Nvidia Earnings Boost, Trade Tariffs Legitimacy, NQ trade ideaCME_MINI:NQ1!
Big Picture Context: .
NQ futures rallied after NVIDIA posted an earnings beat and after the Manhattan-based Court of International Trade blocked President Trump's Liberation Day tariffs.
Goldman Sachs noted that the ruling on Liberation Day tariffs gives the administration 10 days to halt tariff collection, but does not affect sectoral tariffs. The administration can still impose across-the-board and country-specific tariffs under other legal authorities.
Jobless claims and continuing claims have come in higher.
What has the market done?
The rally faded in the overnight session. However, the catalysts provided energy for prices to move higher. Currently, price is trading above the prior week’s high, yesterday’s high, and it is also trading above the yearly open, and 2025 VPOC and mcVPOC for the last 3 weeks.
What is it trying to do?
The market is negating the recent bear market territory sell-off and negating a bear market rally. It is propelling higher.
How good of a job is it doing?
The market has created good structure and micro composites, despite some gaps left open, and it has created higher lows since last Friday.
What is more likely to happen from here?
Scenario 1: Long Continuation
In this scenario, we are looking for NQ to turn at the immediate 2025 LVN support area. If it edges higher, we will be looking for potential long opportunities above the 21710–21720 area, targeting overnight highs and potentially the next HVN.
Scenario 2: Gap Close and Reversal
In this scenario, we are looking for a pullback, testing pHi and pWk-Hi. We will look for a rounded base that consolidates here on a lower timeframe, such as the 5-minute timeframe, and look for a reversal back towards the 21710–21720 level.
pWk-Hi: prior Week's High
pHi: prior Day's High
HVN: High Volume Node
LNV: Low Volume Node
VPOC: Volume Point of Control
C: Composite (prefix before VAL, VAH, VPOC, VP, AVP)
mC: micro-Composite (prefix before VAL, VAH, VPOC, VP, AVP)
Tradingtips
Steepening Yields & Uncertainty: What says the Bond Markets?
CBOT:ZN1!
US Yield Curve in Image Above
Showing yields on May 27, 2024 vs May 27, 2025 . What happened in a year and how to understand this?
Looking at the image above, the yield curve was inverted on this day last year. Comparing last year’s term structure to today’s, we can see that the yield curve has steepened sharply.
What does this signify? Let’s dive deeper as we share our insights and assessment of what the bond market is doing.
At the March 16, 2022, meeting, the FED finally pivoted away from their "transitory inflation" narrative to a significant supply shocks narrative—supply-demand imbalances and Russia-Ukraine war-related uncertainty. This started a rate hike cycle, with rates peaking at 5.25%–5.50% in the July 26, 2023, meeting.
The Fed Funds rate was reduced by 100 bps, with a cut of 50 bps on September 18, 2024, and two cuts of 25 bps in the November and December 2024 meetings. The FED paused its rate cutting at the start of the year, citing—as we have all heard recently—that the inflation outlook remains tilted to the upside, and given policy uncertainty and trade tariffs, the risk to slowing growth continues to increase. Businesses are holding back spending due to this confusion and continued uncertainty. ** Refer to the image of FED rate path above.
The start of the rate hike cycle also began the FED’s balance sheet reduction program—from a peak of $8.97 trillion to the current balance of $6.69 trillion. **Refer to the image of FED's balance sheet above.
Rates remained elevated at these levels to bring down inflation, which peaked at 9.1% in June 2022. Inflation has currently eased to 2.3% as of April 2025. Refer to the CPI YoY image above.
Ray Dalio, Jamie Dimon, and most recently non-voter Kashkari (FED) highlighted stagflationary risks. FED Chair Powell noted risks to both sides of its dual mandate in its most recent meeting March 19, 2025.
In the March meeting, they also announced a slower pace of reducing Treasury securities, agency debt, and agency mortgage-backed securities. In this announcement, Treasury securities reduction slowed from $25 billion to $5 billion per month, while maintaining agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities reduction at the same pace.
Many participants and analysts noted this as a dovish pivot. However, given the current market conditions and the supply-demand imbalance emerging within US Treasury and bond markets, we note the rising yields.
The yield curve steepening signifies that investors want better return on their bond holdings. The interesting turn of events here is that US Treasuries and bonds have not provided the safety they usually do in times of uncertainty and policy risk. The dollar has fallen in tandem with bonds, resulting in a devalued dollar and rising yields. Thirty-year yields touched the 5% level, and the DXY index traded at levels last seen in March 2022.
Looking deeper under the hood, we note that a repeat of COVID-pandemic-style stimulus measures may perhaps result in an uncontrollable inflation spiral. The ballooning twin deficits—i.e., trade and budget deficits—with the new “Big Beautiful Bill,” or as some analysts joked, noting this as a foreshadowing of the newest credit rating: “BBB.”
Any black swan event may just be the catalyst needed to tip these dominoes to start falling.
As we previously noted in some of our commentary, debt service payments are now more than defense spending.
The new bill, once passed, is going to add another $2.5 trillion to the deficit. While the deficit is an issue in the US, it is important to note that it is a global issue.
The key question here will be: in due time, will the US bond market and US dollar regain their usual haven status? Or will we continue seeing diversification into Gold, Bitcoin, and global markets?
So, to summarize these mechanics playing out in the US and global markets—in our view—sure, the US administration, one may debate, is not helping by creating this environment of uncertainty in global trade, coupled with a worsening deficit and higher-for-longer rates. The markets currently are perhaps at their most unpredictable stage, with so much going on in the US and across the world.
It is still too early to write off US exceptionalism, and there will be value in rotating back to US markets once the dust on policy uncertainty settles. We suggest that investors stay diversified, watch for any upside surprises to the inflation and do not chase yields blindly as the move may already be overstretched. It is also our view that we are past the extreme policy uncertainty having already noted Trump put when ES Futures fell over 20%.
Although note that near All-time highs or at 6000 level, we are likely to see further headline risks until trade deals are locked in. As always, be nimble, pragmatic and be ready to adjust with evolving market conditions.
Definitions
Plain-language definition: A “basis point” (bps) is 0.01%. So, a 50 bps cut = 0.50% reduction in interest rates.
Plain-language definition: A steep yield curve means long-term interest rates are much higher than short-term ones. This can reflect rising inflation expectations or increased risk.
A “black swan event”—an unpredictable crisis—could set off a chain reaction if confidence in US finances weakens further.
Trade deficit: Importing more than exports
Budget deficit: Government spending far more than it earns
Gold Futures Analysis: Trade Plan COMEX:GC1!
