2025 ICT Mentorship: Premium & Discount Price Delivery Intro2025 ICT Mentorship: Lecture 4_Premium & Discount Price Delivery Intro
Greetings Traders!
In this video, we dive into the fundamental concept of Premium and Discount Price Delivery—a crucial aspect of smart money trading that helps us understand how institutions approach the market with precision and efficiency.
Understanding Currency Pairs
Before we explore premium and discount dynamics, it's essential to grasp the basics of currency pairs. A currency pair, like EUR/USD or GBP/USD, represents the value of one currency against another. For example, EUR/USD shows how many U.S. dollars (the quote currency) are needed to purchase one euro (the base currency). Just like any other tradable asset, currency pairs fluctuate in value due to various economic and market factors.
Trading Is Part of Everyday Life
Believe it or not, everyone in the world is a trader. Whether you're buying groceries at a store or negotiating for goods and services, you're participating in trading activities daily. Some people aim to purchase items at a discount, while others can afford to pay a premium—it’s simply part of life.
However, banks and financial institutions take trading to another level. They don’t just trade haphazardly—they operate with extreme precision, aiming to make high-quality investments by executing trades at premium prices and targeting discount levels. This strategic approach allows them to capitalize on market inefficiencies and ensure profitable outcomes.
Why Premium and Discount Matter?
The concept of premium and discount price delivery is foundational for understanding how the market moves. By recognizing where the market is trading at a premium (overvalued) versus a discount (undervalued), traders can make more informed decisions and align their strategies with institutional order flow.
Stay tuned as we break down how to identify these zones on a chart and how to incorporate them into your trading strategy. Make sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an update!
Happy Trading,
The_Architect
Trend Analysis
Use Buy The Dip Like a LynchWhile we can’t say for certain that Merrill Lynch specifically uses VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price) in their strategies, one thing is clear: they certainly rely on sophisticated statistical tools and data-driven insights to inform their investment decisions. Merrill Lynch, known for its expertise and successful track record, employs a range of techniques to navigate market fluctuations and identify profitable opportunities.
In the fast-paced world of trading, every decision counts. One strategy that has stood the test of time is Buy the Dip (BTD). This approach involves buying assets after they’ve experienced a temporary drop, anticipating that the price will bounce back 📉➡️📈. However, timing the dip correctly can be challenging without accurate data and predictive tools.
This article explores how to enhance your Buy the Dip predictions using OHLC Range Map and 4 VWAPs set to Century on TradingView.
What is the Buy the Dip Strategy? 🤔
The Buy the Dip (BTD) strategy is simple yet effective. Traders buy an asset after its price has fallen, believing that the dip is temporary and the price will soon rise again 📉➡️📈. The challenge, however, is knowing when the dip is truly an opportunity rather than the start of a longer-term downtrend.
This is where data-driven insights come into play. Rather than relying solely on intuition, having the right tools can make all the difference. With the OHLC Range Map, traders can gain a clearer understanding of price action, which helps identify whether a dip is worth buying 💰.
Strategies for Predicting Buy the Dip Levels 📍
Spot the Dip Using 4 VWAPS set to Century
Spot the Dip Using OHLC Range Map
1. Spot the Dip Using 4 VWAPS set to Century 🎯
Load 4 VWAPs on the chart, and configure them as follow:
1st VWAP: Source - Open, Period - Century
2st VWAP: Source - High, Period - Century
3rd VWAP: Source - Low, Period - Century
4th VWAP: Source - Close, Period - Century
When the price approaches key support or resistance zones, such as VWAP bands, particularly for well-established assets like ES, NQ, BTC, NVDA, AAPL, and others, there's a high probability of price reversal.
By combining this with price action analysis, you can identify precise entry points for a position with greater accuracy.
2. Spot the Dip Using OHLC Range Map 👀
The OHLC Range Map is a powerful statistical tool designed to plot key Manipulation (M) and Distribution levels over a specific time period. By visualizing these levels, traders can gain insights into market behavior and potential price movements.
For example, when analyzing the ES chart, we can observe that the bearish distribution level has already been reached for the next 12 months. This suggests that the market may be poised for a reversal, with the expectation of higher prices in the near future. By identifying these critical levels, traders can anticipate market trends and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Key Takeaways 🔍📊
Buy the Dip (BTD): The BTD strategy involves buying assets after a temporary price drop, expecting a price rebound.
Enhancing BTD Predictions: Using OHLC Range Map and 4 VWAPs on TradingView improves the accuracy of Buy the Dip predictions.
Spotting the Dip with 4 VWAPs: Configuring 4 VWAPs (Open, High, Low, Close) on a chart helps identify key support and resistance zones for potential price reversals.
Using the OHLC Range Map: The OHLC Range Map helps pinpoint Manipulation and Distribution levels, aiding in market trend anticipation and timing.
Combining Tools for Precision: Integrating the OHLC Range Map and VWAPs with price action analysis allows for more accurate Buy the Dip entry points.
Bitcoin and Elliott Wave Principles This is a good example showing how Bitcoin adheres to Elliott Wave Rules, as does everything in the Market. As stated other publications, the Elliott Wave Theory is more than just a Theory but how the market works. Bitcoin won't always buy, there will be ups and downs. Timing is key. If there is an over-investment just before the top of Wave B, ''Buy The Dip'', this would lead to unimaginable losses. This is what people call ''Stock Market Crash''. To Elliott Wave Theorists, this is a simple Wave 4.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TREND FOLLOWINGMost people tend to not check the overall trend not knowing that could potential be a danger to their trades and account
If the overall trend is a downtrend(making lower lows and lower high)- you should look only for selling entries especially if you trade bigger time frames(M15 to upwards). However it's not that simple or everyone would be making millions of dollars lol.
when you check the overall trend you should make sure the swing lows and high are clear, strong and the bearish/bullish pressure(volatility) should also be strong and clear if one of these is missing
then it's best to stay away from the market or you'll become liquidity for other trades😂
so all in all, combine your Trend following with liquidity and market volatility.
How to Trade Trend ReversalsThey say, “the trend is your friend”—until it bends at the end. Every strong move eventually runs out of steam, but spotting the turn and trading it effectively is no easy task. Some traders try to anticipate the reversal, positioning ahead of time, while others wait for confirmation, entering once the trend has already shifted. Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best approach depends on your risk tolerance and trading style.
Anticipating the Turn: Catching the Reversal Early
This approach focuses on momentum shifts and false breakouts before the price fully confirms a new trend. The goal is to enter before the crowd, capturing a reversal at the best possible price.
Key Tools:
Momentum Divergence – If price makes a new high or low, but RSI fails to follow, it suggests the trend is weakening.
False Breakouts – If price breaks a key level but immediately reverses, it signals a trap set for traders expecting continuation.
Benefits:
• Better risk-reward – Entering before the confirmation means stops can be tighter, allowing for a larger potential profit.
• First-mover advantage – Catching a trend change early means getting in at a great price before the majority of traders react.
Drawbacks:
• Higher failure rate – Many trends look weak before resuming, leading to premature entries and false starts.
• Requires precision – Entry and stop placement must be exact to avoid being caught in noise.
Waiting for Confirmation: Trading the Break
Rather than trying to predict the turn, this method waits for price to confirm the reversal by breaking key levels or forming a clear new trend structure.
Key Tools:
Trend Structure Shift – A series of lower highs in an uptrend, or higher lows in a downtrend, signals exhaustion.
Break of Key Support/Resistance – Once price decisively moves beyond a critical level, it confirms the trend change.
Benefits:
• Higher probability trades – Waiting for confirmation reduces the risk of being faked out by temporary pullbacks.
• Less stressful – Entering after the break avoids the uncertainty of catching tops and bottoms.
Drawbacks:
• Worse risk-reward – Entry is later, meaning stops tend to be wider and potential profits smaller.
