How to Trade Crude Oil: Trading StrategiesHow to Trade Crude Oil: Trading Strategies
Learning how to trade crude oil requires a nuanced understanding of its fundamental aspects, instruments, and trading strategies. This comprehensive article offers insights into the critical elements that affect crude oil prices, the range of instruments available for trading, and specific strategies traders use in this market.
The Basics of Crude Oil
Crude oil, often referred to as "black gold," is a fossil fuel derived from the remains of ancient organic matter. It serves as a crucial raw material for various industries, including transportation, chemicals, and manufacturing.
Two primary types of crude oil traded on global markets are West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent Crude. WTI is primarily sourced from the United States and is known for its high quality and low sulphur content. On the other hand, Brent Crude originates mainly from the North Sea and serves as an international pricing benchmark.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which includes members like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Venezuela, plays a pivotal role in determining global oil supply. By adjusting production levels, OPEC influences crude oil prices significantly. Additionally, other countries like Russia and the United States contribute to the world's oil supply, further affecting market dynamics.
What Time Does the Oil Market Open?
Like forex markets, crude oil trading hours are nearly 24/5. They’re typically highly liquid and offer traders multiple opportunities across a given day. For example, the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) opens for trading from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon, with a brief daily trading break.
Activity is most intense during the US session, which runs from 9:00 AM to 17:00 PM EST, and the European session, from 2:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST. These periods coincide with peak market activity and are generally the most volatile, with the overlap between the US and European sessions (between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM EST) offering the greatest volatility and trading activity.
Factors Affecting Crude Oil Trading
In oil trading, economics is a fundamental aspect that traders need to grasp to make educated decisions. Several factors drive the price of crude oil, and here are some of the most significant:
- Supply and Demand: At its core, the price of crude oil is determined by how much of it is available (supply) versus how much is wanted (demand). An oversupply can depress prices, while high demand can cause prices to spike.
- Geopolitical Events: Conflicts, wars, and diplomatic tensions in oil-producing regions can disrupt supply chains, affecting prices. For instance, sanctions on Iran or instability in Venezuela can push prices higher.
- Currency Fluctuations: Oil prices are generally quoted in US dollars. A strong dollar can make oil more expensive for countries using other currencies, thereby affecting demand.
- Seasonal Changes: During winter, demand for heating oil can rise, pushing crude oil prices up. Conversely, a mild winter might result in lower demand and prices.
- Technological Advances: Innovations in extraction methods, such as fracking, can alter the supply landscape, making it easier to extract oil and thereby affecting prices.
- OPEC Decisions: As previously mentioned, OPEC has a significant influence on oil prices. Their production quotas can tighten or flood the market, causing price swings.
- Economic Indicators: Data like unemployment rates, manufacturing output, and interest rates can indicate the health of an economy, which in turn can affect oil consumption and prices.
- Environmental Policies: Increasing regulations and policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy sources can impact the demand and supply of crude oil, thereby influencing prices.
- Natural Disasters: Events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters can disrupt oil production and supply chains, leading to fluctuations in crude oil prices.
- Global Economic Growth: The overall growth of the global economy plays a critical role in crude oil demand. Economic booms often lead to higher energy consumption, driving up oil prices, while economic slowdowns can reduce demand and lower prices.
How Is Crude Oil Traded?
When learning how to trade oil, traders have a variety of instruments to choose from.
CFDs
Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are popular instruments when trading crude. CFDs are used by traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. Essentially, a CFD is a contract between a trader and a broker to exchange the difference in price from the point the position is opened to when it is closed. One of the key benefits is the use of leverage, which means traders can control a larger position with a smaller initial investment, amplifying both potential returns and losses.
Margin requirements vary by broker but are typically lower for CFDs on oil compared to some other instruments. This makes it appealing for crude oil day trading strategies, where traders aim to capitalise on short-term price movements. However, managing risk effectively is crucial, as the leveraged nature of CFDs can result in significant losses if the market moves against you.
At FXOpen, we offer both CFDs on WTI Crude oil and Brent Crude. Head over there to explore a world of trading tools and other assets beyond crude oil.
Futures
Futures contracts are another well-established avenue for trading crude oil. Unlike CFDs, futures are standardised agreements to buy or sell a specific quantity of oil at a predetermined price at a set date in the future. They are traded on regulated exchanges, providing an added layer of transparency and security.
Spot Market
In spot trading, one buys or sells crude oil and takes immediate delivery and ownership. Unlike futures and CFDs, there's no leverage in spot trading, making it a less risky option. However, the absence of leverage requires a higher initial investment. While retail traders often avoid spot trading due to storage and transportation challenges, it's commonly used by entities directly involved in production or consumption. This method is more straightforward but demands the logistical capabilities that individual traders usually lack.
ETFs
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer an alternative for those interested in the crude oil market without dealing with futures contracts or physical ownership. Crude oil ETFs typically track the price of oil or related indices by holding futures contracts or a blend of oil company stocks. This allows investors to indirectly gain exposure to oil price movements with less complexity.
Investing in a crude oil ETF can provide a degree of diversification, as these funds may also include assets like bonds or other commodities in their portfolio. However, it's essential to be aware of the management fees and potential tracking errors in the ETF's performance compared to the actual commodity.
Stocks
Another route to gain exposure to the crude oil market is by investing in the stocks of companies involved in the industry. This includes major producers, refineries, and even transportation companies. By owning shares in these businesses, investors are indirectly influenced by crude oil prices. To use an example, a rise in oil prices often boosts the profitability of oil-producing companies, potentially leading to stock price appreciation.
Unlike trading futures or CFDs, investing in stocks means actually owning a piece of the company, often with the added benefits of dividends. However, conducting thorough research is crucial, as these stocks can be affected by company-specific risks in addition to oil price movements.
Crude Oil Trading Strategies
Given the volatile nature of crude oil prices, traders employ specific strategies to capitalise on price fluctuations. Here are some strategies that may be useful for crude oil trading:
Trend Following with Moving Averages
The trend is your friend, especially in commodities like crude oil. This is a well-known technique but it may be very useful for commodity trading. One effective way to follow the trend is by using moving averages, such as the 50-day (blue) and 200-day (orange). When the 50-day crosses above the 200-day, it's generally a bullish signal, and vice versa for a bearish trend. However, as with all technical analysis tools, moving averages can sometimes trigger false signals.
Range Trading
Due to supply-demand dynamics and geopolitical factors, crude oil prices often fluctuate within a specific range. Identifying these ranges can be useful for short-term trading. Traders buy at the lower end of the range and sell at the higher end, applying technical indicators like RSI or Stochastic Oscillator for entry and exit signals.
News-Based Trading
In crude oil markets, news about OPEC decisions, US oil inventory data, geopolitical tensions, and technological advancements can dramatically impact prices. Traders keeping an eye on oil news can take advantage of sudden announcements or an economic release likely to push prices in a particular direction. Given the high leverage commonly available in CFD trading, this strategy can be effective but also comes with significant risk.
Trade Crude Oil at FXOpen
Trade WTI and Brent Crude oil CFDs at FXOpen to take advantage of our competitive spreads, high liquidity, and lightning-fast execution speeds.