Gold remains in a strong uptrend on the higher time frames, having recently broken above the $3000 level. This move sets the stage for further upside potential. The chart below highlights a Megaphone chart pattern, signaling volatility and broad price swings.
On the 4-hour chart, a pennant pattern is emerging within the uptrend, marked by a downtrend line from the recent highs. Additionally, an inverse head and shoulders pattern has formed, with a decisive breakout higher towards the 2025 CVAH. This level coincides with a high-volume node (HVN) and the edge of the value area distribution for 2025, suggesting it’s a key point of interest. Some consolidation is expected here before we either continue higher or see a rejection that could pull price back toward the uptrend line.
Scenario 1: Continuation Higher, Capped by 3400 Level
In this scenario, we anticipate further consolidation within the pennant on the 4-hour timeframe. After a brief pause, gold could continue higher, testing the 3400 resistance level. If momentum remains strong, we expect to see price consolidate within the pennant pattern to build energy for the next leg higher.
Scenario 2: Rejection at CVAH
In this scenario, gold struggles to sustain the move higher after breaking out from the inverse head and shoulders pattern. A failure to maintain the rally above the CVAH could lead to a rejection, followed by a retracement within the pennant structure. This would likely set up further consolidation towards the 3200 level before the next move up, possibly testing the uptrend line for support.
Our thoughts:
Gold is currently navigating an important juncture, with key levels at 2025 CVAH, 3400 and 3200 in focus. The near-term direction will depend on how price behaves within the pennant, as well as how it reacts to potential resistance or support levels. Traders should stay alert for volatility, as the consolidation phase could resolve in either a continuation of the uptrend or a pullback towards the trendline. Flight to safety, rising yields and geopolitical tensions will play a key role in shaping sentiment and trend in the Gold market.
Yearly Open in Play — Is This the Real Bull or Just a Bounce?CME_MINI:ES1!
Macro Recap
Late Friday, Moody’s lowered the US’s sovereign rating from AAA to Aa1. This reflects a unanimous downgrade of the US, joining S&P and Fitch in stripping the US of its AAA status.
Would this result in a sell-off?
In our analysis, and consensus from the Street, is that it will be contained since the downgrade puts Moody’s in the same camp as S&P and Fitch.
There are talks of renegotiating UK–EU trade deals, which has boosted cable.
On the geopolitical side, not much has changed. Ceasefire talks are ongoing but stuck in neutral. No new catalysts—yet.
The spotlight, however, is firmly on the Fed. Over the weekend, President Trump called on Chair Powell to cut rates “before it’s too late,” echoing a post from April 17th where he labeled Powell’s speech “a complete mess” and added, “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough.”
With a packed schedule of Fed speakers this week, the real question is whether they’ll double down on the Fed’s independence—or bend toward political gravity, especially with Trump reportedly eyeing the top job.
Economic data is light. That puts full attention on the Fed and headline risk. Traders should stay nimble and alert. Momentum could shift fast.
Markets are now pricing in two cuts of 25 bps each for September and December 2025.
This is very different from market pricing one month ago, when reciprocal tariffs were announced.
Monitoring rate cut expectations is another key theme this week, with multiple Fed speakers scheduled.
ES Futures
ES Futures have been one-time framing up — i.e., creating higher lows — on the weekly timeframe.
ES Futures have also created higher highs.
Key Levels:
• March 2025 High: 6052.50
• 2025 Yearly Open: 6001.25
• Previous Week High: 5977.50
• Previous Week Mid: 5856
Bull Market—or Just a Bear Bounce?
That’s the question traders are asking.
From our perspective, this looks like a recovery from a trade policy shock. The market took the hit, recalibrated, and bounced back.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. After a move this strong, some pause is natural. We’re watching for potential consolidation or profit-taking, especially with price action still holding below the yearly open.
Caution is warranted here—momentum’s in play, but the structure hasn’t fully confirmed the shift.
Scenario 1: Another Up Week, Capped by Yearly Open
In this scenario, the rally will be contained as the yearly open remains a strong pivot and resistance zone.
The LIS (Line in the Sand) for short trade opportunities is the yearly open pivot.
Scenario 2: Range-Bound Week
In this scenario, we expect markets to consolidate, remaining above last week’s low and finding support at the prior week’s mid-range.
We will look to initiate longs from the previous week’s mid-range, looking for level-to-level scalping opportunities in a range-bound market.
WTI Crude Oil: Trade Idea Context and SetupOur Long trade idea has already reached its target at 5921.75 in ES futures.
If you missed it, here’s a link to our article from the start of the week:
Note that, our entry was at 5861, while our stop was at 5837 in the example trade idea. The maximum low price was 5835.75 during Monday’s overnight session. Our stops could have been filled given this, however, we want to remind traders that these example trade ideas are for educational purposes, they are not a recommendation. Stops are never meant to dictate exact stop prices. Trader’s should place their stops according to their own risk management plan whether that be a mix of fixed dollar amount and market structure or filtering down to execution time frames to place stops per market generated information and structure.
Today’s Trade Idea: WTI Crude Oil
We will analyze the Long trade idea in WTI Crude Oil, providing both context and setup.
Fundamental Analysis Supporting Our Scenario:
Following the reciprocal tariff announcements, WTI Crude Oil fell to its lowest level of 54.48, a price last seen in 2023.
While equity markets have recovered, crude oil remains subdued—widely attributed to concerns over OPEC+ overproduction.
However, as we’ve previously explained, this interpretation is incorrect. The OPEC+ production increases were planned as early as December 2024, and the rollback of voluntary cuts is primarily aimed at meeting domestic demand within OPEC+ countries.
This uptick in consumption also coincides with seasonal demand from summer and the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, with the reversal of China’s escalatory tariffs and newly signed deals in the Middle East, many analysts have revised their GDP and recession forecasts upward.
We believe this improved economic outlook is yet to be priced in by the oil markets.
Technical Analysis Supporting Our Scenario:
From a technical standpoint, there is a significant resistance zone and key Low Volume Node (LVN) stacked just above the 2025 mCVAL and Q2 2025 mCVAH. The March 2025 Low also sits just above this cluster.
Our analysis projects a potential move from these levels up to the next major area of stacked levels:
• AVWAP from 2025 High
• Yearly 2025 VWAP
• 2025 Mid-Range
This sets the stage for a potential long opportunity in WTI Crude Oil as markets begin to price in shifting fundamentals and technical conditions align.
