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Energy & Inflation - The Chickens Come Home to RoostThe worldwide pandemic gripped the markets two years ago, throwing the global economy into a brief tailspin. In hindsight, the decline in markets across all assets seems like the blink of an eye. At the time, it felt like an eternity. Crude oil explodes and becomes very volatile Natural gas at an unseasonal high Coal reached a new record peak US energy policy lit the fuse Ukraine and inflation are pouring fuel on the fire Energy demand evaporated, sending landlocked NYMEX crude oil below zero for the first time since trading began in the 1980s. Seaborne Brent petroleum fell to the lowest price of this century at $16 per barrel. Natural gas dropped to a twenty-five-year low at $1.432 per MMBtu, and coal prices fell under $40 per ton. Central Bank liquidity and government stimulus that stabilized the economy ignited a recovery that began lifting prices. Two years later, the meltdown turned into a melt-up as raging inflation and the first significant war on European soil since World War II turned one crisis into another. The chickens came home to roost in the energy markets as prices went from famine to feast for producers and feast to famine for consumers. Crude oil explodes and becomes very volatile In March 2022, crude oil rose to the highest price since 2008 and blew through the $100 per barrel level as a hot knife goes through butter. The monthly chart shows that after probing above $100 in late February, nearby NYMEX crude oil futures rose to $130.50 in March, before pulling back to just below the triple digit price at the end of last week. The quarterly chart shows that the energy commodity rose for the eighth consecutive quarter in Q1 2022. Nearby Brent crude oil futures, the benchmark for European, African, Middle Eastern, and Russian petroleum, exploded to $139.13 per barrel in March before pulling back to the $104 level on the June futures contract. While crude oil corrected from the high, the price has been highly volatile, with $10 daily trading ranges becoming the norm instead of the exception. Natural gas at an unseasonal high The natural gas market moves into the injection season in late March as heating demand declines. March tends to be a bearish time in the natural gas market because of the energy commodity’s seasonality. The monthly chart shows that nearby natural gas futures rose to a high of $5.832 in March, the highest level during the month that ends the withdrawal season since 2008. On April 1, the price was over the $5.70 per MMBtu level, more than double the level at the start of April 2021. Coal reached a new record peak Coal, the fossil fuel that environmentalists consider a four-letter energy commodity, rose to a new record high in March. The monthly chart of thermal coal futures for delivery in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, shows the price reached a record $465 per ton in March before correcting to the $265.40 level. Meanwhile, the price remained above the previous record high from July 2008 at $224 per ton. US energy policy lit the fuse As the energy demand made a comeback from the lows during the second half of 2020, the change in US administrations planted very bullish seeds for fossil fuel prices. The shift in US energy policy was symbolic and real. On his first day in office on January 21, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order canceling the Keystone XL pipeline, fulfilling his campaign pledge to address climate change. Environmentalists and progressive Democrats called the US addiction to hydrocarbons an existential threat. In 2021 and 2022, the administration banned drilling and fracking for oil and gas on Alaska’s federal lands and tightened regulations on hydrocarbon production. All the while, the demand for gas, oil, and coal was rising. OPEC+, the international oil cartel, and its partner Russia maintained production cuts as they received a gift from the US administration. In March 2020, USD petroleum output led the world at 13.1 million barrels per day. The shift in US energy policy to favor alternative and renewable fuels and inhibit hydrocarbon production and consumption handed the pricing power back to OPEC+ on a silver platter. After decades of striving for energy independence, the US surrendered it in a matter of months. As the price rose, the Biden Administration continued to pander to its party’s progressive wing with green energy rhetoric while begging the cartel to increase output thrice. On each occasion, OPEC+ not so politely refused, and the oil price continued to rise. Meanwhile, natural gas and coal shortages pushed those commodities to multi-year highs. The bottom line is that while addressing climate change is a noble cause, it is a multi-decade project. The US and worldwide consumers continue to depend on the hydrocarbons that power the globe. The shift in energy policy planted very bullish seeds where oil wells, gas fields, and coal mines once produced the energy commodities on US soil. An unexpected event made the prices combustible. Ukraine and inflation are pouring fuel on the fire In previous articles before the invasion, we wrote that the February 4 meeting between China’s President Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin was a “watershed event.” The $117 billion trade agreement was secondary to the “no-limits” support deal. Twenty days after the leaders shook hands at the Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony, Russia invaded Ukraine launching a bloody and devasting war that created a massive schism in the geopolitical landscape. Sanctions on Russia, retaliatory measures, and heated rhetoric ignited an explosive fuse in fossil fuel markets. In crude oil, the price rose as Russia is a leading producer. Supply concerns pushed the Brent and WTI futures markets into backwardations where deferred prices were lower than prices for nearby delivery. The price eclipsed the $100 per barrel level for the first time since 2014 and reached the highest price since 2008. Asian and European natural gas prices were trading at much higher levels than the US Henry Hub price before Russia’s invasion. Meanwhile, European natural gas prices exploded to a new record peak in March. The chart of ICE UK natural gas futures speaks for itself with the explosive move to a record peak in March. LNG changed the US natural gas market over the past years, expanding its reach beyond the North American pipeline network. LNG now travels the world by ocean tankers, making US domestic prices more sensitive to worldwide levels. In the wake of Russian aggression and European sanctions, Europe is attempting to wean itself from its addiction to Russian natural gas, increasing the need for US LNG imports. The increase in demand has put upward pressure on US natural gas prices and downward pressure on inventories, which were over 14% below the five-year average for the week ending on March 25, 2022. In the coal market, China and India have had a healthy appetite for the dirtiest fossil fuel. Moreover, rising oil and natural gas prices put upward pressure on coal, a less expensive alternative. Meanwhile, rising inflation is causing production costs to rise as labor, equipment, and all other aspects of extracting fossil fuels and all commodities from the earth’s crust have skyrocketed. Rising energy prices are a root cause of increasing inflation, but it has become a vicious cycle that also impacts energy output costs. The February US inflation data ran at the highest level in over four decades. Last week, the US President announced the release of one million barrels per day from the US strategic petroleum reserve. Taping the supplies could run 180 days, making it the most significant use of the SPR in history. Meanwhile, over the past decades, most SPR releases have not pushed prices lower, and some have caused rallies in the oil futures market. US energy policy planted bullish seeds for fossil fuel prices in early 2021. It did not take long for the chickens to come home to roost. Now that consumers are pay $4, $5, $6, and $7 per gallon for gasoline, the administration calls higher prices the Russian President’s fault, a convenient political ploy. The perfect bullish storm in energy began long before Russian troops rolled over Ukraine’s border. The Russian leader and sanctions poured fuel on an already raging inflationary fire in the energy markets. However, US energy, monetary, and fiscal policies were the original arsonists. The base prices for oil, gas, and coal will remain elevated for as long as the eye can see. Buying dips is likely to be the optimal approach to the sector. Since corrections in commodities markets can be brutal, adjust your risk-reward horizons to reflect wide price variance. -- Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility , inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
NYMEX:CL1!Education
by Andy_Hecht
Investing Requires Patience and Nerves of SteelA perfect trading environment? Volatility is a mixed blessing. Day traders love lots of action as it creates opportunities to make or lose money. Day traders are action junkies, looking for price moves and technical patterns like predators hidden in the reeds to pounce. Trade or investment- Make a choice before pulling the trigger Trading- One set of rules Investing- another set of rules Common factors The differences and pitfalls Investors have a long-term view of markets, waiting for prices that they believe are too low or too high. While some look for prices that could be tops or bottoms, the most successful investors realize that markets can move to illogical, irrational, and unreasonable prices, so they often scale into risk positions over time. Rising inflation can be a vicious cycle. In 2021, inflation turned out to be a lot more than a transitory event. At first, the US central bank and Treasury explained away higher prices as a symptom of pandemic-inspired supply chain bottlenecks. They never cited the tidal wave of central bank liquidity and tsunami of government stimulus. However, it was those factors that lit the inflationary fuse. The Fed waited far too long to adjust monetary policy to counter inflation as they didn’t account for the central bank’s policies that were a root cause. Russia is one of the world’s leading commodity producers, and China is the most influential global consumer. The invasion of Ukraine, ongoing war, a Russian-Chinese “no-limits” alliance, and sanctions and support for Ukraine from the US and Europe, create an almost perfect bullish cocktail for commodity prices, pouring gasoline on the inflationary fire. The Fed can do little with monetary policy to extinguish the flames. Since the February 24 invasion, market volatility has dramatically increased. The market price variance creates a highly attractive trading environment, but it also offers investors a chance to profit long-term as volatility creates bargains or overpriced assets. The current environment requires short-term traders to be on their toes while patience and perseverance are necessary for longer-term investors. Trade or investment- Make a choice before pulling the trigger A common mistake made by market participants is many do not distinguish or classify a risk position as a trade or investment before executing a buy or sell order. The vast difference between a trade and an investment is the time horizon. Trades are often short-term, while investments are medium to long-term. Categorizing any position as a trade or investment before pulling the execution trigger leads to a different set of rules and can minimize losses and allow profits to run. Trading- One set of rules Any successful trader knows that the key to success is discipline. They also know that they will never call the price direction correctly 100% of the time. Moreover, most have less than a 50% average on the path of least resistance of prices. Baseball players who rise to the top of the game and wind up in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, have an average batting average of just over 0.300, meaning they do not get on base nearly 70% of the time. The same holds for the trading hall of fame. What separates winners from losers is discipline. In trading, it amounts to a risk-reward approach that increases the odds of long-term success. When risk-reward is in your favor, it allows for wrong directional calls to outnumber correct ones and leads to more profits than losses. Risk-reward should be at 