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Benefits of studying Price Action in groups of currenciesEach week, we traders analyze a few currency pairs for possible trading opportunities. I want to draw your attention to also look at the entire group of corelating pairs i.e., all USD, all Euro, all JPY pairs and so on. To illustrate this, let us take a look at some JPY pairs. The following are some advantages of doing this type of analysis: 1) If you are bullish on a pair and can see that all or most of the JPY pairs are also bullish, it provides validation and higher level of confidence in your trade idea. 2) You can then study price action on all the pairs and do your technical analysis to find the pair(s) that point to the higher probability of success. 3) As you see from the charts I have posted, price action is similar but not identical in all cases. You can see pairs in early stage of a bullish move while in others it seems that the bullish mode has set in already. However, all pairs are currently consolidating and trading opportunities after a breakout/retest will be available in many of these. 4) This comparison of a few pairs also provides an opportunity to look at some fundamentals and recent news releases to find the best currency to pair with JPY based on the counter currency’s strength/weakness. 5) You also get the possibility to spread your risk in a few pairs instead of just one. While you must stay within the risk/money management parameters you have set for yourself in your trading plan, having multiple but smaller positions in 2 or more pairs, creates a kind of hedging that can be beneficial. Nothing is 100% in trading, so as always, use sound money and risk management and stay patient in all your trades. If you like my content, please give it a “thumbs up” and follow me to get even more.
Education
by Trading_Vista
The Limits of Fundamental Analysis: An In-Depth PerspectiveFundamental analysis serves as a comprehensive approach to evaluating securities, aiming to assess their intrinsic value by examining the underlying factors that shape their worth. This method involves a meticulous analysis of qualitative and quantitative aspects, enabling an assessment of a company's financial well-being, performance, and future prospects. By diving into financial statements, gathering relevant company information, conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis, performing forecasting, and utilizing valuation techniques, fundamental analysis empowers investors to make well-informed decisions regarding the long-term potential of a security. Undoubtedly, fundamental analysis provides valuable insights and a solid foundation for investment decision-making. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the limitations inherent in this approach and the necessity of adopting a holistic perspective when making investment decisions. While fundamental analysis offers a comprehensive understanding of a company's fundamentals, it may not account for short-term market fluctuations, investor sentiment, or external macroeconomic factors that can significantly impact the performance of a security. Therefore, combining fundamental analysis with other methodologies, such as technical analysis or considering market trends, can provide a more robust and well-rounded approach to investment decision-making. By recognizing the strengths and limitations of fundamental analysis and incorporating it into a broader framework, investors can strive to enhance their chances of making sound investment choices that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance. Knowing How and Why Fundamental Analysis Works Fundamental analysis is a meticulous approach to evaluating securities, such as stocks or bonds, by examining the underlying factors that impact their intrinsic value. This method involves a comprehensive analysis of both qualitative and quantitative factors to assess the financial health, performance, and future prospects of a company or investment. The process of fundamental analysis typically includes several key steps. It begins with analyzing the company's financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, to gain insights into its financial position and performance. Gathering relevant company information, such as details about the management team, business model, competitive advantages, and market share, is also crucial. Qualitative analysis plays a significant role in fundamental analysis. It involves evaluating industry dynamics, market trends, regulatory factors, and the competitive landscape to understand the broader context in which the company operates. This analysis helps assess the company's positioning and identify potential risks and opportunities. Quantitative analysis is another vital component of fundamental analysis. It involves examining financial ratios and metrics derived from the company's financial statements. Profitability ratios, liquidity ratios, and valuation ratios provide valuable insights into the company's financial performance, efficiency, and relative valuation. Forecasting and projections are integral to fundamental analysis. Analysts use historical data, industry trends, and other relevant information to make future projections of the company's revenues, earnings, and cash flows. These forecasts help evaluate the company's growth potential and estimate its intrinsic value. Valuation is a critical step in fundamental analysis. Analysts use various methods, such as discounted cash flow analysis, price-to-earnings ratios, and price-to-book ratios, to determine the intrinsic value of the company or investment. Based on the intrinsic value compared to the current market price, fundamental analysts make investment decisions. If the intrinsic value suggests that the investment is undervalued, it may be considered an attractive opportunity. On the other hand, if the intrinsic value is lower than the market price, it may indicate an overvalued investment. Arguments Against Fundamental Analysis : Fundamental Analysis Is Outdated For day traders, the immediate market conditions and price movements take precedence over future stock prices, which is a primary focus for long-term investors. Day traders rely on real-time information and timely data to make quick trading decisions. This is where charts become essential, as they provide up-to-date details on price changes, current stock prices, and moment-to-moment fluctuations. Fundamental analysis, on the other hand, relies on analyzing company financials and economic indicators, which are often released after a few days or each quarter. The lag between data releases makes fundamental analysis less suitable for day traders who require more immediate insights. Instead of waiting for economic reports and financial statements, day traders rely on chart analysis to identify trade setups and execute their trading strategies. In this context, fundamental analysis may not be as effective for day trading. Day traders heavily rely on technical analysis techniques, which involve studying charts, patterns, and indicators. These tools allow them to analyze price trends, identify key levels, and determine entry and exit points for their trades. By focusing on real-time data and chart readings, day traders can react swiftly to market movements and implement their trading plans effectively. It's important to understand that while fundamental analysis may have limited applicability for day trading, it remains a valuable tool for long-term investors who consider a broader range of factors and take a more extended perspective on investment decisions. Each approach serves its purpose depending on the trading style and goals of the investor. Fundamental Analysis Is Incapable of Predicting Immediate Reactions The response of the market to fundamental data points, whether they pertain to specific commodities, companies, or the overall economy, can often seem unpredictable. Even when a company's actual earnings exceed analysts' expectations, it does not guarantee that stock prices will always rise. In some cases, if traders had even higher expectations for the company's earnings, the actual result may be viewed as disappointing, leading to a decrease in the value of the asset. Conversely, if traders had anticipated even worse earnings, even a below-average result could cause the investment's value to increase. Market reactions to fundamental data are influenced by various factors, including market sentiment, investor expectations, and prevailing economic conditions. These factors create a complex interplay that can cause stock prices to deviate from what might be considered the "expected" response based solely on the fundamental data. Investors must understand that market reactions are not always straightforward or predictable. Gaining insights into market sentiment and investor expectations, in addition to conducting fundamental analysis, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of potential market movements. Furthermore, implementing risk management practices and adopting a diversified investment approach can help mitigate the impact of unexpected market reactions to fundamental data points. Without technical analysis, fundamental analysis cannot be completed. Fundamental analysis and technical analysis are two essential tools for understanding price movements and making informed trading decisions. Relying solely on one approach while ignoring the other would be a mistake. Instead, they should be used together to complement each other and provide a comprehensive understanding of the market. Fundamental analysis involves evaluating the underlying factors that drive market sentiment and determine the potential direction of prices. It provides insights into the overall health and prospects of the currencies or assets being traded. On the other hand, technical analysis focuses on analyzing historical price data, chart patterns, and indicators to identify optimal entry and exit points. By combining fundamental and technical analysis, traders gain a more holistic view of the market. Fundamental analysis helps answer the "why" behind price movements, while technical analysis helps determine the "when" to execute trades. Mastering technical analysis enables traders to spot early warning signs and changes in market sentiment, allowing them to react swiftly. By striking a balance between both approaches, traders can make well-informed decisions and improve their overall trading strategy. To enhance understanding of both fundamental and technical analysis, it is beneficial to gather materials and insights from various sources. This approach exposes traders to different perspectives and helps them develop a well-rounded knowledge base. Remember, successful trading involves incorporating both fundamental and technical analysis, rather than relying solely on one approach. Fundamental analysis can't explain why the market went too far. Fundamental analysis is a valuable tool for understanding the intrinsic value of an asset, but it may not fully account for market overreactions. When day trading, it's essential to be aware of significant price movements that can occur when fundamental news, such as the US Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) report, is released. During these important releases, the market can react rapidly and sometimes in an exaggerated manner. Positive news initially may create the perception of high employment rates, but subsequent information may reveal little change in unemployment or stagnant wages. It's important to recognize that market overreactions can happen. While certain economic news releases have a strong impact, their effects on market dynamics may not always be lasting or significant. To navigate these sudden market movements, it's crucial to implement strong money management practices. Robust money management strategies can help you better handle market overreactions and potential volatility. This includes setting appropriate Stop Loss orders, managing position sizes, and diversifying your portfolio. These practices protect your capital and mitigate the risks associated with market fluctuations caused by overreactions. While fundamental analysis provides valuable insights into the underlying factors driving market movements, it's important to be aware of the potential for market overreactions and adjust your trading strategies accordingly. Fundamental Analysis Cannot Predict Supply And Demand You are correct that fundamental analysis alone may not be sufficient to predict supply and demand dynamics in day trading, particularly in the forex market where currencies are traded in pairs. While fundamental analysis provides insights into the broader economic factors influencing both currencies, it is crucial to consider additional factors that impact supply and demand dynamics. Market sentiment and overall market dynamics play a significant role in determining the demand and supply of securities. Factors such as investor psychology, market trends, and prevailing market conditions can influence trading volumes and affect price movements beyond fundamental data. It is important to recognize that events unrelated to fundamental data, such as natural disasters or geopolitical tensions, can have a substantial impact on various financial instruments like bonds, stocks, or commodities. These events can shape market sentiment and have implications for day trading. Some events may have a minimal impact, while others can exert significant influence on market sentiment for a specific period. To succeed as a day trader, it is essential to consider a wide range of factors beyond fundamental analysis. This includes staying updated on market sentiment, monitoring technical indicators, and being aware of significant events or developments that may affect supply and demand dynamics. By adopting a comprehensive approach that combines fundamental analysis with an understanding of market sentiment and other relevant factors, you can gain a better understanding of supply and demand dynamics and make more informed trading decisions. Should You Use Fundamental Analysis? Deciding whether to incorporate fundamental analysis into your investment strategy depends on several factors, including your investment goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and trading style. While fundamental analysis offers valuable insights into a security's intrinsic value and long-term prospects, it is not the only approach to consider. Here are some key considerations to help you determine if fundamental analysis is suitable for you: 1 ) Long-Term Investment Goals: If you have a long-term investment horizon and aim to build a portfolio of fundamentally strong companies, fundamental analysis can be beneficial. By evaluating financial statements, industry dynamics, and company information, you can make informed decisions aligned with your long-term investment goals. 2) Value Investing: If you are a value investor, fundamental analysis is particularly relevant. By examining a company's financial health, earnings potential, and valuation, you can identify stocks that are trading below their intrinsic value, offering potential for long-term appreciation. 3 ) Fundamental-Focused Trading Strategy: For investors who employ a fundamental-focused trading strategy, fundamental analysis is crucial. This approach involves using fundamental factors to identify short-term trading opportunities. By analyzing company-specific news, economic indicators, and market trends, you can capitalize on short-term price fluctuations driven by fundamental factors. 4 ) Combining Approaches: Many investors adopt a hybrid approach by combining fundamental analysis with other methods, such as technical analysis or market sentiment analysis. Integrating different approaches can provide a more comprehensive view and help validate investment decisions. For example, technical analysis can help identify optimal entry and exit points based on short-term price patterns, complementing the long-term perspective offered by fundamental analysis. 5 ) Time and Effort: Consider the time and effort required for thorough fundamental analysis. Analyzing financial statements, researching industry trends, and staying updated with company news demands substantial time and research skills. If you have limited availability or prefer a more passive investment approach, fundamental analysis may not be the most suitable option. Ultimately, the decision to use fundamental analysis depends on your investment objectives and individual preferences. It's important to consider your own circumstances, risk tolerance, time availability, and level of expertise before incorporating fundamental analysis into your investment strategy. Fundamental analysis is indeed a valuable tool for investors, providing insights into the intrinsic value and long-term prospects of securities. However, it's important to recognize its limitations and the need to incorporate other methods into the investment process. By combining fundamental analysis with other approaches, investors can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the market and make better-informed decisions.