Key Levels:
• 2025 mCVAL: 63.38
• Q2 2025 mCVAH: 63.21
• AVWAP from 2025 Hi: 66.70
• Yearly 2025 VWAP: 67.44
• 2025- Mid Range: 66.52
Example Long Trade Idea: Probing Liquidity
Time frame: 1 hour or 30 mins
• Entry: 63.50
• Stop: 62.90
• Target 1: 64.37
• Target 2: 66.70
• Risk: 120 ticks
• Reward: 407 ticks
• Risk/Reward Ratio: 3.4R
Important Notes:
• Note that DOE inventories numbers are scheduled today at 10.30 am ET. Watch your risk amid volatility caused by this economic release.
• These are example trade ideas and not financial advice or recommendations.
• The trade idea considers 2 contracts to calculate risk and reward.
• Traders should conduct independent analysis and ensure proper risk management.
• Stop-loss orders are not guaranteed; slippage may occur, resulting in losses beyond predefined levels.
• AVWAP levels are accurate at the time of posting, they may vary as indicator further calculates prices with new volume and price information.
Glossary Index for all technical terms used:
VAL: Value Area Low
VAH: Value Area High
VP: Volume Profile
AVP: Anchored Volume Profile
C: Composite (prefix before VAL, VAH, VPOC, VP, AVP)
mC: micro-Composite (prefix before VAL, VAH, VPOC, VP, AVP)
AVWAP: Anchored Volume Weighted Average Price
NYMEX:CL1!
Liberation, Altercation & Boom: US China Trade talks CME_MINI:ES1!
Pointing to our previously written blog post (Liberation, Altercation or Doom) on March 31st. A mix of all scenarios played out.
Global universal tariffs with reciprocal tariffs layered on top. It resulted in a huge sell-off on April 2nd.
After months of tit-for-tat tariffs and growing economic friction, the US and China have agreed to hit pause. In a joint statement that’s given markets some breathing room, both countries announced a 90-day suspension on a large portion of their punitive tariffs—an initial step toward dialing back tensions and restarting dialogue.
Key Tariff Measures from US-China Joint Statement (90-Day Pause)
US Tariff Reductions:
Tariffs on Chinese goods were reduced from 145% to 30% for a 90-day period.
24 percentage points suspended, leaving a 10% base tariff in place.
China Tariff Reductions:
Tariffs on US goods reduced from 125% to 10% for the same 90-day period.
China also suspends 24 percentage points of additional ad valorem duties.
Retains a 10% baseline tariff on US imports.
Non-Tariff Measures: China to suspend or remove all non-tariff countermeasures imposed since April 2.
Includes sanctions on certain US companies.
Lifts export controls on some critical minerals.
Timeline & Commitment:
Both parties agree to implement these actions by May 14.
Commitment to continue trade and economic talks through a new bilateral mechanism.
Talks may be held in alternating locations (US/China) or via third-party venues.
No Agreement On:
Currency policy.
E-commerce “de minimis” exemptions.
Sector-specific tariff frameworks.
Future Key Dates and Timeline:
May - Potential US semiconductor tariffs.
May/June - Potential US pharmaceutical tariffs.
July 8th - 90-day tariff lowering for "worst offenders" expires.
July 14th - US tariffs on Mexican agriculture goes into effect.
August 10th - US-China tariff relief expires.
Was this really mutual or just a game of chicken?
There’s an argument to be made that this is more of a tactical pause than a full reconciliation. With China’s GDP in purchasing power parity terms now surpassing that of the US, and its continued technological advancements across sectors like aerospace, semiconductors, and critical minerals, the balance of economic leverage is shifting. For investors, this isn’t just about tariffs—it’s about the evolving structure of global trade.
Geopolitical undercurrents continue to shape the backdrop. China’s strategic influence in regional security, technology supply chains, and commodity access adds another layer to its negotiating position. Recent developments—such as China's reassertion of dominance in strategic corridors and growing control over key mineral exports—suggest its economic posture is becoming more assertive. This, in turn, has implications for US firms dependent on Chinese inputs or facing retaliatory restrictions.
In short, the 90-day window presents a tactical opportunity, but the structural story remains complex. Investors would be wise to monitor not just tariff updates, but broader shifts in trade alliances, export controls, and supply chain vulnerabilities—especially in sectors like tech, energy, and defense-adjacent industries.
ES Futures:
ES Futures and risk on assets are positive across the board following this announcement.
Key Levels:
Key LVN/ Key LIS: 5861-5837.25
200 Day MA: 5872.99
0.786 Fib Retracement level: 5921.75
0.618 Fib Retracement level: 5688.75
pWkHi: 5741
mCVAL 2025: 5639.75
Expectations for the week ahead:
US CPI and Retail Sales data on the docket this week along with slew of FED speakers.
Scenario 1: Risk on
ES Futures get back above 200-day moving average clearing the key LVN resistance zone and our key LIS, head towards 0.786 Fib retracement level before pulling back and consolidating for the remainder of the week.
Example trade:
Entry: 5861
Stop: 5837
Target: 5921.75
Risk: 96 ticks
Reward: 243 ticks
Risk/Reward ratio: 2.5 R
Scenario 2: Further consolidation
Markets consolidate below the key LVN resistance zone and prior weekly high.
Example Trade:
Entry: 5837
Stop: 5861
Target: 5741
Risk: 96 ticks
Reward: 384 ticks
Risk/Reward ratio: 4 R
Glossary:
VA: Value Area
VPOC: Volume Point of Control
VAL: Value Area Low
C: Composite (used as a prefix: VA, VAL, VAH, VPOC, etc.)
mC: micro Composite (used as a prefix: mCVA, mCVAL, etc.)
LNV: Low Volume Node
LIS: Line in Sand
Important Notes:
These are example trade ideas not intended to be a recommendation to trade, and traders are encouraged to do their own analysis and preparation before entering any positions.
Stop losses are not guaranteed to trigger at specified levels, and actual losses may exceed predetermined stop levels.
Are You Using Technical Indicators All Wrong?Most indicators aren’t broken. Most traders use them wrong.
Thousands of traders rely on RSI, MACD, and moving averages — and most of them still lose money. Why? Because they use tools the wrong way, in the wrong context, with the wrong mindset.
Let’s break it down:
1. Indicators don’t predict — they react.
RSI hitting 30 doesn’t mean “buy”. It means selling pressure dominated recently.
2. One tool ≠ one strategy.
MACD or CCI alone won’t build you a system. Context, confluence, and confirmation matter.
3. Emotional confirmation kills discipline.
Seeing RSI 70 after price moves doesn’t mean you’re late. It means your emotions want to join the move — not your logic.
