Q. WILL A 125BPS CUT IN INTEREST RATES DRIVE UP GOLD?
A. Remember when it comes to interest rate cuts it means the following:
Stimulates economic growth
This makes borrowing cheaper as interest rates are lower.
And it encourages more spending and investments by individuals and businesses.
Boosts buying from consumers
Also, with low interest rates it entices people to buy more.
And this is because the cost of loans drops.
This leads to them buying more homes, cars, and other goods.
There are other elements, but you get the idea.
Now, lets consider why lower interest rates could mean the gold price will rally
Reason #1: Lower interest rates and a weaker US dollar helps the gold price
When interest rates drop, the yield on bonds and savings accounts typically declines.
And a weaker dollar makes gold cheaper for people with other currencies.
It's like gold goes on a global sale, and everyone wants a piece!
So, this will drive up its demand and the price.
Reason #2: Investors get out of low yielding markets and into gold
Remember that when interest rates are high, investors move to high yielding markets.
They like to keep their money in the banks, bonds, money market or any other high interest savings accounts.
But when interest rates drop, investors don’t make much of their money from these assets.
And so, they will look to invest in markets like gold, which will drive the price up.
Reason #3: The golden safe-haven will prevail!
With interest rate cuts, it normally signals signs of economic uncertainty or weakness.
And during these times, investors will often seek out safe-haven assets.
Gold is a classic example of a safe haven that investors will look to buy.
And this golden attraction will help push the price up.
Fundamental Analysis
Equal High & Low SweepToday I wanted to talk about two scenarios concerning market structure: the equal high for a bullish structure and the low sweep for a bearish structure. The crucial point of each setup, as always, is to identify a structural change called BOS. From there, I start looking for a demand or supply zone in the market where we should pay attention to observe the price return. This price return should occur as indicated in the setup, with the market starting to consolidate and form a double bottom or top of momentum. It is also important to consider the presence of a liquidity zone, as this will be our primary target zone, followed by the minimum or maximum of the structure. I wish everyone happy trading and remain available for further discussions on the matter.
The Best Entry on the MarketIn this model, we will examine a tactical approach to achieve high-performance entry. It all starts with an uptrend characterized by continuous structural changes. In fact, there are continuous directional changes until the retest of the supply zone on M30. Subsequently, the market reacts to this zone by pushing downwards and generating a CHoCH. Here, switching to a 1-minute timeframe, it will be possible to wait for a retest of the supply zone before entering. The trade will target the session or daily low. Greetings and happy trading to all.
Understanding LIQUIDITYIn this video I try to explain liquidity as it pertains to training in a simple manner.
Liquidity are basically orders in the marketplace. Since trading is a zero-sum game, without liquidity, there is no trading. Simply put, If you wanted to BUY, then you would need someone to SELL to you, and vice versa.
Smart Money has deep pockets and needs a large amount of liquidity to facilitate their positions. They want to be able to get in and our of their trades, as well as to be able to trade with capital that would be worth the reward.
The largest pools of liquidity usually reside above swing highs and lows, and equal highs and lows (double/triple tops and bottoms). Support and Resistance ideologies dominate the market, and besides that, psychologically it makes sense to put stoplosses at such areas rather than at some random area within a range. There are also breakout traders who see price breaking out of an area as a sign of strength (or weakness if bearish) and they set their entries above/below these levels. This is how liquidity is "engineered" in the market and sentiment manipulated. These pools of liquidity can be seen as a magnet, drawing price to these levels, either to grab liquidity before reversing or continuing in its current direction.
- R2F
TradingView is Everything You Need to Start Trading
If you are planning to start Forex and Gold trading, I prepared for you a list of 6 essential things that you will need for a successful start.
1 - Charting Software
Obviously, if you want to trade, you should analyze the charts.
Most of the beginners apply metatrader 4 or 5 for that.
Even though meta trader is good as a trading terminal, from charting perspective it is already outdated.
My recommendation to you is to apply TradingView for chart analysis.
It is very user-friendly, it offers all popular trading instruments, and it has a wonderful community where you can check ideas and forecasts of experienced traders.
2 - Set up Your Watch List
There are hundreds of different trading instruments for Forex traders:
major and minor pairs, exotic pairs, cfds on gold, silver, oil, etc...
Your task as a beginner is to focus on a very narrow list of trading assets.
Build a trading list of maximum 8 instruments , learn to trade them and expand the list as you mature in trading.
Here is the example of a watch list for beginners: 7 major USD forex pairs.
3 - Make a Trading Plan
There are hundreds of different trading strategies and techniques in Forex trading. And obviously, you can not trade them all.
Pick a strategy that you like, that makes sense to you.
Focus on that and practice, practice, practice.
4 - Economic Calendar
Even if you decide to trade only technical analysis, you should not forget to check fundamentals in the economic calendar and learn their impact on the markets.
You need an economic calendar for that.
There is an economic calendar on TradingView, it is very reliable and you can find the important news there
Pay attention to important 3-star news, and preferably don't trade ahead of the releases while you are learning.
5 - Demo Account
Trading education is a long journey.
While you are studying trading basics and trying different trading strategies, you should strictly trade on a demo account.
I recommend paper trading on TradingView, so that you could have the analysis and the trades on the same chart.
6 - Position Size Calculator
You should learn to calculate lot size for your trades from the beginning. You should always know how much is your risk per trade. For that reason, placing the trades on a demo account, you should measure lot sizes for your trades.
If you demo trade on TradingView, it offers a default position size calculator when you can set the lot size according to a desired risk.
Good luck in your journey and be prepared to work hard!
The Best Strategy of 2024: Reversal Entry ModelGood morning, today I would like to draw your attention to a model that I am integrating into my analyses for this year. In this model, we define simple structural changes either downwards or upwards, in this context downwards using two BOS. Subsequently, we define the main demand zone where the price retests. After the retest, the price breaks upwards the structure creating a CHOCH, or an internal breakout. Afterwards, the price will move into a lateral phase accumulating a lot of liquidity, and as it is known, as soon as the price absorbs liquidity above or below a range, it then moves in the opposite direction of the filled liquidity. In this case, liquidity is absorbed below in the order block zone and the price moves upwards. I recommend supplementing charts with this model and identifying these setups starting from an H4 timeframe which can be simpler compared to smaller timeframes. Best regards and happy trading to everyone.
