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What Is a Japanese Candlestick Pattern?Japanese candlestick patterns are a popular technical analysis tool used in financial markets such as Forex, stocks, and commodities. Each candlestick represents price movement over a specific time period, showing the opening price, closing price, highest price, and lowest price within that timeframe. The body of the candlestick reflects the price range between the open and close, while the wicks (or shadows) indicate the highest and lowest traded prices. These patterns help traders identify market sentiment, potential trend reversals, and continuation signals by analyzing the shape and arrangement of one or multiple candlesticks. For example, a Hammer pattern may indicate a possible bullish reversal after a downtrend, while an Engulfing pattern shows strong momentum in the direction of the larger candle. Common candlestick patterns include Doji, which signals market indecision; Hammer and Hanging Man, which point to potential reversals; Engulfing patterns that suggest strong buying or selling pressure; and Shooting Star, which often signals bearish reversal. Mastering these patterns allows traders to make more informed entry and exit decisions, improving their overall trading strategy. However, it’s important to combine candlestick analysis with other technical tools and market context to increase accuracy and reduce false signals. If you need more information or guidance on analyzing candlestick patterns, feel free to ask. Wishing you successful trading!
OANDA:XAUUSDEducation
by Henrybillion
Popular Trading Styles in ForexHere are some common trading styles used in the Forex market: Trend Following: Traders identify and follow the main market trend, buying in an uptrend and selling in a downtrend. Reversal Trading: Traders look for points where the trend may reverse and enter positions against the current trend. Range Trading: Traders buy near support and sell near resistance when the price moves within a defined range. News Trading: Traders capitalize on strong market movements following major economic news releases. Scalping: Traders open and close trades very quickly, aiming to profit from small price movements. Swing Trading: Traders hold positions from several days to weeks, taking advantage of short-term price swings within a larger trend. Technical Analysis Trading: Decisions are based on indicators, price patterns, and volume analysis. Fundamental Analysis Trading: Traders analyze economic and political factors affecting currency values to make trading decisions. If you have any questions or need further explanation on any style, feel free to ask. Good luck and happy trading!
OANDA:XAUUSDEducation
by Henrybillion
Learn Best Candlestick Pattern For Trend Trading Gold XAUUSD This secret pattern will change the way you trade Gold XAUUSD. If you study technical analysis in Gold trading, there is one unique candlestick pattern that you absolutely need to know. In this article, you will learn the structure and the meaning of one of the most accurate candlesticks in Gold trading. I will teach you how to recognize this pattern and how to trade it for maximum profits. Let's start with some theory and let me show you how this candlestick pattern looks. This candlestick pattern is called inside bar. It is based on a combination of at least 3 candles. The first candlestick in a sequence should be a strong bullish or bearish candle. The consequent candles should strictly close within its range. If at least 2 candles close within the range of the first candle with its bodies, that will be a valid inside bar. The first candle will always be called the mother's bar , while the following candles will be called the inside bars. That's a perfect example of the inside bar pattern on Gold XAUUSD chart on a daily. This pattern is based on 2 important elements that you should always pay close attention to. The upper boundary of the range of the mother's bar will compose a significant resistance that will provide a safe place to sell. While the lower boundary of the range of the mother's bar will be a strong support to buy Gold from. Look how nicely Gold price respected the resistance of the range, dropped to its support and started to grow then. Once you identified the inside bar, you can easily trade it within the range. However, I strictly recommend waiting for a confirmation signal before you place a trade. One of the proven confirmations is a price action signal on lower time frames. In the example above, Gold formed a bullish chart pattern - double bottom after a test of a support and a bearish pattern - head and shoulders after a test of a resistance. Remember that the market can not stay within the range of the inside bar candlestick pattern forever. Bullish violation and a candle close above the range will be a strong signal to buy Gold. While, a bearish breakout of its range will provide a strong bearish confirmation. That's how a breakout of the underlined resistance triggered a strong rally on Gold. Inside bar is the essential pattern both for the gold swing traders and day traders. This pattern provides a lot of profitable trading opportunities, being very simple to recognize. ❤️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.
TRADENATION:XAUUSDEducation
by VasilyTrader
5
Soybeans: The Global Protein Powerhouse🟡 1. Introduction Soybeans might not look like much at first glance — small, round, unassuming. But behind every bean lies a global story of protein demand, export flows, and economic policy. They feed livestock, fuel vehicles, nourish entire populations, and move markets. In fact, soybeans sit at the intersection of agriculture, industry, and geopolitics — making them one of the most actively traded and strategically watched commodities in the world. If you’re looking to understand how soybeans move markets — and how you can trade them effectively — this article is your starting point. 🌍 2. Why the World Cares About Soybeans Few agricultural commodities carry the weight soybeans do. Their importance spans both the food and energy sectors — and their global footprint is enormous. Here’s why they matter: Protein Meal: After processing, about 80% of the soybean becomes high-protein meal used to feed poultry, pigs, and cattle. Soybean Oil: Roughly 20% is extracted as oil — a key ingredient in cooking, industrial products, and increasingly, biodiesel. Biofuels: As the push for renewable energy grows, soybean oil plays a major role in sustainable fuel strategies. Top producers: United States — historically the world’s largest producer. Brazil — now rivals or exceeds U.S. production in some years. Argentina — a dominant player in soybean meal and oil exports. Top importers: China — imports over 60% of globally traded soybeans. EU, Mexico, Japan — also large buyers. Soybeans are a bridge commodity — connecting livestock feed, food manufacturing, and renewable energy. That’s why traders from Chicago to Shanghai watch every yield forecast and export announcement closely. 💹 3. CME Group Soybean Contracts Soybeans trade on the CME Group’s CBOT platform, with two main futures products: o Standard Soybeans Ticker: ZS Size = 5,000 bushels Tick = 0.0025 = $12.50 Margin = ~$2,150 o Micro Soybeans Ticker: MZS Size = 500 bushels Tick = 0.0050 = $2.50 Margin = ~$215 Soybean futures are among the most actively traded agricultural contracts, offering deep liquidity, tight spreads, and excellent volatility for strategic traders. Keep in mind that margins are subject to change — always confirm with your broker. Micro contracts are ideal for scaling in/out of trades or learning market structure without large capital risk. 📅 4. The Soybean Calendar Soybeans follow a seasonal cycle that creates rhythm in the market — and a potential edge for informed traders. In the United States: 🌱 Planting: Late April to early June ☀️ Pod development / blooming: July and early August (weather-sensitive) 🌾 Harvest: September through November In Brazil: 🌱 Planting: October to December 🌾 Harvest: February through April This staggered calendar means that soybean markets have multiple weather risk windows each year. It also means the export flows and global pricing dynamics shift between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres throughout the calendar year. That’s why soybeans tend to have two major volatility windows — mid-summer (U.S. crop concerns) and early Q1 (South American weather). Traders often build seasonal strategies around these patterns — buying weakness before key USDA reports, fading rallies during overbought harvests, or trading futures spreads between U.S. and Brazilian supply flows. 🔄 5. How Soybeans Are Traded Globally Soybeans move through a complex international web of growers, crushers, exporters, and consumers. As a trader, understanding this flow is essential — because each node introduces price risk, opportunity, and reaction points. Key players: o Hedgers: U.S. and Brazilian farmers hedge production risk using futures or options on futures. Exporters hedge shipping schedules against fluctuating basis and FX risk. o Crushers: Companies like Cargill or Bunge buy soybeans to crush into meal and oil. Crush margin (aka “board crush”) affects demand and influences futures spreads. o Speculators: Institutional funds trade soybeans as a macro or relative value play. Retail traders use micro contracts (MZS) to capture directional or seasonal moves. o China: Its purchasing pace (or sudden cancellations) can move markets dramatically. Announcements of bulk U.S. purchases could trigger short-covering rallies. Additionally, soybeans are sometimes traded indirectly via their by-products: Soybean Meal (ZM) Soybean Oil (ZL) These contracts often lead or lag ZS based on demand shifts in feed or fuel. 