🚨 Solution?
Use indicators as filters, not triggers.
Build rules. Track what works. Trade the system — not your excitement.
Want to see more posts like this? Let us know — We're preparing a series of deep-dives into indicator psychology and structure.
ES Futures at a Crossroads: Fed Steady, Market ReadyCME_MINI:ES1!
Recent Market Performance
ES Futures experienced a significant decline of 22.30% from the February 19, 2025 high of 6218.50 to the recent low of 4832 on Monday, April 7th, 2025. This drawdown included a sharp 16.30% sell-off, triggered by the announcement of reciprocal tariffs, marking a decline from the April 2, 2025 high to the April 7th low.
Since forming that low, ES Futures have rebounded impressively—rallying 18.48% into the May 2nd high, retracing well over 50% of the losses. Notably, price action has closely respected Fibonacci retracement levels, as illustrated in the accompanying chart.
Macro Fundamentals
There are several macroeconomic considerations at play:
• Quarterly GDP data appears skewed due to front-loaded imports, evident in the January and February import numbers.
• This week’s March trade balance, imports, and exports data for both the U.S. and China will be crucial. These figures will shed light on how escalating tariff tensions have influenced Q1 business activity.
• The key event this week is the Federal Reserve interest rate decision and FOMC press conference. Of particular interest will be how the Fed’s risk outlook has evolved in light of Trade War 2.0, along with updates to growth and inflation forecasts.
While the Fed is expected to hold rates steady, there are increasing calls from President Trump to cut rates. Although recent soft data has shown signs of deterioration, this has not yet translated into hard data. In fact, April’s Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) report beat expectations, underscoring continued economic resilience.
Key Question: What Comes Next?
Will ES Futures continue to trend higher, reverse lower, or consolidate?
Key Technical Levels
• mCVAL: 5635
• Upper Neutral Zone : 5620 – 5585
• March 2025 Low: 5533.75
• Lower Neutral Zone : 5171.75 – 5150.75
Fibonacci Retracement Levels (2025 High to Low)
• 2025 High: 6218.50
• 0.786 Retracement: 5921.75
• 0.618 Retracement: 5688.75
• 0.5 Level (Mid-Range): 5525.25
• 2025 Low: 4832
Our View
We believe downside risks are currently minimized, barring a new market-moving development—such as a disruptive social media post. Q1 earnings have broadly reflected strength, reducing the probability of further downside in the near term.
Given the current backdrop:
• Positive news could act as a catalyst for higher prices.
• In the absence of significant newsflow, we expect consolidation, followed by a potential resumption of the upward trend.
Scenario 1
A pullback to either the blue support zone near the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement confluence, or a deeper pullback towards the confluence of the 2025 mid-range and March 2025 lows, followed by a continuation higher.
Scenario 2
Seasonality supports consolidation. Historical index behavior at this time of year further aligns with the potential for sideways movement before the next leg higher.
Candlestick Patterns + Trend and Momentum: A Perfect CombinationCandlestick patterns provide valuable insights into price action, showing potential reversals, continuations, or market indecision. However, to significantly improve their effectiveness, combining candlestick analysis with trend and momentum indicators is essential. Here’s how you can use these combinations to trade with more confidence and accuracy.
1. Why Candlestick Patterns Matter
Candlestick patterns visually represent traders’ psychology through price movements, including four key prices: Open, Close, High, and Low. Some of the most common and useful patterns include:
Doji: Indicates market indecision and potential reversals.
Hammer & Hanging Man: Signals possible trend reversals at support or resistance.
Engulfing Pattern: Often marks the beginning of a significant reversal.
Morning/Evening Star: Combination patterns that strongly suggest a trend reversal.
2. Adding Trend and Momentum Indicators
Candlestick patterns alone might lead to false signals or confusion. By pairing them with other technical tools, such as moving averages, RSI (Relative Strength Index), or MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence), you gain crucial context to confirm the reliability of the patterns.
Here’s how:
Trend Alignment:
Using moving averages, such as the 20 or 50-period EMA, helps confirm whether a bullish candlestick pattern appears in an uptrend (strengthening the signal) or countertrend (potentially weaker signal).
Momentum Confirmation:
Oscillators like the RSI or MACD can confirm the underlying momentum behind a candlestick pattern. For instance, a bullish engulfing pattern becomes more reliable if it coincides with RSI moving upward from oversold territory or MACD showing a bullish crossover.
Volume Analysis:
Higher volume on the candle that forms the pattern typically confirms increased market interest and strengthens the validity of the signal.
3. Practical Example: Bullish Engulfing + RSI
Imagine you spot a bullish engulfing pattern forming at a clear support level after a downtrend:
Step 1: Identify the Pattern: Confirm the bullish engulfing visually.
Step 2: Check RSI: Ensure RSI is below 30 or rising, signaling oversold conditions and potential bullish momentum.
4. Why This Approach Works
Enhanced Accuracy: Combining candlestick signals with trend and momentum indicators increases signal reliability.
Improved Risk Management: Clearer signals mean more confident entries and better-defined stop-loss levels.
Reduces False Signals: Multiple confirmations reduce the risk of false breakouts or reversals.
5. Final Tips
Always look for multiple confirmations (trend, momentum, volume) before making trade decisions based solely on candlestick patterns.
Be patient—waiting for full confirmation can help avoid premature trades.
Regularly backtest and practice recognizing these combined signals to strengthen your trading strategy.
The next trade idea for “6B” GBPUSD FX FuturesCME:6B1!
This trade idea is built on very simple premises.
Simplicity in trading is what we all strive for. Where possible, we should aim to simplify our strategies rather than complicate them with excessive information—unless the additional inputs add clear, actionable value to the trade thesis. While that holds true in this analysis, for the sake of clarity and simplicity, we’ve chosen not to include volume profile study or levels derived from volume profiling.
Also, don’t forget to check out how our example trade idea in Crude Oil played out —posted earlier this Tuesday.
6B Weekly Time frame:
Key Levels
Weekly Resistance: 1.3400 – 1.3425
Daily Double Top: 1.3425
April 21 Mid: 1.3350
April 2025 Developing Mid: 1.3067
Scenario 1: Break and Continuation
In this scenario, we anticipate further upside in 6B futures and GBPUSD. A break above the double top at 1.3425 could lead to a push toward 1.3550. Look for confirmation across other FX futures and signs of Dollar weakening to support this thesis.
