Trump's Tariff Wars : What To Expect And How To Trade Them.I promised all of you I would create a Trump's Tariff Wars video and try to relate that is happening through the global economy into a rational explanation of HOW and WHY you need to be keenly away of the opportunities presented by the new Trump administration.
Like Trump or not. I don't care.
He is going to try to enact policies and efforts to move in a direction to support the US consumer, worker, business, and economy.
He made that very clear while campaigning and while running for office (again).
This video looks at the "free and fair" global tariffs imposed on US manufacturers and exports by global nations over the past 3+ decades.
For more than 30+ years, global nations have imposed extreme tariffs on US goods/exports in order to try to protect and grow their economies. The purpose of these tariffs on US good was to protect THEIR workers/population, to protect THEIR business/economy, to protect THEIR manufacturing/products.
Yes, the tariffs they imposed on US goods was directly responsible for THEIR economic growth over the past 30-50+ years and helped them build new manufacturing, distribution, consumer engagement, banking, wealth, and more.
The entire purpose of their tariffs on US goods was to create an unfair advantage for their population to BUILD, MANUFACTURE, and BUY locally made products - avoiding US products as much as possible.
As I suggested, that is why Apple, and many other US manufacturers moved to Asia and overseas. They could not compete in the US with China charging 67% tariffs on US goods. So they had to move to China to manufacture products because importing Chinese-made products into the US was cheaper than importing US-made products into China.
Get it?
The current foreign Tariffs create an incredibly unfair global marketplace/economy - and that has to STOP (or at least be re-negotiated so it is more fair for everyone).
And I believe THAT is why Trump is raising tariffs on foreign nations.
Ultimately, this will likely be resolved as I suggest in this video (unless many foreign nations continue to raise tariff levels trying to combat US tariffs).
If other foreign nation simply say, "I won't stand for this, I'm raising my tariff levels to combat the new US tariffs", then we end up where we started - a grossly unfair global marketplace.
This is the 21st century, not the 18th century.
Step up to the table and realize we are not in the 1850s or 1950s any longer.
We are in 2025. Many global economies are competing at levels nearly equal to the US economy in terms of population, GDP, manufacturing, and more.
It's time to create a FREE and FAIR global economy, not some tariff-driven false economy on the backs of the US consumers. That has to end.
Get some.
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HOW FOREX BROKERS MANIPULATE YOU TRADING? Real Example
Last month, I spotted a nice trading position on NZDCAD forex pair.
I shared that with my TradingView subscribers immediately after I placed the trade.
Though, the price moved exactly as it was predicted, the half of the members did not make any penny from this signal, while another half made a nice profit.
It happened because of one rare thing that I absolutely hate in trading.
Learn about a major frustration and market manipulation in trading, that no one will tell you about.
Here is the trading position that I spotted.
It was a classic price action trading setup based on a double top pattern.
Trade was taken on a retest of a broken neckline aiming at the closest strong support and stop loss lying about the tops.
Though, initially, the market started to fall rapidly. But it reversed, not being able to reach the target.
Watching that bullish rally resumes, I send the signal to my students to close the trade on entry, and I also did that personally.
I felt myself quite sad that I did not mange cash out from that trade.
Later on in the evening, surprisingly, I started to receive multiple thank you messages from my members that they made a good profit with that signal.
How could it be?
I decided to anonymously ask the members, how did they close the trade.
More than half of the members replied that the trade reached take profit.
Can it be possible? My TP was not reached and it was still quite far from the lowest low.
Now, examine the trading setup on NZDCAD on charts of different popular forex brokers.
On these 6 charts, you can see NZDCAD pair on OANDA, CAPITALCOM, IC MARKETS, ICE, FXCM, FOREX.COM brokers.
While in half of the instances TP was not reached, in other half, TP was reached and the price went even lower.
Why it happened?
There are the rare situations in Forex trading, when the price action on one broker can be very different from another.
It happens because different brokers have different liquidity providers, spreads, order execution methods and so on.
That is why the selection of a good broker is so vital in trading.
If you use TradingView for chart analysis, make sure that you watch all the instruments of one broker.
Moreover, once you start trading your strategy, always check how the price acted with different broker quotes.
If you will see a lot of instances that your tp is not hit, while on another broker it would, it will be a signal for you to change the broker.
When I started learning trading, no one told be that important nuance of Forex trading.
But knowing that is a very significant step in your trading journey.
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
I am part of Trade Nation's Influencer program and receive a monthly fee for using their TradingView charts in my analysis.
Understanding MACD In TradingThe Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is a trend-following momentum indicator that measures the relationship between two moving averages of an asset’s price. Developed by Gerald Appel in the late 1970s, MACD is designed to provide insights into both trend strength and momentum.
Unlike simple moving averages, which merely smooth price data over a specific period, MACD goes a step further by identifying when short-term momentum is shifting in relation to the long-term trend. This makes it a valuable tool for traders looking to enter or exit positions at optimal points.
1. Why is MACD important in trading?
Trend Confirmation: Identifies whether an asset is in an uptrend or downtrend.
Momentum Strength: Measures how strong a price movement is.
Reversal Signals: Detects potential changes in trend direction.
Entry and Exit Points: Helps traders determine when to buy and sell.
2. MACD Components
The MACD Line: Identifies whether an asset is in an uptrend or downtrend.
This line is derived by subtracting the 26-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) from the 12-period EMA.
When the MACD Line is positive, it indicates bullish momentum; when negative, it suggests bearish momentum.
The Signal Line: Measures how strong a price movement is.
A 9-period EMA of the MACD Line.
It smooths out MACD fluctuations, making it easier to identify crossovers.
The Histogram: Detects potential changes in trend direction.
The difference between the MACD Line and the Signal Line.
A positive histogram suggests increasing bullish momentum, while a negative histogram suggests growing bearish momentum.
3. MACD Formula
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is one of the most widely used technical indicators in trading. It helps traders identify trends, momentum shifts, and potential buy or sell opportunities by analyzing the relationship between two moving averages.
By calculating the difference between a short-term and long-term exponential moving average (EMA), MACD provides insight into market direction and strength.
//@version=6
indicator("MACD Indicator", overlay=false)
// MACD parameters
shortLength = 12
longLength = 26
signalLength = 9
// Calculate MACD
macdLine = ta.ema(close, shortLength) - ta.ema(close, longLength)
signalLine = ta.ema(macdLine, signalLength)
histogram = macdLine - signalLine
// Plot MACD components
plot(macdLine, color=color.blue, title="MACD Line")
plot(signalLine, color=color.red, title="Signal Line")
plot(histogram, color=color.green, style=plot.style_columns, title="Histogram")
Explanation:
Short EMA (12-period) and Long EMA (26-period) are calculated.
The MACD Line is the difference between these EMAs.
A Signal Line (9-period EMA of MACD Line) is calculated.
The Histogram represents the difference between the MACD Line and the Signal Line.
4. Interpreting MACD signals
MACD Crossovers
A crossover occurs when the MACD Line and Signal Line intersect:
Bullish Crossover: When the MACD Line crosses above the Signal Line, it signals a potential uptrend and a buying opportunity.
Bearish Crossover: When the MACD Line crosses below the Signal Line, it suggests a potential downtrend and a selling opportunity.
MACD Divergences
Divergences occur when MACD moves in the opposite direction of the price, signaling a potential reversal:
Bullish Divergence: If price makes lower lows, but MACD makes higher lows, it suggests weakening downward momentum and a possible bullish reversal.
Bearish Divergence: If price makes higher highs, but MACD makes lower highs, it signals weakening upward momentum and a potential bearish reversal.
Histogram Interpretation
The MACD histogram visually represents momentum shifts:
When bars are increasing in height, momentum is strengthening.
When bars shrink, it suggests momentum is weakening.
Zero Line Crossings
The MACD crossing the zero line indicates momentum shifts:
MACD crossing above zero → Bullish trend initiation.
MACD crossing below zero → Bearish trend initiation.
5. Trend & Momentum Analysis
Traders use MACD to confirm trends and analyze market momentum:
If MACD Line is above the Signal Line, an uptrend is in place.
If MACD Line is below the Signal Line, a downtrend is dominant.
A widening histogram confirms strong momentum in the trend’s direction.
A narrowing histogram warns of potential trend weakening.
MACD works best in trending markets and should be used cautiously in sideways markets.
6. MACD Based Trading Strategies
Entry Strategies
Buy when MACD Line crosses above the Signal Line in an uptrend.
Sell when MACD Line crosses below the Signal Line in a downtrend.
Exit Strategies
Exit long trades when a bearish crossover occurs.
Close short positions when a bullish crossover occurs.
Position Management
If the histogram is expanding, traders can hold positions.
If the histogram is contracting, it may signal weakening momentum.
7. Limitations of MACD
While MACD is a powerful tool, traders must consider:
It lags behind price movements (since it is based on moving averages).
It can generate false signals in choppy markets.
Customization is required to suit different trading styles.
8. Optimization
Optimizing MACD for Different Market Conditions
Day Traders & Scalpers: Use faster settings like (5, 13, 6) for quick signals.
Swing Traders: Stick with the default (12, 26, 9) setting for balanced signals.
Long-Term Investors: Use slower settings like (24, 52, 18) for a broader market perspective.
9. Key Takeaways
MACD is a momentum and trend-following indicator that helps traders identify market direction, strength, and potential reversals.
Since MACD is a lagging indicator, it may generate false signals, especially in sideways markets.
Combining MACD with RSI, moving averages, and volume indicators improves accuracy and reduces risk.
MACD should be used alongside risk management strategies and other confirmation tools for best results.
MACD remains one of the most effective technical indicators, widely used across different markets. It helps traders identify trends, confirm momentum, and optimize trade entries and exits. However, it should always be used with additional tools to minimize false signals.
Stay sharp, stay ahead, and let’s make those moves. Until next time, happy trading!
$100, $1,000, $100,000 — When Numbers Become Turning PointsHey! Have you ever wondered why 100 feels... special? 🤔
Round numbers are like hidden magnets in the market. 100. 500. 1,000. They feel complete. They stand out. They grab our attention and make us pause. In financial markets, these are the levels where price often slows down, stalls, or makes a surprising turn.
