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2 Steps in Drawing a Downtrend Channel A buying strategy in a downtrend. How to identify buying opportunity in a downtrend? Not my preference to buy in a downtrend, but that does not mean we should avoid it when buying opportunity arises. Recognizing it is a downtrend, we keep our buy position short-term; as we are going against the trend. Discussion: Rules in constructing a downtrend parallel trendline Rule 1 – First the downtrend line Rule 2 – Then, its parallel Disclaimer: • What presented here is not a recommendation, please consult your licensed broker. • Our mission is to create lateral thinking skills for every investor and trader, knowing when to take a calculated risk with market uncertainty and a bolder risk when opportunity arises.
CBOT_MINI:MYM1!Education
by konhow
39
Jamie Dimon’s Hurricane and the Bond Market in Early JuneIn 2021, as the US central bank and the Secretary of the Treasury continued to call rising inflation a “transitory” and pandemic-inspired event, the bond market declined. Bonds watched prices rise while the economists were pouring over stale data. Meanwhile, the Fed and government planted inflationary seeds that sprouted during the second half of 2020, bloomed in 2021, and grew into wild weeds in 2022. The consumer and producer price data began to flash a warning sign in 2021, with the economic condition rising to the highest level in over four decades. The Fed and the Treasury finally woke up. While the Biden administration was already “woke,” the data awakened them to a point where late last month, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen admitted “transitory” was a mistake. However, there was no admission and self-realization that monetary and fiscal policies created the inflation, and ignoring the warning signs only made it worse. A storm forecast from JP Morgan Chase’s leader Bonds are sitting near the lows The Fed’s FOMC meets on June 14 and 15 Higher rates are on the horizon Expect lots of volatility in markets The bond market was far ahead of the Fed and the Treasury, which should have been another warning sign. Consumer and producer prices have skyrocketed, and the central bank is using demand-side tools to address the economic fallout. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, and Russian retaliation have only exacerbated the inflationary pressures, as they create supply-side issues making demand-side solutions impotent. The Biden administration blames the rise in energy prices on Russia, but they were already rising before the invasion and sanctions. The shift in US energy policy to a greener path is equally responsible for record-high gasoline and other fuel prices. At the end of 2021, a conventional 30-Year fixed-rate mortgage was just below the 3% level, and in less than six months, it rose to 5.5%. On a $300,000 loan, the move increases the monthly payment by $625, a significant rise. We are in the early days of an economic storm that began with the pandemic, continued with a lethargic Fed and government officials, and was exacerbated by the first major war in Europe since WW II. We have not seen the peak of the storm clouds gathering for more than two years. A storm forecast from JP Morgan Chase’s leader Jamie Dimon, the Chairman and CEO of JP Morgan Chase, called Bitcoin a “fraud.” A few short years ago, he said he would fire any trader “stupid” enough to trade cryptocurrencies on the bank’s behalf. As recently as late 2021, he said he believes Bitcoin is “worthless.” So far, he has been dead wrong on the asset class. The financial institution he heads replaced real estate with cryptocurrencies in late May, calling them a “preferred alternative asset.” In his latest comments on markets across all asset classes, Mr. Dimon issued a warning. Quantitative tightening that will ramp up to $95 billion in reduced Fed bond holdings and the Ukraine war led him to tell market participants, “You’d better brace yourself. JP Morgan is bracing ourselves, and we’re going to be very conservative with our balance sheet.” He began by saying, “You know, I said there’s storm clouds, but I’m going to change it…it’s a hurricane.” Mr. Dimon believes QT and the war create substantial changes in the global flow of funds, with an uncertain impact. The leading US bank’s CEO is prepared for “at a minimum, huge volatility.” His forecast on cryptos aside, the warning is a call to action. There is still time to hedge portfolios and establish a plan for the coming storm. Volatility is a nightmare for passive inventors, but it creates a paradise of opportunities for nimble disciplined traders with their fingers on the pulse of markets. Bonds are sitting near the lows Quantitative tightening not only removes the put under the bond market that had supported government-issued fixed income instruments since early 2020, but it also puts