Unlocking The Power Of Correlation In Forex Trading.What Is Correlation In Forex Trading?
Understanding the role of correlation is of paramount importance in the world of forex trading as it offers valuable insights into the intricate relationships between currency pairs. By delving into the depths of correlations, traders gain the ability to make well-informed decisions and effectively manage their risk. This comprehensive article aims to delve into the concept of correlation within forex trading, shedding light on crucial aspects such as the correlation coefficient, commonly observed correlation pairs, and practical examples of currency correlation strategies.
In forex trading, correlation refers to the statistical measure of how two currency pairs move in relation to each other. It helps traders identify patterns and trends by studying the historical relationship between pairs, which can be instrumental in forecasting future price movements. The correlation coefficient, often denoted as "r," ranges between -1 and +1. A correlation of +1 signifies a perfect positive correlation, where the pairs move in the same direction, while a correlation of -1 denotes a perfect negative correlation, implying that the pairs move in opposite directions. A correlation close to zero suggests a weak or non-existent relationship between the pairs.
Certain currency pairs are well-known for exhibiting strong correlations. For instance, the EUR/USD and GBP/USD pairs tend to show a positive correlation due to their close economic ties and geographical proximity. Conversely, the USD/JPY and EUR/JPY pairs often demonstrate a negative correlation as they are influenced by different factors such as monetary policies and economic indicators.
Traders can capitalize on currency correlations by implementing various strategies. One such strategy is the hedging approach, where traders open positions in positively correlated pairs to mitigate risk. Another strategy involves trading divergences, wherein traders identify situations where the correlation between pairs deviates from its typical pattern, potentially indicating an opportunity for profit.
Correlation Coefficient:
The correlation coefficient is a statistical measure that provides insights into the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables. Denoted by the symbol "r," it ranges from -1 to +1, representing different levels of correlation.
A correlation coefficient of +1 indicates a perfect positive correlation, meaning that the two variables move in the same direction with a strong linear relationship. For example, if variable A increases, variable B also increases proportionally.
Conversely, a correlation coefficient of -1 represents a perfect negative correlation, where the two variables move in opposite directions with a strong linear relationship. In this case, as variable A increases, variable B decreases proportionally.
A correlation coefficient of 0 suggests no linear relationship between the variables, indicating that changes in one variable do not consistently impact the other variable.
The magnitude of the correlation coefficient reflects the strength of the relationship. Values closer to +1 or -1 indicate a stronger correlation, while values closer to 0 suggest a weaker correlation.
It is important to understand that the correlation coefficient measures only linear relationships and does not capture non-linear associations between variables. Additionally, correlation does not imply causation, meaning that a high correlation between two variables does not necessarily imply that changes in one variable cause changes in the other variable.
What is it Positive Correlation:
Positive correlation refers to the relationship between two variables where they tend to move in the same direction. In forex trading, there are currency pairs that often exhibit a strong positive correlation. Here are a couple of examples:
EUR/USD and GBP/USD: These currency pairs commonly display a positive correlation. Both EUR/USD and GBP/USD are major currency pairs, and they are influenced by similar factors such as economic data from the Eurozone and the United States. When one pair experiences an upward or downward movement, the other pair tends to follow a similar pattern.
AUD/USD and NZD/USD: The Australian dollar (AUD) and New Zealand dollar (NZD) are both commodity currencies, meaning their value is closely tied to commodity prices. These two currency pairs often exhibit a positive correlation due to their geographical proximity and similar economic ties. When commodity prices rise or fall, it can affect both the AUD/USD and NZD/USD in a similar manner.
...And What is it Negative Correlation:
Negative correlation refers to the relationship between two variables where they tend to move in opposite directions. In forex trading, there are currency pairs that often exhibit a strong negative correlation. Here are a couple of examples:
USD/JPY and EUR/JPY: Both USD/JPY and EUR/JPY pairs tend to have a negative correlation. The Japanese yen (JPY) is considered a safe-haven currency, meaning that during times of increased risk aversion in the market, investors tend to seek the safety of the yen, causing it to strengthen. As a result, both USD/JPY and EUR/JPY pairs typically decrease in value, leading to a negative correlation between these pairs.