• Missed moves – Sometimes, a reversal happens too quickly, leaving conservative traders behind.
Applying Both Methods: Two Live Market Examples
1. EUR/USD – A Potential Trend Reversal in Progress
Recently, EUR/USD had been stuck in a long-term downtrend, with lower lows forming consistently. But the latest attempt to break support failed spectacularly.
Anticipatory Approach: Traders watching for a false breakout could have entered after price dipped below support and immediately reversed. RSI also showed bullish divergence—momentum was no longer confirming the downtrend. Entry would be placed just above the reclaimed support, with a tight stop below the false breakdown.
Momentum-Based Approach: Traders waiting for confirmation would have looked for a strong breakout above the first major resistance. After the false breakdown, price surged above prior swing highs, confirming buyers had taken control. The break of horizontal resistance provided a clearer entry signal, with stops below the breakout level.
EUR/USD Daily Candle Chart
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
2. S&P 500 – The Start of a Breakdown?
The S&P 500 had been in a strong uptrend, but multiple failed attempts to break through resistance suggested buyers were losing momentum. Eventually, price broke below key support, triggering a sharp decline.
Anticipatory Approach: Traders looking for early signs of weakness could have entered short after noticing a series of failed breakouts. RSI divergence signalled that momentum was waning, and the repeated failures at resistance suggested a sell-off was brewing. The entry would have been placed near resistance, with stops just above the recent highs.
Momentum-Based Approach: A more patient trader would have waited for a confirmed break of support. Once the S&P sliced through a major level, a short trade could be initiated on the retest of the broken support, with stops just above the previous swing low.
S&P Daily Candle Chart
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Approach
Both methods have their advantages. Anticipating reversals can offer an early entry with strong risk-reward potential, but it also comes with a higher chance of false signals. Waiting for confirmation provides greater clarity and reduces the likelihood of premature entries, though it often means entering later in the move.
Neither approach is inherently better—it depends on your trading style, risk tolerance, and strategy. The key is consistency: whichever method you use, having a clear plan and following it with discipline is what separates successful traders from those who get caught on the wrong side of a trend change.
Disclaimer: This is for information and learning purposes only. The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance. Social media channels are not relevant for UK residents.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
3 Best Entry Points For Swing Trading (Forex, Gold)
What is the best entry point for swing trading?
You will learn 3 safest places/zones to buy or sell the market from, best swing trading time frame, and the most accurate swing trading setups.
Best Entry 1
Swing Trading After a Confirmed Trend Reversal
It can be a bearish trend violation and a start of a new bullish trend.
Look at a price action on WTI Crude Oil on a daily.
The market violated a bearish trend and started to trade in a new bullish trend, confirming the reversal.
In such a case, your best entry will be the closest daily support.
Alternatively, it can be a bullish trend violation and an initiation of a new bearish trend.
USDCAD was in an uptrend, steadily growing within a parallel channel.
Its violation confirmed the change of sentiment and start of a downtrend.
In this situation, your safest entries will be from the closest daily resistance.
Best Entry 2
Swing Trading with the Trend After Pullback
In a bullish trend, you should wait for
a completion of a bullish movement,
wait for a pullback
swing buy the market after it completes.
AUDCAD is in a rising trend.
A pullback tends to complete on a key support.
That will be your zone for buying.
Otherwise, in a bearish trend, you should let the price:
finish a bearish impulse
start a correctional movement
sell the market after the correction ends.
USDCHF was in downturn and updated the low. A local bullish movement started then.
It usually completes after a test of a key resistance. That will be the area where you should look for swing selling.
Best Entry 3
Swing Trading After Key Level Breakout
Bearish violation of a key daily support is a perfect signal to sell.
It is an important sign of strength of the sellers and a strong indication that the price will continue falling.
NZDUSD broke and closed below a key daily support cluster. After a breakout, it turns into a potentially strong resistance.
For us, the best entry is a retest of a broken structure.
Bullish breakout of a key daily resistance is a reliable signal to buy.
After a violation of a horizontal resistance, it became a support on USDCHF Forex pair on a daily.
Your perfect entry for swing buying is its retest .
The entry zones that we discussed will provide the safest trading opportunities.
Learn to combine that with your trading strategy, it will help you to dramatically increase the profitability of your swing trading.
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18 Times, +2000%, 5800 Days - All About NASDAQ100 Corrections!Hi, all!
I need to repost some of my recent ideas on TradingView due to issues with the platform's moderation. Let's start! The most up-to-date post is coming right away - one that serves as a timely reminder during these interesting times: never forget history.
From November 2008 to February 2025, the Nasdaq 100 (NDX) index has grown by over 2000%! Yes, that’s a 20x increase! This tech giant, made up of the 100 leading technology stocks, has shown impressive strength.
For comparison, the S&P 500 has risen about 820% in the same period. A great performance but Nasdaq 100 leaves it far behind.
Has this been a straight-line rise? Not really. Looking back, it may seem like the perfect investment. But the road was not smooth. Nasdaq 100’s success came with painful drops, investor panic, and moments when it felt like the market would never recover.
From the outside, everything looks great. But would you sit through a 30% drop, while the news is screaming about the "end of the world"?
So, I decided to analyze every correction of 10% or more since the market bottom in 2008.
- How long do corrections and recoveries last?
- How often do they happen?
- What should investors know?
- Can this help you in any way?
DATA ANALYSIS - 18 corrections in Nasdaq 100 (2008–2025), -10% or more.
Retracement Stats:
- Average drop: -15%
- Median drop: -13%
- Biggest drop: -37.72%
- Smallest drop: -10%
Correction Length (17 completed corrections): How many days does a correction last from the peak to the bottom?
- Average: 60 days
- Median: 35 days
- Longest: 325 days
- Shortest: 14 days
Recovery Time: From bottom back to new highs.
- Average: 165 days (~5.5 months)
- Median: 119 days (~4 months)
- Longest: 752 days (over 2 years)
- Shortest: 42 days (~1.5 months)
Correction Frequency
If we take a rough estimate, in 5800 days, there were 18 corrections, which means a correction happens every 322 days (~10.5 months) on average.
Total Time Spent in Corrections vs. Rising Markets
- Corrections lasted 1016 days
- Recoveries lasted 2801 days
- Total time spent in "work mode": 3817 days
- Total "smooth uptrend" days: 1983 days (~5.4 years)
Basically, like a hardworking employee – the market spends more time struggling than rising!
What Can Investors Learn from This?
1. Accept Volatility
Knowing that market swings are normal, investors can keep a long-term perspective and avoid panic-selling during downturns.
2. Nasdaq 100 Has Always Recovered
In the long run, Nasdaq 100 has always bounced back to new highs. Each recovery has been different, but so far, making new all-time highs has never been a problem.
3. Make Better Decisions
Understanding psychological biases helps investors make rational choices and manage risks better.
4. Market Drops = Opportunities, Not Threats
Most big market rallies started when most investors were too scared to buy.
"A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful." – Warren Buffett
Market drops always feel unique and scary but history shows they follow repeating patterns. And those who keep their emotions in check have the best opportunities.
"The time to buy is when there's blood in the streets." – Baron Rothschild
Final Thoughts: Is the current retracement a buying opportunity? No one knows for sure but history suggests - stay calm!
So, that's all. Like & Boost if you find this useful! 🚀
Have great day,
Vaido
💬 Before you leave... What’s your take on the current Nasdaq 100 correction? Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇
Different Ways to Manage Your TradesFinding the perfect trade setup is just one part of the equation. How you manage that trade can be the difference between consistent profits and missed opportunities. In this video, I’ll break down the different ways you can manage your trades and how each method impacts your results.