1:1 at a minimum, and the reward should often be higher than the risk level. When a price hits the risk level, disciplined traders will exit, admitting they were wrong. Moreover, the formula for long-term success means a trade can never become an investment because the price moves contrary to expectations. Investing- another set of rules Investing is another animal, as a value investor tends to go against the market’s sentiment, taking a contrarian approach. Charlie Munger’s current risk position in Alibaba shares (BABA) is a perfect example, but it applies to markets across all asset classes. Mr. Munger saw long-term value in the Chinese e-commerce and technology company, believing it is inexpensive compared to US stocks. At the end of Q4 2021, he was willing to take the Chinese country risk in the stock. Mr. Munger has been buying BABA shares since mid-2021 when it peaked at over $230. His disclosures show he purchased shares in Q3 2021 and Q4 2021. At below the $87 level at the end of last week, his investment is underwater, but he has plenty of capital to support the risk position. Mr. Munger added shares as the price declined, using the principle if I liked the prospects at a higher price, I love it at a lower price. While time will tell if he sticks with BABA, he has scaled into the position at a comfortable level, given his total capital. Successful investors do not put all of their eggs in one basket, nor do they amass a full risk position at one price level. They often leave plenty of room to add if market sentiment drives the price to a more inexpensive level when buying or a more expensive level when shorting. Investments require patience, perseverance, and a portfolio approach. Charlie Munger has substantial exposure to BABA, but it is only one of the stocks in his overall portfolio. Common factors While trading and investing are different market approaches, some common factors are critical: Successful traders and investors never risk all of their capital on one risk position. Success requires a plan before buying or selling to initiate a trade or investment. Risk-reward and leverage dynamics are critical. Success requires the acknowledgment that the price of any asset is always the correct price because it is where buyers and sellers meet in a transparent environment, the marketplace. Successful traders and investors eliminate the emotional impulses from fear and greed. These principles guide successful traders and investors. The differences and pitfalls Trading and investing are different because: Time horizons - Trading requires a short-term orientation while investing is medium to long-term. Technical versus fundamental - A trader tends to use short-term technical factors driven by market sentiment. Investors are more likely to react to fundamentals and longer-term trends. Approach - A trader tends to be more dynamic, reacting to each price movement in a market. An investor is often passive, watching market action over more extended periods. The critical pitfalls are: Traders and investors should never assume an assets’ price is wrong and they are right. The current price is always the right price. Attempting to call tops and bottoms in any market is dangerous as prices often move to illogical, unreasonable, and irrational levels on the up and downside. Never allow a trade to become an investment because the price move contrary to expectations. Changing a game plan during a trade or investment’s life refutes the original thesis. A change should be considered a new risk position, requiring abandoning the existing trade or investment. Failure to account for the worst-case can lead to disaster. Risk involves price, liquidity, and the accessibility to an exit. No trade or investment should prevent others. Allocating too much capital can cause devastating losses. In early March 2022, market volatility has created a paradise of opportunities for traders as wide price variance is fertile ground for short-term risk-reward dynamics. Investing in the current environment where inflation and geopolitics create the most uncertain landscape in decades. An investment plan requires patience and nerves of steel. The old saying, “look before your leap,” is appropriate for traders and investors as they should always plan before executing purchases or sales to enter a risk position. Highly volatile markets make planning critical. -- Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility , inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
SP:SPXEducation
by Andy_Hecht
2
Seasonal Futures Market Patterns Corn SoybeansSeasonal Futures Market Patterns Corn Soybeans Hey traders today I wanted to go over the best Seasonal Patterns in the Corn & Soybeans Futures Market. Corn and Soybeans and other grain markets follow an annual reliable seasonal pattern revolving around supply demand planting cycles. Knowing when to find these seasonal market patterns on your charts can really benefit us in our trading of Corn and Soybeans. Enjoy! Trade Well, Clifford
CBOT:ZS1!Education
by TradetheFuturesCharts
Seasonality In Commodities As The Spring of 2022 ApproachesCommodities can be seasonal assets. Fuel and nutritional requirements tend to reflect the weather conditions during the times of the year that are cold and when the weather warms. As February ends and March arrives this week, the old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. The oldest written reference to the “lion/lamb” proverb comes from English author Thomas Fuller, who included it in a 1732 volume of proverbs, “wise sentences, and witty sayings, ancient and modern.” It then passed to many farmer’s almanacs, but the saying is likely much older than the 18th-century reference. The end of winter- Heating fuel demand declines The beginning of spring- The driving season in gasoline and injection season in natural gas The start of the 2022 crop year The 2022 grilling season is on the horizon The three reasons 2022 may not be a typical year for seasonality As the weather warms over the coming weeks, the supply/demand equations for a host of commodities will shift. While seasonality offers opportunities to traders and speculators in the futures markets, prices tend to adjust far before the seasons change each year. Moreover, in 2022, the economic and geopolitical landscapes suggest that traditional seasonality could go out the window. The end of winter- Heating fuel demand declines In a typical year, the end of the winter season is when futures markets are already reflecting spring pricing. As March begins this week, refiners tend to produce less heating oil, and the natural gas demand remains high, but the markets see the light at the end of the peak-season tunnel. A monthly chart of the heating oil crack spread, a proxy for other distillates, including diesel and jet fuels, often weakens in March. While distillates are year-round fuels, heating oil production usually declines in March anticipating a decline in heating oil demand. Historically, natural gas tends to reflect the prospects for milder weather during the spring months in March. Natural gas reached annual lows in February, March, and April in 2012, 2016, 2017, and 2021. The beginning of spring- The driving season in gasoline and injection season in natural gas The spring and summer seasons are when people tend to put more mileage on their cars as the weather improves. Gasoline demand tends to increase at the end of the winter as refiners shift from distillate to gasoline refining. The monthly chart shows that gasoline processing spreads often move higher and peak during the spring and early summer months. Each year, the natural gas market moves from the withdrawal to the injection season during March. As production begins to flow into storage across the US, the supply-demand equation shifts, and prices tend to decline. In June 2020, natural gas fell to the lowest price in twenty-five years at $1.432 per MMBtu at the end of the second quarter. The start of the 2022 crop year As the snow melts across the fertile US plains and other crop-producing countries in the northern hemisphere, farmers begin to plant the new crops in March and April. The early spring marks the time when uncertainty about supplies peaks as the weather during the growing season is the primary factor in crop production each year. Grain and oilseed prices tend to rise during the spring and early summer as Mother Nature determines the weather conditions that determine the agricultural products that feed the world. The monthly chart of CBOT soybean futures shows that prices often move to annual highs during the spring and summer months. Uncertainty over the corn crop often pushes prices to highs during the spring and summer each year. Wheat prices display the same seasonal pattern. Wheat is the primary ingredient in bread, a critical source of nutrition for nearly eight billion people. The beginning of the crop season is when supply concerns start to increase as prices become as fickle as the weather over the coming months. The fear of drought or floods is always a key concern as the seeds go into the ground. The 2022 grilling season is on the horizon Each year, the US grilling season lasts from late May and the Memorial Day weekend through early September and the Labor Day weekend. As barbecues come out of storage across the US and family and friends gather outside, the demand for animal protein tends to rise. Futures markets tend to move higher as animal protein producers deliver cattle and hogs to processing plants in the spring to meet the increased summer requirements. Cattle and hog futures prices tend to move higher as the grilling season approaches and hit seasonal lows as it ends. Live cattle futures often display seasonal strength in the spring and summer and weakness during the fall and winter months. The monthly chart shows that feeder cattle futures tend to display seasonal strength during the grilling season. Lean hog futures display the same seasonal trading pattern in many years. The three reasons 2022 may not be a typical year for seasonality While seasonality is a critical factor for energy and agricultural commodities, 2022 is anything but an ordinary year in markets across all asset classes. At least three factors could cause markets to exacerbate or ignore seasonality over the coming months: Inflation is at the highest level in over four decades, causing prices of all goods and services to rise. Commodity prices continue to trend higher, despite the Fed’s plans to increase interest rates. The central bank remains far behind the inflationary curve, which is likely to continue the bullish trend. Russia is a leading commodity producer, supplying Europe and the world with metals, minerals, energy, and agricultural products. The Russian invasion into Ukraine led to significant sanctions, which could cause embargos, and supply chain bottlenecks, causing price distortions as availabilities decline. Markets reflect the economic and geopolitical landscapes. We have not experienced the current level of uncertainty in decades. The technical trend in most commodity markets remain higher, and the trends are always your best friends. Seasonality is likely to take a backseat in the current landscape. Market participants should expect the unexpected over the coming weeks and months as price variance is likely to remain elevated. Approach all markets with a clear plan for risk and rewards and stick to that plan. Never allow a short-term risk position to become a long-term investment because the price moves contrary to expectations. Seasonal factors are always critical in all raw material markets, but in 2022, inflation and geopolitical tensions are trumping the weather as the winter comes to an end. -- Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility, inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
NYMEX:NG1!Education
by Andy_Hecht
2
Why You Should Learn To Trade Interest RatesIf you're trading this market right now you have to keep your eye on Interest Rates. Why? Interest Rates have the largest web in the market. They impact every market we trade (even crypto :) What rates are doing not only impact the markets we trade, they impact us in everyday life. In this video I go over the best way to trade interest rates and even if you're not interested in trading interest rates, I go over the best markets to keep up on your quotes to see what rates are doing. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Derivatives trading is not suitable for all investors. 