We offer four different trading platforms, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TickTrader, and TradingView, each with desktop, web-based and mobile versions for access anytime and anywhere. Take advantage of advanced technical analysis tools, including many trading tools and expert advisors for automated trading.
Traders can rest easy knowing that FXOpen is also regulated by the FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, and is licensed to provide financial services in Australia: AFSL 412871 – ABN 61 143 678 719. Start trading oil and gas commodity CFDs with confidence at FXOpen and explore a world of trading opportunities across more than 600 markets.
To access Crude Oil markets with competitive spreads and rapid execution speeds, consider opening an FXOpen account today and step confidently into the world of crude oil trading.
The Bottom Line
In crude oil trading, having the right strategies and tools is essential. By understanding the fundamentals, market dynamics, and utilising specific trading techniques, you are now equipped with the knowledge you need to get started!
FAQ
How to Trade Brent Crude Oil?
To trade Brent Crude oil, you can use various instruments such as futures contracts, CFDs, ETFs, or stocks of oil companies. Most retail traders use CFDs, which provide a way to speculate on price movements without owning the asset. CFDs also allow for leverage, which can amplify both potential gains and losses.
What Is the Brent Oil Trading Strategy?
A common Brent oil trading strategy involves trend following using moving averages. For instance, traders use the 50-day and 200-day moving averages to identify bullish or bearish trends. Range trading and news-based trading are also popular strategies.
What Hours Does Crude Oil Trade?
Crude oil trades nearly 24/5. The New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) operates from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon with a daily break. The most active trading occurs during the US session (9:00 AM to 2:30 PM EST) and the European session (6:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST).
What Is the Best Time to Trade Brent Crude Oil?
According to theory, the best time to trade Brent Crude oil is during the overlap of the US and European sessions, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST, when market liquidity and volatility are highest. However, you should consider fundamental factors as they can lead to unexpected price movements.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Community ideas
Beware of Symmetrical Triangles. And yes, they occur oftenWhy Beware?
Ambiguous Direction: Symmetrical triangles don't inherently indicate whether the breakout will be upward or downward. Without additional confirmation from volume or other technical indicators, predicting the direction can be challenging.
Market Noise: In volatile markets, price movements within the triangle can be erratic, making it difficult to identify clear breakout signals amidst the noise.
False Breakouts: Not every symmetrical triangle leads to a significant price movement. Sometimes, the breakout fails, resulting in a false signal that can trap traders in losing positions.
XAUUSD GOLD: Understanding Trend Shifts for Precision Entries👀👉 In this video, we explore the inner workings of market trends and, more importantly, how smart money manipulates price action to sweep liquidity, allowing them to place their orders and sustain the trend. We also showcase a powerful, free indicator from TradingView’s extensive toolset. Here's what we cover:
📊 Understanding Trends: How trends truly operate in the market.
💰 Smart Money Tactics: How institutional traders manipulate price action to sweep liquidity and execute large orders.
🔑 Key Levels: Identifying crucial accumulation and distribution zones to approach potential trade setups effectively.
🛠 TradingView Indicators: Learn how to access tools that help spot when price is overextended.
🔎 Market Structure: Discover how to locate resting liquidity and anticipate price reactions, understanding the role of liquidity in market movement.
📈 Trade Setups: Using a practical approach, we examine price interactions with liquidity, blending Wyckoff theory and ICT concepts for sharper trade decisions.
Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Trading involves significant risks. Be sure to conduct your own research before making any decisions. Trade responsibly.
THE TREND IS YOUR FRIEND...UNTIL THE END...EURUSD EXAMPLEHey everyone! Hope you are having an AMAZING weekend and beautiful Sunday so far! I just wanted to get on here and post a quick educational video for my Trading View community and share some nuggets I have learned over the last 14 years of being in the markets that hopefully can help you guys reach consistency and ultimately profitability.
The subject in this video is "THE TREND IS YOUR FRIEND..UNTIL THE END" hope you guys enjoy get a notepad and paper or iPhone out lol and take some notes! You won't want to miss this!
Cheers!
Rules of Motive WavesMotive Waves are the components of Elliot Wave structure. Motive Waves consists of 5 sub-waves of which 3 are impulse (In the direction of trend) and 2 corrective waves. The Motive Wave in the upward direction will start with Swing High, Ends with Swing High and consists of 3 Higher Highs and 2 Higher Lows representing strong upward trend. Motive Wave in the downward direction will start with Swing Low, Ends with Swing low and consists of 3 Lower Lows and 2 Lower Highs representing strong downward trend.
🎲 Types of Motive Waves
Motive Waves are broadly classified by two types:
Impulse Waves
Diagonal Waves
Diagonal Waves are further classified into Contracting and Expanding Diagonals. These can fall into the category of either leading diagonal and ending diagonal.
🎲 Rules of Motive Waves
🎯 Generic Rule of any motive waves are as follows
Should consist of 5 alternating waves. (Swing High followed by Swing low and vice versa)
This can start from Swing High and end in Swing High or start from Swing Low and end in Swing Low.
Wave-2 should not move beyond Wave-1. This means, the Wave-2 is always shorter than Wave-1 with respect to distance between the price of start and end.
Wave-3 always moves beyond Wave-1. This means, the Wave-3 is always longer than Wave-2 in terms of price
Among Wave-1, Wave-3, and Wave-5, Wave-3 is never the shortest one. This means, either Wave-1 or Wave-5 can be longer than Wave-3 but not both. Wave-3 can also be longest among the three.
Here is the pictorial representation of the rules of the Motive Waves
For a wave to be considered as motive wave, it also needs to follow the rules of either impulse or diagonal waves.
🎯 Rules for a 5 wave pattern to be considered as Impulse Wave are:
Wave-4 never overlaps with Wave-1 price range
Wave-1, Wave-3 and Wave-5 should not be either expanding or contracting. Meaning, we cannot have Wave-1 > Wave-3 > Wave-5 , and we cannot have Wave-1 < Wave-3 < Wave-5
Pictorial representation of the impulse wave rules are as below:
🎯 Rules for the Diagonal Waves are as follows
Contrary to the first rule of impulse wave, in case of diagonal wave, Wave-4 always overlaps with Wave-1 price range.
Wave-1, Wave-3 and Wave-5 are either in expanding formation or contracting formation. That means, we need to have either Wave-1 > Wave-3 > Wave-5 OR Wave-1 < Wave-3 < Wave-5
Pictorial representation of the Contracting Diagonal Wave is as below. Here, the Wave-1, Wave-3 and Wave-5 are in contracting formation.
Pictorial representation of the Expanding Diagonal Wave is as below. Here, the Wave-1, Wave-3 and Wave-5 are in expanding formation.
Event-Driven Strategy using Bitcoin Weekly FuturesCME: Bitcoin Weekly Futures ( MIL:BFF )
On Thursday, October 10th, The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in August and July. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 2.4% before seasonal adjustment.
However, the headline CPI came in ahead of the 0.1% monthly gain and 2.3% year-over-year rate expected by analysts polled by Dow Jones. As a result, both the US equity markets and cryptocurrencies slipped on Thursday.