I’ll admit, once I confused the market with real life. I hoped a round number would cause a reversal in any situation. Like when I stepped on the scale and saw a clean 100 staring back at me, a level often known as strong resistance. I waited for a bounce, a sudden reversal... but nothing. The market reacts. My body? Not so much. 🤷♂️
The market reacts. But why? What makes these numbers so powerful? The answer lies in our minds, in market dynamics, and in our human tendency to crave simplicity.
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Psychology: Why our brain loves round numbers
The human mind is designed to create structure. Round numbers are like lighthouses in the chaos — simple, memorable, and logical. If someone asks how much your sofa cost, you’re more likely to say "a grand" than "963.40 dollars." That’s normal. It’s your brain seeking clarity with minimal effort.
In financial markets, round numbers become key reference points. Traders, investors, even algorithms gravitate toward them. If enough people believe 100 is important, they start acting around that level — buying, selling, waiting. That belief becomes reality, whether it's rational or not. We anchor decisions to familiar numbers because they feel safe, clean, and "right."
Walmart (WMT) and the $100 mark
Round numbers also carry emotional weight. 100 feels like a milestone, a finish line. It’s not just a number, it’s both an ending and a beginning.
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Round numbers in the market: Resistance and support
Round number as a resistance
Imagine a stock climbing steadily: 85, 92, 98... and then it hits 100. Suddenly, it stalls. Why? Investors who bought earlier see 100 as a "perfect" profit point. "A hundred bucks. Time to sell." Many pre-set sell orders are already waiting. Most people don’t place orders at $96.73. They aim for 100. A strong and symbolic.
At the same time, speculators and short sellers may step in, viewing 100 as too high. This creates pressure, slowing the rally or pushing the price back down.
If a stock begins its journey at, say, $35, the next key round levels for me are: 50, 100, 150, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000…
Slide from my training materials
These levels have proven themselves again and again — often causing sideways movement or corrections. When I recently reviewed the entire S&P 500 list, for example $200 showed up consistently as a resistance point.
It’s pure psychology. Round numbers feel "high" — and it's often the perfect moment to lock in profits and reallocate capital. Bitcoin at $100,000. Netflix at $1,000. Tesla at $500. Walmart at $100. Palantir at $100. These are just a few recent examples.
Round number support: A lifeline for buyers
The same logic works in reverse. When price falls through 130, 115, 105... and lands near 100, buyers often step in. "100 looks like a good entry," they say. It feels like solid ground after a drop. We love comeback stories. Phoenix moments. Underdogs rising. Buy orders stack up and the price drop pauses.
Some examples:
Meta Platforms (META)
Amazon.com (AMZN) — $100 acted as resistance for years, then became support after a breakout
Tesla (TSLA)
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Why round numbers work for both buyers and sellers
Buyers and the illusion of a bargain
If a stock falls from 137 to 110 and approaches 100, buyers feel like it’s hit bottom. Psychologically, 100 feels cheap and safe. Even if the company’s fundamentals haven’t changed, 100 just "feels right." It’s like seeing a price tag of $9.99 — our brain rounds it down and feels like we got an epic deal.
Sellers and the "perfect" exit
When a stock rises from 180 to 195 and nears 200, many sellers place orders right at 200. "That’s a nice round number, I’ll exit there." There’s emotional satisfaction. The gain feels cleaner, more meaningful, when it ends on a round note.
To be fair, I always suggest not waiting for an exact level like 200. If your stock moved through 145 > 165 > 185, don’t expect perfection. Leave room. A $190 target zone makes more sense. Often, greed kills profit before it can be realized. Don’t squeeze the lemon dry.
Example: My Tesla analysis on TradingView with a $500 target — TESLA: Money On Your Screen 2.0 | Lock in Fully…
Before & After: As you see there, the zone is important, not the exact number.
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Round numbers in breakout trades
When price reaches a round number, the market often enters a kind of standoff. Buyers and sellers hesitate. The price moves sideways, say between 90 and 110. Psychologically, it’s a zone of indecision. The number is too important to ignore, but the direction isn’t clear until news or momentum pushes it.
When the direction is up and the market breaks above a key level, round numbers work brilliantly for breakout trades or strength-based entries.
Slide from my training materials
People are willing to pay more once they see the price break through a familiar barrier. FOMO kicks in. Those who sold earlier feel regret and jump back in. And just like that, momentum builds again — until the next round-number milestone.
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) — every round number so far has caused mild corrections or sideways action. I’d think $500 won’t be any different.
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Conclusion: Simplicity rules the market
Round numbers aren’t magic. They work because we, the people, make the market. We love simplicity, patterns, and emotional anchors. These price levels are where the market breathes, pauses, thinks, and decides. When you learn to recognize them, you gain an edge — not because the numbers do something, but because crowds do.
A round number alone is never a reason to act.
If a stock drops to 100, it doesn’t mean it’s time to buy. No single number works in isolation. You need a strategy — a set of supporting criteria that together increase the odds. Round numbers are powerful psychological levels, but the real advantage appears when they align with structure and signals.
Keep round numbers on your radar. They’re the market’s psychological mirror, and just like us, the market loves beautiful numbers.
If this article made you see price behavior differently, or gave you something to think about, feel free to share it.
🙌 So, that's it! A brief overview and hopefully, you found this informative. If this article made you see price behavior differently, or gave you something to think about, feel free to share it & leave a comment with your thoughts!
Before you leave - Like & Boost if you find this useful! 🚀
Trade smart,
Vaido
Mastering RSI Divergence: A Complete Guide to Trend ReversalsWhat Are Divergences?
In this guide, we will explore the concept of divergence and how it can be effectively utilized alongside the Relative Strength Index (RSI), one of the most popular momentum indicators in technical analysis. Divergence occurs when the price of an asset moves in the opposite direction of an indicator, such as the RSI. Understanding RSI divergence can be a powerful tool for identifying potential trend reversals or continuations. In this guide, we'll delve into the various types of divergence that can occur with the RSI and how to incorporate them into your trading strategy.
Types of Divergences?
There are three primary types of divergence: bullish, bearish, and hidden divergence. Each signals a distinct market condition and potential outcome, and understanding these nuances is key to using divergence effectively in your trading.
1. Bullish Divergence Bullish divergence happens when the price of an asset makes a lower low, while the RSI forms a higher low. This indicates that although the price is declining, momentum is weakening. The failure of the RSI to confirm the new low in price suggests that selling pressure is diminishing, potentially signaling that a reversal to the upside could occur. Essentially, the market is losing its downward momentum, setting the stage for a potential bullish move.
2. Bearish Divergence Bearish divergence occurs when the price forms a higher high, but the RSI forms a lower high. This indicates that although the price is rising, momentum is weakening. It suggests that the uptrend may be losing steam, signaling that a potential reversal to the downside could be on the horizon. As the price continues higher, but the RSI fails to confirm the new highs, it may indicate that the market is becoming overextended and ready for a correction.
3. Hidden Divergence Hidden divergence differs from regular divergence in that it signals a continuation of the existing trend, rather than a reversal. It typically occurs during pullbacks or retracements in a strong trend. Hidden divergence can appear in both uptrends and downtrends, providing traders with an indication that the prevailing trend is likely to continue after the short-term retracement is over. This type of divergence serves as a confirmation of trend strength and helps traders stay in profitable positions during market pullbacks.
Why Are RSI Divergences a Powerful Tool?
RSI divergence is a powerful tool in trading because it offers early insights into potential trend reversals or shifts in momentum before these changes are fully reflected in price movements. By recognizing divergence, traders can anticipate shifts in market sentiment and make timely decisions. One of the main reasons RSI divergence is so effective is that it serves as an early warning system. It signals when the momentum behind a price trend, whether up or down, is starting to weaken.
For example, in a strong uptrend, if prices continue to make new highs, but the RSI fails to reach new highs, this could signal that the buying momentum is losing strength, even though the price is still rising. This divergence indicates that a reversal or pullback might be imminent, allowing traders to exit their positions or prepare for a potential shift in market direction. Understanding this early warning can provide traders with an edge, helping them avoid being caught in the late stages of a trend and positioning themselves ahead of a change.
How to Trade RSI Divergences?
When the price makes a higher high but the RSI fails to confirm with a higher high, this is known as bearish divergence. While this situation suggests weakening momentum, it doesn’t necessarily mean a correction is imminent. The price may continue to rise for some time, and eventually, the RSI could catch up and make a higher high in line with the price action. Essentially, the market could remain in an uptrend, and the RSI could still align with the price over time.
This highlights the importance of not jumping to conclusions solely based on RSI divergence. Divergence can act as a useful warning, but it should not be relied upon as a definitive signal of a trend reversal. To increase the reliability of the signal, traders should wait for additional confirmation, such as a candlestick pattern indicating a potential trend reversal. Candlestick patterns like engulfing patterns, doji candles, or shooting stars at key support or resistance levels can provide stronger evidence that the trend may be about to change.
Therefore, it’s wise to wait for a more comprehensive confirmation from price action before making a move, rather than acting on divergence alone. Combining RSI divergence with other technical tools, such as candlestick patterns or chart patterns, can help increase the accuracy of your trade decisions.
Conclusion:
Divergence is a powerful tool that provides valuable insights into potential trend reversals or continuations. By understanding the different types of divergence and knowing how to identify them, traders can make more informed decisions. However, divergence should always be used in conjunction with other technical analysis tools to enhance the accuracy of your strategy. With practice, patience, and proper risk management, divergence trading can become a profitable strategy for identifying key market turning points. Whether you are seeking trend reversals or confirming ongoing trends, RSI divergence can be an essential component of your trading toolkit.
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Understanding Market Downturns: How to Navigate the StormLately, the markets have been in a downtrend, leaving many traders and investors wondering what comes next. Whether it’s stocks, crypto, or other financial assets, downturns are an inevitable part of the game. While they can be unsettling, they also present opportunities—if you know how to navigate them.
Market declines happen for many reasons: economic slowdowns, geopolitical tensions, changes in interest rates, or even shifts in investor sentiment. Regardless of the cause, understanding the different types of market downturns, their impact, and the right strategies to handle them is key to making informed decisions.
So, let’s break down market downturns, how they unfold, and what you can do to stay ahead.
📊 DOWNTURN #1: Down -2% — A Ripple of Volatility
A -2% drop is like a minor speed bump—annoying but not alarming. These small dips are common and often part of natural market fluctuations.
✅ Key Characteristics:
• Typically short-lived and often recovers quickly.
• Can be triggered by minor news events, investor sentiment shifts, or profit-taking.