CBOT_MINI:2YY1!Education
by anthonycrudele
27
How To Use Bitcoin Futures To Hedge Your CryptoYou are either a trader or a HODL'er. Since I am a trader I don't like to sit in massive swings in my spot Bitcoin positions, I like to use Micro Bitcoin Futures to hedge my spot position to minimize the risk and also maximize my long position in spot. In this video I explain how I am currently hedging my long Spot Bitcoin position using Micro Bitcoin Futures, Symbol MBT. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Derivatives trading is not suitable for all investors.
BEducation
by anthonycrudele
40
RISK : REWARD. Visualized breakdown ⚠️Regardless of whether you prefer day trading or swing trading, you need to understand the fundamental concepts regarding risk. They form the basis of understanding the market, managing trading activities, and investment decisions. Otherwise, you will not be able to protect and increase your balance. We have already discussed risk management, position size, and stop-loss setting. But if you are actively trading, answer two important questions. How does the growth potential relate to potential losses? In other words, what is your risk-reward ratio? In this article, we will discuss how to calculate the risk-to-profit ratio for any transaction. ✅What is the ratio of risk and profit? 🟢The risk-reward ratio (risk/reward or R/R ratio) allows you to understand what risk a trader is taking for the sake of a potential reward. In other words, it shows what the potential profit is for every dollar you risk when investing. 🟢The calculation itself is very simple. The maximum risk is divided by the net target profit. How exactly? First, think about where you want to enter into the transaction. Decide where you will take profit (if the trade is successful) and where to place a stop loss (if it is a losing trade). This is extremely important for effective risk management. Good traders set profit targets and stop-loss before entering a trade. Now you have entry and exit points, that is, you can calculate the ratio of risk and profit. To do this, you need to divide the potential risk by the potential profit. The lower this coefficient is, the more potential profit you will receive per "unit" of risk. Let's figure out how it works. ✅How to calculate the ratio of risk and profit 🟢Let's say you want to open a long position on bitcoin. You perform an analysis and determine that your take profit order will be 15% of the entry price. Next, you have to answer the following question: where your position will be closed in case of a market reversal. This is where you will have to set a stop loss. In this case, you decide that your cancellation point will be 5% of the entry point. It is worth noting that it, as a rule, should not be based on arbitrary percentage numbers. The profit target and stop loss should be determined based on market analysis. Technical analysis indicators are very useful for solving this problem. 🟢So, our profit target is 15%, and the potential loss is 5%. What is the ratio of risk and profit? 5/15 = 1:3 = 0,33. Everything is simple. This means that for each unit of risk we potentially win three times more. In other words, for every dollar we risk, we can get three dollars. Thus, if we have a position worth $100, then we risk losing $5 with a potential profit of 15. 🟢You can also move the stop loss closer to our entry to reduce this ratio. However, the entry and exit points should not be calculated arbitrarily, but solely based on analysis. If a trading position has a high risk-to-profit ratio, it is probably not worth "arguing" with the numbers and hoping for success. In this case, we recommend choosing another position with a good risk-reward ratio. ‼️Please note: positions with different sizes may have the same risk-to-profit ratio. For example, if we have a position worth $10,000, we risk losing $500 for a potential profit of $1,500 (the ratio is still 1:3). The ratio changes only if we change the relative position of our target and stop loss. ❤️ Please, support our work with like & comment! ❤️
BITSTAMP:BTCUSDEducation
by UnitedSignals
7
CANDLESTICK PATTERN TRADING | Engulfing Candle 📚 Hey traders, In this post, we will discuss a classic candlestick pattern formation each trader must know - the engulfing candle. Key properties of this pattern: 🔑 Engulfing candle is a reversal pattern. 🔑 Engulfing candle can be bullish or bearish. ❗️Also, remember that this candle demonstrates the highest accuracy when it is formed on a key level (support or resistance). ⬆️Bullish Engulfing Candle usually forms after a strong bearish impulse. Weakening, the market keeps going lower forming bearish candles. However, at some moment, instead of forming a new bearish candle the market reverses. The price forms a bullish candle that engulfs the range of the previous bearish candle and closes above its opening price. Such a candle we call a bullish engulfing candle. The main feature of this pattern is the fact that its total range (distance from the wick high to wick low) & body range (distance from body open to body close) exceed the ranges of a previous bearish candle. Being formed on a key support level or within a demand zone it signifies a highly probable pullback or even a trend reversal. ⬇️Bearish Engulfing Candle usually forms after a strong bullish move. Reaching an overbought condition, the market keeps going higher forming bullish candles. However, at some moment, instead of forming a new bullish candle the market goes in the opposite direction. The price forms a bearish candle that engulfs the range of the previous bullish candle and closes below its opening price. Such a candle we call a bearish engulfing candle. The main feature of this pattern is the fact that its total range (distance from the wick high to wick low) & body range (distance from body open to body close) exceed the ranges of a previous bullish candle. Being formed on a key resistance level or within a supply zone it signifies a highly probable pullback or even a trend reversal. 📝Engulfing candle can be applied for scalping lower time frames, for intraday trading, or even for swing trading. Personally, I apply this candle on daily/4h time frames as one of the confirmations of the strength of the structure level that I spotted. Do you trade engulfing candle? ❤️Please, support this idea with like and comment!❤️
COINBASE:BTCUSDEducation
by VasilyTrader
11
Commodities In 2021 and a View for 2022It is official- Inflation is no longer “transitory,” according to the US central bank. After blaming rising prices on pandemic-inspired supply chain bottlenecks throughout 2021, the Federal Reserve swallowed its pride, admitting inflationary pressures are far more structural than “transitory.” Economist Mohamed El Erian called “transitory” the worst call in the Fed’s history. What the Fed, US Treasury, and most mainstream economists have not said is that the blame lies at their feet. The liquidity tidal wave and stimulus tsunami lit the inflationary fuse in 2020 that continues to burn in early 2022. The dollar index may have rallied by 6.34% in 2021, but its appreciation is little more than a mirage. The foreign exchange market conveniently measures one currency’s value against another. The dollar’s ascent may make the greenback the strongest fiat currency, but it is the best horse in the glue factor when it comes to value. All fiats have lost purchasing power since 2020, and the dollar is no exception. The stock market, real estate prices, cryptocurrencies, and commodities have all experienced substantial price appreciation, which is also a mirage. Fiat currency’s purchasing power continues to decline, and that trend remains firmly intact as we head into 2022. Commodity prices began rallying after reaching bottoms in early 2020 as the pandemic swept across the world. The rally continued in 2021 and looks set to take prices to higher lows and higher highs in 2022. 2021 was a very bullish year in the commodities asset class A composite of 29 of the leading and most liquid commodities futures and forwards that trade on the US and UK futures and forwards exchange moved 4.73% higher in Q4 2021 and 26.79% higher in 2021. In Q4, the leading sectors posted the following results: Base metals moved 9.65% higher Grains gained 9.31% Animal proteins moved 4.73% higher Soft commodities appreciated by 4.25% Precious metals posted a 2.80% gain Energy commodities fell 3.02% In 2021, four of the five sectors posted double-digit percentage gains while only precious metals moved lower: Energy was 54.13% higher Base metals gained 38.09% Soft commodities rallied 31.57% Grains moved 29.71% to the upside Animal proteins appreciated by 19.16% Precious metals fell 11.91% The overall performance was highly bullish as inflationary pressure, pandemic-inspired supply chain bottlenecks, and other factors pushed prices to multi-year, or in some cases, new all-time highs. An interesting observation between a commodity composite and the S&P 500 In a sign that inflation pushed all asset prices higher, the performance of the leading stock market index and commodities asset class was virtually the same. The long-term chart of the S&P 500, the most representative stock market index, reflects a 26.89% rise in 2021. The commodity composite that includes the leading precious and base metals, energy, soft, gains, and animal protein markets was 26.79% higher. The results are uncanny but reflect inflation’s impact on prices. Thirty-three winners and eight losers for the year Winners outnumbered losers by better than four-to-one in the commodities asset class that includes 41 different markets. Metals, foods, and energy commodities posted the most significant gains. Thirty-two of thirty-three markets that moved higher posted double-digit percentage gains, and thirteen markets were up over 50%. Of the eight markets that moved lower in 2021, five were precious metals. The sector may have lost 11.91% in 2021, but it moved 27.85% higher in 2020. Gold reached a new all-time high in 2020 and palladium in 2021, before the shiny metals corrected. Iron ore, the worst-performing commodity in 