While the year-over-year headline CPI is the lowest since February 2021, digging into the category data reveals sticky inflation. Noticeable data includes:
• Food: +2.3% YoY. However, Eggs jumped 39.6%, while “nonconcentrated juices + soft drinks” category was up 15.3%.
• Motor vehicle insurance: +16.3% YoY
• Video discs + other media: +11.6% YoY
• Admission to sporting events: +10.3% YoY
• Health insurance: +7.5% YoY
High prices affect day-to-day life and contradict the notion of low inflation. The fact is that prices have gone up a lot in the past few years. Even though they rise more slowly now, the absolute price levels remain high. Examples from my personal experiences:
• The $9 price tag for 1-1/2 dozen eggs caused me to reduce purchase to 1-dozon for $5. I still remember the good old days of 99-cent per dozen large eggs.
• I watched a WNBC match featuring Indianapolis Fever and Catlin Clark in the summer. A seat close by the basketball court costs $200. Adding up hotel stay, fuel cost and a $50 T-shirt, this felt like a vacation budget.
• A recent doctor’s visit required copayment of $100. Six months ago, the same clinic charged $75. This is a 33.3% increase.
Event to Watch: The Next Fed Rate Decision
Retrospectively, it appears that the Federal Reserve acted a bit too aggressively with the supersized 50-bp rate cut in September. With the sticky inflation data, the Fed’s next move on November 7th is uncertain.
According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, as of October 11th, the futures market expects the Fed to cut 25 basis points at the next FOMC meeting, with an 88.4% probability. Gone are the odds of another supersized cut. Meanwhile, the probability of a no-cut increases to 11.6%.
www.cmegroup.com
Driven by the lowered expectation on Fed rate cuts, on Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 0.14% to 42,454, and the S&P 500 slipped 0.21% to settle at 5,780. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq composite shaved up 10 points (-0.05%) and closed at 18,282.
The cryptocurrency market has a more pronounced reaction. Bitcoin gave up the psychologically important $60K level, lost $1,442 (or -2.36%) and settled at $59,564. Meanwhile, ETHER gave up $57.2 (or -2.38%) and closed at $2,356.
However, market sentiments are still very bullish. By Friday, strong Q3 earnings reported by JPMorgan and Well Fargo helped push the stock market up again, with the S&P 500 breaking 5,800 and making its 45th all-time high in 2024.
In my opinion, Bitcoin futures would be a good instrument for event-driven trades on the Fed rate decisions, given its higher volatility.
Introducing Bitcoin Friday Futures
Bitcoin Friday futures ( MIL:BFF ) are weekly, USD-settled contracts that offer a more precise way to gain bitcoin exposure and manage risk relating to such exposure. Each contract represents 1/50 of a bitcoin, ensuring capital efficiency and accessibility. The contract size of BFF is 1/5 of that of Micro Bitcoin Futures ( NYSE:MBC ), which is 1/10 of a Bitcoin.
These shorter-dated contracts expire and settle to the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate New York Variant (BRRNY) every Friday at 4:00 p.m. New York time and may track the spot price of bitcoin more closely.
Futures contracts traditionally expire on a monthly or quarterly basis, such as BTC and MBT, whereas BFF will settle weekly every Friday. Because of this shorter duration, BFF will have a shorter cost of carry resulting in a price that may more closely track bitcoin’s spot price.
Bitcoin futures price = bitcoin spot price + financing costs to carry the position to expiration
Two consecutive Fridays will be listed at any time. A new BFF contract will be listed every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. New York time such that market participants will be able to trade the nearest Friday plus the next two Fridays giving traders the choice to hold or not hold exposure over the weekend depending on their preference.
Trade Setup using BFF for the FOMC Event
The Federal Open Market Committee will release its next rate decision at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, November 7th.
The BFF contract expiring Friday, November 8th will begin trading at 6:00 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, October 24th.
A trade could be set up on or after October 24th, and closed by November 7th or 8th, after the market reacts to the Fed decision and before contract expiration.
While the market overwhelmingly expects the Fed to cut 25 bps, new data could change the expectations dramatically in the next four weeks. The most important data points are:
• BLS Nonfarmed Payroll and Unemployment, November 1st
• US Presidential Election, November 5th
Separately, the next BLS CPI release will be on November 13th, after the BFF November 8th contract. We could use the BFF November 15th contract to trade on that event.
As an educational writeup, I do not offer a personal view on the future direction of BFF prices. With basic information provided here, traders could apply their own view to set up a trade on BFF.
Generally, if the Fed cuts rates in December, stocks and cryptocurrencies could get a lifting as lower rates reduce the cost of capital. Meanwhile, if the Fed pauses and decides on no-cuts, the uncertainty on interest rate trajectory could cause risk capital to fall.
Happy Trading.
Disclaimers
*Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
CME Real-time Market Data help identify trading set-ups and express my market views. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
Uber (UBER): Missed the Rally? Here comes new opportunitiesIt's been a while since we last looked at Uber, and the stock has moved perfectly since then. Uber reacted exactly as expected to our desired area, but unfortunately, we didn’t buy any shares at the time. If you did, congratulations – this position is now up 60.8%!
Shares of rideshare companies Uber Technologies and Lyft surged on Friday, following Tesla's underwhelming Robotaxi reveal. Uber has shifted its focus away from developing autonomous vehicles and is instead concentrating on expanding its marketplace for riders and drivers. This shift has created a robust network effect, making it increasingly difficult for competitors to match Uber's scale, according to a recent report by Business Insider.
Uber’s asset-light business model, which doesn't involve owning or maintaining vehicles, has been financially successful, generating $1.7 billion in free cash flow in the second quarter. Now, Uber has reached a new all-time high, and if we look back at the chart, it's easy to see a clear and powerful pattern. After entering our desired area, Uber made a sharp V-shaped correction, followed by a key level retest. In a short period, NYSE:UBER turned bullish, marking a complete turnaround.
We will be closely watching Uber Technologies' upcoming earnings report, scheduled for October 31, 2024. After this event, we’ll update our chart and look for possible new opportunities.
Bullish rates reversal signals US dollar downside riskIf you want clues on directional risks for the US dollar, there are worse places to look than US 2-year Treasury note futures, shown in the left-hand pane of the chart. As one of the most liquid futures contracts globally, the price signals it provides can be very informative for broader markets, especially in the FX universe.
Having tumbled most of October, implying higher US yields given the inverse relationship between the two, the price action this week looks potentially important. We saw the price take out long-running uptrend support on Wednesday before staging a dramatic bullish reversal on Thursday despite another hot US inflation report.
The bounce off the 200-day moving average on the back of big volumes delivered not only a hammer candle but also took the price back above former uptrend support, delivering a bullish signal that suggests directional risks for yields may be skewing lower. You can see that in the right-hand pane with US 2-year bond yields hitting multi month highs on Thursday before reversing lower.
But it’s the correlation analysis beneath the chart that I want you to focus on, looking at the strength of the relationship US 2-year yields have had with a variety of FX pairs over the past fortnight.
USD/JPY has a score of 0.9 with USD/CNH not far behind at 0.89, signalling that where US 2-year yields have moved over the past two weeks, these pairs have almost always followed.