We’ll cover essential trade management techniques, including setting fixed take-profits and stop-loss levels, using trailing stops to lock in gains, scaling out of positions with partial profits, and actively monitoring trades for dynamic adjustments. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the key is finding what aligns with your trading style, risk tolerance, and market conditions.
I’ll also share insights on how I utilize trade management to maximize returns while keeping risk under control. Whether you prefer a hands-off approach or actively managing your trades in real time, this video will help you refine your execution and make smarter decisions.
Watch the full breakdown now, and let me know in the comments, how do you manage your trades?
- R2F Trading
The Beauty of Elliott Wave.Wave 3 corrects in a Flat formation that is exactly 100% of Green Wave A. Upon completion, there is beautiful retest and a big move downwards to complete Blue Wave C and hence Wave 4 of the Flat. Wave 4 also corrects at 50% of the Red Wave 3. This whole Flat occurs between 161.8% and 261.8% of the main Wave. This is a weekly time frame and these are some massive moves showing that the market obeys Elliott Wave Principles at all levels of time.
What to do after you missed a big price move (Example: EUR/USD)There was a big fast move in EUR/USD last week.
The ‘European currencies’ did especially well versus the US dollar, including GBP/USD and USD/CHF as well as the ‘Skandies’ SEK/USD and NOK/USD.
If you rode the move, then job done. If you did ride the move up, you might have taken full profits already - or maybe you are leaving a little bit of the position open to ride any continuation of the move.
But, what to do if you missed it completely?
Explosive moves in the market usually mean traders who were on the ‘losing’ side step out for a while, having lost confidence in their view. For example if you were bearish and the market makes a significant move higher - you’re probably going to be a lot less confident in your bearish view - but perhaps also not ready to take an opposite bullish view. The loss of sellers in the market can see the up-move continue with minimal pullback.
This might suggest buying any small dips to ride the next leg higher, and emotionally it would offer some salvation to capture the second leg of the move even if you missed the first leg. However, what you are doing here is ‘chasing the market’.
One trouble is that after a big move in the market, there is no definitive place to put your stop loss, except at the beginning of the move - which is now far away. That's a bad risk: reward.
It is tempting to place a closer (more manageable) stop loss under lower timeframe levels of support - but then you find yourself trading an unknown strategy that requires different rules to follow because it is based on a lower timeframe.
And indeed, after a sharp move in the market - there is still a chance for a sharp pullback to match. Why? Because buyers quickly take profits on their unexpected quick gains, which will create selling pressure into minimal support - because the next support level is far away.
A sharp pullback would mean an opportunity to buy into the uptrend at a lower level, closer to the previous support. But then the flipside of the sharp pullback is that it raises questions over the sustainability of the initial move.
Probably the biggest takeaway here is not to think about this ‘explosive’ move in isolation.
Instead of forcing a trade, consider:
1. Waiting for the right setup in the same market. If your strategy is based on structured breakouts, wait for the next clean consolidation or pattern before re-engaging. A big move often leads to a new setup—but forcing a trade in the middle of a volatile move isn’t a strategy, it’s FOMO.
2. Looking at uncorrelated markets. Just because EUR/USD already made a big move doesn’t mean you have to trade it now. If you want to be in at the start of a move, shift focus to another market that hasn’t yet made its move.
3. Sticking to your edge. If your strategy works over hundreds of trades, don’t abandon it just because one market moved without you. The next opportunity will come—if not in this market, then in another.
Again, the best trades don’t come from reacting to what already happened, but from positioning for what’s about to happen. If you missed the move, accept it, reset, and wait for the next high-quality setup—whether in the same market or somewhere else.
Fibonacci Retracements - Gauging a Dip in Price Part 2 In a previous post on February 19th, we highlighted 2 ways to gauge the extent of a dip in the price of a particular instrument, after a phase of upside strength. This post outlined concepts related to relatively limited and shallow corrections in price, such as those where prices are moving back down to old highs, or a 10-day moving average. You can find this report on our timeline, so please take a look.
The next challenge comes when the price of a particular instrument sees a more extended up or downside move, then the question becomes, is there anything that might aid us to gauge this type of price activity?
Technical analysts and traders will often use Fibonacci retracements as a tool to identify possible levels of support and resistance in financial markets. However, due to their calculation, these are commonly used when a more extended price move materialises.
The good news is that these are available on the Pepperstone charting system and can be utilised within any timeframe that you may wish to analyse.
Using Fibonacci Retracements:
Whether you are looking at a move to the up or downside, Fibonacci retracements can be helpful to identify support levels that may halt a price sell-off of a particular instrument within an on-going uptrend, or resistance levels that may cap any recovery within an on-going downtrend.
However, if these support or resistance levels are broken on a closing basis, they can also be useful in providing insight into whether there is an increased potential for a more sustained move in the direction of that break.
From a trading standpoint, Fibonacci retracements can provide valuable insights into market behaviour and can assist traders to make more informed decisions. The support and resistance levels they identify may be used to determine potential entry and exit points for trades, as well as areas to set stop-loss and take-profit orders for existing positions.
What to Know About Fibonacci Retracements:
Leonardo Fibonacci was a 12th century mathematician who developed the Fibonacci number sequence. Certain ratios are derived from the sequence, including 0.618, which is also known as the Golden mean. This is an important ratio that occurs throughout art, the natural world and even the human body.
Within financial markets, we use 3 set percentage retracements obtained from ratios within the Fibonacci sequence, to measure the potential extent of price declines or rallies. We use the 38.2%, the 50% (which isn’t a true Fibonacci retracement, but has become accepted by traders, as it highlights half the original move), and the 61.8%.
While there are other percentages available on all charting systems, these are the main one’s technical analysts focus on when looking at potential retracement calculations.
Downside Move: Significant High to Significant Low
In a downside move, we run the Fibonacci retracement from a significant price high to a significant price low. These are levels that stand out to you as being important extremes on the chart of the instrument you are focused on; within whatever timeframe you are analysing.
The Pepperstone charting system will then automatically calculate the 3 set percentages and provide you with 3 potential resistance areas that may cap any upside recovery in price. (See chart above).
Upside Move: Significant Low to Significant High
Within an upside move, we run the Fibonacci retracement analysis from a significant price low to a significant price high. Here the Pepperstone system will automatically calculate 3 potential support areas that may halt any downside correction in price. (See chart above).
Using Retracement Levels to Trade:
While there is no guarantee that Fibonacci retracements will identify support or resistance levels that work every time, they can offer traders levels that are worthwhile monitoring.
This can be useful if an instrument is trading within a confirmed uptrend, and we are looking to use a dip in the price as an opportunity to buy at a lower level.
Or, if an instrument is trading within a downtrend, and we are looking to use any recovery in price as an opportunity to sell at a higher level.
Traders may also use Fibonacci retracements to place stop losses just above the identified resistance level or below the support.
This is because, if for example a 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level is broken on a closing basis, it can highlight the potential of a more sustained move in the direction of the break, which could potentially be to the 50% retracement, and if this is in turn breached, on to the 61.8% level, as seen in the chart above.
In the example above, if the decline in price continued and the 61.8% support was broken on a closing basis, the Fibonacci rule suggests a more sustained phase of price weakness maybe seen towards the significant low used within the original calculation (100% retracement).
If such activity is seen within an on-going downtrend in price, the opposite is true. A sustained rally that closes above the 61.8% potential resistance, could lead to a more sustained phase of price strength towards the significant high originally identified after a downside move in price (100% retracement).
In Conclusion:
Whatever timeframe you utilise on your charts; the Fibonacci retracement can be a useful tool in highlighting support or resistance levels during a correction or recovery phase in price.
Initiating trading decisions as a retracement level is neared, can sometimes offer opportunities to establish a position before the original move is resumed. However, equally, it also allows stop losses to be placed relatively close to an entry point, as confirmed breaks of a retracement level can suggest a price moves may continue further.