2021, was nearly 73% higher in 2020. Soybean meal rose by over 43% in 2020. Cocoa posted a marginal gain in 2020 and a market loss in 2021. Three reasons the bullish relay race will continue The ascent of commodity prices since the 2020 lows has been nothing short of a bullish relay race, with one market handing the bullish baton to the next. Three factors favor a continuation of bullish price action in 2022: Inflation : The Fed may be talking a hawkish game in early 2022, but action speaks a lot louder than words. At the December FOMC meeting, the committee forecast a 0.60% Fed Funds rate in 2022 and a 1.90% short-term rate in 2023. Even if inflationary pressures recede, real interest rates will remain in negative territory, which is fuel for higher inflation. As fiat currencies’ purchasing power declines, commodity prices are likely to continue to make higher lows and higher highs. The supply chain : Geopolitical issues and the pandemic’s legacy continue to create bottlenecks preventing commodities from moving from producers to consumers. Moreover, tensions between the US and Russia and the US and China develop roadblocks for commodities and distort prices, creating gluts in some regions and shortages in other areas. Policy : The shift in US energy policy to address climate change changed the fundamental equation for fossil fuels. OPEC and Russia now control world petroleum pricing. Increased regulations on US drilling and fracking will weigh on supplies. Moreover, addressing climate change dramatically increases the demand for battery metals and other commodities that are critical inputs for greener energy via alternative and renewable sources. Energy is an essential input for all commodity production. As energy prices rise, it puts upside pressure on all commodities, including grains, animal proteins, and metals. Inflation is a vicious cycle that is challenging to address once it gains speed. The US Fed and other world central banks are far behind the inflationary curve in early 2022. Bull markets rarely move in straight lines Bull markets can experience brutal corrections. In 2021, we saw copper drop from a new record high at nearly $4.90 per pound in May to below $4 in August. Lumber dropped from over $1700 per 1,000 board feet in May, a record high, to under $500 in August. Crude oil fell from its highest price since 2014 at $85.41 in October to below $63 in early December. Natural gas tanked from $6.466 per MMBtu in early October to below $4 in December and January. Many other commodities suffered equally ugly corrections. However, most found bottoms and have rallied from the higher lows than in 2020. I expect a continuation of higher lows and higher highs in the commodities asset class in 2022. The trend is always your best friend, and it remains higher in the raw materials asset class since 2020. 2021 was a bullish year in commodities, and I expect that trend to continue in 2022, but the road to higher prices is likely to be very bumpy. -- Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility, inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
SP:SPXEducation
by Andy_Hecht
1
Seasonal Futures Trading Patterns S&P 500 Hey traders today I wanted to go over what I believe are the best Seasonal Futures and Forex trades during the year. There are many markets that have seasonal patterns. Such as Forex, Stocks, Futures, and Commodities. Knowing the best time to trade to look for these Seasonal Futures and Forex opportunities will help you in your trading. This series on Seasonal Futures and Forex will be ongoing with several videos. The first video will be about the S&P 500 futures and how to trade them seasonally. Enjoy! Trade Well, Clifford
CME_MINI:MES1!Education
by TradetheFuturesCharts
Futures Trading & Terminology ExplainedTrading futures is not for beginners and should only be attempted by experienced traders with a strong understanding of the market as a whole and especially a strong understanding of Risk Management & Trading Psychology. Below I have explained some of the Risks involved in Trading Futures: ------------------------- Liquidation When liquidation occurs your position is forcibly closed due to not having sufficient balance to keep your borrowed positions afloat. When trading futures on high leverage, your losses can quickly reach double digit percentages and if they exceed the remaining balance in your account you can be liquidated. ------------------------- Leverage Leverage, or to be leverage refers to the act of borrowing money off the exchange to trade. When a trader has insufficient balances to cover their leveraged position left in the account a liquidation call can occur. Keep track of your margin ratio and keep it low to prevent liquidations, and use risk management techniques. ------------------------- Volatility Market volatility can be high in emerging markets, and many traders love volatility for its big swings to profit, but in futures trading considering losses are potentially heightened by leverage volatility can become a dangerous thing to a trader. In volatile markets market stop losses can often trigger much further than the triggered price adding to losses, or even resulting in liquidation. ------------------------- Stop Hunting Stop hunting occurs when large entities such as corporations, or “Whales” purposefully target the stop loss orders of traders, knowing that at these areas when a large amount of orders is triggered a contrarian position can be acquired by these entities by buying or selling into a large stop trigger event, by doing this they can easily buy or sell a large amount of an asset when also having very little affect on the price in the short term. ------------------------- Exchange Downtime During extreme market movements sometimes exchanges can crash and traders are unable to login, close or open positions on the exchange, Liquidation events, Market Crashes, Manipulation, Volatility, Stop Hunting may all come into play when Exchange Downtime occurs and it is a risky endeavor to be positioned in borrowed money when a exchange is offline. ------------------------- Market Crashes Market Crashes, Black Swan Events etc. can occur frequently in emerging markets, infrequently in traditional markets. During Market Crashes huge cascades of liquidations can occur taking out over leveraged long traders. ------------------------- Manipulation Stop Hunting is also a form of Market Manipulation. Sometimes vested interests work together to hold down the price of an asset or push up the price to trigger orders, and shake out retail players. ------------------------- Overtrading Due to the heightened losses applicable from borrowed money, overtrading on futures/leverage can quickly wipe out your balance, it is key that you understand how to size your trades correctly as well as managing your risk and mental state to avoid this occurring.
COINBASE:BTCUSDEducation
by Worth_The_Ri5k
Asset Classes - Part 3 - For beginnersToday we prepared for you 3rd part of our paper on asset classes for beginners. Purpose of this paper is to concisely detail futures contracts, forwards, swaps and options. Asset Classes - Part 1 and 2 - For beginners Feel welcome to read part 1 and part 2 if you have not yet. Derivative Derivative is a type of financial asset which derives its value from an underlying asset or group of assets, or benchmark. Underlying assets for derivative contracts can be, for example, stocks, commodities, currencies, bonds, etc. Derivatives are traded on a stock market exchange or over-the-counter (OTC). They can be used as investment vehicles, speculative vehicles and even as hedge against the risk. Additionally, derivatives often allow for use of leverage. Most common derivatives are futures contracts, options, forwards and swaps. Illustration 1.01 Illustration 1.01 shows the daily graph of gold in USD. Futures contracts Futures contract is a standardized derivative that is publicly traded on a stock market exchange. It binds two parties together which are obligated to exchange an asset at a predetermined future date and price (without regard to current value). Expiration date is used to differentiate between particular futures contracts. For example, there may be a corn futures contract with expiration in April and then another corn futures contract with expiration in May. On a day of expiry, also called delivery, the exchange of an asset between the two parties is enforced. Underlying assets for futures contracts can be stocks, commodities, indexes, etc. Forwards Forward contract is a derivative contract between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. Unlike futures contracts, forward contracts are not standardized. They are customizable and traded over-the-counter rather than at a stock market exchange. Illustration 1.02 Illustration above depicts the daily graph of continuous futures for gold. It is clearly visible that the gold chart in USD and gold continuous futures chart are resemblant. Swaps Swap is another form of derivative contract that binds two parties to exchange cash flows. There are currency swaps and interest rate swaps. Currency swap is defined as the exchange of an amount in one currency for the same amount in another currency. Interest rate swaps are defined by exchange of interest rate payments. Illustration 1.03 Picture above shows daily graph of S&P500 continuous futures. Options Option is a type of financial asset that gives a buyer the right to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price and date. Options differ from futures contracts in that they do not oblige parties to exchange an underlying asset. There are European-style options and American-style options. European-style options can be exercised only on a date of expiry while American-style options can be exercised at any time before this date. Options that give a buyer the right to buy an underlying asset are called call options. Contrary to that, the put options give a buyer the right to sell the underlying asset. Options are very complex as they involve option risk metrics, so called greeks. DISCLAIMER: This content serves solely educational purposes.
