
The only question is whether you can profit from the time you start the trade and when you close it.
Therefore, it's best to be clear about why you need to start trading.
In other words, you need to be able to explain why you need to start trading now.
If you can't, it's best not to start trading.
You should also be able to explain why you're closing the trade now or selling in installments.
If you can't, it's likely that you don't have a well-established trading strategy.
A trading strategy should be developed from a broad perspective.
After that, you should develop a detailed response strategy that stabilizes your psychological state according to price volatility and guides your trading accordingly.
Therefore, a basic trading strategy is essential.
This basic trading strategy may vary depending on your investment style, so it's important to establish a basic trading strategy that suits you.
My basic trading strategy is to buy in the DOM(-60) ~ HA-Low range and sell in the HA-High ~ DOM(60) range.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To initiate a trade, you can determine whether support is available at important support and resistance levels or areas.
The optimal range for this is when support is found and the price rises in the DOM (-60) ~ HA-Low range.
This corresponds to the conditions for trading on the Heikin-Ashi chart.
-
Next, the M-Signal indicators on the 1M, 1W, and 1D charts converge and break upward, sustaining the price.
In other words, the price rises when support is found around the current price range of 0.000010612-0.00011445.
This represents an important turning point from a trend perspective.
-
If you bought in the above range, the sell range would be 0.00013521-0.00014824.
This sell zone corresponds to the high point, HA-High ~ DOM(60).
This means that a stepwise uptrend, or a full-blown uptrend, is likely to begin only when the price rises above the HA-High ~ DOM(60) range.
-
If you start trading at other support and resistance points or zones, it can be difficult to respond to price volatility.
Therefore, it's best to check for support and initiate trading within the DOM(-60) ~ HA-Low and HA-High ~ DOM(60) zones, if possible.
From a trend perspective, if the M-Signal indicators on the 1M, 1W, and 1D charts converge, and the price breaks upward and sustains, as is currently the case, trading is possible if support is found at the support and resistance levels near those points.
While this trading method cannot guarantee profit, it is worth developing a trading strategy and attempting it.
-
Thank you for reading to the end. I wish you successful trading.
--------------------------------------------------
X-indicator
Corrective Dip or New Downtrend on the S&P 500 Futures?🟣 1. Impulses vs. Corrections – The Classical View
When price trends, it doesn't move in a straight line. Instead, it alternates between directional movements called impulses and counter-directional pauses or retracements known as corrections. Most analysts define an impulse as a sharp, dominant move in the direction of the trend—typically accompanied by rising volume and momentum indicators. Corrections, on the other hand, tend to be slower, overlapping, and often occur with declining volume.
Common methods to identify impulses vs. corrections include:
Swing structure: Higher highs and higher lows suggest impulse; overlapping lows suggest correction.
Fibonacci retracements: Corrections often retrace up to 61.8% of a prior impulse.
Moving averages: Price above a rising MA is often viewed as impulse territory.
Volume analysis and oscillators such as RSI or MACD are used to confirm price behavior.
Despite the abundance of methods, the distinction between impulses and corrections often remains subjective. That’s where the Directional Movement Index (DMI) provides an objective lens—especially when paired with price action.
🟣 2. Rethinking Impulses with the DMI Indicator
The Directional Movement Index (DMI), developed by J. Welles Wilder, offers a quantitative way to assess the strength and direction of price movement. It breaks down market activity into three components:
+DMI (Positive Directional Movement Index): Measures the strength of upward movements.
−DMI (Negative Directional Movement Index): Measures the strength of downward movements.
ADX (Average Directional Index): Quantifies overall trend strength but is optional in this discussion.
The key to applying DMI lies in the crossover between +DMI and -DMI:
When +DMI > -DMI, upward price moves dominate—suggesting bullish impulses.
When −DMI > +DMI, downward moves dominate—suggesting bearish impulses.
Calculation is based on a comparison of successive highs and lows over a specific lookback period—commonly set to 14 or 20 periods.
While EMAs track trend direction and momentum, DMI helps dissect who’s in control. This makes it a powerful filter when evaluating whether a breakdown or breakout is likely to become an impulsive trend—or just another correction in disguise.
🟣 3. Case Study – Two Breakdowns, Two Outcomes
Let’s apply this logic to two recent moments on the E-mini S&P 500 Futures (ES) daily chart.
🔹 Feb 21, 2025 Breakdown
Price broke sharply below the 20-period EMA. At first glance, this looked like a potential trend reversal. The DMI confirmed this suspicion: −DMI surged above +DMI, signaling downside impulses were in control. The market followed through with a clear downtrend, confirming the move was not just a pullback—it was a shift in market structure.
🔹 Aug 1, 2025 Breakdown
A similar sharp break below the 20 EMA just occurred again. However, this time +DMI remains above −DMI, despite the bearish price action. This divergence tells a different story: the breakdown may not be impulsive in nature. Instead, it's likely a corrective dip within a broader uptrend, where buyers are still the dominant force.
This is a textbook example of how a moving average crossover without DMI confirmation can mislead traders. By combining these tools, we’re able to make more informed decisions about whether price action is signaling a true shift—or just a pause.
🟣 4. CME Product Specs – ES vs. MES
Traders can express directional views on the S&P 500 using two primary CME futures contracts: the E-mini S&P 500 Futures (ES) and the Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures (MES). Both track the same underlying index but differ in size, capital requirement, and tick value.
✅ E-mini S&P 500 Futures (ES)
Symbol: ES
Contract Size: $50 x S&P 500 Index
Tick Size: 0.25 index points
Tick Value: $12.50
Initial Margin: Approximately $21,000 (varies by broker and through time)
Market Hours: Nearly 24/6
✅ Micro E-mini S&P 500 Futures (MES)
Symbol: MES
Contract Size: $5 x S&P 500 Index
Tick Size: 0.25 index points
Tick Value: $1.25
Initial Margin: Approximately $2,100 (varies by broker and through time)
The Micro contract provides access to the same market structure, liquidity, and price movement as the E-mini, but with a fraction of the exposure—making it ideal for smaller accounts or more precise position sizing.
🟣 5. Risk Management Matters
Understanding whether a market move is impulsive or corrective isn’t just academic—it’s the difference between positioning with the dominant flow or fighting it. Traders often get trapped by sharp moves that appear trend-defining but are simply noise or temporary pullbacks.
Using tools like DMI to confirm whether directional strength supports price action provides a layer of risk filtration. It prevents overreaction to every EMA crossover or sudden price drop.
Stop-loss orders become vital in both impulsive and corrective conditions. In impulsive environments, stops help lock in profits while protecting from reversals. In corrective phases, they act as circuit breakers against breakouts that fail.
Moreover, knowing the product you're trading is critical:
A single ES contract controls ~$320,000 of notional value.
An MES contract controls ~$32,000.
This disparity means poor sizing on ES can magnify errors, while proper sizing on MES can offer flexibility to test, scale, and hedge with tighter capital control.
Whether you're reacting to price or preparing for continuation, risk management is the only constant. It’s what turns analysis into disciplined execution.
When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies.
General Disclaimer:
The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
Turning Stock Declines Into Your Best Trading OpportunityTurning Stock Declines Into Your Best Trading Opportunity
When stocks fall dramatically, many investors panic. But what if those drops were actually the set-up for some of the most lucrative opportunities?
In this article, you’ll discover why sharp declines can set the stage for outsized gains, how the mathematics of recovery works, and how to use classic technical patterns to identify the ideal entry points. And the most important, how to do it easily on Tradingview!
The Power of Recovery: Why a Drop = Big Upside
Every percentage drop in a stock’s price requires a much larger percentage gain to return to its previous high. Recognizing this simple truth can turn “market fear” into “trader’s opportunity.”
Here’s exactly what a stock would need to climb, after various drops, to reclaim old highs:
| Drop (%) | Required Gain to Recover (%) |
|----------|-----------------------------|
| 10 | 11.1 |
| 20 | 25.0 |
| 30 | 42.9 |
| 40 | 66.7 |
| 50 | 100.0 |
| 60 | 150.0 |
| 70 | 233.3 |
If a top-quality stock drops 50%, it needs to go up 100% just to get back, so smart entries after steep drops can double your money on a bounce.
When These Pullbacks Are Opportunity: The Case of Market Leaders
Stocks like Eli Lilly, UNH, Novo Nordisk, ASML, AMD, or Lululemon are examples of quality growth companies that sometimes undergo sharp, hype-driven sell-offs.
Recent history shows:
- Eli Lilly, UNH or Novo Nordisk : Leaders in innovative health solutions, frequently see pullbacks despite strong demand in their sectors.
💊 NYSE:LLY (Down up to 30%)
Most analysts are highly bullish on Eli Lilly , with most giving it a "Strong Buy" rating. The 12-month consensus price target ranges between $956 and $1,016 , suggesting a 25–32% upside from current levels . Optimism is driven by strong momentum in its obesity and diabetes drug pipeline, especially GLP-1 treatments like orforglipron. Risks include high valuation and dependence on future drug approvals.