Education
by FOREXN1
8
✨ P2P INDi [PRO] ✨ TUTORIAL ✨1. Go to the 1D time frame 2. Open chart drop down menu and select Point and Figure* *Point & Figure below the 1D time frame is ONLY available to TradingView members that are subscribed to the Pro plan and above 3. Click on the SETTINGS wheel on the P2P INDi 4. Locate the DEFAULTS drop-down menu and select RESET SETTINGS 5. Click the INPUT tab 5. PIVOT PRICES (a) Identify price(s) nearest the Pivot High (PH) and the Pivot Low (PL) (b) Place those coordinates in the corresponding input box (c) Click OK (at the bottom right) 6. On the Tool Panel (to the left), identify Magnet Mode and turn it on (weak or strong) 7. PIVOT PLACEMENT (a) Drag the Pivot High line of P2P INDi and snap it on the corresponding X (b) Do the same for the Pivot Low line and snap it on the corresponding O 8. ANNOTATING TREND (a) Identify the trend shown on the Heads Up Display (top right-hand corner) (b) If the DOWNTREND (red) is displayed, remove all three Buy Order TPs (c) If the UPTREND (green) is displayed, remove all three Sell Order TPs 9. SET YOUR POSITIONS (a) Place Buy and/or Sell Orders at 2%-3% or less of your Net Asset Value (NAV) (b) If shaving, take 25% profit at the first two Take Profit (TP) prices. (c) Stop Losses should be equal to or beyond the PH and PL lines (d) If stop loss is greater than your risk tolerance: — lower your position size or — tighten your stop loss by bringing it closer to your entry DISCLAIMER: Please notice that we do not provide financial advice — our website, indicators, strategies, signals, and mentorship courses are all intended only to provide a community of support to anyone interested in improving their trading skills. Fx'tive HNW $olutions, Inc. is a California corporation that publishes products and services for developing trading indicators and strategies on demand, renting and selling proprietary indicators and systems, training, and coaching exclusively intended for Daily₿read Subscribers ONLY. 1. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY The proprietary indicators, strategies, and content developed by the T.E.A.M. (FRIDAY, P2P INDi, P2P INDi, TEMASHA, The Library, Specialty Lesson, and other utility scripts or educational information), the object of intellectual property rights are and remain the exclusive property of Fx'tive HNW $olutions, Inc., at the exclusion of images and videos and texts free of rights or provided by Fx'tive HNW $olutions, Inc. or external legal or physical person. No assignment of intellectual property rights is carried out through these Terms and Conditions. Any total or partial reproduction, modification, or use of these properties for any reason whatsoever is strictly prohibited without the express written authorization of Fx'tive HNW $olutions, Inc. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES You declare to know the principles and risks of the financial markets. Therefore, you swear that you know the financial risks involved in trading. In this sense, the directors, employees, stakeholders, and partners of Fx'tive HNW $olutions, Inc. can not be held responsible for errors, omissions, inappropriate investments, technical problems, events beyond our control, and, more generally, financial losses that you may realize, or results obtained in the practice of trading resulting from the services or products it markets. 3. RISK WARNING Trading involves a high level of financial risk and may not be appropriate because you may experience losses greater than your deposit. In addition, leverage can be against you. Do not trade with capital that you can not afford to lose. You must know and understand all the risks associated with the market and trading. We can not be held responsible for any loss you incur.
Education
by ProfessorCEWard
2
Trading Mindset: The Winning Edge!In the world of trading, strategy, and market knowledge are typically seen as the twin pillars of success. However, this is only part of the picture. The psychological aspect of trading is often overlooked but can be equally, if not more, influential in shaping trading outcomes. This component involves understanding and managing the emotions, biases, and mental states that can impact trading decisions. Emotional decision-making can lead to costly mistakes, such as panic selling during market dips or holding onto a losing trade for too long out of hope or fear. Therefore, it is crucial to cultivate a clear, disciplined mindset for more profitable and consistent trading outcomes. This tutorial will delve into the psychological landscape of trading, providing valuable insights and practical tips to master your mind and, consequently, the market. Common Psychological Traps in Trading There are several psychological traps that traders can fall into, which can seriously undermine their trading performance. One of these traps is overconfidence. After a streak of successful trades, it's easy to start feeling invincible, which can lead to riskier trading behaviors and impulsive decisions. Fear and greed are two more emotions that often dictate trading decisions. They are the key drivers behind market trends and can lead to significant financial losses if not managed properly. The fear of missing out (FOMO) can push traders into hasty, poorly thought-out trades, while greed can create a reluctance to sell even when all signs point to a market downturn. Another common psychological pitfall is anchoring. This occurs when a trader becomes fixated on specific price points or values, which can distort their perception of a security's true value and hinder rational decision-making. Understanding Your Trading Emotions To manage your trading emotions effectively, you first need to understand them. One practical way to do this is by keeping a trading journal. Besides recording your trades and their outcomes, this journal should also note down your emotions and thoughts at the time of each trade. Over time, you may start to see patterns in how your emotions affect your trading decisions. Knowing your risk tolerance is another crucial factor. Each trader has a different level of comfort when it comes to taking risks, and understanding this can significantly shape your trading strategy. A risk-averse trader might prefer more stable assets, while a risk-tolerant one might be comfortable with higher volatility. Strategies for Managing Trading Emotions Being in the right mental state before you start trading is paramount. Developing a pre-trade routine that helps you calm down and focus can prepare you for the trading day ahead. This routine could include activities like meditating, exercising, or going over the latest market news and your trading plan for the day. Having a clear trading plan can also provide a solid foundation for managing your emotions. This plan should outline your strategy, including risk management tactics, potential entry and exit points, and your objectives for each trade. It serves as a roadmap and can keep you grounded when market volatility triggers emotional responses. In addition, learning stress management techniques can be invaluable in trading, a field often fraught with stress. Taking regular breaks, deep breathing exercises, and ensuring you have a balanced lifestyle outside of trading can help maintain your mental equilibrium. Conclusion and Further Reading Trading psychology is a vast and complex field, but understanding its fundamental principles can drastically improve your trading performance. By being aware of the common psychological traps, understanding your own emotions and risk tolerance, and employing effective strategies to manage your trading emotions, you can make more informed and profitable trading decisions. Continuous learning and emotional self-awareness are keys to successful trading. There are numerous resources available for those who want to delve deeper into trading psychology, risk management, and market analysis. While the journey to master your trading psychology can be challenging, the potential rewards - improved trading outcomes and personal growth - are well worth the effort.