How to Build Your Portfolio Like a Professional InstitutionInvesting at the institutional level involves a sophisticated blend of strategies, risk management, and performance measurement to achieve optimal returns. One of the cornerstones of creating an institutional-grade portfolio is the use of optimization methods, with particular focus on ratios such as the Sharpe Ratio, Sortino Ratio, and Omega Ratio. In this guide, we'll delve into what these ratios are, how they differ, and when to use each to construct a robust institutional-grade portfolio.
Understanding the Ratios
Sharpe Ratio
Definition : The Sharpe Ratio, developed by Nobel laureate William F. Sharpe, measures the performance of an investment compared to a risk-free asset, after adjusting for its risk. It is calculated by subtracting the risk-free rate from the return of the portfolio and dividing by the standard deviation of the portfolio's excess returns.
Usefulness : This ratio helps investors understand how much excess return they are receiving for the extra volatility that they endure for holding a riskier asset. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates a more attractive risk-adjusted return.
Sortino Ratio
Definition : Similar to the Sharpe Ratio, the Sortino Ratio also measures the risk-adjusted return of an investment portfolio. However, it differs by only considering downside volatility (negative returns) rather than the total volatility of returns.
Usefulness : This focus on downside risk makes the Sortino Ratio particularly useful for investors who are more concerned about potential losses than the overall volatility. A higher Sortino Ratio indicates that the portfolio is efficiently earning more on its downside risk.
Omega Ratio
Definition : The Omega Ratio is a more comprehensive measure that divides the returns above a certain threshold (typically the risk-free rate) by the returns below that threshold. It considers all the moments of the distribution of returns, not just the first two moments (mean and variance) like the Sharpe and Sortino ratios.
Usefulness : This ratio is especially valuable for portfolios that do not follow a normal distribution of returns, providing a more holistic view of performance across different risk levels. A higher Omega Ratio indicates better performance per unit of risk.
How They Differ
The primary difference among these ratios lies in how they measure risk and returns:
Sharpe Ratio considers the total volatility (standard deviation) of portfolio returns, treating all volatility as equal.
Sortino Ratio improves on this by focusing only on downside risk, which is more relevant for investors concerned about losses.
Omega Ratio goes further by considering the entire distribution of returns, offering insights into the performance across all levels of risk.
Situational Use
Sharpe Ratio : Ideal for general comparisons of portfolio performance where the investor is concerned with both upside and downside volatility. It's particularly useful when comparing portfolios or investments with similar risk profiles. This ratio is commonly used by most large financial institutions due to the large sums of money they manage and ensuring portfolio stability is prioritized over larger profits.
Sortino Ratio : Best used when the investor's primary concern is with the downside risk rather than total volatility. This ratio is suitable for portfolios where strategies are aimed at minimizing losses rather than capturing every potential upside. This ratio is used by investors who are able to stomach more volatility in their portfolio in return for a higher probability of gains while effectively reducing equity downside.
Omega Ratio : Most beneficial for analyzing portfolios with non-normal distributions of returns, such as those including options, leveraged investments, or hedge funds. It provides a nuanced view of performance across different levels of risk, making it suitable for sophisticated investment strategies that aim to manage risk in a more granular manner. Due to the nature of this ratio, only investors who have a larger risk appetite and require aggressive growth should use this ratio as the omega ratio will not necessarily be affected by high portfolio drawdowns as long as the runups are significantly higher. This means a portfolio could experience a 60% drawdown, followed by a 1000% runup, and the Omega Ratio calculation would return a high value as the probability of gains still outweigh the probability of losses.
Conclusion
Constructing an institutional-grade portfolio requires a nuanced understanding of both the opportunities and risks present in the investment landscape. By leveraging the Sharpe, Sortino, and Omega ratios, investors can better assess the risk-adjusted performance of their portfolios, tailoring their investment strategies to meet specific risk and return objectives. Whether you're managing a conservative fund focused on minimizing losses or a dynamic portfolio seeking to capitalize on market inefficiencies, these ratios provide critical insights that can help optimize your investment approach for superior risk-adjusted returns.
TYPES OF ORDER BLOCKThis educational post is great for beginners who are just starting to grasp the concept of SMC. We've already talked about what an order block is. This time we'll talk about other types of blocks in trading.
✴️ Mitigation Block
Mitigation Block is a sell or buy zone, which is formed when the market structure (BOS) continues. In other words, it is a broken order block and tested, but from the other side.
We all know that when the price is moving along a trend, it is better to open trades in the direction of this trend. The most optimal points for buying and selling are the price pullback. By this logic a mitigation block is formed.
Mitigation Block Sell Scheme
Mitigation Block Buy Scheme
Those who trade classical technical patterns will notice that it is anything but: a support zone becomes a resistance zone, and a resistance zone becomes a support zone. Institutional level traders understand the skills and knowledge of classical technical analysis traders, so they manipulate the price to generate and collect additional liquidity.
In this zone we have our block, an ordinary block, which becomes a mitigated block after an impulse breakout.
Schematically, the Mitigation Block in sell looks like this:
Schematically, Mitigation Block in buy looks like this:
✴️ Breaker Block Smart Money
Breaker Block is a sell or buy zone that is formed when the market structure (BOS) continues. In other words, it is a broken order block and tested, but from the other side. An important difference from a broken Block is that there is a change in market character (CHoCH).
As you have understood, the essence of sell zones and blocks remains the same as in Mitigation Block, but first there is a liquidity grab, and then there is a change in market character (change in market structure). It looks schematically as follows:
Breaker Block Sell Scheme
Breaker Block Buy Scheme
✴️ Rejection Block Smart Money
A Rejection Block is a selling or buying zone that appears on the chart as long candlestick tails at a market high or low.