EUR/USD, GBP/USD and AUD/USD have experienced similarly strong relationships over the same period with scores ranging from -0.88 to -0.96, the only difference being where yields have moved, they’ve usually done the opposite.
The broader readthrough is that shorter-dated US yields have been driving US dollar direction recently, with rising rates fuelling dollar strength. But given the bullish signal from US 2-year Treasury note futures on Thursday, if we just saw the lows, it implies we may have seen the highs for US yields and the US dollar.
Good luck!
DS
Elon Musk’s EV Empire Unveils Cybercabs and Robovans. Now What?Highly-anticipated Robotaxi event offered a glimpse into what Elon Musk touted as “the future” — a driverless almond-shaped Cybercab robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals and a Robovan that can ferry up to 20 people (but looks like a giant sliding toaster ). Both are futuristic and flashy. But can they generate revenue and keep Tesla churning out profits? That’s the question investors were asking while they pressed hard on the “Sell TSLA shares” button.
Tesla (ticker: TSLA ) is introducing a new era. Years after it had released a new product (the Cybertruck in 2019), the electric-vehicle maker, towering over the EV space , is expanding its product suite with not one but two new sick wheels. Rolling up to the stage in one of them — a robotaxi called “Cybercab” — Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive, unveiled the driverless two-seater cab and an autonomous van conveniently called Robovan.
“You could fall asleep and wake up at your destination,” Musk said on stage after he arrived one hour late. “There’s no steering wheel or pedals so I hope this goes well.”
The other big reveal was a Robovan/Robobus that can pick up a total of 20 people at a time. The Robovan is especially odd-looking, which, according to Musk, is intentional. “We want to change the look of the roads,” said Musk. “The future should look like the future.”
The icing on the cake was a new version of Optimus — Tesla’s humanoid robot. In its latest form, Optimus was spotted pouring drinks at the venue and dancing in fish tanks while flexing jacked forearms.
Happening at the Warner Brothers movie set in Los Angeles, the hotly-awaited invite-only event had managed to sneak in 50 Cybercab prototypes and multiple humanoid robots.
Of the few details laid out around the business model — the Cybercab is going to cost less than $30,000 with an operating cost of 20 cents a mile. “We expect to be in production with the Cybercab … in probably — well, I tend to be a little optimistic with time frames — but in 2026. Before 2027,” Musk said.
How would that work? Musk is hoping that there will be millions of Cybercabs available to rent out from the owners through the Tesla app. “Your average passenger car is only used 10 hours a week,” he noted. “If they are autonomous they could be used five times more, maybe 10 times more.” Thus, it seems like Musk is betting on new owners looking to convert their vehicles into autonomous taxis, earning them a passive income.
But there’s a long way to go — this new way of transportation requires regulatory approval and regulators don’t exactly have a reputation for being open-minded to new ideas.
According to Elon Musk, Tesla’s future hinges on autonomous driving. Driverless vehicles are central to the continued growth and success of the EV maker. So much so that Musk has previously said that Tesla’s market cap could hit $30 trillion, or about 40 times the current valuation (or 10 times the market cap of Apple (ticker: AAPL ), the world's most expensive company .) For reference, the entire S&P 500 index is worth $50 trillion today.
Tesla’s market worth may skyrocket 40 times but it won’t be today. The neon-filled scene giving futuristic vibes and Musk touting the new products as game-changers didn’t inspire investors to rush in and shove their cash into Tesla shares.
Some key details were missing and that prompted investors to take a cautious stand. First off, from over 2 hours of livestreamed content , the presentation was just about 20 to 30 minutes and didn’t discuss anything about self-driving safety. No deep dives into the business model on the side of revenue or market share for driverless taxis. And with Musk’s broken promises — he had said that millions of robotaxis will be ferrying passengers in 2020 — investors went mild instead of wild.
First trades at the opening bell in New York on Friday saw Tesla shares drop more than 10%. Was the event mostly razzle-dazzle and lots of glam and glitz? Or was there any real substance behind?
Share your thoughts below!
Nvidia's Stellar Surge: A Reflection of AI's AscendanceNvidia's meteoric rise in recent months is a testament to the burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. As tech giants race to integrate AI into their products and services, the demand for Nvidia's high-performance computing chips has skyrocketed. The company's stock has surged by an impressive 25% in the past month alone, and it's on the brink of breaking its all-time high.
Nvidia's dominance in the AI hardware market can be attributed to its cutting-edge graphics processing units (GPUs), which are ideally suited for the complex computations involved in AI tasks. These chips have proven to be indispensable for training and deploying large-scale AI models, such as those used in natural language processing, computer vision, and generative AI.
As tech earnings season approaches, investors are closely watching Nvidia's performance. The company's financial results will provide valuable insights into the strength of demand for its products and the overall health of the AI market. Analysts are anticipating a strong earnings report, fueled by continued growth in data center sales and increasing adoption of Nvidia's AI solutions.
One of the primary drivers of Nvidia's success has been the accelerated development of AI technologies by leading tech companies. Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, Oracle, and OpenAI, among others, have been investing heavily in AI research and development. These companies are racing to introduce new AI-powered products and services, such as chatbots, virtual assistants, and generative AI tools. To support these initiatives, they require powerful hardware infrastructure, including Nvidia's GPUs.
The growing demand for AI chips has created a significant opportunity for Nvidia. The company has been expanding its manufacturing capacity and investing in research and development to maintain its technological edge. Additionally, Nvidia has been exploring new markets, such as autonomous vehicles and healthcare, where AI is expected to play a crucial role.
While Nvidia's future prospects appear promising, it's essential to acknowledge the potential risks and challenges that could impact the company's growth. These include intense competition from other chip manufacturers, fluctuations in the global semiconductor market, and the possibility of regulatory hurdles related to AI development.
Despite these risks, Nvidia's strong market position and the increasing importance of AI suggest that the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the ongoing technological revolution. As AI continues to transform industries and society as a whole, Nvidia's high-performance computing chips are likely to remain a critical component of the AI ecosystem.
The Kiwi has a strong bearish momentum, could it fall further?The price is rising towards the pivot which acts as a pullback resistance and could fall to the the 1st support level which is a pullback support.
Pivot: 0.6127
1st Support: 0.6051
1st Resistance: 0.6174
Risk Warning:
Trading Forex and CFDs carries a high level of risk to your capital and you should only trade with money you can afford to lose. Trading Forex and CFDs may not be suitable for all investors, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent advice if necessary.
Disclaimer:
The above opinions given constitute general market commentary, and do not constitute the opinion or advice of IC Markets or any form of personal or investment advice.
Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an "as-is" basis, are intended only to be informative, is not an advice nor a recommendation, nor research, or a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for a transaction in any financial instrument and thus should not be treated as such. The information provided does not involve any specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. Please be aware, that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance and/or results. Past Performance or Forward-looking scenarios based upon the reasonable beliefs of the third-party provider are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking or past performance statements. IC Markets makes no representation or warranty and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, nor any loss arising from any investment based on a recommendation, forecast or any information supplied by any third-party.
The dollar surge takes a breather, pullback pending?We finally saw the USD rebound I was beating the drum about back in September. But now it's hit a decent resistance zone, I weigh up its potential to hold its ground or producer a deeper pullback. Markets covered include the USD index, EUR/USD and gold.