Education
by ShawnMCR
4
Decoding the Structure of the Federal Reserve System 🏦 If you've ever wondered how the U.S. monetary system functions and who runs the show, keep reading. In this article, we will break down the structure of the Federal Reserve System and help you understand how it operates. 🏦 The Federal Reserve System, often referred to as the Fed, is the central banking system of the United States. It was created in 1913 by the Federal Reserve Act and is an independent entity within the government. The Fed has a three-part structure, including the Board of Governors, the Federal Reserve Banks, and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). 1️⃣ Board of Governors: The Board of Governors is the governing body of the Federal Reserve System. It consists of seven members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for 14-year non-renewable terms. One person is designated by the President as Chair and another as Vice-Chair. The Board's main function is to set monetary policy, supervise and regulate banking institutions, and maintain the stability of the financial system. 2️⃣Federal Reserve Banks: There are 12 Federal Reserve Banks located throughout the United States. Each Federal Reserve Bank serves a specific geographic district and is responsible for carrying out the policies set forth by the Board of Governors. The Federal Reserve Banks are overseen by a board of nine directors, six of whom are appointed by banks in the district, and three by the Board of Governors. In addition to overseeing the banking system, the Federal Reserve Banks also provide services to financial institutions and the U.S. Treasury. These services include processing and clearing checks, storing currency, and distributing new currency. 3️⃣Federal Open Market Committee: The FOMC is the most powerful body within the Federal Reserve System. It is responsible for setting monetary policy, specifically the target for the federal funds rate, which is the interest rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans. The FOMC is made up of the seven members of the Board of Governors and five of the 12 Federal Reserve Bank presidents. The FOMC meets eight times a year to analyze economic data and determine appropriate policy decisions. Their decisions impact not only the banking system but also the overall economy. For example, if the FOMC decides to raise interest rates, it will become more expensive to borrow money, affecting everything from mortgages to credit card payments. Conclusion: The Federal Reserve System is a complex organization that plays a critical role in the U.S. economy. Its structure is designed to ensure checks and balances across its three branches so that no one entity has too much power. While the Board of Governors sets policy and oversees the entire system, the Federal Reserve Banks carry out those policies and provide essential services to the financial system. The FOMC, on the other hand, is responsible for setting monetary policy, affecting the interest rates that impact our daily lives. Understanding the Federal Reserve System is essential for anyone wanting to understand the U.S. economy. Knowing how the Fed operates can help individuals and businesses make informed decisions about their finances. With this knowledge, you can better navigate the ups and downs of the economy and protect your hard-earned money. ❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
FOREXCOM:XAUUSDEducation
by VasilyTrader
6
Inside Futures Trading: Key Lessons from My Years of ExperienceIn my years as a futures trader, I've learned valuable lessons. I'd like to share these insights with you, hoping to help you navigate the complex world of futures trading. The Importance of a Plan A well-structured trading plan stands as the cornerstone of successful futures trading. Like a roadmap, it navigates your journey through the often turbulent market conditions, providing clear guidance on your trading activities. It helps outline your specific trading goals and defines the strategy to achieve them. Whether you aim for short-term profits or long-term investments, a trading plan ensures your objectives align with your financial situation and risk tolerance, thereby averting overambitious goals that could lead to increased risk. Furthermore, a solid trading plan encompasses your risk management strategy. This safety net is crucial in protecting your capital from significant downturns. Determining the level of risk you're comfortable with, often based on your financial situation and risk appetite, forms a key aspect of this strategy. Besides, your plan should provide explicit criteria for entering and exiting trades, eliminating impulsive, emotion-driven decisions. Such a plan, therefore, operates as a comprehensive framework that synchronizes your trading activities with your financial goals, risk profile, and market understanding. Over-Expectation and High-Risk Bets A common pitfall I've witnessed in many traders, especially those just starting out, is the temptation to make substantial profits with a single trade. This approach often involves placing a small amount, say $100, with low leverage, and expecting it to yield significantly high returns, even double the initial investment, in one trade. This aspiration, while alluring, is fraught with high risks and often overlooks the fundamental principle of market volatility. The likelihood of an asset's value doubling in a short timeframe is generally low unless the market conditions are extraordinarily favorable. Furthermore, while leverage can amplify profits, it can also magnify losses, increasing the risk of liquidation. It's important to note that futures trading is not a scheme to get rich quickly but a strategic financial activity that requires prudent planning, risk management, and realistic expectations. Patience and consistent smaller wins can often lead to more reliable, long-term profitability. Over-expectation can lead to an increased risk appetite, causing one to disregard safety measures like stop-loss orders and prudent leverage, making their position highly vulnerable to market volatility. Remember, in futures trading, managing risks and preserving your capital is as crucial as making profits. The goal should be long-term sustainability in the market rather than short-lived, high-risk gains. The Dangers of Overtrading In my initial trading years, I subscribed to the notion that more trades equated to more profits. However, I soon discovered that this belief led to overtrading, which increased my costs and risk exposure. Overtrading occurs when one trades excessively, often reacting to minor market fluctuations. This approach not only amplifies trading costs but also elevates the risk of encountering losing trades. A better strategy I've found is to focus on the quality of trades rather than the quantity, ensuring each trade is well-reasoned and supported by robust market analysis. Risk Management is Key The significance of risk management in successful futures trading cannot be overstated. It is the safety net that can cushion you from inevitable market downturns and unexpected volatility. Without proper risk management strategies, a single unfavorable trade could potentially inflict considerable damage to your trading capital. In practical terms, effective risk management involves setting stop-loss orders to limit potential losses on each trade. It also means not risking too much capital on any single trade, regardless of how promising it might seem. Keeping risks within manageable limits preserves your trading capital and ensures your survival in the trading arena, despite the inevitable setbacks. Be Careful with Leverage In futures trading, leverage is a powerful tool that can enhance potential profits but also amplify losses. It provides the ability to control substantial positions with only a fraction of the investment typically required. However, it's crucial to remember that leverage is a double-edged sword. Leverage can magnify gains when the market moves in your favor, turning a small investment into a substantial return. However, the market can also move against your position. In such cases, the same leverage that amplifies your gains can intensify your losses. Losses can even exceed the initial investment, leading to margin calls and possibly the liquidation of your position. Consequently, I've found it prudent to use leverage judiciously and to never risk more than I can afford to lose. Understand the Underlying Asset One of the key components in futures trading is the underlying asset of the contract. The value of a futures contract is inherently derived from this asset, which can range from commodities like gold or oil to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Understanding the intricacies of the underlying asset is pivotal for making informed trading decisions. It involves scrutinizing its historical performance, the factors influencing its price movements, and its potential future trends. This knowledge can provide crucial insights into the asset's volatility, helping traders formulate effective strategies and manage potential risks. Researching and continually staying updated about the asset you're trading is not just a recommended practice; it's a necessity. It equips you with the essential information required to navigate the ebbs and flows of the market, potentially turning uncertainties into profitable opportunities. The Value of Stop-Loss Orders Stop-loss orders play an instrumental role in prudent risk management within futures trading. They function as automated safeguards designed to close out a trade when the price moves against your position to a pre-defined extent. Utilizing stop-loss orders allows you to establish the maximum amount you are willing to lose on a particular trade, providing a degree of certainty in an inherently uncertain market. It effectively mitigates the potential impact of adverse market movements, protecting your trading capital from substantial losses. From my experience, using stop-loss orders is not just a recommendation—it's an essential trading practice. Avoiding the Pitfall of Chasing the Market Another invaluable lesson I've learned over the years pertains to the timing of market entry. Many traders fall into the trap of entering a trade after a trend has already been well established—a practice known as 'chasing the market.' Chasing the market can often lead to buying high and selling low, which is the antithesis of profitable trading. This happens because once a trend is firmly established, it's likely closer to its end than its beginning. Jumping onto a fast-moving trend in the hope of riding it further can result in entering the market at an unfavorable price point. Instead, it's more effective to develop a strategy that allows you to identify potential trends early and enter the market at a more advantageous time. The key here is patience and discipline, waiting for the right market conditions before committing your capital. By not chasing the market, you can avoid costly mistakes and enhance your trading performance. Cut Losses Short One of the toughest yet most valuable lessons I've learned is the necessity to cut losses short. It's a human tendency to hold onto losing positions in the hope that they'll rebound. However, in futures trading, this approach can lead to substantial losses. A losing trade is not just a financial setback—it can also impose a psychological burden. Hoping for a market reversal when stuck in a losing position can cloud your judgment, causing you to overlook other potentially profitable trades. It's crucial to accept that not all trades will be winners, and knowing when to exit is as important as knowing when to enter. Trade with the Trend Predicting the market can be alluring, but it often results in entering trades against the trend. Over time, I've realized that it's usually more beneficial to trade with the trend. After all, 'the trend is your friend' is a well-known adage in trading for a reason. Trends have a propensity to continue for longer than expected, and trading against them can be perilous. Recognizing and trading in the direction of the prevailing trend can increase the likelihood of successful trades. It reduces the chances of being caught on the wrong side of the market and enhances the potential for consistent profits. Keep Records Maintaining records of your trades is an essential practice for ongoing learning and improvement. A detailed trading journal allows you to review your past trades, identify recurring mistakes, and refine your strategy accordingly. Keeping track of each trade, including the reasons for entering and exiting, the profit or loss, and any relevant market conditions, can provide valuable insights. It creates a feedback loop for self-improvement, promoting conscious trading decisions and encouraging disciplined trading. In conclusion, futures trading is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor that demands careful planning, disciplined risk management, and relentless learning. The lessons I've shared from my years of trading are by no means exhaustive, but they provide a solid foundation for anyone embarking on their futures trading journey. That being said, learning never stops in the world of trading. If you've come across any valuable lessons or insights that I've not covered in this discussion, please feel free to share them in the comments. It's through our collective experiences that we all become better traders.
Education
by ShawnMCR
29
Unlocking the Secrets of Fundamental AnalysisFundamental analysis is a method of analyzing financial markets that involves examining a company's financial health, including its earnings, revenue, debt levels, and other economic indicators. The goal of fundamental analysis is to determine the intrinsic value of a company's stock and make investment decisions based on that value. Fundamental analysts typically begin by examining a company's financial statements, such as its balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. They also look at other economic indicators, such as interest rates, inflation, and consumer spending, to get a broader picture of the overall market conditions. One of the key principles of fundamental analysis is that a company's stock price should reflect its true value. Fundamental analysts use a variety of methods, such as discounted cash flow analysis and price-to-earnings ratios, to determine a company's intrinsic value. Another principle of fundamental analysis is that market trends and sentiment can create temporary mispricings in a company's stock price. This means that even a company with strong fundamentals can experience a temporary decline in stock price due to market factors. Fundamental analysis can be a useful tool for long-term investors who are looking to invest in companies with strong financials and growth potential. However, it is important to note that fundamental analysis is not a foolproof method of investing, and that there is always some level of risk involved. In summary, fundamental analysis is a method of analyzing financial markets that involves examining a company's financial health and economic indicators to determine its intrinsic value. While fundamental analysis can be a useful tool for long-term investors, it is important to remember that there is always some level of risk involved with investing.