As in all other cases, the block is formed only after liquidity is grabbed from the previous high/minimum or equal highs/minimums. This is classically referred to as a false breakout or sweep.
Bullish and Bearish Rejection Block
The logic of building and searching for a Rejection Block is very simple:
Bearish Rejection Block: Swing High, find the highest candle whose high and close are higher than the high and close of the neighbouring candles respectively. The tail (wick) of the candle will be the bearish order block.
Bullish Rejection Block: Swing Low, we find the lowest candle, the minimum and close of which are lower than the minimum and close of the neighbouring candles respectively. The tail (wick) of the candle will be a bullish order block. It does not matter what colour the candle is. At the maximum it can be not only bullish but also bearish, and at the minimum it can be not only bearish but also bullish. This is worth paying attention to. Look for the highest candle, with the highest open or close and with the highest wick (same in the opposite direction).
✴️ Vacuum Block Smart Money
A block stands out as a regular gap - from the high of the first candle to the low of the second candle in an up gap and vice versa, from the low of the first candle to the high of the second candle in a down gap.
We can expect 2 variants of price movement: in continuation, return to the gap zone to fill it partially or completely. This is based on the presence and size of the block order.
Complete gap filling
Complete gap filling of the price void can be expected if there is an order block that is above or below the Vacuum Block. The price can bounce from the beginning of Vacuum Block, but in order to reduce the risk it is better to wait until the block is fully closed and touched.
Partial filling of the gap
A partial filling of the price void can be expected if the order block is below or above the Vacuum Block, but they overlap. The price can rebound from the beginning of the Vacuum Block, as well as overlap it completely. This is shown schematically in the figure above.
✴️ Conclusion
You should realize that you don't need to click the "buy" or "sell" buttons where you see one of the block options. An order block is simply a price range where you can consider buying or selling, depending on your preliminary analysis and determining the context of the price movement. You will trade from every block a capital loss is guaranteed. Price moves for liquidity. This is the main analysis, and only then we look for the place (blocks) where we can jump from a less risky place.
The Ultimate Strategy | ChoCh + InducementThis strategy is based on identifying a market structure, which can be bullish or bearish. In this specific case, a bullish structure characterized by rising highs and lows is considered. The expectation is for the market to change direction, creating a shock. Subsequently, the formation of a liquidity block is observed during a market consolidation phase, followed by entering a demand zone where the imbalance dictates, and the response is a downward movement, as anticipated. The target of this movement is defined graphically. Greetings and happy trading to everyone.
Decoding Market Mood: The Sentimental Drivers of Gold FuturesIntroduction
In an era where information is as precious as gold itself, understanding the underlying currents that drive market sentiment has become crucial for traders and investors alike. Gold Futures, a standard in hedging against economic uncertainty and inflation, serve as a beacon for those navigating the volatile seas of the financial markets. This article embarks on an explorative journey into the realm of sentiment analysis, uncovering how shifts in global mood translate into movements in Gold Futures prices. Through a blend of case studies and theoretical insights, we will decode the signals broadcasted by market participants, hopefully offering a compass for those seeking to align their strategies with the underlying emotional and psychological state of the market.
Understanding Sentiment Analysis
The Essence of Sentiment Analysis:
At its core, sentiment analysis in the financial markets involves the qualitative assessment of the collective mood or opinion of investors towards a specific asset or the market as a whole. It transcends traditional analysis by incorporating psychological and emotional factors, aiming to assess market movements based on the prevailing sentiment. This approach acknowledges that market prices are not solely driven by fundamental indicators but are also heavily influenced by human emotions and perceptions.
Application in Financial Markets:
In the realm of Gold Futures, sentiment analysis serves as a powerful tool to gauge investor confidence, fear, and overall market outlook. It encompasses the examination of various sources, including news articles, social media chatter, economic reports, and geopolitical events, to construct a sentiment score or index. This score reflects the general optimism or pessimism surrounding gold as an investment, influencing traders' decisions to buy or sell Gold Futures contracts.
The Impact of Sentiment on Gold Prices:
Gold's allure as a safe-haven asset makes it particularly sensitive to changes in market sentiment. During times of economic uncertainty or geopolitical tensions, a surge in pessimism can lead to increased demand for gold, pushing prices upward. Conversely, in periods of market optimism, where riskier assets become more appealing, gold may see reduced demand, leading to a decline in prices. Understanding these sentiment-driven dynamics is essential for anyone trading Gold Futures, as it allows for more informed decision-making, aligning trades with the broader market mood.
Factors Influencing Gold Market Sentiment
The sentiment toward gold is shaped by a myriad of factors, ranging from macroeconomic indicators to geopolitical events. Understanding these influences is paramount for traders aiming to navigate the Gold Futures market effectively. This section delves into these factors, reinforced by case studies that highlight their impact on gold prices.
Economic Indicators and Central Bank Policies:
Gold is often viewed as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation. Economic indicators such as inflation rates, GDP growth, and unemployment figures significantly influence investor sentiment toward gold. Central bank policies, including interest rate decisions and quantitative easing measures, also play a crucial role. For instance, a decision by a major central bank to lower interest rates can lead to a weaker currency, prompting investors to turn to gold as a store of value.
Case Study 1: Gold finishes October on a high
In October 2023, amidst heightened geopolitical tensions and central bank activities, gold rallied, marking its highest monthly close by the LBMA PM price. This movement was influenced by a combination of factors, including COMEX futures' net short positions and substantial ETF inflows. The case underscores how geopolitical uncertainties and central bank maneuvers can drive investor sentiment, steering the direction of Gold Futures prices.
Geopolitical Tensions
Geopolitical events and uncertainties can lead to increased volatility in the financial markets, with gold often benefiting as a perceived safe haven. Conflicts, elections, and trade negotiations can sway investor sentiment, leading to spikes in gold demand.
