Understanding Bearish and Bullish Bat Harmonic Patterns
Understanding Bearish and Bullish Bat Harmonic Patterns: A Professional Guide for Traders
In the dynamic world of trading, identifying potential reversal points is crucial for making informed decisions. Two powerful tools that professional traders often rely on are the Bearish and Bullish Bat Harmonic Patterns. These patterns, grounded in Fibonacci ratios, offer insights into market behavior and help in predicting price movements. This article delves into the intricacies of these patterns, providing a comprehensive guide for traders.
__________________The Bearish Bat Harmonic Pattern_________________________
The Bearish Bat Harmonic Pattern is a reversal pattern that indicates a potential decline in price after an upward correction. Here's how to identify and interpret this pattern:
X-A Leg: The initial move where the price falls from point X to point A.
A-B Leg: The price then retraces upwards from point A to point B, typically reaching 38.2% to 50% of the X-A leg.
B-C Leg: The price falls again from point B to point C, retracing 38.2% to 88.6% of the A-B leg.
C-D Leg: The final leg sees the price rise from point C to point D. Point D is the critical point, expected at the 88.6% retracement level of the X-A leg and coinciding with the 161.8% extension of the B-C leg.
Key Fibonacci Ratios:
A-B: 38.2% to 50% retracement of X-A
B-C: 38.2% to 88.6% retracement of A-B
C-D: 88.6% retracement of X-A and 161.8% extension of B-C
Trading Strategy: Traders should look for selling opportunities around point D, anticipating a downward move following the completion of the pattern.
Entry, Stop-Loss (SL), and Take-Profit (TP) Criteria:
Entry: Enter a short position at or near point D.
Stop-Loss (SL): Place the stop-loss slightly above point X to account for any potential false breakouts.
Take-Profit (TP): Set the first TP at the 61.8% retracement of the C-D leg and the second TP at the 100% retracement of the C-D leg.
_________________________The Bullish Bat Harmonic Pattern_____________________
Conversely, the Bullish Bat Harmonic Pattern signals a potential rise in price after a downward correction. Here are the steps to identify and utilize this pattern:
X-A Leg: The initial move where the price rises from point X to point A.
A-B Leg: The price then retraces downwards from point A to point B, typically reaching 38.2% to 50% of the X-A leg.
B-C Leg: The price rises again from point B to point C, retracing 38.2% to 88.6% of the A-B leg.
C-D Leg: The final leg sees the price fall from point C to point D. Point D is the critical point, expected at the 88.6% retracement level of the X-A leg and coinciding with the 161.8% extension of the B-C leg.
Key Fibonacci Ratios:
A-B: 38.2% to 50% retracement of X-A
B-C: 38.2% to 88.6% retracement of A-B
C-D: 88.6% retracement of X-A and 161.8% extension of B-C
Trading Strategy: Traders should look for buying opportunities around point D, anticipating an upward move following the completion of the pattern.
Entry, Stop-Loss (SL), and Take-Profit (TP) Criteria:
Entry: Enter a long position at or near point D.
Stop-Loss (SL): Place the stop-loss slightly below point X to account for any potential false breakouts.
Take-Profit (TP): Set the first TP at the 61.8% retracement of the C-D leg and the second TP at the 100% retracement of the C-D leg.
______________________Practical Application and Tips_______________________
To effectively utilize these patterns, traders should:
Use Confirmation Indicators: Always combine harmonic patterns with other technical indicators, such as RSI or MACD, to confirm potential reversal points.
Practice Patience: Wait for the pattern to fully develop and reach point D before taking action.
Risk Management: Implement strict risk management strategies, including stop-loss orders, to protect against potential false signals.
Conclusion:
The Bearish and Bullish Bat Harmonic Patterns are powerful tools in a trader's arsenal, providing a structured approach to identifying potential market reversals. By understanding and applying these patterns, traders can enhance their decision-making process and improve their trading performance. Remember, like all technical analysis tools, these patterns are most effective when used in conjunction with other indicators and sound risk management practices. Happy trading!
Community ideas
Brilliant Basics - Part 1: Trendlines"Champions are brilliant at the basics." - John Robert Wooden, legendary basketball coach. In trading, just like in sports, mastering the fundamentals forms the foundations for exceptional performance.
Welcome to the first part of our educational series, Brilliant Basics . In this series, we'll explore how mastering the fundamentals lays the groundwork for achieving high-level performance in trading. Today, we focus on trendlines, a crucial tool for any trader aiming to understand market momentum.
Simple Elegance
Trendlines are so simple in their design that their importance can often be dismissed. A child could map the swings of a market and tell you whether the line was upward or downward sloping. Yet, this simplicity is precisely what gives trendlines their potency.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
The elegance of trendlines lies in their ability to distil market movements into an easily interpretable format. This simplicity does not mean they lack depth; rather, it means they are accessible to all traders, regardless of experience level. Here’s why their simplicity is so important:
Clarity in Chaos: Markets can be noisy and unpredictable, but trendlines help to bring order to this chaos. If drawn correctly, they provide a clear visual representation of the market’s overall direction and volatility.
Universal Application: Trendlines can be applied to any market, on any timeframe. Whether you are trading stocks, commodities, or forex, trendlines work the same way, making them a universal tool in a trader's toolkit.
Consistent Feedback: Trendlines offer immediate visual feedback on price action. If a trendline is respected by the market, it reinforces your analysis. If it is broken, it signals a potential change in momentum or trend.
How to Draw Trendlines Correctly
Drawing trendlines might seem straightforward, but there are specific guidelines to ensure they are both accurate and useful:
1. Identify Swings: Begin by identifying the swing highs and swing lows on your chart. For an uptrend line, connect at least two higher lows. For a downtrend line, connect at least two lower highs. Ensure these points are significant swings and not minor fluctuations.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
2. Avoid Cutting Prices: A trendline should not intersect any price action between the points it connects. Drawing a trendline that cuts through price bars undermines its validity and the potential insights it can offer. The line should clearly touch the chosen swing points without cutting through the price action in between. Draw multiple high quality trendlines rather than a ‘line of best fit’.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
3. Consistency: Maintain a consistent approach when drawing trendlines. Use the same criteria for identifying swing points and avoid forcing a trendline to fit the data. This consistency helps in making objective and reliable trading decisions.
Trendline Fans and Their Insights
A single trendline can offer valuable insights, but using multiple trendlines—forming a trendline fan—can provide a deeper understanding of market momentum and potential changes in trend.
Rising Momentum: In an uptrend, if the subsequent trendlines are steeper, it indicates increasing momentum. Each steeper line shows that buyers are stepping in more aggressively. However, should trendlines increase in steepness exponentially this leaves the trend vulnerable to exhaustion.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Ebbing Momentum: Conversely, if the subsequent trendlines in an uptrend are less steep, it indicates decreasing momentum. This situation suggests that while prices are still rising, the strength of the upward movement is waning.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Practical Applications
Understanding the simplicity of trendlines enhances their practical application in trading. Here’s how you can leverage their elegance:
Momentum Assessment: As we’ve seen with the trendline fans, the steepness of a trendline or progressive steepness of a trendline fan can give a valuable real-time insight into market momentum.