Education
by glorias3972
Price/Earnings: amazing interpretation #2In my previous post , we started to analyze the most popular financial ratio in the world – Price / Earnings or P/E (particularly one of the options for interpreting it). I said that P/E can be defined as the amount of money that must be paid once in order to receive 1 monetary unit of diluted net income per year. For American companies, it will be in US dollars, for Indian companies it will be in rupees, etc. In this post, I would like to analyze another interpretation of this financial ratio, which will allow you to look at P/E differently. To do this, let's look at the formula for calculating P/E again: P/E = Capitalization / Diluted earnings Now let's add some refinements to the formula: P/E = Current capitalization / Diluted earnings for the last year (*) (*) In my case, by year I mean the last 12 months. Next, let's see what the Current capitalization and Diluted earnings for the last year are expressed in, for example, in an American company: - Current capitalization is in $; - Diluted earnings for the last year are in $/year. As a result, we can write the following formula: P/E = Current capitalization / Diluted earnings for the last year = $ / $ / year = N years (*) (*) According to the basic rules of math, $ will be reduced by $, and we will be left with only the number of years. It's very unusual, isn't it? It turns out that P/E can also be the number of years! Yes, indeed, we can say that P/E is the number of years that a shareholder (investor) will need to wait in order to recoup their investments at the current price from the earnings flow, provided that the level of profit does not change . Of course, the condition of an unchangeable level of profit is very unrealistic. It is rare to find a company that shows the same profit from year to year. Nevertheless, we have nothing more real than the current capitalization of the company and its latest profit. Everything else is just predictions and probable estimates. It is also important to understand that during the purchase of shares, the investor fixates one of the P/E components - the price (P). Therefore, they only need to keep an eye on the earnings (E) and calculate their own P/E without paying attention to the current capitalization. If the level of earnings increases since the purchase of shares, the investor's personal P/E will decrease, and, consequently, the number of years to wait for recoupment. Another thing is when the earnings level, on the contrary, decreases – then an investor will face an increase in their P/E level and, consequently, an increase in the payback period of their own investments. In this case, of course, you have to think about the prospects of such an investment. You can also argue that not all 100% of earnings are spent paying dividends, and therefore you can’t use the level of earnings to calculate the payback period of an investment. Yes, indeed: it is rare for a company to give all of its earnings to dividends. However, the lack of a proper dividend level is not a reason to change anything in the formula or this interpretation at all, because retained earnings are the main fundamental driver of a company's capitalization growth. And whatever the investor misses out on in terms of dividends, they can get it in the form of an increase in the value of the shares they bought. Now, let's discuss how to interpret the obtained P/E value. Intuitively, the lower it is, the better. For example, if an investor bought shares at P/E = 100, it means that they will have to wait 100 years for their investment to pay off. That seems like a risky investment, doesn't it? Of course, one can hope for future earnings growth and, consequently, for a decrease in their personal P/E value. But what if it doesn’t happen? Let me give you an example. For instance, you have bought a country house, and so now you have to get to work via country roads. You have an inexpensive off-road vehicle to do this task. It does its job well and takes you to work via a road that has nothing but potholes. Thus, you get the necessary positive effect this inexpensive thing provides. However, later you learn that they will build a high-speed highway in place of the rural road. And that is exactly what you have dreamed of! After hearing the news, you buy a Ferrari. Now, you will be able to get to work in 5 minutes instead of 30 minutes (and in such a nice car!) However, you have to leave your new sports car in the yard to wait until the road is built. A month later, the news came out that, due to the structure of the road, the highway would be built in a completely different location. A year later your off-road vehicle breaks down. Oh well, now you have to get into your Ferrari and swerve around the potholes. It is not hard to guess what is going to happen to your expensive car after a while. This way, your high expectations for the future road project turned out to be a disaster for your investment in the expensive car. It works the same way with stock investments. If you only consider the company's future earnings forecast, you run the risk of being left alone with just the forecast instead of the earnings. Thus, P/E can serve as a measure of your risk. The higher the P/E value at the time you buy a stock, the more risk you take. But what is the acceptable level of P/E ? Oddly enough, I think the answer to this question depends on your age. When you are just beginning your journey, life gives you an absolutely priceless resource, known as time. You can try, take risks, make mistakes, and then try again. That's what children do as they explore the world around them. Or when young people try out different jobs to find exactly what they like. You can use your time in the stock market in the same manner - by looking at companies with a P/E that suits your age. The younger you are, the higher P/E level you can afford when selecting companies. Conversely, in my opinion, the older you are, the lower P/E level you can afford. To put it simply, you just don’t have as much time to wait for a return on your investment. So, my point is, the stock market perception of a 20-year-old investor should differ from the perception of a 50-year-old investor. If the former can afford to invest with a high payback period, it may be too risky for the latter. Now let's try to translate this reasoning into a specific algorithm. First, let's see how many companies we are able to find in different P/E ranges. As an example, let's take the companies that are traded on the NYSE (April 2023). As you can see from the table, the larger the P/E range, the more companies we can consider. The investor's task comes down to figuring out what P/E range is relevant to them in their current age. To do this, we need data on life expectancy in different countries. As an example, let's take the World Bank Group's 2020 data for several countries: Japan, India, China, Russia, Germany, Spain, the United States, and Brazil. To understand which range of P/E values to choose, you need to subtract your current age from your life expectancy: Life Expectancy - Your Current Age I recommend focusing on the country where you expect to live most of your life. Thus, for a 25-year-old male from the United States, the difference would be: 74,50 - 25 = 49,50 Which corresponds with a P/E range of 0 to 50. For a 60-year-old woman from Japan, the difference would be: 87,74 - 60 = 27,74 Which corresponds with a P/E range of 0 to 30. For a 70-year-old man from Russia, the difference would be: 66,49 - 70 = -3,51 In the case of a negative difference, the P/E range of 0 to 10 should be used. It doesn’t matter which country's stocks you invest in if you expect to live most of your life in Japan, Russia, or the United States. P/E indicates time, and time flows the same for any company and for you. So, this algorithm will allow you to easily calculate your acceptable range of P/E values. However, I want to caution you against making investment decisions based on this ratio alone. A low P/E value does not guarantee that you are free of risks . For example, sometimes the P/E level can drop significantly due to a decline in P (capitalization) because of extraordinary events, whose impact can only be seen in a future income statement (where we would learn the actual value of E - earnings). Nevertheless, the P/E value is a good indicator of the payback period of your investment, which answers the question: when should you consider buying a company's stock? When the P/E value is in an acceptable range of values for you. But the P/E level doesn’t tell you what company to consider and what price to take. I will tell you about this in the next posts. See you soon!
NASDAQ:AMZNEducation
by Be_Capy
2
Fundamentals & Technical AnalysisHow to apply fundamental analysis and macroeconomic trends to complement your technical analysis and trading strategy Fundamental analysis and macroeconomic trends are important tools for traders who want to understand the underlying forces that drive the market. Technical analysis, on the other hand, focuses on the price action and patterns of the market. By combining both approaches, traders can gain a more comprehensive and balanced perspective on the market and improve their trading strategy. Fundamental analysis of the macroeconomic environment involves studying the economic, political, and social factors that affect the supply and demand of an asset. Some of the most relevant fundamental indicators are: - Gross domestic product (GDP): This measures the total value of goods and services produced by a country in a given period. It reflects the economic growth and health of a country. A higher GDP indicates a stronger economy and a higher demand for its currency and assets. - Inflation: This measures the change in the average price level of goods and services over time. It affects the purchasing power of money and the interest rates. A moderate inflation indicates a healthy economy with stable growth. A high inflation indicates an overheated economy with excessive money supply and a lower demand for its currency and assets. - Interest rates: This measures the cost of borrowing money. It affects the profitability of investments and the exchange rates. A higher interest rate indicates a tighter monetary policy and a higher demand for its currency and assets. A lower interest rate indicates a looser monetary policy and a lower demand for its currency and assets. - Trade balance: This measures the difference between a country's exports and imports. It reflects the competitiveness and demand for a country's goods and services in the global market. A positive trade balance indicates a trade surplus and a higher demand for its currency and assets. A negative trade balance indicates a trade deficit and a lower demand for its currency and assets. To complement technical analysis and trading strategy, traders can use fundamental analysis and macroeconomic trends to identify the long-term direction and strength of the market, as well as potential opportunities and risks. For example, suppose a trader wants to trade EUR/USD, which is the exchange rate between the euro and the US dollar. The trader can use technical analysis to identify the support and resistance levels, trend lines, chart patterns, indicators, and signals on different time frames. The trader can also use fundamental analysis to assess the economic conditions and outlook of both the eurozone and the US, as well as their relative interest rates, inflation rates, trade balances, and other factors that affect their currencies. Suppose the trader observes that the eurozone has a higher GDP growth rate, lower inflation rate, positive trade balance, and stable interest rate than the US. The trader can infer that the eurozone has a stronger economy than the US, which implies a higher demand for the euro than the US dollar. The trader can also observe that the EUR/USD is in an uptrend on the daily chart, with higher highs and higher lows, supported by a rising moving average. The trader can conclude that the fundamental analysis confirms the technical analysis, which suggests that EUR/USD is likely to continue to rise in the long term. The trader can then use technical analysis to find an optimal entry point to buy EUR/USD. For example, suppose the trader sees that EUR/USD is retracing from a recent high to test a support level at 1.2000, which coincides with a 50% Fibonacci retracement level and a rising trend line. The trader can also see that there is bullish divergence between the price and an oscillator indicator such as RSI or MACD, which indicates that the downward momentum is weakening. The trader can decide to buy EUR/USD at 1.2000, with a stop loss below 1.1900 and a target at 1.2200. By applying fundamental analysis and macroeconomic trends to complement technical analysis and trading strategy, traders can gain a deeper understanding of the market dynamics and enhance their trading performance. If you are stock trading, you should consider the following fundamental indicators which are all readily available as trends on the TradingView platform: - ROE (Return on Equity): This indicator measures how effective a company is in generating profits for its shareholders. It is calculated by dividing the net income by the shareholders' equity. A high ROE indicates that the company is using its resources efficiently and creating value for its owners. - EPS (Earnings Per Share): This indicator measures how much profit a company makes per share of its common stock. It is calculated by dividing the net income by the number of outstanding shares. A high EPS indicates that the company is profitable and can potentially pay dividends or reinvest in its growth. - DYR (Dividend Yield Ratio): This indicator measures how much dividend a company pays per share of its common stock relative to its earnings. It is calculated by dividing the total dividends by the net income or the dividend per share by the earnings per share. A high DYR indicates that the company is rewarding its shareholders with a steady income stream and has confidence in its future prospects. - FCF (Free Cash Flow): This indicator measures how much cash a company generates from its operations after deducting capital expenditures. It is calculated by subtracting the capital expenditures from the operating cash flow. A high FCF indicates that the company has enough cash to pay its debts, invest in new projects, or return money to its shareholders. - PEG (Projected Earnings Growth): This indicator measures how fast a company's earnings are expected to grow in the future relative to its current price. It is calculated by dividing the price-to-earnings ratio by the annual earnings growth rate. A low PEG indicates that the company is undervalued and has strong growth potential. These fundamental indicators can help traders to identify stocks that are overvalued, undervalued, or fairly priced based on their financial performance and future prospects. They can also help traders to compare different stocks within the same industry or across different industries and sectors.