📈 6. What Makes Soybeans Unique to Trade Compared to wheat and corn, soybeans are: More weather-sensitive during July and August (especially to drought and heat). More globally integrated, thanks to China’s dominant import role. More complex, due to crush dynamics and multiple end-use markets. This multifaceted nature is why many professional traders monitor soybeans, even if they aren’t actively trading them every week. 📌 7. Summary / Takeaway Soybeans are one of the most important — and most tradable — commodities in the world. They feed livestock, fuel industry, and anchor the agricultural markets across two hemispheres. Their unique role in food, fuel, and feed makes them more than just another contract — they’re a barometer for global health, demand, and policy. Whether you’re trading the standard ZS contract or getting started with MZS, mastering soybeans means understanding weather, trade flows, product demand, and seasonality. 🧭 This article is part of our agricultural futures trading series. 📅 Watch for the next release: “Weather and Corn: A Deep Dive into Temperature Impact” When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies. General Disclaimer: The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
CBOT:ZS1!Education
by traddictiv
Best GOLD XAUUSD Psychological Levels Indicator on TradingView There is one free technical indicator that will show you every significant psychological level on Gold XAUUSD chart. It is available on TradingView and it is very easy to set. Discover the best psychological support and resistance indicator for Gold trading , its settings and useful tips. First, let's discuss the significance of psychological levels in GOLD XAUUSD analysis and trading. The classic way of the search of significant supports and resistance is based on the analysis of a historic price action. However, while Gold constantly sets new historic highs such a method does not work, because there are no historic resistances to rely on. In such a situation, the only reliable strategy to find potentially strong resistances is to analyze psychological levels. Psychological levels are the round numbers based price levels. Because of the common human psychological biases, these levels attract the interest of the market participants and the prices tend to react to them. A great example of a psychological level in Gold trading is 3000 level. It served as a resistance first and after a breakout turned into an important support. And I found a free technical indicator that plots all the significant psychological levels efficiently. One more thing to note is that I strictly recommend searching for psychological levels on a daily time frame, because it provides the most relevant perspective. To use this indicator, search "round" in indicators wind ow. It is called "Round numbers above and below". Click on that and it will start working immediately. You can see that the indicator plotted 3 significant psychological resistances above current prices and 3 supports below on Gold chat. In the settings of the indicator, you can change the number of levels to identify and change the style of the horizontal lines. Examine the reaction of the price to psychological supports that the indicator shows. These levels may remain significant in futures and applied for pullback/breakout trading. With a crazy bullish rally that we contemplate on Gold this year, psychological levels will be the most reliable technical analysis tools for the identification of future bearish reversals and corrections. This free technical indicator on TradingView will help you in search of the strongest ones. ❤️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.
TRADENATION:XAUUSDEducation
by VasilyTrader
2
Scalping and Swing Trading Strategies A Guide to Optimizing on TradingView Scalping and swing trading strategies are two popular trading approaches in Forex, OANDA:XAUUSD gold, and cryptocurrencies, enabling traders to capitalize on price movements for maximum profits. Scalping focuses on short-term trades with small gains, while swing trading targets longer-term trends. This article guides you on implementing these strategies on TradingView using tools like RSI, MACD, and Fibonacci. Let’s dive in to elevate your trading skills! 1. What is Scalping? Scalping is a short-term trading strategy where traders execute multiple trades daily, capitalizing on small price movements (often a few pips). The goal is to accumulate small profits from numerous trades. Timeframe: 1-minute (M1) or 5-minute (M5). Suitable markets: Forex (EUR/USD, GBP/USD), gold (XAU/USD), or cryptocurrencies (BTC/USD). Requirements: Quick reactions, strict risk management, and appropriate leverage. Example: A scalper might buy EUR/USD when the price touches the lower Bollinger Band on an M5 chart and sell when it reaches the middle band. 2. What is Swing Trading? Swing trading is a medium- to long-term strategy that captures “price swings” within larger trends. Traders hold positions for days to weeks to maximize profits from significant price movements. Timeframe: 4-hour (H4) or daily (D1). Suitable markets: Stocks, Forex, gold, and cryptocurrencies. Requirements: Patience, trend analysis skills, and effective capital management. Example: A swing trader might buy XAU/USD when the price hits the 61.8% Fibonacci level on an H4 chart and hold until it reaches the next resistance. 3. Why Use Scalping and Swing Trading Strategies on TradingView? TradingView offers powerful tools to execute both strategies effectively: Flexible price charts: Supports multiple timeframes and chart types (candlestick, Renko). Technical indicators: RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, Fibonacci, and more. Price alerts: Set notifications for when prices hit support/resistance levels. Pine Script: Customize indicators or automate trading strategies. Tip: Use TradingView’s “Replay” feature to test scalping or swing trading strategies on historical data. 4. Scalping Strategy on TradingView 4.1. Tools and Setup Timeframe: M1 or M5. Indicators: Bollinger Bands (period 20, deviation 2). RSI (period 14, overbought 70, oversold 30). Trading pairs: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, or XAU/USD (due to high liquidity). 4.2. Trading Rules Buy signal: Price touches the lower Bollinger Band. RSI <30 (oversold). Confirmed by a reversal candlestick pattern (e.g., Doji). Sell signal: Price touches the upper Bollinger Band. RSI >70 (overbought). Confirmed by a reversal candlestick. Risk management: Set Stop Loss 5–10 pips below the nearest support. Take Profit at 10–15 pips or when the price hits the middle Bollinger Band. 4.3. Example On an M5 EUR/USD chart, if the price touches the lower Bollinger Band at 1.0850 and RSI <30, enter a buy order. Set Stop Loss at 1.0840 and Take Profit at 1.0865. Exit when the price reaches the middle band. Image illustration: EUR/USD M5 chart with Bollinger Bands and RSI (optimize alt text: “EUR/USD scalping chart TradingView”). 5. Swing Trading Strategy on TradingView 5.1. Tools and Setup Timeframe: H4 or D1. Indicators: Fibonacci Retracement. MACD (12, 26, 9). Moving Averages (MA50, MA200). Trading pairs: XAU/USD, GBP/USD, or BTC/USD. 5.2. Trading Rules Buy signal: Price hits the 50% or 61.8% Fibonacci level in an uptrend. MACD crosses above the signal line. Price is above MA50. Sell signal: Price hits the 50% or 61.8% Fibonacci level in a downtrend. MACD crosses below the signal line. Price is below MA50. Risk management: Set Stop Loss below the nearest support (20–50 pips, depending on the pair). Take Profit at the next resistance or a 1:2 risk-reward ratio. 5.3. Example On an H4 XAU/USD chart, if the price hits the 61.8% Fibonacci level at $1,950 in an uptrend and MACD confirms a buy signal, enter a buy order. Set Stop Loss at $1,930 and Take Profit at $2,000. Image illustration: XAU/USD H4 chart with Fibonacci and MACD (optimize alt text: “XAU/USD swing trading chart TradingView”). 6. Tips for Applying Scalping and Swing Trading Strategies Combine with fundamental analysis: Economic news (interest rates, NFP reports) can impact prices, especially in Forex and OANDA:XAUUSD gold. Backtest strategies: Use TradingView’s “Replay” mode to test strategies before live trading. Manage emotions: Scalping requires intense focus, while swing trading demands patience. Choose the strategy that suits your personality. Optimize costs: Scalping incurs high spread costs, so choose a broker with low spreads. 7. Conclusion Scalping and swing trading strategies offer profitable opportunities in Forex, OANDA:XAUUSD gold, and cryptocurrencies, depending on your trading style. With TradingView’s powerful tools like Bollinger Bands, Fibonacci, and MACD, you can easily implement these strategies. Try scalping on EUR/USD or swing trading on XAU/USD today and share your results with the TradingView community! Sign up for TradingView to explore more features and optimize your trading.