Support and Resistance: Trendlines act as dynamic support and resistance levels. In an uptrend, the trendline or trendline fan serves as a support levels where price may bounce back up upon testing. In a downtrend, the trendline acts as resistance, where price might reverse downward upon touching.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Entry Signals: Trendline breaks can serve as entry signals, especially when used on multiple timeframes. A break above a downtrend line on a lower timeframe, in-line with a bigger picture uptrend could create an attractive buying opportunity. The inverse is true with a break below an ascending trendline on a lower timeframe.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Exit Signals: Trendline breaks can serve as exit signals. A break below an uptrend line or multiple uptrend lines in a trendline fan might indicate a potential reversal and an exit point.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Summary:
The simple elegance of trendlines makes them an indispensable tool in technical analysis. Their straightforward nature belies the depth of information they can provide, making them accessible yet useful. By mastering the basics of drawing and interpreting trendlines, traders can gain a clearer understanding of market trends and make more informed trading decisions.
As we continue our Brilliant Basics series, stay tuned for Part 2, where we will explore support and resistance levels. Understanding this fundamental concept will further enhance your ability to identify potential reversal zones.
Disclaimer: This is for information and learning purposes only. The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance. Social media channels are not relevant for UK residents.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80.84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Why longer term charts are importantI took a look at the weekly gold/silver ratio and noticed a few significant patterns. For example, there was a notable acceleration downward following the break of a 3-year uptrend a couple of weeks ago. Additionally, there is support at the 74.65/63 level, which has been in place since January 2022.
This observation reminded me of the importance of examining long-term charts, regardless of your trading time frame. Longer-term charts provide essential context and clarity that short-term charts often lack.
Why everyone should be looking at longer term charts:
1. Identifying Trends
Long-term charts help in identifying significant trends that might not be visible in short-term data.
2. Smoothing Out Volatility
Short-term data is often noisy, with frequent fluctuations that can obscure the underlying pattern. Long-term charts smooth out this volatility, providing a clearer picture of the fundamental movement and reducing the influence of random, short-term events.
3. Contextualizing Current Movements
Long-term charts place current price or economic movements in a broader context. This helps investors and analysts understand whether a recent change is part of a larger trend or not.
4. Historical Comparisons
These charts allow for comparisons with past periods, making it possible to identify cycles, recurring patterns, and historical precedents. This historical perspective can be invaluable for forecasting future movements and making informed predictions.
5. Assessing Risk and Reward
By examining long-term performance, investors can better assess the potential risks and rewards of an investment. Understanding how an asset has performed over various market cycles helps in evaluating its stability and growth potential.
6. Avoiding Emotional Bias
Short-term market movements can evoke strong emotional responses, leading to impulsive decisions. Long-term charts provide a more detached view, helping investors stay focused on long-term objectives and avoid reacting to short-term market noise.
Conclusion
In summary, long-term charts offer a comprehensive view that is critical for understanding trends, reducing noise, contextualizing current events, making historical comparisons, assessing risk, avoiding emotional decisions, developing strategies, and analysing economic cycles. They are an indispensable tool for anyone involved in financial markets or economic analysis, providing the clarity and perspective necessary for informed decision-making.
Disclaimer:
The information posted on Trading View is for informative purposes and is not intended to constitute advice in any form, including but not limited to investment, accounting, tax, legal or regulatory advice. The information therefore has no regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific recipient. Opinions expressed are our current opinions as of the date appearing on Trading View only. All illustrations, forecasts or hypothetical data are for illustrative purposes only. The Society of Technical Analysts Ltd does not make representation that the information provided is appropriate for use in all jurisdictions or by all Investors or other potential Investors. Parties are therefore responsible for compliance with applicable local laws and regulations. The Society of Technical Analysts will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any information on this site.
Trapped traders provides a great Short opportunity on DOW The plan for the session was to trade short off resistance on the DOW after an initial opening drive higher. The short side was the play and paid out nicely for patient sellers.
In the video I talk through the key Price Action for the move and prime trade areas on the DOW Index.
ANY QUESTIONS, JUST LEAVE IN THE COMMENTS !!
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Want to spot a turning point in trend before it happens?Want to spot a turning point in trend before it happens? Use Elliott wave parallel channel
This chart shows the GBP/JPY currency pair using monthly candlesticks. The advance from Sep 2011 to June 2015 can be labeled as an impulse wave (A). From that high, the pair declined in three waves labeled as wave (B) of a Zigzag A-B-C correction with an expanding diagonal characteristic in the C wave position.
As a rule, in a Zigzag rally, wave B notably terminates above the origin of wave A. When wave (C) advance of a zigzag rally is in operation, we can forecast where wave (C) might end.
We can use Elliott wave channel projection by connecting the origin of wave (A) with the end of wave (B) and then drawing a parallel line from the end of wave (A). As a guideline, the resulting channel gives us a potential target for the wave (C) endpoint.
Moreover, we can also use ratio analysis to improve the odds. As a guideline, in Zigzag formations, wave (C) commonly ends after traveling the same length as wave (A). Observe this level corresponds with the Elliott wave channel projection.
This cluster of evidence hints at wave (C) advance from Mar 2020 is in late stages and that prices are approaching a major top.
Myth Busting: Market Style!I have been very lacking in producing educational content. I know a lot of you follow for my analysis, some others for my indicators and some others for my educational content. While I have been getting back in the groove of posting for the later 2, I have neglected those interested in educational content.
So voila, here we are with an educational post! In this post, I want to dispel and or validate some market conjecture based on actual research and my own observations, from indicators, to chart patterns to different market theories. The post will be formatted in the great MYTH BUSTER format!
Hope you enjoy!
Myth #1: All indicators are interchangeable and one indicator can be used for any type of equity.
You all likely have seen, whether on tradingview or other sites, the magical indicators that “work in all markets!”. And you tell yourself, “oh wow, too good to be true, right?!” And the fact is, it is too good to be true. This is a myth and is absolutely false. No one indicator will be cross compatible for multiple different equity types. No one indicator will be sufficient even within the same equity types (i.e. just because RSI works for MSFT doesn’t mean it will work for NVDA).
You can actually objectively view this for yourself if you apply my ATREE indicator . Just as a quick explanation, the ATREE indicator uses MFI, Stochastics, RSI and Z-Score to determine sentiment. It will also provide you with back-test results as to how effective it is at gauging sentiment based on these individuals technical. If we look at ATREE for NVDA:
Pay attention to the backtest results on the right side of the screen. These provide the raw success rate of its sentiment estimations. For NVDA, we can see that Stochastics can predict sentiment roughly 76% of the time on the daily timeframe. However, if we flip on over to MSFT
We see that Z-Score is actually much more effective at determining sentiment than RSI, Stochastics or MFI. This is just an example, but to show you another one, let’s take the Ichimoku cloud with buy and sell signals and put it on MSFT:
We can see, it nailed the buy but pretty hit or miss for the sell. I wouldn’t say this is a great indicator to use for MSFT shorting. However, if we flip on over to SPY with the same indicator:
Its been a bit more on point.
Understanding unique individual ticker intricacies is my whole shebang. I produce models to predict sentiment. If you are part of my community you know there are 4 commonly used models that we employ, from LSTM, to ARIMA, to Eucledian Distance models to Momentum Technical Models. Not all are equal for all stocks. For example, we will reference momentum for tickers like NVDA, but Eucledian distance is better for tickers like SPY. How do you figure this out? Backtesting! I’ve said it in other educational ideas and I saw it again, you always need to backtest your strategy!
Myth #1 Verdict:
So, are all indicators good for all markets?
NO! This is BUSTED!