• Provides opportunities to enter positions at a slightly better price.
💡 Strategy:
• If you're a long-term investor, ignore these small movements. They are normal.
• If you're a trader, these dips can be buying opportunities in an uptrend.
________________________________________
🔄 DOWNTURN #2: Down -5% — The Pullback Perspective
A 5% decline is often called a pullback—a temporary market retreat within an ongoing trend.
✅ Key Characteristics:
• Pullbacks often occur after strong rallies as the market cools off.
• Typically seen as healthy corrections in an overall uptrend.
• Not necessarily a signal of long-term weakness.
💡 Strategy:
• Long-term investors should hold steady and potentially add to positions.
• Swing traders may look for a bounce at key support levels (moving averages, previous highs/lows).
________________________________________
🛑 DOWNTURN #3: Down -10% — Entering Correction Territory
When a market drops 10% from its recent high, it officially enters correction territory.
✅ Key Characteristics:
• Often caused by changes in economic outlook, inflation concerns, or major geopolitical events.
• Moving averages may start crossing downward, signaling caution.
• Momentum shifts, and bearish traders begin to take control.
💡 Strategy:
• If you’re a long-term investor, consider rebalancing your portfolio or hedging with defensive assets.
• Traders may look for short opportunities or play reversals at support levels.
• Be cautious with leverage—downturns can accelerate quickly.
________________________________________
🐻 DOWNTURN #4: Down -20% — The Bear Market Looms
A 20% drop or more marks a bear market, signaling a significant shift in market sentiment.
✅ Key Characteristics:
• Confidence is shaken; investors turn risk-averse.
• Defensive sectors (utilities, consumer staples, healthcare) tend to outperform.
• Market psychology shifts from "buying the dip" to "protecting capital."
💡 Strategy:
• Consider defensive positions, hedging strategies, or increasing cash reserves.
• Avoid high-risk assets—stocks with weak fundamentals often fall the hardest.
• If you’re a trader, look for short-selling opportunities or inverse ETFs.
________________________________________
⚠️ DOWNTURN #5: Down -50% — The Market Crash Crisis
A 50% market decline is rare but catastrophic, often fueled by deep economic crises.
Historical Examples:
• 2008 Financial Crisis: Banks collapsed, and global markets fell over 50%.
• Dot-Com Bubble (2000): Tech stocks crashed after unsustainable hype.
• Oil Crisis (1973-74): Economic stagnation and inflation led to severe losses.
✅ Key Characteristics:
• Panic selling dominates the market.
• Fear-driven liquidation leads to extreme undervaluation.
• Long-term recovery often follows—but timing is uncertain.
💡 Strategy:
• If you have cash reserves, these moments present once-in-a-decade buying opportunities (but patience is needed).
• Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) can be effective for long-term investors.
• Traders should expect extreme volatility—both to the downside and in sharp relief rallies.
________________________________________
🌧️ DOWNTURN #6: Prolonged Downside — The Economic Depression
Unlike a crash, a depression is a long-term, sustained downturn that deeply affects the economy.
✅ Key Characteristics:
• Prolonged recession, lasting years rather than months.
• Unemployment soars, economic activity collapses.
• Investor confidence remains low for an extended period.
Historical Example: The Great Depression (1930s)
• U.S. unemployment hit 25%.
• Stock markets stayed depressed for a decade.
• Industrial production and wages plummeted.
💡 Strategy:
• Preservation of capital is key—cash, gold, and defensive assets become crucial.
• Income-producing investments (dividend stocks, bonds) provide stability.
• Patience is essential; full recovery can take years.
________________________________________
🧭 Conclusion: Navigating Market Downturns Like a Pro
Downturns are an inevitable part of investing and trading. While they can be unsettling, being informed and prepared is the key to staying ahead.
✅ Key Takeaways:
• Minor dips (-2% to -5%) are normal and often present opportunities.
• Corrections (-10%) require caution, but markets usually recover.
• Bear markets (-20%) signal broader economic concerns—risk management is crucial.
• Crashes (-50%) are rare but can create massive buying opportunities for long-term investors.
• Depressions are the most severe and require a long-term, defensive approach.
No matter the downturn, the key is to stay calm, adjust your strategy, and use market cycles to your advantage.
With the right approach, you won’t just survive market downturns—you’ll thrive in the long run. 🚀
EDUCATION: The $5 Drop: How Trump’s Tariffs Sent Oil TumblingOil markets don’t move in a vacuum. Politics, trade wars, and global economic shifts all play a role in price action. Case in point: the recent $5 drop in oil prices following Trump’s latest tariff announcement.
What Happened?
Markets reacted swiftly to Trump’s renewed push for tariffs, targeting key trading partners. The result? A ripple effect that sent oil prices tumbling as traders anticipated lower global demand. The logic is simple—higher tariffs slow trade, slowing trade weakens economies, and weaker economies use less oil.
Why It Matters to Traders
For traders, this kind of volatility is both an opportunity and a risk. Sharp price drops like this shake out weak hands while rewarding those who position themselves with clear strategies. If you trade crude oil, understanding the macro picture—beyond just supply and demand—can make or break your positions.
The Next Move
Is this just a knee-jerk reaction, or the start of a larger trend? Smart traders are watching key levels, tracking institutional order flow, and looking for confirmation before making their next move.
How do you react when headlines move the market? Do you panic, or do you position yourself with a plan? Drop a comment and let’s talk strategy.
What Is Momentum – And Why It’s Not Just a Trend IndicatorMost traders follow price — candles, trendlines, support/resistance. But there’s another layer that often tells the story before the price moves: momentum.
⸻
🔍 In this post, you’ll learn:
• What momentum really measures
• Why it’s not the same as price direction
• How momentum can signal a shift before the chart confirms it
• Why combining momentum with structure improves timing
⸻
📈 Momentum ≠ Direction
Price can be rising while momentum is fading. That’s often a clue of an upcoming slowdown or reversal — long before the price turns. Similarly, price can be flat, while momentum builds in one direction. That’s tension… and tension leads to moves.
⸻
🔥 Why Momentum Matters:
• It reveals intensity, not just direction
• It can act as a leading indicator — not lagging
• Momentum divergences often hint at hidden accumulation or distribution
• Tracking it helps you avoid late entries or false breakouts
⸻
🔧 Takeaway for traders:
If you’re only watching price, you’re only seeing half the picture.
Momentum shows what’s driving the move, and when that drive starts weakening.
⸻
💬 What’s your favorite momentum indicator? RSI, %R, CCI, or something else?
Bonds Don’t Lie: The Signal is ClearU.S. 10-year Treasuries are a crucial cog in the global financial machine, serving as a benchmark borrowing rate, a tool for asset valuation, and a gauge of the longer-term outlook for U.S. economic growth and inflation.
As such, I keep a close eye on 10-year note futures, as they can offer clues on directional risks for bond prices and yields. The price action over the past few days has sent a clear and obvious signal as to where the risks lie: prices higher, yields lower.
Futures had been grinding lower within a falling wedge for several weeks but broke higher last Friday on decent volumes following soft U.S. household spending data. It has since extended bullish the move, reclaiming the 200-day moving average before surging above key resistance at 115’09’0 after Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement on Wednesday.
RSI (14) is trending higher but isn’t yet overbought, while MACD has crossed the signal line above 0, confirming the bullish momentum signal. That favours further upside, putting resistance at 116’11’0 and 118’12’0 on the immediate radar. For those who prefer it expressed in yield terms, that’s around 4% and 3.8% respectively.
Good luck!
DS
Book keepingWhat is Bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping is simply keeping track of all the money coming in and going out. Businesses use it to record their income, expenses, and profits, but traders can use it too. In trading, bookkeeping means recording every trade you take—wins, losses, fees, and even your emotions during the trade.
How to Apply Bookkeeping in Trading
Record Every Trade: Write down details like:
1. The currency pair you traded.
2. Entry and exit prices.
3. Stop loss and take profit.
4. Win or loss amount.
The reason for taking the trade.
Track Your Emotions: Were you confident, scared, or overexcited? Noting this down helps you spot patterns in your mindset.
Review Weekly and Monthly: At the end of the week/month, check your stats:
What’s your win rate?
Which setups work best for you?
Are you making more than you’re losing?
How This Improves Trading
Identifies Strengths & Weaknesses: You’ll see what works and what doesn’t.
Stops Emotional Trading: Tracking emotions helps you avoid revenge trading.
Helps Adjust Risk Management: If losses are too big, you’ll see it early and adjust.
Increases Consistency: The more data you have, the easier it is to refine your strategy.
A simple trading journal (even in a notebook or spreadsheet) can make a big difference over time.
As for me I do all my book keeping in notion
Triangle Chart Patterns: How to Identify and Trade ThemTriangle Chart Patterns: How to Identify and Trade Them
Triangle chart patterns are essential tools in technical analysis, helping traders identify potential trend continuations. These formations build as the price consolidates between converging trendlines, signalling an upcoming move in the market. In this article, we’ll explore the three types of triangle patterns—symmetrical, ascending, and descending—and how traders use them to analyse price movements.
What Are Triangle Chart Patterns?
Triangle chart patterns are a common tool used to understand price movements in the market. These patterns form when the price of an asset moves within two converging trendlines, creating a triangle shape on a chart. The lines represent support and resistance levels, and as they get closer together, it signals a potential breakout in one direction.
Symmetrical, ascending, and descending are three types of triangle patterns. Each of these patterns reflects a different market sentiment, with symmetrical triangles showing indecision, ascending triangles suggesting a bullish bias, and descending triangles hinting at bearish momentum. These formations are useful because they help traders spot potential breakouts, where the price might move sharply up or down after a period of consolidation.
It’s important to note that triangles and wedge patterns are similar but not the same. Both patterns involve converging trendlines, but wedges tend to slope upward or downward. Triangles, on the other hand, either feature one horizontal trendline and a sloping trendline or two sloping trendlines at roughly the same angle.
Below, we’ll cover the three triangle types. If you’d like to follow along, head over to FXOpen and TradingView to get started with real-time charts.
Symmetrical Triangle
The symmetrical triangle is a popular chart pattern that shows up when the price of an asset starts consolidating within a tighter range. Unlike other triangle patterns, it doesn’t lean heavily in either direction—bullish or bearish—making it a neutral signal. It forms when buyers and sellers are in a bit of a standoff, with no clear trend in sight. However, this period of indecision often leads to a significant move once the price breaks out of the pattern.
