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How to Trade the Forex Market on Memorial & Independence days?Trading the foreign exchange (Forex) market on major U.S. holidays like Memorial Day (May 29th) and Independence Day (July 4th) presents a unique set of challenges and requires a strategic shift from typical trading days. While the global Forex market remains technically open 24/5, the closure of U.S. banks and financial institutions leads to significantly reduced liquidity and trading volume, altering the market landscape. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to approach Forex trading on these holidays: Understanding the Market Conditions: The "Quiet" Danger The primary characteristic of Forex trading on U.S. holidays is a sharp drop in liquidity, especially in currency pairs involving the U.S. dollar (USD). With American traders and institutions away from their desks, the volume of transactions plummets. This "quiet" market environment can be deceptive and carries specific risks: Wider Spreads: With fewer market participants, the difference between the bid and ask prices for currency pairs tends to increase. This makes it more expensive to enter and exit trades, eating into potential profits. Increased Volatility and Spikes: Don't mistake low volume for a flat market. With a thin order book, even moderately sized orders can cause sharp, sudden price movements or "spikes." These moves can be unpredictable and may not follow typical technical patterns. Price Gaps and Slippage: The reduced liquidity can lead to price gaps, where the market jumps from one price to another without trading at the levels in between. This increases the risk of slippage, where your order is executed at a less favorable price than intended. Ineffectiveness of Some Strategies: Strategies that rely on high volume and momentum, such as breakout trading, are more likely to fail. A perceived breakout may lack the follow-through to become a sustained trend. Strategic Approaches for Trading on Memorial Day and July 4th Given the unique market conditions, traders should adopt a cautious and well-considered approach. Here are several strategies to consider: 1. The Prudent Approach: Step Aside For many traders, particularly novices, the most sensible strategy is to avoid trading altogether on these holidays. The increased risks and unpredictable market behavior can easily lead to unnecessary losses. Consider these days as an opportunity to study the markets, refine your overall trading plan, or simply take a break. 2. Trade with Reduced Size and Realistic Expectations If you do choose to trade, it is crucial to adjust your risk management: Lower Your Position Sizes: This is the most critical adjustment. Trading with smaller lots will mitigate the potential impact of sudden price spikes and wider spreads. Adjust Profit Targets and Stop-Losses: Be realistic about potential gains. The market may not have the momentum for large moves. Consider setting smaller profit targets. At the same time, be mindful that tighter stop-losses can be easily triggered by short-term volatility. 3. Focus on Non-USD Currency Pairs Since the holidays are U.S.-based, currency pairs that do not involve the U.S. dollar may be less affected, although a general decrease in global liquidity is still expected. Cross-currency pairs such as EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY, or AUD/NZD might exhibit more "normal" behavior than majors like EUR/USD or USD/JPY. However, remain vigilant for lower-than-usual volume across the board. 4. Employ Range-Bound Strategies In low-liquidity environments, currencies often trade within a defined range. Strategies that capitalize on this behavior can be more effective than trend-following approaches. Look for well-established support and resistance levels and consider trading the bounces off these levels. 5. Be Wary of News from Other Regions While the U.S. market is quiet, significant economic data or geopolitical news from other regions (Europe, Asia) can still impact the market. With low liquidity, the reaction to such news can be exaggerated. Stay informed about the global economic calendar. A Day-by-Day Look Memorial Day (Last Monday of May): This is a major U.S. holiday, and its impact will be felt throughout the 24-hour trading period. Expect very thin liquidity during the Asian and European sessions, which will worsen significantly during what would typically be the busy New York session. Independence Day (July 4th): The impact of July 4th can sometimes extend beyond the day itself. Often, the trading day before (July 3rd) will also see reduced volume as traders close positions ahead of the holiday. On July 4th, expect market conditions similar to Memorial Day, with a significant drop in activity and the associated risks. In conclusion, while the allure of a 24-hour market is a key feature of Forex, wisdom lies in recognizing when not to trade with your usual strategy and size. Approaching U.S. holidays like Memorial Day and Independence Day with caution, a revised strategy, and a keen awareness of the risks is paramount for preserving your trading capital. For most, these are days best spent on the sidelines. Navid Jafarian

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by Navid_Jafarian

War news are actually good news for Crypto & Gold I Love Global Peace and hope all Wars end soon. Here are my thoughts about Crypto when war Starts between two countries or more. i think After wars so many reasons will help Crypto to see gain specially for Bitcoin which is the King of this market. Some of the major Reasons in my view are: A. Countries currency or Markets start to fall : Usually with starting of war, we have two countries that are involved and due to negative effects of war on different Economic parameters cause weaker country or both currencies lose the power of Their currencies and it start To dump. weak countries Bank can get hacked or worst scenario a countries currency can get 0 by the time. most of the times Their stock markets also Face with huge losses. B. People start to Buy more Gold or Bitcoin and ... with things mentioned above and other reasons their People start to Buy more Crypto usually and Metals like Gold. C. People start to migrate to other countries with their Crypto Wallets Only Some start to leave their countries and Sell their Cars homes and ... and turn them to BTC or... and transfer their money and life to a peaceful country. D. Spies and bribery gets more in those countries which all is done with Crypto usually Corruption & Spy jobs and ... increases in those countries usually and the money on this Fields usually transfer Via Crypto or Gold and Silver which is harder to track. And with these reasons which mentioned Above usually in the past all the Attention comes to Metal like Gold and the Value of it increase in Wars, but now Days Bitcoin(&Crypto Tokens) also gets more value and attention in war in my personal View and See gain in price too. DISCLAIMER: ((trade based on your own decision)) <<press like👍 if you enjoy💚

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Is Bitcoin Still a Hedge? What the Iran Israel Conflict Reveals As geopolitical tension between Iran and Israel escalates, markets are once again gripped by fear. Oil prices have surged, gold has rallied, and investors are rebalancing portfolios in anticipation of further instability. Amidst this backdrop, Bitcoin's behavior is raising fresh questions about its role as a geopolitical hedge. Bitcoin’s Initial Reaction: A Spike and a Slip When the first reports of conflict broke, Bitcoin spiked alongside gold. Many hailed this as proof that BTC was becoming a reliable safe haven. However, just days later, prices retraced by roughly 6 to 7 percent as volatility intensified. As usual, Bitcoin is still highly sentiment driven. While gold held its gains, BTC mirrored risk on assets with intraday volatility, undermining its hedge narrative. BTC vs. Traditional Safe Havens Let’s compare Bitcoin’s performance to: • Gold: Continued upward trend, record ETF inflows • Oil: Strong rally due to supply shock fears • USD: Moderate gains as a traditional reserve asset Bitcoin’s pullback during peak uncertainty suggests that in times of extreme stress, traditional assets still dominate flight to safety behavior. What the On Chain Data Shows Interestingly, on chain activity also hints at caution. Exchange inflows increased slightly after the conflict news, suggesting profit taking or reduced conviction among holders. Moreover, stablecoin volume spiked in Middle Eastern regions — a signal that users may prefer capital preservation over speculation during geopolitical risk. The Takeaway: Not There Yet Bitcoin is maturing, and its response to global events is evolving. But this conflict reveals it is not yet a full fledged hedge like gold or the dollar. For investors, the lesson is clear: BTC can act as a partial hedge in medium term macro trends, but during sharp geopolitical escalations, traditional assets still lead. What Do You Think? Is Bitcoin still on track to become a true safe haven asset? Or will it remain a risk sensitive speculative instrument?

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by Farzadvajihi

Direct Access Trading Systems Direct Access Trading Systems Direct access trading systems (DATS) offer traders a direct line to financial markets. By bypassing traditional brokerage routes, DATS enable swift, precise trading, essential for strategies reliant on speed and accuracy. This FXOpen article delves into the workings, benefits, and considerations of DATS, providing valuable insights for both seasoned and aspiring traders navigating the fast-paced world of modern trading. Understanding Direct Access Trading Systems Direct access trading systems (DATS) revolutionise how traders interact with financial markets, typically in the realm of stock trading. Unlike traditional brokerage platforms, these systems offer direct market access trading, a method allowing traders to place orders directly into the market's electronic order book. Such immediate access is crucial for those who require precision and speed in their trading decisions. Traditionally, orders placed through brokers are processed internally before reaching the market, potentially causing delays. However, brokers with direct market access provide a conduit for traders to bypass these intermediate steps. These systems typically appeal to day traders and other short-term investors who value the ability to respond swiftly to market movements. Usually, direct access brokers list Level 2 quotes, where bid and ask prices alongside order sizes are given for the asset, providing an additional layer of valuable information. By offering a more direct link to financial markets, these systems may provide an enhanced trading experience that aligns with the needs of active traders. Selecting the best direct access broker for day trading involves considering several key factors. Traders look for platforms that offer high reliability and uptime, as any downtime can significantly impact outcomes. Speed of order execution is crucial in capturing market opportunities. Additionally, traders assess the fee and commission structure to ensure it aligns with their trading volume and strategy. How Direct Access Trading Systems Work DATS offer a sophisticated network that connects traders directly to financial markets. These systems use specialised software platforms, helping traders make efficient and swift operations: - Order Entry: Traders use the DATS platform to enter their orders. These platforms are equipped with various order types, such as market, limit, or stop orders, giving traders flexibility in how they execute trades. - Order Routing: After order placement, DATS route these orders directly to the market instead of through a broker. The process often involves Electronic Communication Networks (ECNs), which play a critical role. ECNs are automated systems that match buy and sell orders for assets, eliminating the need for intermediaries like traditional stock exchanges. They also provide a venue for trading outside traditional hours, offering greater liquidity and potential efficiency. - Execution: Orders are executed via these ECNs or other market venues. The rapid execution capability is a defining feature of DATS, enabling traders to capitalise on fleeting market opportunities. - Feedback and Reporting: Following execution, the system promptly provides feedback. Traders receive immediate trade confirmations, including execution price and time, essential in maintaining transparency and control over trading activities. Through this streamlined process, DATS offer a high-efficiency trading environment. Such a setup is particularly advantageous for strategies that require quick decision-making and execution, such as day trading or scalping. Advantages of Direct Access Trading Systems DATS offer several compelling advantages over traditional brokerage platforms, particularly for those who engage in frequent trading. These benefits cater to the needs of active traders seeking efficiency and control in their strategies. - Speed of Execution: DATS enable traders to execute orders almost instantaneously. Rapid processing is crucial in fast-paced markets where prices can fluctuate within seconds. - Enhanced Control: Traders have greater control over their orders, including the timing, price, and order type. This level of control is especially crucial in volatile market conditions. - Access to Real-Time Market Data: DATS provide real-time data, allowing traders to make informed decisions based on the latest market movements. - Lower Transaction Costs: By eliminating the middleman, DATS often result in lower transaction costs, a significant advantage for high-volume traders. - Customisation and Flexibility: Many direct access trading platforms come with advanced charting and analysis tools. These tools can be customised to fit individual strategies and preferences. - Direct Market Interaction: Traders can interact directly with market liquidity providers, potentially leading to better pricing and execution quality. Risks and Considerations While these systems offer several advantages, they also come with inherent risks and considerations: - Increased Complexity: DATS are typically more complex than traditional brokerage platforms. They require a sophisticated understanding of market dynamics and trading strategies, making them better suited for experienced traders. The complexity also extends to the technological infrastructure needed to use these systems, which may involve higher setup and maintenance costs. - Higher Costs: Using DATS may be more expensive than traditional online brokers. The costs go beyond technology requirements; for example, the price of direct access trading systems and the commissions for trades can be higher. This aspect makes it vital for traders to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of using DATS compared to other trading methods. - Stricter Trading Rules: Direct market access often comes with more stringent rules. This could include tighter regulations around repeat dealing, deal rejections if trading outside normal market sizes, and potential penalty fees for inactive accounts. The Bottom Line In summary, direct access trading systems may enhance efficiency, offering speed, control, and direct market insights. However, they require a careful approach due to their complexity and cost. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