Myth #2: Trendlines and chart patterns are helpful and pivotal for trading stocks
There tends to two schools of thought to this. Train 1 is that trendlines are pivotal for trading and making assumptions. Train 2 of thought is that they are not helpful and quite frankly useless. However, in mainstream trading theory and teachings, trendlines are a often cited and often taught method of market determination. But are they useful?
Well, it depends. Trendlines can give us context, without trendlines we would have no context and would just be trading random candles on a blank space. The degree of efficacy of these trendlines can depend on things like:
a) The duration of the trend,
b) The skill of the chartist,
c) The number of tests of the trendline,
d) The overall economic climate that a stock is in.
Obviously, I personally found trendlines problematic, hence my resorting to computer modelling. However, in my years of experience and my maturity in the market, I reapproached the trendline theory as supplemental to modelling and have made some relevant observations, which I will discuss below.
The first point is that not all tickers are created equal. Sound familiar? Yeah this was the basis of Myth #1 about technical indicators. The truth is, it applies to trendlines, too. Let’s take a look at DUO, a small cap stock:
DUO recently did, arguably, a dead cat bounce and produced this pennant you see in the chart above. Now DUO is small cap, low volume stock that barely moves. Suddenly, we have this pennant out of nowhere and with no major catalyst. So what happened?
Nothing, it ended up selling into EOD multiple times.
Let’s take a look at NVDA:
NVDA broke down from a major trendline around April 3rd. This would signal a short. And indeed, it was a short, for a short duration of time. It mostly was rangy and stagnant. But it did sell. This trendline was from January of 2024 and ended in April of 2024, a relatively long and stable trendline. NVDA is also a large cap stock with huge amounts of liquidity and volume, So we can expect follow through on major trendlines.
Trendlines have also been pivotal for intra-day trading. Let’s look back at NVDA (since its my daily go to for day trading):
During open, on the 1 minute chart, we could see NVDA forming a pennant. Based on the modelled data we had two potential price targets, a bull target of 957 and a bear target of 929. What NVDA does with this pennant (breakout or breakdown) can help us ascertain which target price is correct.
What happened?
NVDA broke down, and then it travelled all the way down to that 929 target:
So it would seem that chart patterns are indeed useful. However, they are not overly helpful with indicating target price, As well, they are only useful when the stock has high volume, good liquidity and is heavily traded. The efficacy of trendlines and chart patterns likely comes from volume of traders who are looking at similar trendlines. In order for trendlines to influence a stock movement, you need volume from traders who are paying attention to the same thing in order to move it. This is why penny stocks and low float, small cap stocks do not respect trendlines and patterns in the same way.
Verdict for Myth #2?
CONFIRMED!
Myth #3: Market theories such as Elliot Wave Theory (EWT) and Efficient Market Theory are applicable to all tickers and the market as a whole?
If you are a trader, likely you subscribe to one market theory or another. If you are investor, its likely you subscribe to modern portfolio management theory (which emphasizes diversification). If you are a day or swing trader, perhaps you subscribe to the Efficient Market Hypothesis or EWT.
These all remain “theories” because they have yet to prove valid or invalid in research. However, aside from the investor mindset of diversification, no one theory of the market works for all tickers. In fact, some research has come out about EWT specifically and has indicated that it can be useful in predicting some markets (such as the S&P); however, the results are not generalizable to others (specifically Crypto and some individual tickers).
The same can be said about the efficient market theory/hypothesis and many others that have been researched, disproven in some circumstances and proven in others.
So, what is the verdict here?
This is BUSTED. Market theories, aside from an investor mindsight, are not generalizable to all equities, instruments and markets. This is semi based on my own observations but mostly from academic research I have reviewed on this topic (hence why I have no beautiful charts to display for this myth).
And the last myth I will cover in this post:
Myth #4: Diversification is pivotal for day traders
The wisdom here is that, you need to diversify for day trading. You need to identify setups on whatever stock has those setups and play whichever stock confirms best to your setup. The truth is, this is rarely necessary. In fact, sticking to a handful of routine stocks can be advantageous, as you will grow to learn the intricacies of the particular stocks you are trading routinely.
I go through phases but right now, 99% of the time I am trading NVDA. This works for me because there is usually always a setup available on large cap stocks. Let’s review some of the setups I have taken on NVDA:
You can see NVDA loves its morning triangles, and I love them too!
You can absolutely get back with trading one ticker, provided that it has good volatility and movement. In times of economic stability (i.e. currently), its best to avoid the indices as a day trading candidate as they tend to move slower and more purposefully.
So what is the verdict of Myth #4?
Thanks for reading everyone!
I may do more of these myth buster posts, they’re fun to research and find examples and really reflect on what I have learned as a trader. Feel free to submit any myths you live by in the comments and I can look into them for maybe a future post!
Safe trades as always!
5-Year SPX500 Expectations - Greatest Opportunity Of Your LifeWould you believe me if I told you the US & global markets (some) will rally more than 65% to 125% (or more) over the next 4 to 5+ years?
You would probably call me crazy for even suggesting that will happen in a reasonably short time frame.
But, what if I could show you how structurally (using Elliot Wave concepts and Fibonacci) this incredible rally may already be baked into the markets?
What if I could show you that, barring any major economic destruction event, the US Fed and Global Central banks may have unleashed the inflation beast - which could lead to massive Hyperinflation over the next 5+ years?
Would you be prepared for it? Would you even believe me if I could show you evidence that it may happen much quicker than you can imagine?
And would you believe me if I told you Gold/Silver will rally more than 500% over the next 5+ years while attempting to hedge global debt/inflation risks?
Now is the time to prepare for the greatest opportunity of your life. You must understand the structural mechanics of price related to the current global market dynamics.
Please boost and share this video with your friends. Everyone needs to be aware of what is likely to happen over the next 5+ years so they can prepare for and profit from these exceptional price trends.
Chronicle of a Foretold Pump/DumpPump/Dump schema:
Discrete Share accumulation.
Broadcasted Triggering Event (news, rumors, forums, etc).
Gather the mass of "Bagholders".
Dump all the load.
Pocket the quick profit.
I am not a fan of " meme stocks " because they're very much like penny stocks, prone to pump/dump schemes. How legal or illegal is this practice?, it is not us to decide, there are authorities who are supposed to regulate these behaviors.
Regardless of the morality of a it we can analyze the radiography of the move. Using the volume bars feature, you can see "big fat" candles on the accumulation phase, the "rumor" phase where the "roaring kitty" name was heard in the news, the spike and immediately took the stock to a quick profit of +120% overnight, and the fade phase, where the only thing that remained at the end was the frozen smile of the hopeful bagholders with a fading volume.
#LearnToEarn.
Be careful where you put your money, trading and investing requires knowledge of the company, its balance sheet, fundamentals and/or technical metrics. Don't follow the crowd, else you'll end up in the slaughter house. There's no free lunch in Wall St.
Let's remember this quote: "The game of speculation is the most uniformly fascinating game in the world. But it is not a game for the stupid, the mentally lazy, the person of inferior emotional balance, or the get-rich-quick adventurer. They will die poor." Jesse Livermore.