downward pressure on bonds and upward pressure on interest rates further out along the yield curve. The long-term chart of the US 30-Year Treasury bond futures highlights the decline to the most recent low of 134-30, declining below the October 2018 136-16 low, and falling to the lowest level since July 2014. At the 135-20 level on June 10, the bonds are sitting close to an eight-year low, with the next technical support level at the December 2013 127-23 low. The Fed’s FOMC meets on June 14 and 15 The market expects the US Federal Reserve to increase the Fed Funds Rate by 50 basis points this week at the June meeting. The move will put the short-term rate at the 1.25% to 1.50% level. The Fed remains far behind the inflationary curve, with CPI and PPI data at an over four-decade high and coming in hotter each past month. While the central bank determines the short-term rate, the bond market has been screaming for the Fed to catch up, warning that inflationary pressures were mounting. The bottom fell out of the long bond futures in 2022 as the Fed began to tighten credit. However, the Fed’s economists will only put the short-term rate at 1.50%, with inflation running at many times that level. A 75 basis move to 1.75% would shock the market, which is not a path the Central Bank wants to follow. Higher rates are on the horizon The Fed may have awakened, realizing it must use monetary policy tools to address inflation, but the central bank remains groggy and slow to adjust rates to levels that would choke off rising prices. The economists do not have an easy job as they face supply-side economic problems created by the war in Ukraine. Had they been more agile in 2021 and nipped the rising inflation in the bud with a series of rate hikes, the US Fed would be better positioned to address what has become a no-win situation. The war has caused energy and food prices to soar with no central bank tools to manage the situation. Last week, gasoline rose to a new high, crude oil was over $120 per barrel, natural gas was over $9.65 per MMBtu, and grain prices remained at elevated levels. Rate hikes and lower bond prices are not likely to cause prices to fall as US energy policy, sanctions on Russia, and Russian retaliation are supply-side issues that leave the central bank with few answers. Higher food and energy prices will keep the inflationary spiral going and will continue to push bond prices lower. Expect lots of volatility in markets The US and the world face an unprecedented period that began with the 2020 global pandemic. Artificially low interest rates and the government stimulus that addressed the pandemic were inflationary seeds. The pandemic-inspired supply chain bottlenecks exacerbated the inflationary pressures. A shift in US energy policy increased OPEC and Russia’s pricing power in traditional energy markets. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine has turbocharged the economic condition, making a solution challenging for the central bank. The current US Treasury Secretary, and former Fed Chair, Janet Yellen, once said that monetary policy works together with the government’s fiscal policies. In the current environment, fiscal policy and the geopolitical landscape have become the most significant factors for rising inflation. Jamie Dimon is worried, and the head of the leading US financial institution is battening down the hatches on his balance sheet for a storm. Even though he was mistaken about cryptos, we should heed his warning and hope he is wrong. Markets reflect the economic and geopolitical landscapes, which are highly uncertain in June 2022. Hedge those portfolios, and make sure you develop a plan for any risk positions. Expect the unexpected because 2022 is anything but a typical year in markets across all asset classes. Fasten your seatbelts for what could be a wild and turbulent ride over the coming months. -- 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:ZB1!Education
by Andy_Hecht
12
How I Use Treasury Futures To Better Execute The E-mini S&P 500Interest Rate Futures are the market leaders this year. Our technical indicators have less of an impact when the Bond & Treasury Markets are on the move and as Traders we have to be aware of when that is and how it impacts the price action in the E-mini S&P 500, E-mini Nasdaq 100 and Russell 2000 Futures. In this video I go over a simple, but effective way I use the 10 YR Futures ZN1! & the Micro 10 YR Treasury Futures 10Y1! to better execute the Indexes. To learn more about the Futures Products discussed in the video please check out CME Group's Website. I also mention that I trade futures on TradingView using TradeStation so please go to TradingView's website or TradeStation's website to learn more. Past Performance is not indicative of Future Results. This is for Educational purposes only. Derivatives Trading is not suitable for all Investors.