MS.
Crowdstrike is striking hot with upside rally NASDAQ:CRWD selling seems to be over and is forming an upward channel right now. Buying pressure is seen with the support of rising volume. Furthermore, long-term MACD is coming back with positive histogram and the mid-term stochastic is showing a confirmation of oversold crossover signal. 23-period ROC is back above the zero line and hence, momentum from the short to long-term are flashing upside.
Using 15 minute and 5 Minute Time Frames To Scalp In this video we break down how you can use 15minute and 5 minute time frames to Scalp.
Your 15 min can be your short term gauge for trend and your 5 minute can be where you enter into the market.
Using basic candle sticks patterns I go through a couple different setups one can do on the scalping side of things
If you found this helpful: boost, like or comment
MB Trader
Happy Trading
Mastering Support and Resistance: An Essential Tools for SuccessSupport and resistance are cornerstone principles in trading, offering crucial insights into price dynamics and market behavior. These levels act as key indicators, signaling points where an asset's price is likely to either pause or reverse direction. Support refers to the price level where strong demand prevents further declines, while resistance marks the point where selling pressure halts a price rise. Understanding and effectively utilizing these concepts can make a significant difference in trading success.
In the realm of technical analysis, which focuses on using historical market data to predict future price movements, understanding support and resistance is essential. Traders rely on these levels to pinpoint optimal trade entry and exit points while also managing risk effectively. By recognizing where the market may reverse or maintain its trajectory, traders can craft more robust strategies.
Decoding Support and Resistance Levels
Support and resistance levels are vital price points on a chart that traders use to forecast future market behavior. Support represents a level where a downtrend is likely to pause, driven by a concentration of buying interest. In other words, it's the price point where demand is strong enough to stop further declines. For instance, if a stock repeatedly drops to $100 and then bounces back, $100 becomes a recognized support level.
On the flip side, resistance is the price level where an uptrend often halts due to a high volume of sellers. Unlike support, resistance is where selling pressure overpowers buying interest, preventing prices from climbing further. If a stock consistently hits $150 and then retreats, $150 serves as a resistance level.
Example Support and Resistance on Silver
These levels are significant because they represent psychological thresholds for market participants. When prices approach support, buyers may step in, seeing it as a good entry point. Conversely, when prices near resistance, sellers might take action, expecting the price to struggle moving higher. Understanding how these levels work helps traders refine their timing and make more informed decisions.
The Impact of Support and Resistance in Technical Analysis
Support and resistance are pivotal in technical analysis, guiding traders in interpreting market movements and predicting future price trends. These levels act as psychological barriers that help determine whether a price trend will persist or reverse.
For example, if a stock repeatedly approaches a resistance level but fails to break through, traders may interpret this as strong selling pressure and consider selling or shorting the asset. Conversely, if a price consistently rebounds off a support level, traders might see it as a buying opportunity.
Example Resistance and Support on Apple Stock
Visual tools like charts and diagrams are indispensable for identifying support and resistance levels. By drawing horizontal lines at points where the price has historically reversed, traders can easily spot critical levels and predict potential market movements. These visual aids enhance decision-making by providing a clear picture of where key price barriers lie.
The Crucial Role of Support and Resistance Levels in Trading Strategies
Support and resistance levels are the foundation of successful trading strategies, offering traders the tools to optimize entry and exit points, maximize profits, and manage risks effectively.
For example, when a price hovers near a support level, a trader might take a long position, anticipating a rise in value. Simultaneously, they could place a Stop Loss just below the support level to limit potential losses if the price unexpectedly drops. Similarly, resistance levels provide invaluable insights for deciding when to exit trades or set profit targets. If a price approaches resistance, it might be wise to close a position to secure gains or prepare for a possible reversal.
Understanding and identifying support and resistance levels also play a vital role in risk management. Setting Stop Loss orders near these levels helps traders protect their capital from significant losses if the market turns against them. This disciplined approach not only enhances profitability but also promotes long-term success in trading.
Different Forms of Support and Resistance
Support and resistance levels come in various forms, each providing unique perspectives on market behavior. The most common types include horizontal levels, trendlines, and moving averages.
--Horizontal Support and Resistance: These levels are drawn at points where the price has consistently reversed in the past, making them straightforward and widely recognized.
Horizontal Resistance on Tesla Stock
--Trendline Support and Resistance: Trendlines connect a series of higher lows in an uptrend or lower highs in a downtrend, acting as dynamic support and resistance. In an uptrend, the trendline can signal buying opportunities, while in a downtrend, it might serve as resistance.
Trendline Support on EUR/USD
--Moving Averages: Moving averages, such as the 50-day or 200-day average, often act as support or resistance. For instance, during an uptrend, a pullback to the 50-day moving average can indicate a buying opportunity.
Moving Averages Used as Support and Resistance on USD/CAD
How to Identify Key Support and Resistance Levels
To identify strong support and resistance levels, traders use several strategies:
--Spot Price Clusters: Look for areas where the price consistently reverses direction, signaling strong support or resistance zones.
--Use Technical Indicators: Tools like Fibonacci retracements help identify potential reversal levels during pullbacks by dividing a price move into key percentages (38.2%, 50%, and 61.8%).
Fibonacci Tool used as Support and Resistance areas on DXY
Common Pitfalls When Using Support and Resistance in Trading
While support and resistance are essential, there are common mistakes traders should avoid:
--Over-Reliance on Exact Numbers: Support and resistance are better viewed as zones rather than exact values. Prices may fluctuate slightly above or below these levels before reversing.
--Ignoring Confirmation Signals: Jumping into trades without confirmation can lead to losses. Always look for signs like candlestick patterns or increased volume to confirm that the level will hold.
--Chasing Breakouts Too Hastily: Not all breakouts result in sustained trends. Waiting for confirmation, such as increased volume, helps avoid being caught in a false breakout.
--Impatience: Many traders act prematurely at support or resistance levels. Patience is key—stick to your trading plan and wait for the right setup.
Advanced Strategies for Support and Resistance Trading
For more experienced traders, support and resistance levels can serve as the basis for advanced strategies:
--Breakouts: A breakout occurs when the price moves above resistance or below support, often signaling the start of a new trend. Confirming breakouts with increased volume helps reduce the risk of false signals.
Breakout Confirmation on BTC
--Fakeouts: Prices may temporarily breach support or resistance before reversing direction. Advanced traders capitalize on these by waiting for the price to return within the range and then taking positions in the opposite direction.
Fakeouts on BTC
--Reversals: Traders use reversal strategies when the price changes direction after hitting support or resistance, often signaling the start of a new trend.
Area $72000 resistance used as reversal on BTC
Conclusion
Mastering support and resistance levels is vital for any trader aiming for long-term success. These concepts are the backbone of technical analysis, guiding traders in making informed decisions about when to enter, exit, and manage risks. By understanding and identifying key support and resistance zones, traders can predict price movements, spot opportunities, and refine their strategies.
Incorporating technical analysis into your trading routine will boost your confidence in navigating the market. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned trader, honing your skills with support and resistance can lead to more disciplined and profitable trading.