Example Trade Idea 1:
Entry: 1.3425 (wait for an hourly candle to close above the double top, then enter on the pullback)
Stop: 1.3350
Target: 1.3550
Risk: 75 ticks
Reward: 125 ticks
Risk/Reward Ratio: 1.7 R
Scenario 2: Swing Failure on Weekly Timeframe
Zooming out to the weekly timeframe, 1.3425 aligns with a potential swing failure at prior resistance near 1.3423. A pullback from this level could provide a short opportunity. Watch for Dollar strength and pullbacks in 6E and 6J to further support this thesis.
Example Trade Idea 2:
Entry: 1.3350 (wait for sellers to regain control at Monday’s mid)
Stop: 1.3425
Target: 1.3067
Risk: 75 ticks
Reward: 283 ticks
Risk/Reward Ratio: 3.7 R
Important Notes:
These are example trade ideas provided strictly for educational purposes and should not be considered trade recommendations.
Traders are encouraged to perform their own independent analysis and thorough preparation before entering any positions.
Please note: Stop losses are not guaranteed to execute at specified levels. Actual losses may exceed predetermined stop amounts.
Breakout or Fakeout? How to Spot the Difference and Trade.Trading breakouts can be exciting - and profitable - when they're real. But how do you avoid getting caught in those frustrating false breakouts (fakeouts) that trap many traders?
In this clear and practical guide, you'll learn exactly how to identify genuine breakouts, avoid traps, and improve your trading decisions instantly.
Here's what we'll cover:
✅ Real Breakouts vs Fakeouts: Why it matters.
✅ Market Psychology: Why false breakouts happen.
✅ Volume: Your best friend for spotting authenticity.
✅ Price Structure & Context: When breakouts mean business.
✅ Momentum Confirmation: The hidden indicator that changes everything.
Let’s dive in!
🚩 Real Breakout vs Fakeout: Know the Difference
A breakout occurs when price decisively moves beyond a clear support or resistance level. Imagine Bitcoin breaking above $50,000 or Gold dropping below $1,900.
A fakeout happens when price briefly breaks these key levels—but quickly reverses, leaving traders stuck on the wrong side of the market.
Why it matters: Fakeouts aren't just frustrating—they’re costly. They drain your capital and confidence. Recognizing them early keeps you profitable and disciplined.
🧠 Why Do Fakeouts Happen? (The Psychology)
Fakeouts thrive because traders chase excitement and fear missing out (FOMO). Here’s the secret many traders overlook:
Bull and Bear Traps: Institutional traders deliberately push prices slightly past key levels to trigger stop orders—only to reverse the price sharply.
FOMO-driven trades: Retail traders jump in excitedly at any small breakout, providing fuel for these short-lived moves.
Understanding these tactics can help you stay calm and avoid impulsive entries.
🔥 Volume: The Ultimate Breakout Indicator
Want to know if a breakout is real? Look at volume—it reveals the market’s true intention.
High Volume: Means broad market participation and conviction, supporting a genuine breakout.
Low Volume: A red flag! This signals low market conviction and a higher likelihood of reversal.
Example: If Ethereum breaks above $4,000 with unusually high volume, that's a strong signal. But if volume remains low, beware—it's likely a fakeout.
📐 Context and Price Structure Make a Difference
Not all breakouts are created equal. Pay attention to these key context clues:
Trend Alignment: Breakouts in the direction of a clear existing trend are more reliable.
Significance of Level: Breakouts of major support/resistance levels (weekly or monthly highs/lows) have higher odds of success.
Follow-through and Retests: Genuine breakouts often retest broken levels, turning old resistance into new support.
⚡ Momentum Confirmation: Your Secret Weapon
Momentum indicators (like RSI or MACD) tell you what's happening beneath the surface. They help confirm or reject breakout validity:
Strong Momentum: If indicators confirm the breakout direction, the breakout is more reliable.
Divergence (Warning Sign): If price makes a new high but momentum indicators show lower highs, beware—a fakeout could be near.
Use momentum as your final confirmation step. It’s the missing piece that many traders ignore.
🎯 Quick Breakout Checklist
Use this simple checklist next time you're assessing a breakout:
🚦 Trade Breakouts Wisely: Final Tips
Be Patient: Waiting for breakout confirmation saves you from costly mistakes.
Set Clear Stops: If a breakout fails, exit quickly. Small losses protect your capital.
Scale into Trades: Enter gradually to manage your risk effectively.
Mind Market Context: Always align breakouts with the broader market direction.
Trading breakouts doesn't have to be stressful. When you know what signs to watch for, you trade with confidence—not guesswork.
🚀 Conclusion: Trade Better, Not Harder
Avoiding fakeouts is all about patience, confirmation, and understanding market psychology. By using volume, context, and momentum effectively, you'll greatly improve your breakout trading.
Now, put these strategies into practice. Stop guessing—start confidently trading real breakouts today!
Happy Trading!
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Why This Bearish Trend Is Actually a Bullish Opportunity?Understanding the Multi Timeframe Analysis – Part 2 of 2
Alright from the prior post we talked about how the corrective move on the 4H timeframe turns out to be a bearish trend on the 1H chart. Now, let’s dive deeper into that 1-hour chart.
In this 1H chart, we can observe a trend shift from bullish to bearish.
Before the red arrow, we can clearly see a bullish structure:
Blue arrows continue to form higher lows, and
Orange arrows form higher highs (except one minor failure, which still maintains the bullish structure because price doesn’t break the previous low).
But everything changes after the red arrow:
Orange arrows fail to create new highs,
Blue arrows start forming lower lows,
→ confirming a bearish reversal on the 1H timeframe.
So… How Can We Use This Bearish Trend as a Bullish Opportunity?
Here's where it gets interesting — instead of seeing the bearish trend as a threat, we use it for better entry with an improved risk-reward ratio.
But here’s the catch – some conditions must be met:
Make sure the bigger timeframe (4H) still supports a bullish trend.
Wait for price to drop lower than the last blue arrow (prior low).
Look for bullish divergence + candlestick confirmation before entering.
Once you get the signal, you can place your stop loss below the confirmation candle to limit your risk.
What If Price Breaks the Orange Arrow (Prior High)?
If price invalidates the bearish structure by breaking the previous high, that means:
The 1H bearish trend is over.
The pullback on 4H timeframe is done.
And price is likely resuming the main bullish trend.
So, whether price goes lower or higher — you’re ready either way.
Alright, that’s my take on using multiple timeframes—hope it helps clear up any confusion you had! Let me know your thoughts in the comments. See you in the next post!
Why This Bearish Trend Is Actually a Bullish Opportunity?Understanding the Multi Timeframe Analysis – Part 1 of 2
Have you ever felt overwhelmed when using multiple timeframes in your analysis? Not sure which timeframes to choose or how to combine them effectively?