Technically speaking, Eli Lilly is currently trading within a channel , also known as a flag pattern when it forms during a bull trend. There are two common ways to trade this setup:
You can either wait for the price to drop to the bottom of the channel for a lower-risk entry, or wait for an upside breakout to join the rally at its strongest point.
Both approaches are considered low-risk, high-reward trades. However, entering a position right now is not ideal , as there is still room for the price to decline before a potential breakout in this premium stock.
💊 NYSE:UNH (Down up to 60%)
The Analysts are generally positive on UnitedHealth Group , despite recent challenges like CEO changes and regulatory concerns. Most believe the company has strong fundamentals and expect it to recover over time. The average 12-month price target ranges from $380 to $400, which suggests a potential upside of over 60% from current levels . While a few firms have lowered their outlook, the majority still recommend buying the stock.
Technically speaking , the price dropped after breaking below its support zone (red).
It briefly paused in a first support area (blue), where some optimistic buyers stepped in, but eventually continued down to a more important zone.
The green area marks the main trading zone from before COVID , with high volume and strong interest, this is where many institutional investors are likely to see value and start buying this premium stock again .
Interestingly, analysts’ average price targets are below the previous support, suggesting a possible pullback to that area. If this happens, it could mean a 60% to 90% rally for UNH from current levels (though some further decline within the green zone is still possible and as we saw at the start, even more profits!).
💊 NYSE:NVO (Down up to 70%)
Analysts have a cautious but constructive outlook on Novo Nordisk, with an average 12‑month price target of around $80.
While some firms maintain buy ratings, many have recently lowered their views amid mounting competition from Eli Lilly and concerns over copycat semaglutide products depressing growth. A few stronger bulls still point to the long-term potential in obesity and diabetes markets as reasons for future upside. Others see significant headwinds, noting falling demand for legacy drugs and disappointing trial outcomes such as CagriSema setbacks. Overall, most analysts expect a recovery from current levels.
Technically speaking , the price dropped after breaking below a Head and Shoulders pattern , which led to a sharp decline in Novo Nordisk's stock.
The price has now reached a key previous support zone, where the Volume Profile (VRVP) shows significant activity, this often suggests institutional investors may start buying again, viewing the current levels as a bargain. While it's wise to be cautious ahead of tomorrow’s earnings report, the overall downside risk appears limited, given the company’s strong cash flow and solid product pipeline.
That said, investor expectations around obesity and diabetes treatments are no longer as optimistic as they were a few years ago, which could weigh on future growth. Still, from a technical and fundamental standpoint, this area may offer an attractive entry point to sell at $80 for a 70% profit!
Other well-known stocks that could present an amazing opportunity soon include NASDAQ:LULU , EURONEXT:ASML , NYSE:MRK , NASDAQ:PEP , SPOT NYSE:SPOT or $NYSE:PFE. Right now, I don’t see strong patterns in these charts , but they’re approaching interesting buy zones. I’ll be keeping a close eye on them, just in case a setup starts to form.
These tickers, as of August 2025, stand well below consensus price targets, so a recovery from current levels toward analyst consensus highs could deliver powerful returns.
⚠️ An example of previous opportunities
I like to understand the past before trying to predict the future , so it’s fair to show some previous examples of stocks that were "on sale."
The first example is NASDAQ:META
A well-known premium stock that experienced a massive crash during 2021 and 2022 due to the failure of its metaverse strategy. The stock lost more than 75% of its value , a truly astonishing drop. During this period, a falling wedge pattern formed on the chart , indicating that bearish sentiment was fading. After confirming the pattern, the stock went on to rally more than 700% , yes, you read that right, a 700% rally followed.
Later, another crisis, this time triggered by Trump, hit the stock, causing a sharp 35% drop in just a few weeks. Eventually, the price reached a strong buy zone (high VRVP and previous important supports), and in the weeks that followed, we’ve seen a 63% rally that is still unfolding.
During 2025 , we’ve also seen
NASDAQ:NVDA fall 35%, only to come back with a 110% rally .
NASDAQ:MSFT dropped 25% and then delivered an impressive 60% gain afterward.
NYSE:ORCL lost 40% in just a few months, and now we’re seeing a massive rally, up 120% , even outperforming NVDA. Simply amazing.
🚀 Finally, some previous published ideas based on the same principle:
⭐ Buying COINBASE:XRPUSD after a large decline (Yes, the methodology also work for other assets!)
⭐ Buying NASDAQ:DLTR at the bottom, after a 65% decline to enjoy a (for now) 90% rally.
⭐ Buying AMEX:GROY after doing two Double Bottoms and breaking the resistances for a 25% rally.
You can find more Ideas on my profile, always based on Chart patterns with low risk and high returns profile .
⏳ Entry Timing: Rely On Technical Patterns, Not Indicators
The key to entering these stocks efficiently isn’t about moving averages, RSI, or fundamentals. It’s about reading price action, volumes and technical chart patterns that reflect buyer behavior and sentiment shift.
Some famous examples:
- Double Bottom : Two clear lows near the same support zone, signaling sellers are losing strength and buyers may take control. The breakout above the intermediate high is usually a decisive signal of a trend reversal. I have published multiple ideas with double bottoms recently.
- Hammer Candle at Support : After a strong decline, a single candle with a short body and a long lower wick near a known support. This shows aggressive intraday buying, hinting that the sell-off momentum is vanishing.
- High Volume at Support: While volume isn’t a classic “indicator,” a surge in transactions as price holds support often marks institutional buying, confirming higher conviction in a potential bottom. Also the VRVP lateral indicator is a great help to know price levels with masive volume.
Spotting these technical structures on stocks deeply “on sale” lets you step in with a skewed risk/reward: your downside is defined (below support), your upside is open (toward recovery), and your edge comes from patient pattern recognition, not luck.
The TradingView screener is a great tool for finding “on-sale” stocks by filtering based on % Change. Pro Tip : The % Change is set to 1-day by default, but you can adjust it to show up to 1 month using the blue dropdown at the top.
After that, you have pattern recognition indicators like double bottoms or the VRVP for volume zones which are both AMAZING.
🔍 Visualize the Opportunity
Here’s your roadmap :
1. Scan for sharp declines in leading names, ideally those with price objectives far above current prices.
2. Strong technical pattern (double bottom, hammer on support, high-volume reversal days).
3. Wait for confirmation of pattern completion with renewed bullish price action or buy in the support, that is risky, but gives a unique risk reweard ratio when it works!
4. Act decisively when patterns confirm, your entry is efficient, your risk controlled, and your recovery math is in your favor.
> Remember : Technical patterns are your best ally for timing entries during periods of panic-driven price drops. Used well, they help you capture robust returns with clear risk management, making market sell-offs a trader’s opportunity, not a threat.
It seems that this August is a good month to start practicing finding bargains.
💬 Does this post helped you?
🚀 Hit the rocket if this helped you spot the opportunity and follow for more clean, educational Chart Patterns trade ideas!
From Execution to Adaptation: Enter Dynamic ProbabilitiesIn the previous article , we looked at a real trade on Gold where I shifted from a clean mechanical short setup to an anticipatory long — not because of a hunch, but because the market behavior demanded it.
That decision wasn’t random. It was based on new information. On structure. On price action.
It was based on something deeper than just “rules” — it was about recognizing when the probability of success had changed.
That brings us to a powerful but rarely discussed concept in trading:
👉 Dynamic probabilities.
________________________________________
📉 Static Thinking in a Dynamic Market
Most traders operate with static probabilities — whether they realize it or not.
They assign a probability to a trade idea (let’s say, “this breakout has a 70% chance”) and treat that number as if it’s written in stone.
But markets don’t care about your numbers.
The moment new candles print, volatility shifts, or structure morphs — the probability landscape changes. What once looked like a clean setup can begin to deteriorate. Conversely, something that looked uncertain can start aligning into high-probability territory.
Yet many traders fail to adapt because they’re emotionally invested in the original plan.
They’ve already “decided” what the market should do, so they stop listening to what the market is actually doing.
________________________________________
🧠 Dynamic Probabilities Require Dynamic Thinking
To trade dynamically, you must be able to update your internal odds in real time.
This doesn’t mean constantly second-guessing or overanalyzing — it means refining your bias based on evolving context:
• A strong breakout followed by weak continuation? → probability drops.
• Price holding above broken resistance with clean structure? → probability increases.
• Choppy pullback into support with fading volume? → potential reversal builds.
It’s like playing poker: you might start with a good hand, but if the flop goes against you, your odds change.
If you ignore that and keep betting like you’ve got the nuts, you’re not being bold — you’re being blind.
________________________________________
📍 Back to the Gold Trade
In the Gold trade, the initial short was based on structure: broken support turned resistance.
The entry was mechanical, the reaction was clean. All good.
But then:
• Price came back fast into the same zone.
• Sellers failed to defend it decisively.
• The second leg down was sluggish, overlapping, and lacked momentum.
• Compression began to form.
That’s when the probability of continued downside collapsed — and the probability of a reversal increased.