$AAPL Identifying a Macro 5-Wave Structure In this updated chart, I’m highlighting what appears to be a macro 5-wave structure based on Elliott Wave Theory: Here’s the breakdown:
1. Wave 1 starts from a low point and pushes up strongly, initiating the trend.
2. Wave 2 corrects back but does not fully retrace Wave 1, maintaining the overall upward trend.
3. Wave 3 is a powerful impulsive wave that surpasses Wave 1’s high, as expected in Elliott Wave theory.
4. Wave 4 is a corrective phase, with a shallower retracement compared to Wave 2.
5. Wave 5 is currently unfolding, moving upward and potentially marking the final push in this trend before we enter a larger correction or a reversal.
The next step would be to watch for signs of an A-B-C corrective wave once Wave 5 is completed.
Thoughts?
Bitcoin Monthly chart about to be fully bullishIntroduction
Bitcoin has been winding up above its previous top for many months. If you check the chart habitually or have been in an altcoin that has been bleeding out while bitcoin has been going sideways this has been a very painful time for you. Somethings got to give very soon.
Indicators
The most important indicators for this chart are going to be the weekly and monthly Stop and Reverse Indicator. These are desiged to approach price action from a previous high or low and when price action hits the SAR the next Sar begins from the previous high or low.
For example, when the price action rises to hit a SAR that is above it the next SAR appears beneath it at the value of the previous low. It then will approach the price action based on its formula.
From Wikipedia
the concept draws on the idea that "time is the enemy". Thus, unless a security can continue to generate more profits over time, it should be liquidated. The indicator generally works only in trending markets, and creates "whipsaws" during ranging or, sideways phases. Therefore, Wilder recommends first establishing the direction or change in direction of the trend through the use of parabolic SAR, and then using a different indicator such as the Average Directional Index to determine the strength of the trend.
Right now price has been going sideways and the Monthly SAR is beneath price action. Given the total context this is bullish. The Weekly SAR is above price action. So price is being compressed between two different indicators that have been programed potentially into countless of bots and algos to determine bias. Countless other traders have alerts that will signal when the monthly or weekly SAR are touched by price action so they can reassess the charts.
I have simplified the ADX to just the DI+ and the DI-. My linked idea will show I called the end of the bull market down to the week it ended. Since the bear market ended we don't see anything to concerning with the DI +/-. We are not in bear territory and our bias is still bullish. As price goes sideways and up I expect to see an upswing in DI+ and downside to DI-
In a macro bull on the bullish time frame you actually add to your positions when the weekly time frames are bearish. We can see price action is currently bearish on the weekly time frame as the DI- is above the DI+. This is when you buy if you have "strong hands"
Price Action
Large moves require structure and they require wind up. If you have been focused on the daily or weekly charts you might have missed the fact that bitcoin has clearly been creating structure on top of its previous high . So long as it continues to do so the bias is more upside. Price can wind up below a previous high before legging upward or downward. But so long as it closes above the previous high we continue to set a higher high.
What to look for
Its quite simple. We are looking for price action to, on a monthly basis, stay above the blue box and continue to go sideways and then up. We are also looking for the weekly SAR to flip and then both monthly and weekly SAR will be bullish.
From there the next major target is for bitcoin to roughly double at the 2.0 Fib level around 125K. Anything above the 2.618 fib level for the next market cycle top is too greedy for me. Of course, if bitcoin closes a monthly chart below the blue box, of hits the monthly SAR and flips that to bearish then this idea is negated.
Oscillator Indicators for Experienced Traders (No RSI and MACD)Oscillator Indicators for Experienced Traders (No RSI and MACD)
In the realm of technical trading, seasoned traders and beginners alike often turn to indicators to gauge market momentum and potential reversals. While many are familiar with popular tools like RSI (Relative Strength Index) and MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence), this article takes a different route. Here, we delve into other oscillators—each with its own unique features, significance in trading strategies, and methods for interpreting signals. Once you understand these instruments, you can open an FXOpen account to try them out on the live markets, trading with tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions from $1.50.
Stochastic
The Stochastic Oscillator, developed by Dr. George Lane in the late 1950s, serves as a momentum indicator. It identifies overbought and oversold conditions in a market and signals potential price reversals. It consists of two lines, and unlike trend-following indicators, such as moving averages, it’s placed below the chart, fluctuating between two bands (0-100).
The Stochastic is calculated based on two lines: %K and %D.
- %K is the primary line calculated using the most recent close price relative to the high and low prices over a specified period.
- %D is a 3-period simple moving average (SMA) of %K.
Its common setting is 14 periods, which means that it compares the current closing price to the highest and lowest prices over 14 periods (minutes, hours, days, etc., depending on the timeframe).
There are three types of Stochastic:
1. Fast Stochastic: Uses the raw %K and %D lines, providing frequent signals.
2. Slow Stochastic: A smoothed version of the Fast Stochastic, offering fewer but more reliable signals.
3. Full Stochastic: Allows customisation of both %K and %D parameters for specific trading strategies.
Signals
The Stochastic Oscillator indicator provides three primary signals:
- Overbought/Oversold Conditions: An asset is considered overbought when the Stochastic is above 80 and oversold when it's below 20.
- Divergences: A bullish divergence occurs when the price forms a lower low, suggesting a downtrend, while the Stochastic simultaneously forms a higher low, indicating underlying strength and potential for an upward reversal. Conversely, a bearish divergence manifests when the price forms a higher high, signalling an uptrend, but the Stochastic forms a lower high, hinting at weakening momentum and a possible downward reversal.
- Crossovers: When the %K line crosses above the %D line, it provides a buy signal. Conversely, when the %K line crosses below the %D line, it provides a sell signal.
Awesome Oscillator
The Awesome Oscillator (AO) is a well-known oscillator in trading. It was developed by Bill Williams for evaluating market momentum and potential trend reversals using a histogram that oscillates around the zero line. The AO is calculated as the difference between a 5-period and 34-period simple moving average (SMA) of the median price (the average of the high and low prices). The default settings are 5 and 3, but they can be customised according to the trader's strategy and market conditions.
Signals
The AO provides several key signals:
- Bullish and Bearish Saucers: A bullish saucer occurs when the AO histogram is above the zero line and shows a series of three bars where the first two bars are red (decreasing in value) and the third bar is green (with a higher value), indicating a potential bullish reversal. Conversely, a bearish saucer occurs when the AO histogram is below the zero line and shows a series of three bars where the first two bars are green (decreasing in value) and the third bar is red (with a higher value), indicating a potential bearish reversal.
- Zero Line Crossovers: A bullish crossover happens when the AO histogram crosses above the zero line, suggesting a potential upward trend. Conversely, a bearish crossover occurs when the AO histogram crosses below the zero line, suggesting a potential downward trend.
- Twin Peaks: A bullish twin peaks signal occurs when there are two lows in the AO histogram below the zero line, with the second low higher than the first low. This suggests a potential bullish reversal. Conversely, a bearish twin peaks signal occurs when there are two highs in the AO histogram above the zero line, with the second high lower than the first high. This suggests a potential bearish reversal.