CME_MINI:NQ1!Education
by Tradersweekly
2
Going With The Herd - Part 5/5I follow a technomental analytic approach to the commodities markets in a quest to determine the path of least resistance of prices. Each piece of a market’s structure provides a clue. When assembled, a picture tends to emerge, increasing the odds of success for long or short positions. The last in the series- We looked at the other components of market structure Fundamentals versus technicals The wisdom of the crowd Trend following indicators establish support and resistance levels The trend is your greatest friend in markets- Prices tend to rise or fall to unforeseen levels that defy logic Market structure deals with each commodity’s supply and demand fundamentals. Each market has idiosyncratic characteristics as production locations are in areas where the earth’s crust is rich in reserves or the climate supports crop growth. Consumption is ubiquitous as people worldwide depend on raw materials to power their lives, provide shelter and nutrition. Fundamentals are a substantial part of the analytical equation, but crowd behavior is equally important. The saying, “the trend is your friend,” is critical as when buyers are more aggressive, prices rise, and when sellers dominate, they decline. Therefore, technical analysis is a crucial tool that enhances the clarity of a picture created by the various market structure pieces. The last in the series- We looked at the other components of market structure In past articles, we looked at how term structure or the price differentials between delivery periods can offer clues about the supply and demand equation in commodity markets. We examined processing, quality, location, and substitution spreads which provide more insight into the path of least resistance of prices. The market structure components are puzzle pieces dealing with fundamentals. Many variables can push commodity prices higher or lower. The spreads and differentials that determine the overall market structure are a microeconomic approach to analysis. While they provide critical information, it is incomplete without taking the technical state of a market into account. Market structure deals with endogenous factors on the microeconomic side. Technical analysis tends to incorporate the market’s interpretation of macroeconomic factors. Fundamentals versus technicals Fundamental and technical analysis are not mutually exclusive; they can be complementary. In commodity markets, as in all markets, there are cycles. Understanding the history of cyclical behavior can help predict the future. Fortunately, you do not have to pour over thousands of pages of prices and data. All the data required for technical analysis are contained in one picture—a price chart. Fundamental analysis examines numerous aspects of an individual commodity market, while technical analysis studies past and current price action in futures contracts. The wisdom of the crowd In his 2004 book, The Wisdom of Crowds, author James Surowiecki explained “why the many are smarter than the few and how collective wisdom shapes business, economies, societies and nations” through a series of case studies. The book applies to the commodity markets as a price chart is a track record of collective wisdom. Prices move higher when buyers are more aggressive than sellers. They fall when sellers dominate buyers. Trend following indicators establish support and resistance levels Many technical indicators and price patterns reflect the crowd’s wisdom. Support levels are below the current price. They are levels where technical analysts believe that buyers will outnumber sellers. Resistance levels are above the current price. They are levels where technicians believe sellers will outnumber buyers. These beliefs often lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy as technical analysts sell near resistance and buy near support. Bullish or bearish trends do not last forever as markets rarely move in straight lines. Short-term traders watch very short-term, often intraday, charts. Longer-term technical traders and investors watch daily, weekly, monthly, or longer-term charts. Price momentum and trend strength are two critical components of technical analysis. A stochastic oscillator quantifies the momentum of a price rise or decline. They compare closing prices for a stated period with price ranges over time. The theory behind stochastics is prices tend to close near the highs in rising markets and the lows in falling markets. A reading below 20 indicates an oversold condition, while a reading above 80 points to an overbought condition. The daily CBOT wheat chart shows that overbought conditions lead to price corrections while oversold conditions lead to rallies. However, a market can remain in overbought or oversold territory for extended periods. When the stochastic reaches an overbought or oversold condition, the price action tends to run out of upside or downside steam, leading to a reversal. The relative strength indicator compares recent gains and losses in a market to establish overbought or oversold conditions. An RSI below 30 indicates an oversold condition, while a reading over the 70 level indicates that a market is in overbought territory. The daily chart of NYMEX crude oil futures shows the decline in the RSI to below 30 in late August 2021 led to a reversal and price rally. While the indicator remained above the 70 level from late September through late October, it eventually ran out of upside steam, leading to a price correction in November. On November 26, 2021, crude oil experienced the most significant decline since April 2020. The RSI fell to an oversold condition. We will find out over the coming days and weeks if the decline leads to a bottom with the technical metric in oversold territory. These technical indicators reflect price action only. They ignore all of the noise that can lead to emotional impulses. Technicians use stochastics, Bollinger bands (which highlight support and resistance levels), RSI, and many other technical tools, for any time frame ranging from minute-to-minute to very long-term horizons. Technical analysis is far from perfect, but it adds another dimension and creates another puzzle piece for determining the path of least resistance for prices in markets across all asset classes. The trend is your greatest friend in markets- Prices tend to rise or fall to unforeseen levels that defy logic The old saying that “the trend is your friend” reflects an acceptance that crowds make better decisions than individuals. Trends are an integral part of investing and trading calculus. Ignore trends at your peril as going against conventional wisdom is one of the leading causes of losses. Markets often move to extremes and remain irrational for far longer than most market participants can stay solvent. Commodities are highly volatile assets. Price variance can lead to wild swings to highs and lows. In April 2020, crude oil fell to negative $40.32 per barrel in a bearish frenzy. In May 2021, lumber futures rose to over $1700 per 1,000 board feet as bullish price action pushed the price to an irrational and unsustainable level. However, crude oil at zero was illogical, as was lumber at $1,000. Market participants that did not respect the trend suffered financial distress. Trends often carry prices to price levels on the up or downside that defy logic, reason, and rational analysis. Following and respecting trends often saves a trader or investor from catastrophic losses. We never attempt to pick a top or bottom in any market because we respect the crowd’s wisdom. However, when the trend bends, we adjust our risk positions accordingly. Finally, discipline is what defines success in markets. Remember, a professional baseball player needs a 0.300 batting average to make it into the Hall of Fame. That average means they make an out two out of every three trips to the plate. Trading and investing are similar. Many of the most successful traders call the market wrong more than half the time. However, those that approach markets with a risk-reward plan and stick to it improve their chances of success. Following trends allows profits to run. It also is self-correcting as it causes a market participant to reevaluate and close losing risk positions, before they cause severe financial damage. One of the leading causes of losses is allowing a short-term trade to become a long-term investment because the price moves contrary to a forecast. Trend following is a tool that helps to correct as it validates or refutes an original thesis. Respecting the crowd’s wisdom is an integral part of traders and investing and goes hand in hand with the puzzle pieces of a market’s structure. -- Use the link below to sign up for the Monday Night Strategy Call. You can use the other link provided below to get early access to the full articles and more for free. Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility, inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
CBOT:ZW1!Education
by Andy_Hecht
9
Substitution Spreads Can Identify ValueMarket structure is the various puzzle pieces that can reveal valuable clues about the path of least resistance of prices. Fundamental analysis involves pouring through supply and demand data to forecast price direction. However, market structure can simplify the process as each jigsaw puzzle piece will complete an emerging picture. Market structure reflects price relationships that develop over time. Each commodity has idiosyncratic supply and demand characteristics. Price differentials in intra or intercommodity spreads can assist market participants in arriving at high-odds directional forecasts. Substitution spreads are another part of market structure The platinum versus gold spread- Financial substitution leads to value assumptions Oil, coal, and natural gas- Energy substitutes can reveal clues Think outside the box when analyzing a commodity- It’s all about choices Over the past weeks, we have looked at how processing spreads provide clues about the supply and demand side of a commodity’s fundamental equation. We looked at term structure, backwardation, and contango and how price differentials for one delivery date versus another are real-time indicators of deficit or glut conditions. Location spreads shed light on the price of a commodity in one region versus another, while quality spreads tell us how different compositions or sizes can influence prices compared to benchmarks and put upward or downward pressure on futures prices. Those spreads are all intra-commodity spreads. This week, we will investigate how inter-commodity spreads play a role in price direction. Substitution spreads reflect the price of one commodity versus another when they can serve the same or similar purposes when prices dictate. Substitution spreads are another part of market structure Markets reflect the crowd’s wisdom. Crowds tend to be wise consumers; they search for value and the best deal. When the price of a commodity rises to a level where a substitute makes more economic sense, many consumers will alter their buying behavior. Think of a trip to the supermarket. When shoppers plan to make a juicy steak for dinner and find out that a pork chop is a far better economic choice, they often choose pork over beef. I like to call the live cattle versus lean hog futures spread the what’s for dinner spread, and it is an inter-commodity, substitution spread. The quarterly chart of the price of live cattle futures divided by lean hogs shows that while the spread has an upward bias, the long-term average or pivot point is around the 1.40:1 level or 1.4 pounds of pork value in each pound of beef value. When the spread is above 1.4:1, pork is a wiser economic choice for consumers; when below the mean, beef is the optimal choice. While the spread can diverge from the midpoint, it has tended to revert to the norm since the turn of this century. The chart of the June 2022 live cattle lean hog spread shows the relationship is right around the long-term average, indicating that beef and hog prices are at a long-term “fair value” level. The beef versus pork spread is an inter-commodity barometer for consumer behavior. Meanwhile, the corn-soybean inter-commodity spread can serve as a guide for producer behavior. The chart of the price of nearby soybean futures divided by corn futures shows that the pivot point dating back to the late 1960s is around the 2.4 bushels of corn value for each bushel of soybean value. Farmers are business people who work each crop year to create the optimal return on their acreage. Many can plant either corn or beans on their land. They grow the crop that offers the best return. When the corn-bean ratio