In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on how to use multi-timeframe analysis with real chart examples.
Let’s take a look at the movement from the first red and blue arrows – we can clearly see that buyers were not in control at that point. But if we compare it to the next red and blue arrows, it’s clear that buyers took control of the market.
This tells us something important:
➡️ The recent price drop from the last red arrow is likely just a corrective move, not a reversal.
Based on the 4-hour timeframe, we can identify the corrective target zone around 0.5593 - 0.5369.
So what’s next?
In smaller timeframes like the 1-hour chart, this corrective move might appear as a short-term bearish trend. But from a higher timeframe perspective, it’s just a pullback – and that can create an opportunity for a precise entry using a strategy like bottom fishing.
In the next post (Part 2), I’ll show you how this works on the 1-hour chart – including the before and after, and how I plan my entry.
Stay tuned!
Do you usually check the bigger timeframe before taking entries? Let me know your approach in the comments.
Current Mechanics playing out in US and Global MarketsCBOT:ZN1!
COMEX:GC1!
CME:6E1!
CME:6J1!
US Bond Market:
The US bond market—specifically US 10-year Notes—has long been considered a safe haven amid market turmoil. Historically, during periods of uncertainty, investors have flocked to these “flight to safety” assets, resulting in increased demand for US 10-year notes. Mortgage rates also tend to track 10-year note yields, meaning rising yields typically imply rising mortgage rates.
From the chart above, we can observe that ZN futures rose by 6.62% from the January 13 lows to the April 7 highs and what the next possible worst case scenario looks like.
Euro FX Futures:
Euro FX futures rebounded strongly from near-parity levels, climbing to a high of 1.15175—a substantial 12.27% increase versus the USD.
Gold:
Gold futures surged 21.84% from the January 6 lows to the April 11 highs.
What caused investors and market participants to abandon the US dollar and US 10-year notes?
As previously explained, broader macroeconomic forces are at play. Investors are not just pricing in a US recession—they're also reacting to an emerging supply-demand imbalance in the US bond markets. This imbalance is driving safety inflows into gold and other alternative assets, while simultaneously pushing yields higher on the long end of the US yield curve. As a result, the yield curve is steepening.
One noteworthy point: when the 10-year to 2-year yield spread falls below zero, a recession typically follows within 12 to 18 months. After a prolonged period of a negative yield spread during 2024, the yield curve has now steepened sharply.
Additionally, a recent 20% correction in US equities adds another layer of complexity to an already fragile economic outlook. Since the onset of the trade war, both uncertainty and volatility have escalated to extreme levels.
With inflation expectations rising and growth forecasts being revised downward, the most compelling asset class to watch in the coming months is the US dollar—and, specifically, the evolving status of the US 10-year T-Note as a risk haven.
Rising yields may point to further steepening of the yield curve and signal a broader shift away from the US as the global economic leader.
What’s truly at stake is the USD’s reserve currency status. How this unfolds remains anyone’s guess.
How Momentum Divergence Reveals Hidden Market Strength and WeaknMost traders watch price action closely: candlesticks, moving averages, trendlines. But there’s a deeper, less obvious layer of information that often signals shifts in direction before price confirms it: momentum.
📌 Quick overview – what you'll learn:
What momentum divergence is (clearly explained)
How it helps predict potential trend shifts
Practical ways to spot and trade divergences
📈 Price vs Momentum: They're Not the Same!
Momentum doesn't simply track price direction. Instead, it measures the strength behind price movements.
Rising prices, falling momentum often signals upcoming bearish reversals.
Falling prices, rising momentum often hints at bullish reversals building beneath the surface.
These subtle divergences are powerful because they reveal hidden market shifts before everyone else notices them.
⚠️ How to Spot Momentum Divergence (Simple Steps):
Step-by-step:
- Find clear price swings:
Clearly defined highs/lows on your chart.
- Check momentum indicators (RSI, MACD, CCI, etc.):
Does the indicator agree or disagree with the price action?
- Spot divergence:
Bullish divergence: Price makes lower lows, indicator shows higher lows.
Bearish divergence: Price makes higher highs, indicator shows lower highs.
- Confirmation:
Always wait for price confirmation like a reversal candle or break of a trendline.
🔥 Why Momentum Divergence Works:
Divergence highlights hidden accumulation or distribution by smart money.
Helps you anticipate reversals before price confirms.
Filters out weak moves and helps you avoid fake breakouts.
📊 Real Example (XAUUSD – April 2025):
Recently in Gold:
Price was dropping steadily, reaching new lows.
Meanwhile, RSI showed clear higher lows – classic bullish divergence.
Result: Price exploded significantly shortly after momentum divergence appeared clearly.
🧠 Trading Tips to Remember:
Divergence signals are stronger near key support/resistance zones.
Use momentum divergence with your existing strategy for confirmation, not isolation.
Always define your risk clearly (set stops above/below recent highs/lows).
🚩 Common Pitfalls to Avoid:
Trading divergence without confirmation: always wait for the market to show its hand.
Ignoring the bigger picture: check higher timeframes for stronger signals.
Overtrading: not every divergence leads to a reversal; quality beats quantity.
🚀 Your Action Plan for Next Week:
Pick one momentum indicator and identify at least 3 divergences on your favorite assets.
Monitor how they play out.
Note down what works best in your trading journal.
💬 Question for you:
What’s your go-to momentum indicator when spotting divergence? RSI, MACD, CCI, or something else? Drop a comment below!
Happy trading!
TrendGo Team
Is Bitcoin holding up or sell-off coming soon?CME:BTC1!
Surprisingly, the price of bitcoin and bitcoin futures have held up well compared to stocks given that Bitcoin is a high risk, highly volatile crypto currency.
It is almost as if hedge funds, and other investors have not had to liquidate their BTC exposure due to margin calls.
Open Interest has been stable and average daily volume is holding up. This can be viewed by accessing the CME Bitcoin Open Interest and Volume .
What is next for Bitcoin futures?
As noted in our analysis, CME bitcoin futures are currently trading below the key level 2024 mid-range.
Key Levels:
2024 Mid-Range, Key LIS: 79655
2024 till YTD CVPOC: 71705
Support Zone: 63140 - 57275
2024 till YT CVAL: 57275
Scenario 1: Further Downside - technical breakdown
We expect further downside and move towards our support zone marked on the chart. Enter short on a pull back towards mid-range with stops above high of Apr 3rd, 2025.