Predicting Bitcoin's Cycle Using the Elliott Wave TheoryGreetings, fellow traders. In this article, we'll be reassessing our annual Elliott Wave counts and going deeper into interpreting Bitcoin's current decade cycle. I'll make sure to segment each part by drawing insights from the previous cycles, also employing the Elliott Wave Theory, and integrating major timeline events to bolster my perspective on Bitcoin's potential trajectory in the upcoming cycle. The wave theory will help neutralize many of the irrational thoughts that other analysts may have that just show straight arrows to the upside. This thesis helps you get a better understanding of where pullbacks and areas of high strength (wave 3 impulses) may occur. Remember, the wave theory will never be perfect in painting the picture, but it will help you be positioned as best as possible with proper invalidation levels.
One of the most significant phenomena witnessed in the current financial market landscape is Bitcoin's adherence to a notably algorithmic parabolic trend, where cycles persist in a compounded manner in terms of percentages. This raises the crucial question: "Can we expect all past cycles to mirror the current one?" Answering this is very challenging. However, Bitcoin has one of the strongest strengths against all other coins, which is price history. Fundamentals attached, Bitcoin has been extremely resilient against major events (with wild swings), but the overall trend has remained in tact for over a decade. This indicates not only strength, but true adoption.
We must discern whether the price action will evolve into something new or continue the pattern of echoing past cycles (fractals). The most effective method for interpreting Bitcoin's price movements is through the logarithmic chart that is presented in the chart above.
When examining past cycles through the lens of only fractals (as that is how it has been for the past decade), the most effective approach to understanding the present cycle is by conceptualizing it as a sequence of nested '1-2' counts. In simpler terms, experiencing a succession of 1-2/1-2/1-2 patterns might lead to either optimistic expectations or impending disappointment. This ambiguity prompts consideration of an alternative bearish perspective, elaborated upon subsequently. Keep in mind, there's always room for firsts, meaning that the failure of the fractal pattern is always a possibility. Again, this idea is further explained in the bearish alternative explanation below.
Bearish Alternative:
For a more rational approach, the Elliott Wave Theory also suggests alternative pathways. One narrowed down scenario would be that the cycle has now matured, suggesting for a more maturing market with more complexity in corrective types (patterns).
The logarithmic chart may indicate a deceleration in the macro timeframe, suggesting that Bitcoin is currently in a maturity phase. Its role as a store of value to say the least. To simply put, the corrections will be far more controlled as investors create larger distribution patterns through the timeline and create demand/sell zones. Price maturity, a concept commonly observed in stock models, implies that markets do not move linearly and eventually reach an endpoint, including in price action. Utilizing the Elliott Wave Theory, we can generate one alternative count that shows the whole cycle is now possibly in a larger 1-2 of some sort:
1. The fact that we have a possible WXYXZ corrective pattern for the 2021-2023 bear market, this may indicate this is part of something larger. Usually, you will see wave 2's have a simple ABC/WXY type patterns.
2. This speculation can then lead us to believe that we could be part of a larger corrective pattern, most likely as a flat pattern now.
3. Consequently, this insight aids in forecasting that we are entering into the new phase of 'market maturity,' or what I like to term as the "flattening of the curve theory."
We could debate endlessly about the next bear market for Bitcoin, but the undeniable truth is that over the past 15 years, the market has proven its resilience against political turmoil, hacking attempts, and regulatory crackdowns.
It's remarkable to realize that aside from halvings, forks, and institutional adoption, there haven't been any significant bullish events/catalysts. This speaks volumes about Bitcoin's strength. There wasn't any single groundbreaking moment or major catalyst for each bull run. Instead, it was a series of interconnected events that sustained that momentum, leaving it to us as investors to identify distribution points.
How to trade tax-free: spread bettingCFD trading has a close cousin you may not know about … spread betting.
Just like CFD trading, spread betting allows you to speculate on the future direction of a market's price without owning the underlying asset.
Key advantages include:
Tax efficiency : Profits from spread betting are free from UK Capital Gains Tax*. Similar to CFD trading, there is also no stamp duty to pay. However, it does mean when spread betting, you can’t offset any losses against other capital gains.
Leverage : Spread betting allows you to control larger positions with a smaller amount of capital, amplifying potential profits but also potential losses - necessitating careful risk management.
Wide range of markets : You can go both long and short 1000s of markets, including stocks, commodities, forex, and indices.
Simplicity and clarity : Calculating your P&L from a spread bet is straightforward. Simply multiply the wagered amount by the per point movement in price. This simplicity makes spread betting accessible to traders of all experience levels.
For example, if you buy £1 per point of Wall Street at 39000 and later that day sell it at 39400, then you make 1 x 400 = £400 profit. Conversely, if Wall Street falls 400 points to 38600, you lose £400.
Sound familiar? Spread betting and CFD trading are very similar methods of trading financial markets but, importantly, may be taxed differently.
* Tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Tax law may differ in a jurisdiction other than the UK.
New Volume Footprint option on TradingViewHi all,
This is the first (stream replacement) educational video with a very quick overview of volume. Tradingview just released the new Footprint Beta tool. It's something I asked them for a long time ago, so I am glad it's finally here!
In this video I cover the time-price-opportunity tool as well as visible and fixed range. Leading into footprint.
This is not a deep dive, it's more an intro to and how these things come together. If there is enough interest in this idea I will create a sequence based on trading volume in depth.
Thanks for watching! See you on the next stream/idea.
Three Factors Keeping Oil Prices in CheckAT A GLANCE:
Despite ongoing geopolitical conflict, oil prices and volatility are relatively low
A rise in U.S. crude production and weak demand in China are helping oil inventories maintain average levels
Considering many factors like the Russia-Ukraine war, OPEC+ cutting production by 3.6 million barrels per day and conflict in the Middle East, many traders might be surprised to find out that oil prices are only around $82 per barrel and that implied volatility on crude options are trading at relatively low levels below 40%.
Inventories Remain at Average Levels
So why are crude oil prices not higher and more volatile? Part of the answer lies in inventories. Crude and product inventories are right around their seasonally adjusted averages for the past five years. This suggests that at least some cushion exists in the event of a supply disruption.
Given that oil production is about 3.5% lower globally than it would have been without OPEC+ production cuts, how is it possible that oil inventories are still at average levels? There are two reasons. First, a boom in U.S. production has replaced about one third of what OPEC cut.
The second reason is weak demand. China buys about 10 million barrels per day in the international markets, and its economy has been growing much more slowly than it was a few years ago. Slow growth in China often hits oil prices with a lag of about 12 months and may be among the factors preventing a further rise in global crude prices.
Higher Prices Expected?
That said, traders are displaying some signs of nervousness. The skew on CME Group’s WTI CVOL index is quite positive at the moment, suggesting that some traders are buying out of the money call options to protect themselves from the possibility of much higher prices.
If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com
By Erik Norland, Executive Director and Senior Economist, CME Group
*CME Group futures are not suitable for all investors and involve the risk of loss. Copyright © 2023 CME Group Inc.
**All examples in this report are hypothetical interpretations of situations and are used for explanation purposes only. The views in this report reflect solely those of the author and not necessarily those of CME Group or its affiliated institutions. This report and the information herein should not be considered investment advice or the results of actual market experience.
Exploring Auction Market Theory in Forex TradingAuction Market Theory (AMT) is a conceptual framework used to understand the dynamics of financial markets, viewing them as auctions where buyers and sellers interact to determine prices.
Although the AMT was initially developed to understand & analyse price action movements in the stock market, some of its core concepts can also be applied to any market, including forex.