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Biggest What-Ifs in Stocks (or How Investors Live with Regret)You think you’ve got regrets because you didn’t buy Nvidia NASDAQ:NVDA at $50 or sold Tesla NASDAQ:TSLA at $420? Join the club. The stock market’s history is littered with “almost” trades, missed deals, and facepalm-worthy decisions that turned out to be trillion-dollar pivots. This is the hall of fame for what didn’t happen — and what those stories teach us about how markets (and human nature) actually work. Call it a free masterclass in greed, fear, FOMO, and the priceless value of just sitting tight sometimes. Take it easy today, grab your cold brew and read up on the biggest what-ifs in stock market history. 🍏 Ronald Wayne: The Patron Saint of “Oops” Our first inductee needs no introduction. But let’s do it anyway. Ronald Wayne, the third Apple NASDAQ:AAPL co-founder, sold his 10% stake back in 1976 for the princely sum of $800. He wanted to avoid any debts if things went south. Sensible, right? That $800 stake today would be worth more than $300 billion. That’s more than the GDP of Finland — and about 1.2 million new iPhones every single day for pretty much the rest of his life. Wayne has since said he doesn’t regret it. Which is probably the biggest lie he’s ever told. 🍿 Blockbuster’s Netflix “Pass” In 2000, Netflix NASDAQ:NFLX was a DVD-by-mail startup with spotty profits. Reed Hastings, Netflix’s founder, knocked on Blockbuster’s door and offered to sell the whole thing for $50 million — about the price of a Hollywood production. Blockbuster’s execs reportedly laughed him out of the room. “People will always want to drive to a store to rent a VHS,” they said, basically. Fast forward: Netflix is worth around $560 billion, and Blockbuster is down to one store that’s mostly a selfie museum for millennials who miss rewinding tapes. 💻 Microsoft’s Lifeline That Saved Apple In 1997, Apple NASDAQ:AAPL was broke. Steve Jobs had returned but was days away from the company flat-lining for good. Enter Bill Gates. Microsoft NASDAQ:MSFT wrote Apple a $150 million check, partly to keep antitrust regulators off its back. Jobs even appeared on stage with Gates beaming in on a giant screen like Big Brother — a moment that made every Apple fan cringe. But that deal saved Apple’s hide. The iMac was born. The iPod followed. Then the iPhone. That $150 million is now a rounding error on Apple’s $3 trillion valuation. Sometimes your greatest rival is also your best frenemy. 🔍 Google: The $750K “Meh” Before “Google it” became a verb, Larry Page and Sergey Brin tried to sell their little search engine to Excite — the Yahoo-lite portal that dominated the ‘90s web. The price? $750,000. Excite’s CEO said search “wasn’t that important” — one of the worst calls in tech history. Today, Alphabet NASDAQ:GOOGL is worth over $2.1 trillion and always flashing bright on the Stock Heatmap , and Excite is a footnote in a forgotten Web 1.0 graveyard. The lesson? Never dismiss a side project just because it doesn’t fit the spreadsheet. 💸 Masayoshi Son’s $200 Billion Slip SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son is known for his giant, risky bets . And in 2017, he made a pretty good one: his Vision Fund scooped up a 5% chunk of Nvidia stock worth about $4 billion. He called GPUs the backbone of the AI revolution. He was right. But by 2019, SoftBank was under pressure to tidy up its books. So Son sold the whole position for a tidy short-term profit. That stake today would be worth nearly $200 billion, given Nvidia’s rocket-fuel AI rally . “We can cry together,” CEO Jensen Huang told Masa Son at an AI Summit in Tokyo last year. Early doesn’t always mean patient. And being “kind of right” can be the most painful lesson of all. 📊 Berkshire Hathaway: A Textile Mill’s Rebirth Think of Berkshire Hathaway NYSE:BRK.A now — a $1 trillion behemoth. Insurance, utilities, railroads, huge piles of Apple shares . But back when Warren Buffett bought it, Berkshire was a dying textile business in New England. Buffett only bought control because he was annoyed at the CEO’s lowball tender offer. It turned into his permanent holding company. The textile side eventually went extinct — but the insurance side became the cash-printing machine Buffett used to buy everything else. Sometimes your best trade starts with pure pettiness. 🚀 Tesla: The Short Sellers’ Pain Cave Here’s a more recent tale. Tesla was not long ago the most shorted stock on Earth. Everyone from hedge funds to your uncle at Thanksgiving was betting on Elon’s dream to fail. Every now and then, the short-sellers get slapped with billions of dollars in losses, because the stock shoots up out of nowhere. The most recent example? November 12, when those naysayers nursed $7 billion in wiped out cash . Bears have been torched so many times, they might as well switch sides and sell Tesla hoodies instead. 🌌 Yahoo’s Double Miss: Google and Facebook If you think blowing one chance is bad, try blowing two. Yahoo turned down the chance to buy Google for less than a million bucks. Then years later, they offered $1 billion for Facebook (now META NASDAQ:META ) — but bungled the negotiations and tried to lower the price. Zuck said “nope.” But back to Google, because the story didn’t end there. In 2002, Yahoo said it wanted to buy Google for $3 billion. Brin and Page said $5 billion and Yahoo said no. Then Microsoft was ready to pay $40 billion to acquire Yahoo in 2008. But Yahoo said no. Today, Google, Microsoft, and Meta are trillion-dollar titans. Yahoo? Sold itself for $4.5 billion, mostly for its patents, in 2016 to Verizon. Talk about slipping on the same banana peel more than once. 🧃 Apple: The Splits that Keep Giving Want a reason to love boring old “buy and hold”? Apple NASDAQ:AAPL has split its stock five times since its 1980 IPO. If you’d bought 100 shares back then, you’d now have over 56,000 shares, plus mountains of dividends. Next time you want to swing trade every squiggle, remember: sometimes the slowest route is the sweetest. 📝 Regret: The Only Universal Asset Class Every trader has a “coulda, shoulda, woulda.” It’s the cost of doing business in a market that only makes sense in hindsight. Even the pros — billionaires, boards, hedge funds — have stories that make yours look tame. Ronald Wayne reminds you that selling too soon can cost you your own island. Masayoshi Son proves being right but impatient is still being wrong. Yahoo shows that “almost” is worth exactly zero on a balance sheet. What these stories prove is that the market’s biggest edge isn’t necessarily timing, genius, or inside scoops — it’s discipline, resilience, and sometimes a stubborn refusal to touch the sell button. 🤗 Bonus Story: Ballmer Regrets Nothing But not every story has to be a regret story. Just look at Steve Ballmer, Microsoft ‘s former CEO. Since the early 2000s, he’s been holding his 4% stake in the software maker and that’s now worth more than $130 billion. No regrets found. 👉 What’s Your “One That Got Away”? Now your turn : What’s your personal what-if story? Which ticker haunts you in your sleep? Drop your best missed trade or worst sell in the comments — we promise to laugh with you, not at you. Probably. Stay sharp. Stay patient!