The market had changed. So did my bias.
That’s dynamic probability in action — not because of a feeling, but because of evolving evidence.
________________________________________
🧘♂️ The Psychological Trap
Many traders intellectually accept the idea of being flexible — but emotionally, they cling to certainty.
They fear being “inconsistent” more than they fear being wrong.
But in a dynamic environment, consistency of thinking is not about repeating the same action — it’s about consistently reacting to what’s real.
True consistency is not mechanical repetition. It’s mental adaptability grounded in logic.
________________________________________
🧠 Takeaway
If you want to trade professionally, you must upgrade your mindset from fixed-probability execution to fluid-probability reasoning.
That doesn’t mean chaos. It means structured flexibility.
Your edge isn’t just in spotting patterns — it’s in knowing when those patterns are breaking down.
And acting accordingly, before your PnL does it for you.
Disclosure: I am part of TradeNation's Influencer program and receive a monthly fee for using their TradingView charts in my analyses and educational articles.
An Example of Trading a Coin (Token) You're Hesitant to Trade
Hello, fellow traders!
By "Following," you'll always get the latest information quickly. Have a great day today.
-------------------------------------
There are coins (tokens) that are showing positive trends, but are reluctant to trade.
BNB and TRX are two such coins.
(BNBUSDT 1W chart)
(TRXUSDT 1W chart)
What these two coins have in common is that their representatives are Chinese.
These two coins are consistently making efforts to expand globally.
BNB is ranked first among exchange-traded coins, while TRX is steadily making efforts to expand into the US market to expand globally.
Despite this, some are reluctant to trade due to concerns about being an exchange-traded coin and being a Chinese coin.
To mitigate this risk, it's best to increase the number of coins (tokens) that ultimately generate profits.
In other words, by selling the amount of the original purchase price, you retain the number of coins (tokens) that represent profit.
This way, even if the price plummets, you'll always be in profit, allowing you to seize new opportunities.
For coins (tokens) that demonstrate long-term growth potential, increasing the number of coins (tokens) that represent profit is recommended. While these coins (tokens) appear to have potential for long-term growth, they currently carry some risk.
This also applies to coins that are considered worth holding for the long term, such as BTC and ETH.
Therefore, coins (tokens) that have a large user base and are considered to have future value, such as XRP, ADA, SOL, and DOGE, still carry some risk.
-
Thank you for reading to the end.
I wish you a successful trading experience.
--------------------------------------------------
Chart Breakdown – Smart Money Concept in ActionThis chart showcases a textbook example of a bearish setup based on Smart Money Concepts (SMC):
BOS (Break of Structure) at the left confirms a shift in momentum.
A strong engulfing candle pierces into a supply zone, setting the stage for a potential reversal.
Price forms an FVG (Fair Value Gap) and returns to fill the imbalance, offering a high-probability entry within the Bearish Order Block (OB).
A clear CHoCH (Change of Character) signals a bearish trend shift, validated by the second BOS.
The trade targets Sell Side Liquidity, resting below the recent lows—just where smart money aims.
🎯 This setup combines precision, patience, and the power of understanding institutional moves.
BNB Binance Coin: Lesson 15 methodology did the job again
Lesson 15 methodology (annotations in sync with the chart):
1. Largest up volume wave after a while - sellers might be in there.
2. Placed AVWAP and waited for price to cross downwards and pullback again on AVWAP
3. HTMU (hard to move up) - Abnormal Speed Index 4.6S at the top
4. Entry short signal PRS with abnormal SI 4.8.2 (price has a hard time to move up - absorption)
Simple as that. Enjoy!
Simple Psychology Tips Using Volume for Better TradingMany newer traders assume that when someone says "psychology" in trading, they are referring to mindset.
It is also widely believed that trading is about the BEST entries.
Now, think of it this way. It is not about winning trades, it is actually about managing losses well to allow you to take the winners over and over again. You might think that a 3 to 1 risk-to-reward strategy is boring, you might have gone all in on your favourite crypto project. But what makes the difference between gambling and trading is actually very, very simple. So simple, in fact, many overlook it or simply ignore it.
Most seek a silver bullet - high win rates and perfectly timed entries, then they overleverage and move stops on the one "good trade" they are seeking to make.
Whilst doing this, they tend to overload the 6 monitors they have purchased to trade with a thousand indicators, which they don't really need.
The candlesticks tell a story, volume supports that story. When you learn any technique from Elliott Waves to Wyckoff, they all have a dependence on volume - even if the correlation is not apparent.
Look at this first image.
Price had moved down since the vertical line, the AD line also moved down - sell-off, in full swing. But then volume starts to shift before the AD line starts to increase.
Now, look at what happens next...
As we move forward and the new vertical line shows where volume spiked, the AD line starts to decrease as the price continues to rise.
This is enough of a story to start your analysis.
We then get a move with a lower high formed.
As this plays out, the sell-side volume rises, creating momentum for the short position.
Look a little closer and you will see, that the volume on the move up just before the drop was also decreasing. Making a divergence to price.
You might feel that the market is against you, or that the big players are single-handedly seeking your stops. But the truth is, the psychology in moves such as this one shown is where most retail traders either have greed that markets will only go up for ever or the fear that they are missing out on a market that only goes up forever.
It is that herd mentality that generates the liquidity for the professionals.
Losing 1% on a trade, is part of the process, risking 80%> on a single move will make you paper rich for about 10 minutes before the real losses set in.
This is where the psychology and the basic techniques such as risk management and understanding what candlesticks and volume bars are telling you, will make a world of difference to your results.
A/D line and volume are free on @TradingView and to be fair you don't need to overcomplicate it more than that!
Stay safe, have a great weekend all!!!
Disclaimer
This idea does not constitute as financial advice. It is for educational purposes only, our principal trader has over 25 years' experience in stocks, ETF's, and Forex. Hence each trade setup might have different hold times, entry or exit conditions, and will vary from the post/idea shared here. You can use the information from this post to make your own trading plan for the instrument discussed. Trading carries a risk; a high percentage of retail traders lose money. Please keep this in mind when entering any trade. Stay safe.
Fibonacci Arcs in Stock TradingFibonacci Arcs in Stock Trading
Fibonacci arcs, derived from the renowned Fibonacci sequence, offer a compelling blend of technical analysis and market psychology for traders. By mapping potential support and resistance areas through arcs drawn on stock charts, these tools provide insights into future price movements. This article delves into the practical applications of Fibonacci arcs in trading, their interplay with market psychology, and best practices for effective use.
Understanding Fibonacci Arcs
The Fibonacci arc indicator is a unique tool in technical analysis derived from the famed Fibonacci sequence. It’s crafted by drawing arcs at the key Fibonacci retracement levels - 38.2%, 50%, and 61.8% - from a high to a low point on a stock chart. Each curve represents potential support or resistance areas, offering insights into the stock’s future movements.
The art of arc reading, meaning interpreting these curves, is crucial for traders. When a stock approaches or intersects with an arc, it reflects a significant reaction level. For instance, if a stock price touches or nears an arc, it could face arc resistance, indicating a potential halt or reversal in its trend.
Applying Fibonacci Arcs in Trading
In the stock market, these arcs serve as a guide for traders seeking to anticipate future price movements. When applied correctly, they can provide critical insights into potential support and resistance levels. Here's a step-by-step look at how you may use them effectively:
- Identifying High and Low Points: Begin by selecting a significant high and low point on the stock's chart. In an uptrend, it’s the most recent swing high to a previous swing low, and vice versa. These are the anchor points.
- Drawing the Arcs: Once the points are selected, draw the arcs at the Fibonacci retracement levels of 38.2%, 50%, and 61.8%. They radiate from the chosen low point to the high point (or vice versa), cutting across the chart.
- Interpretation: Watch how the stock interacts with these lines. When the price approaches an arc, it might encounter resistance or support, signalling a potential change in trend or continuation.
- Timing Entries and Exits: Traders can use the arcs in the stock market as a tool to time their trading decisions. For instance, a bounce could be a signal to enter a trade, whereas the price breaking through might suggest it's time to exit.
Fibonacci Arcs and Market Psychology
The effectiveness of Fibonacci arcs in trading is deeply intertwined with market psychology. They tap into the collective mindset of traders, who often react predictably to certain price levels. The Fibonacci sequence, underlying this tool, is not just a mathematical concept but also a representation of natural patterns and human behaviour.
When a stock nears a curve, traders anticipate a reaction, often leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. If many traders make an arc stock forecast, they might sell as the price approaches a certain point, causing the anticipated resistance to materialise. Similarly, seeing support at an arc can trigger buying, reinforcing the tool’s power.
This psychological aspect makes Fibonacci arcs more than just technical tools. They are reflections of the collective expectations and actions of market participants, turning abstract mathematical concepts into practical indicators of market sentiment and potential movements.
Best Practices
Incorporating Fibonacci arcs into trading strategies involves nuanced techniques for better accuracy and efficacy. Here are some best practices typically followed:
- Complementary Tools: Traders often pair this tool with other indicators like moving averages or RSI for a more robust analysis.