Within the forex market, currency pairs are traded 24/5, with price driven by a multitude of factors such as economic data releases, geopolitical events, and market sentiment. Despite this complexity, AMT provides a framework for understanding market dynamics through the concepts of value, balance, and imbalances .
Value represents the equilibrium price at which buyers and sellers agree on the fair value of an asset. Market balance occurs when supply and demand are roughly equal, resulting in stable price ranges, while imbalances arise from deviations from this equilibrium due to shifts in market sentiment or unexpected events. These imbalances can create trading opportunities for astute traders who can identify them and act accordingly.
Lets now take a look into how this can be visually identified on a line chart using only price action.
Example 1
On the left, we can see an area of market balance. This is usually evident when the market is range bound as we can see in this case.
The midpoint of the range is the point of equilibrium. Value can be interpreted as the equilibrium price at which buyers and sellers agree on the fair value of a currency pair.
This equilibrium is constantly shifting as new information becomes available and market participants reassess their expectations.
When these expectations shift as a result of either economic data releases, geopolitical events, and/or market sentiment, price shifts away from the balanced price range and creates an imbalance within the market.
Identifying value areas are important because these can act as an area of future support/resistance for price. Notice how in this example, after price displaces from the balanced range, it later came back and found support near the fair value within that range.
Practical Application
One practical application of AMT in forex trading is through the analysis of price action and market profile. By observing how price behaves at different levels and how volume interacts with price movements, you can gain insights into market sentiment and potential areas of support and resistance.
For example, if a currency pair consistently fails to break above a certain resistance level despite multiple attempts, it may indicate strong selling pressure at that level, presenting an opportunity for short trades. Conversely, if a currency pair finds strong support at a particular price level, traders may look for buying opportunities as the market reverts to equilibrium.
To conclude, Auction Market Theory offers a valuable framework for understanding the dynamics of the forex market. By analysing price action, volume, and market profile through the lens of AMT, you can gain a deeper understanding of market sentiment and identify potential trading opportunities. While no theory can guarantee success in trading, incorporating Auction Market Theory into your analysis can help you make more informed trading decisions.
Please leave a comment if you've found this post helpful or if you have any questions.
Happy Trading
When Are You READY to Trade with REAL MONEY?Hello hello, R2F here with another discussion.
Today, I'd like to go over the question, 'when do you know you are ready to trade with real money?'
Too many traders rush into trading with real capital before they are ready, and end up losing more money than neccessary on learning journey. People are generally impatient creatures and want to get into actions as soon as possible. Perhaps they want to find out if they are magically a trading savant before wasting time on all the usual work that is required.
However, trading is extremely simple, albeit not easy. The difficult part comes in the form of the investment of time and experience, and refining yourself as a person. Once you had that in the bag, trading offers the potential for generational wealth that comes with the freedom of time.
Without further ado, I share my thoughts on how to approach this burning question.
- R2F
How To Trade Triangles Like A Pro?Welcome, traders and investors, to our educational post on ascending and descending triangles!
In the fast-paced world of financial markets, understanding chart patterns like these is crucial for making informed trading decisions. Ascending and descending triangles are powerful tools that provide valuable insights into market dynamics and potential price movements. In this post, we will delve into the characteristics of these patterns, explore how to identify them on price charts, and discuss effective trading strategies to capitalize on their implications. Whether you're a novice trader or an experienced investor, mastering these patterns can greatly enhance your ability to navigate the markets with confidence and precision.
What Is An Ascending Triangle?
An ascending triangle chart pattern is formed during the upward price movement in an uptrend. The price tends to consolidate for a while and allows the trader to draw a horizontal trend line on the upside. Simultaneously, it allows the trader to draw a rising trend line downwards. The pattern implies that the price is consolidating and existing buyers are closing partial positions and the market is expecting new buyers to join and continue the Bullish trend.
As a result, the price consolidates on the upper trend line and is unable to move higher and make new higher highs. However, the price does not make lower lows either, instead makes higher lows. So technical analysts look for trading opportunities and enter the market once the pattern is spotted on a price chart.
How To Identify The Ascending Triangle?
The ascending triangle pattern is similar to the other triangle patterns, but the location and shape of the triangle formation is very important. The shape of the ascending triangle should strictly contain the upper horizontal trend line and the lower rising trend line, failing this will invalidate the pattern. The pattern must be located within the uptrend, so it can be validated as a trend continuation pattern.
The ascending triangle can be spotted easily by its shape. The horizontal upper trend line and the rising lower trend line make it easy to spot the triangle. An ascending triangle forms during a bullish uptrend as the pattern is a continuation pattern. However, the pattern may form in any part of the chart and trend. The ascending triangle pattern formed during a uptrend is significant and produces the best trading results. So traders should look for the pattern while prices are in an uptrend and identify it using the triangle shape.
Features That Help To Identify The Ascending Triangle:
▪️ There should be an existing uptrend in the price.
▪️ The upper trend line should be horizontal.
▪️ The lower trend line must be a rising trend line.
▪️ The trend lines should be touched at least twice. The greater number of times the trend line is touched, the stronger it gets.
How To Trade The Ascending Triangle?
As mentioned earlier, the pattern not only provides the best entry point but provides the stop loss and takes profit too. Moreover, these points can be clearly defined and understood by the trader.
Entry point: During the market consolidation phase, the upper trend line acts as a resistance and the lower trend line acts as a support. As the market consolidation ends and the price starts to get momentum, it breaks the upper trend line. The best entry point is the breakout of the upper trend line or the resistance.
Price breakouts are normally associated with spikes in the trading volume. The increased trading volume implies the entry of fresh buying orders. Traders should look for trading volume levels during the breakout and confirm the breakout before entering the market with a BUY position.
The next confirmation is the classic price action which shows that the resistance has changed into support. Normally, price once breaks the upper trend line tries to move lower but will have ample support from the upper trend line which now starts to act support. This price action confirms the buying interest and gives the trader with additional confirmation and confidence.
Stop Loss: The best stop loss method is to exit the trade if the price breaks the support or the lower rising trend line. The breakout of the lower trend line implies the non-availability of the upside momentum and indicates the possibility of the return of the bears. (In the cryptocurrency market, there are often fake breakouts, and that's also worth considering!)
Take Profit: The projected take profit target is the farthest distance between the upper and lower trend lines. At the beginning of the pattern, the upper and lower trend line will be wider from each other. This distance can be measured and can be projected from the entry point to the upside. As per the pattern, this is the best take profit target.
What Is An Descending Triangle?
A descending triangle appears during a downtrend. The price tends to move lower and then finds a consolidation area, this consolidation area is the potential price level at which the market allows the trader to draw a horizontal trend line, due to the failure to make lower lows.
On the other hand, the price tries to move higher and fails to make any higher highs. Oppositely, the failure to make higher lows results in lower lows so the price action allows the technical trader to draw a descending trend line on the upside.
The combination of the upper and the lower trend line forms the shape of the descending triangle. Traders look for trading opportunities once the price consolidation ends. Price breakout from the descending triangle pattern indicates the beginning of the trend resumption. So traders enter the market in the direction of the previous trend direction.
How To Identify The Descending Triangle Pattern?
The following are the features that help to identify the descending triangles chart pattern.
▪️ There should be an existing downtrend in the price. To validate the pattern, it should form during an existing downtrend. The pattern that forms during an uptrend should be invalidated and not taken into account. As the trend is a BEARISH continuation pattern the formation during the downtrend is essential.