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Pepperstone doesn’t represent that the material provided here is accurate, current or complete, and therefore shouldn’t be relied upon as such. The information, whether from a third party or not, isn’t to be considered as a recommendation; or an offer to buy or sell; or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, financial product or instrument; or to participate in any particular trading strategy. It does not take into account readers’ financial situation or investment objectives. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of Pepperstone, reproduction or redistribution of this information isn’t permitted.
Soybean Futures Surge: ZS, ZL, and ZM Align for a Bullish MoveI. Introduction
Soybean futures are showing a potentially strong upcoming bullish momentum, with ZS (Soybean Futures), ZL (Soybean Oil Futures), and ZM (Soybean Meal Futures) aligning in favor of an upward move. The recent introduction of Micro Ag Futures by CME Group has further enhanced trading opportunities by allowing traders to manage risk more effectively while engaging with longer-term setups such as weekly timeframes.
Currently, all three soybean-related markets are displaying bullish candlestick patterns, accompanied by strengthening demand indicators. With RSI confirming upward momentum without entering overbought territory, traders are eyeing potential opportunities. Among the three, ZM appears to be the one which will potentially provide the greatest strength, showing resilience in price action and a favorable technical setup for a high reward-to-risk trade.
II. Technical Analysis of Soybean Markets
A closer look at the price action in ZS, ZL, and ZM reveals a confluence of bullish factors:
o Candlestick Patterns:
All three markets have printed bullish weekly candlestick formations, signaling increased buying interest.
o RSI Trends:
RSI is in an uptrend across all three contracts, reinforcing the bullish outlook.
Importantly, none of them are currently in overbought conditions, suggesting further upside potential.
o Volume Considerations:
Higher volume on up moves and decreasing volume on down-moves adds credibility to the bullish bias.
III. Comparative Price Action Analysis
While all three soybean-related markets are trending higher, their relative strength varies. By comparing recent weekly price action:
o ZM (Soybean Meal Futures) stands out as the one which will potentially become the strongest performer.
Last week, ZM closed above its prior weekly open, marking a +1.40% weekly gain.
RSI is not only trending higher but is also above its average, a sign of potential continued strength.
o ZS and ZL confirm bullishness but lag slightly in relative strength when compared to ZM.
This comparative analysis suggests that while all three markets are bullish, ZM presents the most compelling trade setup in terms of technical confirmation and momentum.
IV. Trade Setup & Forward-Looking Trade Idea
Given the strong technical signals, the trade idea focuses on ZM (Soybean Meal Futures) as the primary candidate.
Proposed Trade Plan:
Direction: Long (Buy)
Entry: Buy above last week’s high at 307.6
Target: UFO resistance at 352.0
Stop Loss: Below entry at approximately 292.8 (for a 3:1 reward-to-risk ratio)
Reward-to-Risk Ratio: 3:1
Additionally, with the introduction of Micro Ag Futures, traders can now fine-tune position sizing, making it easier to manage risk effectively on longer-term charts like the weekly timeframe. Given the novelty of such micro contracts, here is a CME resource that could be useful to understand their characteristics such as contracts specs .
V. Risk Management & Trade Discipline
Executing a trade plan is just one part of the equation—risk management is equally critical, especially when trading larger timeframes like the weekly chart. Here are key considerations for managing risk effectively:
1. Importance of Precise Entry and Exit Levels
Entering above last week’s high (307.6) ensures confirmation of bullish momentum before taking a position.
The target at 352.0 (UFO resistance) provides a well-defined profit objective, avoiding speculation.
A stop-loss at 292.8 is strategically placed to maintain a 3:1 reward-to-risk ratio, ensuring that potential losses remain controlled.
2. The Role of Stop Loss Orders & Hedging
A stop-loss prevents excessive drawdowns in case the market moves against the position.
Traders can also hedge using Micro Ag Futures to offset exposure while maintaining a bullish bias on the broader trend.
3. Avoiding Undefined Risk Exposure
The Micro Ag Futures contracts enable traders to scale into or out of positions without significantly increasing risk.
Position sizing should be adjusted based on account risk tolerance, ensuring no single trade overly impacts capital.
4. Adjusting for Market Volatility
Monitoring volatility using ATR (Average True Range) or other risk-adjusted indicators helps in adjusting stop-loss placement.
If volatility increases, a wider stop may be needed, but it should still align with a strong reward-to-risk structure.
Proper risk management ensures that trades are executed with discipline, preventing emotional decision-making and maximizing long-term trading consistency.
VI. Conclusion & Disclaimers
Soybean futures are showing bullishness, with ZS, ZL, and ZM aligning in favor of further upside. However, among them, ZM (Soybean Meal Futures) potentially exhibits the most reliable momentum, making it the prime candidate for a high-probability trade setup.
With bullish candlestick patterns, RSI trends confirming momentum, and volume supporting the move, traders have an opportunity to capitalize on this momentum while managing risk effectively using Micro Ag Futures.
When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies.
General Disclaimer:
The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
Behind the Buy&Sell Strategy: What It Is and How It WorksWhat is a Buy&Sell Strategy?
A Buy&Sell trading strategy involves buying and selling financial instruments with the goal of profiting from short- or medium-term price fluctuations. Traders who adopt this strategy typically take long positions, aiming for upward profit opportunities. This strategy involves opening only one trade at a time, unlike more complex strategies that may use multiple orders, hedging, or simultaneous long and short positions. Its management is simple, making it suitable for less experienced traders or those who prefer a more controlled approach.
Typical Structure of a Buy&Sell Strategy
A Buy&Sell strategy consists of two key elements:
1) Entry Condition
Entry conditions can be single or multiple, involving the use of one or more technical indicators such as RSI, SMA, EMA, Stochastic, Supertrend, etc.
Classic examples include:
Moving average crossover
Resistance breakout
Entry on RSI oversold conditions
Bullish MACD crossover
Retracement to the 50% or 61.8% Fibonacci levels
Candlestick pattern signals
2) Exit Condition
The most common exit management methods for a long trade in a Buy&Sell strategy fall into three categories:
Take Profit & Stop Loss
Exit based on opposite entry conditions
Percentage on equity
Practical Example of a Buy&Sell Strategy
Entry Condition: Bearish RSI crossover below the 30 level (RSI oversold entry).
Exit Conditions: Take profit, stop loss, or percentage-based exit on the opening price.
QUICK LOOK AT A FEW INDICATORS AND INTEREST IN A SERIES?Quick overview testing out the upload from a browser on a ethernet connection computer vs wifi with the desktop downloaded app. Do you find value in this and want to make a regular series? Contact me if so and follow. Esp if your a developer and want to add some videos to your products, free, locked or paid. Im game. Platforms, customization and breaking down analytics is the life. Its what i enjoy and maybe you will too!
Thank you All,
DrawDownKing CME_MINI:ES1!
USDT dominance. (USDC is similar). 03 2025Time frame 1 week. Crypto market dominance to % USDT. I showed this for the first time on 03 2022, nothing has changed since then, everything is the same and the logic is identical.
USDT dominance. USDT pumping indicator to the market 03 2022
USDT dominance. Indicator of USDT pumping to and from the market 05 2022
✔️Stablecoin dominance is falling — the market is growing.
✔️Stablecoin dominance is growing — the market is falling.
It cannot be otherwise (capital movement), until the time when ETFs with the US dollar are not massively introduced and popular, they will draw some of the liquidity to themselves. Which will slightly change the logic of this trend itself. Comparable, in terms of impact on the market, as before the introduction of trading pairs to alts/USDT instead of BTC/alts (everyone was like that). Until then, USDT was needed.