What Does It Look Like?
- Two converging trendlines;
- One sloping down from the highs (resistance);
- One sloping up from the lows (support);
- The price oscillates between these two lines, forming lower highs and higher lows;
- The formation narrows as the lines get closer together, creating a point of breakout.
What Does It Indicate?
A symmetrical triangle pattern indicates a period of indecision in the market. Buyers and sellers are evenly matched, causing the price to move within a narrowing range. As it gets smaller, the pressure builds, and the price is likely to break out either up or down. Since the formation is neutral, the breakout could occur in either direction, and traders wait for this moment to see where the market is heading.
How Do Traders Use It?
Traders typically watch for a breakout from the symmetrical triangle to signal the next significant price movement. They often look for an increase in trading volume alongside the breakout, as this can confirm the strength of the move. In most cases, it’s used as a signal for potential price continuation. However, some traders see it as a reversal indicator, depending on what the preceding trend looks like.
Ascending Triangle
An ascending triangle is a bullish triangle pattern that’s often looked for when analysing potential price breakouts. It usually forms during an uptrend but may also appear in a downtrend. It suggests that buyers are becoming more aggressive, while sellers are struggling to push the price lower, creating a situation where the market might break upwards.
What Does It Look Like?
- A horizontal resistance line at the top (price struggles to break above this level);
A rising trendline at the bottom, connecting higher lows (buyers are stepping in earlier each time);
- The price moves between these two lines, creating a triangle shape;
- The formation narrows over time, putting pressure on the resistance level.
What Does It Indicate?
An ascending triangle pattern signals that buyers are gaining control. While the price keeps hitting a ceiling (resistance), the higher lows show that the market’s buying pressure is increasing. This often leads to a breakout above the resistance level, where the price can make a significant upward move. Traders usually see this formation as a sign that the market is primed for a continuation of the current uptrend. However, sometimes it can appear in a downtrend and signal a trend reversal.
How Do Traders Use It?
Traders typically use the ascending triangle to spot potential breakouts above the resistance level. When the price finally moves and closes above this line, it’s seen as confirmation that the upward trend is continuing. Many also pay close attention to the trading volume during this breakout—rising volume can confirm that the breakout is genuine.
In some cases, the price may break through the resistance quickly, while in others, it could take time before the upward move happens. There may also be false breakouts before the true bullish move occurs, with the price typically closing below resistance.
Descending Triangle
A descending triangle is a bearish chart pattern that signals potential downward movement in the market. It typically forms during a downtrend but can also appear in an uptrend. It shows that sellers are becoming more dominant, while buyers are struggling to push the price higher, which could lead to a breakdown below a key support level.
What Does It Look Like?
- A horizontal support line at the bottom (price struggles to break below this level);
- A descending trendline at the top, connecting lower highs (sellers are pushing the price down);
- The price moves between these two lines, creating a triangle shape;
- The formation narrows over time, with the pressure building on the support level.
What Does It Indicate?
A descending triangle chart pattern suggests that sellers are in control. While the price holds at the support level, the series of lower highs shows that selling pressure is increasing. This often leads to a breakdown below the support line, where the price might experience a sharp decline. Traders see the formation as a bearish signal, indicating that the market could continue its downward trend.
How Do Traders Use It?
Traders typically use the descending triangle to identify potential breakdowns below the support level. When the price falls and closes below this line, it’s considered confirmation that the sellers have taken over and that further downside movement could follow.
Similar to other triangle patterns, it’s common to watch for a rise in trading volume during the breakdown, as it can confirm the strength of the move. It’s also possible to see false breakouts below the support level when the price closes back inside the pattern almost immediately.
How Traders Use Triangle Patterns in Technical Analysis
These patterns are just one piece of the puzzle in technical analysis, but they can offer us valuable insights when used correctly.
Triangle Pattern Trading: Entry, Stop-Loss, and Profit Targets
Entry Points
Traders typically wait for a confirmed breakout from the triangle formation’s boundaries before entering a trade. For ascending triangles, this means watching for the price to break above the upper trendline (resistance), while for descending triangles, they look for a breakdown below the lower trendline (support). In a symmetrical triangle, the breakout may be in either direction, usually informed by the broader market trend.
The entry is often confirmed by a closing candle above or below these key levels to reduce the risk of false breakouts.
Stop-Loss Placement
Stop-loss orders are crucial here. For ascending triangles, stop losses might be placed just below the last swing low, while for descending triangles, they might be set just above the recent swing high. In the case of symmetrical triangles, traders often place the stop-loss just outside the formation’s apex.
Profit Targets
To set profit targets, traders typically use the triangle's height (the distance between the highest and lowest points). This height is then projected from the breakout point, offering a realistic target for the trade. For example, if a triangle stock pattern’s height is $10 and the breakout occurs at $50, the target would be $60 for a bullish move.
Combining with Market Context
Triangles may become more reliable when considered in the context of the broader market environment. Traders don’t just look at the pattern in isolation—they analyse the prevailing trend, market sentiment, and even macroeconomic factors to gauge whether a breakout aligns with the larger market movement. For instance, an ascending formation in a strong uptrend adds confidence to the idea of a bullish breakout.
Using Other Indicators for Confirmation
While triangles provide a useful framework, they’re usually combined with other technical indicators for confirmation. Traders often align triangles with volumes, moving averages, or momentum indicators to assess whether the breakout has strong support behind it. For instance, a breakout confirmed by high volume or a moving average crossover might add confluence to the trade.
Limitations and Considerations of Triangle Patterns
Triangles are useful tools in technical analysis, but they come with limitations and important considerations. While they can signal potential breakouts, it’s essential to approach them cautiously.
- False Breakouts: Triangles often experience false breakouts, where the price briefly moves beyond the trendline but quickly reverses. This may trap traders in unfavourable positions.
- Subjectivity: These formations are open to interpretation. Different people may draw trendlines slightly differently, leading to varying conclusions about where the breakout occurs.
- Need for Confirmation: Relying solely on patterns can be risky. They may work better when combined with other indicators, such as volume or moving averages, to confirm the trend direction.
- Market Conditions: In volatile or news-driven markets, chart patterns may not behave as expected, reducing their reliability. They may provide false signals or lose significance in these situations.
The Bottom Line
Triangle chart patterns are popular tools among those looking to analyse market movements and potential breakouts. Whether it’s a symmetrical, ascending, or descending triangle, these patterns provide valuable insights into price consolidation and future trends. While no pattern guarantees a winning trade, combining triangles with other indicators may improve market analysis.
Ready to apply your knowledge? Open an FXOpen account to explore chart patterns in more than 700 live markets and take advantage of our low-cost, high-speed trading environment backed by advanced trading platforms.
FAQ
What Is a Triangle Chart Pattern?
A triangle chart is a pattern in technical analysis that forms when the price of an asset moves between converging trendlines, creating a triangle shape on a price chart. They typically signal a period of consolidation before a strong potential breakout in price.
What Are the Patterns of Triangles?
There are three main types of triangles in chart patterns: symmetrical, ascending, and descending. Symmetrical triangles indicate indecision in the market while ascending triangles are often bullish, and descending triangles tend to be bearish.
How to Trade a Triangle?
Traders typically wait for a confirmed breakout from the triangle’s trendlines. According to theory, entry points are based on a breakout above resistance or below support, with stop-loss orders placed just outside the triangle. Profit targets are often set based on the height (the distance between the highest and lowest points) of the pattern.
What Is the Triangle Pattern Strategy?
The triangle pattern strategy involves waiting for a breakout and using the formation’s height to set profit targets. It’s combined with tools like volume, moving averages, and momentum indicators to confirm the move and avoid false breakouts.
Is the Triangle Pattern Bullish or Bearish?
They can be both bullish and bearish. Ascending triangles are generally seen before a bullish movement, descending triangles are bearish, and symmetrical triangles can be either.
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.
Calibrating Trading Indicators for Different MarketsCalibrating Trading Indicators for Different Markets: A Beginner's Guide
(Simple Steps to Adjust RSI , MACD , and Other Tools for Better Results)
Key Idea : Just like you'd tune a guitar differently for rock vs. classical music, trading tools like RSI or MACD need adjustments depending on what you're trading (stocks, crypto, forex) and how it moves. This guide shows you how to tweak these tools using price swings (pivot points) to make them work better for your specific asset.
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Why "One Size Fits All" Doesn't Work
Most traders use default settings for indicators (like RSI's 14-day period). But these defaults were created for "average " markets. Real markets aren't average!
Example:
- Crypto ( CME:BTC1! ) : Super volatile → Needs faster, more sensitive indicators.
- Blue-Chip Stocks ( NASDAQ:AAPL ) : Less wild swings → Needs slower, smoother indicators.
If you use the same RSI settings for both, you'll get bad signals. Calibration fixes this.
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The Pivot Point Method for Calibration
One effective approach to calibration is measuring the natural rhythm of price swings between high and low points. Here's how to do it step by step:
Step 1: Find Pivot Points on Your Chart
Pivot points are like "price turning points." Use TradingView's ZigZag indicator (or draw them manually) to spot these swings.
How to Add ZigZag on TradingView :
1. Open your chart.
2. Click "Indicators" → Search " ZigZag " → Select it.
3. Adjust settings (defaults work fine for starters).
The ZigZag will draw lines between significant highs (peaks) and lows (valleys).
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Step 2: Measure the "Rhythm" of the Market
Count the bars (candles) between pivot points to find the market's natural cycle.
Example :
- If Bitcoin swings from peak to peak every 14 bars on average, its "cycle" is 14 bars.
- If Apple does this every 16 bars, its cycle is 16 bars.
In the picture above, we used the Williams Fractal to identify pivots.
Formula for Indicator Settings :
- RSI Period = Half the average cycle → If cycle = 16 bars → RSI = 8 days.
- MACD Settings : Fast EMA = ¼ cycle, Slow EMA = ½ cycle → Cycle = 16 → Fast EMA = 4, Slow EMA = 8
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Step 3: Test Your Calibrated Indicators
Backtest on TradingView :
1. Add your indicator (e.g., RSI) with the new settings.
2. Use the Strategy Tester (click "Add to Chart" → " RSI Strategy ") to see if signals improve.
Look For :
- Fewer false signals (e.g., RSI saying "oversold" too early).