CBOT:ZN1!Education
by anthonycrudele
14
Relationship Between Price & volume & open interesthello everyone. today i want to explain the relationship between price and volume and open interest. we know that open interest means the number of positions (long/short)that is open.(in short OI) if the price going up and volume and OI is going up too we can see very strong bullish sentiment in market. if price going up but volume and OI going down it means that the price weakening and long positions is closing so we have bearish sentiment in market. if the price going down but volume and OI going up it means traders interst to open short positions and the sentiment is very bearish. and in the end if the price is going down and vol and OI going down too we can understand that traders are tired from falling and want to close their short positions so we have a bullish sentiment in market. hope that this is useful for you. if you support me i will try to be better day by day... thank you friends
TVC:GOLDEducation
by TraderAmin-KZ
3
Some ideas on How We Trade (Spot and Leverage)Hi everyone, let's try something new for you tonight: I made this video to share with you how we day-trade. It's a video so you watch it and let us know your thoughts. If you like it or find it useful we can make more videos like this. The market has been a disaster for many: It has happened before and it will happen again. Just remember to go back and look at how we dealt with it (we hedged enough and we are still 'alive). I really liked what my good friend Irina said today : 'I think we all learn some lessons these days. That’s what bear markets are for. Learning lessons.'' Her hair is painted red-ish. She promised to paint them Green on Monday so we remain friends (true story, yes). Watch the video, it could help you see a different way of doing things. Remember: Trading is RISKY and is not recommended for anyone! DYOR and LEARN from everything that happens. one Love, the FXPROFESSOR
Education
by FX_Professor
2
FOMO - Analysis from a Trading Psychologist FOMO. Fear of Missing Out. We have all heard this phrase. It could pertain to that VERY LAST concert of your favorite band in the middle of the week and coming late to work the next day. Scrolling through Instagram and making a split-second purchase that never works out. We get the idea. I can feel FOMO’s omnipresence in the trading world right now. We have seen some large career changing moves in commodities as of late. Extend the lookback time a few years and we could probably open a FOMO Crypto clinic, complete with padded rooms. Why didn’t I catch that move in Euro Power? I can’t just sit here and watch my neighbor get rich; I missed the only opportunity to make money! Well, Crude Oil, Gold and Wheat all taught traders suffering from FOMO a healthy lesson these past few weeks. Or are they doomed to repeat it again? Traders rarely want to admit weakness, but it’s essential to becoming profitable. Hi. My name is Paul Wankmueller, and sometimes I suffer from FOMO. I decided to turn to my favorite trading psychologists, Brett Steenbarger, PhD. Brett has been in the trading game since the late 1970’s and his Nov 21’ speech on Trading Fomo piqued my interest. Below is a summary of what I took away from it, and some preventative ailments attributed to Brett’s psychological evidence-based outcomes. FOMO is a PnL Killer! At its core FOMO is a fear. The problem is not that we missed the trade, it’s that our brains perceive that missed trade as a threat to our future, our success, our reputation. When humans are afraid of something, or see a threat, it produces anxiety. This fear takes blood away from the part of the brain where higher level thinking takes place and sends it to the part that impulsive thinking lives. There WILL be poor decision making under the influence of anxiety. The key to solving this issue is to take the threat out of the situation. Solutions: Taking a break from the screen is healthy but it is not a long-term fix. Brett explains how to train in exposure therapy (His presentation explains this in greater depth.) Slow breathing and visualization are more adept at battling FOMO. If you can visualize a calming place or situation and pair it with that fear, daily practice and dedication will prevent blood flow to the impulse zone. Gradually, when FOMO comes around, you will experience feelings of safety. Combined with expanding your time of reference, understanding, and acknowledging FOMO will make those events look like potholes on a long highway. Missing a trade is a bummer, but is that going to end my career? No. Will buying at the top, and then being so irate that I add to a losing trade and forgo stop orders end my career? It might. Will I be thinking clearly on my next trade with a fresh mistake permeating my thoughts? Nope. The best motivation to avoid FOMO is to develop emotional hate towards the negative consequences of it. In the fullness of time, the desire to avoid negative outcomes becomes self-reinforcing with repetition and therefore cements as an internal priority. This works across the board in other life scenarios as well. Tapping into other motivations besides PnL is one that really hit home with me as well. Brett dives into the desire to learn and grow as a greater motivator than just PnL alone. This addition will create a dual purpose to each trade. You are diversifying your outcome! If you come away from a trade with a negative PnL, but with a positive learning experience, you are building your LC (Learning Capital). With time under this premise, your LC will be indistinguishable from your monetary statement. Instead of tying your value as a trader strictly to your PnL, tie your value to your consistency and risk management. The magnitude of your PnL is nothing without consistency. Risk management begets larger positions, lower drawdowns, and an overall better quality of work life. A day comes with myriad experiences. Maybe you woke up next to the love of your life, saw your kids off to school, got an extra good boy wag of the tail from the pup, the list goes on. Create a diversified life with people and activities that fulfill you outside of trading and your trading will improve. Reminding yourself daily of this is important. Tying all of this together is the practice of keeping a daily ABCD Journal. A- Activating Event – What got you upset? - Missing the trade in this case. B- Beliefs about the event – Little voice in your head – Why is this upsetting to you? “Other people are getting ahead of me, I’m not as good as they are” C- Consequences from the event – How does negative thinking affect your subsequent trading? I’m so upset about missing the opportunity I go ahead and miss the next one! Becoming proficient in ABC will allow you to recognize the triggering event in real time. You begin to identify the negative beliefs and become a pro at understanding the magnitude of the consequences. You can change the pattern of your behavior because the consequences are so front and center. D- [Disputation- You are talking back at that negative thinking. How would you talk to someone you care about who is in that situation? Mentoring a teammate that missed a big play involves constructively lifting them up and helping them learn from it with a comforting tone. You aren’t going to beat them up. I welcome all feedback and am also here if you want to chat about a particular experience. Happy Trading! -Paul Wankmueller, CMT
CBOT:ZW1!Education
by Paul_Wankmueller
11
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 TradeTheIndex
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 TradeTheIndex
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
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