gold Weekly frame price might retest the 1fib level as shown at the chart .
breaking each level should take us to the next .
USCGC trade ideas
XAU/USD... 4H CHART PETTERN..IM looking at a XAU/USD (gold) trade setup with the following parameters:
Sell Entry: 3300
Resistance (Stop Loss): 3340
Target (Take Profit): 3205
Here’s a quick breakdown of the risk-reward ratio and setup summary:
Trade Summary
Sell Entry: 3300
Stop Loss: 3340 (40 pips risk)
Take Profit: 3205 (95 pips reward)
Risk-Reward Ratio:
95 / 40 = 2.38:1 — which is a solid R:R ratio.
If you're already in the trade or planning to enter, it's a good setup technically — assuming price has shown rejection near 3300 and the trend or momentum supports downside.
Want a chart analysis or to set alerts for key price levels?
Gold - Chasing Parabolas is Hard to DoThere's a quote from legendary investor John Templeton that goes like this:
"The time of maximum pessimism is the best time to buy, and the time of maximum optimism is the best time to sell."
This is contrarian, of course, but there's also a lot to it if we try to unwrap it. But first I want to start off even broader than that. I try to often remind myself of just how uncertain the future is and just how pointless it is to try to predict. It can be hard, to be sure, especially if you're around the business of speculation. But, spend a long enough time and see enough 'sure things' turn out to be disappointments or backfires, and I think it becomes a bit simpler.
I don't look at analysis as predictive. I look at it as probabilistic. But even then those probabilities will have a degree of uncertainty because that future will always be vulnerable for some type of surprise. My aim instead is to seek out the prospect of asymmetry; ways to risk a dollar in order to make two, or possibly three.
In analysis, I largely lean technical because I tend to think that most of the 'known knowns' get priced-in fairly quickly and pretty well. Perhaps there is some edge in there somewhere, but my information flow isn't great enough to allow me to have an inside angle against investment banks. While I do think that fundamentals get priced-in fairly well I do not think that markets are perfectly efficient as there is a clear process of price discovery. The chart, however, is a pretty clear depiction of where price has moved and I don't need to concern myself as much for the reasons as to 'why,' if I can focus enough on the 'what.'
I think there are two tenets of technical analysis that are of importance: A) Trends exist, and there's often a reason for them. and B) Support and Resistance can mark inflection points in a market, because trends do not price in linearly. It's the higher-lows that show you bulls' response to pullbacks and that's what really allows for that next higher-high to show up. It's a clear illustration of shifting sentiment, shown perfectly on the chart.
And this is what takes us back to that quote from Mr. John Templeton...
It's when price is forming those highs that we tend to get most excited. Because we can see it - visually - with our own eyes, that trend or bias showing up in real-time. This is when we might get FOMO coursing through us, compelling us to buy even if it doesn't seem smart, even if we haven't thought about 'what if,' even if we haven't entertained the very rational idea that 'this may not last forever.'
It's just part of the human condition, really, and it's why a lot of retail traders end up buying tops as they let their excitement get the better of them.
Now, Mr. Templeton said the best time to buy is the time of maximum pessimism and that leans very contrarian. And taken to an extreme, this can be an excuse to fade every move that shows up or every breakout that takes place, and that can be a painful way to go about matters. But, there may be a way to hedge that statement in a trend-riding basis as saying the optimal time to establish longs is when the prospect of a reversal has started to rise. Or, to put otherwise, it's when that excitement isn't coursing on a fresh breakout; and instead, after a pullback that has shown that the trend is not infallible. It's when the uber bulls couldn't imagine anything other than continued rip in the trend grow silent, instead fearing that they may get caught holding longs from a top.
In gold the market has been ripping higher for more than a year. But when it seemed most quiet was when it was most opportunistic, such as the bull pennant that brewed in Q4, or the pullbacks that have shown up along the way. We had one of those a couple of weeks ago and it started to seem as though a larger reversal could take hold. But - a clean support hold at 2956 was followed by a doji on the daily chart - and then bulls crowded back in to rush up to another fresh all-time-high.
Again, on Monday of this week another pullback showed up, this time a slighter move with price tilting down to 3200. But bulls responded in a big way and then ran another fresh all-time-high just a day later.
Now, eventually one of these pullbacks could extend and turn into a multi-week or perhaps even multi-month type of event, similar to the Q4 triangle that made up the pennant. But, at this stage that bullish trend that has taken on a parabolic nature continues to press and there's no indication yet that it's over.