spread is above 2.4:1, soybeans tend to provide the best financial result; when below the pivot point, corn is the more profitable choice. The corn-bean relationship is most useful when looking at new crop futures before and at the beginning of the annual planting season. The chart of the price of new crop November 2022 soybean futures divided by new crop December 2022 corn futures illustrates at below 2.26:1, on November 12, 2021, farmers are more likely to plant corn than beans as the coarse grain is more expensive and offers a better historic return than the oilseed. The meat and grain inter-commodity spreads are guides. Many other factors could influence the levels, which are additional variables in the calculus of analyzing commodity prices. For example, a pork shortage in China because of disease could lift pork prices, or an outbreak that impacts cattle could do the same to beef. Since corn is the primary input in producing US ethanol, the shift in US energy policy could shift the corn-bean spread for fundamental reasons. However, these types of spreads that measure current price relationships versus historical means can be a helpful tool that may validate other assumptions. The platinum versus gold spread- Financial substitution leads to value assumptions In the world of precious metals, platinum and gold have far different supply and demand characteristics, but the two precious metals share some similarities. Platinum and gold have industrial applications, while they also have financial properties as means of exchange and stores of wealth for investors. It is a challenge to label the price of any commodity cheap or expensive because the current market price is always the correct price as it is the level where buyers and sellers meet in a transparent market, the exchange. However, comparing the price of gold to platinum allows us to use the terms cheap and expensive on a historical basis. The chart of the nearby platinum futures price minus the nearby gold futures price dating back to the early 1970s shows that from 1974 through 2014, platinum mostly traded at a premium to gold. While the spread has been as high as over a $1,000 premium for platinum to as low as a $1,000 discount to gold over the period, over the past 47 years, platinum has traded at a premium to gold nearly 85% of the time. It has only been over the recent seven years, since 2014, that platinum has been lower than the yellow metal. Many factors can explain platinum’s weakness versus gold, but on a historical basis, platinum is historically inexpensive compared to its precious yellow cousin. At a $780 discount for platinum compared to gold, some investors have been stockpiling platinum because the inter-commodity spreads reflect compelling historical value for the metal. Oil, coal, and natural gas- Energy substitutes can reveal clues Energy prices can be highly volatile. While the world moves to address climate change by reducing the production and consumption of fossil fuels in favor of alternative renewable energy sources, hydrocarbons continue to power the world. When it comes to electricity production, power generation can come from many different sources. The world may be moving towards solar, wind, hydroelectric, and nuclear generations, but oil, gas, and coal continue to be significant energy sources. Coal has been a four-letter word for many years, and many mining companies abandoned coal mining. The recent surge in oil and gas prices caused an almost perfect bullish storm in the coal market. Low supply levels and rising demand pushed prices to record highs in October. The chart of thermal coal for delivery in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, shows the rise to a high of $280 per ton in October 2021, surpassing the 2008 $224 previous high. The spike higher in coal was a function of rising oil and gas prices, which is the essence of the inter-commodity spread within the fossil fuel sector. Crude oil and natural gas are highly volatile commodities. There is always the potential for substitution when prices diverge from historical means. The quarterly chart of the price of nearby NYMEX crude oil futures divided by the price of nearby NYMEX natural gas futures shows that the average of the high and the low since 1990, when natural gas futures began trading, is around the 20-25:1 of the natural gas price measured against the crude oil price. Below that band, natural gas tends to be historically expensive, while above the average level, crude oil becomes historically expensive compared to gas. The daily chart of the relationship in the December futures contracts shows below the 17:1 level; natural gas is cheaper than oil based on the historical relationship over more than three decades. Think outside the box when analyzing a commodity- It’s all about choices Inter-commodity or substitutions spreads create a basis for comparison. Many other factors can explain deviations from historical norms but understanding and comparing the current levels to history is a valuable tool that can lead to a more robust level of analysis. On their own, substitution spreads are insufficient to make conclusive trading or investing decisions as deviations can last for years or even decades, moving pivot points higher or lower. However, used in conjunction with processing spreads, term structure, location, and quality spreads, they are another puzzle piece that can reveal and validate assumptions about the path of least resistance for a commodity’s price. I will be off next week but will return on Monday, November 29, with the final piece in this series and the final piece of the puzzle, the power of the crowd. --- Sign up for our Monday Night Call using the link below. You can also sign up to receive these articles early using the other link provided below. Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility, inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
NYMEX:CL1!Education
by Andy_Hecht
2
FIBONACCI TOOL common reversal levels📊 ❗️Fibonacci levels are one of the most popular tools for analysis. These are price levels that are located in certain parts of the movement corresponding to the mathematical Fibonacci numbers. 🟢What are Fibonacci numbers? In the XIII century, the famous scientist Leonardo of Pisa lived in the Republic of Pisa – the first major medieval mathematician in Europe. On the cover of one of his most famous works was attributed filius Bonacci (son of Bonacci). Hence the nickname Fibonacci. The Fibonacci numbers are a sequence of numbers derived from Leonardo's experiment on rabbits. The Pisan mathematician decided to find out how many pairs of rabbits will be in a fenced pen a year after the start of breeding (provided that there will be only one pair in the pen in the first month). In the third month, the cuts began to multiply recurrently – each subsequent number was equal to the sum of the previous two (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.). If any number from the sequence is divided by the previous one, you get a number tending to 1.61803398875… This number is the "golden ratio". In algebra, such a number is called the Greek letter phi. When dividing any number from the sequence by the following, the inverse of phi 0.618 is obtained. When dividing any number from the sequence by the number following one, 0.382 is obtained. In this form, Fibonacci numbers are much more familiar to traders. 🔴Correction levels Correction (retracement) - movement against an existing trend. The correction "absorbs" part of the trend movement. Of the Fibonacci numbers, 38.2 are mainly used for correction levels (from the previous trend movement), 50%, 61,8%, 78,6%. Correction levels are based on candle wicks, in other words, on their maximum or minimum points. To build a correction level, you need to find a trend. Fibo levels can be asymmetrical, so it is especially important to pay attention to where the beginning and end of the wave on which the level is being built are located. On a downtrend, 0% at the bottom, 100% at the top. When ascending, the opposite is true. The most significant correction level is 61.8. When a breakdown of this level occurs, a new trend in the opposite direction usually begins. After that, it is necessary to build a new corrective level. Correction pattern – movement between minor correction levels. After such a move, the price usually moves to the key level of 61.8. 4 patterns are depending on which levels of correction the price concerns. ⚠️Even if the skills of analyzing the state of the market by Fibonacci levels will not be a big advantage in trading, then in any case it is a great (and to some extent integral) experience of technical analysis. Fibo levels can be combined with a footprint, deltas, and other tools. The trader will understand only in practice if it is possible to benefit from this or not. ❤️ Please, support our work with like & comment! ❤️
BITSTAMP:BTCUSDEducation
by SignalProvider
23
Three Steps to Become A PROFESSIONAL TRADER 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Hey traders, The road to consistently profitable trading is hard and dangerous. This path can be split into three main milestones. Each of those requires discipline, time & patience. 📚The first step is your trading education. Starting with a basic understanding of what are the financial markets & how they work and finishing with the sophisticated techniques of risk management, so many things must be learned. In the beginning you will be most likely paralyzed by the complexity of the whole system. Even the choice of a trading education provider is not that simple taking into consideration the sheer amount number sources that could be found on the internet. It is highly advisable for you to accompany your trading education with demo account trading so that you could apply what you’ve learned in practice. 💸It is imperative to invest in your education, while simultaneously saving up for your first(but not last) real trading account. Spending your money on education & then saving in order to build your first trading account, a sufficient amount of money is required. Be prepared for failures. Be prepared to blow your first and second trading account & fund it again. Be prepared that the majority of premium educational sources won't meet your expectations. I don't know any trader who succeeded in trading without investing a huge amount of money in that. 👨‍💻With the money being invested & with the knowledge gained, you must practice on a real account. You must choose the trading strategy that is appealing to you and start trading with that. Quite soon you will realize that theoretical knowledge has nothing in common with real market conditions. You will change trading strategies one after another until you finally find the one that truly makes sense to you. Then you will spend a couple of years playing with that, learning the rules & constantly polishing your trading plan. 🏁At some moment you will stop losing. At some moment your trading account will start growing steadily and you will become a consistently profitable trader. As the market conditions change constantly. You must be vigilant & learn to survive in a changing environment. Education, active investing & practice are required from you to keep being afloat. I hope that this article will help you to build realistic expectations concerning trading. If you are ready to learn a lot, invest money & practice many years not making a dime, then one day you will definitely make it. Do you agree with my thoughts? ❤️Please, support this idea with like and comment!❤️
COINBASE:BTCUSDEducation
by VasilyTrader
38