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Top fundamentals that will shape the S&P 500 this summer 2025 The summer of 2025 is characterized by a combination of macroeconomic and microeconomic factors that will shape the trajectory of the US equity market. While the S&P 500 is trading close to its all-time highs and at a valuation comparable to that at the end of 2021, the strength of the upward momentum will depend on the conjunction of several key variables. Understanding these fundamentals is crucial to grasping the potential and risks awaiting investors over the coming months. 1) The trade war and economic diplomacy, the main source of uncertainty The trade issue remains the most unpredictable at the start of the summer. The July 9 deadline for the conclusion or failure of tariff negotiations is crystallizing tensions between the United States and its main partners. The prospect of a new wave of tariffs could have a direct impact on production costs, inflation and business confidence. Trade diplomacy is thus the variable most likely to provoke volatility jolts and challenge positive earnings growth expectations. If trade agreements are signed, then this will help to sustain the S&P 500's uptrend. 2) US fiscal policy: the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” The Trump administration's major tax bill is another hotspot. This piece of legislation calls for an extension of the tax cuts initiated in 2017 and a dramatic increase in the public debt ceiling, to the tune of $5,000 billion. While these measures potentially support consumption and private investment, their medium-term impact on public finances is uncertain. The real issue for the equity market is to assess whether these decisions will lead to a surge in long-term US bond yields. A slippage in US Treasury yields would increase corporate financing costs and undermine currently high valuation multiples. Conversely, if yields remain contained, the equity market's upward momentum could continue. 3) Inflation and the Fed's monetary policy: a delicate balance The trajectory of inflation, in particular that of the PCE index, will be a major determinant. US inflation is currently slightly below the Fed's target. Several components, notably the services sector, which accounts for almost two-thirds of the PCE basket, are proving relatively stable. Inflationary risks are more likely to come from commodities, particularly if trade tensions reignite. Oil, which accounts for around 11% of the PCE basket, is currently showing no major warning signs, benefiting from a geopolitical calm. Real estate and healthcare are also showing reassuring indicators. Against this backdrop, the Federal Reserve is adopting a cautious stance: while several major Western central banks are moving towards a neutral rate, the Fed is stalling and conditioning its monetary pivot on visibility regarding tariffs and corporate behavior. The timing of rate cuts is one of the biggest sticking points. According to recent signals, the first rate cut could take place as early as September. However, influential members of the FOMC, appointed by the Trump administration, are arguing for earlier easing. The political pressure is strong: Trump is calling for immediate cuts, but Chairman Powell remains in control of the agenda, taking care to preserve a consensus within the committee. 4) The job market and the likelihood of a recession The US employment situation is an advanced barometer of the economic cycle. Weekly jobless claims and the aggregate unemployment rate are closely monitored. Historically, a significant rise in unemployment signals that the economic slowdown is already underway. For the time being, the labor market is proving resilient, but the slightest deterioration could alter investors' central scenario and reinforce recessionary expectations. This risk is one of the potential dampeners to the prevailing optimism, unless it were to accelerate the timetable for resuming the cut in the federal funds rate. 5) Second-quarter results and earnings outlook The second-quarter earnings season is of particular importance. US companies must demonstrate their ability to deliver earnings growth in line with forecasts, even as valuation multiples remain stretched. Maintaining high price levels on the S&P 500 assumes robust earnings growth and confident guidance from management. Failing this, the risk of a correction would be high, especially as the market has already incorporated many positive factors. The weakness of the US dollar and the price of oil, as well as the current momentum in AI, could hold out some pleasant surprises for second-quarter results. 6) Geopolitics and oil, potential sources of volatility Finally, global geopolitics is a second-order variable, but one that could suddenly become a priority. A rapid deterioration in the international situation, particularly in the Middle East or the China Sea, could affect trade flows and oil prices, fuelling renewed inflation and financial volatility. Conclusion : The summer of 2025 promises to be a period of strategic transition for the US equity market. Between trade diplomacy, fiscal policy, inflation, the trajectory of interest rates and earnings momentum, investors will have to deal with an accumulation of uncertain factors. If these uncertainties gradually dissipate, the uptrend could continue. Conversely, the combination of a geopolitical shock, a rebound in inflation and a political stalemate over the federal budget would have the potential to weaken the current rally. DISCLAIMER: This content is intended for individuals who are familiar with financial markets and instruments and is for information purposes only. The presented idea (including market commentary, market data and observations) is not a work product of any research department of Swissquote or its affiliates. This material is intended to highlight market action and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. If you are a retail investor or lack experience in trading complex financial products, it is advisable to seek professional advice from licensed advisor before making any financial decisions. This content is not intended to manipulate the market or encourage any specific financial behavior. 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Compounders: 5 Simple Rules to Build Long-Term Wealth Imagine this: …it’s 18 years ago. The very first iPhone has just hit the market. Meanwhile, Nokia’s legendary “Snake” game, once the height of mobile fun, was starting to feel… dated. ⚡ And you can sense it: something big is coming. You don’t know exactly what, but something is about to shake the system. So, you invest €1,000 into Apple stock. No fancy moves, no day trading. You don’t check the price every morning, you don’t sell at the first dip. You just hold and go about your life, using their products as always. ---------------------------------- Fast forward to today: the iPhone has evolved quite a bit, and so has your bank account, “a bit”. That modest €1,000 investment would now be worth roughly €70,000. For context, if you had simply invested in the S&P 500 instead, your total profit would be €3,300. This is what happens when you hold a real compounder. Apple: +6,942%. S&P 500: +334%. Time doesn’t just pass, it compounds! Big difference, right? And the craziest part? You didn’t need a crystal ball. Looking back, everything makes perfect sense. The real question is: Can you spot the next one before it becomes obvious? --------------------------------------- 📈 Compounders: The slow, steady, and surprisingly effective path to wealth A compounder is a company that steadily grows your investment over time, powered by a strong business model and consistent value creation. These stocks don’t need to chase headlines. They don’t create drama, and they certainly don’t swing wildly every week on the stock exchange. They simply keep building value. Strong financials, good products, and a clear direction—like a snowball quietly rolling downhill, gathering momentum with every meter. As Warren Buffett once said: That’s exactly what compounders allow you to do. While you rest, they keep working. It’s definitely not a get-rich-quick strategy. It’s more like a slow, somewhat boring, and failry a “safer” route. But in return, it might just give you something far more valuable than fast gains: financial peace of mind, and perhaps even financial freedom. 🔍 So how do you spot one? Now, let’s be clear: compounders are not bulletproof. Market crashes, disruptive competitors, and economic shocks can still shake them.But when the foundation is solid, these companies tend to stand strong, even in a storm. Here are five key traits that define a true compounder. From consistent growth to an unshakable competitive edge. --------------------------------------- 📈 1. Steady Growth What you want to see is a steady upward trend in both revenue and earnings per share (EPS). Not a rollercoaster. A clean, reliable trend. A strong compounder doesn’t explode one year and crash the next. It grows year after year. It grows calmly, consistently, and predictably… Microsoft EPS Q Source: TradingView That’s usually a sign of solid management and sticky customer demand. Let’s look at a key metric here: EPS CAGR (5-year) – the compound annual growth rate of earnings per share. 5% = solid → reliable and steady progress 10% = good → suggests a strong business model and real market demand 15%+ = great → this is where the snowball effect really kicks in, fast and orderly 📌 The higher the CAGR, the faster your investment compounds. But it’s not just about speed, it’s about repeatability. If that growth is not random but repeatable and sustainable, you don’t just have a growth stock → you’ve got a true compounder. ⚠️ Always consider the sector: A 15% CAGR might be normal in tech, but in a consumer brand or industrial company, that’s an exceptionally strong result. --------------------------------------- 💡 2. Efficient Capital Allocation A good compounder doesn’t just grow a lot—it grows wisely. That means every dollar the company reinvests into its business generates more than a dollar in return. Think of it like a business where every $1 invested turns into $1.20 or more in profit. The more efficiently it can put capital to work, the faster it compounds over time. 🎯 ROIC (Return on Invested Capital) tells you how effectively a company is using all its invested capital—including both equity and debt. ROIC shows how much profit the company earns after taxes and costs for every dollar it has invested, regardless of where that money came from.It’s broader than ROE, which only considers shareholder equity. >10% = solid >15% = good >20% = great 🎯 ROE (Return on Equity) measures how well the company generates returns specifically on shareholder money: >15% = solid >20% = good >25% = great 📌 In most cases, ROIC is more important than ROE , since it doesn’t get distorted by how much debt the company is using. But when both numbers are high, you’ve got something that creates a lot of value - a true compounding engine. Just imagine you give a chef $10 to make a dish. If they can turn that into a $15 meal, their ROIC is 50%. That’s the kind of capital efficiency we want to see in companies too, where every dollar invested pulls serious weight. --------------------------------------- 💰 3. High Profit Margins Selling stuff isn’t hard. Any company can sell something, even at a loss. A true compounder doesn’t just generate revenue, it earns real profit from it. That’s where operating margins come into play. They show how much money is actually left over after covering everything: salaries, logistics, rent, office coffee, stolen toilet paper, and all the other lovely overhead costs. ⚙️ Operating Margin – the percentage of revenue that turns into operating profit: 10% = solid → stable profitability, usually driven by volume or efficiency 20%+ = great → often signals strong pricing power, lean cost structure, or a dominant brand 📌 Why does this matter? Because the more profit a company retains after expenses, the more it can: - reinvest in new products or markets - pay dividends to shareholders - or buy back shares (which automatically increases your ownership per share) All of these create real, recurring value for you as an investor—not just once, but year after year. ⚠️ One important note: What qualifies as a “high” margin depends on the industry. A software company might easily run at 30% margins, while a retail chain or car manufacturer might be thrilled with 5%. So don’t judge the number in isolation. Always consider the type of business—in some sectors, profits come from volume, not margin. --------------------------------------- 🧱 4. Debt Matters Even if a company is growing fast and making money, it still doesn’t qualify as a true compounder if it’s drowning in debt. A real compounder moves forward mostly(!) under its own power, not thanks to borrowed money. Financially strong companies have a healthy buffer, so they’re not in trouble the moment the economy slows down or credit tightens. 📉 Debt-to-Equity (D/E) – how much of the company is financed with debt versus equity: Under 1 = solid → reasonable leverage Under 0.5 = great → very strong and conservative balance sheet 📈 Interest Coverage Ratio – how easily the company can pay its interest expenses: 5× = solid 10×+ = great → very safe, meaning debt costs won’t threaten profitability 📌 The lower the debt and the higher the buffer, the lower the risk.A company with a strong balance sheet doesn’t need to refinance debt in a panic or rely on costly tricks to survive downturns. Think of it like the foundation of a house. Without it, even the most beautiful structure can collapse. ⚠️ Some industries (like real estate or utilities) naturally operate with higher debt levels. But even in those cases, you want to see a business that controls its debt, rather than living “one day at a time.” --------------------------------------- 🏰 5. Durable Competitive Advantage (a.k.a. Moat) Back in the Middle Ages, a moat was a water-filled trench that protected a castle.Today, in investing, a “moat” is what protects great businesses from competition. It’s a business that others can’t easily reach or replicate. 💪 When a company has a wide moat, it can: - Defend its market share even when others try to attack - Command higher prices—because customers stay loyal - And if a competitor starts gaining ground, it often has enough capital to... just buy them out Here are some classic moat types with examples: - Brand Loyalty – People pay more for something familiarExample: Coca-Cola. There are hundreds of alternatives, but the taste, logo, and brand feel... irreplaceable. - Network Effects – Every new user strengthens the product or platformExample: Visa, Mastercard. The more they’re used, the harder it is for any new player to break in. - Technological Edge – The company is simply too far aheadExample: Nvidia, ASML. You can throw money at the problem, but patents and experience aren’t things you copy overnight. - Ecosystem Lock-in / Habitual Consumption – Customers get “stuck,” and switching feels like a hassleExample: Apple. Once you have the iPhone, AirPods, and MacBook… switching to Android just sounds like a lot of work.Or take Procter & Gamble. If your baby’s used to Pampers, you’re not going back to cloth diapers anytime soon. (To be fair—Huggies might actually be better 😄 That’s Kimberly-Clark, ticker KMB.) 📌 A strong moat allows a company to maintain both profitability and growth for the next 10+ years—because no one else can get close enough to steal it.It’s not fighting tooth and nail for every dollar. It rules its niche quietly and efficiently. --------------------------------------- Now that we’ve covered what makes a business a compounder, the next question naturally follows: “Okay, but if it’s such a great company... is it still a great price?” That’s where valuation comes in.P/E ratio: how to know whether you’re paying a fair price or just a premium for the brand. --------------------------------------- 👉 In my April article, I clearly broke down P/E along with eight other key fundamental metrics: straightforward, real-world explanations designed to help you actually use them… --------------------------------------- 💵 P/E (Price-to-Earnings Ratio) The P/E ratio tells you how much you’re paying for every $1 of a company’s earnings. Think of it like this: are you buying solid value for $20… or paying $70 just because the brand sounds familiar? Now, for compounders, a high P/E (say, 25–40) can actually be fine, IF(!) the company is growing fast and has a strong moat. Here’s a quick cheat sheet: * Under 15 → generally cheap (might be a bargain… or a trap) * 15–25 → fair price for a traditional business * 25–35 → reasonable if the company is growing consistently * 35–45 → starting to look expensive, must be justified by fundamentals * 45+ → expensive, and the market expects big things. One slip-up and the stock could drop fast. ⚠️ A P/E over 40–45 means the market expects strong, sustainable growth.If that growth doesn’t show up, the stock won’t just stumble—it could crash. But here’s the key: P/E doesn’t work well in isolation. Context is everything. Before judging the number, always ask: - What sector is this company in? - What’s the sector average? - How fast is the company growing? - Are the profits stable and sustainable? --------------------------------------- Real-World Examples: ✅ Visa – P/E around 37The average for financial stocks? Usually 10–15.But Visa grows quickly, is highly profitable, and has an ironclad moat.Is it expensive? Yes. But in this case, justifiably so. ✅ Microsoft – P/E around 35Tech-sector average tends to sit between 25–35.Microsoft has consistent growth, high margins, and clear market leadership.A P/E of 35 is absolutely reasonable—as long as the growth story continues. 🤔 But what if Microsoft trades at P/E 50+? Then you have to ask:Is earnings growth truly supporting that price?Or are you just paying for the brand... and a bit of FOMO? ----------------- Leave a comment: What’s the highest P/E you’ve ever paid, and was it worth it? ----------------- 📘 Compounder Cheat Sheet Don’t just stare at absolute numbers. Always compare within the sector, consider the company’s growth pace and business model. Ask yourself: “How much am I paying today for what this company will earn tomorrow?” --------------------------------------- 🧩 Summary Compounders are like good wine, they get better with time. Find companies that grow steadily, generate profits, keep debt low, and dominate their niche. Hold tight. Stay patient. Let the snowball roll. Thanks for reading! If this article was helpful or resonated with you, feel free to like, comment, or share it with a friend! It motivates me more than you’d think. 🙏 And if you’re new here: 🍷 Like good wine, this channel only gets better with time. Follow and let the ideas compound slowly, steadily, and deliciously. Cheers Vaido