- Clearer trends (MACD crossovers matching price moves).
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Calibrating Popular Indicators (Simple Rules)
1. RSI (Relative Strength Index)
- Default : 14 days.
- Calibrated : Half the average cycle length.
- Example : Cycle = 16 bars → RSI = 8 days.
Why It Works : Shorter RSI reacts faster to volatile markets (like crypto).
2. MACD
- Default : 12, 26, 9.
- Calibrated :
- Fast EMA = ¼ of cycle.
- Slow EMA = ½ of cycle.
- Signal Line = ⅙ of cycle.
- Example : Cycle = 20 → Fast = 5, Slow = 10, Signal = 3.
Why It Works : Matches the asset's natural momentum shifts.
3. Williams %R
- Default : 14 days.
- Calibrated : Same as RSI (half the cycle).
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How to Avoid Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 : Overfitting (Making It Too Perfect for the Past)
- Problem : If you calibrate too precisely to old data, it might fail in the future.
- Fix : Test on 2 types of data:
1. Training Data : First 70% of your chart (to calibrate).
2. Testing Data : Last 30% (to check if it still works).
Mistake 2 : Ignoring Market Changes
- Problem : What works today might not work next month.
- Fix : Recheck your settings every 3 months or after big news (e.g., Fed rate hikes).
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Free Tools to Help (No Coding Needed)
1. TradingView's "Auto-Detect Cycle" Scripts
Search for indicators like "Cycle", "RSI Adaptive" or " Rainbow Adaptive RSI " in TradingView's public library. These automatically calculate cycle lengths (Not tested).
2. Adaptive MACD/RSI Indicators
Try pre-built adaptive indicators like:
- Adaptive MACD : Adjusts itself based on volatility.
- Dynamic Pivot : Uses pivots to set stop-loss and take-profit levels.
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Building a Simple Pivot Calibration System
Basic ZigZag Calibrator Method :
1. Add ZigZag to your chart.
2. Manually count the bars between 5 recent swings.
3. Calculate the average → Divide by 2 → Use that number for your RSI/MACD.
Example :
- Swings: 12, 14, 16, 10, 8 bars → Average = 12.
- Calibrated RSI = 6 days.
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Why This Works (Without the Math)
Markets move in waves. By matching your indicator's speed to the wave length, you "surf" the trend instead of fighting it. Research shows adaptive methods like this beat default settings.
The Science Behind It
When you calibrate to an instrument's natural rhythm:
- Oscillators (RSI, %R) catch extremes at the right time
- Trend indicators (MACD) signal changes faster
- Volatility bands (Bollinger Bands) expand and contract appropriately
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A Step Further: Multi-Timeframe Calibration
For even better results, calibrate across timeframes:
1. Calculate cycles on daily charts for swing trading
2. Calculate cycles on 4-hour charts for day trading
3. Use both calibrated indicators together for confirmation
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Final Tips for Beginners
1. Start Small : Calibrate one indicator (like RSI) first.
2. Use Free Tools : TradingView has thousands of free scripts to automate calculations.
3. Keep Records : Document what settings work for which assets.
4. Be Patient : Finding the right calibration takes time, but the results are worth it.
Calibration isn't about being perfect—it's about making your tools work better for specific markets . Happy trading!
US Tariffs Global Stock Market Crash and International Reactions
Hello, I am Forex Trader Andrea Russo and today I am talking to you about what happened yesterday, Liberation Day. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump announced new "reciprocal" customs duties against several countries, including the European Union, China, the United Kingdom and many others. This announcement, called "Liberation Day" by the White House, has triggered a series of chain reactions on global markets.
The new tariffs, ranging from 10% to 46%, have been justified as a measure to rebalance international trade practices and protect the American economy. However, the immediate impact has been a significant collapse of global stock markets. Investors, worried about possible retaliation and the escalation of trade tensions, have reacted by massively selling their shares.
In Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was ready to respond with appropriate measures, while Italian President Sergio Mattarella called the new tariffs a "profound mistake." The oil market also took a hit, with the price of WTI falling to $69.87 a barrel.
The impact on financial markets was devastating. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones closed down 3.5%, while the Nasdaq lost 4.2%. European stocks were not far behind, with London's FTSE 100 losing 3.8% and Frankfurt's DAX falling 4.1%. Asian stocks also suffered sharp declines, with Japan's Nikkei closing down 3.7%.
For forex traders, these dynamics represent both a challenge and an opportunity. Market volatility can offer opportunities for profit, but it also requires careful risk management. It is essential to closely monitor geopolitical news and market reactions to make informed decisions.
In conclusion, the global economic landscape is in a phase of great uncertainty. As a trader, it is essential to stay updated and ready to react quickly to changes. Keep following my updates for more analysis and trading tips.
Happy trading everyone!
What Is an ABCD Pattern, and How Can You Use It in Trading?What Is an ABCD Pattern, and How Can You Use It in Trading?
Are you looking to improve your trading strategy and technical analysis skills? The ABCD trading pattern may be just what you need. This tool may help you identify potential market reversals and decide when to enter a trade. Keep reading to learn more about the ABCD pattern and how to apply it to your trading strategy.
What Is an ABCD Pattern?
The ABCD pattern is one of the basic harmonic patterns. It gives traders an idea of where the market might reverse. Therefore, when combined with other forms of technical analysis, it may be a great addition to your trading arsenal.
The ABCD pattern comprises two legs, AB and CD, and one retracement, BC, with D as an entry point. More specifically, an ABCD can be identified by:
- AB Leg: A trend starts at A and makes a high or low at B.
- BC Retracement: The price retraces from B to C.
- CD Leg: The trend continues from C to D.
- D Entry Point: Once another high or low forms and traders enter at D.
These price movements create the “zig-zag” or “lightning bolt” shapes.
In fact, ABCD patterns are present across every market and every timeframe. The up-down movements in financial assets represent opportunities to identify and trade ABCD patterns.
Why Use the ABCD Pattern in Your Trading Strategy?
Before we move on to identifying and trading the ABCD pattern, it’s worth explaining why you might want to consider using it. Here are a few reasons traders favour the ABCD pattern:
- It’s one of the harmonic patterns suitable for traders of all experience levels.
- It’s versatile and works for stocks, commodities, and cryptocurrencies*, not just forex trading.
- Traders use ABCD patterns to make informed decisions about potential turning points in the market.
- It can form the basis of a working trading strategy if used correctly alongside other forms of technical analysis.
- It provides quite an effective risk/reward ratio if reversals are caught.
How Traders Identify an ABCD Trading Pattern
The first step in finding ABCDs is to look for that classic zig-zag shape. Once you’ve found one, it’s time to apply Fibonacci ratios to confirm the pattern. If you’re struggling, you can consider using pre-made ABCD pattern indicators or scanners to help your eyes get used to spotting them.
The ABCD pattern requires that the BC leg is between a 38.2% to 78.6% retracement of AB, ideally between 61.8% and 78.6%. This means that if you put a Fibonacci retracement tool at A and B, C should be between 0.382 and 0.786.
The second CD leg should be a 127.2% to 161.8% extension of the BC retracement. For extra confirmation, consider specifying that AB is equal to the same length as CD.
While it can be tempting to start trading based on these conditions, you’ll find that, in practice, identifying point D can be trickier than it seems. That’s why traders typically use Fibonacci ratios, key levels, candlestick patterns, and higher timeframe convergence to confirm their entries, which we will touch on shortly.
ABCD Pattern Examples
Now that we understand how to identify the ABCD pattern, we can start applying it to real price action.
Note that the ratios won’t always be perfect, so allowing for slight variability above or below the defined ratios is acceptable.
Bullish ABCD Pattern
For a bullish formation, the following must be present:
- The AB leg should be between the high A and low B.
- The BC bullish retracement should be between the low B and high C, which is below the high A.
- The CD leg should be between the high C and low D.
- BC is a 38.2% to 78.6% retracement of AB, preferably between 61.8% and 78.6%.
- CD is a 127.2% to 161.8% extension of BC.
Additionally, you may look for AB to be an identical or similar length to CD.
Entry: Traders set a buy order at D.
Stop Loss: The theory suggests traders place a stop below a nearby support level or use a set number of pips.
Take profit: Traders place take-profit orders at the 38.2%, 50%, or 61.8% retracement of CD or hold for higher prices if they believe there’s the potential for further bullishness.
Bearish ABCD Pattern
The bearish ABCD chart pattern is essentially the same, just with the reversed highs and lows. As such:
- The AB leg should be between the low A and high B.
- The BC bullish retracement should be between the high B and low C.
- The CD leg should be between the low C and high D.
- BC is a 38.2% to 78.6% retracement of AB, preferably between 61.8% and 78.6%.
- CD is a 127.2% to 161.8% extension of BC.
You can choose to apply the same AB = CD rules in a bearish ABCD pattern if desired.
Entry: Traders typically place a sell order at D.
Stop Loss: A stop may be placed above a nearby resistance level or at a set number of pips.
Take profit: Traders often take profits at the 38.2%, 50%, or 61.8% retracement of CD or hold for lower prices if there’s a bearish trend on a higher timeframe.
ABCD Pattern Strategy
A momentum-based ABCD trading strategy can help traders confirm potential reversals by incorporating indicators like the RSI (Relative Strength Index). This approach often adds an extra layer of confluence.
Entry
- Traders may wait for point D to form and for the RSI to indicate overbought or oversold conditions, typically above 80 or below 20.
- Additional confirmation can be sought if there is a divergence between price and RSI, signalling weakening momentum.
- Once the RSI crosses back into normal territory, it can suggest a reversal, providing an opportunity to enter the market.
Stop Loss
- A stop loss is often placed slightly above or below point D, depending on whether the formation is bearish or bullish, respectively. This helps potentially manage risk in case the reversal doesn’t hold.
Take Profit
- Traders can consider taking profits at Fibonacci retracement levels of leg CD, such as 38.2%, 50%, or 61.8%.
- Another common target is point C, but traders may also hold the position for longer if further price movement is anticipated.
Looking for Additional Confluence
Given that trading the ABCDs usually relies on setting orders at specific reversal points, consider looking for extra confirmation to filter potential losing trades. Below, you’ll find three factors of confluence you can use to confirm your entries.
Key Levels
If your analysis shows that D is projected to be in an area of significant support or resistance, there’s a greater chance that the level will hold and the price will reverse in the way you expect.