▪️ A lower trend line should be horizontal. The price should fail to make lower lows and usually bounce from the low, as a result, the lower trend line should be as horizontal as possible.
The upper trend line must be a descending trend line. The price action on the upper side is very crucial for this pattern. The failure of the price to make higher highs and instead of making lower highs shows the failure of the price to reverse the trend direction.
▪️ The trend lines should be at least touched twice, the greater number of times the trend line is touched it gets stronger. Trend lines must be validated independently, as a general rule of the trend line the price should touch the trend line at least twice. However, the more times a trend line is touched it gets stronger.
The upper and lower trend lines converge each other and look to join at the end, thereby forming the shape of a descending triangle. Traders can spot the pattern easily due to the shape of the trend lines, as the chart will make it easier to spot a consolidation area during a downtrend.
How To Trade The Descending Triangle Like A Pro?
As discussed earlier the pattern is a completely trade-able pattern, meaning it provides the trader with the best entry point and stops loss, and takes profit points. It must be mentioned that all of the parameters can be measured and identified easily.
Entry Point:
During the market consolidation phase, the price action makes the price bounce from the lower trend line and prevents the price to move higher than the upper falling trend line. The resultant shape of the descending triangle will be broken the consolidation phase ends as traders enter a fresh buying phase. The price breaks the lower trend line and continues to move lower, which is the prevailing downtrend.
Traders should confirm the entry point using additional confirmation using the trading volumes. Any breakout of trend lines or triangles is generally associated with increased trading volumes.
The increased trading volumes provide the necessary momentum for the price movement. So traders should look for increased volumes, however, if the descending triangle breakout does not show any increase in volume traders should refrain from trading as it may be due to a false breakout.
The next type of confirmation is by applying the support and resistance or trend line trading rules. The lower horizontal trend line effectively acted as a support during the market consolidation phase, while the upper trend line acted as a resistance.
So once the price breaks the support, it becomes resistance. There may be few instances when the price broke the support line and fails to continue or displays a false breakout.
Stop Loss:
The stop loss is the upper falling trend line because, if the price makes higher highs it shows the market intent to move higher or reverse the trend. So the best method is to exit the position if the price breaks the falling upper trend line or resistance.
Take Profit:
The pattern allows identifying the take profit by measuring the longest distance between the trend lines. Normally during the beginning of the descending triangle pattern is the longest distance, this shall be measured. This measurement from the entry point will provide the potential take profit position.
Understanding ascending and descending triangles is essential for any trader navigating the financial markets. These chart patterns offer valuable insights into potential price movements, providing traders with opportunities to enter and exit positions strategically. Ascending triangles typically indicate bullish continuation patterns, suggesting that an uptrend may persist after consolidation. On the other hand, descending triangles often signal bearish continuation patterns, indicating potential downtrends following consolidation. By recognizing these patterns and applying appropriate trading strategies, traders can enhance their decision-making process and improve their overall trading performance. Remember to combine pattern analysis with other technical indicators and risk management principles for optimal results in the dynamic world of trading.
Happy trading!🩷
Thanks for Your attention 🫶
Always sincerely with You, Kateryna💙💛
The TradingView Show: Live With OKX & TradeTravelChillGreetings, TradingViewers worldwide! This interview was conducted live and is now available for playback and on-demand viewing on our TradingView account, accessible for free. This program delves into trader education, cryptocurrencies, and the flexibility of trading from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Keep in mind that this show was streamed LIVE, so you might come across references to our live chat. No worries, though; you can still watch the show instantly and access the comments section below. Feel free to leave us your feedback!
Here's a glimpse of what we cover in this episode:
1. Gain insights into crypto trading, specific strategies, and the essence of trading them.
2. Understand the dynamics of trading on-the-go and establishing personal rules in an era where crypto trades round-the-clock and connectivity is constant.
3. Discover how TradeTravelChill began on TradingView and OKX, now leveraging our integrated broker partnership. TradeTravelChill and OKX are partners, with OKX being a broker partner on our platform, facilitating seamless connections for traders.
4. Dive into trade ideas and setups in crypto markets, particularly focusing on major coins.
5. Explore some of the hottest topics in crypto markets at the moment.
Our objective with this show is to educate traders worldwide! While we don't provide direct advice, our focus is on empowering traders to learn, practice, and excel in the markets.
Relax, ask questions, and enjoy the show!
Trade identification: Using bitcoin as an exampleHello,
Trade identification is the process through which you are able to identify setups that can be actioned on in the markets. For this example, I shall be using the BTCUSD chart to chant my path as I look for tradeable setups.
1: Structure drawing
Identifying the structure of trades is very key since it creates a sense of knowing where the market is at from a greater point of view.
The structure on a 2 weeks chart shows that the crypto is at the top of the chart. This shows that it might not be a good time to buy since it is advisable to buy at the bottom and sell at the top. However, we can always look for smaller trades using lower timeframes and get better setups.
2: Move to lower time frames & identify patterns.
Patterns are very key in helping you identify tradeable assets. For my asset I moved to the 6h timeframe to zone in and identify tradeable opportunities. This helped me identify the Expanding triangle setup on a bigger scale.
This is a sideways move that will help me trade on the asset for the short term. In the expanding triangle I was able to identify other smaller correction patterns that guide me on how the market is moving.
3: Entry identification
After you have determined where you are at in the eco cycle, very key is now to identify the next causes of action. You must never trade at the top (buying overpriced assets). Very important is to always note that there will always be more opportunities in the future and never to chase trades that have already gone. The ideal situation is to look for corrections as entry points and buy/sell with them.
Next now will be to look for areas where you can enter on an even lower timeframe.
The chart shows that a correction is happening on a lower timeframe (1hour). Now have an alert at the bottom of the correction also coupled with indicators.
Thats the entry point of the trade.
4: Target setting
The exit target shall be set using the 6 hour chart and will be at the top. A stop loss will be just behind the trendline as shown below. This is very key for risk management.
Now wait for the price to come close to your entry points and good luck. We shall follow this trade to end.
Putting Risk Reward into PerspectiveMost newbies, and even intermediate traders don't really understand what high risk to reward trades require from themselves and from the market. They think it is something to strive for, and that high RR trades are reserved for the pros. This is far from the truth.
In this video I try to give more perspective to this concept.
- R2F
Uncommon Inflation Measures for Analyzing Attitude towards Risk In this analysis we breakdown certain inflation measures that can aid us in capitalizing on longer term trends in various asset classes. The Baltic Dry Index or BDI gives us a real world view of shipping costs. The Index is a measure of the cost to move commodities by the Sea. Therefore, It's a leading indicator for the demand of commodities around the world. The Baltic Dry Index dates back to the mid eighteenth century as the majority of sea trade was done between London and surrounding Baltic states. Each day the price is updated just prior to New York stock exchange open by the 26 largest shipping companies in the world. The Baltic dry index is a pure piece of data because there is no government or central bank manipulation behind it. The BDI can be quite volatile and this is due to the fact that there are a finite number of available transport ships at any given time. If suddenly commodities come into high demand globally .. this means there will be less ships.. and this results in higher prices to ship goods. This signals us that Inflation may be increasing and therefore higher interest rates may result as the economy heats up. A Falling Baltic Dry Index indicates to us a slowdown of demand for commodities and also of the broader world economy.