OANDA:XAUUSDEducation
by Henrybillion
The Yen’s Comeback Starts Here—and it Seems the COT Knew First1. Introduction: A Market Everyone Gave Up On For a while, the Japanese Yen looked like a lost cause. After topping out in early 2021, Yen futures (6J1!) began an unrelenting slide, shedding value week after week like an old coat in spring. Traders stopped asking, “Where’s support?” and started asking, “How low can it go?” The macro backdrop didn’t help. The Bank of Japan clung to ultra-loose monetary policy, even as the Fed hiked aggressively. Speculators piled on shorts. The Yen was a one-way ticket down, and no one seemed interested in punching the brakes. But beneath that apathy, a quieter shift was underway. While price kept bleeding, trader positioning began to hint at something different—something the chart didn’t show yet. And if you were watching the Commitments of Traders (COT) report closely enough, you might’ve seen it. 2. The COT Trend That No One Was Watching The COT report isn’t glamorous. It’s slow, lagging by a few days, and rarely makes headlines. But for those who track what the big players are doing—those large enough to be required to report their positions—it’s a treasure trove of subtle clues. One of those clues is Total Reportable Positions. This metric tells us how active large market participants really are—regardless of whether they’re long or short. When that number is dropping, it suggests the “big dogs” are losing interest. When it starts climbing again? Someone’s gearing up to play. From 2021 through most of 2024, Total Reportable Positions in 6J were in a steady decline—mirroring the slow death of the Yen's bullish case. But in late 2024, something changed. Using a simple linear regression channel on this COT data, a clear breakout emerged. Positioning was picking up again—for the first time in nearly three years. And it wasn’t just a bounce. It was a structural shift. 3. Did Price Listen? Yes—and no. Price didn't immediately explode higher. But the structure began to change. The market stopped making new lows. Weekly closes began to cluster above support. And importantly, a Zig Zag analysis started marking a pattern of higher lows—the first signs of accumulation. Here’s where the chart really gets interesting: the timing of the COT breakout coincided almost perfectly with a key UFO support at 0.0065425—a price level that also marked the bottom in COT Traders Total Reportable Longs. This adds a powerful layer of confirmation: institutional orders weren’t just showing up in the data—they were leaving footprints on the chart. And above? There’s a UFO resistance level at 0.0075395. If the Yen continues to climb, that could be a significant price level where early longs may choose to lighten up. 4. The Contract Behind the Story Before we go deeper, let’s talk about what you’re actually trading when you pull the trigger on Yen Futures. The CME Japanese Yen futures (6J) contract represents 12.5 million Japanese Yen, and each tick move—just 0.0000005 per JPY—is worth $6.25. It’s precise, it’s liquid, and for traders who like to build macro positions or take advantage of carry flows, it’s a staple. As of May 2025, margin requirements hover around ~$3,800 (Always double-check with your broker or clearing firm—these numbers shift from time to time.) But maybe you’re not managing seven-figure accounts. Maybe you just want to test this setup with more flexibility. That’s where the Micro JPY/USD Futures (MJY) come in. Contract size: 1/10th the size of 6J Tick move: 0.000001 per JPY increment = $1.25 Same market structure, tighter margin requirement around ~$380 per contract Important note: The COT report aggregates positioning across the whole futures market—it doesn’t separate out micro traders from full-size. So yes, the data still applies. And yes, it still matters. 5. Lessons from the Shift This isn’t about hindsight bias. The value in this setup isn’t that the Yen happened to bounce—it’s how Total Reportable Positions broke trend before price did. Here are the real takeaways: COT data may or may not be predictive—but it is insightful. When positioning starts expanding after a long contraction, it often signals renewed interest or risk-taking. That’s tradable information. Technical support and resistance as well as highs and lows give context. Without them, COT breakouts can feel theoretical. With them, you have real, observable UFO levels where institutions may act—and where you can plan. 6. Watchlist Insights: Where This Might Work Again You don’t have to wait for another yen setup to apply this framework. The same structure can help you scout for early positioning shifts across the CME product universe. Here’s a simple filter to start building your own COT watchlist: ✅ Look for markets where: Price has been in a long, clean downtrend (or uptrend) Total Reportable Positions are falling—but starting to reverse A breakout occurs in positioning trend (draw a regression channel and watch for a clean violation) A key support or resistance lines up with recent extremes in COT positioning Whether it's crude oil, corn, or euro FX, this template gives you a framework for exploration. 🎯 Want to See More Setups Like This? We’re just getting started. If this breakdown opened your eyes to new ways of using COT reports, UFO levels, and multi-dimensional trade setups, keep watching this space. When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies. General Disclaimer: The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
CME:6J1!Education
by traddictiv
Why Gold Is Pulling Back Now – May 2025 Update⚡️After surging above $3,500/oz in late April, gold has since declined over 8%, recently breaking below key levels and now trading near $3,210. The retracement reflects fading panic buying and growing attention to fundamental drivers: U.S. monetary policy, the strong dollar, easing geopolitical risks, and completed trade agreements. Here’s a breakdown of the leading catalysts and their current impact (ranked 0–10). 1. Fed “Higher for Longer” Bias Strength: 9/10 The Fed kept interest rates at 4.25–4.50% at its June policy meeting and reiterated its cautious stance. The absence of cuts combined with persistent inflation pressure is lifting real yields and undercutting gold’s appeal as a non-yielding asset. 2. U.S. Dollar Resurgence Strength: 8/10The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) has climbed above 101 as investors digest the Fed’s hawkish tone. A stronger dollar reduces global gold demand, especially from non-USD buyers. 3. U.S.–China Trade Agreement Reached in Switzerland Strength: 7.5/10 A formal trade deal was announced in Geneva in May, easing longstanding tariff tensions. While specific tariff rollback details are pending, markets welcomed the de-escalation, pushing investors away from gold and into risk assets. 4. U.S.–U.K. Trade Deal Signed Strength: 7/10 The U.S. and U.K. finalized a bilateral trade agreement in early May, boosting global sentiment and further reducing the geopolitical premium priced into gold. 5. India–Pakistan Border De-escalation Strength: 6.5/10 After brief clashes in Kashmir in mid-May, both sides have since released statements of restraint. The calm has helped cap gold’s safe-haven bids. 6. Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks Update Strength: 6/10 Talks resumed in Vienna in May with cautious optimism. While no concrete deal has been signed, progress and diplomatic language from both sides have eased fears of escalation. 7. Russia–Ukraine Ceasefire Developments Strength: 5.5/10 Localized ceasefires in eastern Ukraine, brokered by Turkey and the UN, have lowered near-term geopolitical risk. However, skepticism remains around long-term stability. 8. ETF Inflows & Institutional Demand Strength: 5/10 ETF inflows slowed in May (up just 48.2 tonnes), reflecting waning retail momentum. Still, central bank buying—especially from China—offers a medium-term cushion. Catalyst Strength Rankings (May 2025) 🔸Fed “higher for longer” bias 9 🔸U.S. dollar rebound 8 🔸U.S.–China trade agreement 5.5 🔸U.S.–U.K. trade deal signed 5 🔸India–Pakistan border easing 6.5 🔸Iran–U.S. nuclear diplomacy 6 🔸Russia–Ukraine ceasefire 5.5 🔸Global gold ETF & central-bank inflows 5 Where Next for Gold? ⚡️Current price: ~$3,210/oz 📉Recent support levels broken: $3,300 and $3,250 🎯Next technical floor: $3,150/oz ✨Upside triggers: Renewed dollar weakness, inflation surprise, or geopolitical flare-up Gold’s recent drop reflects the market's rotation out of fear-driven trades into yield-bearing and risk assets. While the Fed and the dollar remain dominant forces, any shock—whether geopolitical or inflationary—could quickly reignite interest in gold as a hedge.