- Accurate Highs and Lows: It's best to carefully select the significant high and low points, as the effectiveness of the curves largely depends on these choices.
- Context Consideration: Understanding the broader market context is crucial. Traders usually use Fibonacci arcs in conjunction with fundamental factors to validate their analysis.
- Watch for Confluence: Identifying areas where Fibonacci levels converge with other technical signals can provide stronger trade setups.
- Practice Patience: Traders typically avoid making hasty decisions based solely on Fibonacci levels. It's usually better to wait to see additional confirmation from the price action.
Advantages and Limitations of Fibonacci Arcs
Fibonacci arcs are a popular tool in technical analysis, offering distinct advantages and some limitations in analysing stock movements. Understanding these can help traders leverage the tool more effectively.
Advantages
- Intuitive Nature: The Fibonacci sequence is a natural pattern, making the tool intuitive for traders to understand and apply.
- Dynamic Support and Resistance Levels: They provide dynamic levels of support and resistance, unlike static lines, adapting to changing market conditions.
- Versatility: Effective in various market conditions, the arcs can be used in both trending and sideways markets.
Limitations
- Subjectivity in Selection: The effectiveness largely depends on correctly identifying the significant high and low points, which can be subjective.
- Potential False Signals: Like all technical tools, they can generate false signals, especially in highly volatile markets.
- Requires Complementary Analysis: To maximise effectiveness, these curves are usually used alongside other technical indicators, as they are not infallible on their own.
The Bottom Line
Fibonacci arcs are invaluable tools in stock analysis, providing insights into market trends and potential price movements.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Trailing Stops:Let trades developTrailing stops are one of the most underused tools in a trader’s playbook. Most traders spend hours obsessing over entries, but then wing the exit or bail too early the moment a red candle appears. That’s where trailing stops come in. They give your trades room to breathe, while gradually reducing risk as price moves in your favour.
If you’ve ever caught a good move and felt unsure about how long to hold it, this one’s for you.
Here are three practical ways to trail your stop, stay in the trade, and help manage profitable trades objectively.
1. Trail Behind Structure
This is the simplest and most intuitive method. As the trade moves in your favour, you move your stop just behind the most recent swing high or low. In a long trade, that means raising your stop to sit just below the latest higher low. In a short, you drop it just above the most recent lower high.
This approach works best in clean, trending conditions. It gives the trade room to develop naturally without forcing you to guess the top. You won’t capture the absolute high, but you’ll often stay in the move longer than most.
It also keeps you in rhythm with the market. If the structure is broken, it’s a pretty good sign that the trend is changing or stalling and that’s a logical place to step aside.
Example:
Here’s a clean example of using structure to trail stops on a momentum trade. The entry came on a break and retest of resistance, with the initial stop placed just below the retest level. As the trade moved higher, a series of higher swing lows developed, providing clear reference points to adjust the stop.
It’s not designed to catch the exact top and that’s fine. The goal is to follow price action with minimal lag, using objective structure rather than guesswork.
EUR/USD Hourly Candle Chart
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
2. Use Moving Averages
Trailing stops don’t have to follow every single swing. Sometimes, a smoother option is better, especially if you want to stay in a move that’s trending hard. That’s where moving averages come in.
A short-term exponential moving average like the 9 or 21 EMA can act as a dynamic trailing stop. As long as price remains above the average, the trend is intact and you stay in. If price closes below the EMA in a long trade, or you get a crossover in the opposite direction, that can signal an exit or at least a scale-down.
This method works best in fast, directional markets. It won’t suit every condition, but when the move is strong, letting a trade run along the moving average keeps things simple and stress-free.
Example:
In this short-term 5-minute chart example, the 21 EMA acts as a dynamic trailing stop. There are two common approaches. You can wait for a candle to close below the 21 EMA, or use a crossover trigger where the 9 EMA crosses under the 21 EMA. The choice depends on how tightly you want to manage the trade and how much room you are willing to give it.
S&P 500 5min Candle Chart
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
3. Volatility-Based Stops (ATR)
When the market gets fast and messy, a fixed stop can either get hit too easily or feel too far away. That’s where volatility-based stops come in. The most common tool for this is the Average True Range (ATR).
Instead of using swing points, you trail your stop a set number of ATRs behind the current price. If ATR is rising, your stop gives the trade more room. If volatility shrinks, the stop tightens naturally. It’s an adaptive approach that works well in conditions where price is expanding or moving fast.
A popular setting is to use two times the current ATR value, but you can adjust it to suit your timeframe or risk tolerance.
Example:
This is a classic wedge breakout setup in gold. A trailing stop set at two times the ATR helps manage risk while giving the trade enough room to breathe. As price moves in your favour, the stop tightens automatically based on volatility. It’s worth remembering that trailing stops are only adjusted in one direction. Once set, they follow the move but are never loosened, which means the stop will eventually take you out as momentum fades or the market turns.
Gold Daily Candle Chart
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Decide on Your Technique BEFORE You Place the Trade
There’s no perfect way to trail a stop. Each method has its strengths. Structure-based stops keep you aligned with price action. EMAs are smooth and simple. ATR lets volatility do the work for you.
The most important thing is to make a decision before you place the trade. Know whether you’re using a manual swing method or a dynamic indicator. Know what would trigger a move in your stop, and what would keep it steady. Avoid changing the plan just because the trade gets emotional.
Trailing stops give you freedom. They let you step back, protect your capital and give your best trades a real chance to develop. Used properly, they enhance trade management consistency.
Disclaimer: This is for information and learning purposes only. The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance. Social media channels are not relevant for UK residents.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 85.24% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Xmoon Indicator Tutorial – Part 2 – Pivots🔻🔻🔻+ Persian translation below 🔻🔻🔻
🔹 What Is a Pivot?
In the Xmoon strategy, every high or low that forms on the chart is considered a pivot.
The number of candles between two highs or two lows defines the size of the pivot.
The more candles there are between them, the larger and more reliable the pivot becomes.
🔸 Types of Pivots in the Xmoon Indicator Settings
In the settings panel, you can choose which types of pivots the patterns should be based on.
There are 4 pivot types :
• Super Minor → the smallest pivot
• Minor
• Mid Major
• Major → the largest pivot
⏫ As you move from Super Minor to Major, the strength of the pivot increases — but the number of signals decreases.
⚖️ Choosing the Right Pivot = Your Trading Style
• Want more signals? → Use smaller pivots like Minor or Super Minor
• Prefer higher accuracy and lower risk? → Use larger pivots like Major or Mid Major
💡 Pro Tip: On higher timeframes, pivots perform better and help reduce risk.
✍️ Summary
If you're looking for frequent signals, trade on lower timeframes, and can handle higher volatility and pressure, then smaller pivots like Super Minor and Minor are a better choice.
But if you prefer quality over quantity, work on higher timeframes, and value clarity, peace of mind, and higher success rates, then larger pivots like Mid Major and Major are the way to go.
📣 If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to ask us. We’d be happy to help.
🔻🔻🔻 Persian Section – بخش فارسی 🔻🔻🔻
🔹 پیوت چیست؟
در استراتژی ایکسمون، هر قله یا درهای که روی چارت شکل میگیرد، یک پیوت محسوب می شود
فاصله زمانی بین دو قله یا دو دره (یعنی تعداد کندلهایی که بینشان قرار دارد) اندازهی پیوت را مشخص میکند
هرچه تعداد کندل بین دو سقف یا کف بیشتر باشد، آن پیوت بزرگتر و معتبرتر است
🔸 انواع پیوت در تنظیمات اندیکاتور ایکسمون
در بخش تنظیمات، میتوانید مشخص کنید که الگوها بر اساس چه نوع پیوتهایی شناسایی شوند
ما ۴ نوع پیوت داریم
• سوپر مینور ← کوچکترین پیوت
• مینور
• میدماژور
• ماژور ← بزرگترین پیوت
⏫ هرچه از سوپرمینور به سمت ماژور برویم، قدرت پیوت بیشتر میشود، ولی تعداد سیگنالها کمتر می شود
⚖️ انتخاب پیوت مناسب = سبک معاملاتی شما
• به دنبال سیگنال زیاد هستید ← پیوت کوچک تر = مینور و سوپرمینور
• به دنبال دقت بیشتر و ریسک کمتر هستید← پیوت بزرگتر = ماژور و میدماژور
💡 نکته حرفهای: در تایمفریمهای بالا، پیوتها عملکرد بهتری دارند و به کنترل ریسک کمک میکنند
✍️ جمعبندی
اگر دنبال سیگنالهای زیاد هستید، در تایمفریمهای کوچکتر کار میکنید و میتونید نوسانات و فشار روانی بالاتر رو تحمل کنید، پیوتهای کوچکتر مثل سوپرمینور و مینور انتخاب مناسبتری هستند
اما اگر در تایم فریم های بزرگتر کار می کنید و کیفیت سیگنال، آرامش ذهنی و احتمال موفقیت برایتان مهمتر است، پیوتهای بزرگتر مثل میدماژور و ماژور انتخاب بهتری هستند
📣 اگر سوالی دارید یا نیاز به راهنمایی دارید، خوشحال میشویم از ما بپرسید
با کمال میل در خدمتتان هستیم
Using Astro: indicators on non-24/7 chartsWhen loading AstroLib powered Astro: indicators on non-24/7 assets like NatGas, you may notice the indicator has gaps and the plots are not smooth. A simple workaround is to pull up a BTC chart, load the indicator, merge the two panes, hide the BTC plots, and then compare the non-24/7 asset in another pane. The chart for this TradingView Idea is a template that can be used for this workaround. Just click "Grab this chart" above to make your own working copy.