Case Study 2: Geopolitical and economic uncertainty boost gold demand and prices
The World Gold Council's report indicated a slight dip in annual gold demand for 2023 but highlighted that demand from OTC markets and central banks kept the average annual gold price at historic highs. Despite ETF outflows, sectors like bar and coin investment and the global jewelry market showcased resilience, illustrating how geopolitical and economic uncertainties can bolster gold's appeal.
Social and Environmental Considerations
The growing emphasis on responsible sourcing and environmental sustainability is influencing investor sentiment toward gold. Initiatives aimed at ethical mining practices and combating illicit gold trade affect the market's perception and, subsequently, gold prices.
Case Study 3: Collaboration underway to develop consolidated standard for responsible mining
Efforts to establish a global standard for responsible mining, involving major industry players, highlight the market's shift toward sustainability. This collaboration aims to create a unified framework that reassures investors about the ethical provenance of their gold investments, potentially impacting demand.
Case Study 4: World Gold Council and DMCC Collaborate to Combat Illicit Hand-Carried Gold Trade
This strategic initiative to strengthen international regulations around gold sourcing and trade showcases the industry's commitment to ethical practices. Such measures not only enhance gold's reputation as a responsible investment but also influence market sentiment by ensuring a more transparent and reliable supply chain.
Central Bank Activities
Central banks are significant players in the gold market, with their buying and selling activities offering insights into their confidence in the global economy. Their actions can serve as a barometer for gold's future trajectory.
Case Study 5: Central banks maintain historic buying pace in Q3
The Q3 2023 Gold Demand Trends report highlighted continued robust demand for gold, with central bank purchases significantly contributing to quarterly demand. This activity underscores central banks' role in bolstering gold market sentiment and illustrates their confidence (or lack thereof) in the current economic landscape.
Applying Sentiment Analysis to Gold Futures Trading
Incorporating sentiment analysis into trading strategies for Gold Futures involves a nuanced understanding of market mood and its implications for future price movements. This section discusses the current sentiment influenced by geopolitical and economic uncertainty and how it sets the stage for trading decisions in 2024.
Current Market Sentiment and Gold Futures
As we edge into 2024, the geopolitical and economic landscape continues to shape investor sentiment toward gold. The World Gold Council's Gold Demand Trends report for 2023 highlighted a nuanced market. Despite a slight decline in annual demand, the total demand reached a new record, propelled by central bank buying and OTC investments. This paradoxical situation—where demand dips but overall interest remains high—underscores the complex interplay of factors influencing gold prices.
The Future of Gold Futures and Sentiment Analysis
As sentiment analysis becomes increasingly sophisticated, its application in trading Gold Futures is expected to evolve. The development of AI and machine learning tools will enhance our ability to gauge market mood, providing traders with deeper insights and more accurate predictions. The integration of sentiment analysis into trading strategies will likely become more mainstream, offering a competitive edge to those who can interpret and act on market sentiment effectively.
Trade Plan for Gold Futures
Given the current sentiment and market conditions, there's a compelling case for a bullish outlook on gold. As such, we present a trade plan to go long on Gold Futures, with specific attention to risk management and catering to traders with varying risk appetites.
Point Values and Contract Options
Standard Gold Futures (GC): Each contract represents 100 troy ounces of gold, and the point value is $100 per troy ounce. This means a $1 move in the gold price equates to a $100 change per contract.
Micro Gold Futures (MGC): For traders with a lower risk tolerance, Micro Gold Futures offer a smaller-scale opportunity. Each MGC contract represents 10 troy ounces of gold, with a point value of $10 per troy ounce, providing a more accessible entry point into gold trading.
Trade Plan Details
Entry Price: 2045.2
Stop Loss Price: 2001.7
Target Price: 2156
Rationale: The entry is predicated on current sentiment indicators and technical analysis, suggesting an upward momentum. The stop loss is strategically placed below key support levels to mitigate risk, while the target price is set at a level that previous sentiment-driven rallies have reached.
Micro Gold Futures for Lower Risk Appetite
For traders looking to engage with the gold market at a reduced risk level, Micro Gold Futures (MGC) provide an excellent alternative. Utilizing the same trade plan but with MGC contracts allows traders to manage their exposure more precisely, tailoring their investment to their comfort with risk while still capitalizing on gold's potential upside.
Risk Management and Consideration
Effective risk management is the cornerstone of successful trading, especially in the volatile realm of Gold Futures. Trading based on sentiment analysis introduces unique challenges and opportunities, making it imperative for traders to employ robust risk management strategies. This section emphasizes the significance of managing risk to preserve capital and sustain profitability over the long term.
Understanding Risk in Sentiment-Based Trading
Trading on sentiment involves interpreting market moods that can swiftly change due to unforeseen events or shifts in investor perception. Such volatility requires traders to be vigilant and adaptive, employing strategies that protect against sudden market movements.
Key Risk Management Strategies
Setting Stop Loss Orders: A well-placed stop loss can prevent significant losses by automatically closing a position if the market moves against your prediction. For the trade plan outlined (going long on Gold Futures), the stop loss at 2001.7 is critical for limiting potential downside.
Position Sizing: Adjusting the size of your trade according to your risk tolerance and account size can mitigate risk. For traders utilizing Micro Gold Futures (MGC), this means leveraging the smaller contract size to maintain control over exposure.
Diversification: While our focus is on Gold Futures, diversifying your portfolio across different assets can reduce risk. This strategy ensures that adverse movements in gold prices do not disproportionately impact your overall trading performance.
Regular Monitoring and Adjustment: Sentiment can shift rapidly; regular monitoring of sentiment indicators and readiness to adjust your positions accordingly is essential. This includes potentially moving stop loss levels or taking profits early if the sentiment begins to change.
Utilizing Hedging Techniques: Options and other derivative products can be used to hedge against your Gold Futures positions, offering protection against adverse price movements.
Incorporating Micro Gold Futures for Risk-Averse Traders
Micro Gold Futures contracts provide a nuanced way to engage with the gold market while managing risk exposure. For those cautious about sentiment-driven volatility, trading MGC allows for participation in potential upside movements without the larger capital exposure associated with standard Gold Futures contracts.