Next, we observe the GCC or an Exchange Traded Fund that is based upon the Continuous Commodity Index. The Fund intends to provide broad-based exposure to four commodity sectors : Energy, Agriculture, Precious metals, and Industrial Metals. The Baltic Dry Index generally leads commodity prices(and the commodity index) which was a concept we identified in our analysis.
If this was useful or interested you, Please leave a Rocket or comment in support of similar analysis in the future.
General Disclaimer:
The trade ideas presented herein are solely for informational and educational purposes only. The 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. 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.
Options Blueprint Series: Debit Spreads - Precision InvestingIntroduction to Options on Corn Futures
Corn Futures are one of the staple commodities traded on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), representing a critical component of the agricultural sector's financial instruments. Each Corn Futures contract is standardized to 5,000 bushels, and the price is quoted in USD-cents per bushel.
Contract Specifications:
Point Value: 1/4 of one cent (0.0025) per bushel = $12.50.
Margins: Trading on margin allows traders to leverage positions while only needing to cover a fraction of the total contract value. For Corn Futures, the initial margin requirement is set by the CME Group and varies based on market volatility: Currently $1,300 per contract at the time of this publication.
Options trading introduces another layer of complexity and opportunity. Debit spreads involve purchasing one option and selling another, which helps manage the overall cost of entering the market.
Margin for Debit Spreads:
The margin for debit spreads typically reflects the premium paid for the long position minus any premium received from the short position. This results in a significantly lower margin requirement compared to trading the underlying futures contract outright. (In the below example the net premium paid for the spread is 7.26 points = $363, which is significantly lower than $1,300).
Understanding Debit Spreads
Debit spreads are a sophisticated options trading strategy utilized primarily to achieve a targeted investment outcome while managing risk exposure. They are constructed by purchasing an option (call or put) while simultaneously selling another option of the same type (call or put) but with a different strike price, within the same expiration period. The aim is to reduce the net cost of the position, as the premium received from the sold option offsets part of the cost incurred from the bought option.
Mechanics of Debit Spreads:
Long Position: You buy an option that you expect to increase in value as the market moves in your favor.
Short Position: You sell another option with a higher strike (in the case of a call spread) or a lower strike (in the case of a put spread). This option is expected to expire worthless or decrease in value, offsetting the cost of the long position.
Advantages of Using Debit Spreads:
Defined Risk: The maximum loss on a debit spread is limited to the net premium paid plus transaction costs. This makes it easier to manage risk, especially in volatile markets.
Potential for Profit: Although the profit potential is capped at the difference between the strike prices minus the net debit paid, these spreads can still offer attractive returns relative to the risk undertaken.
Lower Cost of Entry: Compared to buying a single option, spreads typically require a lower upfront investment, making them accessible to a wider range of traders.
This strategic application is what we'll explore next in the context of Corn Futures, where market conditions suggest a potential breakout.
Application in Corn Futures
For traders looking to harness the volatility in the agricultural sector, especially in commodities like corn, debit spreads can be a precision tool for structured trading. Given the current trading range of Corn Futures, with prices oscillating between 424 cents and 448 cents per bushel for a number of weeks, a strategic setup can be envisioned aiming for an upward breakout towards 471 cents, a resistance level indicated by Sell UnFilled Orders (UFOs).
Strategy Implementation with Debit Spreads:
Long Call Option: Buying a call option with a strike price near the lower end of the current range (450) positions traders to benefit from potential upward movements. Premium paid is 10.39 ($519.5)
Short Call Option: Simultaneously, selling a call option with a strike price at 475 cents caps the maximum profit but significantly reduces the cost of entering the trade. This strike is chosen because it aligns closely with the expected UFO resistance level, enhancing the probability of the short option expiring worthless. Premium received is 3.13 ($156.5).
The net cost of the spread ($519.5 - $156.5 = $363) represents the total risk. We are using the CME Group Options Calculator in order to generate fair value prices and Greeks for any options on futures contracts.
Setting up the Trade
To potentially capitalize on the anticipated market movement for Corn Futures, our debit spread strategy will involve a detailed setup of options trades based on specific strike prices that align with market expectations and technical analysis. This step-by-step guide will provide clarity on how to effectively enter and manage this options strategy.
Trade Details:
Long Call Option: Buy a call option with a strike price of 450. This option is chosen as it is near the current upper boundary of the trading range, providing a favorable entry point as we anticipate a breakout.
Short Call Option: Sell a call option with a strike price of 475. This strike is selected based on its proximity to the identified resistance level at 471, suggesting a high likelihood that the price may not exceed this level before expiration.
Cost and Profit Analysis:
Net Premium Paid: $363 as discussed above.
Break-even Point: Long strike price (450) plus the net premium paid = 457.26.
Maximum Profit: The maximum profit for this debit spread is capped at the difference between the two strike prices minus the net premium paid = 475 – 450 – 7.26 = 17.74 = $887.
Maximum Loss: The maximum risk is limited to the net premium paid.
Risk Management
By entering a debit spread, traders not only define their maximum risk but also set clear targets for profitability based on established market thresholds. This methodical approach ensures that even if the anticipated price movement does not fully materialize, the financial exposure remains controlled.
Risk Management Techniques:
Position Sizing: Determine the appropriate size of the position based on overall portfolio risk and individual risk tolerance.
Stop-Loss Orders: Although the maximum loss is capped by the nature of the debit spread (the net premium paid), stop-loss orders can be used if the underlying asset moves against the trader.
Rolling the Spread: If market conditions change or the initial price target is reached earlier than expected, consider 'rolling' the spread.
Adjusting the Trade:
If the price of Corn Futures approaches the short strike price (475) faster than anticipated, and market sentiment indicates further upward potential, the short call option can be bought back while a new higher strike call can be sold. This adjustment aims to extend the profitable range of the spread without increasing the original risk by much.
Conversely, if the price seems unlikely to reach the 450 mark, reassess the viability of keeping the spread open. It may be prudent to close the position early to preserve capital if fundamental market factors have shifted negatively.
Importance of Continuous Monitoring:
Regularly monitor market conditions, including factors like weather reports, agricultural policies, and economic indicators that significantly impact corn prices.
Stay updated with technical analysis charts and adjust strategies according to new resistance and support levels identified.
Effective risk management not only protects from downside risk but also enhances the potential for profitability by adapting to changing market conditions.
Conclusion
The strategic use of debit spreads in Corn Futures options trading offers a balanced approach to leverage market opportunities while maintaining strict control over potential risks.
Recap of Key Points:
Corn Options on Futures: Understanding the contract specifics is crucial for informed trading decisions.
Debit Spreads: These allow traders to benefit from expected price movements with reduced upfront costs and limited risk.
Trade Setup: Focused on a potential breakout from the 448-424 range aiming towards 471, utilizing 450 and 475 strikes for the long and short calls respectively.
Risk Management: Emphasizes the importance of position sizing, potential use of stop-loss orders, and the flexibility to adjust or roll the spread according to market changes.
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.
The ultimate guide on Elliott waves in crypto tradingMost of you have probably heard about Elliott waves and we are sure that you don’t use it in cryptocurrency trading strategy because it’s very complicated and subjective approach. Crypto trading for beginners is very challenging and stressful even without Elliott waves. To be honest when we first time tried to implement it to my crypto trading strategies it was a complete disappointment. We were sure that it does not suit for both trading bot and manual trades. Elliott waves were thrown into a garbage bin for almost two years and we developed our crypto trading algorithm using only linear programming approaches.