Example Trade 1:
• Short Entry: 79000
• Stop: 85240
• Target: 60000
• Risk: 6240
• Reward: 22000
• Risk/Reward Ratio: ~ 3R
Scenario 2: Reclaim mid-range and consolidate
In this scenario, if the price gets back above 2024 mid-range and stays above, we expect the price to range between 90K to 80K.
Example Trade 2:
• Long Entry: 80000
• Stop: 74630
• Target: 89000
• Risk: 5370
• Reward: 9000
• Risk/Reward Ratio: ~ 1.68 R
Important Notes:
• These are example trade ideas not intended to be a recommendation to trade, and traders are encouraged to do their own analysis and preparation before entering any positions.
• Stop losses are not guaranteed to trigger at specified levels, and actual losses may exceed predetermined stop levels.
• NFA does not have regulatory oversight over spot cryptocurrencies or virtual currencies derivatives traded on unregulated/decentralized exchanges.
Glossary Index for all technical terms used:
YTD: Year to Date
LIS: Line in Sand
CVPOC: Composite Volume Point of Control
CVAL: Composite Value Area Low
Green Zones: Bull/ Buyers support zones
Paradigm Shift or Panic Selling? ES Futures Weekly PlanCME_MINI:ES1!
Macro Update:
The escalation of reciprocal tariffs and China's countermeasures have sent shockwaves through markets, with widespread selloffs across asset classes, including gold. Fund managers and investors were forced to liquidate positions to cover margin calls. The likelihood of a global recession has surged, with Goldman Sachs raising the probability of a US recession to 45% from 35%. Meanwhile, JPMorgan increased its global and US recession odds to 60%, up from 40%, due to intensifying tariff tensions.
The March 2025 Federal Reserve’s SEP projections suggest slowing growth amid rising inflation concerns, pointing in the right direction. Is this a paradigm shift, or was it already set in motion earlier in the decade? Or is this simply panic selling, with the expectation that US administration policy will soon stabilize markets?
If it is a paradigm shift—as seems more likely based on recent developments—the current environment could prove historic, aligning with Ray Dalio's concepts on the changing world order, debt crises, and how nations go bankrupt.
Investor Confidence: ES futures are currently down over 20%, entering bear market territory for the first time since the 2020 pandemic crash. The big question now is whether we’ll see a relief rally or continued sell-offs with occasional pullbacks, or if markets are establishing a new value range based on auction market principles.
• 2024 YTD mCVAL: 5379.75
• 2022 CVAH: 5376
• March 2025 Low: 5533.75
• August 5th, 2024 Low: 5306.75
• Neutral LVN: 5191.50 - 5156.25
• April 4th, 2025 Low: 5074
• 2024 Yearly Low: 5016.25
• CVPOC 2022: 4610.50
Scenario 1: Further Downside The key downside level for ES Futures is 4610.50, where the most volume has been transacted since 2022. Currently, ES Futures are trading above this level. If the market establishes a value range between 4900 and 4500, further selling with brief pullbacks and consolidation above the 2022 CVPOC seems likely.
Scenario 2: Relief Rally For a rally to take hold, ES Futures faces key resistance levels: the 2024 Low at 5016.25 and the pWeek Low at 5074. If markets sustainably stay above these levels, we could see a rally toward the 2022 CVAH at 5376. However, the sustainability of such a rally remains in question given the mountain of uncertainties ahead.
It is important to note that uncertainty tends to create highly volatile market regimes. Traders should adjust the expected daily range accordingly. A good indicator to measure this is “Daily Average True Range”, many traders also rely on close-to-close standard deviation bands to gauge range on a given trading day. As such, we could see moves of 3% or more in either direction on any day.
Gold Futures: Flight of the PhoenixCOMEX:GC1!
Gold Futures Analysis:
Gold futures are currently presenting a clearer picture compared to equity index futures. Crude oil futures, on the other hand, have already priced in much of the recent tariff news, with a reversal observed from the 2025 mid-range back towards $65. Despite heightened volatility, the WTI crude oil market remains relatively balanced, with bearish sentiment materializing, if prices drop below and stay below the $65 mark.
Gold futures, however, are offering more defined risk-reward opportunities at the moment. Our analysis shows a macro bullish trend in gold, along with price discovery and market auction trends visible on lower timeframes.
On the 4-hour chart below, we observe a rising upward channel, with key levels identified and reasoning for these levels labeled on the chart.
Key Levels:
• ATH: 3201.6
• HVN (High Volume Node) for long entry: 3115
• LVN (Low Volume Node)/LIS for short entry: 3095.1
• Key LVN Support: 3003.7-3018
Scenario 1: Bearish Continuation
If Gold futures stay below the trend line that defines both our long and short trade ideas, the bearish scenario could materialize. For a short trade to be viable, we would look for a close below the LVN/LIS level (3095.1) and enter on a pullback, targeting the major LVN support zone around 3018.0.
Example trade parameters for Scenario 1:
• Entry: 3095.1
• Stop: 3125
• Target: 3018
• Risk: 29.9 points
• Reward : 77.1 points
• Risk to Reward Ratio: RRR=77.1/29.9 ≈2.58
Scenario 2: Bullish Reversal
In the event that Gold futures push back towards all-time highs due to heightened uncertainty and a flight to safety, we expect initial profit-taking by shorter timeframe traders to provide a pullback. This could present a long opportunity towards the all-time highs.
Example trade parameters for Scenario 2:
• Entry: 3115
• Stop: 3095
• Target: 3200
• Risk : 20 points
• Reward : 85 points
• Risk-to-Reward Ratio: RRR= 85/20 = 4.25
Important Notes:
• These are example trade ideas, and traders are encouraged to do their own analysis and preparation before entering any positions.
• Stop losses are not guaranteed to trigger at specified levels, and actual losses may exceed predetermined stop levels.
Liberation, Altercation or Doom? ES Futures weekly planCME_MINI:ES1!
Quick Update
The upcoming week is poised to be critical for financial markets as President Donald Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" on April 2 approaches. On this date, the administration plans to implement new tariffs aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit by imposing reciprocal duties on imports from various countries.
As April 2 looms, the full impact of these tariffs remains uncertain, leaving markets and investors in a state of heightened anticipation.
We may get clarity on the tariff situation on April 2, 2025.
Universal tariff announcement of categories of imports may clarify US administration’s maximum tariff escalation approach.
A phased out and unclear tariff approach may keep markets in limbo.
Economic Calendar
Keep an eye on the data docket, NFP and other key releases are due this week.