Conclusion: The Sentimental Journey of Gold Futures
The intricate dance between market sentiment and Gold Futures prices underscores the dynamic nature of financial markets. By decoding the mood of the market, traders can align their strategies with the prevailing winds, navigating through periods of uncertainty with informed confidence. This article has journeyed through the application of sentiment analysis, from understanding its foundations to applying it in trading strategies, and underscored the paramount importance of risk management.
As we look ahead, the role of sentiment analysis in trading Gold Futures is poised to grow, propelled by advancements in technology and a deeper understanding of market psychology. The traders who succeed will be those who not only master the art of sentiment analysis but also adhere to disciplined risk management practices, ensuring their trading journey is both profitable and sustainable.
In the ever-changing landscape of the gold market, the wisdom lies not just in predicting the future but in preparing for it with a well-rounded strategy that embraces sentiment analysis as a powerful tool in the trader's toolkit.
When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies.
General Disclaimer:
The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
What is TRADING PLAN and how to use it ! What is TRADING PLAN ? A trading plan is a systematic method for identifying and trading securities that takes into consideration a number of variables including time, risk and the investor’s objectives. A trading plan can help traders and investors to achieve consistent results and avoid emotional or impulsive decisions. A trading plan should be written in a clear and concise manner and be regularly reviewed and updated.
One of the main benefits of having a trading plan is that it can help traders and investors to define their personal trading style and goals. For example, some traders may prefer to trade in the forex market, which is the world’s largest financial market and offers high liquidity, around-the-clock trading and the possibility of using leverage. Other traders may opt for the stocks market, which involves buying and selling shares of well-established and financially sound companies, also known as blue chips. Blue chips are generally considered to be less volatile than forex and may offer steady growth potential and dividends to investors.
Another advantage of having a trading plan is that it can help traders and investors to identify the best trading opportunities and strategies for their chosen market and instrument.
A trading plan should include the following elements :
• Entry and exit rules : These are the criteria that determine when to open and close a position, based on technical or fundamental analysis, indicators, signals, patterns, trends, etc.
If I want to explain more, I have to say that Entry and exit rules are the criteria that determine when to open and close a position, based on technical or fundamental analysis, indicators, signals, patterns, trends, etc1. They are essential for having a trading plan and a trading strategy, as they help traders and investors to define their personal trading style and goals, identify the best trading opportunities and strategies, and manage their risk and reward.
For example, if you are a trend-following trader, you may use a moving average crossover as an entry rule, meaning that you buy when a faster moving average crosses above a slower moving average, indicating an uptrend, and you sell when the opposite happens, indicating a downtrend. You may also use a trailing stop as an exit rule, meaning that you adjust your stop-loss order to follow the price as it moves in your favor, locking in some profits and protecting yourself from a reversal.
Entry and exit rules can vary depending on the market, instrument, time frame, and trading style that you choose. They can also be combined with other tools and techniques, such as risk-reward ratio, position sizing, diversification, etc. The key is to have clear and consistent entry and exit rules that suit your trading plan and objectives, and to follow them diligently.
• Risk management : Risk management is the process of controlling the potential losses and maximizing the potential gains of each trade, by using tools such as stop-loss orders, profit targets, position sizing, diversification, etc. Risk management helps traders and investors to protect their trading accounts from losing all of its money and to achieve consistent results.
Some common risk management strategies for traders are2:
Determining your risk appetite : This means knowing how much you are willing to risk on each trade, based on your trading goals, capital, and risk tolerance. A common rule of thumb is to never risk more than 1% of your account on any single trade.
Knowing your risk-reward ratio : This means calculating the expected return of each trade, compared to the potential loss. A risk-reward ratio of 2:1 or higher is generally considered favorable, meaning that the potential profit is twice as large as the potential loss.
Using stop-loss orders : These are orders that automatically close your position when the price reaches a certain level, to limit your losses. Stop-loss orders can be fixed or trailing, meaning that they can follow the price as it moves in your favor.
Using profit targets : These are orders that automatically close your position when the price reaches a certain level, to lock in your profits. Profit targets can help you to exit the market at the optimal time and avoid greed or fear.
Position sizing : This means adjusting the size of your position according to your risk appetite, risk-reward ratio, and market conditions. Position sizing can help you to balance your portfolio and diversify your risk.
Diversification : This means spreading your risk across different markets, instruments, time frames, and strategies. Diversification can help you to reduce your exposure to specific risks and increase your chances of success.
Risk management is an essential but often overlooked prerequisite to successful trading. By following a rational and objective approach to risk management, you can avoid common pitfalls such as overtrading, undertrading, revenge trading, fear of missing out, etc. Risk management can also increase your confidence, discipline, and consistency, which are vital for success in the financial markets.
• Performance evaluation : This is the method of measuring and analyzing the results of the trading plan, by using metrics such as win rate, risk-reward ratio, drawdown, return on investment, etc.
A trading plan is not a static document, but a dynamic one that should be adapted to the changing market conditions and the trader’s or investor’s experience and skills. A trading plan should be tested and backtested before being implemented in the live market, and should be reviewed and revised periodically to ensure its effectiveness and suitability.
Having a trading plan in forex and stocks market can help traders and investors to achieve their financial goals and avoid common pitfalls such as overtrading, undertrading, revenge trading, fear of missing out, etc. A trading plan can also increase the trader’s or investor’s confidence, discipline and consistency, which are essential for success in the financial markets.
KEY POINTS :
A trading plan is a systematic method for identifying and trading securities in the forex and stocks market.
A trading plan can help traders and investors to achieve consistent results and avoid emotional or impulsive decisions.
A trading plan should include entry and exit rules, risk management, and performance evaluation.
A trading plan should be written, tested, reviewed, and updated regularly.
A trading plan can increase the trader’s or investor’s confidence, discipline, and consistency.
Prepared by : Arman Shaban
Learn What is FOREX Market. Trading Volumes & Market Participant
Forex - foreign exchange market, is a location where international currencies are bought and sold by economic participants at various exchange rates.