You need to understand that the main " transitional dollar for the people ", that is, USDT , - reflects the trend of all stablecoins. In particular, the main "competitor" - USDC, all the others (a temporary phenomenon) do not matter. Until USDT exists and can be used to track the direction of the money flow, that is, the direction of the cryptocurrency market.
In 2022 09, I also showed this game of liquidity flow into ideas with the combined dominance of USDC + USDT + BTC chart. But this is already a complication, everything is already visible and clear on the dominance of USDT.
Domination of USDT + USDC and lows/maxims of BTC. Correlation 2022 09
Remember, any stablecoin is an alt. The experience with UST (Moon Falling into an Urn) has taught many not to equate stablecoins to a real dollar.
The price stability of any stablecoin depends only on people's faith in its stability. This faith is projected by marketing activity, and first of all by the real capital that stands behind the creators. Everything conceived and implemented has a beginning and an end.
Bitcoin dominance to alts.
I will duplicate my latest idea on Bitcoin dominance here once again. I used it before (it was rational), before 2020 (I used to make a lot of ideas about local zones as triggers for market reversals). Now it doesn't do much. But I see people are fixated on this, not understanding the essence, and why it was so effective before and childishly clear when the market would be reversed (there were no pairs to USDT, but only alts to BTC).
Before 2018 (100% efficiency), before 2020 (partial), the dominance of Bitcoin to other alts was such an indicator of the pump/dump of the market. As it was the main direction of money flow. Almost all alts were traded only to Bitcoin.
Доминация BTC к альткоинам. Доминация стейблкоинов и памп рынка. 07 2022
Have a plan and understand what you are doing, observing money and risk management. As a result, you will be calm and satisfied with your profit from the market, if you are an adequate person.
Alt dominance.
And this is the idea of training/work (understanding the reversal zones of the crypto market of secondary trends) in 2023 on alts. That is, the dominance of alts without stablecoins, bitcoin and ether, which take away most of the market capitalization as a whole. The dominance is growing, naturally money is pouring into alta and vice versa. There are also similar ideas (look for publications in 2023) for certain groups of assets. That is, the point is to catch the hype, by groups of candy wrappers or, on the contrary, the threshold of stopping the flow of money into another hype.
BTC dominance to altcoins. Dominance of stablecoins and market pump . 07 2022
Without pain, there is no way for someone to gain benefits in the speculative market. Who will experience pain and who will gain benefits depends only on the qualities of the person who decided to engage in trading. That is, the totality of his positive/negative qualities that project his actions in the market. Everything is extremely simple and honest.
Dollar Index.
There are a series of interrelated ideas (three, detailed explanation), about the dollar index, that is, the larger cyclicality of the markets in general, and the crypto market as a small projection. Also, all publications of 2022-2023.
DXY Dollar Index USA. Recession and Pump/Dump Market Indicator 09 2022
DXY (Dollar Index) and Pump/Dump BTC. Market Cycles . 09 2022
What is Double Top or Double Bottom and how it works?Hello in this educational content we are talking about one of the major reversal pattern in market or maybe even the most important reversal pattern which is exist.
Double Top: Like the pattern mentioned on the chart now double Top is made by two reject from resistance but it is complete when the support or neckline of this two top break and then the pattern is complete and we can say this is a valid double Top and market now can get correction and get bearish.
here is chart & example take a look at Two kinds of Double Top available in my View:
As we can see sometimes price even made fake breakout to the upside or downside of the pattern and in these kinds of situation we can expect more fall if we had Advance Double Top because the liquidity was more at the beginning of second phase rejection.
We also have other Strong Reversal patterns like Head & shoulders and ... which you can mention them in comments or we may have another live post for them in next Educational posts.
most of You know about Regular Double top or Double Bottom and in this Educational post we mention some data about Advance form of it too and also so many know this form as regular form and consider this fake breakout a sign of good double Top and ....
Double Bottom is the same like the Double Top but reverse(This time support can not break two times and price after breaking neckline or resistance start to pump and bear market turn to bullish with Double Bottom).
DISCLAIMER: ((Always trade based on your own decision))-----this post is not signal content or analysis and just Try to talk about an important Reversal pattern with Example which happened also on Bitcoin in previous days in my Opinion.
<<press like👍 if you enjoy💚
Comprehensive Market Analysis Checklist!This checklist is designed to help you perform a thorough analysis of the market to make informed trading decisions. It encompasses a range of technical and fundamental questions that should be considered before entering a trade.
Market Overview and Direction
1. What is the overall direction of the market?
2. What are the directions of various market sectors?
3. What are the weekly and monthly charts showing?
4. Are the major, intermediate, and minor trends moving up, down, or sideways?
5. Where are the important support and resistance levels?
6. Where are the important trendlines or channels?
7. Is volume and open interest confirming the price action?
Technical Pattern Recognition
8. Where are the 33%, 50%, and 66% retracements?
9. Are there any price gaps, and what type are they?
10. Are there any major reversal patterns visible?
11. Are there any continuation patterns visible?
12. What are the price objectives from those patterns?
13. Which direction are the moving averages pointing?
Oscillators and Indicators
14. Are the oscillators overbought or oversold?
15. Are there any divergences apparent on the oscillators?
16. Are contrary opinion numbers showing any extremes?
Advanced Technical Analysis
17. What is the Elliott Wave pattern showing?
18. Are there any obvious 3 or 5 wave patterns?
19. What about Fibonacci retracements or projections?
20. Are there any cycle tops or bottoms due?
21. Is the market showing right or left translation?
Trend Analysis Tools
22. Which way is the computer trend moving: up, down, or sideways?
23. What are the point and figure charts or candlestick patterns showing?
Trade Setup and Risk Management
Once you’ve arrived at a bullish or bearish conclusion, ask yourself the following questions:
1. What is the market’s likely trend over the next several months?
2. Am I going to buy or sell this market?
3. How many units will I trade?
4. How much am I prepared to risk if I’m wrong?
5. What is my profit objective?
6. Where will I enter the market?
7. What type of order will I use?
8. Where will I place my protective stop?
This comprehensive analysis will help you assess the market conditions from all angles and develop a well-thought-out strategy before making any trading decisions.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Reference:
Murphy, John J. Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Guide to Trading Methods and Applications (New York Institute of Finance), p. 455.
Smart Money: Key Zones for Entry and Market RebalancingHello, friends!
Below is my market analysis, where for each key element of the Smart Money concept I use.
1. Premium/Discount zones allow me to quickly identify where capital works most profitably. Using the Fibonacci Correction tool, I find areas that indicate entry opportunities: buying in the discount zone and selling in the premium zone. This helps to form a basic picture of the market balance.
2.OTE helps me find optimal entry points by refining the zones defined by the basic correction. This tool allows me to look at possible entry areas in more detail, making the signals more accurate.
3. When analyzing market movements, I pay attention to FVGs that arise due to a lack of liquidity during impulse movements. Such cavities indicate an imbalance that the market is trying to eliminate, which creates additional opportunities for rebalancing and entering a position.
4.With ImpIMB analysis, I find imbalances where the center candle is significant and its wicks overlap on both sides. This allows me to isolate the zone that signals an aggressive market, giving additional trading clues without revealing all the details.
5.GAP is formed when a cavity appears between the extremes of candles due to a sharp market opening. Using Fibonacci, I outline these areas, because they often become benchmarks for future rebalancing and correction of market dynamics.
Best wishes Mvp_fx_hunter
DISASTER Recipe for trading destruction (5 Points)🏊♂️ Do You Ever Try Swimming Upstream?
Unless you’re doing it for exercise and the strain…
You’ll know it’s exhausting.
And if you go against the direction of the waves, you’ll get nowhere very slowly—until you either reach the destination or give up.
Well, I find that trading against the trend is just as bad.
When you trade against the trend – your EGO starts to talk.
Your opinions start to enhance, and your irrational mind begins to take over.
I feel I need to explain why it’s so dangerous to go against the trend.