There remains support potential and this can be followed for pullback setups. The closest zone is the 3245-3250 area, and if this price comes into play and bulls come in to hold lows around that prior resistance, this could be an illustration of a building higher-low. Below that, 3150-3167 is of interest, as this was resistance earlier in April and, to date, hasn't shown much for support. And below that, there's 3050-3057 which was a point of resistance that also hasn't yet shown as support.
Even the 3k handle can be considered as the April lows rest around the spot of prior resistance, from the March highs, at 2956.
With a trend that's been this one-sided there's a lot of room for possible profit taking; but it's not until there's been a clearer shift of sentiment that we can say that the trend is dead.
Does this mean that we'll be able to predict anything? Because the trick of Mr. Templeton's quote is that predicting 'maximum pessimism' or 'maximum optimism' is just as pointless as trying to predict price. Because it is price itself that will denominate that sentiment! If price continues to tank then, yeah, people are going to get more and more pessimistic and that does not mean that it's automatically a great time to buy (nor sell)!
No, but waiting for pullbacks in clear trends is a way to take a risk-efficient approach towards speculation, while trying to keep our own emotions in check and allowing for us to stick to a plan. Which, for a trader, is one of the more pragmatic ways that one can go about the endeavor of speculation.
James Stanley
How to Apply Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) to Trading?How to Apply Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) to Trading?
Harry Markowitz’s Modern Portfolio Theory revolutionised investing by providing a structured way to balance potential risk and returns. By focusing on diversification and understanding how assets interact, MPT helps traders and investors build efficient portfolios tailored to their goals. This article explores “What is MPT,” the core principles of MPT, its practical applications, and its limitations, offering insights into why it remains a foundational concept in modern finance.
What Is Modern Portfolio Theory?
Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) is a financial framework designed to help investors build a portfolio that balances potential risk and returns in the most efficient way possible. Introduced by economist Harry Markowitz in 1952, MPT is grounded in the idea that diversification—spreading investments across different assets—can reduce overall risk without necessarily sacrificing returns.
At its core, MPT focuses on how assets within a portfolio interact with each other, not just their individual performance. Each asset has two key attributes: expected return, which represents the potential gains based on historical performance, and risk, often measured as the volatility of those returns.
The theory emphasises that it’s not enough to look at assets in isolation. Instead, their relationships—measured by correlation—are critical. For instance, combining assets that move in opposite directions during market shifts can stabilise overall portfolio performance.
A central concept of Markowitz’s model is the efficient frontier. This is a graphical representation of portfolios that deliver the highest possible return for a given level of risk. Portfolios below the efficient frontier are considered suboptimal, as they expose investors to unnecessary risk without sufficient returns.
MPT also categorises risk into two types: systematic risk, which affects the entire market (like economic recessions), and unsystematic risk, which is specific to an individual company or sector. Diversification can only address unsystematic risk, making asset selection a key part of portfolio construction.
To illustrate, imagine a portfolio that mixes equities, bonds, and commodities. Equities may offer high potential returns but come with volatility. Bonds and commodities, often less correlated with stocks, can act as stabilisers, potentially reducing overall risk while maintaining growth potential.
The Core Principles of MPT
Markowitz’s Portfolio Theory is built on a few foundational principles that guide how investors can construct portfolios to balance potential risk and returns.
1. Diversification Reduces Risk
Diversification is the cornerstone of MPT. By spreading investments across different asset classes, industries, and geographic regions, traders can reduce unsystematic risk. For example, holding shares in both a tech company and an energy firm limits the impact of a downturn in either industry. The idea is simple: assets that behave differently in various market conditions create a portfolio that’s less volatile overall.
2. The Risk-Return Trade-Off
Investors face a constant balancing act between potential risk and returns. Higher potential returns often come with higher risk, while so-called safer investments tend to deliver lower potential returns. MPT quantifies this relationship, allowing investors to choose a risk level they’re comfortable with while maximising their potential returns. For instance, a trader with a low risk tolerance might lean towards a portfolio with bonds and dividend-paying stocks, whereas someone with a higher tolerance may include more volatile emerging market equities.
3. Correlation Matters
One of MPT’s key insights is that not all assets move in the same direction at the same time. The correlation between assets is crucial. Low or negative correlation—where one asset tends to rise as the other falls—helps stabilise portfolios. For example, government bonds often perform well when stock markets drop, making them a popular addition to equity-heavy portfolios.