OANDA:XAUUSDEducation
by ProjectSyndicate
45
What’s America's Real Goal in a Possible India–Pakistan War?We are nearing the end of the petro-dollar era. The power balance of the new world order will be defined not by oil, but by the strategic resources essential for AI, electric vehicles, and cutting-edge technology. Throughout the 20th century, the U.S. maintained its global dominance by controlling access to oil. From the Middle East to Latin America and Africa, wherever oil was found, the U.S. was there. But today, the focus has shifted to rare earth elements, lithium, copper, and other strategic minerals. Trump’s 2025 move to buy Greenland wasn’t a diplomatic joke—it was a signal. Behind-the-scenes deals in Ukraine for rare earth deposits tell the same story: whoever controls these "white gold" assets will lead the tech-driven world. Now enters Pakistan, with mineral-rich lands spanning over 600,000 km², nearly three times the size of the UK. Experts estimate its underground reserves to be worth $8 trillion. In Balochistan's Rekodik field alone, there are 12 million tons of copper and 20 million ounces of gold, with a copper purity of 0.53%, well above global standards. In the north, newly discovered lithium reserves could be a game-changer for the EV revolution. This is no longer just about resources—this is about deciding the future balance of global power.
FX:XAUUSDEducation
by Nurlan_PT
Breadbasket Basics: Trading Wheat Futures🟡 1. Introduction Wheat may be a breakfast-table staple, but for traders, it’s a globally sensitive asset — a commodity that reacts to geopolitics, climate patterns, and shifting demand from dozens of countries. Despite its critical role in food security and its status as one of the most traded agricultural commodities, wheat is often overlooked by traders who focus on corn or soybeans. Yet wheat offers a unique combination of liquidity, volatility, and macro sensitivity that makes it highly attractive for both hedgers and speculators. If you’re new to trading wheat, this guide gives you a solid foundation: how the wheat market works, who the key players are, and what makes wheat such a dynamic futures product. 🌍 2. Types of Wheat and Where It Grows One of the first things traders need to understand is that wheat is not a single, uniform product. It’s a diverse group of grain types, each with its own characteristics, end uses, and pricing dynamics. The major classes of wheat include: Hard Red Winter (HRW): High-protein wheat grown in the central U.S. — used in bread and baking. Soft Red Winter (SRW): Lower protein, used for pastries and crackers. Hard Red Spring (HRS): Grown in the Northern Plains; prized for high gluten content. Durum Wheat: Used for pasta, grown mainly in North Dakota and Canada. White Wheat: Grown in the Pacific Northwest; used for noodles and cereals. Each class responds differently to weather, demand, and regional risks — giving traders multiple ways to diversify or hedge. Major global producers include: United States Russia Canada Ukraine European Union Australia India These regions experience different planting and harvesting calendars — and their weather cycles are often out of sync. This creates trading opportunities year-round. 🛠️ 3. CME Group Wheat Contracts Wheat futures are traded on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), part of the CME Group. Here are the two key contracts: o Standard Wheat Ticker: ZW Size = 5,000 bushels Tick = 0.0025 = $12.50 Margin = ~$1,750 o Micro Wheat Ticker: MZW Size = 500 bushels Tick = 0.0050 = $2.50 Margin = ~$175 Keep in mind that margins are subject to change — always confirm with your broker. Micro contracts are ideal for scaling in/out of trades or learning market structure without large capital risk. 📅 4. Wheat’s Seasonality and Supply Chain Unlike corn or soybeans, wheat is planted and harvested across multiple seasons depending on the variety and geography. In the U.S., winter wheat (HRW and SRW) is planted in the fall (September–November) and harvested in early summer (May–July). Spring wheat (HRS) is planted in spring (April–May) and harvested late summer. Globally, things get even more staggered: Australia’s wheat is harvested in November–December Ukraine and Russia harvest in June–August Argentina’s crop comes off the fields in December–January This scattered global schedule means news headlines about one country’s weather or war (think Ukraine in 2022) can quickly shift sentiment across the entire futures curve. 📈 5. Who Trades Wheat and Why Wheat is traded by a wide range of participants — each with their own objectives and strategies. Understanding their behavior can give you an edge in anticipating market moves. Commercial hedgers: Farmers lock in prices to protect against adverse weather or market crashes. Grain elevators and exporters use futures to manage inventory risk. Flour mills hedge their input costs to protect profit margins. Speculators: Hedge funds and CTAs trade wheat based on global macro trends, weather anomalies, or technical setups. Retail traders increasingly use micro contracts to gain exposure to agricultural markets with lower capital risk. Spread traders bet on pricing differences between wheat classes or harvest years. 🔍 For retail traders especially, micro contracts like XW open the door to professional markets without oversized exposure. 🧠 6. What Makes Wheat Unique in Futures Markets Wheat is often considered the most geopolitically sensitive of the major grains. Here’s why: Price can spike fast — even on rumor alone (e.g., export bans or missile strikes near ports). Production risks are global — the market reacts not just to the U.S. crop, but to conditions in Russia, Ukraine, and Australia. Storage and quality matter — protein levels and moisture content affect milling demand. Unlike corn, wheat doesn’t have a single dominant industrial use (like ethanol). This means food demand is king, and food security often drives policy decisions that affect futures pricing. 📌 7. Summary / Takeaway Wheat may not get as much media attention as corn or soybeans, but it’s a deeply important — and deeply tradable — market. Its global footprint, class differences, and sensitivity to weather and politics make it a must-know for serious agricultural futures traders. Whether you're just starting out or looking to diversify your trading playbook, understanding wheat is an essential step. Learn its rhythms, follow its news, and respect the fact that every crop cycle brings a new story to the market. 🧭 This article is part of an ongoing educational series exploring futures trading in agricultural commodities. 📅 Watch for the next release: “Soybeans: The Global Protein Powerhouse.” When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies. General Disclaimer: The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
CBOT:ZW1!Education
by traddictiv
How to Trade Gold with AI-Powered Algos in 2025📊 How to Trade Gold with AI-Powered Algos in 2025 A practical action plan for serious gold traders 🔍 1. Know Why Gold Requires Custom Algo Tactics Gold is volatile, news-sensitive, and driven by macro events like Fed policy, geopolitics, and inflation. Generic stock or crypto bots fail here — gold needs precise, event-aware automation. 🧠 2. Use AI-Powered Bots Trained for Gold Volatility Deploy bots that adapt to real-time data like CPI releases, bond yields, and geopolitical headlines. Use machine learning models that detect gold breakouts, consolidations, and safe-haven flows. Top AI algos for gold traders: Multiple systems based on MT4/MT5 Fully-automated, AI-based gold bot with breakout detection, precision entries, and built-in risk control. ⚙️ 3. Build or Choose the Right Algo Strategy for Gold Trend-Following: Use 21/50 EMA crosses on H1 and H4 Mean Reversion: Bollinger Band fades in range-bound sessions Breakout Algos: Trigger trades on CPI or FOMC event volatility Volume-Based AI: Analyze volume spikes vs. historical patterns 🧪 4. Backtest Gold-Specific Models Always test your bot using historical gold data, especially during NFP weeks, Fed meetings, and geopolitical escalations. Use data from 2018 to 2024 for high-volatility periods. Tools: TradingView for Pine Script testing, MetaTrader 5 for EA deployment 🛡️ 5. Control Risk with Gold-Specific Parameters Max drawdown: Keep under 15 percent Stop-loss: Always use hard stops (not just trailing) Position sizing: 0.5 to 1 percent of capital per trade Use volatility filters: Avoid entries during thin liquidity hours 🔄 6. Automate Monitoring and Adaptation Run multiple bots for breakout, momentum, and reversal setups Use dashboards to track gold-specific metrics like VIX, USDX, DXY, and 10Y Treasury yields Integrate AI that adjusts parameters after major data releases 🚀 7. Prepare for 2025 Market Structure Gold is increasingly driven by Central bank digital currency rollouts USD de-dollarization risks Global stagflation or recession themes DeFi and tokenized gold products Your algo must factor in these macro narratives using real-time data feeds 📌 Gold Algo Trading Success Plan 2025 Use AI bots built for gold volatility Trade high-probability breakouts post-news Backtest with gold-specific macro filters Maintain strict risk limits with max 15 percent drawdown Monitor global news and macro data with bot triggers Continuously optimize and adapt Gold is not just a commodity — it’s a signal of global risk. Automate smartly, manage risk tightly, and use AI to stay one move ahead.