Education

How I screen for long term investments In this video, I’ll show you the exact stock screener I use to find long-term investment opportunities — the kind of stocks you can buy and hold for years. I’ll walk you through the key metrics to look for, how to use free tools like TradingView screener, and what red flags to avoid. This strategy is perfect for beginner and experienced investors who want to build long-term wealth, not chase hype. Whether you're looking for undervalued stocks, consistent compounders, or just trying to build your long-term portfolio, this screener can help. Hope you enjoy!!

Education

05:55

by MindOverMarket

Weather and Corn: Understanding the Precipitation Factor 1. Introduction: Rain, Grain, and Market Chain Reactions In the world of agricultural commodities, few forces carry as much weight as weather — and when it comes to corn, precipitation is paramount. Unlike temperature, which can have nuanced and sometimes ambiguous effects depending on the growth stage, rainfall exerts a more direct and consistent influence on crop performance. For traders, understanding the role of rainfall in shaping market sentiment and price behavior isn't just an agricultural curiosity — it's a trading edge. This article unpacks the relationship between weekly rainfall levels and corn futures prices. By leveraging normalized weather data and historical returns from Corn Futures (ZC), we aim to translate weather signals into actionable market insights. Whether you're managing large agricultural positions or exploring micro futures like MZC, precipitation patterns can provide vital context for your trades. 2. Corn’s Moisture Dependency Corn is not just sensitive to water — it thrives or suffers because of it. From the moment seeds are planted, the crop enters a delicate dance with precipitation. Too little moisture during the early stages can impair root development. Too much during germination may lead to rot. And during pollination — particularly the tasseling and silking stages — insufficient rainfall can cause the plant to abort kernels, drastically reducing yield. On the other hand, excessive rainfall isn't necessarily beneficial either. Prolonged wet periods can saturate soil, hinder nutrient uptake, and encourage fungal diseases. Farmers in the U.S. Corn Belt — particularly in states like Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska — know this well. A single unexpected weather shift in these regions can send ripple effects across global markets, causing speculators to reassess their positions. For traders, these weather events aren’t just environmental footnotes — they are catalysts that influence prices, volatility, and risk sentiment. And while annual production is important, it's the week-to-week rhythm of the growing season where short-term trades are born. 3. Our Data-Driven Approach: Weekly Rainfall and Corn Returns To understand how rainfall impacts price, we collected and analyzed decades of historical weather and futures data, aligning weekly precipitation totals from major corn-growing regions with weekly returns from Corn Futures (ZC). The weather data was normalized using percentiles for each location and week of the year. We then assigned each weekly observation to one of three precipitation categories: Low rainfall (<25th percentile) Normal rainfall (25th–75th percentile) High rainfall (>75th percentile) We then calculated the weekly percent change in corn futures prices and matched each return to the rainfall category for that week. The result was a dataset that let us measure not just general trends but statistically significant shifts in market behavior based on weather. One key finding stood out: the difference in returns between low-rainfall and high-rainfall weeks was highly significant, with a p-value of approximately 0.0006. 4. What the Numbers Tell Us The results are striking. During low-rainfall weeks, corn futures often posted higher average returns, suggesting that the market responds to early signs of drought with anticipatory price rallies. Traders and institutions appear to adjust positions quickly when weather models hint at below-normal moisture during key growth stages. In contrast, high-rainfall weeks displayed lower returns on average — and greater variability. While rain is essential, excess moisture raises fears of waterlogging, planting delays, and quality issues at harvest. The futures market, ever forward-looking, seems to price in both optimism and concern depending on the volume of rain. Boxplots of these weekly returns reinforce the pattern: drier-than-usual weeks tend to tilt bullish, while wetter periods introduce uncertainty. For discretionary and algorithmic traders alike, this insight opens the door to strategies that incorporate weather forecasts into entry, exit, and risk models. 📊 Boxplot Chart: Weekly corn futures returns plotted against precipitation category (low, normal, high). This visual helps traders grasp how price behavior shifts under varying rainfall conditions. 5. Strategy: How Traders Can Position Themselves With the clear statistical link between rainfall extremes and price behavior in corn futures, the logical next step is applying this insight to real-world trading. One straightforward approach is to incorporate weather forecast models into your weekly market prep. If a key growing region is expected to receive below-normal rainfall, that could serve as a signal for a potential bullish bias in the upcoming trading sessions. This doesn’t mean blindly buying futures on dry weeks, but rather layering this data into a broader trading thesis. For example, traders could combine weather signals with volume surges, technical breakouts, or news sentiment to form confluence-based setups. On the risk management side, understanding how price behaves during extreme weather periods can inform smarter stop-loss placements, position sizing, or even the use of option strategies to protect against unexpected reversals. Additionally, this information becomes particularly valuable during the planting and pollination seasons, when the corn crop is most vulnerable and the market reacts most strongly. Knowing the historical patterns of price behavior in those weeks — and aligning them with current forecast data — offers a clear edge that fundamental and technical analysis alone may not reveal. 🗺️ Global Corn Map Screenshot: A world map highlighting major corn-growing regions with weather overlay. This helps illustrate the geographic variability in rainfall and how it intersects with key production zones. 6. Corn Futures Contracts: Speculating with Flexibility For traders looking to act on this kind of seasonal weather intelligence, CME Group provides two practical tools: the standard-size Corn Futures contract (ZC) and the Micro Corn Futures contract (MZC). Here are some quick key points to remember: Tick size for ZC is ¼ cent (0.0025) per bushel, equating to $12.50 per tick. For MZC, each tick is 0.0050 equating to $2.50 per tick. Standard ZC initial margin is approximately $1,000 and MZC margins are around $100 per contract, though this can vary by broker. Micro contracts are ideal for those who want exposure to corn prices without the capital intensity of full-size contracts. They’re especially helpful for weather-based trades, where your thesis may rely on shorter holding periods, rapid scaling, or position hedging. 7. Conclusion: Rain’s Role in the Corn Trade Precipitation isn’t just a farmer’s concern — it’s a trader’s opportunity. Our analysis shows that weather data, especially rainfall, has a statistically significant relationship with corn futures prices. By normalizing historical precipitation data and matching it to weekly returns, we uncovered a clear pattern: drought stress tends to lift prices, while excessive moisture creates volatility and downside risk. For futures traders, understanding this dynamic adds another layer to market analysis. As part of a broader series, this article is just one piece of a puzzle that spans multiple commodities and weather variables. Stay tuned for our upcoming releases, where we’ll continue exploring how nature’s forces shape the futures markets. 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.

Education

War , Bitcoin , and the Myth of Safe Havens...Hello Traders 🐺 "You think Bitcoin is digital gold? Wait until the bombs drop." Everyone talks about Bitcoin as a hedge. A hedge against inflation. Against fiat. Against banking failures. But let me ask you this: Is Bitcoin a hedge against war? I’m not here to give you a yes or no. I’m here to make you uncomfortable — Because if you think BTC always pumps when chaos hits, you're trading dreams, not reality. Let’s dissect this. No fluff. ⚔️ 1. Real Wars. Real Charts. Let’s test your assumptions against actual history: Feb 2022 (Ukraine invaded): BTC dumps hard. Then... recovers. Was it a hedge? Or just the market gasping for liquidity? Oct 2023 (Middle East escalates): BTC spikes. Why? Was it fear of fiat instability? Or just algo-driven momentum? April 2024 (Hormuz Strait tensions): Whipsaws. No clear direction. So again: what exactly is BTC reacting to? 👉 Are you reading price? Or just feeding a narrative you want to believe? 🧠 2. Bitcoin = Fear Thermometer? In war, people flee. Banks freeze. Censorship rises. Panic spreads. Some run to gold. Some run to the dollar. A few... run to BTC. But don’t forget: Most retail investors panic sell. Institutions vanish. Liquidity dies. So here’s the punchline: BTC isn't a safe haven. It's a sentiment mirror — brutally honest and totally unstable. Still wanna call it "digital gold"? 💣 3. War Doesn’t Create Trends. It Exposes Bias. Most of you are trying to fit BTC’s price into a geopolitical event. Wrong approach. You should be asking: What kind of war is this? Does it shake the dollar? Does it cause capital controls? Does it threaten global liquidity? BTC doesn’t care about explosions. It cares about trust. Break trust in fiat? BTC might thrive. Spike short-term fear? BTC might collapse. Simple enough? 📉 4. The Hard Truth: Most of You Can’t Read War No offense — but most retail traders don’t understand geopolitics. They just look at headlines and wait for a green candle. So here’s your challenge: Next time war breaks out, ask yourself: “Is this bullish for BTC — or just loud?” Be honest. Don’t just copy Twitter takes. 🔍 5. If You're Long BTC Because of War — You Better Know Why. BTC might go up. BTC might tank. But if your reason is just “the world is collapsing” — you’re gambling, not investing. Ask the deeper questions: Are people losing faith in centralized systems? Are borders tightening? Are currencies being weaponized? BTC shines only when sovereignty collapses. Not just when missiles fly. 🧠 Final Thoughts War doesn't pump BTC. Distrust does. Learn the difference — or keep trading headlines. 💬 Your move. Would you hold Bitcoin during a war? Why? Drop the cliché answers. Give me logic. 👇 Let’s debate.