- Divergence: A bullish divergence occurs when the price makes a lower low, but the AO makes a higher low, indicating that downward momentum is weakening, suggesting a potential bullish reversal. Conversely, a bearish divergence appears on the chart when the price moves higher, but the AO makes a lower high, indicating that upward momentum is weakening, suggesting a potential bearish reversal.
Klinger Oscillator
The Klinger Oscillator, also known as the Klinger Volume Oscillator, was developed by Stephen Klinger in the 1980s. It measures the difference between two exponential moving averages of volume and is represented by two lines. It addresses the limitations of other volume indicators by focusing on changes in volume trends alongside price movements. The oscillator consists of two lines on a chart: the Klinger line and the signal line, typically a 13-period EMA of the Klinger line.
The standard settings for the Klinger Oscillator typically use a 34-period and a 55-period EMA for the Klinger line. The signal line is usually a 13-period EMA of the Klinger line. These settings are designed to capture the medium- to long-term volume trends and filter out short-term noise.
Signals
The Klinger provides several signals:
- Divergences: Bullish divergences occur when the oscillator forms a higher low while the price makes a new low, indicating buying pressure. Bearish divergences occur when the oscillator forms a lower high as the price makes a new high, suggesting potential downward reversals.
- Crossovers: Trading signals occur with the Klinger line crossing the signal line. A bullish crossover (Klinger above signal) signals potential price upward movement. Conversely, a bearish crossover (Klinger below signal) suggests opportunities for short positions, indicating bearish momentum.
- Zero Line Crossings: Movements across the zero line may define price movements. Crossing above zero may indicate bullish sentiment while crossing below zero suggests bearish sentiment.
Chande Momentum Oscillator
The Chande Momentum Oscillator (CMO), developed by Tushar Chande, is designed to measure the momentum of a financial instrument. Unlike oscillators that typically range between 0 and 100, the CMO, consisting of a single line, oscillates between -100 and +100. This range allows traders to assess the momentum's strength and direction more dynamically.
The standard settings for the Chande Momentum Oscillator (CMO) typically use a 9-period look-back, which aligns with common practices in technical analysis for measuring short- to medium-term momentum. This means that the CMO calculates the momentum based on the price changes over the past 9 periods.
Signals
The Chande Momentum Oscillator in the stock market and other financial markets provides key signals for traders:
- Interpreting Momentum: Values above zero indicate upward momentum, with higher values suggesting stronger bullish momentum and vice versa.
- Overbought and Oversold Conditions: Readings nearing +100 suggest overbought conditions, potentially indicating a reversal or slowdown in the upward trend. Conversely, values nearing -100 may signal oversold conditions, suggesting a potential reversal or slowdown in the downward trend.
- Zero Line Crossover: Crossing above zero may signal a bullish trend while crossing below zero may indicate a bearish trend, providing traders with entry or exit points.
Volume Oscillator
The Volume Oscillator is one of the more popular oscillators in trading. It assesses market trends and their strength by comparing two moving averages of trading volume. It consists of a single line. Unlike price-based oscillators, which focus solely on price movements, the Volume Oscillator incorporates volume data, providing insights into the underlying market activity.
The standard settings for the Volume Oscillator typically use:
- Short-term moving average of volume: 5 periods
- Long-term moving average of volume: 20 periods
These settings can be adjusted based on the trader's preferences and the specific market or asset being analysed.
Signals
The Volume Oscillator generates the following signals:
- Signs of Strength and Weakness of the Price Movement: A positive oscillator signals strong buying/selling, supporting the current trend and hinting at continuation. Conversely, a negative oscillator suggests the trend may reverse or slow down.
- Divergence Signals: Divergence occurs when the Volume Oscillator's direction differs from the direction of the price movement. For example, new price highs accompanied by lower highs in the oscillator may indicate weakening upward momentum, possibly foreshadowing a downturn. Conversely, new price lows without corresponding lows in the oscillator could signal an upcoming upward reversal.
The Bottom Line
While oscillator indicators provide insights into price movements and potential reversals, relying solely on them for trading decisions may not be sufficient. Considering additional factors like trend analysis, candlestick patterns, support and resistance levels, and broader market sentiment may strengthen trading strategies and mitigate risks. The TickTrader platform has a variety of oscillators that market participants may use to analyse over 600 markets.
FAQs
How Does an Oscillator Work?
Oscillators fluctuate within a defined range or around a centreline. Using mathematical formulas applied to market data, they signal overbought or oversold conditions, trend reversals, or shifts in momentum.
What Does Oscillate Mean in Trading?
In trading, oscillate refers to the movement of a momentum indicator back and forth within a specific range or around a midpoint. It helps identify trend reversal, momentum changes, and potential trading opportunities.
What Is the Oscillator Strategy?
An oscillator strategy uses oscillators as the primary tool for trading decisions, getting signals like overbought/oversold conditions, divergences, or crossovers to determine when to enter or exit trades.
What Is the Difference Between Indicators and Oscillators?
Indicators are the general toolbox for technical analysis, encompassing different tool types, such as trend indicators, oscillators, and volumes. Oscillators are a specific type of indicator that wiggle within set limits, helping traders identify overbought or oversold conditions and potential price reversals.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
EDUCATION: Using Renko Charts to Find Key Levels in XAUUSDIn this tutorial, we'll dive into a unique but powerful method for analyzing gold (XAUUSD): using Renko charts to find critical levels. If you’re unfamiliar with Renko, it's a chart type designed to filter out market noise, making it easier to spot trends and reversals.
Unlike traditional candlestick charts, Renko focuses on price movement rather than time, allowing you to identify significant support and resistance levels with greater clarity. When you understand how to use Renko properly, you gain an edge in navigating volatile markets like gold.
With a calm and disciplined approach, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of setting up Renko charts, recognizing key patterns, and spotting levels that can give you a stronger sense of market direction. The goal is simple: cut out the clutter and focus on what matters—the bigger picture.
Whether you're looking to improve your entries or better understand market structure, this tutorial will provide practical insights to help you refine your trading strategies. By the end, you’ll not only grasp how to use Renko charts but also develop the mental sharpness needed to stay patient and unemotional in the face of market fluctuations.
Must-Read Investing Books: The Top 5 for Every InvestorWelcome to Part 2 of our must-read book series. Last time, we took a deep dive into the fast-paced world of trading, giving you the trading must-reads to sharpen your short-term, high-risk market chops.
Now it's time to slow down and shift into a lower gear. Trading is a thrill, but investing is where the long game pays off. While trading is about timing, investing is about patience—and, some might even say, good investing is boring. So let’s be real, mastering both is how you dominate.
In this Idea, we’re focusing on the timeless art of investing. Whether you’re gunning for that Warren Buffett-level compound interest or just looking to stack up some dividends, these five books will teach you how to think like an investor. Grab your coffee and your notepad—let’s dive in.
📖 1. The Intelligent Investor
✍️ by Benjamin Graham
We’re kicking things off with the granddaddy of all investing books. Benjamin Graham’s The Intelligent Investor is the Bible of value investing. Benjamin Graham is the father of value investing, and his no-nonsense approach to buying undervalued stocks and waiting for the market to catch up is the gold standard. Graham teaches you how to analyze companies for their intrinsic value, while cautioning against the emotional rollercoaster of market volatility. It’s all about buying low, staying patient, and letting time do its thing.