While we have been trying to invent the best automated trading bot using only indicators and support and resistance levels, best crypto traders have been successfully using Elliott waves in their analysis. Finally we make a decision to have a deep dive in this popular crypto trading tool and studied in details all available literature. As a result we found that Elliott waves will ruin your trading if you use it without special indicators for confirmation. Now we have 2 years of experience in trading with waves and almost one year ago we implemented them into our algorithmic trading bot. Today we prepared the best ultimate guide ever on Elliott waves using best practices and our unique experience how to use them in developing your own profitable crypto trading strategies. Let’s go!
Why it’s vital to use Elliott waves?
Before answer this question, let me ask another one! Why is important to use map to reach the final destination? I think here is the obvious answer! Talking about Elliott waves it’s almost the same reason. This is the only one approach which gives you a map for a price chart. I think you agree that technical indicators or support and resistance levels will not give you the answer which direction the price will choose. When you have, for example Stochastic Oscillator crossover or RSI oversold area hit you just open long because this is the most common strategy. You buy asset like a blind kitten. We are not criticize this approach, because using proper risk and money management you will earn with almost every strategy, but understanding the Elliott waves concept will dramatically increase your profit even if you combine them with your ordinary strategy. Why it’s happening? The answer is easy, because Elliott waves in the underlying structure of the market. You will be aware when you shall use your signals and when it’s better to skip trade. Now let’s dive into the Elliott waves to understand how to find them on the price chart. In the first part we will give you all needed theory and after that we will show in the real charts how it works.
Elliott waves
In general, Elliott waves concept is pretty easy. All markets are globally moving up with the five waves formations and then show the pullback with at the reactive waves. On the Bitcoin price chart above you can see the most common picture for Elliott waves. We had the bull run which consists of five waves and then was the bear market represented with the ABC correction.
Waves can be divided into two groups: impulsive and reactive. On the bullish phase waves 1, 3 and 5 are impulsive, 2 and 4 reactive. Impulsive waves consists also with five sub waves, while reactive have usually three waves (exception the triangle correction, will be covered later). On the bearish phase we have the opposite situation: waves A and C are impulsive, while wave B is reactive. Now let’s discuss each wave in details.
What will stop every wave in 90% of cases?
Before we will observe the wave it’s very important to understand what are the early signs that current wave is about to be finished. This is really crucial concept because without it almost impossible to use Elliott waves for profitable trading. We need four tools to make sure that our counting is correct. In this article we will not spend to much time for these indicators, we just show you in practice how to use them. These tools are: Awesome Oscillator, Market Facilitation Index (MFI), Fibonacci retracement and extension and Fractals. These four indicators produce five wave’s end conditions.
Divergence with Awesome Oscillator. If you found five sub waves inside any wave and you can see that price set the higher high (or lower low for bearish case), while AO set lower high (or higher low) it’s divergence between wave 3 and 5. This is the most powerful signal that trend is over.
Fractal at the top or bottom. When you see the divergence it’s just the first sign of trend weakness, we need confirmation with the fractal forming at the top or bottom. You can easily find this indicator in TradingView, it will show you all fractals.
MFI squat bar. We will cover MFI in one of the next educational articles, now you just need to know that it has squat state - the last battle between bulls and bears. One of the three top bars will be the squat in 80% of waves end. You can also find this indicator in TradingView.
AO momentum change. Another one confirmation that trend is over is when AO histogram changes color. It’s better to wait three consecutive columns of the other color or when AO will cross back the signal line, 5 period MA of the AO.
Target area. Using Fibonacci extension and retracement we can find the area where the reversal is the most likely. We will show you this targets when talking about waves.
Now you know the five basic rules and we are ready to discuss every wave using this concept.
Wave 1
When the previous trend is over the impulsive wave 1 begins. We can define the wave 1 start only establishing the previous wave end. It could be wave 5, C or E. It does not matter. You just need to apply our five rules: divergence, momentum change, target area, squat bar and fractal. On the chart you can see how in theory wave 1 can be looks like.
Wave 1 always consists of five waves. That’s why we can wait for the same five rules to complete between wave 3 and 5 inside the wave 1. When you anticipate the wave 1 finish you have two options: close trade and re-enter at the wave 2 bottom or hold for the entire cycle.
Wave 2
When wave 1 ends, you will see pull back in wave 2. It’s important to catch wave 2 bottom because wave 3 will bring you a lot of profit. Wave 2 can be classical ABC zigzag, flat or irregular correction. 70% probability it will be ended inside 0.38 and 0.62 Fibonacci retracement range of wave 1, in rare cases it can ends higher or lower. That’s why it’s better t count waves inside wave 2 and do not miss when all five trend killing conditions are met in wave C inside 2.
Wave 3
The most impulsive wave in the entire cycle is obligatory for trading. Here you can have the less risky and the most easy trading. Wave 3 has the great fundamental factors as a price drivers. For example, Bitcoin spot ETF triggered a huge pump recently. Let’s imagine you correctly entered at the wave 2 end. Now we have to define wave 3 targets. The target area using fibonacci extension can be found between 1 and 1.61. This is the most likely case. In crypto it’s very often when waves 3 are extended.
To have the most precise target it’s highly recommended to count waves inside wave 3. Found five waves? Check our favorite trend killing rules to exit a trade at the top. We know it sounds fantastic, but we managed to buy the exact bottom and sell at the top many times, but to be honest, we have never caught the top of the extended wave 3. Need more experience for that.
Wave 4
Wave 4 can be the most complicated because it has a lot of different variants: zigzag, flat, irregular or even triangle. But at the same time in wave 4 we can have the easiest setup. When you predicted wave 3 top, it’s time to setup the target for the wave 4. The most reliable one is between 0.38 and 0.5. This wave is not so rapid as wave 2 and takes much more time (up to 70% of all cycle).
The very important tip here is to look at the price where wave 4 inside wave 3 has been ended. If this level coincides with the 0.38-0.5 zone it can give you much more confidence. We have never made a mistake using this technique. As usual you have to look for the five trend killing rules in wave C inside wave 4 as well.
Another one thing we want to point out. You know the axiom, that wave 4 has not overlap wave 1 top. This rule can be slightly violated and we will show you the case. Don’t pay attention that much to this rule.
Wave 5
Finally we are in wave 5. This is really vital to define it’s top because bear market will follow this wave and can destroy your deposits. The target area for the wave 5 is defined as the distance between wave 1 bottom and wave 3 top, measured from wave 4 bottom. Area between 0.61 of this distance and 1 Fibonacci level is our target. There you have to find trend killing rules as usual but this time for all cycle, not subwaves.
Corrections
The most dangerous place for trading is the correction. From our experience only wave C in zigzag is tradable. You would better to skip corrections and try to catch it’s end. We have four types of corrections, but the most important knowledges is that wave C and E are always consists of five waves. It means you can use the rules how to catch wave 5 end inside these waves.
Zigzag ABC. If wave A consists of 5 waves the most like we will see zigzag. Wait when wave B reach 0.5-0.61 Fibonacci of wave A and be ready to trade in wave C.
Flat. Wave A has 5 waves inside. Waves A, B and C are almost equal to each other.
Irregular. Wave B top is higher that the previous impulsive wave. Wave A consists of 3 waves.
Triangle. Consists of A, B, C, D and E waves. Wave E consists of five waves. Usually occurs inside waves 4 and B of higher degree.
Now you have a theoretical description. It’s time to trade!