Education

When Charts Lie: How Fundamentals Rescued My Forex Trading Every trader knows the frustration: your analysis is technically flawless, but the market moves against you. I learned this brutally in Q1 2024 when my USD/CAD short—backed by textbook bearish divergence and order block rejection—got steamrolled by a 190-pip rally after Canada’s surprise oil export announcement. The Blind Spot in Pure Technicals Price action traders often dismiss fundamentals as "noise," but three scenarios consistently break chart-based systems: Policy Surprises (SNB removing EUR/CHF floor) Geopolitical Shocks (Rubles during Ukraine invasion) Structural Shifts (BOJ abandoning YCC) These events share one trait: they change the market’s fundamental DNA, invalidating historical patterns. A Practical Filter I need to train myself to do something like this: To overlay two fundamental checks before technical entries: Central Bank Calendar No trades 12 hours before scheduled meetings Monitor yield spreads (10YR US vs. DE) Commodity Links AUD/USD: Iron ore inventories USD/CAD: WTI backwardation Case Study: April 2024 GBP/USD Technicals suggested continuation above 1.2700 Fundamental red flag: UK real wages shrinking Outcome: False breakout, 140-pip drop Your Turn Try this today: On your next trade, ask: Is there scheduled event risk? Does this align with rate expectations? Are commodities/equities confirming? The goal isn’t perfection—it’s avoiding obvious mismatches. For me, I read my own words on what should be done, and most probably, I won't do it. I think the above is too much. I believe there must be an easier way to merge Technical and Fundamental Analysis.

Education

by TheInvestor_Diary

How to Trade When Buy/Sell Alerts Conflict with Market Structure Question: If we have a buy/sell alert and an opposing Market Structure, how can we tell which will prevail or is heavier? Answer (VX Algo System perspective): In the VX Algo system, both the alert signals (buy/sell) and the market structure are crucial, but they serve different roles: Alerts are dynamic triggers based on price action, momentum, or specific algorithmic conditions. They indicate potential entry or exit points. Market Structure reflects the broader trend and underlying order flow, indicating the prevailing direction of the market (e.g., higher highs and higher lows for bullish structure, or lower highs and lower lows for bearish structure). When an alert contradicts the prevailing market structure, the heavier factor is usually the Market Structure because it represents the dominant order flow and sentiment. In other words, alerts give you tactical timing, but market structure provides strategic context. How to tell which prevails: Confirm with Market Structure: If the market structure is bullish (uptrend), a buy alert aligns with it and is more likely to succeed. A sell alert against that structure is a warning sign that the alert may be weaker or a potential false signal. Volume and Momentum: Use volume or momentum indicators (built into VX Algo or complementary tools) to see if the alert has strength behind it. A strong sell alert with high volume during an uptrend may indicate an imminent structure shift. Multiple Timeframe Analysis: Check if the opposing alert is supported or rejected on higher timeframes. A buy alert on a lower timeframe against a bearish higher timeframe structure is less likely to prevail. Risk Management: If you trade against structure alerts, reduce position size and tighten stops until the structure confirms the shift. Summary: Market structure is heavier and more reliable for directional bias. Alerts provide tactical entry timing. When they conflict, lean on structure for bias but watch for alert strength as early signals of possible structure changes.

Education

07:57

Anatomy of a Breakout: How to Spot It Before It Fakes You Out Few things in trading are as appealing as a breakout. The chart tightens, volume starts to stir, headlines align, your alerts start going off , and suddenly — boom! Price explodes above resistance. Your adrenaline spikes and you pop open that long. But just as often, that breakout turns out to be nothing more than an expensive head fake. Price stalls. Sellers swoop in. Your stop gets clipped. And now you’re sitting there, blinking at your screen, “Welp… that was quick.” Welcome to the bittersweet world of breakouts — where opportunity and deception dance like partners at a high-stakes poker table. 📢 What Is a Breakout, Really? Let’s get the basics out of the way: A breakout happens when price pushes beyond a key support or resistance level that’s been holding for a while. That level could be a previous high, a consolidation range, a trendline, or a psychological number that traders obsess over because humans love round numbers (did someone say Bitcoin BITSTAMP:BTCUSD at $120,000 ?). The logic is simple: Once price clears a well-watched level, trapped shorts have to cover, new longs pile in, and momentum feeds on itself. That’s the dream scenario. But markets aren’t always that generous. For every clean breakout, there are a few fakeouts lurking — luring in overeager traders with the promise of easy money before slamming the door shut. ⚠️ Why Breakouts May Fail If breakouts were easy, we’d all be rich. The problem is that breakouts attract a special kind of crowd: late-to-the-party momentum chasers, breakout algorithm bots, and retail traders who read one blog post about technical analysis. The moment price nudges above resistance, FOMO kicks in. Volume surges. But if the move isn’t backed by genuine institutional buying (you need lots of billions to move the needle nowadays), it quickly becomes what seasoned traders call a “liquidity vacuum” — thin air where the only participants are you, a few equally optimistic Reddit threads, and market makers more than happy to take the other side. Sometimes breakouts fail because: The move lacked volume confirmation. Macro headlines shifted mid-breakout. A key level was front-run, and the real buyers have already taken profit. It was a deliberate trap set by larger players to hunt stops before reversing. Or — more often — the market just needed an excuse to shake out weak hands before resuming the actual move later. 🍸 Volume: The Truth Serum Let’s be very clear: Breakouts without volume are like dating profiles without photos — you should be suspicious. When real breakouts occur, you’ll usually see strong accompanying volume. That’s your proof that big players — funds, institutions, serious money — are committing to the move. No volume? Maybe the summer vibes are already here . Smart traders wait for confirmation: Is volume above average relative to recent sessions? Is price holding above the breakout level after the initial pop? Are follow-through candles printing convincingly? Are we seeing continuation across related sectors or instruments? Without these signs, that breakout candle may just be a cruel joke. 🤯 Breakout Psychology Breakouts prey on two of the most dangerous emotions in trading: greed and urgency. The market whispers, “If you don’t get in now, you’ll miss it.” This is where breakout psychology becomes more dangerous than the chart itself. Once a breakout happens, most traders are no longer analyzing — they’re reacting. They buy late, set tight stops below the breakout level, and become easy prey for stop-hunting algorithms. ✨ Types of Breakouts Not all breakouts are created equal. Here’s the lineup you should be watching for: Clean Breakouts: The rarest and most beautiful. Strong move, high volume, sustained momentum. You’ll know it when you see it — or after you’ve hesitated and missed it. Fakeouts (a.k.a. False Breakouts): Price nudges just past resistance, triggers breakout orders, then swiftly reverses. Designed to shake out breakout traders before resuming the original trend. Break-and-Retest Setups: Often the highest-probability trades. Price breaks out, then pulls back to retest the former resistance (now support). If buyers defend this retest, you’ve got confirmation. News-Driven Breakouts: Triggered by earnings, economic data, or political events. Volatile, fast, and often unsustainable unless backed by real fundamental shifts. 📈 The “Pre-Breakout Tell”: Reading the Tape Good breakout traders aren’t just watching levels — they’re watching how price behaves near those levels in advance. Tight consolidation? Lower volatility into resistance? Declining volume as price grinds higher? That often signals an impending breakout as supply dries up. Conversely, choppy action with large wicks and erratic volume often signals indecision — ripe conditions for failed breakouts and fakeouts. Tape-reading matters. The cleaner the structure before the breakout, the better your odds. 💰 Breakout Traders Need Thick Skin Even with perfect analysis, breakout trading requires accepting that many will fail. That’s the game. Your job isn’t to nail every breakout — it’s to size your positions properly , keep losses small when faked out, and let the clean breakouts run when you catch one. Stop-loss discipline is everything. Breakouts are binary events: you’re either right quickly, or you’re cutting the trade quickly. There’s no room for “maybe it’ll come back.” The most painful breakouts are the ones that fake out, stop you, then continue in your original direction. Every breakout trader has lived that nightmare. Accept it. Build it into your risk plan. 👉 Takeaway: Prepare the Setup, Anticipate the Fakeout Breakouts will always be part of every trader’s playbook. But they require discipline, experience, and an iron stomach. The market loves to tempt you with early signals — your job is to separate signal from noise. Pro tip: Start your day by checking the Economic calendar and browsing the latest news — staying informed (and witty) helps you build better context for smarter decisions. So before you chase that next breakout candle, ask yourself: Is volume there? Is the broader market supportive? Have I managed my risk before clicking buy? Because in trading, the only thing worse than missing a breakout… is getting faked out and blowing up your account chasing it. Now over to you : Are you a breakout trader or a fakeout victim? Share your best (or worst) breakout stories — we’ve all been there.