Wedge Pattern — A Key to Trend Movements📐 Wedge Pattern — A Key to Trend Movements 📈
🔍 Introduction
The Wedge is a chart pattern that represents a phase of directional consolidation following a trending move. It can act as a continuation 🔄 or a reversal 🔃 signal, depending on the context. The structure consists of two converging trendlines, both sloping in the same direction.
🧩 Pattern Description
Unlike the Flag pattern 🚩, the Wedge has no flagpole and doesn’t depend on the direction of the previous move. The direction of the wedge body determines its type:
A falling wedge ⬇️ is bullish 🟢 (buy signal)
A rising wedge ⬆️ is bearish 🔴 (sell signal)
The breakout is the key point to watch. The two trendlines slope in the same direction but at different angles, causing them to converge. This reflects a loss of momentum ⚠️ and typically indicates that buyers or sellers are preparing to take control.
This pattern can act as:
A continuation signal 🧭 — appearing at the end of a correction
A reversal signal 🔄 — forming at the end of a strong trend
📉 Volume is usually low during the wedge and rises on breakout. A low-volume breakout increases the risk of a false breakout ❗. Often, price retests the breakout level 🔁, giving traders a second chance to enter.
🎯 Entry & Stop-Loss Strategy
📥 Entry: On breakout confirmation
🛑 Stop-loss: Below the pattern’s low (bullish) or above its high (bearish), or under/above the most recent local swing point
🎯 Target: Project the height of the widest part of the wedge from the breakout point. Alternatively, use key price levels 📊 or a trailing stop 🔂 to lock in profits.
💡 My Pro Tips for Trading the Wedge
✅ Pattern Criteria
Two converging trendlines ➡️➕➡️
Clearly defined structure ✏️
Prior trending move before the wedge 🚀
Low volume within the wedge 📉, high volume on breakout 📈
Retest of breakout level = confirmation 🔁
🔥 Factors That Strengthen the Signal
Breakout on strong volume 📊💥
Appears after an extended trend 🧭📉📈
More touches = stronger pattern ✍️
Breakout occurs close to the apex 🎯
⚠️ Factors That Weaken the Signal
Low volume on breakout 😐
Poorly defined trendlines 🫥
Few touches on lines
Early breakout (too far from apex) ⏱️
No prior trend / appears in a range-bound market 📏
✅ Examples of My Successful Wedge Trades
📸
❌Examples of Failed Wedge Overview
💥
💬 Do you use the wedge pattern in your trading?
It’s a powerful pattern, especially when confirmed by volume and market structure. Share your favorite wedge setups or ask questions below 👇👇
How Do Traders Use the Pivot Points Indicator? How Do Traders Use the Pivot Points Indicator?
Pivot points are a popular technical analysis tool for spotting areas where the price is expected to react, i.e. pause or reverse. Calculated using the previous day’s high, low, and close, they’re projected onto the current session to highlight potential support and resistance levels, especially useful for intraday traders.
Alongside stock charts, pivot point levels can be used in a wide variety of markets, including forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies*. As a versatile indicator, pivot points also come in many different types. This article breaks down the definition of pivot points, the variations traders use, and how they can fit into a broader trading strategy.
A Deeper Look at Pivot Points
A common question in technical analysis is, “What is a pivot point?” Pivot points trading, or pivot point theory, is a popular technical analysis concept used in a range of financial asset classes, including stocks, currencies, cryptocurrencies*, and commodities. The indicator assists traders in gauging overall market trends and determining possible support and resistance barriers.
How to Read Pivot Points
The pivot point indicator is static—it’s an average of the high, low, and close prices from the previous trading day. It includes three levels: pivot point (P), support (S), and resistance (R). If the price is above the pivot point, it is supposed to target resistance barriers. Conversely, if it’s below the pivot, it could move to support levels. Thus, support and resistance levels serve as targets or stop-loss zones. They remain constant throughout the period, enabling traders to plan ahead.
In the EURUSD daily chart below, the price is trading above R2; therefore, market sentiment is assumed to be bullish. R3 indicates the next possible price target. Should a shift below P occur, bearishness arises, and S1 becomes the upcoming support level.
Pivots are widely used with trend indicators such as moving averages and Fibonacci tools. In the chart below, Fibonacci retracements could be used to identify intermediate levels of support and resistance within widely placed pivots.
How to Calculate Pivot Points?
There are four key types of pivots, including standard, Woodie’s, Camarilla, and Fibonacci. While there’s no need to use a pivot points calculator—they’re calculated automatically when implemented on a price chart—it is worth looking at their formulas to understand how they differ from each other.
Note the labels for the following formulas:
P = pivot point
H = high price
L = low price
C = close price
Standard Pivot Points
Traders commonly use standard pivot points. Traditional pivots (P) identify potential levels of support (S) and resistance (R) by averaging the previous trading period's high, low, and close prices.
P = (H + L + C) / 3
S1 = (2 * P) - H
S2 = P - (H - L)
R1 = (2 * P) - L
R2 = P + (H -L)
Although they are popular among traders, they can produce false signals and lead to incorrect trades in ranging markets and during periods of high volatility.
Woodie’s Pivot Points
Woodie's pivots are similar to standard pivots but include a slight modification to the calculation. In Woodie's method, the close price is assigned more weight.
P = (H + L + 2 * C) / 4
R1 = (2 * P) - L
R2 = P + H - L
S1 = (2 * P) - H
S2 = P - H + L
However, their extra sensitivity can make them less reliable during choppy markets or when the price lacks a clear direction.
Camarilla Pivot Points
Camarilla pivots use a set formula to generate eight levels: four support and four resistance. They are based on the previous day’s close and range and multiplied by a certain multiplier. The inner levels (R3 and S3) often act as reversal zones, while R4 and S4 are watched for breakouts. Still, in trending markets, the reversals can fail frequently.
R4 = C + (H - L) x 1.5
R3 = C + (H - L) x 1.25
R2 = C + (H - L) x 1.1666
R1 = C + (H - L) x 1.0833
P = (High + Low + Close) / 3
S1 = C - (H - L) x 1.0833
S2 = C - (H - L) x 1.1666
S3 = C - (H - L) x 1.25
S4 = C - (H - L) x 1.5
Fibonacci Pivot Points
Fibonacci pivot points are based on the Fibonacci sequence, a popular mathematical concept in technical analysis.
They are calculated in the same way as the standard indicator. However, the levels of support and resistance are determined by including the Fibonacci sequence with a close monitoring of the 38.2% and 61.8% retracement levels as the primary price points.
P = (High + Low + Close) / 3
S1 = P - (0.382 * (H - L))
S2 = P - (0.618 * (H - L))
R1 = P + (0.382 * (H - L))
R2 = P + (0.618 * (H - L))
Despite their popularity, Fibonacci pivots can become less reliable when the price reacts to other fundamental drivers.
Trading with the Pivot Points
Although every trader develops their own trading approach, there are common rules of pivot point trading that are expected to improve their effectiveness.
Day Trading
Day trading with pivot points is usually implemented for hourly and shorter intraday timeframes. As pivot levels are updated daily and calculated on the previous day's high, low, and close prices, this allows traders to react promptly to market changes and adjust their strategies. Some traders prefer Camarilla pivots as their calculation takes into account the volatility of the previous trading period to produce pivot levels closer to the current price.
Medium-Term Trading
When looking at a medium-term analysis, weekly pivot levels are added to four-hour and daily charts. These are calculated using the previous week's high, low, and close prices, which remain unchanged until the start of the next week.
Long-Term Trading
For longer-term analysis, traders use monthly pivots on weekly charts. These levels, gathered from the previous month's data, offer a broader picture of market trends and price movements over time.
Pivot Point Trading Strategies
The pivot points indicator is typically used in two ways – breakout and reversal trading.
Breakout Trading Strategy
The breakout approach seeks to take advantage of market momentum by entering trades when prices break above or below significant levels of support and resistance.
- Bullish Breakout. When levels P and R1 are broken, and the price closes above either, it’s more likely a rise will occur.
- Bearish Breakout. When levels P and S1 are broken, and the price closes below either, it’s more likely the price fall will occur.
Strong momentum and high volume are two critical factors needed for a solid price movement in both cases.
Trading Conditions
If a breakout is confirmed, traders enter a trade in the breakout direction. A take-profit target might be placed at the next pivot level. A stop-loss level can be placed beyond the previous level or calculated according to a risk/reward ratio. Traders continuously monitor their trades and adjust their stop-loss levels to lock in potential returns if prices move in their favour.