BITSTAMP:BTCUSDEducation
by JS_TechTrading
15 Key Principles for Trading SuccesHello fellow traders! I have compiled an article containing valuable insights and practical advice to help you navigate the trading world. Covering essential topics such as technical analysis, risk management, and adapting to market conditions, this resource is designed to enhance your trading skills. Dive in, learn, and apply these principles to your trading journey. Wishing you success and happy trading! 1. The Importance of Risk Management in Trading The key to successful trading lies in managing risks effectively. You need to have a solid plan to protect your capital and stay in the game. Some risk management strategies include using stop losses, limiting margin usage, diversifying your portfolio, and risking only a certain percentage of your portfolio on any given trade. Remember, the best traders know how to limit losses while maximizing profits. 2. Building a Solid Trading Plan Every successful trader has a well-thought-out trading plan that they follow religiously. This plan should include your trading goals, strategies, risk management, and entry and exit points. Crafting a solid trading plan helps you stay disciplined and focused, ensuring long-term profitability. 3. The Value of a Trading Mentor and Learning from Others Having an experienced trading mentor can significantly boost your trading performance. A good mentor can provide valuable insights, guidance, and constructive criticism, helping you refine your strategies and avoid common pitfalls. Also, don't hesitate to learn from other traders by subscribing to high-quality trading YouTube channels or participating in online forums. 4. A Comprehensive Education in Finance and Economics To conquer the financial markets, you need a strong foundation in the basics of finance, macroeconomics, and microeconomics. This knowledge will help you understand the driving forces behind market movements and make more informed decisions. Khan Academy offers excellent free courses in these subjects, and for technical analysis, consider reading "Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets" by John Murphy. 5. The Power of Charting and Technical Analysis Mastering charting and technical analysis is essential for making accurate market predictions. Spend time learning how to use your charting platform, like Trading View, and familiarize yourself with various indicators, tools, and strategies. Knowledge is power, and the more you know about your tools, the better your trading results will be. 6. Staying Humble and Detached in Trading Leave your ego at the door when it comes to trading. It's not about being right; it's about making money. Stay humble and unemotional, and don't let pride or personal attachments cloud your judgment. Remember, every trade has inherent risks, and past performance does not guarantee future success. 7. The Benefits of Keeping a Trading Journal Maintaining a trading journal helps you track your progress, learn from your mistakes, and refine your strategies. Record your insights, trading plans, and the outcomes of your trades. This practice will make you more disciplined and focused, ultimately improving your overall trading performance. 8. Avoiding Speculation and Emotional Trading Successful traders make decisions based on data and analysis, not speculation or emotion. Keep your feelings in check, and never enter or exit a trade based on fear, greed, or personal attachment. Stay objective and remember that data-driven decisions yield the best results. 9. Staying Informed and Recognizing Market Trends Pay close attention to market trends and financial news. Be aware of what's happening in the world, and use this information to inform your trading decisions. However, be cautious of hype and mania, as they often signal the peak of a trend, rather than its beginning. 10. The Art of Strategic Entry and Exit Points Before entering a trade, plan your entry point, stop loss, and profit target. Always ask yourself how much risk you're willing to take for a potential profit. By carefully considering these factors, you'll make more informed decisions and improve your overall trading success. With these principles in mind, you'll be well on your way to mastering the financial markets and achieving consistent profitability in your trading endeavors. Remember, the key to conquering the financial markets lies in continuous learning, discipline, and adaptability. Keep refining your strategies, stay informed about market trends, and always be prepared to adjust your approach as needed. 11. Adapting to Different Market Conditions Markets are ever-changing, and it's crucial for traders to adapt their strategies to suit different market conditions. Develop various strategies for both bull and bear markets, and be prepared to switch gears when the market demands it. Flexibility is the key to long-term trading success. 12. Utilizing Diversification for Risk Mitigation Diversification is an essential part of risk management. By spreading your investments across different assets, sectors, and even trading styles, you can reduce the impact of losses in any single area. This approach helps to protect your overall portfolio and ensures more consistent performance. 13. The Importance of Breaks and Mental Health Trading can be intense and emotionally draining. It's essential to take regular breaks and maintain a healthy work-life balance. By stepping away from the charts, you can recharge, gain perspective, and ultimately make better decisions when you return to trading. 14. Networking and Building Connections in the Trading Community Engaging with the trading community can provide valuable insights, ideas, and opportunities. Attend trading events, join online forums, or participate in social media groups to network with other traders. Sharing experiences and learning from others can greatly enhance your trading skills. 15. Constantly Improving and Evolving as a Trader Finally, never stop learning and evolving as a trader. The financial markets are constantly changing, and what works today may not work tomorrow. Stay curious, keep learning, and be open to new ideas and strategies. By embracing change and growth, you'll ensure long-lasting success in the trading world. In conclusion, conquering the financial markets requires a combination of solid education, discipline, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from others. By implementing these principles and continuously improving your skills, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the complex world of trading and achieve lasting success. So, roll up your sleeves, dive into the markets, and start your journey towards becoming a master trader.
SP:SPXEducation
by Julien_Eche
Price / Earnings: Interpretation #1In one of my first posts , I talked about the main idea of ​​my investment strategy: buy great “things” during the sales season . This rule can be applied to any object of the material world: real estate, cars, clothes, food and, of course, shares of public companies. However, a seemingly simple idea requires the ability to understand both the quality of “things” and their value. Suppose we have solved the issue with quality (*). (*) A very bold assumption, I realize that. However, the following posts will cover this topic in more detail. Be a little patient. So, we know the signs of a high-quality thing and are able to define it skilfully enough. But what about its cost? "Easy-peasy!" you will say, "For example, I know that the Mercedes-Benz plant produces high-quality cars, so I should just find out the prices for a certain model in different car dealerships and choose the cheapest one." "Great plan!" I will say. But what about shares of public companies? Even if you find a fundamentally strong company, how do you know if it is expensive or cheap? Let's imagine that the company is also a machine. A machine that makes profit. It needs to be fed with resources, things are happening in there, some cogs are turning, and as a result we get earnings. This is its main goal and purpose. Each machine has its own name, such as Apple or McDonald's. It has its own resources and mechanisms, but it produces one product – earnings. Now let’s suppose that the capitalization of the company is the value of such a machine. Let's see how much Apple and McDonald's cost today: Apple - $2.538 trillion McDonald's - $202.552 billion We see that Apple is more than 10 times more expensive than McDonald's. But is it really so from an investor's point of view? The paradox is that we can't say for sure that Apple is 10 times more expensive than McDonald's until we divide each company's value by its earnings. Why exactly? Let's count and it will become clear: Apple's diluted net income - $99.803 billion a year McDonald's diluted net income - $6.177 billion a year Now read this phrase slowly, and if necessary, several times: “The value is what we pay now. Earnings are what we get all the time” . To understand how many dollars we need to pay now for the production of 1 dollar of profit a year, we need to divide the value of the company (its capitalization) by its annual profit. We get: Apple - $25.43 McDonald’s - $32.79 It turns out that in order to get $ 1 earnings a year, for Apple we need to pay $25.43, and for McDonald's - $32.79. Wow! Currently, I believe that Apple appears cheaper than McDonald's. To remember this information better, imagine two machines that produce one-dollar bills at the same rate (once a year). In the case of an Apple machine, you pay $25.43 to issue this bill, and in the case of a McDonald’s machine, you pay $32.70. Which one will you choose? So, if we remove the $ symbol from these numbers, we get the world's most famous financial ratio Price/Earnings or P/E . It shows how much we, as investors, need to pay for the production of 1 unit of annual profit. And pay only once. There are two formulas for calculating this financial ratio: 1. P/E = Price of 1 share / Diluted EPS 2. P/E = Capitalization / Diluted Net Income Whatever formula you use, the result will be the same. By the way, I mainly use the Diluted Net Income instead of the regular one in my calculations. So do not be confused if you see a formula with a Net Income – you can calculate it this way as well. So, in the current publication, I have analyzed one of the interpretations of this financial ratio. But, in fact, there is another interpretation that I really like. It will help you realize which P/E level to choose for yourself. But more on that in the next post. See you!