Education

FED, rate cut possible on July 30? With the US Federal Reserve (FED) meeting on July 30 fast approaching, the markets are scrutinizing the slightest signals likely to indicate an inflexion in monetary policy. While a rate cut seems unlikely in the short term, it cannot be ruled out altogether. Despite Chairman Jerome Powell's firm stance, some influential members of the Monetary Policy Committee (FOMC) are actively pushing for monetary easing this summer. 1) Jerome Powell is not the only decision-maker on the FOMC, and there is pressure for a rate cut in July Jerome Powell adopts a very cautious stance, making any monetary easing conditional on clear convergence towards the 2% inflation target. His main concern is the potentially inflationary impact of the tariffs currently under negotiation. However, Powell does not have absolute power. The FOMC has 12 voting members, including 7 permanent governors, the president of the New York Fed and 4 rotating regional bank presidents. Although each vote is worth as much, the Chairman largely shapes the agenda and guides the discussions. Some members, such as Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller, appointed under the Trump presidency, are pushing for a cut as early as July. Donald Trump's implicit support for this option adds political pressure, even if his direct influence is limited. Below is a table showing the current balance of power between the voting members of the FOMC. 2) There will be a rate cut on July 30 if and only if the unemployment rate becomes worrying On the fundamentals side, inflation measured by the PCE index, the FED's benchmark, remains slightly above target, but several key components are showing signs of normalization. Oil, which accounts for around 11% of the basket, is not showing any alarming technical signals with the geopolitical calm in the Middle East. The real estate sector and healthcare spending, also heavily weighted, are showing positive indications in favor of further disinflation. Moreover, tariffs are only marginally affecting services, which account for 67% of the PCE. Despite this, Powell remains concerned about the risk of exogenous inflationary resurgence, especially if the universal 10% tariff were to apply to all US trading partners, with an expected impact on core PCE of +0.2% to +0.3%. Markets are anticipating a first decline in September, but a July changeover cannot be ruled out if employment data, notably the NFP report of July 3, show a marked weakening of the labor market. 3) The S&P 500 index will need the FED's pivot to go higher, as it has returned to its all-time high On the financial markets, a FED pivot would be a decisive bullish catalyst, especially for US equities, Bitcoin and other high-beta assets. Technical analysis of the S&P 500 shows a favourable technical configuration since the beginning of April, with a V-shaped recovery. But with the market now in contact with its all-time high, very positive fundamentals will be needed to consider going higher. In short, the decision on July 30 will depend on a subtle trade-off between political pressures, inflation dynamics and the health of the job market. A status quo remains the central scenario, but a reversal is conceivable in the event of a sharp deterioration in macroeconomic data, good inflation figures or positive surprises on trade diplomacy. DISCLAIMER: This content is intended for individuals who are familiar with financial markets and instruments and is for information purposes only. The presented idea (including market commentary, market data and observations) is not a work product of any research department of Swissquote or its affiliates. This material is intended to highlight market action and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. If you are a retail investor or lack experience in trading complex financial products, it is advisable to seek professional advice from licensed advisor before making any financial decisions. This content is not intended to manipulate the market or encourage any specific financial behavior. Swissquote makes no representation or warranty as to the quality, completeness, accuracy, comprehensiveness or non-infringement of such content. The views expressed are those of the consultant and are provided for educational purposes only. Any information provided relating to a product or market should not be construed as recommending an investment strategy or transaction. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. 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CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The vast majority of retail client accounts suffer capital losses when trading in CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Digital Assets are unregulated in most countries and consumer protection rules may not apply. As highly volatile speculative investments, Digital Assets are not suitable for investors without a high-risk tolerance. Make sure you understand each Digital Asset before you trade. Cryptocurrencies are not considered legal tender in some jurisdictions and are subject to regulatory uncertainties. The use of Internet-based systems can involve high risks, including, but not limited to, fraud, cyber-attacks, network and communication failures, as well as identity theft and phishing attacks related to crypto-assets.

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Your investor profile Each investor has unique characteristics: The amount of their current investments and savings Their capacity to generate future income and allocate it to savings Their personal and financial circumstances that may condition their liquidity needs Their motivations and objectives for saving Their discipline Their willingness to learn The time available for monitoring Their knowledge and experience Their risk aversion All these characteristics are called investor profile . Unless all these characteristics of your profile change, you must stay true to your investor profile. Bullish market environments are a temptation to take on more risk than we should. It is also important to keep in mind that your investor profile changes with your life cycle . While it’s great to share experiences, your investor profile is unique . When making your decisions, take advice based on your individual characteristics. It is very important that you seek advice from trusted platforms and professionals and pay special attention to ensure that there is no clear commercial bias that could lead you to certain products or operations that may not suit your investor profile. It is not a wise decision to copy from others : friends or forums created by entities with an obvious commercial bias, because your investor profile is unique. Did you like it? Share with your friends. by HollyMontt

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Mechanical ranges Many traders will talk about things like "Smart Money Concepts" (SMC) and think they have found something new. The truth is, everything in trading stems back to Liquidity. There is no "Algo" nobody is out to get you specifically. The market is always right, where you position yourself is your own choice. I have written several posts on mechanical trading, recorded a number of streams. The more mechanical you can make the process, the less the emotions have a chance to kick your ass. Let me give you a very simple method of being able to identify the ranges. Ignore the timeframes as this will work on any of them, on most instruments. (I say most, as some behave differently due to how it attracts liquidity). Lets assume high end crypto such as Bitcoin (BTC) and of course Forex in the general sense, stocks, commodities etc. This is simple - only 2 rules. You start by zooming out and giving yourself a general feel for the trend. Let's say this looks to be an uptrend - we now need to understand the rules. An opposing candle can simply be defined by a different colour. If the trend is up (Green) and we see a red candle - then it's an opposing candle. The inverse is true, if we are down and the trend is Red. Then a Green candle would be opposing. This is only half of the story. The second rule is a pullback candle or even a sequence of candles. This simply means either the very same opposing candle that doesn't make a new high or low (depending on the trend up not making fresh highs or down not taking new lows). In this image, you can see we have in one candle both an opposing and pullback in one candle. This means we can now mark the high of the range. Working backwards to identify the swing range low. This easy method means I can draw a range exactly the same and mechanically every single time. Giving me a mechanical range. We could then get a lot more technical by looking for liquidity, 50% of the range or places such as supply or demand areas. But these are all for other posts. For now, getting a range on the higher timeframes means you can work down and down into a timeframe you are likely to want to trade on. These ranges will give clues to draws and runs of liquidity. This will also help identify changes in the character and fresh breaks of structure. Here's another post I posted on the mechanical structures and techniques. More in the next post. Have a great week! 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.

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by Mayfair_Ventures

US–Iran Conflict Triggers a Potential Nasdaq Bearish Setup 🟣 Geopolitical Flashpoint Meets Technical Confluence The U.S. weekend airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities has reignited geopolitical instability across the Middle East. While broader markets often absorb news cycles quickly, high-beta assets like Nasdaq futures (NQ) tend to react more dramatically—especially when uncertainty meets existing technical vulnerability. Monday’s session opened with a notable gap to the downside, reflecting immediate risk-off sentiment among futures traders. While the initial drop is being retraced intraday, historical patterns suggest that such gap-fills can often serve as ideal shorting zones—particularly when other bearish signals confirm the narrative. The backdrop is clear: this is no ordinary Monday open. 🟣 Bearish Divergence on CCI Builds the Case From a technical standpoint, the setup gains weight through a clear bearish divergence on the Commodity Channel Index (CCI) using a 20-period setting. While prices recently pushed higher, momentum failed to follow—an early indication that buyers may be running out of steam. This divergence appears just as price approaches the origin of Friday’s gap, a level that frequently acts as a resistance magnet in such contexts. This confluence of weakening momentum and overhead supply aligns perfectly with the geopolitical catalyst, offering traders a compelling argument for a potential reversal in the short term. 🟣 Gap Origin: The Line in the Sand The origin of the gap sits at 21844.75, a price level now acting as potential resistance. As the market attempts to climb back toward this zone, the likelihood of encountering institutional selling pressure increases. Gap origins often represent unfinished business—zones where prior bullish control was suddenly interrupted. In this case, the added layer of global tension only strengthens the conviction that sellers may look to reassert dominance here. If price action stalls or rejects at this zone, it could become the pivot point for a swift move lower, especially with bearish momentum already flashing caution signals. 🟣 Trade Plan and Reward-to-Risk Breakdown A potential short trade could be structured using 21844.75 as the entry point—precisely at the gap origin. A conservative stop placement would rest just above the most recent swing high at 22222.00, offering protection against a temporary squeeze. The downside target aligns with a prior UFO support area near 20288.75, where demand previously showed presence. This sets up a risk of 377.25 points versus a potential reward of 1556.00 points, resulting in a reward-to-risk ratio of 4.12:1. For traders seeking asymmetrical opportunity, this ratio stands out as a strong incentive to engage with discipline. 🟣 Futures Specs: Know What You’re Trading Traders should be aware of contract specifics before engaging. The E-mini Nasdaq-100 Futures (NQ) represent $20 per point, with a minimum tick of 0.25 worth $5.00. Typical margin requirements hover around $31,000, depending on the broker. For smaller accounts, the Micro Nasdaq-100 Futures (MNQ) offer 1/10th the exposure. Each point is worth $2, with a $0.50 tick value and much lower margins near $3,100. 🟣 Discipline First: Why Risk Management Matters Volatility driven by geopolitical events can deliver fast gains—but just as easily, fast losses. That’s why stop-loss orders are non-negotiable. Without one, traders expose themselves to unlimited downside, especially in leveraged instruments like futures. Equally critical is the precision of entry and exit levels. Acting too early or too late—even by a few points—can compromise an otherwise solid trade. Always size positions according to your account, and never let emotion override logic. Risk management isn’t a side-note—it’s the foundation that separates professionals from those who simply speculate. 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.