Term Structure Provides Fundamental CluesLast week, I wrote on processing spreads, a valuable tool that can provide clues about price direction. The price action in products that trade in the futures market like gasoline, heating oil, soybean meal, and soybean oil often tell us a lot about the path of least resistance for the crude oil and soybean futures contracts. This week, I will turn my attention to term structure. Term structure is the price differential between one delivery period and another in the same commodity. Some traders call term structure time spreads, calendar spreads, front-to-back spreads, or switches. They are all the same, reflecting delivery or settlement premiums or discounts based only on time. Backwardation- It’s what it sounds like Contango- It’s not what it sounds like A real-time supply and demand indicator Commodities are unique- A mentor made a mint trading time spreads Time spreads can enhance your commodity trading results- The cure for low and high commodity prices The late Apple founder Steve Jobs once said, “My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.” While Steve Jobs was referring to his mortality, time is a critical factor in commodities. Close attention to term structure unlocks clues about fundamental supply and demand factors. Backwardation- It’s what it sounds like Backwardation is a condition where commodity prices for deferred delivery are lower than for nearby delivery. A backwardation suggests that supplies are tight, forcing nearby prices higher. The condition also indicates that producers will increase output in response to a market’s deficit, leading to lower future markets. As of the end of last week, the NYMEX crude oil futures market was in backwardation. The chart of NYMEX WTI crude oil for delivery in December 2022 minus the price for delivery in December 2021 was trading at over a $12 per barrel backwardation or discount. December 2021 futures settled at the $83.57 level on October 29, with the December 2022 futures at the $71.33 level. Robust demand, supply concerns, and other factors have driven the spread into the widest backwardation in years and NYMEX crude oil to the highest price since 2014. Higher crude oil prices tend to support a wider backwardation. Historically, the Middle East’s political volatility has caused supply concerns at higher prices as the region is home to over half the world’s petroleum reserves. Crude oil is one example of a raw material market where the term structure reflects supply concerns. The trend towards a wider backwardation has been bullish for the energy commodity. Contango- It’s not what it sounds like While backwardation is a term that reflects the spread differentials, contango is another story. In the commodities lingo world, contango is backwardation’s opposite as it reflects a market where prices for deferred delivery are higher than for nearby delivery. Backwardation is a sign of supply concerns, whereas contango is present during periods of oversupply or equilibrium where supply and demand balance. The gold futures market is an example of a term structure in contango. The daily chart highlights gold for delivery in December 2022 minus December 2021 is trading at a $10.30 contango or premium at the end of last week. The December 2021 futures were at the $1783.90 level, with the December 2022 contract at the $1794.20 level. Central banks worldwide hold massive gold stocks as part of their foreign exchange reserves. Therefore, supply concerns tend to be low in the gold markets leading to a premium in its term structure. Moreover, gold has a long history as a means of exchange or money. Higher interest rates tend to push gold contangos higher. Gold is one example of a commodity market in contango. A real-time supply and demand indicator A commodity’s term structure can be a helpful tool as it provides insight into supply and demand fundamentals. When a raw material price spikes higher because demand rises or supplies decline, the term structure tends to move into a widening backwardation. Producers respond by increasing output, creating the deferred discount. When markets are in glut or oversupply conditions, producers often cut back on output, causing the chances for future deficits to develop. Thus, a steep contango can reflect the market’s perception that nearby oversupply will lead to eventual shortages. Term structure is one of the puzzle pieces that comprise a market’s structure. The others are processing spreads, location and quality spreads, and substitution spreads. Commodities are unique- A mentor made a mint trading time spreads Commodities are essentials. Agricultural commodities feed and clothe the world and are increasingly providing alternative energy. Industrial commodities, including metals, energy, and minerals, are requirements for shelter, power, and infrastructure. Other raw materials have varying applications in daily life and even the financial system. Shortages or gluts can have significant impacts on the global economy. The current inflationary pressures have roots in commodities, which had experienced price rises since the beginning of the worldwide pandemic when short-term lows gave way to bullish price action. Supply chain bottlenecks and slowdowns or shutdowns at mines and processing facilities have put upward pressure on prices. Perhaps the most dramatic example came in the lumber futures market. The quarterly lumber futures chart shows the price explosion to a record $1711.20 high in May 2021 on the back of slowdowns and shutdown at lumber mills and supply chain bottlenecks bringing wood to consumers during a period of rising demand. When lumber reached its May high, nearby January futures were far lower. The chart shows January futures peaked at $1275 per 1,000 board feet, over $435 lower than the nearby contract at the May high. When I worked at Phibro in the 1990s, my direct boss was Andy Hall, one of the most successful crude oil traders in history. While many market participants believe Mr. Hall churned out profits with long and short positions in the oil market, his greatest success came from what he called “structural risk positions.” He tended to buy the front months in the oil market and sell the deferred contracts when the market moved into contango. I remember the night when Saddam Hussein marched into Kuwait in 1990. The invasion caused the nearby price of crude oil to double in a matter of minutes. Meanwhile, deferred oil prices declined, sending the spread to a massive backwardation. Mr. Hall pocketed hundreds of millions in profits on that night. His theory was that the risk of contango was limited over time, and the potential for spikes in backwardation increased the odds of success. Time spreads can enhance your commodity trading results- The cure for low and high commodity prices Commodity prices tend to rise to prices where producers increase output, consumers look for substitutes or limit buying, causing inventories to build. As supply rise to levels above demand, price find tops and reverse. Conversely, prices tend to drop to levels where production becomes uneconomic. At low prices, consumers look to increase buying, and inventories decline, leading to price bottoms and upside reversals. The cure for high or low prices is those high or low prices in the world of commodities. Meanwhile, highs or lows can be moving targets. As we learned in lumber and a host of other markets over the years, highs occur at levels that most analysts believe are illogical, irrational, and unreasonable. We learned the same holds on the downside as nearby NYMEX crude oil futures fell to a low of negative $40.32 per barrel in April 2020. Time spreads can be real-time indicators of changes in a commodity’s supply and demand fundamentals. Understanding and monitoring term structure can only enhance the odds of success in the commodities asset class. --- Register for the Monday Night Call below. You can also sign up to see the full articles for free, and get early access, using the other link below. Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility, inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
LEducation
by Andy_Hecht
9
Processing Spreads Provide Fundamental CluesSome futures markets offer contracts that are related to others and are processed products of the commodity. Understanding the price relationships, history, and paths of least resistance of the processed product versus the original input can provide valuable insight into supply and demand fundamentals. Moreover, these relationships shed light on other related assets. Market structures are the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle Processing spreads are real-time supply and demand barometers The soybean crush spread Gasoline and distillate crack spreads Monitoring corporate profits There is so much data at our fingertips, but we need to understand how to use and interpret the information. Processing spreads are invaluable tools as they are critical variables for market calculus when forecasting the path of least resistance of prices. The crude oil and soybean futures markets offer liquid futures contracts in products that can reveal significant trends, warning signs, and calls to action. Anyone who undertakes a home improvement project knows that the job will not go well without the correct tools. Trying to hammer in a nail with a screwdriver is far from optimal. Tightening a bolt with an ax is a disaster. The best tool leads to the optimal result. The processing spread is one of the most critical tools in my investment and trading toolbox. Market structure are the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle In the world of commodities, market structure are integral pieces of a puzzle. When put together, they provide clues about the path of least resistance of prices as they reflect and can be real-time indicators of supply and demand fundamentals. A commodity’s market structure includes: Term structure- Price differentials for nearby versus deferred delivery periods. Location differentials- Price differentials for delivery of a raw material in different regions. Quality differentials- Price differentials for differing grades, sizes, or composition of the same commodity. Substitution spreads- The price comparison of one commodity for another that can serve as a substitute. Processing spreads- The margin or differential for refining or transforming one commodity into its products. Together, the various pieces that comprise a market’s structure create a picture that often points to higher or lower price paths. Processing spreads are real-time supply and demand barometers The processing spread is one of the valuable tools in an analysts’ toolbox. It tells us if demand for the products is rising or falling. Consumers often require the processed product instead of the raw commodity. The differential between prices of the input, the commodity, and the output, the product, is a critical fundamental measure. Narrowing processing spreads signal falling demand while widening spreads are a sign that supplies are not keeping pace with requirements. Since futures contracts prices are constantly changing, processing spreads can be volatile. When the commodity and product trade in the futures market, the differentials provide a unique supply and demand perspective for traders and investors. There can be many reasons for price variance in processing spreads. However, comparing them to historical levels can serve as real-time indicators of fundamental forces that determine the underlying commodity’s price direction when exogenous factors are not impacting the overall refining or treatment process. Many commodities do not offer futures contracts in the products. The soybean and crude oil markets are exceptions. The soybean crush spread Soybean futures trade on the CME’s CBOT division. Soybean products, soybean meal, and soybean oil also trade in the futures markets on the CBOT with separate and independent futures contracts. Soybean meal is a critical ingredient in animal feed, while soybean oil is cooking oil. Both have other uses. Processors crush raw soybeans into the two products; the oil is the liquid from the crushing process, while the meal is the solid substance. The soybean crush spread can be highly volatile. The monthly chart shows the soybean crush spread over the past fifteen years. The spread traded to a low of a quarter of one cent to as high as $2.1950. The low was in 2013 when soybean futures were trending lower from the all-time high in 2012 at $17.9475 per bushel. The high was in October 2014 when soybean futures were consolidating at lower levels. The move to the high was because consumers bought soybean products at lower prices around the $10 per bushel level. More recently, the crush spread signaled that soybean futures had run out of downside steam. After trading to a high of $16.7725 per bushel in May 2021, the oilseed futures fell below $12 in October. When soybeans were on the high in May, the crush fell to a low of 52.75 cents. At high soybean prices, consumers backed off buying the oilseed products, leading to a price correction that took the price below the $12 per bushel level in October. Meanwhile, falling prices caused demand for products to return. The crush spreads traded to the most recent high at $1.9050 during the week of October 18. The rising crush spread was a sign of robust demand that lifted the raw soybean futures from the recent low. The November soybean futures chart shows the rise from a low of $11.8450 to the $12.50 level. The price action in the crush spread was a signal that demand for products would lift the soybean futures price. The processing spread action signaled the price bottom over the past weeks. Gasoline and distillate crack spreads Crude oil refiners process the raw energy