How the MPT Works in Practice
Modern Portfolio Theory takes theoretical concepts and applies them to real-world investment decisions, helping traders and investors design portfolios that align with their goals and risk tolerance. Here’s how it works step by step.
The Efficient Frontier in Action
The efficient frontier is a visual representation of optimal portfolios. Imagine plotting potential portfolios on a graph, with risk on the x-axis and expected return on the y-axis. Portfolios on the efficient frontier offer the highest possible return for each level of risk. For example, if two portfolios have the same level of risk but one offers higher returns, MPT identifies it as the better choice. Investors aim to build portfolios that lie on or near this frontier.
Portfolio Optimisation
The goal of Markowitz’s portfolio optimisation is to combine assets in a way that balances potential risk and returns. This involves analysing the expected returns, standard deviations (volatility), and correlations of potential investments. For instance, a mix of stocks, government bonds, and commodities might be optimised to maximise possible returns while minimising overall portfolio volatility. Technology, like portfolio management software, often assists in running complex Modern Portfolio Theory formulas, like expected portfolio returns, portfolio variance, and risk-adjusted returns.
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
Investors also evaluate portfolios using metrics like the Sharpe ratio, which measures returns relative to risk. A higher Sharpe ratio typically indicates a more efficient portfolio. For example, a portfolio with diverse holdings might deliver similar returns to one concentrated in equities but with less volatility.
Adaptability to Changing Markets
While the theory relies on historical data, Markowitz’s Portfolio Theory is adaptable. Investors frequently rebalance their portfolios, adjusting asset allocations as markets shift. For example, if equities outperform and dominate the portfolio, a trader may sell some and reinvest in bonds to maintain the desired risk level.
Limitations and Criticisms of MPT
Modern Portfolio Theory has reshaped how we think about investing, but it’s not without its flaws. While it offers a structured framework for balancing possible risk and returns, its assumptions and practical limitations can present challenges.
Assumption of Rational Behaviour
MPT assumes that investors always act rationally, basing decisions on logic and complete information. In reality, emotions, biases, and unpredictable behaviour play significant roles in markets. For example, during a financial crisis, fear can lead to widespread selling, regardless of an asset’s theoretical value.
Ignoring Tail Risks
The model underestimates the impact of extreme, rare events, known as tail risks. These events, including economic collapses or geopolitical crises, can significantly disrupt even well-diversified portfolios.
Dependence on Historical Data
The theory relies on historical data to estimate risk, returns, and correlations. However, past performance doesn’t always reflect future outcomes. During major market disruptions, correlations between assets—normally stable—can spike, reducing the effectiveness of diversification. For instance, in the 2008 financial crisis, many traditionally uncorrelated assets fell simultaneously.
Simplified Risk Measures
MPT equates risk with volatility, which doesn’t always capture the full picture. Sharp price swings don’t necessarily mean an asset is risky, and relatively stable prices don’t guarantee reliability. This narrow definition can lead to overlooking other important factors, like liquidity or credit risk.
How Investors and Traders Use MPT Today
Modern Portfolio Theory remains a cornerstone of investment strategy, and its principles are widely applied in portfolio construction, asset allocation, and diversification.
Portfolio Construction and Asset Allocation
Central to Modern Portfolio Theory is asset allocation: determining the optimal mix of assets based on an investor’s risk tolerance and goals. A classic example is the 60/40 portfolio, which allocates 60% to equities for growth and 40% to bonds for so-called stability. This balance aims to provide steady possible returns with reduced volatility over time.
Another well-known approach is Ray Dalio’s All-Weather Portfolio, designed to perform across various economic conditions. It includes:
- 30% stocks
- 40% long-term bonds
- 15% intermediate bonds
- 7.5% gold
- 7.5% commodities
This portfolio reflects MPT's emphasis on diversification and risk management, spreading investments across asset classes that respond differently to market shifts.
Alternative Investments and Diversification
MPT has evolved to include alternative investments like real estate, private equity, crypto*, hedge funds, and even carbon credits. These assets often have lower correlations with traditional markets, enhancing diversification. For example, real estate might perform well during inflationary periods, offsetting potential declines in equities.
Investors also consider geographic diversification, combining domestic and international assets to balance regional risks.
Implications for Traders
While MPT is often associated with long-term investing, its principles can inform trading strategies. For instance, traders might diversify their positions across uncorrelated markets, such as equities and commodities, to reduce overall portfolio volatility. Dynamic position sizing—adjusting exposure based on market conditions—also aligns with MPT’s risk-return framework.