Forex market is the biggest market in the world, reaching on average 6 trillion dollars trading volumes daily.
Forex market is a vital element for a global economy because it provides capital exchanges between the countries.
The main market participants of forex market are central banks, commercial banks, commercial companies, hedge funds and investors.
🕰In order to grasp how big is that market, take a look what is happening on that just in 60 seconds:
📎Total transactions value reaches 3.52 billion US dollars.
📎 1.15 billion dollars of spot transactions.
📎 1.65 billion dollar of exchange swaps.
📎 Total transactions value involving USD reaches 3 billion US dollars.
📎 Total transactions value involving EURO reaches 1.1 billion US dollars.
📎 Just one single EUR/USD pair accumulates 812 million US dollars transactions value.
It is hard to imagine how such big amounts are rolling with such a frequency and how insignificant are the orders of individual traders.
Bitcoin REALISM I am definitely not going to win any popularity competitions with my comments and thoughts. But that's not the point when it comes to making money.
The main issue for me still in Crypto Land is the lack of realism. The image on the front cover was from a google search of "realism" I guess the confused face made my day. This is exactly how you need to be looking when you read these points below.
I have explained the logic of every major move over the last couple of years and this guys - is no different.
So let's start by exploring the reality of market cap for one. When you buy a stock you have a number of stocks in circulation times that by the price and you can get a market cap. Of course, unlike most companies on the exchange Bitcoin CANNOT just issue new stock. We have to remember some Bitcoin are gone and lost forever so this number will likely end up around 20million and not the full 21m.
The current Market cap is roughly 19,806,000 x $42,897.
Let's call it a little over 820 Billion.
At the ATH of $69,000 we saw $1.302 Trillion.
Lets look at what is needed and an angle of attack if Bitcoin was to hit $500k by Jan 25, 26, 27, 28 or 2029.
This is only one aspect of the story.
Prior to the ETF launch people were saying silly things like "Trillions coming in, $100k imminent"
Blackrock's largest ETF is roughly $354 Billion. This is the SP500 fund founded back in 2001. So 23 years old roughly now.
Here's the actual chart.
What does this mean?
Well, let's say Blackrock decided to close their biggest ETF and throw it all into Bitcoin. That level would still not take us back to the current ATH.
Bullish, Bullish, Bullish - we are still $25,000+ under the current ATH.
So what about other ETF's? Obviously the market is bigger than just Blackrock. Let's look at this aspect too.
Look at the end of 2021 as the ETF market collectively was at it's high. We are talking about $10Trillion in 8,552 ETF's.
I've posted several times about the current COT landscape.
Clearly social media Bitcoin is buzzing and everyone is about to become rich, it's different this time and so on. Well, COT says otherwise.
Back at the top when everyone was calling for $135,000 I said the reason for the drop would be liquidity.
So why is this different?
I said there were two likely scenario's on the table as we moved down. The first was we were in an early stage accumulation, we needed to go up to 32k and back down to the low 20's. This would allow us to travel much higher and sustain such a large move.
The second option was bearish.
Well, I guess the second move played out.
The momentum is still clearly not with us - we are still FWB:25K + under the current ATH - not what one would or should expect after 12 Bitcoin specific ETF's obtaining approval & launching.
Look at the momentum
People seem to fall into the echo chamber and all logic leaves the building. I have been at this game a long, long time. Seen it all before and I am sure I will see it again.
This does not mean I am Bearish or anti Bitcoin - not for one second. I am one of the lucky ones in at the right time, sold a lot on the way up and happy with the current holdings.
All I am trying to emphasis here - is don't get sucked into the void which is not supported by ANY sound logic.
I recently watched a couple of video's with Warren Buffet, another with Jim Rickards.
They both explained something very interesting in a very clear way. Although Anti Bitcoin - what they said made a lot of sense. The same lesson kinda applies to things like gold.
When you buy an asset, the asset can produce for you. So assume you buy a house - you get rental income each month and with the price of the property going up over time you make gains there. Buy a business same thing - Buffet explained this using a farm as the example. Sell grains, cows or whatever you farm. Over time you still hold the asset.
This isn't true for the likes of diamonds, gold or Bitcoin.
Hence it fits into the greater fool theory.
If I sell you my last bitcoin I picked up for less than $200.
You buy it all today at $42,850. You have to find someone else willing to pay you more than the $42,850 in the future. For me, this is the main reason I don't personally care up or down or sideways here. But many in the echo chamber do.
The average price across the breakeven addresses are around $37k - this is Breakeven not profit. So imagine majority of the retail crowd with an average entry after DCA'in at $37k.
These are all things to keep in mind when your playing shorter term moves. ETF's are structured in such a way long term growth can be expected, volatility get's somewhat reduced. You noticed what's happened on the weekends since the launch?
So whilst I expect it to go up in the long run. We need a healthy pullback as to be expected. This gives more time for real accumulation to happen - but this will also put some stress on that average (BE) level of $37k.
Just keep this in mind and one more thing if you want to comment on "oh your wrong - up only" give some logic to support it or I won't bother responding. This move will take time. For me, nothing has changed since 2022. We are not ready for new highs - YET...
Anyway enjoyed or not I thought it was worth another educational post.
Stay safe!
Disclaimer
This idea does not constitute as financial advice. It is for educational purposes only, our principle trader has over 20 years’ experience in stocks, ETF’s, and Forex. Hence each trade setup might have different hold times, entry or exit conditions, and will vary from the post/idea shared here. You can use the information from this post to make your own trading plan for the instrument discussed. Trading carries a risk; a high percentage of retail traders lose money. Please keep this in mind when entering any trade. Stay safe.
THREE DRIVES PATTERNThree Drives Pattern is a price pattern that consists of three consecutive changes in the market. The first and third are strong moves in one direction, while the second is weaker and in the opposite direction. The pattern can be used in trading to determine direction and predict optimal entry-exit points. Below we take a closer look at what this tool is, how it is formed and how to trade it correctly.