ABCD Timeframe Convergence
One technique to potentially enhance the reliability of ABCD chart patterns is to check for multiple timeframes. When you identify the formation on a lower timeframe—say, the 5-minute chart—you can then look to a higher timeframe chart, such as the 30-minute or 1-hour chart to see the overall trend.
If the pattern converges with the longer-term trend, it strengthens the analysis and increases the likelihood of an effective trade.
Candlestick Patterns
Some traders look for particular candlestick patterns to appear. The hammer and shooting star patterns are commonly used by ABCD traders for extra confirmation, as are tweezer tops/bottoms and engulfing candles. You could choose to wait for one of these candlesticks to form before entering with a market order.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Identifying an ABCD Chart Pattern
Of course, ABCD patterns aren’t a silver bullet when it comes to effective trading. There are several common mistakes made by inexperienced traders when trading these types of patterns, such as:
- Confusing the ABCD with other harmonic patterns, like the Gartley or three-drive pattern.
- Trading every potential ABCD formation they see. It’s preferable to be selective with entries and look for confirmation.
- Not being patient. ABCDs on higher timeframes can take days, even weeks, to play out.
Experienced traders wait for the pattern to develop before making a trading decision.
- Ignoring key levels. Instead, you could allow them to guide your trades and look for the ABCD pattern in these areas.
The Bottom Line
The ABCD pattern is a versatile tool that can enhance a trader’s ability to identify potential market reversals and refine their overall strategy. When combined with other forms of technical analysis, such as momentum indicators, an ABCD trading strategy can be an invaluable addition to your trading arsenal.
For traders looking to apply the ABCD pattern in forex, stock, commodity, and crypto* markets, consider opening an FXOpen account and take advantage of low-cost, high-speed trading across more than 600 assets. Good luck!
FAQ
What Is an ABCD Trading Pattern?
The ABCD trading pattern is a simple harmonic pattern used by traders to identify potential market reversals. It consists of three price movements: the AB leg, BC retracement, and CD leg, with point D marking a potential entry for a reversal trade. It helps identify changes in trend direction.
How Can You Use the ABCD Pattern in Trading?
Traders identify the ABCD pattern by finding the characteristic zig-zag shape and using Fibonacci ratios to confirm it. Entry points are typically placed at point D, with stop losses and profit targets based on the formation’s structure. Confluence with other technical analysis tools improves its reliability.
Is the ABCD Pattern Bearish or Bullish?
The ABCD pattern can be either bearish or bullish. A bullish ABCD indicates a potential upward reversal, while a bearish ABCD suggests a downward reversal. The structure remains the same, but the highs and lows are reversed.
What Is the ABCD Strategy?
The ABCD strategy revolves around identifying trend reversals using the formation and confirming entry points through tools like Fibonacci retracements or momentum indicators like the RSI for added accuracy.
*At FXOpen UK, Cryptocurrency CFDs are only available for trading by those clients categorised as Professional clients under FCA Rules. They are not available for trading by Retail clients.
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.
Using Fibonacci/Measured Moves To Understand Price TargetThis video is really an answer to a question from a subscriber.
Can the SPY/QQQ move downward to touch COVID levels (pre-COVID High or COVID Low).
The answer is YES, it could move down far enough to touch the pre-COVID highs or COVID lows, but that would represent a very big BREAKDOWN of Fibonacci/ElliotWave price structure.
In other words, a breakdown of that magnitude would mean the markets have moved into a decidedly BEARISH trend and have broken the opportunity to potentially move substantially higher in 2025-2026 and beyond (at least for a while).
Price structure if very important to understand.
Measured moves happen all the time. They are part of Fibonacci Price Theory, Elliot Wave, and many of my proprietary price patterns.
Think of Measured Moves like waves on a beach. There are bigger waves, middle waves, smaller waves, and minute waves. They are all waves. But their size, magnitude, strength vary.
That is kind of what we are trying to measure using Fibonacci and Measured Move structures.
Watch this video. Tell me if you can see how these Measured Moves work and how to apply Fibonacci structure to them.
This is really the BASICS of price structure.
Get Some.
#trading #research #investing #tradingalgos #tradingsignals #cycles #fibonacci #elliotwave #modelingsystems #stocks #bitcoin #btcusd #cryptos #spy #gold #nq #investing #trading #spytrading #spymarket #tradingmarket #stockmarket #silver
FXAN & Heikin Ashi TradeOANDA:AUDCHF
In this video, I’ll be sharing my analysis of AUDCHF, using FXAN's proprietary algo indicators with my unique Heikin Ashi strategy. I’ll walk you through the reasoning behind my trade setup and highlight key areas where I’m anticipating potential opportunities.
I’m always happy to receive any feedback.
Like, share and comment! ❤️
Thank you for watching my videos! 🙏
VISUAL INVESTOR: An Investing Tutorial for EveryoneToday is a wonderful day! I am overwhelmed with positive emotions, like a racer who has crossed the finish line. My first book, The Visual Investor, is out on TradingView. It's written for everyone, from those just starting out in the stock market to experienced investors. You could say you're holding it in your hands now.
The idea for this book came to me a long time ago, thanks to the influence of one person, as well as my invisible teachers: Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett, Charles Munger, Peter Lynch and Mohnish Pabrai. Day after day, I worked on the content of chapters, charts, tables, and drawings to take you from theoretical foundations to applied knowledge that allows you to answer the key questions of any investor: What? When? And how much?
My motivators, namely you, dear subscribers and the TradingView editorial team, also made an invaluable contribution to the creation of this book. Every kind word, constructive criticism and award in the form of “Editors’ Picks” made me happier and helped me to create further.
Why “Visual Investor”? This is my reverence for the technologies we have come to now. The modern investor has incredible opportunities compared to our colleagues, even from the beginning of the 21st century. Access to companies' financial data has become an order of magnitude easier, and their visualization allows for fundamental analysis to be done much faster than before.
Global financial centers are now much closer to investors from different countries, thanks to the development of local regulation, active work of financial institutions and services. All this has expanded the range of investment instruments and formed a new way of life for our savings.
A modern person may not be a passive observer of fluctuations in the purchasing power of his own capital. On the contrary, he can independently make decisions to increase this capacity, using technology and a systematic approach. Unfortunately, unmanaged savings will suffer the unenviable fate of the hundred dollar bill from the beginning of the last century.
This chart shows how the $100 bill has depreciated since 1914 due to inflation. By the beginning of the First World War, the monthly salary of a highly skilled worker or employee could reach exactly this amount. If your super-rich great-great-grandfather buried a chest of these bills, and you found it, you'd probably be furious with him. Because $100 now is like $2 then. “Dear Grandpa, why didn’t you buy something from that list ?” you might say in your heart.
However, we must give credit to our hero, as the propensity to save is a skill that any investor should start with, and something I talk about in the early chapters of my book. As Charles Munger said, “I was a cautious little squirrel who hoarded more nuts than I needed and didn’t climb into my own pile of nuts.”
The book is divided into three parts, allowing you to start with any of them, depending on your current level of knowledge.
Part One
This part will be interesting to anyone who wants to understand why we need investments, what a joint-stock company and a stock exchange are, how the price and its schedule are formed. Duration of study: 3 hours 15 minutes.
Part two
This part will be of interest to anyone who already knows the basics of stock trading but wants to understand the fundamental analysis of a company's business. Duration of study: 5 hours.
Part three
This part will be of interest to anyone who understands the financial statements of companies and wants to build a decision-making system on the stock market based on this knowledge. Duration of study: 11 hours.
I recommend reading the book “Visual Investor” thoughtfully, with pauses to understand each chapter. It is precisely with this measured pace in mind that the estimated duration of study for each block and each article has been calculated. You can move faster if you like. If you devote 1 hour a day to the book, then after 20 days you will be able to master the entire theory. Don't rush to apply the knowledge immediately you've gained in real life. TradingView has great tools for hands-on research, such as the Market Simulator and Paper Trading, that will help you solidify your knowledge without risking your capital. Similarly, civil aviation pilots train on a flight simulator before their first flight. Remember that your knowledge, systematic approach, persistence and a pinch of luck can transform everything around you. But if you still need my support, I'm here. Yours, Capy.
Part One
1. Investing is the ability to say "no" so that you can say "yes"
The reader will learn that investing is a conscious skill of foregoing immediate spending in favor of greater value in the future, based on strategy, patience, and an understanding of the difference between investing and speculation. Duration of study: 15 minutes.
2. Raising initial capital: 4 approaches, of which one is not good
The reader will learn about four ways to form start-up capital for investments, and why borrowed money is the least sensible of them. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
3. The lifestyle of your savings, and why Big Mac?
The reader will learn that investing is a conscious way to preserve and increase the purchasing power of savings, in which the level of potential profit is always proportional to the risk taken. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
4. What is a stock? Let me tell you a story
Using the example of a shoe workshop owner, the reader will learn how companies issue shares to raise capital and expand their business. Duration of study: 15 minutes.
5. Stock Company. Selling something that no one will buy piecemeal
Using the same example, the reader is explained the process of transforming a company into a joint-stock company and conducting an IPO to attract investment. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
6. I dream of entering the stock market. The question is: What for?
The reader learns that going public is a way for a company to make its shares available to a wider range of investors, increase liquidity, and simplify the process of raising capital. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
7. How is the share price formed on the stock exchange? We do it
The reader will learn how the price of a stock is formed on the stock exchange through the mechanism of bids from buyers and sellers, reflecting the balance of supply and demand. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
8. Bid/Offer: The Yin and Yang of Stock Prices
The reader will learn how buy (bid) and sell (offer) orders from the order book on the exchange, determining the mechanism for concluding transactions and the formation of the market price. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
9. Market order or the hunger games of stock trading
The reader will learn that market orders allow shares to be bought or sold immediately without specifying a price, satisfying the current demand or offer at prices available in the order book. Duration of study: 15 minutes.
10. The birth of the chart. The evolution of the tape
The reader will learn how price movement charts are formed from the stock exchange quotes feed and will see historical examples of the evolution of methods for displaying market data. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
11. Japanese Candlesticks: Game of Body and Shadows
The reader will learn how Japanese candlesticks are constructed, including determining the opening, closing, high, and low prices for a selected time interval, as well as the importance of the candlestick body and shadows in analyzing price movements. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
12. A little bit about volumes and the master of all averages
The reader will learn how to analyze trading volumes and use a 252-day moving average to evaluate stock price movements. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
13. My Three Comrades: the Chart, the Screener, and the Watchlist
The reader will learn step-by-step how to use the TradingView platform's chart, screener, and watchlist features to find and track stocks even if he doesn't know the company's ticker. Duration of study: 15 minutes.