The Bottom Line
The Modern Portfolio Theory offers valuable insights into balancing possible risk and returns, helping traders and investors create diversified, resilient portfolios. While it has its limitations, MPT’s principles remain widely used in portfolio construction and trading strategies.
FAQ
What Is the Modern Portfolio Theory?
The Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) is a framework that helps investors construct portfolios to balance possible risk and returns. It emphasises diversification, using statistical analysis to combine assets with varying risk and return profiles to reduce volatility and optimise potential income.
What Are the Two Key Ideas of Modern Portfolio Theory?
MPT focuses on two main concepts: diversification and the risk-return trade-off. Diversification spreads investments across assets to potentially reduce risk, while the risk-return trade-off seeks to maximise possible returns for a given level of risk.
What Are the Most Important Factors in Modern Portfolio Theory?
Key factors include expected returns, risk (measured by volatility), and correlation between assets. These elements determine how assets interact within a portfolio, enabling investors to build an efficient mix that aligns with their risk tolerance and goals.
What Are the Disadvantages of Modern Portfolio Theory?
MPT assumes rational behaviour and relies on historical data, which does not predict future market behaviour. It also underestimates extreme events and simplifies risk by equating it solely with volatility.
*Important: At FXOpen UK, Cryptocurrency trading via CFDs is only available to our Professional clients. They are not available for trading by Retail clients. To find out more information about how this may affect you, please get in touch with our team.
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.
XAUUSD Sniper Plan – April 16, 2025🟨 XAUUSD Sniper Plan – April 16, 2025
🎤 Pre-Powell Speech – Gold hit 3333 ATH... what’s next?
🌐 Macro Context
Gold just printed a fresh ATH at 3333.
All eyes now on Fed Chair Jerome Powell – his upcoming speech could spike volatility in both directions.
If Powell sounds hawkish → possible USD strength → gold correction.
If dovish → gold could explode higher into 3350–3365 before retracing.
📊 Market Bias
✅ HTF (H4–D1) trend: Bullish
🔄 Intraday: Overextended – potential short-term correction zone forming
🔺 ATH liquidity sweep at 3333 already done. We're now in premium territory = reversal risk increases.
🔻 Sell Setup 1 – Sniper Sell from 3340–3342 OB
🎯 Entry: 3340–3342
🛑 SL: 3347
✅ TP1: 3325
✅ TP2: 3308
✅ TP3: 3288
🧠 Logic: Fresh OB at the top + RSI showing divergence + possible Powell spike = ideal top sniper sell zone.
🔻 Sell Setup 2 – Final breakout trap sell at 3350–3352
🎯 Entry: 3350–3352
🛑 SL: 3360
✅ TP1: 3330
✅ TP2: 3305
✅ TP3: 3285
🧠 Logic: If price squeezes one last push into 3350–3360 zone, this would trap late buyers chasing breakout. Perfect for short entry post-fakeout.
🟢 Buy Setup 1 – Buy from clean H1 demand below 3300
🎯 Entry: 3291–3293
🛑 SL: 3285
✅ TP1: 3305
✅ TP2: 3320
✅ TP3: 3330
🧠 Logic: Unmitigated H1 OB just under 3300 + fib discount zone + bullish trend continuation setup.
🟢 Buy Setup 2 – Deep retracement buy from HTF OB
🎯 Entry: 3273–3276
🛑 SL: 3267
✅ TP1: 3290
✅ TP2: 3308
✅ TP3: 3325
🧠 Logic: HTF demand + deep fib retrace zone + RSI reset. If Powell triggers a deeper flush, this zone could catch the bounce.
⏱️ Powell Risk Note:
Powell’s speech can spike both directions. Wait for M5/M15 confirmation, don’t jump in early.
Expect volatility, false breakouts, and possible whipsaw traps. Stick to clean sniper entries only.
🧠 Final Bias:
🔁 Intraday: expecting a final top around 3340–3365, then short-term correction.
🔂 HTF: still bullish, but pullback toward 3285–3300 is healthy and likely.
⚠️ Best RR setups are at the extremes – not in the middle of nowhere.
Gold is strong and is adjusting today!The rise and fall broke the pattern of the morning cycle, which means that this wave of unilateral rising from 3211 to 3357 can temporarily come to an end. This time the whole increase was as high as 146 US dollars, and there was no correction throughout the whole process. This kind of extreme market situation is rare in history. The bold will die of overeating and the timid will starve to death. It is very suitable for novices who have just entered the market. Blindly chasing the long position will have a miraculous effect, which is the so-called novice protection period.