What is the Three Drive Pattern?
• Three Drives Pattern in trading is a reversal pattern formed from three consecutive price movements in the market:
• First is an up or down swing that creates a trend;
• The second is a correction of the trend, which is usually about 50% - 61.8% of the first impulse leg;
• Third resumption of the trend, which is usually in the opposite direction of the correction.
In the case of a bullish trend, the Three Drive Pattern often indicates that the trend is about to end. This is the case because a second downward movement indicates high selling pressure on the market. If the second momentum is strong enough, it can lead to a reversal in the trend. In a bearish trend, the Three Drives Pattern often indicates that a bearish trend may end in a reversal. This is because the second upward movement indicates the following: buyers are starting to put pressure on the market. If the second momentum is strong enough, a trend-reversal scenario is possible.
The harmonic reversal pattern requires a competent approach on the part of the trader. It is important to use it in combination with other technical indicators, not to trade against the trend, and not to enter the market before the completion of the pattern. This means that the second movement is completed, and the market returns to the previous version in the direction of the first movement. The Three Drive Pattern is a useful tool that can be used in trading to determine the direction of the trend and forecast the optimal entry and exit points.
How the Three Drives Pattern is Formed?
Bullish Pattern
The bullish pattern of three movements consists of three consecutive downward impulses. It is formed when market makers place shorts and is formed as follows:
• A strong downward movement, which is usually the beginning of a trend.
• An upward correction in the form of a weaker impulse. Indicates attempts to stop the downtrend by market participants.
• A strong downward movement that exceeds the level of the first move.
Ratios of impulse legs:
First is 1.13 or 1.27;
Second is 0,786;
Third is 1,618.
In the case of a bullish pattern, it is worth considering selling after the completion of the third movement. Additional signals could be a change in indicators, a decrease in trading volume, a break of support, or a resistance level. As in the case discussed above, it is not recommended to use such a tool on its own, trade against the trend, or act early.
As you can see above, the market started the trend with the first downward impulse. Then it experienced an upward correction and resumed the trend with the third downward impulse. We always place a stop loss to protect against losses. After opening a position, wait for a pullback towards the first impulse to close the trade or add another position to it. Take into account that the price may be at the right point, but the pattern still may not work.
Bearish Pattern
A bearish pattern of three movements is a price pattern formed from three impulses showing growth. It is used by traders to find the best point to open a position against the market changes.
• A strong upward movement, which is usually the beginning of a bearish trend.
• A downward correction and a small market reversal that does not reach the level of the first impulse. This may be preceded by the fact that sellers show resistance and try to stop the trend.
• A powerful upward movement that exceeds the level of the first impulse. This indicates that the trend is continuing and that the end of the trend is not imminent.
Impulse legs have the following level:
First move is 1.13 or 1.27;
Second move is 0,786;
Third move is 1,618.
The ratios mentioned are not strict.
The pattern is more reliable if it is accompanied by other signals, such as:
A change in trend direction indicators;
an increase in trading volume;
divergence with an oscillator;
the presence of support below or resistance above.
Always use the tool in combination with other technical indicators to get an accurate prediction. Also, do not trade against the trend.
As you can see on the chart, the market started a bearish trend from the first impulse upwards. After it experienced a downward correction, it did not reach the minimum or level of the first impulse. Finally, the market resumed the trend with the third upward impulse.
How To Trade Using The Three Drives Pattern?
1. Find three consecutive movements on the chart that meet the criteria of the pattern.
2. Do not enter the market until the pattern is complete.
3. Make an entry at the initial point of the third move after it reaches the fibonichci extension level of 127.2% - 161.8%.
4. Place a stop above the 161.8% expansion level to protect losses in case the pattern doesn't work and goes lower or higher.
5. Close the trade when the market reaches the target profit at the 50% - 61.8% retracement of the whole pattern or you can at the level of the start of the first impulse.
As you can see in the chart below, the market started bullish - the first impulse. Then there was a correction, which did not reach the level of the first impulse. Finally, the market resumed the trend and finished with the third impulse, in which the price went down and completed the pattern. Note that the price was at a strong co-contraction level. You can draw a trend line from above. The last element that hinted at a change of trend was the divergence.
Use other technical indicators. The three-move pattern is a valuable tool, but it is not an accurate one. Using other tools, such as trend direction and volume indicators, can help improve the accuracy of your forecasts. Do not trade against the trend. A three-move pattern can be more reliable if it is used to confirm a trend. Be prepared for the pattern not to work like any other technical pattern.
Bottom line
The Three Drive Pattern is a reversal pattern. It can be used to determine the trend direction, as well as to predict potential entry and exit points. The optimal place to open a position is the level of the first impulse, and the exit point is reaching the target profit calculated using the Fibonacci ratio. Trading against the trend is riskier than trading in the direction of original market movement. This is because the price can continue to move in a given direction even if you see a reversal signal. This is why you need to proceed with caution and use other tools to back you up.
Traders, If you liked this educational post🎓, give it a boost 🚀 and drop a comment
EXPLAINED: Odd Lot Offer EasilyWHAT IS AN ODD LOT OFFER?
An odd-lot offer is a financial transaction.
It is where a company offers to buy back small quantities of its shares from shareholders who hold fewer shares than the typical trading unit.
Usually it’s under 100 shares.
In the context of stock markets, an “odd lot” refers to a number of shares that is less than the standard trading lot.
Here are the key points about an odd-lot offer:
Target Audience:
Aimed at shareholders who own fewer shares than the standard trading unit (commonly 100 shares).
Purpose:
Typically initiated by a company to reduce the number of small shareholders and simplify its shareholder structure.
Offer Terms:
The company specifies an offer price at which it is willing to buy back the odd lots of shares. This price may be at a premium to the current market price.
Voluntary Participation:
Shareholders are not obligated to participate; it’s a voluntary decision on their part.
Cost Reduction:
Companies may implement odd-lot offers to reduce administrative costs associated with managing a large number of small shareholders.