Reversal Trading Strategy
The reversal strategy seeks to take advantage of a slowdown in market momentum by entering trades when prices stall at significant levels of support or resistance.
- Bullish Reversal. When levels S1 and S2 are not broken and the price stalls above either, a reversal is more likely to occur.
- Bearish Reversal. When levels R1 and R2 are not broken and the price stalls below either, a reversal is expected to happen.
Note: Reversals are always confirmed by another indicator or a chart pattern.
Trading Conditions
If a reversal is confirmed, traders consider entering a trade in its direction. The next level may be a take-profit target, which might be trailed to the next level if the market conditions signal a continuation of a price move. A stop-loss level is typically placed below a swing low or above a swing high, depending on the trade direction.
Pivot Points and Other Indicators
While pivots show where the price may reverse, there’s nothing to say a market won’t trade through these areas. Therefore, traders typically pair them with other technical indicators and patterns.
Candlestick and Chart Patterns
Traders often combine levels with specific reversal candlestick formations, like three black crows/three white soldiers or engulfing patterns, to confirm a change in market movements. For example, a bullish engulfing candle forming at S1 could reinforce the idea of a reversal at that level.
Moving Averages
When a pivot aligns with a major moving average, e.g. the 50-period or 200-period EMA, it strengthens the area. As moving averages act as dynamic support and resistance levels, an overlap can signal a strong area where a reversal might occur.
RSI and Stochastic Oscillator
Momentum indicators like RSI or Stochastic help judge whether the price is likely to bounce or break through a pivot. If it hits support and RSI is oversold, that adds conviction. But if momentum is still strong in one direction, it might get ignored.
Considerations
Even with strong confluence, these combinations can fail. Markets don’t always respect technical alignment, especially around data releases or sharp movements in sentiment. For instance, in stocks, pivot points may be ignored if an earnings release strongly beats analyst estimates. Instead, they are believed to work when treated as one piece of a broader technical framework.
Limitations
Pivot points are widely used, but like any tool, they have flaws. They’re based purely on past price data, so they don’t account for news, sentiment shifts, or broader market context.
- False signals in ranging markets: The price often oscillates around pivot zones in markets without a clear direction, meaning setups might not follow through.
- Less reliable during strong trends: In trending conditions, the price can blow past several levels without reacting.
- No built-in volatility filter: The points don’t adapt to changing volatility, so levels might be too close or too far apart to be useful.
- Lag in real-time shifts: Since pivots are pre-calculated, they don’t adjust mid-session as new data emerges.
Final Thoughts
Pivot points are widely used in stock trading as well as in commodity, cryptocurrency*, and currency markets. While they can be useful tools, their limitations cannot be overlooked. It is essential to conduct a comprehensive analysis and confirm the indicator signals with fundamental and technical analysis tools.
FAQ
What Is a Pivot Point in Trading?
The pivot point meaning refers to a technical analysis tool used to identify potential support and resistance levels. It’s calculated using the previous day’s high, low, and close prices, and helps traders find areas where the price may react during the current session.
What Is the Best Indicator for Pivot Points?
There isn’t one best indicator, but traders often pair pivot points with moving averages, RSI, or candlestick patterns to confirm a potential reversal. The most effective setup usually depends on the strategy and market conditions.
What Are the Pivot Points’ R1, R2, and R3?
R1, R2, and R3 are resistance levels above the central point. They represent increasingly stronger potential resistance zones where the price may stall or reverse.
Which Is Better, Fibonacci or Camarilla?
Fibonacci offers wider levels based on retracement ratios, useful in trending markets. Camarilla focuses on tighter reversal zones, which are mostly used for intraday strategies. Each suits different trading styles; neither is objectively better.
*Important: At FXOpen UK, Cryptocurrency trading via CFDs is only available to our Professional clients. They are not available for trading by Retail clients. To find out more information about how this may affect you, please get in touch with our team.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Thea **Cup and Handle** pattern✨ **Imagine the market serving profits in a teacup!**
Thea **Cup and Handle** pattern isn’t just a technical term—it’s the market whispering, *“Get ready for liftoff!”* Let’s break it down in an engaging way:
### ☕ The Cup
- Picture a graceful drop in price that curves back up, forming a U-shape.
- It’s like the market takes a sip, then refills—symbolizing recovery and building strength.
### 🛠️ The Handle
- After the cup fills, the price dips slightly again, forming a small slope downward.
- This is the “handle”—a moment of consolidation, often with lower trading volume.
- It’s the calm before the bullish storm.
### 💡 Bullish Signal
- When the price **breaks above the handle’s resistance**, it’s like the market pulls the trigger.
- This signals a potential buying opportunity as the trend resumes upward.
### 📆 Duration
- The cup can take weeks or even months to form, while the handle is shorter and more subtle.
- Patience pays off, as the breakout often leads to explosive momentum.
---
🏆 *Want proof?* Check the comments—one of our past trades using this exact pattern scored a massive win of **100,000 pips**! 🚀
Technical analysis isn’t just charts and numbers—it’s decoding the market’s rhythm.
Option Chain AnalysisTable of Contents
Introduction to Option Chain
What Is an Option Chain?
Key Components of an Option Chain
Call vs. Put Options in the Chain
How to Read an Option Chain
Open Interest (OI) Analysis
Implied Volatility (IV) Analysis
Strike Price Selection
Support and Resistance Levels from Option Chain
Option Chain for Intraday & Swing Trading
1. Introduction to Option Chain
In the world of options trading, success is not just about buying calls or puts randomly—it’s about understanding market data. One of the most important tools for analyzing this data is the Option Chain. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced trader, mastering option chain analysis can help you identify market sentiment, key levels, and trading opportunities.
2. What Is an Option Chain?
An Option Chain, also known as an Options Matrix, is a tabular representation of all available option contracts (both Call and Put) for a particular underlying asset—like Nifty, Bank Nifty, Reliance, TCS, etc.—for a specific expiry date.
It shows:
Strike prices
Premiums (Prices)
Open interest (OI)
Volume
Implied volatility (IV)
Bid/ask prices
Think of it like a menu card for options, showing all the possible trades you can take, and key stats about each.
3. Key Components of an Option Chain
✅ Strike Price:
The price at which you can buy (Call) or sell (Put) the underlying asset.
✅ Premium (LTP):
The last traded price (LTP) of the option.
✅ Open Interest (OI):
The number of open contracts for a strike price. Indicates trader interest.
✅ Change in OI:
The change in open positions compared to the previous day.
✅ Volume:
The number of contracts traded in the current session.
✅ Implied Volatility (IV):
Market's expected volatility of the underlying asset.
4. Call vs. Put Options in the Chain
In every option chain, you’ll see two sections:
Call Options (Left side) Put Options (Right side)
Bullish expectation Bearish expectation
Buy if expecting upside Buy if expecting downside
Sell if expecting sideways/down Sell if expecting sideways/up
Usually, the middle column contains strike prices, with Call data on the left and Put data on the right.
5. How to Read an Option Chain
Let’s take an example:
Assume Nifty is trading at 22,200. You look at the Nifty option chain.
You’ll see multiple rows of strike prices (e.g., 22,000, 22,100, 22,200…) and for each, data like LTP, OI, IV.
Look for:
ATM (At-the-money): Closest strike to the current price (22,200).
ITM (In-the-money): For calls, strikes < spot; for puts, strikes > spot.
OTM (Out-of-the-money): For calls, strikes > spot; for puts, strikes < spot.
Example:
22,200 is ATM.
22,100 Call is ITM.
22,300 Call is OTM.
6. Open Interest (OI) Analysis
OI is one of the most powerful indicators in option chain analysis. It shows where traders are placing their bets.
✔️ What to Look For:
High OI = Strong interest at that strike.
Increase in OI = New positions being added.
Decrease in OI = Positions being closed.
✔️ Interpretations:
High OI in Call → Resistance level.
High OI in Put → Support level.
Let’s say:
22,500 Call has 30 lakh OI → Strong resistance.
22,000 Put has 35 lakh OI → Strong support.
This gives you the trading range of Nifty: 22,000 to 22,500.
7. Implied Volatility (IV) Analysis
IV represents the market's future expectations of volatility. Higher IV means higher premiums.
✔️ Why IV Matters:
When IV is high, options are expensive.
When IV is low, options are cheaper.
✔️ Practical Use:
Sell options when IV is very high (premium is inflated).
Buy options when IV is low (premium is cheap).
8. Strike Price Selection
Choosing the right strike is key for successful trading.
✔️ For Buying Options:
Buy slightly ITM for better delta and time value.
ATM works for short-term, fast movements.
✔️ For Selling Options:
Sell OTM options with high OI and low IV.
✔️ Tip:
Always check the OI and IV before choosing a strike. Avoid illiquid strikes (with low OI or volume).
9. Support and Resistance Levels from Option Chain
You can spot support and resistance based on OI data.