USD/JPY and Gold: Gold is also considered a safe-haven asset. When there is market uncertainty or increased risk aversion, investors often flock to both gold and the Japanese yen as safe-haven investments. This can result in a negative correlation between USD/JPY and the price of gold. If the price of gold increases, indicating heightened risk aversion, USD/JPY often decreases as the yen strengthens.
It's important to note that correlations can vary over time and are not static. Traders should regularly assess and monitor correlations to understand the current relationship between currency pairs. Additionally, it's essential to consider other factors and conduct thorough analysis before making trading decisions based on correlations.
No Correlation:
There are currency pairs in forex trading that do not exhibit a significant correlation, meaning their price movements do not show a consistent relationship. Here are a couple of examples:
USD/CHF and GBP/JPY: USD/CHF involves the US dollar (USD) and the Swiss franc (CHF), while GBP/JPY involves the British pound (GBP) and the Japanese yen (JPY). These pairs usually have different fundamental factors influencing their exchange rates, such as economic indicators, monetary policies, and geopolitical factors. As a result, they often do not demonstrate a significant correlation.
USD/CAD and EUR/GBP: USD/CAD involves the USD and the Canadian dollar (CAD), while EUR/GBP involves the euro (EUR) and the British pound (GBP). These currency pairs represent different combinations with unique economic drivers. The factors affecting the USD/CAD pair, such as oil prices and economic conditions in Canada and the US, may differ from those influencing the EUR/GBP pair, which is influenced by factors related to the eurozone and the UK. Therefore, these pairs often exhibit little correlation.
Here are some examples of currency correlation strategies that traders may employ in forex trading:
Hedging Strategy: Traders can utilize currency correlation to hedge their positions. For instance, if a trader is long on EUR/USD (anticipating it to rise) but also observes a strong negative correlation between EUR/USD and USD/CHF, they can take a short position on USD/CHF to hedge their risk. This way, if EUR/USD moves against their initial position, the potential losses can be offset or minimized by the gains in the short USD/CHF position.
Diversification Strategy: Currency correlation can aid in portfolio diversification. By identifying currency pairs with low or negative correlations, traders can spread their risk across different currency pairs and decrease their exposure to any single currency. For example, if a trader is bullish on EUR/USD, they may seek currency pairs with a negative correlation to EUR/USD, such as USD/JPY or USD/CHF, to diversify their positions.
Correlation Breakout Strategy: Traders may look for periods when the correlation between two currency pairs breaks down or significantly deviates from its historical norm. When a strong correlation breaks, it can present trading opportunities. For instance, if a historically positive correlation between EUR/USD and GBP/USD weakens or turns negative, a trader might consider taking opposite positions on the two pairs, expecting them to converge or revert to their usual correlation.
Carry Trade Strategy: Carry trade involves borrowing in a low-interest-rate currency and investing in a high-interest-rate currency to capitalize on the interest rate differential. Correlation analysis can assist traders in selecting currency pairs for carry trades. For example, if a trader identifies currency pairs with positive correlation and implements a carry trade on one of the pairs, they can potentially reduce risk by avoiding carry trades on correlated pairs to prevent overexposure.
How To Trade Forex Correlation Pairs:
To effectively trade forex correlation pairs, follow these steps:
Conduct market analysis: Stay informed about the currency pairs you are interested in trading and the factors that affect their correlation. Stay updated on economic indicators, central bank policies, geopolitical events, and other relevant news that impact currency markets.
Identify correlation opportunities: Analyze the correlation between currency pairs to find trading opportunities. Use correlation coefficients, historical data, and technical analysis tools to identify pairs with high or low correlations.
Develop a trading strategy: Based on your analysis, develop a trading strategy that aligns with your risk tolerance and goals. Decide whether you want to engage in hedging, pairs trading, or other correlation-based strategies. Create a trading plan that includes entry and exit points, risk management techniques, and position sizing guidelines.
Implement risk management: Prioritize risk management to protect your capital. Set stop-loss orders to limit potential losses and take-profit orders to secure profits. Consider your risk-reward ratio and position size to manage risk effectively.
Execute trades: When the conditions align with your trading plan, execute your trades through your trading platform. Monitor the market closely, and make adjustments or exit trades if the correlation dynamics change.