As the market will be closed tomorrow for Easter, gold is destined not to rise like yesterday, but will enter a period of shock correction. The price fell from 3357 to 3320 in the morning, reaching 37 US dollars. In the afternoon, we should focus on the pressure at 3342 and try to participate in the short position to see the decline. The strong pressure is at the high point of 3356-3357. If it does not break the high point during the day, we can still go short at night. The support below is 3320-3305. If it touches 3305, we can go long to see the rebound.
XAUUSD Technicals🔑 Key Levels:
Resistance: ~ $3,345 – $3,360
Minor Resistance: ~ $3,330
Pivot Zone: ~ $3,305 – $3,310
Support: Around $3,290 (not shown but implied if break continues)
💡 Price Action Insights:
Strong bearish candle broke below the pivot with high volume (big red arrow). This could be a liquidity grab or a genuine breakdown.
The chart shows a possible fakeout scenario – price dips below pivot, sucks in sellers, then reverses to trap them and push higher.
Projection path suggests:
Bounce back above pivot
Break minor resistance
Push to resistance zone (~$3,360)
Confirmation needed: A strong bullish candle reclaiming the pivot on increasing volume.
🧠 Volume Clue:
Notice the volume spike on the break of pivot.
If this is absorption (buyers taking in sells), reversal is likely.
If follow-through selling comes next, expect deeper drop.
✅ What to Watch:
If price reclaims the pivot with a strong green candle, expect a push to $3,330–$3,345+; if it’s rejected with a weak bounce, it may drop back to $3,290–$3,280; and if it breaks below the pivot again on high volume, anticipate a bearish trend continuation.
SCALPING POSSITION GOLDscalping possition now on gold short posiition
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GOLD - Wave V Bull Pending?! (1H UPDATE)I’m waiting on a final Wave V push towards $3,362 - $3,372 to complete its final leg up. Upon completion of this we’ll wait for a ‘BOS’, where I’ll look to enter sell’s.
Confluences👇
⭕️Wave V Pending.
⭕️Distribution Schematic Forming.
⭕️DXY Still Hasn’t Bottomed.
Gold Daily Analysis 16/04/2025Gold still in very strong uptrend wave, expected to make little daily correction to the are 3280-3256, Short position are at very risk, Long position are the safe direction of market, with eyes on 3255 if broken, we should out from any long position waiting the deep correction on weekly basis.
good luck for all,
Advice, Stop lose and trailing stop is very important.
XAUUSD FALLING WEDGE PATTERNI Created This XAUUSD Chart Analysis In 30-M Tf
Entry: BUY from 3315
Support zone : 3312
Target Will Be : 3355
OANDA:XAUUSD made Falling wedge Pattern, It went to Uptrend, Let me know your thoughts in comments section
FAIR VALUE GAP MITIGATIONFirstly, i draw my psychological levels. we wait to see 4hrs engulfing candle break above the psychological level. then we wait to see price come to a fair value gap using 30 mins time frame. with a confirmation entry on 5mins which is a market structure shift to the upside,we execute at a nearest fair value gap created on 5mins with our stoploss few pips below the recent low that birthed the market structure shift.
Gold on another Fundamental uptrendAs discussed throughout my yesterday's session commentary: Technical analysis: I have announced that Gold might skyrocket as next Resistance zone is priced at #3,322.80 / break of it might extend the uptrend towards #3,352.80 benchmark configuration. Gold has invalidated solid Neutral Rectangle on Hourly 4 chart and if you recall, delivered #2 additional Higher High’s extension (my chart’s explanation that Gold always delivers #3 Higher High's extensions ahead of full scale reversal, so practically I have one more Higher High’s to expect according to the cycle). DX (# -0.63% almost) is again turning the market sentiment to Bullish on Intra-day basis, and according to my estimations, current Buying sequence was due to the Trump's tariff's talks, which is being aggressively Bought due to the remarks.
#3rd Higher High's extension is delivered ahead of #3,352.80 - #3,362.80 Ultimate Top's and new ATH's and now Gold is consolidating before revealing next major move. That was enough for me to close all my Buying orders and turn to Selling now and if there aren't new Tariff's news, Gold is ready to correct current gains and if #3,292.80 - #3,300.80 gives away, expect #3,252.80 benchmark next.