✔️ Support:
Strike where Put OI is highest.
E.g., 22,000 Put with highest OI = Support zone.
✔️ Resistance:
Strike where Call OI is highest.
E.g., 22,500 Call with highest OI = Resistance zone.
This helps you create a trading range.
10. Option Chain for Intraday & Swing Trading
✅ Intraday Trading:
Watch change in OI during live market.
Spike in Call OI → Possible resistance forming.
Spike in Put OI → Possible support forming.
✅ Swing Trading:
Analyze overall OI trend.
Look at monthly expiry data.
Identify positional buildup or unwinding.
How I Analyze Any Coin in 60 Seconds: 4-Step Masterclass!Heyy traders, it’s Skeptic from Skeptic Lab! 🩵 I’m breaking down my lightning-fast method to analyze any coin in just 60 seconds . This 4-step process is how I spot long/short triggers like a pro. Buckle up, let’s dive in:
✔️ Step 1: Identify HWC/MWC/LWC (10 seconds)
Nature’s got a cool vibe—bet a lot of you hit the outdoors on weekends. When I see an apple tree from afar, it’s majestic, but up close, I spot branches and worm-eaten fruit. From a distance, I miss the details; up close, I lose the tree’s grandeur. Markets work the same. You need different timeframes to grasp the market structure. With practice in Dow Theory, trends, and tools, spotting HWC (Higher Wave Cycle), MWC (Mid Wave Cycle), and LWC (Lower Wave Cycle) becomes second nature. For me, this takes 10 seconds.
Want a full HWC/MWC/LWC guide? Check my free article I wrote a while back—it’s a hands-on tutorial ( link Cycle Mastery ).
📊 Step 2: Draw Support/Resistance Lines (20–30 seconds)
I start with higher timeframes: Monthly, then Weekly, then Daily. Once I’ve drawn lines up to Daily, I don’t always redraw for lower timeframes—often, I just adjust them.
Pro tip : Give more weight to the right side of the (recent data) since it’s fresher and more valuable. I change line colors for 4-hour lines, so I know they’re less critical than Daily. I don’t draw lines below 4-hour, but if you’re a scalper, tweak this to your strategy. This step takes me 20–30 seconds, the longest part.
📉 Step 3: Analyze Candles, Volume, Oscillators, and Indicators (10–15 seconds)
Here, I check everything I can: candles, volume, oscillators, and indicators . The goal? Stack confirmations for my triggers. Think RSI hitting overbought, volume spikes, larger candle sizes, or momentum surges—you get the vibe. This step’s length depends on your tool mastery. For me, it’s quick because I know what to look for.
🔔 Step 4: Check Coin Dominance (5–10 seconds)
This is the most critical yet simplest step. We need to track where liquidity’s flowing . For example, if SOL/BTC is bearish, I skip buying Solana—liquidity’s exiting. BTC.D (Bitcoin Dominance) is also key. The relationships dominance creates are complex and don’t fit in one analysis, but if you want a full dominance tutorial, drop it in the comments!
🔼 Key Takeaway: Using these 4 steps—HWC/MWC/LWC, support/resistance, candles/indicators, and dominance—I analyze any coin in 60 seconds. Your speed depends on experience and knowledge. If you’re new, this might take 60 minutes per coin, but don’t sweat it— practice makes you lightning-fast . Thanks for vibing with this educational idea! <3 I’ll catch you in the next one—good luck, fam!
💬 Let’s Talk!
Want a dominance tutorial or more tips? Hit the comments, and let’s crush it together! 😊 If this guide lit your fire, smash that boost—it fuels my mission! ✌️
Indicator Decoded: RSI Mega Zones: Signals from the EdgeMost traders are familiar with the textbook RSI levels—70 indicating overbought and 30 indicating oversold. But markets, especially in strong momentum phases, do not always obey these boundaries. That is where the concept of Mega Overbought and Mega Oversold zones becomes vital. These are not fixed thresholds, but adaptive zones often beyond 80 and below 20, where the RSI reflects extreme strength or weakness. Rather than acting as reversal points, these levels often signal trend continuation.
A reading above 80 is typically seen during powerful uptrends or post-breakout rallies. It indicates not just buying, but unhesitating, aggressive demand, especially after key resistance zones have been cleared. Such RSI levels have often not been seen in several months—if not more than a year—making their appearance especially significant. Rather than a signal of exhaustion, this may be the start of a major trend, suggesting that the broader structure of the stock or index has shifted decisively. Traders who misinterpret this as a reversal signal often find themselves fighting momentum. Instead, price tends to grind higher, sometimes pausing briefly before further gains. This is why the chapter suggests using Mega Overbought zones as confirmation of bullish control, not a trigger for counter-trades.
The inverse applies to the Mega Oversold zone—RSI falling below 20. This is usually not a buy-the-dip moment, especially if the broader trend and chart structure are bearish. Such readings typically accompany panic-driven breakdowns, where sellers dominate without any counterforce. These extreme values are often rare and may not have appeared for months or even over a year, marking a moment where the market’s character may be undergoing a structural change. As with Mega Overbought, context is critical. If RSI hits such depths after prolonged distribution or a topping pattern, it does not indicate value—it confirms that the tide has turned, and a strong downtrend may be setting in.
Both Mega zones are best used in conjunction with structure—trendlines, volume shifts, anchored VWAP zones, or price patterns. The RSI alone is not enough. But when it aligns with other technical signals, a Mega Overbought or Oversold status becomes a momentum amplifier, not a contrarian prompt. In fact, your RSI chapter rightly warns that entering against such zones can be fatal unless clear divergences, climax patterns, or volume exhaustion are also present. Think of these extremes not as ceilings or floors, but as accelerators when backed by structure.
A word of caution: These signals are rare and often widely spaced. The real challenge lies in managing risk–reward, as strong momentum and shallow pullbacks can make it difficult to find entries with favourable R:R ratios.
Chart: Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) – Daily Chart with 20-DMA and RSI (as on July 25, 2025)
Microsoft continues its strong upward trajectory, with price action staying well above the rising 20-day simple moving average. The recent surge in RSI into the mega overbought zone marks a significant shift in momentum, as the indicator revisits such elevated levels after nearly a year—an occurrence that often coincides with extended bullish phases.
Xmoon Indicator Tutorial – Part 1 – Strategy🔻🔻🔻+ Persian version below🔻🔻🔻
📘 Xmoon Indicator Tutorial – Part 1
🎯 3Push Divergence RSI Strategy
🔥 The core of the Xmoon indicator
is built upon one of the most powerful strategies in technical analysis:
The advanced 3Push Divergence RSI pattern
🔁 A pattern that typically appears at key market turning points.
📉 When the price moves in the same direction three consecutive times on pivot points (e.g., making lower lows or higher highs), but the RSI shows the opposite behavior, it indicates a clear divergence !
💡 This divergence can act as a strong signal for a potential trend reversal.
🎯 The Xmoon Indicator is designed to detect this critical moment.
⚙️ Xmoon Indicator Settings Panel
The Xmoon settings panel offers the following options:
🔸 Pattern Type Selection: In the first and second lines, you can specify which type of pattern should be displayed: only bullish patterns or only bearish ones. You can also check both options.
🔸 Pivot Type Selection: From the dropdown menu, you can choose one of four pivot types:
“Super Minor”, “Minor”, “Mid-Major”, and “Major”, ordered from smallest to largest.
📌 Educational Note: The greater the distance (in candle count) between two lows or two highs, the larger the pivot is considered.
A Major Pivot is the largest among them.
✅ Larger Pivot = Higher Accuracy
❗ But naturally = Fewer Signals
📣 If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to ask us. We’d be happy to help.
🔻🔻🔻بخش فارسی – Persian Section 🔻🔻🔻
📘 آموزش اندیکاتور ایکسمون - قسمت اول
🎯 استراتژی سهپوش واگرایی (3Push Divergence RSI)
🔥 هسته اصلی ایکسمون
بر پایه یکی از قویترین استراتژیهای تحلیل تکنیکال طراحی شده است
الگوی پیشرفته سهپوش واگرایی
🔁 الگویی که معمولاً در نقاط چرخش مهم بازار ظاهر میشود
📉 وقتی قیمت سه بار پشت سر هم روی نقاط پیوت ، در یک جهت حرکت میکند (مثلاً کفهای پایینتر یا سقفهای بالاتر میسازد) ، اما آر-اِس-آی خلاف آن را نشان میدهد، یعنی یک واگرایی آشکار رخ داده است
💡این واگرایی میتواند سیگنالی قوی برای برگشت روند باشد
🎯 اندیکاتور ایکسمون این لحظه را شناسایی میکند
⚙️ پنجره تنظیمات اندیکاتور ایکسمون
در بخش تنظیمات اندیکاتور ایکسمون، امکاناتی در اختیار شما قرار دارند
🔸 انتخاب نوع الگو: در خط اول و دوم میتوانید مشخص کنید چه نوع الگویی نمایش داده شود
فقط الگوهای صعودی یا فقط نزولی. همچنین می توانید تیک هر دو گزینه را بزنید
🔸 انتخاب نوع پیوتها: از پنجره کشویی بالا، می توانید یکی از ۴ نوع پیوت را انتخاب کنید
پیوت ها به ترتیب از کوچک به بزرگ عبارتند از: سوپر مینور ، مینور ، میدماژور و ماژور
📌 نکته آموزشی: هرچه فاصله بین دو کف یا دو سقف بیشتر باشد (یعنی تعداد کندلهای بین آنها زیادتر باشد)، آن پیوت، بزرگتر محسوب میشود
پیوت ماژور از بقیه بزرگ تر است
✅ پیوت بزرگتر = دقت بالاتر
❗ اما طبیعتاً = تعداد سیگنال کمتر
📣 اگر سوالی دارید یا نیاز به راهنمایی دارید، خوشحال میشویم از ما بپرسید
با کمال میل در خدمتتان هستیم
5 Lessons from My First 100 TradesAfter executing and reviewing over 100 real trades in crypto, forex, and gold — I found patterns. Bad patterns. Repeating mistakes. And lessons I wish someone had told me earlier.