commodity that powers the world into products, gasoline, and distillates. The NYMEX futures market trades contracts in crude oil, gasoline, and heating oil. Heating oil is a distillate fuel that is a proxy for other distillates, including jet and diesel fuels. Refineries process crude oil into the oil products by heating them to different temperatures in a catalytic cracker. The price differential between the input, crude oil, and the output, the products, are “crack spreads.” Rising crack spreads point to increasing demand for oil products. When they fall, it is a sign of oversupply or weak demand. Crude oil futures reached lows in April 2020 during the height of the global pandemic’s impact on markets across all asset classes. The NYMEX crude oil futures weekly chart highlights the bullish trend since April 2020 as the energy commodity has made higher lows and higher highs. The weekly chart of the gasoline crack spreads highlights the bullish trend since March 2020. Gasoline is a seasonal commodity that tends to reach highs during the spring and summer months and decline during the winter as drivers tend to put more mileage on their cars during the warm months. However, at the $17.63 per barrel level at the end of last week, the gasoline crack spread was appreciable higher than the peak in October 2020, when it reached $11.62 per barrel. The gasoline crack spread has provided bullish validation for the path of least resistance of crude oil’s price. The weekly heating oil or distillate crack spread chart also displays a bullish trend. Distillates tend to be less seasonal than gasoline as jet and diesel requirements are year-round. At the $22.53 per barrel level at the end of last week, the heating oil crack was far higher than its October 2020 peak at $9.96 per barrel. The crack spreads have supported the rising crude oil price as they point to robust product demand. Monitoring corporate profits While processing spreads can provide insight into the path of least resistance of prices for commodities that are inputs, they are also real-time earnings indicators for companies that refine or process the raw commodities into the products. Refiners or processors tend to buy the input at market prices and sell products at market prices. The refiners and processors make significant capital investments in refineries or other processing equipment. They make or lose money on the processing spread. When they widen, they experience a profit bonanza; when they fall, times can get rough. When the spreads rise above the cost of the process, profits rise. Low processing spread levels can lead to losses. Valero (VLO) is a company that refines crude oil into oil products. The chart shows that the high in October 2020 was at $44.88 per share. In October 2021, VLO was over the $80 level at the end of last week. Rising crack spreads have lifted profits for the oil refiner. Archer Daniel Midland (ADM) and Bunge Ltd. (BG) are leading agricultural processors. Soybean processing is one of the many business lines for the two companies. The rising soybean crush spreads have lifted profits for the companies. In October 2020, ADM shares reached a high of $52.05 per share. At the end of last week, the stock was at the $66.22 level. BG shares reached a high of $60.50 in October 2020 and were trading at the $88.33 level at the end of last week. The rise soybean crush spreads at least partially supported rising profits and higher share prices for ADM and BG. Processing spreads are real-time indicators for the demand of the commodities that are the inputs. They are also real-time earnings barometers for companies that process commodities into products. Any tool that improves your ability to analyze markets is worth keeping in that toolbelt. --- The full article and spread charts are available using the link below. You can also sign up for the Monday Night Strategy Call below. Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility, inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
NYSE:VLOEducation
by Andy_Hecht
3
Education: Three Day Trailing Stop Rule (3DTSR)ICEUS:KC1! I learned a handy tool used to manage risk under certain circumstances - the Three Day Trailing Stop Rule (3DTSR) In this example, I actually fade the 3DTSR, but being able to execute different styles of trading strategies reflects an understanding of them, while acknowledging that no system or strategy used in markets will be perfect. Three Day Trailing Stop Rule: There is one initial criteria for the 3DTSR to become active - Either Upon Pattern Breakout - to limit initial risk/add to position at lower relative risk OR Upon Reaching 70% of Target from Breakout as a Trailing Stop In an Uptrend, to exit a position using the 3DTSR Day 1 is the High Day, defined by a new price high - at this point, we are not aware of the setup Day 2 is the Setup Day, defined by a closing price (end of day) that is below the low of Day 1 - at this point, the trigger is active Day 3 is the Trigger Day, as the stop is placed below the low of Day 2 The 3DTSR can also be used as an entry strategy, as shown in the chart here. Day 1 = High Day Day 2 = Setup Day, where price closed below the low of Day 1 Instead of placing a stop below the low of day 2, here I fade the 3DTSR by ADDING to a long coffee position, and jamming the stop to below the low of Day 2 Day 3 = The low of Day 2, or the trigger, is never penetrated, and price opens a cent higher If using the Trigger as a stop, or below the low of Day 2, and using the Triangle shown to imply a measured target, this is a whopping 20 to 1 trade setup. Do you have any profitable trading systems or strategies?
ICEUS:KC1!Education
by jBTCkingaling
3
Why Implied Volatility Is A Critical Tool For All TradersTraders and investors use different sets of tools when approaching markets. Some are fundamentalists, pouring through balance sheets, supply and demand data, and other macro and microeconomic information to predict the future prices of assets. Others have a strictly technical approach to markets, following trends and the path of least resistance of prices. Still, others combine the two to look for opportunities where fundamental and technical analysis merge to improve the chances of success. The past is history; the present is all that matters for traders and investors Historical volatility is a map of the past price variance for asset prices Implied volatility is a real-time sentiment indicator The primary variable determining put and call option prices The three critical factors implied volatility reveals Yogi Berra, the hall of fame catcher and armchair philosopher, once said, “The future ain’t what it used to be.” All market participants have the same goal, to increase their nest eggs. Projecting the future is the route to achieve their goal. Implied volatility is a tool that all market participants need to embrace as it is a real-time indicator of market sentiment. The past is history; the present is all that matters for traders and investors History depends on interpretation. When it comes to markets, Napoleon Bonaparte may have said it best, “history is a set of lies agreed upon.” An asset’s price moved higher or lower in the past because of a collection of variables viewed through a prism that leads to a collective conclusion that has broad acceptance but may not be accurate. Taking a risk-based position on an inaccurate conclusion could lead to mistakes and losses. When we consider buying or selling any asset, all that matters is the present. The current price of any asset is always the correct price because it is the level a seller is willing to accept and a buyer is willing to pay in a transparent environment, the market. Historical volatility is a map of the past price variance for asset prices Historical volatility is an objective statistical tool that defines the price variance of the past. Any disclosure document tells us that past performance is no guaranty of future performance. We must view historical volatility precisely the same way, with more than a grain of salt. Historical volatility is a guide, but remember what Yogi said, “the future ain’t what it used to be!” We calculate historical volatility by determining the average deviation from the average price over a given period. When it comes to math, the formulas are: A simple explanation of the complicated formula comes in seven easy steps: 1. Collect the historical prices for the asset 2. Compute the expected price (mean) of the historical prices. 3. Work out the difference between the average price and each price in the series. 4. Square the differences from the previous step. 5. Determine the sum of the squared differences. 6. Divide the differences by the total number of prices (find variance). 7. Compute the square root of the variance computed in the previous step. Implied volatility is a real-time sentiment indicator While we can calculate historical volatility from historical data, implied volatility is a different story. Implied volatility is the expected or projected volatility or price variance of an asset over time. We back into calculating implied volatility using an options pricing model. We can establish an implied volatility reading by entering the option value into the Black-Scholes options pricing formula or other formulas that determine options prices. If we have a put or call options price, we can solve for the implied volatility level. The Black-Scholes formula in mathematical notation is: The primary variable determining put and call option prices There are no option prices without implied volatility as it is the critical variable that determines put and call option values. Yogi also said, “You can observe a lot by watching.” The current implied volatility level is the market’s consensus perception of what volatility or price variance will be during the life of the put or call option. Observing and watching reveals the constant changes in implied volatility levels, which can be highly volatile over time. Option traders call an option’s sensitivity to changes in implied volatility Vega, which measures the change in an option price for a one-point change in implied volatility. Implied volatility is constantly changing. Yogi had another great saying, “If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be,” which rings true for implied volatility which can change in the blink of an eye. Option traders pay lots of attention to their Vega risk as the volatility of implied volatility can be…highly volatile! How’s that for a tongue twister? The three critical factors implied volatility reveals Implied volatility is a valuable tool for all traders and investors for three significant reasons: It is a real-time indicator of the market’s perception of the future price range of an asset. It can change suddenly, and changes often occur before the price of an asset reacts, making implied volatility a leading indicator. Implied volatility reflects the wisdom of the crowd, and crowds tend to make better decisions than individuals. Moreover, it is reading that reflects the present, not the past, and is a constantly changing measure of consensus forecasts for the future. As traders and investors, we exist in the present. We attempt to increase our wealth with long and short risk positions that either add or subtract from our nest egg in the future. Implied volatility is a critical measure we should understand, utilize, and always keep in our toolbox. Any project requires the right tools. Implied volatility’s value is that it reflects a snapshot of the current market’s consensus. Historical volatility depends on “Deja vu” happening “all over again.” Implied volatility is a measure that understands that the “future ain’t what it used to be.” ----- Register for our Monday Night Call using the link below. You can view this full article (with specific examples) and get early access to future articles for free using the other link below. Trading advice given in this communication, if any, is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that we believe are reliable. The author does not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects the author’s good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice the author provides will result in profitable trades. There is risk of loss in all futures and options trading. Any investment involves substantial risks, including, but not limited to, pricing volatility, inadequate liquidity, and the potential complete loss of principal. This article does not in any way constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investment, security, or commodity discussed herein, or any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
ICEUS:CT1!Education
by Andy_Hecht
18