Regularly review and adapt: Continuously evaluate the performance of your correlation-based trading strategy. Adjust your approach as needed based on market conditions, correlation changes, and the results of your trades. Keep learning and improving your skills as a forex trader.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, correlation analysis is a valuable tool for forex traders to gain insights into the relationships between currency pairs and make more informed trading decisions. By understanding the correlations, traders can effectively hedge their positions, diversify their portfolios, identify breakout opportunities, and implement carry trades. However, it's crucial to recognize that correlations are not fixed and can evolve over time, requiring traders to regularly monitor and adjust their strategies. By incorporating correlation analysis into their trading approach, forex traders can enhance their understanding of market dynamics and potentially improve their trading outcomes.
Correlations
Understanding Forex Correlation 📈📉Hello Traders! 😃 In this education idea, we are going to cover Forex Correlation and how you can use this information to help you make wise decisions in the market. Let's get started on this important topic...
What is Currency Correlation?
A currency correlation in forex is a positive or negative relationship between two separate currency pairs. A positive correlation means that two currency pairs move in tandem, and a negative correlation means that they move in opposite directions. Correlations can provide opportunities to realize a greater profit, or they can be used to hedge your forex positions and exposure to risk. If you can be certain that one currency pair will move alongside or against another, then you can either open another position to maximize your profits, or you could open another position to hedge your current exposure in case volatility increases in the market. However, if your forecasts are wrong when trading currency correlations, or if the markets move in an unexpected way, you could incur a steeper loss, or your hedge could be less effective than anticipated.
What is the Correlation Coefficient?
The correlation coefficient measures the correlation between different assets – in this case, currency pairs. It ranges from one number to another representing a perfect or negative correlation. For example, Mataf - www.mataf.net uses a correlation coefficient above 80 and positive to indicate that currencies move in the same way. It also uses a correlation coefficient above 80 and negative to show that the currencies move in the opposite way.
Why is it Important to Know if Currency Pairs are Positive or Negatively Correlated?
Currency correlation is important for traders to understand because it can have a direct impact on forex trading results, often without the trader’s awareness. As an example, assume that a trader buys two different currency pairs that are negatively correlated. The gains in one may be offset by losses in the other, which is often used as a hedging strategy. Meanwhile, buying two correlated pairs may double the risk and profit potential, since both trades will result in a loss or profit. They are not fully independent since the pairs move in the same direction.
What Are the Most Highly Correlated Currency Pairs?
The most highly correlated currency pairs are usually those with close economic ties. For example, EUR/USD and GBP/USD are often positively correlated because of the close relationship between the euro and the British pound – including their geographic proximity, and their status as two of the world’s most widely-held reserve currencies.
How to Trade Forex Pair Correlations?
You can trade forex pair correlations by identifying which currency pairs have a positive or negative correlation to each other. In the conventional sense, you would open two of the same positions if the correlation was positive, or two opposing positions if the correlation was negative. This is because if there was a perfect negative correlation between USD/CAD and AUD/USD having a long position on both pairs would effectively cancel each other out since the pairs would be assumed to move in opposing directions. But, if the correlation was perfectly positive, separate long positions on different pairs might help to increase your profits – or it could increase your losses if your forecasts are incorrect.
Final Thoughts
Before entering a trade with multiple positions, refer to a currency correlation chart to ensure that the pairs are positive or negatively correlated. It's important not to assume because some currency pairs may appear to move the same due to have the same base currency, but that is not always the case.
Traders, if you liked this idea and would like to see more education topics, please let me know in the comments! I'd love to hear your opinion! 😉
My layout of correlations
I always monitor correlations before doing day trading or swing trading on more assets, at the same time.
Correlation is a measure that defines how different assets move in relation to one another. The more the correlation coefficient is, the more they are aligned closely.
My layout of correlations here.
US Dollar and SP500 as references at first row of each table. My list of tickets consists of several subsets: Indices, Commodities , Financials and Currencies.