So I broke them down into 5 key insights that changed how I trade — and might just save you thousands.
📘 Here’s what’s inside:
1️⃣ Smart Profit-Taking:
How I turned 10 R/R into 32 R/R using a dynamic exit plan.
📘Further resource:
Cycle Mastery (HWC/MWC/LWC)
---
Multi-Timeframe Mastery
2️⃣ The Sleep Edge:
70% of my losing trades happened after bad sleep. Here’s why that matters more than emotions.
3️⃣ No More Blind Stop Orders:
Why I stopped using buy/sell stops without real candle confirmation — and what I do instead.
📘 Further reading:
Breakout Trading Mastery
---
Indecision Candle Strategy
4️⃣ Multi-Layered Setups Win:
How structure, S/R, patterns, and timing stack into high-probability entries.
5️⃣ News Trading? Just Don’t.
The data behind why most of my SLs were hit near news time — and how I avoid the trap.
💡 These aren’t theories. These are real lessons from real trades.
If this video helped you or sparked an “aha” moment, give it a boost, commenting your takeaway, and sharing it with a fellow trader.
lets grow together :)
Liquidity Sweep + FVG + RSIThis BCH/USDT 2H chart illustrates a textbook example of a liquidity sweep and reversal, backed by RSI confluence. Price repeatedly tested a horizontal resistance level, eventually triggering a breakout trap — enticing late buyers just before reversing.
The false breakout swept buy-side liquidity, trapping retail longs above resistance. Immediately after, price dropped back below the key level and formed a Fair Value Gap (FVG) — a common area where smart money re-enters positions. This signaled distribution rather than continuation.
Adding to the bearish confluence, RSI showed overbought conditions during the sweep, reinforcing that momentum was exhausted. Once liquidity was taken and RSI began dropping, a strong bearish move followed.
📉This setup combines multiple Smart Money Concepts:
🔁Liquidity engineering
🔁Breakout trap
🔁Fair Value Gap re-entry
🔁RSI confirmation
Bitcoin: Forecasting the Cycle ATHBitcoin has set a new all-time high this July, continuing the upward cycle tied to the spring 2024 halving. The decline in bitcoin dominance since early July has sparked a minor altcoin season. On this topic, I invite you to revisit my latest crypto analyses in the Swissquote market analysis archive. You can also subscribe to our account to receive alerts every time I publish a new crypto market analysis for Swissquote.
By clicking on the image below, you can read my latest perspective on Ether’s outperformance, which I now expect to last until the end of the cycle.
In this new article, I’ll address an important subject: the final top price for Bitcoin in this 2025 cycle. I’ll publish a separate article soon regarding timing. Today, I present three tools to combine in order to define a target zone for Bitcoin’s final cycle high by year-end.
1) Elliott Wave Technical Analysis on a Logarithmic Scale
Bitcoin is currently building wave 5 of the bullish cycle that started in autumn 2022 around $15,000. To calculate theoretical targets for wave 5, we use Fibonacci extensions, particularly projections from wave 3 and from the bottom of wave 1 to the top of wave 3. This gives a target range between $145,000 and $170,000.
2) Pi Cycle Top Prediction Tool
The Pi Cycle Top is based on the interaction of two moving averages: the 111-day MA and the 350-day MA multiplied by 2. Historically, a bullish crossover of the 111 MA above the 2×350 MA preceded the market peaks of 2013, 2017, and 2021 by a few days. This tool captures late-stage bull market speculation but can give false signals when used alone, hence the need for multiple approaches. The current 2×350-day MA stands at $175,000.
3) Terminal Price Tool
Developed by analyst Willy Woo, Terminal Price is an on-chain model based on Bitcoin’s fundamental network data. It combines the Price-to-Thermocap Ratio (market value vs cumulative mining cost) with a logarithmic metric to estimate a theoretical ceiling. Unlike the Pi Cycle Top, it does not rely on price action but on network economic activity, making it complementary. Terminal Price currently trends around $200,000.
Used together, these three approaches can help identify likely cycle top zones. The Pi Cycle Top signals excess momentum through price dynamics, while Terminal Price provides a more fundamental upper bound. Their convergence with Elliott wave analysis and Fibonacci extensions increases the probability that the final cycle top will occur by late 2025 in a range between $145,000 and $200,000.
DISCLAIMER:
This content is intended for individuals who are familiar with financial markets and instruments and is for information purposes only. The presented idea (including market commentary, market data and observations) is not a work product of any research department of Swissquote or its affiliates. This material is intended to highlight market action and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. If you are a retail investor or lack experience in trading complex financial products, it is advisable to seek professional advice from licensed advisor before making any financial decisions.
This content is not intended to manipulate the market or encourage any specific financial behavior.
Swissquote makes no representation or warranty as to the quality, completeness, accuracy, comprehensiveness or non-infringement of such content. The views expressed are those of the consultant and are provided for educational purposes only. Any information provided relating to a product or market should not be construed as recommending an investment strategy or transaction. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Swissquote and its employees and representatives shall in no event be held liable for any damages or losses arising directly or indirectly from decisions made on the basis of this content.
The use of any third-party brands or trademarks is for information only and does not imply endorsement by Swissquote, or that the trademark owner has authorised Swissquote to promote its products or services.
Swissquote is the marketing brand for the activities of Swissquote Bank Ltd (Switzerland) regulated by FINMA, Swissquote Capital Markets Limited regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), Swissquote Bank Europe SA (Luxembourg) regulated by the CSSF, Swissquote Ltd (UK) regulated by the FCA, Swissquote Financial Services (Malta) Ltd regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority, Swissquote MEA Ltd. (UAE) regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, Swissquote Pte Ltd (Singapore) regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Swissquote Asia Limited (Hong Kong) licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and Swissquote South Africa (Pty) Ltd supervised by the FSCA.
Products and services of Swissquote are only intended for those permitted to receive them under local law.
All investments carry a degree of risk. The risk of loss in trading or holding financial instruments can be substantial. The value of financial instruments, including but not limited to stocks, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and other assets, can fluctuate both upwards and downwards. There is a significant risk of financial loss when buying, selling, holding, staking, or investing in these instruments. SQBE makes no recommendations regarding any specific investment, transaction, or the use of any particular investment strategy.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The vast majority of retail client accounts suffer capital losses when trading in CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Digital Assets are unregulated in most countries and consumer protection rules may not apply. As highly volatile speculative investments, Digital Assets are not suitable for investors without a high-risk tolerance. Make sure you understand each Digital Asset before you trade.
Cryptocurrencies are not considered legal tender in some jurisdictions and are subject to regulatory uncertainties.
The use of Internet-based systems can involve high risks, including, but not limited to, fraud, cyber-attacks, network and communication failures, as well as identity theft and phishing attacks related to crypto-assets.
Angle of Ascent: what it means, how to use it.Angle of Ascent is a visual pattern that forms on a chart when stocks are running with momentum or velocity. Drawing a line along an up trending price action helps you see the Angle of ascent. Also Chaikins Osc and EMA MFI indicators are extremely helpful in warning a day ahead of time that the Angle of Ascent is too steep to sustain.
This is an exit signal for profit taking at or near the highest high of a swing style run.
Angle of Ascent is also used on Weekly Charts to determine how far a stock can run before resistance from previous highs will stall that stock and cause a minor to intermediate correction.
Recognizing when an angle of ascent has become too steep to sustain and using these indicators will help you hold a swing run but also help you exit before a retracement or correction starts.
The professional side of the market uses penny spreads, millisecond routing to the ques of the market, and can easily front run retail traders orders.
Reminder: retail brokers are required to light your order before sending to the PFOF Payment for Order Flow Market Maker of their choice.
The Digital Stock Market moves at a much faster pace with subtle nuances such as Angle of Ascent. As you become an advanced level trader to a semi-professional trader, or potentially a full time professional trader, these details matter more than when you are just learning stock trading.
Trade Wisely
Martha Stokes CMT