Let’s dive in.
🚫 Never Force a Trend
The worst thing you can do is bottom or top pick a market.
What makes you feel that you know the market is about to turn?
❓ Do you have inside information?
❓ Do you have a stronger intuition?
❓ Did you do some crazy future analysis?
And what’s the point?
Let the market reach its bottom or top, turn around – move a bit in the new direction until you have confirmation.
And then POUNCE.
You only need 30% of the trend and then close for a profit.
⏳ Patience Pays Off
The market moves in cycles.
📈 Sometimes it’s a roaring bull.
📉 Other times it’s a sulking bear.
🐢 And other times, it’s a bladdy tortoise – going sideways to Timbuktu.
The best thing to do is wait for the market to move from an unfavourable environment into a favourable time for your system and strategy.
🔄 Reassess and wait.
There’s no rush in trading.
🔄 Adjust and Act
The markets are always evolving.
You need to continuously adapt and act on:
📌 New markets to add
📌 Old markets to rid of
📌 Strategy tweaks to improve your win rate
📌 System considerations to boost winners and cut losses
Flexibility within your trading strategy is key.
🌊 Flow with Momentum
Ever noticed how surfers ride waves?
They don’t fight the ocean; they flow with it.
Traders should do the same with market momentum.
📈 When the market is going up – Go up with it.
📉 When the market is going down – Go down with it. (I mean short and sell, of course!)
➡️ When the market is moving sideways – Observe, report, and wait for better conditions.
Align your trades with the sentiment.
Going against the current market mood can be disastrous.
❌ Never Predict
Everything you see in the charts and fundamentals is based on past data.
So, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to predict with certainty where a market will go.
This is why you need risk management rules and stop losses with EVERY trade.
You can’t predict, BUT you can probability predict.
And that’s the difference between knowing and potential.
🎯 Recap: Trade Smart!
📌 Never Force a Trend: Be patient and wait for the right market conditions.
📌 Patience Pays Off: Let the market cycle play out before jumping in.
📌 Adjust and Act: Regularly review and tweak your strategy with new information.
📌 Flow with Momentum: Align your trades with the current market sentiment.
📌 Never Predict: React to market conditions rather than trying to predict them.
💡 Remember: The best traders ride the waves – not fight them.
How to Spot a Reversal Before It Happens (Before Your SL Hits)You know the feeling. You’re confidently riding a winning trend, high on the euphoria of green candles, when—BAM—the market flips faster than a politician in an election year. Your once-perfect trade is now a humiliating red mess, and your stop loss is the only thing standing between you and financial pain.
But what if you could see that reversal coming before it smacks you in the face? What if, instead of watching your profits evaporate, you could exit like a pro—or better yet, flip your position and ride the reversal in the other direction?
Reversals don’t happen out of thin air. The signs are always there—you just have to know where to look. In this idea, we break down how to spot reversals before they happen.
😉 Price Action: The Market’s Way of Dropping Hints
Markets don’t just change direction because they feel like it. Reversals happen when sentiment shifts—when buyers and sellers agree, sometimes all at once, that the current trend has run its course.
The first clue? Price action itself.
Look for hesitation. A strong uptrend should be making higher highs and higher lows. A downtrend should be carving out lower lows and lower highs. But what happens when that rhythm starts breaking?
A higher high forms, but the next low dips below the previous one? Warning sign.
Price approaches a key resistance level, but momentum stalls, and candles start looking indecisive? Caution flag.
A massive engulfing candle wipes out the last three sessions? Somebody just hit the eject button.
Before markets reverse, they throw up some red flags first—and depending on your time frame, these red flags can give you a heads up so you can prepare for what’s coming.
🔑 Divergence: When Your Indicators Are Screaming "Lies!"
Indicators might be lagging, but they’re not useless—especially when they start disagreeing with price.
This is where divergence comes in. If the price is making new highs, but your favorite momentum indicator (RSI, MACD, Stochastic—you name it) isn’t? That’s a major warning sign.
Bearish Divergence: Price makes a higher high, but RSI or MACD makes a lower high. Translation? The momentum behind the move is fizzling out.
Bullish Divergence: Price makes a lower low, but RSI or MACD makes a higher low. Translation? Sellers are losing their grip, and a bounce might be coming.
Divergences don’t mean immediate reversals, but they do suggest that something’s off. And when the market starts whispering, it’s best to listen before it starts shouting.
📍 Volume: Who’s Actually Driving the Move?
A trend without volume is like a car running on fumes—it’s only a matter of time before it stalls.
One of the clearest signs of a potential reversal is a divergence between price and volume.
If price is pushing higher, but volume is drying up? Buyers are getting exhausted.
If price is tanking, but selling volume isn’t increasing? The bears might be running out of steam.
If a major support or resistance level gets tested with huge volume and a violent rejection? That’s not a coincidence—it’s a battle, and one side is losing.
Reversals tend to be violent because traders are caught off guard. Watching the volume can help you avoid being one of them.
📊 Key Levels: Where the Market Loves to Reverse
Price doesn’t move in a vacuum. There are levels where reversals love to happen.
Support and Resistance: The most obvious, yet most ignored. When price approaches a level that’s been historically respected, pay attention.
Fibonacci Retracements: Markets are weirdly obsessed with 38.2%, 50%, and 61.8% retracement levels. If a trend starts stalling near these zones, don’t ignore it.
Psychological Numbers: Round numbers (like 1.2000 in Forex , $500 in stocks , or $120,000 in Bitcoin BITSTAMP:BTCUSD act like magnets. The more traders fixate on them, the more likely they become reversal points.
Smart money isn’t chasing prices randomly. They’re watching these levels—and if you’re not, you might consider doing it.
🚨 Candlestick Warnings: When the Market Paints a Picture
Candlesticks aren’t just pretty chart elements that give you a sense of thrill—they tell stories. Some of them hint at “reversal.”
Doji: The ultimate indecision candle. If one pops up after a strong trend, the market is questioning itself.
Engulfing Candles: A single candle that completely erases the previous one? That’s power shifting sides.
Pin Bars (Hammer/Inverted Hammer, Shooting Star): Long wicks show rejection. When they appear at key levels, reversals often follow.
Candlestick patterns alone aren’t enough, but when they show up alongside other reversal signals, they’re hard to ignore.
📰 The News Factor: When Fundamentals Crash the Party
Technical traders like to pretend breaking news doesn’t matter—until it does.
Earnings reports , economic data , interest rate decisions ECONOMICS:USINTR —these events can turn a strong trend into a dumpster fire instantly.
A stock making all-time highs right before earnings? Tread carefully.
A currency pair trending up before an inflation report? One bad number, and it’s lights out.
A crypto rally before a major regulation announcement? That could end badly.
Reversals don’t always come from charts alone. Sometimes, they come from the real world. And the market rarely gives second chances.
✨ The Reversal Cheat Sheet: When Everything Aligns
A single signal doesn’t guarantee a reversal. But when multiple factors line up? That’s when you need to take action.
If you see:
✅ Divergence on indicators
✅ Volume drying up or spiking at a key level
✅ A major support/resistance level getting tested
✅ Reversal candlestick patterns forming
✅ News lurking in the background
Then congratulations—you’ve likely spotted a reversal before your stop loss takes the hit.
✍ Conclusion: Stay Ahead, Not Behind
Catching reversals before they happen isn’t magic—it’s just about knowing where to look. Price action, volume, key levels, indicators, and even the news all leave clues. The problem? Most traders only see them after their account takes the hit.
Don’t be most traders. Pay attention, recognize the signs, and act before the market flips the script on you.
Because the best time to spot a reversal? Before it happens.
Do you use any of these strategies to spot reversals in your trading? What’s the last time you did it and what were you trading—forex, crypto, stocks or something else? Let us know in the comments!