14. Two captains of the same ship
The reader will learn how to use fundamental analysis to assess a company's financial strength by adding financial indicators to a chart in TradingView, and why the author prefers this method over technical analysis. Duration of study: 15 minutes.
Part two
15. My crazy partner is Mr. Market!
The reader will learn about the concept of "Mr. Market" introduced by Benjamin Graham, which illustrates the irrationality of market behavior and emphasizes the importance of fundamental analysis in making sound investment decisions. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
16. Picking rules - the Lynch method
The reader will learn about Peter Lynch's investment principles, including the benefits of private investors, the importance of a financial safety net, the need to understand a company's performance before investing, and the importance of analyzing its earnings. Duration of study: 15 minutes.
17. A pill for missed opportunities
The reader will learn how to set up alerts in TradingView to react promptly to changes in stock prices, thereby avoiding missing profitable opportunities to buy or sell. Duration of study: 15 minutes.
18. Man on the shoulders of giants
The reader learns the story of an Indian engineer who, after starting to invest in his 30s, achieved significant success, emphasizing the importance of self-education and inspiration from eminent investors. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
19. Price is what you pay, but value is what you get
The reader will learn about Warren Buffett's approach to investing based on the difference between price and the intrinsic value of a company, and the importance of fundamental analysis in making investment decisions. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
20. Balance sheet: taking the first steps
The reader will learn about the structure of the balance sheet, including the concepts of assets, liabilities, and equity. Duration of study: 30 minutes.
21. Assets I prioritize
The reader will learn which balance sheet items are most important for assessing a company's sales performance, and why the author focuses on cash, accounts receivable, and inventory when analyzing current assets. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
22. A sense of debt
The reader will learn about the structure of liabilities and shareholders' equity on a company's balance sheet, including the differences between short-term and long-term debt, and will understand how to analyze debt burden when assessing a company's financial health. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
23. At the beginning was the Equity
The reader will learn about a company's capital structure, including the concepts of retained earnings and return on investment, and will understand how these items are reflected in the balance sheet. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
24. The income statement: the place where profit lives
The reader will learn about the structure of a company's income statement, including key indicators: revenue, cost, gross and operating profit, as well as the importance of these metrics for assessing the financial condition of the enterprise and their impact on the dynamics of stock prices. Duration of study: 30 minutes.
25. My precious-s-s-s EPS
The reader learns that earnings per share (EPS) is calculated as net income available to common shareholders divided by the number of common shares outstanding, and that diluted EPS considers potential increases in the share count due to employee options and other factors that affect earnings distributions. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
26. What should I look at in the Income statement?
The reader will learn which key income statement metrics — such as revenue, gross profit, operating expenses, debt service expense, net income, and diluted earnings per share (EPS Diluted) — the author believes are most important for assessing a company's financial health. Duration of study: 10 minutes.
27. Cash flow statement or Three great rivers
The reader will learn about the structure of the cash flow statement, which includes three main flows: operating, financial and investing, and will understand how these cash flows affect the financial condition of the company. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
28. Cash flow vibrations
The reader will learn how to analyze a company's operating, investment, and financial cash flows to assess its sustainability, strategy, and ability to effectively manage resources. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
29. Financial ratios: digesting them together
The reader will learn that financial ratios are relations between various financial reporting indicators that allow an objective assessment of the financial condition and value of a company, and will understand how to use key multiples to analyze the investment attractiveness of a business. Duration of study: 25 minutes.
30. What can financial ratios tell us?
The reader will learn about key financial ratios such as Diluted EPS, Price/Earnings Ratio (P/E), Gross Margin, Operating Expense Ratio, Return on Equity (ROE), Days Payable and Days Sales Outstanding, and Inventory to Revenue Ratio, and will understand how to use these metrics to assess a company's financial health and investment attractiveness. Duration of study: 30 minutes.
Part three
31. Price / Earnings: Interpretation #1
The reader will learn how the P/E (price to earnings) ratio helps assess the value of a company by determining how many dollars an investor pays for each dollar of earnings, and will understand why a lower P/E may indicate that a company is undervalued. Duration of study: 25 minutes.
32. Price/Earnings: amazing interpretation #2
The reader will learn an alternative approach to interpreting the P/E ratio by viewing it as the number of years it takes to break even on an investment, assuming the company's earnings are stable. Duration of study: 30 minutes.
33. How to apply an indicator that is only available upon request?
The reader will learn how scripts written in Pine Script work on the TradingView platform and what levels of access there are to them: from completely open to requiring an invitation from the author. The article explains how to request access to an indicator if it is restricted, and what steps to take to add it to a chart once permission is granted. Duration of study: 15 minutes.
34. How to assess the fundamental strength of the company?
The reader will learn about the approach to assessing the financial stability of a company through the aggregation of key financial indicators and multipliers, allowing a visual and quantitative assessment of the dynamics and current state of the business. Duration of study: 30 minutes.
35. How to evaluate the work of company management?
The reader will learn about the approach to assessing the effectiveness of a company's management through the prism of the concept described by Eliyahu Goldratt in his book "The Goal", which focuses on three key indicators: throughput, inventory and operational expenses, and will understand how these indicators affect the financial results of the enterprise. Duration of study: 30 minutes.
36. How to evaluate the state of a company's cash flows?
The reader will learn about the importance of cash flow analysis in assessing a company's financial health, including the interpretation of operating, investing, and financing flows. Duration of study: 25 minutes.
37. How to catch the rainbow by the tail?
The reader will learn how to determine optimal price ranges for buying stocks based on the principles of fundamental analysis and the idea of investing with a margin of safety. Duration of study: 40 minutes.
38. How to convert craziness into results?
The reader will learn how to navigate market volatility, make smart stock selling decisions, and use a fundamental approach to turn emotional market swings into rational investment actions. Duration of study: 35 minutes.
39. How to use Replay to study indicators?
The reader will learn how to use the Market Simulator feature on the TradingView platform to analyze historical data and test indicators, including step-by-step instructions for activating the simulator, selecting the start date, adjusting the playback speed, and interpreting the results when analyzing NVIDIA Corporation stock. Duration of study: 30 minutes.
40. How to explain my decision-making system?
The reader will learn about the author's approach to choosing stocks for investment, which includes an analysis of the fundamental strength of the company, cash flow dynamics, news, P/E multiple and other aspects of the decision-making system. Duration of study: 35 minutes.
41. The most subjective facet of my decision-making system
The reader will learn how news, although difficult to formalize, influences the investment decision-making process and why its interpretation is the most subjective aspect in stock evaluation. Duration of study: 35 minutes.
42. Full instructions for studying the fundamental strength of a company
The reader will learn how to use applied tools to evaluate a company's financial results, visually track their dynamics over time, and analyze the movement of key cash flows, which accelerates the process of selecting companies with strong fundamental indicators. Duration of study: 90 minutes.
43. Full instructions for determining price ranges for opening and closing positions
The reader will learn how to determine optimal price ranges and trade sizes when investing in stocks, based on the principles of value investing and Benjamin Graham's "margin of safety" concept. Duration of study: 120 minutes.
44. 10 tricks for developing discipline or here was Warren
The reader will learn ten practical methods to help investors develop discipline, including using alerts, keeping a trading journal, and developing good habits, and will understand how discipline affects the achievement of investment goals. Duration of study: 40 minutes.
45. The Inside Out Investor
The reader will learn how emotional states such as fear, excitement, and fear of missing out (FOMO) influence investment decisions and will understand how awareness of these emotions helps an investor stick to their chosen strategy and make informed decisions. Duration of study: 20 minutes.
46. Effective inefficiency
The reader will learn about the different approaches to using Stop Losses in investment strategies, their impact on the profit/loss ratio, as well as the concept of market efficiency and strategies in it. Duration of study: 30 minutes.
47. Institute of Intermediation and 24 Coffee Lovers
The reader will learn about the factors that create market inefficiencies, such as delays in the dissemination of information, high volatility, the actions of large players and participant errors, as well as the role of intermediaries - brokers and exchanges - in ensuring the efficiency and convenience of trading in financial markets. Duration of study: 25 minutes.
48. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The reader will learn about the life of Charles Munger, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, his investment philosophy based on common sense and discipline, as well as his views on the importance of personal relationships and moderation in achieving success. Duration of study: 5 minutes.
Using The CRADLE Pattern To Time/Execute TradesThis simple video highlights one of my newest pattern definitions - the Cradle Pattern.
In addition to the many other patterns my technology identified, this Cradle Pattern seems to be a constant type of price construct.
I'm sharing it with all of you so you can learn how to identify it and use it for your trading.
Ideally, this pattern represents FLAGGING after a trend phase.
It is a consolidation of price within a flag after a broad trending phase.
It usually resolves in the direction of the major trend, but can present a very solid reversal trigger if the upper/lower pullback range is broken (see the examples in this video).
Learn it. Use it.
Price is the ultimate indicator.
Learn to read price data more efficiently to become a better trader.
Get some.
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What are Tariffs? How They Work and Why They Matter to You?For centuries, tariffs have played a crucial role in global trade, safeguarding domestic industries, shaping international relations, and influencing economic policies. While they often dominate headlines during trade wars and economic policy debates, many people still don’t fully understand what tariffs are, why they are used, and how they impact the economy.
This comprehensive guide covers:
⦿ What tariffs are and how they work
⦿ Different types of tariffs
⦿ Why governments impose tariffs
⦿ The economic, political, and social effects of tariffs.
⦿ Historical and modern examples
⦿ The debate between protectionism and free trade
⦿ Tariffs in different economic systems
⦿ The future of tariffs in a globalized world
By the end of this article, you’ll have a decent understanding of tariffs and their role in the global economy.
🤔 What Are Tariffs?
A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on imported goods and services. The primary purpose of tariffs is to increase the cost of foreign products, making domestically produced goods more attractive to consumers. This serves several economic and political functions, such as protecting domestic industries, generating government revenue, and addressing trade imbalances.
👍 How Do Tariffs Work?
A government sets a tariff rate on imported goods (e.g., 25% on foreign cars).