OANDA:XAUUSDEducation
by ProjectSyndicate
28
The Golden Grain: Trading Corn in Global Markets🟡 1. Introduction Corn isn’t just something you eat off the cob at a summer barbecue — it’s one of the most widely traded agricultural commodities in the world. Behind every kernel lies a powerful story of food security, global trade, biofuels, and speculative capital. Whether you’re a farmer managing risk, a trader chasing macro trends, or simply curious about how weather affects global prices, corn futures sit at the crossroads of agriculture and finance. In this article, we’ll explore what makes corn a global economic driver, how it behaves as a futures product, and what traders need to know to approach the corn market intelligently. 🌎 2. Where Corn Grows: Global Powerhouses Corn is cultivated on every continent except Antarctica, but a handful of countries dominate production and exports. United States – By far the largest producer and exporter. The “Corn Belt” — spanning Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, and parts of Ohio and Missouri — produces the majority of U.S. corn. U.S. exports also set global benchmarks for pricing. Brazil & Argentina – These two South American powerhouses are crucial to the global corn supply, especially during the Northern Hemisphere’s off-season. China – Though a top producer, China consumes most of its own supply and has become a key importer during deficit years. Corn is typically planted in the U.S. between late April and early June and harvested from September through November. In Brazil, two crops per year are common — including the important safrinha (second crop), harvested mid-year. Understanding where and when corn is grown is vital. Weather disruptions in any of these regions can ripple through the futures market within hours — or even minutes. 💹 3. Corn as a Futures Market Power Player Corn is one of the most liquid agricultural futures markets in the world, traded primarily on the CME Group’s CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade). It attracts a diverse set of participants: Producers and Commercials: Farmers, ethanol refiners, and food manufacturers use corn futures to hedge price risk. Speculators and Funds: Hedge funds and retail traders speculate on corn price direction, volatility, and seasonal patterns. Arbitrageurs and Spreads: Traders bet on relative price differences between contracts (e.g., old crop vs. new crop spreads). The deep liquidity and relatively low tick size make corn accessible, but its price is highly sensitive to weather, government reports (like WASDE), and international trade policies. 🏗️ 4. CME Group Corn Futures: What You Can Trade The CME Group offers both standard and micro-sized contracts for corn. Here’s a quick overview: o Standard Corn Ticker: ZC Size = 5,000 bushels Tick = 0.0025 = $12.50 Margin = ~$1,050 o Micro Corn Ticker: XC Size = 1,000 bushels Tick = 0.0050 = $2.50 Margin = ~$105 ⚠️ Always confirm margin requirements with your broker. They change with market volatility and exchange updates. The availability of micro corn contracts has opened the door for smaller traders to manage risk or test strategies without over-leveraging. 📊 5. Historical Price Behavior & Seasonality Corn is deeply seasonal — and so is its price action. During planting season (April–May), traders watch weekly USDA crop progress reports and early weather forecasts like hawks. A wet spring can delay planting, leading to tighter supply expectations and early price spikes. Then comes pollination (July) — the most critical stage. This is when heatwaves or drought can do serious damage to yield potential. If temperatures are unusually high or rainfall is scarce during this window, markets often react with urgency, bidding up futures prices in anticipation of reduced output. By harvest (September–November), prices often stabilize — especially if production matches expectations. But early frost, wind storms, or excessive rain during harvest can still trigger sharp volatility. Many experienced traders overlay weather models, soil moisture maps, and historical USDA data to anticipate season-driven price shifts. Even international factors play a role. For example, when Brazil’s safrinha crop suffers a drought, global corn supply tightens — impacting CME prices even though the crop is thousands of miles away. 🧠 6. What Every New Trader Should Know If you’re new to corn trading, here are some key principles: Watch the Weather: It’s not optional. Daily forecasts, drought monitors, and precipitation anomalies can move markets. NOAA, Open-Meteo, and private ag weather services are your friends. Know the Reports: The WASDE report (World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates), USDA Crop Progress, and Prospective Plantings reports can shake up pricing more than you might expect — even if changes seem small. Mind the Time of Year: Seasonality affects liquidity, volatility, and trader behavior. March–August tends to be the most active period. Understand Global Demand: The U.S. exports a huge portion of its crop — with China, Mexico, and Japan as major buyers. A tariff tweak or surprise Chinese cancellation can cause wild price swings. 🛠️ Good corn trading is 50% strategy, 50% meteorology. 🧭 This article is part of a broader educational series exploring the relationship between agricultural commodities and weather patterns. In the upcoming pieces, we’ll dive deeper into how temperature and precipitation affect corn, wheat, and soybeans — with real data, charts, and trading insights. 📅 Watch for the next release: “Breadbasket Basics: Trading Wheat Futures.” When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies. General Disclaimer: The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
CBOT:ZC1!Education
by traddictiv
SPY/QQQ Plan Your Trade Update : Behind The Scenes ResearchI want to say thank you to all of you and to share with you all the work/resources/servers/and other data I maintain to help me identify where and how the markets will present opportunities to all of us. This video shows you a bit of the behind-the-scenes work I do and some of my proprietary modeling systems. I'm not sharing this with you to try to win you over or to tell you I do more than anyone else in terms of research. I'm sure there are many others who go much further than I do in terms of trying to dissect the markets and the opportunities available. But I do believe I deliver very unique research, which is a one-of-a-kind solution for traders. Again, I'm not 100% accurate (I wish I were). But I am trying to share some of the decision-making solutions I use to understand where the markets are likely to move over the next 2- 4+ months and how traders can profit from my research. Remember, you are only seeing about 10% of my total research, tools, modeling systems, and capabilities in these Plan Your Trade videos. I want to thank all of you who continue to value my work. It is not easy. It takes money, time, and resources to continue to monitor all of these systems/algos. The end result, I believe, is one of the most unique future/current modeling system resources you can find anywhere. Again, thank you for making my research a success. I promise to do more and improve my tools over the next 12+ months for everyone to find better profits. 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
AMEX:SPYEducation
by BradMatheny
2