NASDAQ:TSLAEducation
by Be_Capy
11
Top 5 Pairs of Fundamental IndicatorsI previously gave a presentation on the best pairs of technical indicators and decided to do the same for fundamental indicators, as many believe that the two go hand in hand. As an investor, understanding fundamental indicators can help you make informed investment decisions and maximize returns. In this guide, we will explore the top 5 pairs of fundamental indicators and their corresponding trading strategies for both value and growth investing. For Value Investing: 1. Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio and Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio The P/E ratio compares a company's stock price to its earnings per share (EPS), while the P/S ratio compares a company's stock price to its revenue per share. These ratios provide insight into how much investors are willing to pay for a company's earnings and revenue. Strategy: Investors can use a combination of P/E and P/S ratios to identify undervalued stocks. A low P/E and P/S ratio may indicate an undervalued stock, while a high P/E and P/S ratio may indicate an overvalued stock. Investors can also compare a company's P/E and P/S ratios to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its valuation. 2. Debt to Equity Ratio and Current Ratio The debt to equity ratio measures a company's debt relative to its equity, while the current ratio measures a company's ability to pay its short-term debts. These ratios provide insight into a company's financial health and its ability to manage debt. Strategy: Investors can use a combination of debt to equity ratio and current ratio to identify financially healthy companies. A low debt to equity ratio and a high current ratio may indicate a financially healthy company, while a high debt to equity ratio and a low current ratio may indicate a financially unstable company. Investors can also compare a company's debt to equity ratio and current ratio to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its financial health. 3. Dividend Yield and Dividend Payout Ratio The dividend yield measures the percentage return on a stock based on its dividend payments, while the dividend payout ratio measures the percentage of a company's earnings paid out as dividends. These ratios provide insight into a company's dividend policy and its ability to pay dividends. Strategy: Investors can use a combination of dividend yield and dividend payout ratio to identify undervalued stocks with a reliable and sustainable dividend income. A high dividend yield and a low dividend payout ratio may indicate a company that is likely to continue paying dividends in the future. Investors can also compare a company's dividend yield and dividend payout ratio to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its dividend policy. For Growth Investing: 4. Return on Equity (ROE) and Return on Assets (ROA) ROE measures a company's profitability relative to its shareholder equity, while ROA measures a company's profitability relative to its assets. These ratios provide insight into a company's ability to generate profits from its investments. Strategy: Investors can use a combination of ROE and ROA to identify companies with a strong track record of profitability and growth potential. A high ROE and ROA may indicate a company that is efficiently using its assets and generating profits for its shareholders. Investors can also compare a company's ROE and ROA to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its profitability. 5. Earnings per Share (EPS) and Sales Growth Rate EPS measures a company's earnings per share, while sales growth rate measures the percentage increase in a company's revenue over time. These ratios provide insight into a company's profitability and its ability to grow its revenue. Strategy for Growth Investing: Investors can use a combination of EPS and sales growth rate to identify growth stocks that are expected to experience strong earnings growth in the future. A high EPS and high sales growth rate may indicate a company that is growing its revenue and earnings at a strong pace and is likely to continue doing so in the future. Investors can also compare a company's EPS and sales growth rate to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its growth potential. Strategy for Value Investing: Investors can also use a combination of EPS and sales growth rate to identify undervalued stocks that have a strong earnings growth potential. A low EPS and high sales growth rate may indicate an undervalued stock that is growing its revenue and earnings at a strong pace. Investors can also compare a company's EPS and sales growth rate to those of its competitors or industry averages to gain a better understanding of its growth potential. In conclusion, the 5 pairs of fundamental indicators discussed above can be powerful tools for both value and growth investors. By combining these indicators, investors can gain a better understanding of a company's financial health, profitability, and growth potential, which can help them make more informed investment decisions. However, it is important to note that these indicators should not be used in isolation and should be considered alongside other factors such as industry trends, macroeconomic factors, and company-specific events. If you have any questions or requests for strategy analysis, feel free to write them in the comments.
Education
by Julien_Eche
Crypto Analysis: A Comprehensive Technical & Fundamental GuideHere is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to use the technical and fundamental indicators to analyze cryptocurrencies: Step 1: Choose a reliable trading or charting platform Select a trading or charting platform that allows you to access and utilize the technical and fundamental indicators mentioned. I personally use and recommend TradingView for its reliability and ease of use in cryptocurrency analysis. Step 2: Set up your chart Configure your chart with your chosen cryptocurrency's price data, typically using the daily timeframe for a broader perspective. You can adjust the timeframe according to your preferred trading style (short-term, medium-term, or long-term). Step 3: Apply technical indicators Add the following technical indicators to your chart: a. Exponential Moving Averages (EMA): Use three EMAs with different periods (e.g., 20, 50, and 100 days) to identify short, medium, and long-term trends. Look for crossovers between the EMAs as potential buy or sell signals. b. MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence): Apply the MACD indicator with standard settings (12, 26, 9). Look for crossovers between the MACD line and the signal line as potential buy or sell signals. Additionally, watch for bullish or bearish divergence between the MACD and price. c. RSI (Relative Strength Index): Apply the RSI indicator with a 14-day period. Monitor the RSI levels for overbought (>70) or oversold (<30) conditions, which could signal potential price reversals. Step 4: Analyze the cryptocurrency market fundamentals Evaluate the following fundamental factors: a. Adoption: Research the current rate of cryptocurrency adoption, including new users, institutional interest, and use cases. Increasing adoption typically indicates a positive long-term outlook. b. Regulation: Stay informed about the latest regulatory developments and legal frameworks that could impact your chosen cryptocurrency's value and market perception. c. Utility: Assess the cryptocurrency's current utility, such as its use as a store of value, a medium of exchange, or as a hedge against traditional financial markets. Step 5: Analyze the cryptocurrency network Examine key network metrics, such as: a. Hash rate: A higher hash rate indicates a strong and secure network. Monitor the hash rate for consistent growth or sudden drops, which could impact the cryptocurrency's price. b. Mining difficulty: Observe the mining difficulty as an indicator of network security and miner participation. Higher mining difficulty generally implies a more secure network. c. Transactions: Track the number of daily transactions on the cryptocurrency network, as increased transaction activity may correlate with higher demand and network utility. Step 6: Synthesize your analysis Combine your technical and fundamental analyses to create a comprehensive understanding of your chosen cryptocurrency's current market conditions. Look for confluence between the technical indicators and the fundamental factors to identify potential trading opportunities or long-term investment decisions. Step 7: Continuously monitor and adjust Regularly update your analysis to stay informed about changes in the market or network conditions. Adapt your trading or investment strategy accordingly. Keep in mind that this is just one example of a method that combines technical and fundamental indicators. The effectiveness of this method will depend on various factors, including market conditions, your trading or investment strategy, and your ability to interpret and act on the provided information. Always exercise due diligence and research before making any trading or investment decisions.
Education
by Julien_Eche
What is Non-Farm Payroll and How to Trade It? 📚 Hey traders, This week, on Friday, we are expecting Non-Farm Payroll Report. In this educational article, I will try to explain to you why that fundamental data is so important and I will share with you the insights how to trade it. Non-Farm Payroll is one of the most important indicators for forex and stock markets in the economic calendar. Being released on the first Friday of each month by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it shows the number of new jobs created by the US economy during the previous month, excluding farm sector, government and not for profit organizations. NFP accounts for 80% of the US gross domestic product work force. The non-farm payroll is used by analysts to determine the current state of the economy and to predict the future activity levels. For that reason, its release usually triggers volatile movements across all Us Dollar related financial instruments. Being crucially important, remember that NFP is not the only figure released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. NFP is the part of the Employment Situation Report that also contains: Unemployment rate, Average hourly earnings, Labor participation rate, Average workweek. The main reason, why newbie traders fail in trading NFP release is the fact that they completely neglect the figures of the Employment Situation Report. Here are some tips how to properly interpret the figures in the report: 1) Non-farm payroll numbers. It reflects the new jobs' creation pace. Higher than predicted rate is usually positive for the US stock market, while the weak rate usually affects that negatively. 2) Unemployment rate. It reflects the number of unemployed people in relation to a total workforce. Low unemployment rate is usually very positive for US Dollar, while higher than expected unemployment quite negatively affects on USD. 3) Average hourly earnings. It reflects the change of the labor cost. The fast increase in the labor cost is usually positive for US Dollar, while the slowing increase is considered to be a bearish indicator for USD. 4) Average weekly hours. It reflects the average amount of paid working hours. The increase in average weekly hours is considered to be a very positive factor for US stock market, while its decrease is considered to be a negative one. Trading NFP report, the one should consider all the figures from the Employment Situation Report. All the numbers should be weighed properly and only then the predictions should be made. Remember that volatility is higher than usual in the hours of news release, for that reason, be careful and never forget to set a stop loss.