Tuesday, Apri 1, 2025 : ISM Manufacturing PMI, JOLTS Job Openings
Wednesday April 2, 2025 : ADP Employment Change, Factory Orders MoM
Thursday April 3, 2025 : Balance of Trade, Imports, Exports, ISM Services PMI, Initial Jobless Claims
Friday, April 4, 2025 : Non-Farm Payrolls, Unemployment rate, Average Hourly Earnings MoM,Average Hourly Earnings YoY, Fed Chair Powell Speech
Key Levels to Watch:
Yearly Open 2025 : 6001.25
Key Resistance : 5850- 5860
LVN : 5770 -5760
Neutral Zone : 5705-5720
Key LIS Mid Range 2024 : 5626.50
2024-YTD mCVAL : 5381
2022 CVAH : 5349.75
August 5th, 2024 Low : 5306.75
Scenario 1: Bold but Strategic Tariffs (Effective Use of Tariff to reduce trade deficit and raise revenue) : In this scenario, we may see relief rally in ES futures, price reclaiming 2024 mid-range with a move higher towards key resistance level.
Scenario 2: Maximum pressure, maximum tariff (All out trade war) : In this scenario, we anticipate a sell-off with major support levels, such as 2024- YTD mCVAL, 2022 CVAH and August 5th, 2024 low as immediate downside targets.
Scenario 3: Further delays in Tariff policy (A negotiating tool, with looming uncertainty) : In this scenario, sellers remain in control and uncertainty persists, while we anticipate that rallies may be sold, market price action may remain choppy and range bound.
123 Quick Learn Trading Tips #4: Spot or Futures? Real or Fake?123 Quick Learn Trading Tips #4: Spot or Futures? Real or Fake? 🧐
News : $1.3 Billion has been liquidated 💥 from the FUTURES market within the past 24 hours, as Bitcoin plummeted to $86,000. 📉
Futures leveraged traders were forced to close their positions, realizing a collective loss of $1.3 Billion.
This shows how risky trading with leverage (borrowed money) can be. 💸 ⚠️
Traders who use leverage enter into a gambling game with exchanges, which always win the game. In other words, in the last 24 hours, several crypto exchanges made $1.3 billion in profits.
On the other hand, people who bought Bitcoin directly (spot market) only lost a small amount of profit. This shows that owning the actual asset is more stable. 💎
Traders using leverage lose their money. But for spot investors, this is a good chance to buy more Bitcoin at a low price and make their long-term position stronger. 💰
Like I always tell my students and friends:
Let's go up the spot market stairs, step by step. 🪜 Don't think about the futures elevator. 🏢 It has crashed many times, 📉 and it will crash again. ⚠️
Instead of gambling in the "fake" futures game,
invest your money in the "real" spot market. 💎
Build your investments by owning assets, not by risky leverage. 🚫
Have a nice trading journey!
Harsh Truth About Forex & Gold Trading: In Books VS In Reality
Most traders start their trading journey by studying theory first, reading books or taking video courses before putting these newfound skills into practice. But once they start trading on a real market, they quickly realize that things are not as straightforward as the books make them out to be.
In this educational article, we will take a critical look at the difference between theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
📍And first of all, do not get me wrong. I am not trying to imply that trading books or courses are bad.
Theoretical knowledge is essential for successful trading, and of course the books are the best source of that.
The problem is, however, that books can be misleading . The examples in books are always tailored. When the authors are looking for the examples of the patterns, of key levels, they are looking for the ideal cases.
📍The problem becomes even worse, when one start studying the trade examples in books. And of course, the authors choose the brilliant winning trades with huge take profits and tiny stop losses.
I guess you saw these pictures of "sniper" entry trades with 5/1 R/R.
The inexperienced trader may start thinking that the markets are perfect and act in total accordance with the books.
That all the trades that he will take will bring tremendous profits.
That the identified patterns will work exactly as it was described.
📍The harsh truth is that books and courses are simply the compositions of different examples, cases and market situations.
In reality, each and every trading setup is unique .
The reaction of the price to the same pattern will be always different .
Please, realize the fact that books are only good for acquiring the knowledge. But in order to survive on financial markets, you need the experience . And the experience will be gained only after studying thousands of real market examples in real time.
📍Here is the example of a double top pattern that we were trading with my students on AUDJPY.
In books, double tops are always perfect . Once the market breaks the neckline, the price retests that and then quickly drops.
So the one can set a tiny stop loss and a big take profit.
However, after a retest of a broken neckline, AUDJPY bounced and the market maker was stop hunting the newbies. Our stop loss was way above the head, and we managed to survive.
Even though the pattern triggered a bearish movement, the reaction of the market was far from perfect.
Be prepared, that the market will much different from what you see in the books.
Good luck to you!
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
Overtrading Chaos: Classroom Insights & Quick FixesWatching my students get caught up in the whirlwind of overtrading was like watching a rollercoaster ride gone wrong - all that excitement turned into stress, quick decisions based on gut feelings rather than strategy, and seeing their accounts shrink before my eyes. Here's what I've noticed firsthand:
-Emotion Over Logic: They were making choices fueled by the fear of missing out or trying to get back at the market after a loss, not because it was the smart move. Spot on. Emotional trading is the quickest path to financial ruin. It's all about managing those emotions.
-Exhaustion: The constant screen time was draining them, both physically and mentally. This is why I always preach about the importance of having a life outside of trading. Burnout is real and it clouds judgment.
-Costly Habits: Those small fees and spreads started adding up, eating away at their profits with each impulsive trade. Always remember, every trade has a cost. Overtrading is like death by a thousand cuts.
But here’s the good news - I've got some immediate steps I take to turn things around:
1)Trade Log Love: I get them to write down every trade, focusing on the reasons behind their decisions. It’s amazing how this simple act helps them learn from their actions. A trade log isn't just about accountability; it's about education. Every trade is a lesson.
2)Take a Breather: I enforce a little break after each trade. It's like hitting the reset button for your brain, ensuring the next trade isn't just a reaction to the last. This is critical. It’s about breaking the cycle of reactive trading. Think of it as forced discipline.
3)Quality Time: I shift the focus to waiting for those golden opportunities, teaching them that sometimes the best trade is the one you don't make. Patience in trading is not just a virtue; it's a strategy. The markets reward those who wait for the right moment.
Come join me as I navigate through the overtrading storm, helping my students, and maybe you too, become more thoughtful, strategic traders! This is what I call practical wisdom. Overtrading is a symptom of not having a solid plan. I'd recommend this course of action to any trader looking to turn their habits around.
Kris/Mindbloome Exchange
Trade Smarter Live Better