Shareholder Choice:
Odd-lot shareholders can decide whether to sell their shares to the company at the offered price or to retain their shares.
Tax Implications:
Companies may structure odd-lot offers in a way that has specific tax implications for shareholders. It’s common for the offer to be treated as a return of capital rather than a dividend.
Approval Process:
In many cases, such offers require approval from the company’s shareholders, often obtained at a general meeting.
Let’s use an example with City Lodge in 2023.
1. What’s Going On:
As of October 16, 2023, there were a bunch of small-scale shareholders in City Lodge, each holding fewer than 100 shares.
These investrs are referred to as “Odd-lot Holders,” which make up 58.22% of all City Lodge shareholders.
However, when you look at the total shares they own, it’s just a tiny 0.06% of the market.
Now, managing these tiny portions costs a lot, creating a headache for everyone.
2. The solution
To solve this issue, at City Lodge’s board of directors are suggesting an Odd-lot Offer.
This means they want to buy back the small amounts of shares from these Odd-lot Holders, making life simpler for everyone involved.
3. So what do these Odd-lot holders get?
If you’re one of these Odd-lot Holders, you get a chance to cash at a price that’s 5% more than the average value of City Lodge shares over the past 30 days.
It’s like a special deal, and you won’t have to pay any fees to make the transaction.
4. How it works
To make this happen, City Lodge needs approval from its shareholders.
They discussed it at the Annual General Meeting on November 23, 2023.
If the plan gets a green light, Odd-lot Holders can decide to sell their shares at the offered price or keep them.
5. The tax story
They considered the Odd-lot Offer isn’t a dividend but more like a return of capital.
This decision has some tax implications, so they suggest you chat with your tax expert for the details.
City Lodge wants to simplify its shareholder list, and if you’re an Odd-lot Holder, you have a choice to make – take the deal or keep riding the City Lodge wave.
Does that help and did it help you?
What is OrderBlock ⁉️‼️ Order Blocks are candles where Market Makers (Banks) have placed their positions, generally, the market returns to those candles and they are never violated.
There're 2 types of Order Blocks:
1. The Bullish Order Block is the last bearish candle before the bullish movement, that Break The Market Structure Higher. Represents a high possibility of holding the price, when the price returns to it.
2. The Bearish Order Block is the last bullish candle before the bearish movement, that Break The Market Structure Lower. Represents a high possibility of holding the price, when the price returns to it.
CHOCH vs BOS ‼️WHAT IS BOS ?
BOS - break of strucuture. I will use market structure bullish or bearish to understand if the institutions are buying or selling a financial asset.
To spot a bullish / bearish market structure we should see a higher highs and higher lows and viceversa, to spot the continuation of the bullish market structure we should see bullish price action above the last old high in the structure this is the BOS.
BOS for me is a confirmation that price will go higher after the retracement and we are still in a bullish move
WHAT IS CHOCH?
CHOCH - change of character. Also known as reversal, when the price fails to make a new higher high or lower low, then the price broke the structure and continue in other direction.
What is Confluence❓✅ Confluence refers to any circumstance where you see multiple trade signals lining up on your charts and telling you to take a trade. Usually these are technical indicators, though sometimes they may be price patterns. It all depends on what you use to plan your trades. A lot of traders fill their charts with dozens of indicators for this reason. They want to find confluence — but oftentimes the result is conflicting signals. This can cause a lapse of confidence and a great deal of confusion. Some traders add more and more signals the less confident they get, and continue to make the problem worse for themselves.
✅ Confluence is very important to increase the chances of winning trades, a trader needs to have at least two factors of confluence to open a trade. When the confluence exists, the trader becomes more confident on his negotiations.
✅ The Factors Of Confluence Are:
Higher Time Frame Analysis;
Trade during London Open;
Trade during New York Open;
Refine Higher Time Frame key levels in Lower
Time Frame entries;
Combine setups;
Trade during High Impact News Events.
✅ Refine HTF key levels in LTF entries or setups for confirmation that the HTF analysis will hold the price.
HTF Key Levels Are:
HTF Order Blocks;
HTF Liquidity Pools;
HTF Market Structure.
Market Structure Identification ✅Hello traders!
I want to share with you some educational content.
✅ MARKET STRUCTURE .
Today we will talk about market structure in the financial markets, market structure is basically the understading where the institutional traders/investors are positioned are they short or long on certain financial asset, it is very important to be positioned your trading opportunities with the trend as the saying says trend is your friend follow the trend when you are taking trades that are alligned with the strucutre you have a better probability of them closing in profit.
✅ Types of Market Structure
Bearish Market Structure - institutions are positioned LONG, look only to enter long/buy trades, we are spotingt the bullish market strucutre if price is making higher highs (hh) and higher lows (hl)
Bullish Market Structure - institutions are positioned SHORT, look only to enter short/sell trades, we are spoting the bearish market strucutre when price is making lower highs (lh) and lower lows (ll)
Range Market Structure - the volumes on short/long trades are equall instiutions dont have a clear direction we are spoting this strucutre if we see price making equal highs and equal lows and is accumulating .
I hope I was clear enough so you can understand this very important trading concept, remember its not in the number its in the quality of the trades and to have a better quality try to allign every trading idea with the actual structure
🔜RULE FOLLOWING CHALLENGE, join to improve your trading 💪Did you know that most beginner traders can't follow their rules for 7 days in a row? Unfortunately, they start overtrading or changing the rules of the system, entering random trades, overrisk, etc.
I've been there many many times myself, but then slowly started focusing on this part and made my first 7, then 10 days of rules following, broke with another tilt, started again, reached 17, 30 days, and failed again.
Each time it became better and better, and now I'm on my way to 50 days of rule-following.
I developed a routine and system that allows me to keep doing it, day after day. It includes mental technics, as well as simple EAs for Metatrader to help with over-risking and overtrading issues.
If you want to step out of your comfort zone and improve your trading, join this 7-day rule-following challenge by leaving a comment below.
It will be hosted here on TradingView, probably using the Stream feature, but I'll let you know later when we will gather up.