OANDA:XAUUSDEducation
by VasilyTrader
7
What can financial ratios tell us?In the previous post we learned what financial ratios are. These are ratios of various indicators from financial statements that help us draw conclusions about the fundamental strength of a company and its investment attractiveness. In the same post, I listed the financial ratios that I use in my strategy, with formulas for their calculations. Now let's take apart each of them and try to understand what they can tell us. - Diluted EPS . Some time ago I have already told about the essence of this indicator. I would like to add that this is the most influential indicator on the stock market. Financial analysts of investment companies literally compete in forecasts, what will be EPS in forthcoming reports of the company. If they agree that EPS will be positive, but what actually happens is that it is negative, the stock price may fall quite dramatically. Conversely, if EPS comes out above expectations - the stock is likely to rise strongly during the coverage period. - Price to Diluted EPS ratio . This is perhaps the best-known financial ratio for evaluating a company's investment appeal. It gives you an idea of how many years your investment in a stock will pay off if the current EPS is maintained. I have a particular take on this ratio, so I plan to devote a separate publication to it. - Gross margin, % . This is the size of the markup to the cost of the company's product (service) or, in other words, margin . It is impossible to say that small margin is bad, and large - good. Different companies may have different margins. Some sell millions of products by small margins and some sell thousands by large margins. And both of those companies may have the same gross margins. However, my preference is for those companies whose margins grow over time. This means that either the prices of the company's products (services) are going up, or the company is cutting production costs. - Operating expense ratio . This ratio is a great indicator of management's ability to manage a company's expenses. If the revenue increases and this ratio decreases, it means that the management is skillfully optimizing the operating expenses. If it is the other way around, shareholders should wonder how well management is handling current affairs. - ROE, % is a ratio reflecting the efficiency of a company's equity performance. If a company earned 5% of its equity, i.e. ROE = 5%, and the bank deposit rate = 7%, then shareholders have a reasonable question: why invest equity in business development, if it can be placed in a bank deposit and get more, without expending extra effort? In other words, ROE, % reflects the return on invested equity. If it is growing, it is definitely a positive factor for the company and the shareholders. - Days payable . This financial ratio is an excellent indicator of the solvency of the company. We can say that it is the number of days it will take the company to pay all debts to suppliers from its revenue. If the number of days is relatively small, it means that the company has no delays in paying for supplies and therefore no money problems. I consider less than 30 days to be acceptable, but over 90 days is critical. - Days sales outstanding . I already mentioned in my previous posts that when a company is having a bad sales situation, it may even sell its products on credit. Such debts accumulate in accounts receivable. Obviously, large accounts receivable are a risk for the company, because the debts may simply not be paid back. For ease of control over this indicator, they invented such a financial ratio as "Days sales outstanding". We can say that this is the number of days it will take the company to earn revenue equivalent to the accounts receivable. It's one thing if the receivables are 365 daily revenue and another if it's only 10 daily revenue. Like the previous ratio: less than 30 days is acceptable to me, but over 90 days is critical. - Inventory to revenue ratio . This is the amount of inventory in relation to revenue. Since inventory includes not only raw materials but also unsold products, this ratio can indicate sales problems. The more inventory a company has in relation to revenue, the worse it is. A ratio below 0.25 is acceptable to me; a ratio above 0.5 indicates that there are problems with sales. - Current ratio . This is the ratio of current assets to current liabilities. Remember, we said that current assets are easier and faster to sell than non-current, so they are also called quick assets. In the event of a crisis and lack of profit in the company, quick assets can be an excellent help to make payments on debts and settlements with suppliers. After all, they can be sold quickly enough to pay off these liabilities. To understand the size of this "safety cushion", the current ratio is calculated. The larger it is, the better. For me, a suitable current ratio is 2 or higher. But below 1 it does not suit me. - Interest coverage . We already know that loans play an important role in a company's operations. However, I am convinced that this role should not be the main one. If a company spends all of its profits to pay interest on loans, it is working for the bank, not for the shareholders. To find out how tangible interest on loans is for the company, the "Interest coverage" ratio was invented. According to the income statement, interest on loans is paid out of operating income. So if we divide the operating income by this interest, we get this ratio. It shows us how many times more the company earns than it spends on debt service. To me, the acceptable coverage ratio should be above 6, and below 3 is weak. - Debt to revenue ratio . This is a useful ratio that shows the overall picture of the company's debt situation. It can be interpreted the following way: it shows how much revenue should be earned in order to close all the debts. A debt to revenue ratio of less than 0.5 is positive. It means that half (or even less) of the annual revenue will be enough to close the debt. A debt to revenue ratio higher than 1 is considered a serious problem since the company does not even have enough annual revenue to pay off all of its debts. So, the financial ratios greatly simplify the process of fundamental analysis, because they allow you to quickly draw conclusions about the financial condition of the company, without looking up and down at its statements. You just look at ratios of key indicators and draw conclusions. In the next post, I will tell you about the king of all financial ratios - the Price to Diluted EPS ratio, or simply P/E. See you soon!
AMEX:SPYEducation
by Be_Capy
Financial ratios: digesting them togetherI hope that after studying the series of posts about company financial statements, you stopped being afraid of them. I suggest we build on that success and dive into the fascinating world of financial ratios. What is it? Let's look at the following example. Let's say you open up a company's balance sheet and see that the amount of debt is $100 million. Do you think this is a lot or a little? To me, it's definitely a big deal. But can we say the company has a huge debt based only on how we feel about it? I don't think so. However, if you find that a company that generates $10 billion in annual revenue has $100 million in debt (i.e. only 1% of revenue), what would you say then? That's objectively small, isn't it? It turns out that without correlating one indicator with another, we cannot draw any objective conclusion. This correlation is called the Financial Ratio . The recipe for a normal financial ratio is simple: we take one or two indicators from the financial statements, add some market data, put it all into a formula that includes a division operation - we obtain the financial ratio. In TradingView you can find a lot of financial ratios in the section Financials -> Statistics . However, I only use a few financial ratios which give me an idea about the financial situation of the company and its value: What can you notice when looking at this table? - Profit and revenue are frequent components of financial ratios because they are universal units of measurement for other reporting components. Just as length can be measured in feet and weight in pounds, a company's debts can be measured in revenues. - Some financial ratios are ratios, some are percentages, and some are days. - There are no financial ratios in the table whose data source is the Cash Flow Statement. The fact is that cash flows are rarely used in financial ratios because they can change drastically from quarter to quarter. This is especially true for financial and investment cash flow. That's why I recommend analyzing cash flows separately. In my next post, I'll break down each financial ratio from this table in detail and explain why I use them specifically. See you soon!
SP:SPXEducation
by Be_Capy
reversal technical patterns overview part oneReversal Technical Patterns overview: Part One Reversal patterns are frequently spotted at the end of the bear/bull market cycles. Here are some of the key patterns with higher probabilities. Can be applied to any market, including forex, crypto, stocks, indices and metals. Double Bottom (Bulls) Double Top (Bears) 🔸A double bottom pattern is a classic technical analysis charting formation showing a major change in trend from a prior down move. The double bottom pattern looks like the letter W. 🔸The double top is a type of chart pattern that is an indication that the prevailing trend may reverse, in the short or long term. 🔸The double top is a common occurrence towards the end of a bullish market. The price formation looks like two peaks that occur after one another. 🔸The double bottom formation typically occurs at the end of a downward trending or declining market. 🔸 The double bottom is similar to the double top, but the key difference between the two can be seen in the inverse or negative relationship in price. Inverse Head and Shoulders (Bulls) Head and Shoulders (Bears) 🔸The inverse head and shoulders pattern begins with a downtrend. This is the extended move down that eventually leads to exhaustion and a reversal higher as sellers exit and buyers step up. That downtrend is met by minor support, which forms the first shoulder. As the market begins to move higher, it bounces off strong resistance and the downtrend resumes. This resistance level forms the neckline. 🔸Pattern is defined by the head / left shoulder / right shoulder and neckline. 🔸The H*S pattern is a bearish market pattern will appear near market tops. The first shoulder forms after a significant bullish period in the market when the price rises and then declines into a trough. The head is then formed when the price increases again, creating a high peak above the level of the first shoulder formation. From this point, the price falls and creates the second shoulder, which is usually similar in appearance to the first shoulder. 🔸The pattern is completed, giving a market reversal signal, when the price declines again, breaking below the neckline. The neckline, as depicted above, is the horizontal line that connects the first two troughs to one another. Three Drives (Bulls) Three Drives (Bears) 🔸The three-drive is a rare price pattern formed by three consecutive symmetrical drives up or down. In its bullish form, the market is making three final drives to a bottom before an uptrend forms. In a bearish three-drive, it is peaking before the bears take over. A three-drive contains two overlapping ABCD patterns. 🔸There are multiple ways of trading a Three drives pattern: You can trade the drive 3. Enter the market when you are sure that the market has formed the point B (buy in a bearish Three-Drive and sell in a bullish Three Drive). You can trade when the entire pattern is complete. 🔸Extensions are always based on fibs, most of the time 1.27 and 1.62. Falling Wedge (Bulls) Rising Wedge (Bears) 🔸The falling wedge pattern is interpreted as both a bullish continuation and bullish reversal pattern which gives rise to some confusion in the identification of the pattern. Both scenarios contain different market conditions which must be taken into consideration. 🔸The Falling Wedge in the downtrend indicates a reversal to an uptrend. It is formed when the prices are making Lower Highs and Lower Lows compared to the previous price movements. It gives traders opportunities to take buy positions in the market. 🔸The rising wedge in an uptrend indicates reversal to the downtrend. It is formed when the prices are making Higher Highs and Higher Lows compared to the previous price movements. It gives traders opportunities to take short positions in the market 🔸Generally, traders will wait for a breakout before executing a trade on buy/sell side. Also traders may chose to wait for a re-test of the breakout area before executing a trade.