Importers must pay this tax when bringing goods into the country.
This increases the cost of imported goods, enhancing the competitiveness of domestic alternatives.
Domestic industries benefit from reduced foreign competition.
The government collects revenue from the tariff.
🦸♂ Who Pays the Tariff?
Importers: These businesses or individuals directly pay the tariff when they bring goods into the country. This increases their costs.
Businesses: Since importers face higher costs, businesses that rely on imported goods often pass these costs onto consumers by increasing prices.
Consumers: Ultimately, the general public bears the cost as they pay higher prices for goods affected by tariffs.
🔎 Types of Tariffs
Governments employ various tariffs depending on their economic goals and trade policies. Some of these are:
1️⃣ Ad Valorem Tariffs
An ad valorem tariff is a percentage-based tariff calculated on the value of the imported goods. The tax amount increases or decreases with the price of the product.
Example: A 10% tariff on imported TVs means a $1,000 TV incurs a $100 tariff.
Usage: Commonly used for luxury goods, automobiles, and consumer electronics.
2️⃣ Specific Tariffs
A specific tariff is a fixed fee charged per unit of imported goods, regardless of price.
Example: $3 per barrel of imported oil.
Usage: Often used for commodities like oil, wheat, and alcohol.
3️⃣ Compound Tariffs
A compound tariff includes both a percentage-based tax (Ad valorem) and a fixed fee on imports (Specific). This means importers pay a fixed fee per unit as well as a percentage of the item’s value.
Example: A 5% tax plus $2 per imported cheese wheel.
Usage: Applied to goods where both quantity and value affect the market, such as food products and industrial materials.
4️⃣ Tariff-Rate Quotas (TRQs)
A TRQ allows a limited quantity of an imported good to enter at a lower tariff rate. After the quota is reached, extra imports are taxed at a higher rate.
Example: One of the most well-known examples of a TRQ is the U.S. Sugar Tariff-Rate Quota. The United States allows a certain quantity of sugar to be imported each year at a lower tariff rate. Any sugar imports within the quota limit are subject to a low tariff (e.g., 5%).
However, once the quota is exceeded, any additional sugar imports face a much higher tariff (e.g., 20%). This system ensures that domestic sugar producers remain competitive while still allowing controlled imports to meet demand.
Another example is the European Union's TRQ on Beef Imports. The EU permits a specific amount of high-quality beef imports (e.g., from the U.S. and Canada) at a lower tariff. Once this quota is filled, any additional beef imports are taxed at a significantly higher rate. This policy helps protect EU cattle farmers while maintaining trade agreements with international suppliers.
5️⃣ Protective Tariffs
A protective tariff helps local industries by making imported goods more costly, reducing foreign competition.
Example: The U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Chinese steel to protect domestic steel manufacturers.
Usage: Commonly used in industries facing strong foreign competition, such as steel, automotive, and textiles.
6️⃣ Revenue Tariffs
A revenue tariff is mainly designed to raise money for the government, not to shield local industries.
Example: In the 19th century, tariffs were the main source of revenue for the U.S. government before income taxes were introduced.
Usage: Often applied to goods that do not have strong domestic competition but are widely consumed, such as alcohol and tobacco.
❓ Why Do Governments Impose Tariffs?
1️⃣ Protecting Domestic Industries
Tariffs shield local businesses from cheaper foreign competitors, helping domestic industries grow.
Example: U.S. steel tariffs in 2018 benefited domestic steel manufacturers.
2️⃣ Generating Government Revenue
Before modern taxation systems, tariffs were a key source of revenue for governments.
Example: In the 1800s, tariffs accounted for 90% of U.S. federal revenue.
3️⃣ National Security Concerns
Some industries, like defense and technology, are crucial for national security, and governments impose tariffs to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Example: The U.S. limits imports of rare earth minerals to ensure a domestic supply chain for defense technologies.
4️⃣ Retaliation in Trade Wars
Countries impose tariffs to address unfair trade practices or economic conflicts.
For instance, during the trade war between the United States and China, both countries imposed taxes on each other's goods
5️⃣ Preventing Dumping
Dumping occurs when a country exports goods at below-market prices to eliminate competition.
Example: The U.S. imposed tariffs on Chinese solar panels due to concerns about dumping.
⚖️ Pros and Cons of Tariffs
Pros
✅ Protects local jobs and industries
✅ Encourages domestic production
✅ Generates government revenue
✅ Enhances national security by reducing reliance on foreign goods
Cons
❌ Increases prices for consumers
❌ Can lead to trade wars and economic retaliation
❌ Encourages inefficiency in domestic industries
❌ Disrupts global supply chains
📕 Historical and Modern Examples of Tariffs
1. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930)
The U.S. imposed tariffs on over 20k imported goods.
Result: Other countries retaliated, global trade dropped by 66%, and the Great Depression worsened.
2. Trump’s Tariffs on China (2018-2020)
The United States levied tariffs on $360 billion worth of Chinese goods.
China retaliated, affecting U.S. agriculture exports.
Result: Some U.S. industries benefited, but consumers faced higher prices.
3. The European Union’s Tariffs on U.S. Goods (2021)
The EU imposed tariffs on American whiskey, motorcycles, and jeans in response to U.S. steel tariffs.
Result: Brands like Harley-Davidson saw reduced sales in Europe.
⚙️ Tariffs vs. Free Trade: The Big Debate
The debate between tariffs and free trade is a fundamental discussion in global economics and trade policy. This debate revolves around whether governments should impose tariffs (taxes on imported goods) or embrace free trade (minimal to no restrictions on imports and exports).
◉ Free Trade (No Tariffs)
Free trade is the unrestricted movement of goods and services across borders without tariffs or other trade barriers. Advocates argue that it fosters economic efficiency and global cooperation.
✅✅ Advantages of Free Trade
Lower Prices for Consumers – Without tariffs, imported goods are cheaper, leading to more affordable products.
Increased Economic Growth – When countries trade freely, they specialize in what they do best, leading to higher productivity and economic expansion.
More Competition = Better Products – Companies must compete on quality and innovation rather than relying on government protection.
Stronger Global Relations – Open markets encourage cooperation between nations, reducing the risk of economic conflicts.
Access to More Goods and Services – Consumers enjoy a greater variety of products at lower costs.
❌❌ Disadvantages of Free Trade
Job Losses in Unprotected Industries – Domestic industries that can't compete with cheaper imports may shrink or shut down.
Dependence on Foreign Suppliers – A country may become overly reliant on other nations for essential goods (e.g., medical supplies, electronics).
Potential Trade Deficits – Countries that import more than they export may struggle with imbalances in trade.
◉ Protectionism (Using Tariffs)
Protectionism refers to economic policies that restrict imports through tariffs, quotas, or other barriers to shield domestic industries from foreign competition.
✅✅ Advantages of Tariffs
Protects Local Jobs and Industries – Domestic businesses have a better chance to compete without being undercut by cheaper imports.
Reduces Dependence on Foreign Competitors – A country can maintain its own manufacturing and production capabilities, especially in critical industries like steel, energy, and food.
Generates Government Revenue – Tariffs provide a source of income for governments, which can be reinvested in public services.
Prevents Dumping – Tariffs discourage foreign companies from flooding the market with artificially cheap goods to destroy domestic competition.
❌❌ Disadvantages of Tariffs
Higher Prices for Consumers – Since imported goods are taxed, businesses pass the extra costs to customers.
Risk of Trade Wars – When one country imposes tariffs, others retaliate, leading to economic conflicts that hurt all parties involved.
Encourages Inefficiency – Without foreign competition, domestic companies may become complacent and innovate less.
Disrupts Global Supply Chains – Many industries rely on international suppliers; tariffs can increase production costs and delays.
❇️ The Future of Tariffs in a Globalized World
As economies become more interconnected, tariffs are often seen as barriers to global trade.
Emerging industries, such as digital services, face new trade policy challenges that traditional tariffs do not cover.
With globalization, many nations favor free trade agreements (FTAs) like USMCA and the EU single market to reduce trade barriers.
Climate-related tariffs, such as carbon border taxes, may become more common as nations try to incentivize environmentally friendly trade practices.
📌 Closing Thoughts
Tariffs remain one of the most powerful - and controversial - tools in economic policy. Like a thermostat for trade, they can be adjusted to protect domestic industries, but risk overheating the economy with unintended consequences.
History shows that while tariffs can provide temporary relief for specific sectors, they often create ripple effects across the entire economy. The steel tariffs of 2018 helped some American mills reopen, but made cars and appliances more expensive for everyone.
Neither free trade nor tariffs are perfect solutions. A balanced approach, where tariffs are selectively used for strategic industries while promoting open markets in others, is often the best path.
Each country must decide based on its economic strengths and priorities. For example, developed nations might push for free trade, while developing nations use tariffs to protect growing industries.
As trade policies continue evolving, understanding tariffs gives citizens and businesses crucial insight into how globalization affects prices, jobs, and economic security. The debate isn't about whether tariffs are "good" or "bad," but rather when and how they should be used strategically.
What are your thoughts on the ongoing U.S. tariff war? Share your opinions in the comments! 📩
The Power of Technical Indicators: ETH 4H Chart Breakdown📈 In this analysis, I demonstrate how a combination of key technical indicators can provide high-probability trade setups. By using Auto Fibonacci Gauge, Quantum Moving Average, Momentum Charge Theory, and Smart Money Concept, we can decode market movements with precision.
🔹 Auto Fibonacci Gauge: The Perfect Retracement
The Auto Fib Gauge shows a textbook retracement, respecting key levels like 23.6% & 61.8%.
These levels act as potential reversal zones where price reacts based on trader sentiment.
🔹 Quantum Moving Average & Momentum Charge Theory: Trend Confirmation
The Quantum Moving Average aligns perfectly with the momentum shift, confirming trend direction.
The Momentum Charge Theory further validates entry & exit signals, showing confluence with the Fib levels.
🔹 Smart Money Concept: Tracking Institutional Moves
The SMC method helps identify where large institutional orders (aka smart money) are likely placed.
Key structure points like BOS (Break of Structure) & CHoCH (Change of Character) signal potential trend shifts.
📊 Why is this important?
Combining these indicators enhances probability of successful trades.
Understanding retracements, momentum, and institutional order flows helps traders avoid weak setups and trade with confidence.
🚀 What’s your take? Do you use similar confluences in your trading? Let me know in the comments!