Avoid Market Maker Traps: Liquidity Sweeps & FVG ExplainedUnderstanding Market Maker's Perspective: Liquidity Sweeps and Fair Value Gaps (FVG)
In this educational post, I'll dive into the smart money concepts (SMC) that help traders understand market behavior from a broker or market maker's perspective. This analysis will focus on liquidity sweeps, Fair Value Gaps (FVG), and how market makers use these strategies to manipulate price movements.
What is a Liquidity Sweep?
A liquidity sweep occurs when the market pushes through a known level of liquidity, such as stop losses or pending orders. This action often creates sharp wicks or sudden moves, typically engineered by smart money to gather liquidity for their positions.
Fair Value Gap (FVG) Explained
An FVG is a price gap between a consecutive bullish and bearish candle (or vice versa), leaving a void in the market. These gaps often act as magnets for price, as market makers seek to "fill" these gaps, using them as traps for retail traders.
The Retail Trader's Perspective
Many new traders view the FVG as a signal to enter the market, expecting price to move in their favor immediately. They often set stop losses below recent lows, providing market makers with a clear liquidity target.
How Market Makers Exploit Liquidity
Market makers often execute a classic trap strategy:
Push the price up slightly to create a false sense of security for retail buyers.
Execute a sharp move down to trigger stop losses and capture liquidity below key levels.
Finally, reverse the price direction sharply to the upside, aligning with their true market intent.
Practical Trading Strategy
For new traders, understanding this concept can help avoid common traps:
Avoid entering trades at the FVG without confirmation.
Look for signs of a liquidity sweep, such as long wicks or strong rejections.
Enter trades only after seeing a market structure shift (MSS) that confirms the true direction.
Conclusion
By thinking like a market maker, traders can align their strategies with smart money concepts, improving their chances of success. Always remain patient, seek confirmation, and avoid the traps set by market manipulation.
This post aims to educate traders on avoiding common pitfalls and developing a more strategic approach to trading using smart money concepts.
What Is Market Capitulation, and How Can You Trade It?What Is Market Capitulation, and How Can You Trade It?
Market capitulation occurs when investors collectively surrender to market fears, leading to a sharp decline in asset prices. This article delves into the mechanics of capitulation, how to identify it, and ways to trade effectively during these tumultuous times.
Understanding Market Capitulation
Market capitulation refers to a phenomenon where a large number of investors simultaneously give up on the market, leading to a rapid and substantial decline in asset prices. This mass surrender is driven primarily by panic and fear of further losses. Capitulation often marks the peak of a bearish trend and is typically characterised by a significant spike in trading volumes and sharp price declines.
Stock capitulation occurs when investors, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, rush to sell their assets to avoid further losses. This behaviour is often triggered by prolonged market downturns or significant economic events. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the S&P 500 experienced a nearly 5% drop in a single day, a classic example of market capitulation. This event led to a subsequent 17% rebound in the index over the following week, highlighting how capitulation can precede a market turnaround.
Psychologically, capitulation represents the point where investor sentiment shifts from hope to despair. The collective mindset of "cutting losses" leads to a cascade of selling pressure, pushing prices to extreme lows. The intensity of selling can be so severe that it wipes out significant market value in a very short period.
While capitulation can be daunting, it also presents opportunities. For contrarian investors and traders, these periods of panic selling can offer attractive entry points. As prices plummet, fundamentally strong assets may become undervalued, providing a chance to buy at lower prices. However, caution is essential as markets can remain volatile, and further declines are possible before a sustained recovery takes hold.
Identifying Market Capitulation
Identifying market capitulation involves recognising several key indicators that signify a dramatic surge in selling pressure and a sharp decline in asset prices. Here are the most notable indications to look for:
Steep Price Decline
Capitulation is typically associated with a rapid and substantial drop in asset prices. This sharp decline occurs as panic selling accelerates, pushing prices down swiftly, often with large candles and minimal wicks.
High Trading Volume
During capitulation, there is often a significant spike in trading volume as investors rush to sell their holdings. This increase in volume is a key signal that a large number of market participants are exiting their positions simultaneously.
Extreme Bearish Sentiment
Market sentiment during capitulation is overwhelmingly negative. News and investor sentiment indicators turn highly pessimistic, contributing to the panic and further driving down prices.
Technical Indicators
Various technical analysis tools can help identify capitulation:
- Volume Oscillator and On-Balance Volume (OBV): These indicators track changes in volume and can signal when selling pressure is peaking. A sharp decrease in these indicators often accompanies capitulation.
- Candlestick Patterns: Patterns like the hammer candlestick, which shows a recovery from intraday lows, and other patterns like the three white soldiers, can indicate that the market may have reached a bottom. The presence of such patterns, especially when accompanied by high volume, suggests a potential reversal.
- Bollinger Bands: These bands plot 2 standard deviations above and below a moving average. During capitulation, prices often touch or fall below the lower band, which indicates extreme selling conditions and potential oversold levels. This is especially true if the price falls beyond 3 standard deviations.
- Average True Range (ATR): The ATR is an indicator that’s used to measure market volatility. A sudden, sharp increase in ATR during a downtrend can signal capitulation as it reflects the heightened panic and large price movements typical of such periods.
Exhaustion of Selling
Capitulation often marks the point where selling pressure exhausts. This occurs when most investors who intend to sell have done so, leaving fewer sellers in the market. This depletion of sellers can indicate that a bottom is near and that a reversal may be imminent.
The Impact of Market Capitulation on Markets
Market capitulation has significant effects on financial markets, influencing both short-term and long-term trends.
Short-Term Impact
Immediately following capitulation, markets often experience extreme volatility and uncertainty. The intense selling pressure often drives asset prices sharply lower, causing values to drop significantly below their intrinsic worth.
This phase is characterised by wild price swings as the market seeks a new equilibrium. The pervasive negative sentiment and widespread fear can further exacerbate the situation; across a broader downward move, there can be multiple points of capitulation with high volatility surrounding these additional selloffs.
Long-Term Implications
Over the long term, capitulation often marks the bottom of a market downturn. As the selling pressure diminishes and fewer investors remain to sell, the market begins to stabilise. This stabilisation allows new investors to enter the market, often leading to a gradual recovery in asset prices.
However, it is essential to recognise that not every capitulation results in an immediate market reversal. Some markets may continue to decline or consolidate before a sustained recovery takes hold, with these new investors falling prey to the same fear-driven trading as another potential capitulation occurs.
Psychological and Sentimental Effects
Capitulation also has a lasting impact on investor sentiment. The severe downturn and associated losses can create a long-term negative perception of the affected assets, causing investors to remain cautious even after the market begins to recover. This psychological impact can lead to reduced trading volumes and prolonged periods of low investor confidence.
How to Trade Around a Market Capitulation Event
Trading around a market capitulation event can be challenging due to the difficulty in accurately identifying capitulation in real-time. Capitulation often becomes clear only in hindsight, which complicates the process of trading or anticipating it effectively.
Avoiding the Falling Knife
After identifying potential capitulation—characterised by a sharp price drop, likely on increased volume, and backed by extreme bearish sentiment—,it's typically unwise to try and buy during the initial plunge. The sharp decline often leads to further drops, even if they are less severe. Trying to "catch the falling knife" can potentially result in further losses as prices continue to fall.
Taking a Short Position During a Dead Cat Bounce
One of traders’ approaches is to take a short position during a "dead cat bounce" or brief pullback before another downward leg. However, this strategy carries a less favourable risk/reward ratio because it involves selling low with the intention of selling lower. This might be effective but requires precise timing and strong risk management.
Waiting for Stability
The most prudent strategy is often to wait until market volatility subsides and a bottom appears to form. Signs of a market bottom include the price overcoming a previous swing high or breaking through a prior level of resistance. This indicates a potential shift in market sentiment, offering the trader an opportunity to buy low and sell high with a much more favourable risk-reward profile.