OANDA:XAUUSDEducation
by ProjectSyndicate
20
THE MOST USEFUL TRADING SITES ...and how to utilize themIn this post, I will share the some of the most useful trading sites that are available to you and how you are able to utilize them to your advantage whether it's for fundamentals, charting, analysis, performance tracking, news events or just to follow your favorite professionals and their ideas & education that they share publicly. First and foremost, if you haven't made this your PRIMARY trading platform, I want to encourage you to use and SUBSCRIBE to TRADINGVIEW As we all evolve as traders, I'm sure we can all relate to one thing in common which is hard work and dedication. Trading is one of the hardest professions out there and without hard work, practice and dedication, we know that 90% of traders fail to make it in this industry. TRADINGVIEW gives you all the resources you need to be able to become one of the 10% as it enables you to become a content creator, it gives you a community to research ideas, you're able to watch livestreams, catch news flows, back test & analyze your own strategies and most importantly of all, you have direct support team to help guide you by sharing their own personal trading experiences, publicly as well as privately. Whether your choice of market is Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Bonds, Futures, Commodities or Yields, TRADINGVIEW has all the tools to be able get you well on your journey to become a professional trader. See Figure 1: Subscriptions WWW.MYFXBOOK.COM MYFXBOOK has a variety of different tools to use ranging anywhere from position size calculators, COT data (Commitment of traders), Broker spreads/quotes/volumes, news flows, correlations and most importantly, account linked performance analysis. You may be a full time trader or a part time trader with a 9-5 job, either way analyzing your entries, exits, RR ratio, drawdowns etc. are necessary to find what works and what doesn't. Trading is about probabilities and if you're not making money in 25 trades, you need to reanalyze and change your approach. Myfxbook.com allows you to link your trading platform to breakdown your performance, ultimately being your own coach to find the approach that suits you the best. See Figure 2: Performance Stats WWW.TRADINGECONOMICS.COM As many different crises happen throughout the world (especially the most recent ones within the last few years), understanding how the Federal Reserve operates to manage monetary policy is key to get an edge in your positions in the forex market. TRADINGECONOMICS gives you all the accurate information needed to be able to forecast and research throughout 196 countries like, economic indicators, exchange rates, stock market indexes, government bond yields and commodity prices. Micro and Macro economics are a big part of how this world operates and having access to all the most important information that drives the Feds decisions due to the economy being split between these two realms are valuable as they could be bridged together for more accurate forecasting. See Figure 3: Inflation Rates/GDP Growth (By Country) WWW.FOREXLIVE.COM FOREXLIVE has many different helpful resources to keep you up to date in the market no matter what time zone or trading session you take part in. As our lives are busy with family, day jobs, business endeavors or simply being in different time zones, you may not be able to watch all sessions play out and in fact, taking a break from the screen is healthy for your mind and emotions. The great thing about FOREXLIVE is that you are able to read Session Wraps to keep you up to date with a summary after each session (Asian, European, U.S) completes. Psychology is a big part of why a trader either succeeds or fails which balancing your time on and off the markets are important to detach your emotions from your positions. Set a plan for how many times you will scan the charts a day and fill that in between time with activities like exercising, reading, chores, spending time with your family, going for a walk and much more. See Figure 4: Session Wraps WWW.INVESTOPEDIA.COM INVESTOPEDIA was founded in 1999 headquartered in the heart of New York city U.S. This website provides comparisons of financial products, reviews, ratings, comparisons of different financial products and most importantly, it is a financial dictionary. With the broad range of information provided, it gives readers the confidence to manage every aspect of their financial life. Whether you're learning about money and investing for the first time or are looking to improve your knowledge and skills, anyone from an experienced investor, a business owner, a professional, an advisor, INVESTOPEDIA has all the information to build your skills. See Figure 5: 4 Basic Things to Know About Bonds/Key Takeaways WWW.INVESTING.COM INVESTING.COM is a well known site that offers real-time market quotes, information about stocks, futures, options, analysis, commodities and most importantly an economic calendar. Keeping an eye out for the high impact news events will help you adapt and control the volatility during those peak hours. Another helpful aspect of this site is knowing what will drive the market mood for each upcoming week. The top 5 most important fundamental areas to watch for are explained and broken down to help your forecast and analysis so you can prepare your trade setups accordingly. Applying fundamental analysis along with technical analysis will help you become a better trader as when the high impact news events hit, markets get volatile which could cause a running profit turn into an absolute loss. Knowing when to be in or out of the market is valuable so you don't go into a draw down phase. See Figure 6: Economic Calendar As I only have mentioned a small number of sites that you are able to access, we all know there are so many other ones available out there, paid and free. Researching and spending the time to read to broaden your knowledge in the financial world will only help you grow as a trader and essentially improve your trading results. Check out some more free sites: www.fxstreet.com www.dailyfx.com www.forexfactory.com www.babypips.com Please share the site that most helps you in by leaving it in the comment section. I would love to see the variety of ones available. ** If you felt this was helpful in anyway, please support by hitting the LIKE button and FOLLOW me for more educational and analysis ideas ** I appreciate all the feedback! Thanks Trade Safe
Education
by ktlfx
1
Cash flow vibrationsIn the previous post we started to analyze the Cash flow statement. From it, we learned about the existence of three cash flows - operating cash flow, financial cash flow, and investment cash flow. Like three rivers, they fill the company's "lake of cash" (that is, they go with a "+" sign). However, there are three other rivers that flow out of our lake, preventing it from expanding indefinitely. What are their names? They have absolutely identical names: operating cash flow, financial cash flow, and investment cash flow (and they go with a "-" sign). Why so? Because all of the company's outgoing payments can also be divided into these three rivers: Operating payments include the purchase of raw materials, the payment of wages - everything related to the production and support of the product. Financial payments include repayment of debt and interest on it, payment of dividends, or buyback of shares from shareholders. Investment payments include the purchase of non-current assets (say, the purchase of additional buildings or shares in another company). If the inflows from the three rivers on the left are greater than the outflows into the rivers on the right, then our lake will increase in volume, meaning that the company's cash balances will grow. If the outflows into the three rivers on the right are greater than the inflows from the rivers on the left, the lake will become shallow and eventually dry up. So, the cash flow statement shows how much our lake has increased or decreased over the period (quarter or year). This report can be presented as four entries: Each value of A, B, and C is the difference between what came into our lake from the river and what flowed out of the lake by the river of the same name. That is, the value can be either positive or negative. How can we interpret the meanings of the different flows? Let's break down each of them. Operating cash flow . In a fundamentally strong company, it is the most stable and powerful river. The implication is that it should be the main source of "water" for our lake. Negative operating cash flow is an indicator of serious problems with the business because it means it is not generating money. Investment cash flow . This is the most unpredictable river, as sometimes it can be very powerful and sometimes it can flow like a thin trickle. This is due to the fact that the purchase or sale of non-current assets (recall that these may be buildings, equipment, shares in other companies) does not occur as regularly as operational activities. A sudden negative investment flow tells us about some big purchase. Shareholders do not always view such events positively, as they may consider it an unwise expenditure or a threat to dividend payments. Therefore, they may start to sell their shares, which causes their price to drop. If a big purchase is perceived as an opportunity to reach the next level and capture more market share, then we may see exactly the opposite effect - an increase in share price. Financial cash flow . A negative value of this cash flow can be seen as a very positive signal because it means that the company is either actively reducing its debt to creditors, or using the money to pay dividends, or spending the money to buy its own stock (*), or maybe all of these together. (*) Here you may ask, why would a company buy its own stock? Management sometimes does this when they are confident in the success of their business and want to support the growth of their stock. The company becomes a major buyer of its own stock for some time so that it begins to grow. The process itself is called share buyback . Positive financial cash flow, on the other hand, signals either an increase in debt or the sale of its own stock. As far as debt is concerned, you can't say that loans are bad for business. But there has to be a measure. But the sale by a company of its own shares is already an alarming signal to the current shareholders. It means that the company doesn't have enough money coming out of operating cash flow. There is another type of cash flow that is not a separate "river," but is used as information about how much cash the company has left to meet its obligations to creditors and shareholders. This is Free cash flow . It is simple to calculate: just subtract one of the components of the investment cash flow from the operating cash flow. This component is called Capital expenditures (often abbreviated as CAPEX). Capital expenditures include outgoing payments that go toward the purchase of non-current assets , such as land, buildings, equipment, etc. (Free cash flow = Operating cash flow - Capital expenditures) Free cash flow can be characterized as the "living" money that a company has created over a period, which can be used to repay loans, pay dividends, and buyback stocks from shareholders. If free cash flow is very weak or even negative, it is a reason for creditors, shareholders and investors to think about how the company is doing business. This concludes my discussion of the cash flow statement topic. Next time, let's talk about the magic ratios that you can get from a company's financial statements. They greatly facilitate the process of fundamental analysis and are widely used by investors around the world. We will talk about the so-called Financial Ratios . See you soon!
NASDAQ:AAPLEducation
by Be_Capy
CURRENCY CORRELATION HEAT MAPCurrency correlation is important to understand in forex trading because it could impact your trading results often without you even knowing it. In this post, I will share some information about correlations in forex trading and how you are able to use it to your advantage to avoid unnecessary losses. Throughout my journey as a beginner trader, I have bought or sold 2 different currency pairs many times without knowing they are negatively correlated just to let the gains be offset by the other pair. My aim in this short post is to bring awareness about the positive and negative correlations between the currencies, specifically the most traded major pairs in the forex market. What is correlation in forex trading? A foreign exchange correlation is the connection between 2 different currency pairs. There is a positive correlation when 2 pairs move in the same direction, a negative correlation when they move in opposite direction, and no correlation if the pairs move with no relationship. In order to understand the relationship between 2 currencies, you must know the correlation coefficient and how it relates. What is correlation coefficient? A correlation coefficient represents how strong or weak a correlation is between 2 forex pairs. They are expressed in values and range from -100 to 100 or -1 to 1, with the decimal representing the coefficient. The higher the value of the correlation coefficient will largely reflect the movement of the other pair. See Figure 1. Correlation Heat Map For example, If the reading is -70 and above 70, it is considered to have strong correlation between the two. Readings anywhere between -70 to 70 means that the pairs are less correlated. With coefficients near the 0 mark, means little or no relationship with one or another. As traders, implementing risk management in our trading plan also reflects to correlations as you may think its a good ides to buy 2 highly correlated pairs thinking you will double your profits when in reality you may lose double the money as both trades could end up in a loss as you're doubling your risk. Figure 2 . Positive Correlation: EURUSD / AUDUSD As we can see on this line chart between EURUSD / AUDUSD, both pairs have a strong correlation coefficient as they are moving in almost the same direction. The correlation coefficient is valued at 75 as noted on the heat map. For example, if you place a buy order EURUSD and place a sell order on AUDUSD, expect a win and a loss in most cases. Figure 3. Negative Correlation: EURGBP / GBPUSD On this line chart, we can see that both of these parts are moving in opposite directions which are showing a negative correction between the two which in fact is also known as an inverted correction. The correlation coefficient is valued at -90 on the heat map which means if you place a buy order on EURGBP and a place a sell order on GBPUSD you may double your profits, but again you're doubling your risk. Figure 4. No Correlation: GBPJPY / USDJPY This line chart shows that both of these pairs move in the same direction with a correlation coefficient of -9 which has almost no correlation. If you place a buy order on GBPJPY and place a sell order on USDJPY, one of these trades will most likely end up in a loss. The pairs that have no correlation usually have different and separate economic conditions therefore coefficient values tend to be lower. In summary, understanding which pairs are correlated with one another will be able to help build your strategy and improve your trading results. Every trading strategy NEEDS to have Risk Management implemented in it as it is the key to sustainability for the long run. Trading is a marathon NOT a sprint. To learn more about forex correlations and their relationships, please see the following links. References: www.tradingview.com ca.investing.com If you felt this information was helpful, and hit the LIKE button and FOLLOW me for more educational posts and analysis. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions! I appreciate all the feedback. Thanks Trade Safe
UEducation
by ktlfx
12