Why does it always go against you? You might be new to trading, you may have several years of experience. But, where a lot of people still seem to go wrong is in not realising the relationships. I have posted hundreds of educational posts here on Tradingview from cartoons, trying to simplify techniques through to market relationships between technical systems such as Elliott Wave and Wyckoff. Many new traders fall foul of social media posts covering "SMC - Smart Money Concepts" and are not seasoned enough to appreciate what or why these can work for some and not for others. You have Elliott Wave traders, there is a saying along the lines of "if you put 10 Elliott traders in a room searching for a wave count you will come out with 11 different answers" This isn't to say Elliott doesn't work, nor Smart Money. The market seeks liquidity, it forms seemingly complex patterns that humans try to make sense of. We are great at that, seeing patterns even if they are not there. - Look, there's an upside-down butterfly 1.618 extension! First, you need to appreciate Elliott Wave counts on smaller timeframe are pointless, especially in the age of algo's and bots. However, sentiment on the larger timeframes can't really be spoofed. In this first image; you can see a market wave that is straight out of a textbook. Let's also add some Wyckoff; if you were to visualise this - Wyckoff schematics would be visible on smaller timeframes, the Green boxes represent accumulation and the Red show distribution. Let's overlay and Elliott Wave count - Take that to the next level, this count is only part of a higher fractal count. How does this fit into smart money concepts? well, it's more like - How does Smart Money fit into this? Elliott waves and Wyckoff have been around for over 100 years. Many of the techniques shown on YT video's today can be traced back to these older concepts. Now, if you can see how a 1-2 EW count pushes up for a 3. You can zoom in again and start to see what to expect when trading using SMC. In this image you can see a drop, then a gap as price pushes back up (I haven't bothered drawing wicks for simplicity assume their inside the box) Many traders would now anticipate a move that looks something like this. Only to see price do this Yeah - you're not the only one! The next issue is where and how Supply and Demand is drawn. Ok, the gap didn't hold, it must be the demand level there. GO AGAIN!!! How did that play out? Trade 1, Trade 2 = What about now? Price holds the support This time you are afraid to go in. Then one of two things happens. 1) Or 2) In the first image, we can see a sweep of prior liquidity and that creates momentum for a move up. In the second image, price simply melts away. This is an easy fix. It all comes down to understanding what the charts are trying to tell you. People love to talk about how "Smart Money" is the banks and institutional players - how they are playing against you on every click of the button. The truth is, most people don't understand the market. When larger players enter the market, the can leave a pretty obvious footprint. In addition to that - they leave behind orders they had but were unable to fill. These orders they will be defended with even more buying or selling (if they need to), and this is the premise for a rally and pullback or a drop to pullback. Now, visualise a 1-2 Elliott Wave move. Why do you think 2 often comes back so deep? What would you expect the move from 2-3 to do? Powerful push, yes? In this image, the move that created demand is simply the opposing colour candle before the power play. The significant move pushed up (showing institutional involvement). Hence, a location they will likely defend. In addition to the push up, they pushed with so much money - it created a natural gap. This type of example doesn't always have to be a power play 1-5 up, it could be visualised on pullback moves too. Here's a great example recently on Euro. The demand candle 'buy before the sell" is clearly targeted on the way up. Price fails to close above it, drops, goes back to retest - sweeps and drops. If you were to zoom in you will see on smaller timeframes evidence of a Wyckoff schematic with a UTAD. Add a volume profile there. As the price breaks above, after it's pullback you can see an acceleration in price and of course the area has the PoC. Back to where people go wrong. They will see this GAP created and assume price will come back here to reject and go. However, look closer and the demand that started the move is very near that gap. Where is the juicy liquidity? PoC is another little clue. Let's take this to another level. In this image I have a range, using the prior high just to give the example in this post. We are in an uptrend = we just broke the high, we expect a Pullback. Where would that likely target? Zoom in again. This time I have added a fixed range volume tool. What do you know?! Anyways, once you get a handle on the bigger picture and understand the relationships, you can zoom into any timeframe you like - the game is always the same. Have a great week all! Disclaimer This idea does not constitute as financial advice. It is for educational purposes only, our principal trader has over 25 years' experience in stocks, ETF's, and Forex. Hence each trade setup might have different hold times, entry or exit conditions, and will vary from the post/idea shared here. You can use the information from this post to make your own trading plan for the instrument discussed. Trading carries a risk; a high percentage of retail traders lose money. Please keep this in mind when entering any trade. Stay safe.
Education
by Mayfair_Ventures
3
The Hidden Power of the Silver Bullet Strategy - Full GuideIntroduction The Silver Bullet Strategy is a high-probability intraday trading technique popularized within the Smart Money Concepts community. It focuses on taking precision trades during specific times of the day when liquidity is most active. Mastering this strategy can help traders consistently capture high-quality setups with minimal risk. In this guide, we will cover: - What the Silver Bullet Strategy is - Key Times to Watch - Entry Models - Target Setting - Risk Management - Real Chart Examples --- What is the Silver Bullet Strategy? The Silver Bullet Strategy is based on trading within a "window" of high-probability price action, typically during key liquidity times. It looks to capture moves after liquidity sweeps, order block mitigations, and Fair Value Gap (FVG) plays. Key Principles: - Focuses on high-probability windows (New York session especially) - Waits for a liquidity grab and displacement - Entries are often on FVGs, OBs, or MSS points --- Silver Bullet Timing Windows Timing is crucial to this strategy. The "Silver Bullet" typically occurs in these windows (New York time): - First Window: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (New York) - Second Window: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (New York) These times capture major moves post-liquidity sweeps or reversals after news/market manipulation. --- Silver Bullet Entry Model The classic sequence for a Silver Bullet setup: 1. Identify Liquidity Sweep: Look for price to grab liquidity above a swing high or below a swing low. 2. Look for Displacement: A strong move away from the sweep, creating a Fair Value Gap (FVG) or Breaker Block. 3. Entry in FVG or OB: Enter on a retracement into the FVG or Order Block after displacement. 4. Confirmation: Use lower timeframe MSS or BOS to confirm the reversal. Liquidity sweep and FVG at the 5m: MSS + Displacement candle at the 1m: So all 4 steps completed! Example Entry Checklist: - Liquidity sweep - Strong displacement creating an FVG - Price retraces into FVG or OB - MSS/BOS confirmation - Execute trade with tight stop-loss --- Where to Set Targets Targets should be logical based on market structure: - First Target: Recent internal liquidity (equal highs/lows) - Second Target: External liquidity zones (major swing highs/lows) - Optional: Use 1R/2R/3R scaling based on risk-to-reward goals --- Risk Management for Silver Bullet Trades Golden Rules: - Risk less than 1% per Silver Bullet setup - Set stop-loss beyond the liquidity sweep (not too tight, not too loose) or above FVG candle - Stick to one or two trades per window maximum - Avoid revenge trading outside the windows --- Common Mistakes to Avoid - Trading outside the specified time windows - Entering without a confirmed sweep and displacement - Overleveraging because the strategy "looks easy" - Ignoring higher timeframe bias (HTF context is still critical!) Pro Tip: Combine Silver Bullet entries with SMT Divergences, MSS, and IFVGs for maximum confluence. --- Final Thoughts The Silver Bullet Strategy is one of the cleanest ways to approach intraday trading. By mastering liquidity concepts, timing, and precision entries, traders can catch powerful moves with strong risk-to-reward setups. Be patient, wait for your window, and always trade with discipline. Happy Sniping!