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The Midyear Mindset Reset: Reboot Your Trading Before Q3 Because nothing says "trader growth" like admitting you’ve been winging it for six months. 👋 Welcome to Halftime — How’s Your P&L Looking? June’s closing bell isn’t just a date on the calendar — it’s that awkward moment where traders stare into the middle distance, coffee in hand, and quietly whisper: “Well… that went differently than I expected.” Whether you’ve been racking up wins, nursing drawdowns, or simply surviving market whiplash, midyear is nature’s way of handing you a clean slate. Before Q3 throws its inevitable curveballs, now’s your chance to pause, reset, and actually look at what the heck you’ve been doing. And, of course, prepare for the next batch of earnings reports . Spoiler: if your trading strategy this year has involved equal parts hope and caffeine, you’re not alone. 🔥 The Year So Far: Markets Kept It… Interesting Let’s quickly recap 2025 so far (because trauma processing is healthy). The Magnificent Seven? More like the Magnificent Two-And-A-Half. Meta NASDAQ:META and Microsoft NASDAQ:MSFT ran victory laps while everyone else tripped over AI headlines or regulatory landmines. Nvidia NASDAQ:NVDA moonwalked into trillion-dollar territory, then stumbled after export bans — but somehow still has every fund manager whispering “Blackwell” like it’s a secret password. Bitcoin BITSTAMP:BTCUSD set new highs north of $110K (who needs fiat when you can have memes?). The Fed teased cuts, inflation teased persistence, and Trump teased… well, everyone. And summer trading arrived with its usual low-volume traps, giving us breakouts that break hearts and liquidity that disappears faster than your broker’s customer support. In short: volatility? Check. Opportunity? Absolutely. Discipline? That depends on whether you’re still following your rules or trading on vibes. By June, most traders have crafted elaborate narratives in their heads. You know the type: "This breakout is different," "The Fed has to cut next month," and "There’s no way Nvidia can keep running like this." The problem is, markets don’t care about your narrative. They care about price, volume, sentiment — and sometimes, absolute chaos. That beautifully clean chart setup? It’s not asking for your prediction. It’s begging you to respond with discipline, not bravado. The traders who thrived in the first half didn’t win by forecasting every twist in the macro plotline. They won by following the tape. The breakout happened? They took it. The stop-loss hit? They respected it. That’s not luck — that’s execution. 🫶🏻 Emotional Capital: The Real Balance You Should Be Watching P&L tells one story. Emotional capital tells another. By June, a lot of traders aren’t out of money — they’re out of discipline. They’ve been revenge trading after a string of losses, chasing AI headlines that already ran, and convincing themselves they can “make it all back” on the next oversized position. Do you know that feeling? Resetting your trading mindset at midyear means recalibrating that emotional bankroll. Start by reviewing your trading journal (yes, you’re supposed to have one ). Revisit the trades that made sense and the ones that make you cringe. Recognize your patterns — your strengths, but also your weaknesses. Success leaves clues and there are lessons in failures. 💭 Clean Up the Clutter There’s a special type of fatigue that sets in after six months of consuming too much trading content. You start layering on indicators like toppings at a frozen yogurt bar — RSI, MACD, Stochastics, VWAP, Fibonacci, Elliott Waves, Gann fans... until your charts light up like the billboards in Times Square. The truth is, the best traders heading into Q3 are simplifying. They’re not chasing complexity; they’re chasing clarity. They know their setups, they trust their process, and they wait for clean signals. Summer trading especially demands this discipline. Liquidity gets thinner, breakouts fail more often , and the tape gets choppy. Complex systems may amplify the noise. Strip it down. Focus on price structure. Simplify your strategy so you can execute when real opportunities appear — not when your 12th oscillator blinks green. ⚾ You Don’t Need a Home Run At this stage of the year, many traders fall into what we’ll call the desperate hero phase. They feel behind. They want to make up for drawdowns. They want “the trade” that fixes everything. If you’ve missed making bank over the first half of the year, chances are, you want to catch up — and fast. Here’s a secret: The best traders aren’t always looking for grand slams. They’re playing small ball too — consistent singles, tight risk, controlled losses, steady gains. Q3 isn’t about doubling your account. It’s about staying alive long enough for your edge to show up and play out. The traders who make it to year-end consistently profitable aren’t the ones chasing massive wins. They’re the ones compounding quiet, boring, disciplined trades. Midyear Reset: Your Q3 Trading Checklist Here’s your brutally simple plan for the back half: ✅ Journal your biggest mistakes from H1 ✅ Cut your watchlist in half ✅ Size smaller than feels exciting ✅ Trust clean setups over crowded trades ✅ Stay curious — but stay selective ✅ Leave the FOMO trades to the TikTok influencers So the real question heading into Q3 isn’t whether markets will go up or down. It’s whether you will trade better or keep winging it. Happy midyear reset. Trade smarter, not harder.

Education

Your Liquidation can be Exchanges Business & Profit Ever feel like the market is designed to move against you ? That your stop-loss is a magnet for price action? What if it’s not just in your head? Behind every liquidation wave lies a structure and maybe even a strategy. In this post, we dive deep into how exchanges might be benefiting from your losses and most importantly, how to flip the script in your favor. Hello✌ Spend 3 minutes ⏰ reading this educational material. 🎯 Analytical Insight on XRP: XRP is approaching a major daily support zone, aligned with the psychological level of $2.00. This area has historically provided strong buying interest. A potential rebound from this level could lead to a minimum upside of 16%, with a medium-term target around $2.50 . 📈 Now , let's dive into the educational section, 💣 Liquidation as a Business Model In crypto derivatives markets, liquidation isn’t just a risk it’s a revenue stream. When your position gets liquidated, your funds don’t just vanish into thin air they become someone else’s gain. Often, the exchange itself. Remember, exchanges control: Price data Order book matching Access to retail trading behavior That means they can anticipate and even design market conditions that favor liquidations . Especially from retail traders who overleverage or place their stops in obvious spots. Scary? Maybe. Avoidable? Absolutely. 📊 Why TradingView Is Where Your Survival Starts When it comes to defending yourself against liquidity traps, your best weapon is data real data. Not gut feelings, not Telegram signals. TradingView offers a range of tools that help you detect the footprints of large players before they run over your position. Here’s how to use them: Liquidity Zones: These zones highlight areas where most stop-losses cluster perfect for identifying where big players are likely to push price. Use community indicators like “Liquidity Grab Zones” or manually plot key levels. Volume Profile: Shows you exactly where the highest traded volumes occurred. These “high interest” areas often become magnets for price and are favorite playgrounds for liquidity raids. Order Blocks: Smart money often enters the market through order blocks. Tools like “SMC Tools” or custom scripts in TradingView help you mark these institutional footprints. Open Interest & Funding Rates (via external data plugins): Watch for spikes in funding or sudden OI drops these can be early signs of liquidation sweeps. Replay Tool: Rewind the market to any date and simulate price movement in real time. An amazing way to train your eyes on how liquidity hunts usually play out. Bottom line? TradingView isn’t just a charting tool it’s your radar system in a market full of traps. But only if you use it the right way. 🧠 Market Psychology: Your Fear Is Their Fuel Exchanges and the whales who partner with them thrive on predictable retail emotion: Fear of missing out (FOMO) Fear of liquidation Greed for fast gains They don’t need to fake anything your emotions are enough. They just need to let the herd run into the slaughterhouse. Your best defense? Awareness, logic, and a data-first mindset. ⚠️ How to Avoid Becoming Their Target Stop following noise; start tracking smart data. Never use stop-losses at obvious round levels or under candle wicks these are classic sweep zones. Watch funding rates if it looks too bullish or bearish, get cautious. Don’t enter trades when you feel too confident that’s often when traps are most effective. Aim for higher-timeframe setups and avoid scalping in manipulated zones. Most importantly: Treat every chart as a trap until proven otherwise. 🧭 Final Take In crypto, knowledge isn’t power it’s protection. If you’re still hoping the market plays fair, it’s time to change perspective. Use TradingView to out-think and outlast the systems designed to exploit you. You don’t have to be a genius just informed. ✨ Need a little love! We put so much love and time into bringing you useful content & your support truly keeps us going. don’t be shy—drop a comment below. We’d love to hear from you! 💛 Big thanks , Mad Whale 🐋 📜Please remember to do your own research before making any investment decisions. Also, don’t forget to check the disclaimer at the bottom of each post for more details.

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CME FedWatch : the essential tool to consult before the Fed The CME FedWatch Tool is a free and widely used resource offered by CME Group. It has become a key reference in the financial industry for tracking, in real time, market expectations about upcoming interest rate decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). Frequently cited in financial media, this tool allows traders and analysts to assess the likelihood of a rate hike, hold, or cut ahead of each scheduled FOMC meeting. How does it work? At the core of the FedWatch Tool lies data derived from 30-day Fed Funds Futures, which reflect the average federal funds rate expected for a given month. These contracts follow a simple rule: Implied Rate = 100 – Futures Price So if a futures contract trades at 95.67, the implied average rate is 4.33%. This is then compared not just to the Fed’s current target range (4.25% to 4.50%), but more specifically to the Effective Federal Funds Rate (currently around 4.33%) to estimate the market-implied probability of a rate hike, hold, or cut. The FedWatch Tool then distributes these probabilities across expected scenarios for each upcoming meeting, allowing users to see, for instance, a 99.9% probability of a hold or a 0.1% chance of a cut. This makes it a real-time barometer of monetary policy expectations. The Historical section: analyze and backtest Beyond the live probabilities, the tool also features a Historical section. This shows how rate expectations evolved ahead of past FOMC meetings and what the Fed ultimately decided. Users can download this data for further study, enabling a better understanding of how market sentiment shifted over time, particularly in reaction to speeches, inflation data, or jobs reports. This is especially valuable for those looking to backtest trading or hedging strategies tied to rate decisions. The “Dot Plot”: insight into the Fed’s own outlook Another key feature of the tool is the Dot Plot, which displays individual FOMC participants’ rate projections over time. Each dot represents a member’s view of where the fed funds rate should be by the end of a given year. The Dot Plot is only updated four times per year, in March, June, September, and December, during the Fed’s so-called “summary of economic projections” meetings. These quarterly meetings are particularly market-sensitive because they are accompanied by updated economic forecasts and a press conference. While the dots do not reflect a formal voting commitment, they offer valuable insight into the Fed’s collective sentiment and long-term bias. How to Interpret the Data? A key takeaway for traders: don’t confuse the direction of interest rates with the overall message. A rate cut may not be “dovish” if paired with cautious language or projections. Conversely, holding rates steady may be interpreted as “hawkish” if the market was expecting a cut. What really moves markets is the difference between expectations and what the Fed actually says or does. That includes the language of the statement, any changes in the dot plot, and Chair Powell’s comments in the post-decision press conference. These factors often matter more than the rate move itself. The situation on Wednesday, June 18, 2025: what to expect? The June 18 meeting is one of the quarterly meetings, meaning it will come with a press conference and a release of a new dot plot. As of now, the FedWatch Tool shows an extremely high probability (99.9%) of a rate hold within the current 4.25% to 4.50% range. However, what matters most on this occasion is the guidance for the second half of the year. As of now: The market assigns a 56% probability to a first rate cut by September, A 41% chance to two cumulative 25 bp cuts (down to 3.75–4.00%) and a 21% chance of a more aggressive easing path (3.50–3.75%) by December. This means the market still expects some policy easing later in the year, but not aggressively. If Powell opens the door more clearly to cuts, or if the new dot plot shows a downward shift in the median rate projection for 2025, the dollar could weaken and rate-sensitive assets might rally. On the other hand, if the Fed maintains a cautious stance and the dots remain unchanged, markets may interpret that as hawkish. This is why knowing what the market has already priced in before the announcement is essential: the reaction depends not on the raw decision, but on how it compares to expectations. In short… For all these reasons, I believe the FedWatch Tool is a simple yet extremely powerful resource for anyone interested in U.S. monetary policy. It allows users to track market expectations and compare them with official Fed communications. It’s definitely a key part of my trading arsenal. To go deeper, other tools can complement this analysis—especially implied volatility data from rate options markets. These don’t signal directional bias, but rather how large a move the market expects. That will be the focus of an upcoming article.