My Layout is 1x5
Correlation Frame 1x1 --> Daily perspective (timeframe 4h, lenght for calculation of correlation = 6)
Correlation Frame 1x2 --> Weekly perspective (timeframe 4h, lenght for calculation of correlation = 30)
Correlation Frame 1x3 --> Monthly perspective (timeframe 1D, lenght for calculation of correlation = 20)
Correlation Frame 1x4 --> 2-Monthly perspective (timeframe 1D, lenght for calculation of correlation =40)
Correlation Frame 1x5 --> 3-Monthly perspective (timeframe 1D, lenght for calculation of correlation = 60)
You can find this indicator in Tradingview, Tab indicator & strategies , by typing gCorrelations
Correlation between FX and Equities! (Chicken or the Egg?)Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Traders all over the globe are constantly looking for an edge, something that's going to give them an extra indication on market directional movements prior to them unfolding. I know from personal experiences and from chatting people at the firm that many traders lean towards finding correlation between the equities market and the FX market. There are a lot of analysts out there that say the equities market is what moves the FX market, and in return there are a lot of people that say the FX market is what moves the equities market.
So, which one is it?
Reality is will never know. There have been many of times where the FX market and shows clear indication of direction and then about a day later or a few hours later we have the equities follow suit. For example the RBA's recent decision to hike interest rates by .25% instead of 0.5% sent the Aussie dollar down, but when you move over to the AUS200 or look at General Equities in the ASX, you'll see that they had their biggest day in 2.5 years.
Then there are times, and this is more into day trading, where the indices in the equities movements tend to correlate well moving into the FX markets.
So there is evidence to support both sides. Not ideal.
It goes without saying that correlation between equities and FX is slowly starting to fade as volumes kick up since we are in the technologically advanced era. But, what is or was the correlation and how does it work?
The basic theory (aged) is that when equity markets rise, confidence in that specific country grows well, leading to an inflow of funds from foreign investors. Therefore, equities go up, FX value goes up. It's simple supply and demand when you look at it. If the equities are going up and you're a foreign investor and you want to buy into those equities, it creates demand for holding, let's say, the US dollar if I wanted to buy into the S&P 500.
On the flip side, when the equity markets are falling. Then confidence falters, causing investors to convert their invested funds back to their own currencies outside of that country.
This is a general theory and I don't recommend basing any of your trading decisions on this, because if you actually have a look at the charts and the correlation, you'll notice that recently it's not been too hot. While you do get a general directional bias, one tends to move before the other and they tend to be quite random in which one goes first. If you have the ability or the skill to be able to work out when something is correlating and when something isn't, then for sure I think you'll be able to find an edge in the market trading some kind of correlation between equities and FX.
One correlation I have seen to be quiet useful in recent times is the S&P 500 And the Nikkei. Although in the Asian session the Nikkei is open in the S&P 500 isn't. Usually you see the S&P move and the Nikkei follow suit. Keep an eye on that correlation and tell me if you find any patterns.
As a whole, trading correlations can give you an edge in the market. It can provide you with valuable information when it comes to trading, whether you are trading FX or trading Equities. But it's not as simple as it seems. It will take more diving and understanding the markets on a deeper level to know when their correlating and to know when to ignore.
I hope you guys have enjoyed this article. If so, please give us a like leave and a comment. It does help the post a fair bit and I'll see you next week for some more content. Happy Trading!
-Jordon Mellor
Three ways to follow market relationships on TradingView. All trading requires an understanding of how markets are related. Understanding these relationships will put you ahead of others that don’t get it.
Mean reversion and spread trades require a deeper understanding of how markets move together and how these relationships change. Like the weather, the degree of correlations, lag, convergence/divergence change all the time. It is that change that can bring about opportunity.
On TradingView, there are three really easy ways to measure relationships.
1 Use the ‘Compare’ Function.
Click Compare.
Select Market.
This creates an overlay, showing relative performance in percentage terms. The starting point is the visual start of the chart.
Tip#1: Choose starting points that are significant, like just before a big announcement or at a chart high or low.
Tip#2: Play around with time frames to look for patterns.
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2 Use Relative Strength (not RSI).
This is not the RSI most of us know. This ‘Relative Strength’ shows the performance of one market versus another based on momentum and change.
Select indicator and search ‘relative strength’. Look for an indicator that compares to a 2nd market. Example: ‘relative strength to SPX’. For this particular one, the default setting is to compare to SPX (obviously). In settings, change this to your chosen market. In the above chart, we use BTC.
A falling index shows market#1 underperforming. This can be used to show overbought/sold conditions, relatively speaking.