Education
by Louigi_24
44
Forex Grid Trading Overview: Practical Guide for 2025Forex Grid Trading Strategy: Detailed Overview & Low-Risk EUR/USD Application 1️⃣ What Is Grid Trading? A grid trading strategy places a series of **buy** and **sell** orders at fixed intervals (“grid levels”) above and below a base price, without forecasting market direction. As price oscillates, it triggers orders across the grid, locking in small profits on each swing. - **No Directional Bias** – Profits on both up- and down-moves - **Automated Entry/Exit** – Ideal for Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5 - **Scalable** – Grid size and lot sizing can be tailored to account size and volatility 2️⃣ How It Works – Core Components 1. **Grid Levels** - Define a **base price** (e.g. current EUR/USD mid) - Set **intervals** (e.g. every 20 pips) above/below the base 2. **Orders** - **Buy Limit** orders at 20, 40, 60 pips below base - **Sell Limit** orders at 20, 40, 60 pips above base 3. **Take Profit (TP) for Each Order** - TP typically equals the grid interval (e.g. 20 pips) so each triggered order nets a small profit - No hard Stop Loss per order—risk is managed via overall exposure 4. **Cumulative P&L** - Winning trades roll profits into the floating drawdown of unfilled orders - As price oscillates, the grid “locks in” incremental gains 3️⃣ Pros & Cons | Pros | Cons | |---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | ✅ Profits in ranging markets | ❌ Can incur large drawdowns in strong trends | | ✅ Automated, systematic execution | ❌ Requires significant margin for multiple open trades | | ✅ Scalable to any time-frame | ❌ Floating negative exposure if grid one-sided | --- ✅Low-Risk Best Practices 1. **Grid Spacing & Width** - Wider grid intervals (e.g. 30–50 pips) reduce order density and margin use - Use **ATR** (Average True Range) to adapt spacing to EUR/USD volatility 2. **Lot Sizing & Equity Risk** - Risk ≤ 1–2% equity per full grid cycle - Use **fixed fractional** sizing: each order size = (Equity × 1%) / (max number of open grid orders) 3. **Drawdown Control** - **Maximum Open Orders** cap (e.g. 5 orders per side) - **Equity Stop-Out**: if floating drawdown exceeds e.g. 10% of equity, close all orders 4. **Trend Filters** - Use a **200-period SMA** or **ADX** filter: only enable sell grid if price < SMA (downtrend) or ADX < 25 (low momentum) - Disables grid in strong one-way trends 5. **Grid Shifting / Re-Base** - After a net grid profit, **shift** the base price to current mid to reset exposure - Prevents runaway open trades far from current price 5️⃣ Step-by-Step: Applying to EUR/USD 1. **Choose Time-Frame** - **H4 or H1** recommended: balances signal frequency and margin needs 2. **Define Grid Parameters** - **Base Price:** current EUR/USD mid (e.g. 1.0980) - **Interval:** 30 pips (≈ recent ATR on H4) - **Levels:** 3 buys at 1.0950 / 1.0920 / 1.0890; 3 sells at 1.1010 / 1.1040 / 1.1070 3. **Set Order Size** - Account equity $10 000, risk 1% = $100 per full grid - Max open orders 6 → each order $100/6 ≈ $16.7 → ≈ 0.02 lots 4. **Configure TP & No SL** - Each order TP = 30 pips (equals interval) - No per-order SL; overall drawdown managed by equity stop 5. **Implement Filters** - Only open **sell** grid if H4 close < 200-SMA; only open **buy** grid if H4 close > 200-SMA - Pause grid if ADX > 30 (strong trend) or market events (e.g. NFP, ECB rate decision) 6. **Deploy & Monitor** - Run on MT4 with an EA or semi-automated Expert Advisor - Monitor margin usage; adjust grid or disable before major news 6️⃣ Example P&L Mechanics | Trigger Price | Order Type | Entry | TP Target | Profit (pips) | |---------------|------------|---------|-----------|---------------| | 1.0950 | Buy Limit | 1.0950 | 1.0980 | 30 | | 1.0980 | Sell Limit | 1.0980 | 1.1010 | 30 | - If price moves down to 1.0950: buy executes, TP at 1.0980 nets +30 pips - If price then climbs above base, sells trigger at 1.1010 nets +30 pips 2️⃣ Introducing Progressive & Regressive Scaling 🔼 2.1 Progressive Scaling “Let winners run”—increase exposure after success Concept: After each profitable grid cycle, step up your lot size by a fixed increment. Why: Capitalizes on momentum and winning streaks. How to apply: Base Lot: 0.02 lots per order (1% equity risk). After grid closes net-positive, next cycle = 0.03 lots. Continue stepping up (0.04, 0.05 …) until a drawdown or equity-stop is hit. Reset back to base lot after a losing cycle or whenever floating drawdown > 5%. Caps & Safeguards: Max Lot Cap: Never exceed 0.10 lots (or 2% equity risk). Equity Stop: If floating drawdown > 10%, close cycle & reset. 🔽 2.2 Regressive Scaling “Protect the downside”—reduce exposure after losses Concept: After a losing grid cycle, step down your lot size to conserve capital. Why: Limits damage during rough periods and preserves margin. How to apply: Base Lot: 0.02 lots per order. If grid hits equity-stop or nets negative, next cycle = 0.015 lots. Continue stepping down (0.01, 0.005) until you record a net-positive cycle. Reset to base lot after recovery (e.g. two consecutive winning cycles). Thresholds: Don’t drop below 0.005 lots (to avoid over-shrinking). After two winning cycles at reduced lot, return to base. ✅ Bottom Line Forex grid trading on EUR/USD can generate steady gains in choppy markets—but demands **strict risk controls** (grid spacing, lot sizing, drawdown limits) and **trend filters** to avoid large losses in trending conditions. When properly applied, a low-risk grid on EUR/USD offers a robust, mostly hands-off strategy for capturing repetitive market swings. 4️⃣ Key Takeaways Progressive Scaling lifts lot sizes on winning streaks, amplifying gains—but must be capped and reset on losses. Regressive Scaling shrinks exposure after drawdowns, preserving capital until the strategy recovers. Combine both with your grid’s risk parameters, trend filter, and a solid equity-stop to maintain a balanced, low-risk EUR/USD grid. By layering scaling rules atop your grid, you adapt dynamically to market performance—maximizing winners and protecting against prolonged losing runs. Good luck! 🚀
Education
by ProjectSyndicate
39
Are You Taking the Right Risks in Trading? RISK Per Trade Basics What portion of your equity should you risk for your trading positions? In the today's article, I will reveal the types of risks related to your position sizing. Quick note: your risk per trade will be defined by the distance from your entry point to stop loss in pips and the lot size. 🟢Risking 1-2% of your trading account per trade will be considered a low risk. With such a risk, one can expect low returns but a high level of safety of the total equity. Such a risk is optimal for conservative and newbie traders. With limited account drawdowns, one will remain psychologically stable during the negative trading periods. 🟡2-5% risk per trade is a medium risk. With such a risk, one can expect medium returns but a moderate level of safety of the total equity. Such a risk is suitable for experienced traders who are able to take losses and psychologically resilient to big drawdowns and losing streaks. 🔴5%+ risk per trade is a high risk. With such a risk, one can expect high returns but a low level of safety of the total equity. Such a risk is appropriate for rare, "5-star" trading opportunities where all stars align and one is extremely confident in the positive outcome. That winner alone can bring substantial profits, while just 2 losing trades in a row will burn 10% of the entire capital. 🛑15%+ risk per trade is considered to be a stupid risk. With such a risk, one can blow the entire trading account with 4-5 trades losing streak. Taking into consideration the fact that 100% trading setups does not exist, such a risk is too high to be taken. The problem is that most of the traders does not measure the % risk per trade and use the fixed lot. Never make such a mistake, and plan your risks according to the scale that I shared with you. ❤️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.