Using Confluence in Analysis
Combining different forms of analysis can provide greater confidence in identifying a market bottom. For example, if prices fall to a key support level or the decline seems disproportionately sharp compared to fundamentals, it might indicate an oversold condition. Momentum indicators and moving averages can also help confirm potential reversal points.
Risk Management
Strong risk management practices are crucial. Limiting position sizes and always adhering to a stop loss can potentially prevent severe losses if the market experiences another leg down. This means that traders can potentially protect themselves against unexpected volatility and further declines.
Common Mistakes Traders Make During Market Capitulation
Navigating market capitulation is challenging due to the extreme volatility and widespread panic that characterise these events. Here are some specific mistakes that traders frequently make during market capitulation:
Panic Selling
One of the most common mistakes is succumbing to panic and selling off assets hastily. During capitulation, the market is driven by extreme fear, and many traders sell to avoid further losses. This emotional response can lead to selling at the lowest point, locking in significant losses and missing out on potential rebounds once the market stabilises.
Holding onto Losing Positions
Traders often make the mistake of holding onto a losing position, hoping for a reversal. When a trader holds a long position and witnesses market capitulation, the instinct might be to wait for the market to recover. However, this can lead to further losses as the asset's value continues to decline. Instead of cutting losses early, some traders let the losses accumulate, which can deplete their capital and limit future trading opportunities.
This contradicts the previous point, and you may be confused about whether you sell or hold onto the trade. In any case, you will face a decision to either sell or hold on to their position if the capitulation is severe and protracted. It will always depend on the context and fundamental reason behind the capitulation, it’s worth noting that stocks generally recover over time.
Trying to Time the Bottom
Attempting to time the market bottom during capitulation is exceedingly difficult and can easily lead to additional losses. Capitulation typically involves sharp price declines and increased volatility, making it challenging to determine the exact bottom. Traders who try to catch the falling knife may find themselves buying into a market that continues to drop.
Overexposing Positions
Another mistake is overexposing oneself to high-risk positions during periods of extreme market volatility. Instead of taking bolder positions, traders are best served to limit their exposure with smaller positions, stop losses, a diversified portfolio, and more judicious entries. It's essential to maintain a balanced approach and avoid putting too much capital into volatile trades.
The Bottom Line
Understanding and navigating market capitulation can be challenging but offers potential opportunities for informed traders. By recognising key indicators and avoiding common mistakes, traders can better manage their strategies during these volatile periods. For a robust trading experience, consider opening an account with FXOpen to leverage these insights and trade with a broker you can trust.
FAQs
What Is Capitulation in the Stock Market?
The capitulation meaning in the stock market refers to the moment when investors and traders, overwhelmed by fear and panic due to a prolonged decline in stock prices, decide to sell their holdings at any price to stop further losses. This mass selling leads to a sharp and rapid drop in stock prices. The term is derived from the military concept of surrender, indicating that investors are giving up on their positions.
Is Capitulation Bullish or Bearish?
Capitulation is both bullish and bearish. It is bearish during the actual event, as it involves widespread panic selling and a significant drop in stock prices. However, it can be bullish afterward, as it often marks the end of a severe downtrend and the beginning of a recovery or rally. This is because the selling pressure is exhausted, and buyers start to step in, finding attractive entry points.
How Does Capitulation Work?
Capitulation works through a cycle of fear and panic. Initially, as prices decline, some investors start selling to cut their losses. This selling pressure causes prices to drop further, leading more investors to panic and sell their holdings. This cycle continues until the majority of investors have sold their positions, leading to a sharp decline in prices. Eventually, the market stabilises as the selling pressure diminishes, often followed by a recovery.
What Are Signs of Capitulation?
Signs of capitulation include a sharp decline in prices, high trading volumes, extreme bearish sentiment, and market exhaustion, where selling pressure diminishes, stabilising the market.
What Is Capitulation in Crypto*?
Capitulation in the cryptocurrency market* follows a similar pattern to that in the stock market. It occurs when crypto* investors, driven by fear and panic due to a prolonged decline in prices, sell their holdings en masse, leading to a sharp drop in prices. This can be triggered by negative news, regulatory actions, or broader market downturns.
*Important: At FXOpen UK, Cryptocurrency trading via CFDs is only available to our Professional clients. They are not available for trading by Retail clients. To find out more information about how this may affect you, please get in touch with our team.
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This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Support & Resistance in Trading – Key Concepts & StrategiesSupport & Resistance in Trading – Key Concepts & Strategies
📌 What are Support & Resistance Levels?
Support and resistance are fundamental concepts in **technical analysis** that help traders identify key price levels where an asset's price is likely to **reverse, consolidate, or break through.
- **Support Level:** A price point where demand is strong enough to prevent further decline. When the price reaches support, buyers tend to step in, causing a bounce.
- **Resistance Level:** A price point where selling pressure is strong enough to prevent further rise. When the price reaches resistance, sellers often push the price lower.
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**🔹 Why Are Support & Resistance Important?**
1️⃣ **Identifying Reversal Points:** These levels help traders anticipate where price might change direction.
2️⃣ **Entry & Exit Strategy:** Traders use them to plan buy/sell positions, stop-loss, and take-profit levels.
3️⃣ **Breakouts & Fakeouts:** If price breaks through a key level, it signals a strong trend; however, false breakouts (fakeouts) can also occur.
4️⃣ **Psychological Impact:** Many traders watch these levels, making them **self-fulfilling price zones**.
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**📊 How to Identify Support & Resistance?**
- **Historical Price Action:** Look for levels where price previously reversed multiple times.
- **Trendlines:** Draw diagonal trendlines connecting higher lows (for support) or lower highs (for resistance).
- **Moving Averages (e.g., EMA50, EMA200):** Act as dynamic support/resistance.
- **Fibonacci Levels:** Key retracement levels (38.2%, 50%, 61.8%) often act as support/resistance.
- **Volume Analysis:** High volume near certain price levels indicates strong buying/selling pressure.
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**🔹 Trading Strategies Using Support & Resistance**
**1️⃣ Range Trading Strategy**
✅ **Buy near support** and **sell near resistance** when the market is moving sideways.
✅ Stop-loss: Below support for buy trades, above resistance for sell trades.
✅ Best used in **range-bound markets** (no strong trend).
**2️⃣ Breakout Trading Strategy**
✅ Enter a trade when price **breaks through a strong support or resistance** level.
✅ Confirm the breakout with **high volume** to avoid fakeouts.
✅ Stop-loss: Below the breakout level (for buy) or above (for sell).
**3️⃣ Retest Trading Strategy (Break & Retest)**
✅ After a breakout, wait for price to **retest the previous support/resistance** before entering.
✅ Provides a better entry with lower risk.
✅ Stop-loss: Below the retested level (for buy) or above (for sell).
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**📌 Common Mistakes Traders Make**
❌ **Buying too close to resistance** or **selling too close to support** – wait for confirmation.
❌ **Ignoring fakeouts** – always check volume & price action before entering a breakout trade.
❌ **Not using stop-losses** – markets can be unpredictable, and risk management is key.
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**📈 Example in Real Market (Gold – XAU/USD Analysis)**
- **Support:** $2,900
- **Resistance:** $2,950
- **Scenario 1 (Bullish Breakout):** If price **breaks above $2,950**, it could rally to $3,000.
- **Scenario 2 (Bearish Rejection):** If price **fails to break $2,950 and drops below $2,900**, a pullback to $2,870 is possible.
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**🔹 Final Thoughts**
Mastering support & resistance is essential for **both beginners and advanced traders**. By combining these levels with other indicators (EMA, RSI, volume), you can improve your trade accuracy and risk management.