Education

Short overview of monetary policy It's a busy week for central bank monetary policies with the BoJ, FED, BoE and SNB all due this week. Current probabilities are as follows: Federal Reserve - 98.8% Hold @ 4.5% Bank of England - 88.3% Hold @ 4.25% Swiss National Bank - 100% Cut from 0.25% to 0.00% The FED will also be realising their economic projections and forward guidance including the updated dot plot, so market attention will be drawn towards this and accompanying press conference. As always, the BoE will be releasing their MPC votes so focus will shift towards these and comments made in policy summary. Both the FED and BoE may struggle to make a more dovish tilt with sticky inflation and uncertainty around geopolitical tensions and tariff negations. If any comments come for a more hawkish stance such as a higher revision for inflation or reduction in future rate cuts will promote and stronger USD and pairs such as USDCAD or USDCHF (whilst keeping safe haven plays in mind) could provide some good moves. Any surprise dovish comments likely hold a bigger potential for stronger initial moves in USD weakness. For this potential US equity upside such as the S&P or NASDAQ could provide good opportunity.

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What is Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA)?🔵 What is Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA)? Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) is a timeless investment strategy that involves investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of the asset's price. It’s one of the most effective ways to build a position over time while minimizing the impact of market volatility. The term "Dollar Cost Averaging" was popularized in the early 20th century by Benjamin Graham — the father of value investing and mentor to Warren Buffett. Graham advocated DCA as a way to remove emotions and guesswork from investing. By spreading out purchases, investors could avoid mistiming the market and reduce risk exposure. Today, DCA remains a core strategy for retail investors, especially in volatile markets like cryptocurrencies and growth stocks. 🔵 How Does DCA Work? The concept is simple: instead of investing a lump sum all at once, you break your total investment into smaller, equal parts and invest them over time — for example, weekly or monthly. Invest $100 every week into Bitcoin. Keep buying consistently — regardless of whether price goes up or down. Over time, this smooths out your average entry price. You buy more when price is low, and less when price is high. Example: If BTC is at $30,000 one month, you buy a small amount. If BTC drops to $25,000 the next month, you buy more units with the same $100. Over time, your entry price averages out — reducing the risk of buying at a peak. 🔵 Why Use DCA? DCA offers both psychological and mathematical advantages: Reduces timing risk: You don’t need to predict market tops or bottoms. Builds discipline: Encourages consistent investing habits. Prevents emotional mistakes: Avoids FOMO buying and panic selling. Smooths volatility: Especially useful in crypto or fast-moving assets. 🔵 Smart DCA: Buying Into Market Bottoms While classic DCA is powerful on its own, it becomes even more effective when combined with market structure. A popular approach is to only DCA when the asset is trading below its long-term average — such as the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) or using RSI (Relative Strength Index). What is the 200-day SMA? It’s the average closing price over the last 200 days — a key indicator of long-term trend direction. Why DCA Below the 200 SMA? Historically, many market bottoms occur below the 200 SMA. Using this as a filter helps you avoid accumulating during overvalued or overheated conditions. SDCA with RSI The Relative Strength Index (RSI) helps identify momentum exhaustion. When RSI drops below 30, it often marks deeply oversold conditions — especially on the daily chart for BTC. How to use it: Only DCA when price is below the 200-day SMA. You accumulate during crashes, fear, and corrections. Avoid buying when price is extended far above long-term value. 🔵 Scaling DCA Based on Undervaluation To further optimize the strategy, you can scale your DCA amounts depending on how far below the 200 SMA the price is. Example: Price is 5% below 200 SMA → invest normal amount. Price is 15% below → double your investment. Price is 25% below → triple your investment. This creates a dynamic DCA system that responds to market conditions — helping you build larger positions when prices are truly discounted. 🔵 When DCA Doesn’t Work Like any strategy, DCA has limitations. It’s not magic — just a system to reduce timing errors. In strong uptrends, a lump sum investment can outperform DCA. In declining assets with no recovery (bad fundamentals), DCA becomes risky. DCA works best on quality assets with long-term growth potential. Always combine DCA with research and risk management — don’t blindly accumulate assets just because they’re down. 🔵 Final Thoughts Dollar Cost Averaging isn’t about buying the exact bottom — it’s about consistency , discipline , and risk control . Whether you’re investing in Bitcoin, stocks, or ETFs, DCA offers a stress-free approach to enter the market and smooth out volatility over time. Smart traders take it one step further: using moving averages and structure to focus their DCA efforts where value is highest. DCA won’t make you rich overnight — but it will help you sleep at night. This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Always do your own research and invest responsibly.

Education

Soybeans and Heat: Subtle Signals in a Volatile Market 1. Introduction Soybeans aren't just a staple in livestock feed and global cuisine—they’re also a major commodity in futures markets, commanding serious attention from hedgers and speculators alike. With growing demand from China, unpredictable yields in South America, and increasing climatic instability, the behavior of soybean prices often reflects a deeper interplay of supply chain stress and environmental variability. Among the many weather variables, temperature remains one of the most closely watched. It’s no secret that extreme heat can harm crops. But what’s less obvious is this: Does high temperature truly move the soybean market in measurable ways? As we’ll explore, the answer is yes—but with a twist. Our deep dive into decades of data reveals a story of statistical significance, but not dramatic deviation. In other words, the signal is there, but you need to know where—and how—to look. 2. Soybeans and Climate Sensitivity The soybean plant’s sensitivity to heat is well documented. During its flowering and pod-setting stages, typically mid-to-late summer in the U.S., soybean yields are highly vulnerable to weather fluctuations. Excessive heat during these windows—particularly above 30ºC (86ºF)—can impair pod development, lower seed count, and accelerate moisture loss from the soil. The optimal range for soybean development tends to hover between 20ºC to 30ºC (68ºF to 86ºF). Within this window, the plant thrives—assuming adequate rainfall and no pest infestations. Go beyond it for long enough, and physiological stress builds up. This is precisely the kind of risk that traders price into futures markets, often preemptively based on forecasts. Yet, trader psychology is just as important as crop biology. Weather alerts—especially heatwaves—often drive speculative trading. The market may anticipate stress well before actual yield reports come out. This behavior is where we see the beginnings of correlation between temperature and market movement. 3. Quantifying Weather Impact on Soybean Futures To test how meaningful these heat-driven narratives are, we categorized weekly temperatures into three buckets: Low: Below the 25th percentile of weekly temperature readings Normal: Between the 25th and 75th percentile High: Above the 75th percentile We then calculated weekly returns of Soybean Futures (ZS) across these categories. The results? Despite the modest visual differences in distribution, the statistical analysis revealed a clear pattern: Returns during high-temperature weeks were significantly different from those during low-temperature weeks, with a p-value of 3.7e-11. This means the likelihood of such a difference occurring by chance is effectively zero. But here’s the catch—the difference in mean return was present, yes, but not huge. And visually, the boxplots showed overlapping quartiles. This disconnect between statistical and visual clarity is exactly what makes this insight subtle, yet valuable. 4. What the Data Really Tells Us At first glance, the boxplots comparing soybean futures returns across temperature categories don’t scream “market-moving force.” The medians of weekly returns during Low, Normal, and High temperature periods are closely clustered. The interquartile ranges (IQRs) overlap significantly. Outliers are present in every category. So why the statistical significance? It’s a matter of consistency across time. The soybean market doesn’t suddenly explode every time it gets hot—but across hundreds of data points, there’s a slightly more favorable distribution of returns during hotter weeks. It’s not dramatic, but it’s reliable enough to warrant strategic awareness. This is where experienced traders can sharpen their edge. If you’re already using technical analysis, seasonal patterns, or supply-demand forecasts, this weather-based nuance can serve as a quiet confirmation or subtle filter. 5. Why This Still Matters for Traders In markets like soybeans, where prices can respond to multiple fundamental factors—currency shifts, export numbers, oilseed competition—small weather patterns might seem like background noise. But when viewed statistically, these small effects can become the grain of edge that separates average positioning from smart exposure. For example: Volatility tends to rise during high-heat weeks, even when average return shifts are small. Institutional players may rebalance positions based on crop health assumptions before USDA reports arrive. Weather trading algos can push prices slightly more aggressively during risk-prone periods. In short, traders don’t need weather to predict price. But by knowing what weather has historically meant, they can adjust sizing, bias, or timing with greater precision. 6. Contract Specs: Standard vs. Micro Soybeans Accessing the soybean futures market doesn’t have to require big institutional capital. With the launch of Micro Soybean Futures (MZS), traders can participate at a more granular scale. Here are the current CME Group specs: 📌 Contract Specs for Soybean Futures (ZS): Symbol: ZS Contract size: 5,000 bushels Tick size: 1/4 of one cent (0.0025) per bushel = $12.50 Initial margin: ~$2,100 (varies by broker and volatility) 📌 Micro Soybean Futures (MZS): Symbol: MZS Contract size: 500 bushels Tick size: 0.0050 per bushel = $2.50 Initial margin: ~$210 The micro-sized contract allows traders to scale into positions, especially when exploring signals like weather impact. It also enables more nuanced strategies—such as partial hedges or volatility exposure—without the capital intensity of full-size contracts. 7. Conclusion: A Nuanced Edge for Weather-Aware Traders When it comes to soybeans and temperature, the story isn’t one of obvious crashes or dramatic spikes. It’s a story of consistent, statistically measurable edges that can quietly inform better trading behavior. Yes, the return differences may look small on a chart. But over time, in leveraged markets with seasonality and fundamental noise, even a few extra basis points in your favor—combined with smarter sizing and timing—can shift your performance curve meaningfully. Using tools like Micro Soybean Futures, and being aware of technical frameworks, traders can efficiently adapt to subtle but reliable signals like temperature-based volatility. And remember: this article is just one piece in a multi-part series exploring the intersection of weather and agricultural trading. The next piece might just provide the missing link to complete your edge. Stay tuned. 🌾📈 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.

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Select market data provided by ICE Data services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2025 FactSet Research Systems Inc.© 2025 TradingView, Inc.

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