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3 Watch your Correlations.
The Correlation Coefficient measures the degree of statistical relationship between two markets.
Tip: Look for extreme levels/changes in the number. It can tell of a change in trend or breakout.
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Try all three and see what works for you and your markets. Look for patterns.
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Adding Instruments to TradingView Chart to Track CorrelationsQuick Tutorial video to show how I add and use other instruments like DXY and ES1! to track correlations across markets.
These correlations are a powerful confirmation to help identify behaviour across markets, to give confident in the forex or futures instrument you are trading.
I briefly mention Support & Resistance zones in this video. You can learn how I produce them in the recording of my recent live streaming class >>HERE<<
EW Analysis: BTCUSD And Friends In The Corrective PhaseHello traders!
Welcome to the Crypto Quick Overview chart with major cryptocurrencies of BTCUSD, ETHUSD, LTCUSD, DSHUSD , XRPUSD and BCHUSD in which we will show you how the cryptocurrencies look from Elliott Wave perspective.
In the Crypto market it's important to respect correlations, because they are most of the time moving together in positive correlation. Of course, there are no tick by tick correlations, but when analyzing it's very recommended to respect them!
Well, what we currently see is a corrective development within downtrend in all major cryptocurrencies, which means that Cryptos can see more weakness in the upcoming sessions, so they can be easily headed back new lows after these slow price actions and choppy + overlapped wave structures!
What we want to say is that don't fall in love with bulls just yet, because we see room for another, maybe the final wave down in the higher time frame charts and once/if they hit new lows, this is when we will expect a bullish reversal, but as always we need confirmations, which we currently don't have them yet!
Be humble and trade smart!
Disclosure: Please be informed that information we provide is NOT a trading recommendation or investment advice. All of our work is for educational purposes only.
EW Analysis: OIL + EURUSD + BTCUSD In Positive Correlation?!Hello traders!
Today we will talk about correlations in different markets!
Correlations are very important to recognize the direction. There are positive and negative correlations, but what we currently see in the FX market (EURUSD), Commodity market (Crude oil) and Cryptocurrency market (BTCUSD) is that they are in tight positive correlation! So, if we respect what market is doing and considering Elliott Wave bullish setups, then we can expect a bullish continuation for the next few weeks soon!
As you can see, Crude oil has clear five waves up and three waves of correction back to very important 50%-61,8% Fibonacci retracement, which means that it's already formed a bullish setup and it may easily continue higher in the upcoming sessions!
EURUSD is still forming the final wave (c) of a correction that can retest 50%-61,8% Fibonacci retracement and 1.1000 support level at the beginning of the next week, from where we can expect to follow Crude oil within an uptrend!
And looking at BTCUSD, just like EURUSD, it can be ready for a decline into wave (c) to a complete a three-wave corrective setback, where 50%-61,% Fibonacci retracement and 10000 level can be tested before an uptrend resumes together with Crude oil and EURUSD.
That being said, there are no tick by tick correlations, but from our experience, they always somehow get caught in the end.
However, there's nothing confirmed yet, but if Crude oil stays above wave (c), and if in the meantime EURUSD and BTCUSD bounced from projected support levels in an impulsive manner, then we can easily confirm a bullish continuation!
Be humble and trade smart!!
Disclosure: Please be informed that information we provide is NOT a trading recommendation or investment advice. All of our work is for educational purposes only.
EW Analysis: The Connection Between USD and BitcoinHello traders!
Today we will talk about US Dollar and Bitcoin!
We have noticed very interesting patterns and correlation between US Dollar and Bitcoin.
In the first chart we can clearly see bearish setup on US Dollar after that sharp and impulsive decline followed by a three-wave a-b-c expanded flat correction back to ideal 61,8% Fibo. retracement. At the same time, in the sceond chart even EURUSD can be making bullish setup after that strong five-wave rally followed by a three-wave a-b-c decline with a triangle in wave "b" back to ideal 78,6% Fibo. retracement, which indicates a corrective drop!
So, based on USD correlations, seems like USD Index can see some weakness in the upcoming sessions at least towards 97.00 - 96.50 area, while EURUSD may start recovering back to 1.1250 highs or maybe even 1.1300 area!