🔑 Key Insight : Ignore market noise and buy undervalued assets with a long-term view. Stick to your strategy and let time do its thing.
📖 2. Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits
✍️ by Philip Fisher
Philip Fisher introduces growth investing with a focus on buying quality companies. In Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits , Fisher explains his "scuttlebutt" approach—researching a company thoroughly, from its management to its industry (think investigative journalism on a stock). This book is a must-read for those looking to spot the next Apple AAPL or Amazon AMZN before they become household names.
🔑 Key Insight : Invest in great companies with solid growth potential. Deep research is your key to success.
📖 3. The Most Important Thing
✍️ by Howard Marks
Howard Marks is a legend in the world of risk management and value investing, and The Most Important Thing is essentially his playbook. Marks dives deep into risk, market cycles, and contrarian thinking—he teaches you how to avoid getting wrecked by the market’s irrationality. This isn’t your typical book on the topic of investing; it's a mindset shift and an eye-opener—everyone is a genius when markets rise. But what defines the true investing skill is how you perform in tough times.
🔑 Key Insight : Success in investing is more about managing risk than chasing returns. Protect the downside, and the upside will take care of itself.
📖 4. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
✍️ by John C. Bogle
John Bogle—the finance genius who invented the index fund—drops some serious knowledge in The Little Book of Common Sense Investing . This book strips away the complicated jargon and exclusivity surrounding Wall Street and keeps it simple: low-cost index funds will beat active management in the long run. Bogle’s philosophy is all about minimizing fees and letting compounding work miracles over time.
🔑 Key Insight : Keep it simple. Low fees and long-term compounding are the keys to building wealth.
📖 5. The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America
✍️ by Warren Buffett and Lawrence Cunningham
Okay, we all know Warren Buffett is the GOAT when it comes to investing. The Essays of Warren Buffett is a collection of his legendary letters to Berkshire Hathaway BRK.A shareholders, curated and organized to offer a behind-the-curtain insight on everything from corporate governance to value investing. Buffett has a knack for simplifying complex financial ideas, making this book an invaluable resource for investors of any level.
🔑 Key Insight : There’s no better teacher than Buffett when it comes to long-term, value-based investing. His wisdom is timeless and actionable—invest in solid companies with long-term growth prospects, and don’t get distracted by short-term market swings.
📚 Bonus Picks: The Investor’s Library Expansion Pack
Looking for even more wisdom? Here are a few more titles to round out your investing education:
📖 The Snowball by Alice Schroeder
A biography of Warren Buffett, The Snowball takes you inside the mind of the Oracle of Omaha, showing how his investment philosophy developed and how he built his fortune. It’s part investing guide, part life lesson, and all-around a fascinating read.
📖 The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
This book explores how our emotions, biases, and behaviors affect our financial decisions. The Psychology of Money breaks down complex financial concepts into easily digestible stories that reveal how investors can avoid the psychological traps that lead to poor decision-making.
📖 One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch
Legendary investor Peter Lynch shares his strategy of finding "tenbaggers"—stocks that increase tenfold in value. Lynch teaches that sometimes the best investment ideas are right in front of you—pay attention to the businesses you love and understand.
📖 A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel
Random Walk argues that trying to time the market is a fool’s errand. Instead, Malkiel promotes the idea of efficient markets, where it’s almost impossible to outperform the market consistently without taking on substantial risk. It's an excellent guide for those who believe in passive investing and long-term strategies.
📖 Mastering the Market Cycle by Howard Marks
Another essential from Howard Marks, Mastering the Market Cycle teaches you how to recognize the ups and downs of the market and adjust your strategy accordingly. Timing the market may be impossible, but understanding its cycles will give you an edge.
And there you have it—five more powerhouse reads to add to your investing library. These aren’t just books; they’re roadmaps from some of the sharpest minds in finance. Whether you’re looking for market cycles with Howard Marks or tapping into Warren Buffett’s timeless wisdom, each of these picks will help you get better in the long game.
The best investors aren’t just lucky—they’re educated, patient, and, most importantly, they’re always learning. So grab a book, dive in, and start stacking knowledge that compounds just like your portfolio should.
💎 Got any personal favorites that didn’t make the list? Drop them in the comments—we’re always down to discover more investing wisdom!
PLTR heads up at $40.39: look for Pullback or Break-n-RetestPLTR has been climbing fast.
Now at a key resistance zone.
Likely to get a pullback here.
$ 40.39 - 41.19 is the exact resistance.
$ 36.00 - 37.08 is a strong support zone.
$ 43.11 - 43.73 is next resistance above.
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Bitcoin: Avoid Getting Caught In This.Bitcoin has retraced further than anticipated from my previous analysis (went to 60K instead of 64K support). There was never any price confirmation to go long on this time frame so you should have been able to avoid getting caught on the wrong side of such a move. While there appears to be a bullish correction of that move in progress now, it is important to prepare for the coming resistance where a lower high may unfold over the coming week (64K previous support/new resistance).
The arrow on my chart points to the 64K resistance area. This location is notable for two important reasons: price can present a bearish reversal there on this time frame, and retest the level again as a profit objective in the near future. The illustration on my chart shows how I am anticipating the price action will play out in this regard. Keep in mind, this is NOT any kind of guarantee, it is what I believe has a greater possibility compared to a narrow range of scenarios over a short time horizon (click on previous articles to see how my illustrations play out).
The whole point of sharing this analysis is to help you prepare for what the market can throw at you over the coming week. The key to using this information effectively is evaluating price action around these levels in search of CONFIRMATION (Trade Scanner Pro was made of this purpose). For example, over the previous week, Bitcoin broke the 64K anticipated support without ever confirming. There was never a reason to justify risk here, and every reason to step aside. Having a decision making model of this nature not only helps you to adjust to unexpected changes, but also avoid unnecessary losing positions.
In terms of current momentum, there was an inside bar breakout at 62,300 (previous high) and a long signal in play. This type of opportunity is best managed by smaller time frame strategies (day/swing trades). This is far from an attractive investment level, especially since there is only about 1K points before first resistance (64K). I consider this location as one of elevated risk, especially compared to the possibility of retesting 60K support again to be followed by a bullish signal. The second bullish signal (off 60K) would be the lower risk/higher probability play. This is just a possible scenario that I will be prepared for IF Bitcoin presents and confirms it, this is NOT a forecast.
Whether you are an investor or trader, you must have a way to objectively make decisions. A set of criteria to identify an opportunity, confirm entries, project exits and define risk. The time horizon that you choose will be an important factor that will shape how you process this information. As complex as all of this may sound, the goal is to accomplish this all while using as little information as possible. This is the LEAST you can do in a market environment where we as the retail trader/investor have NO advantage whatsoever. Otherwise you are simply stuffing your money into a glorified slot machine.
Thank you for considering my analysis and perspective.
Potential bullish rise off overlap support?NZD/USD is reacting off the support level which is an overlap support and could rise from this level top our take profit.
Entry: 0.6156
Why we like it:
There is an overlap support level.
Stop loss: 0.6122
Why we like it:
There is a pullback support level.
Take profit: 0.6207
Why we like it:
There is a pullback resistance that is slightly above the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement.
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