TRADENATION:XAUUSDEducation
by VasilyTrader
5
Trump's Tariff Wars : Why It Is Critical To Address Global TradeThis video, a continuation of the Trump's Tariff Wars video I created last week, tries to show you why it is critically important that we, as a nation, address the gross imbalances related to US trade to global markets that are resulting in a $1.5-$1.8 TRILLION deficit every fiscal year. There has been almost NOTHING done about this since Trump's last term as President. Our politicians are happy to spend - spend - spend - but none of them are worries about the long-term fiscal health of the US. (Well, some of them are worried about it - but the others seem to be completely ignorant of the risks related to the US). Trump is raising this issue very early into his second term as president to protect ALL AMERICANS. He is trying to bring the issue into the news to highlight the imbalances related to US trade throughout the world. When some other nation is taking $300B a year from the us with an unfair tariff rate - guess what, we need to make that known to the American consumer because we are the ones that continue to pay that nation the EXTRA every year. Do you want to keep paying these other nations a grossly inefficient amount for cheap trinkets, or do you want our politicians and leaders to take steps to balance the trade deficits more efficiently so we don't pass on incredible debt levels to our children and grandchildren? So many people simply don't understand what is at risk. Short-term - the pain may seem excessive, but it may only last 30, 60, 90 days. Long-term - if we don't address this issue and resolve it by negotiating better trade rates, this issue will destroy the strength of the US economy, US Dollar, and your children's future. Simply put, we can't keep going into debt without a plan to attempt to grow our GDP. The solution to this imbalance is to grow our economy and to raise taxes on the uber-wealthy. We have to grow our revenues and rebalance our global trade in an effort to support the growth of the US economy. And, our politicians (till now) have been more than happy to ignore this issue and hide it from the American people. They simply didn't care to discuss it or deal with it. Trump brought this to the table because it is important. I hope you now see HOW important it really is. 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
AMEX:SPYEducation
by BradMatheny
19
Blueprint for Becoming a Successful Forex Trader in 2025🚀 Blueprint to Becoming a Successful Forex Trader in 2025: Leveraging ICT, Automation, and Prop Funding Here’s a detailed, actionable blueprint designed to position you for success by carefully navigating broker selection, adopting advanced trading strategies, obtaining prop funding, and integrating automation and AI technologies into your trading. 🏦 Broker Selection (Actionable Steps) 🔍 Choose brokers with true ECN/STP execution ⚡ Ensure brokers offer low spreads (0.0-0.2 pip average) and fast execution to maximize ICT precision entries. 🛡️ Prioritize brokers regulated by ASIC, FCA, or FSCA with verified Myfxbook execution reports. 📊 Confirm broker compatibility with MetaTrader 4 (MT4) to seamlessly integrate Expert Advisors (EAs). 💳 Check for flexible withdrawal/deposit methods and swift payouts (Crypto, Wise, Revolut). 🎯 Trading Strategy (ICT Concepts & Supply-Demand Zones) 🧠 Master ICT Concepts: Liquidity sweeps, Order Blocks (OB), Fair Value Gaps (FVG), Market Structure Breaks (MSB). 📍 Combine ICT with Supply-Demand: Identify institutional supply-demand zones aligning with ICT Order Blocks & liquidity areas. 📐 Execute High-Probability Setups: Trade only after liquidity grabs at key daily/weekly ICT points, avoiding retail traps. 📈 Time & Price Theory: Trade London Kill Zones and New York Open exclusively, exploiting predictable ICT volatility. 📆 Weekly Preparation: Annotate D1/H4 charts on weekends marking liquidity points, order blocks, and premium/discount zones clearly. 💰 Getting Prop Funding (Actionable Approach) 🥇 Target reputable prop firms (FTMO, MyForexFunds, The Funded Trader, 8cap, etc) with clear and attainable evaluation objectives. 📑 Use ICT trading style for evaluation: lower-frequency, high-probability trades with clearly defined risks. 🎯 Implement strict risk management rules: never exceed 1% risk per trade, aiming for steady account growth (5-10% monthly target). 📊 Monitor performance closely using provided analytics dashboards (e.g., FTMO Metrics App) and adapt accordingly. 📚 Diversify funded accounts across multiple firms, compounding total available trading capital while reducing firm-specific risk. ⚙️ Automating & Executing Trades (MT4 EA & Bots) 🛠️ Hire experienced MQL4 developers to code custom ICT-based MT4 Expert Advisors 🤖 Develop EAs specifically around ICT logic (Order Block detection, liquidity grabs, market structure shifts) and or supply/demand logic 🤖 use advanced algo based breakout EAs for automation 📌 Automate trade management: EAs should handle entry precision, partial exits, break-even stops, and trail stops. 📡 Set EAs on VPS Hosting (NY4, LD4) for optimal latency and consistent execution (ForexVPS, AccuWeb Hosting). 📈 Regularly perform forward-testing and optimization of EAs on demo accounts before live deployment (at least quarterly optimization). 📲 Integrating Advanced Bots and Technology in 2025 📊 Combine your MT4 EAs with third-party analytics platforms for detailed trade performance insights. 🔮 Incorporate AI-based forecasting tools to refine ICT setups and trade signals. 🔔 Use automated bots for real-time alerts on ICT-based setups via Telegram or Discord channels. 🧑‍💻 Maintain manual oversight for discretionary ICT decisions—use automation for entry efficiency, not blind reliance. 🔄 Continuously retrain and update your bot’s logic monthly using the most recent trade data, ensuring adaptive execution. 🗓️ Daily Routine for Success 🌅 Pre-session (30 mins): Review annotated charts, ICT concepts (liquidity, OB, FVG), and supply-demand levels. 💻 During trading session: Monitor EA execution, manually adjust positions based on real-time ICT setups. 📝 Post-session (15 mins): Journal trades meticulously in detail, noting ICT reasoning behind wins and losses. 📆 Weekly review: Assess overall ICT & EA performance—adjust EA parameters as needed to match evolving market conditions. 📚 Continuous learning: Keep updated on advanced ICT framework, supply demand zone trading. 📌 Final Actionable Advice for 2025 🔍 Specialize intensely on ICT & supply-demand concepts rather than multiple strategies—depth over breadth. 🚩 Always adapt and evolve your trading algorithms to ICT methodology—market dynamics continually change. 🧘 Maintain emotional discipline and patience, relying on high-probability setups to steadily compound your account. 💡 Stay ahead by embracing technology: automation, AI-driven forecasting, and custom ICT tools will provide a significant edge in 2025.
Education
by ProjectSyndicate
26
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.
Education
by TLTurnerTV
11
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. #trading #research #investing #tradingalgos #tradingsignals #cycles #fibonacci #elliotwave #modelingsystems #stocks #bitcoin #btcusd #cryptos #spy #gold #nq #investing #trading #spytrading #spymarket #tradingmarket #stockmarket #silver
AMEX:SPYEducation
by BradMatheny
64
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. #trading #research #investing #tradingalgos #tradingsignals #cycles #fibonacci #elliotwave #modelingsystems #stocks #bitcoin #btcusd #cryptos #spy #gold #nq #investing #trading #spytrading #spymarket #tradingmarket #stockmarket #silver
AMEX:SPYEducation
by BradMatheny
2
The Greatest Opportunity of Your Life : Answering QuestionsThis video is an answer to Luck264's question about potential price rotation. I go into much more details because I want to highlight the need to keep price action in perspective related to overall (broader) and more immediate (shorter-term) trends. Additionally, I try to highlight what I've been trying to tell all of you over the past 3+ years... The next 3-%+ years are the GREATEST OPPORTUNITY OF YOUR LIFE. You can't even imagine the potential for gains unless I try to draw it out for you. So, here you go. This video highlights why price is the ultimate indicator and why my research/data is superior to many other types of analysis. My data is factual, process-based, and results in A or B outcomes. I don't mess around with too many indicators because I find them confusing at times. Price tells me everything I need to know - learn what I do to improve your trading. Hope you enjoy this video. 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
AMEX:SPYEducation
by BradMatheny