Well, as you can see in the third chart, when EURUSD turned down into a correction, even BTCUSD made a bigger and in our opinion corrective decline down to 9500 level, ideally for wave C of a big bullish triangle pattern, which can be seen in our previous idea! So, according to correlations with EURUSD, we believe that even BTCUSD can see a bigger recovery soon, ideally back to 61,8% - 78,6% Fibo. retracement and 11200 - 11700 area for wave D!
That being said, while USD Index can be headed lower, watch out for the recovery on EURUSD and BTCUSD in the upcoming week!
Bu humble and trade smart!
Disclosure: Please be informed that information we provide is NOT a trading recommendation or investment advice. All of our work is for educational purposes only.
How to Trade Correlations for New Traders - AUD/USD vs NZD/USDWelcome!
Here's a super simple chart, and strategy, which can help you get started in your trading journey.
Trading strongly correlated pairs and looking for divergences is hardly an industry secret. It's a standard technique, and one that is heavily employed by large institutional investors.
Basically, correlation means that certain pairs move in a similar fashion. For AUD/USD (AU) and NZD/USD (NU), they are both based on the USD, and the Australian and New Zealand economies are, broadly speaking, based on similar fundamentals. This means that the factors that impact the price of the AU market, will naturally have similar impacts on the NU market.
The great thing about the AU and NU correlation is that it's long lasting, and strong. For a few decades now, the pairs have had a 80%+ positive correlation (a positive correlation means two markets move in the SAME direction, whereas a negative correlation means that move in the OPPOSITE direction). This strong correlation has held steady through some significant market events. The exception is a period between 2014-2016, where correlation dropped to a low of 15% - but that was due to a variety of factors that are too in-depth to cover here. However, it's worth stating that if the correlation were to drop below 80% in the future, this strategy/technique would no longer be valid.
Hopefully the chart broadly explains things, but in a nutshell:
The pairs should move the same.
If they don't, e.g. if AU forms higher highs, but NU forms lower lows, that's a correlation divergence. Basically, the markets have moved out of synch for some reason. Often, these are simply short-term phenomenon, and we're counting on the correlation to re-establish itself, allowing us to profit from it.
The nature of correlation divergences is that you don't know which pair is going to break first. Therefore, you need a secondary signal in order to make a trade. For example, AU is making higher highs, and NU is making lower highs - which one is going to break? Well, a simple idea is to grab your favourite momentum indicator and look for divergences on either market. On our chart, this plays out in the mid-late April trade. AU is grinding higher, but forming a bearish momentum divergence. Therefore, we're looking for AU to break lower. We can use a moving average, or a trend line break as our confirmation signal to enter the trade. This one worked out wonderfully, but not all of them will.
Positive correlations are, like nearly all trading signals, stronger on higher time frames. on a 5min chart, correlations, like the markets themselves, are far more volatile. This is why I would suggest using H4 as your smallest time frame chart, and look at correlations on a Daily basis.
A great website to measure/track correlations is www.mataf.net
I hope that that all makes sense. I encourage you to try it out for yourself - pick two strongly correlated pairs and start training your brain to look for divergences. And, as with all trading, don't jump on the first correlation divergence you see. You need a secondary confirmation (e.g. momentum divergence, support/resistance), and then a confirmation signal, before making a trade. Trading success is all about how you do things, not what you do.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
DD
Triangle On Treasuries Suggests Limited Upside On StocksHello traders!
Today we will talk about treasuries (10year US Notes) and stocks (S&P500).
Well, as you may already know, treasuries and stocks are more or less in negative correlation and what we have noticed that 10y US Notes can be forming a big bullish triangle, while S&P500 can be finally finishing a five-wave rally from lows.
In EW theory, triangles are usually continuation patterns, so seems like treasuries can be headed higher, which means that stocks can see limited upside, especially now when we can clearly see five waves up from lows and according to EW rules, after every five waves, a three-wave pullback follows!
That said, if we are right, then ideal scenario would be a rally into the final wave "v" on treasuries, while stocks may see a deeper a-b-c correction! So, be aware of a potential sell-off and risk-off mode on stocks.
Disclosure: Please be informed that information we provide is NOT a trading recommendation or investment advice. All of our work is for educational purposes only.