How to dollar cost averge with precisionI've seen several dollar cost averaging calculator online, however there is something I usually see missing. How many stocks should you buy if you want your average cost to be a specific value. Usually the calculators will ask how much you bought at each level ang give you the average, but not the other way around (telling you how much to buy to make your average a specific value). For this, I decided to make the calculations on my own.
Here, you can see the mathematical demonstration: www.mathcha.io
Community ideas
Mind Over Market: The Burden Of Continuous Chart WatchingNovice traders are often swayed by their emotions. Even when equipped with knowledge of technical and fundamental analysis, as well as risk management, individuals are invariably guided by psychological factors. This influence isn't limited to emotional extremes such as greed, excitement, or despair. It also encompasses feelings like curiosity, self-assertion, and the quest for validation of one’s decisions. While these feelings aren't inherently wrong, they do come with certain nuances.
One research agency conducted an analysis of a broker's database, choosing to keep the names confidential to avoid advertising. The agency itself noted that the research was intended for private insights rather than a comprehensive analysis. The primary objective was to identify the actions traders tend to take most frequently. The findings revealed that the most predictable action among traders is closing a position. Interestingly, market orders are closed twice as often as limit orders. This suggests that most traders tend to follow market trends and manually close their trades, which may conflict with established risk management principles. This fact has been termed the “Monitoring Effect”.
📍 WHAT IS THE MONITORING EFFECT?
The monitoring effect in trading describes a psychological phenomenon where excessive scrutiny of short-term market fluctuations leads to impulsive and often detrimental trading decisions. When a trader spends too much time staring at the chart, this constant observation distorts their perception of market movements. In essence, a trader who continuously monitors the chart may interpret the data differently than someone who examines it after a few hours of absence. This prolonged focus can create a skewed view of the market, resulting in rash choices that might not align with their overall trading strategy.
📍 NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF MONITORING EFFECTS ON TRADERS
• Overemphasizing Short-Term Information. Traders may place excessive importance on recent price movements or news events, leading them to make reactionary decisions. For instance, an impulsive urge to close a trade can arise from a fleeting negative signal, such as a false pattern or a false breakout, even if the overall trading strategy remains sound.
• False Perception of News. By constantly tracking news and events, traders can overestimate their significance, prompting rash decisions based on short-term fluctuations. This can lead to trades that are not aligned with long-term strategy or analysis.
• Frequent Position Changes. The urge to change positions often is exacerbated by constant monitoring. Traders may respond to momentary shifts in market direction, resulting in frequent reversals of positions. This behavior not only increases trading costs due to commissions and spreads but can also lead to overall reduced profitability. A trader may incur losses as they jump in and out of trades based on short-lived movements.
• Emotional Stress. Ongoing market observation can heighten emotional stress and lead to fatigue. As traders become more engrossed in monitoring, their ability to think clearly and make rational decisions diminishes. This emotional toll can distort judgment, further complicating the trading process.
• Increased Risk Appetite. Prolonged engagement with the market can result in an increased appetite for risk. As traders become accustomed to fluctuations, they may become more willing to take on higher-risk trades, often without a solid foundation in their analysis. This increased risk tolerance can lead to larger potential losses, especially if the market moves against them.
To watch the chart or not to watch the chart? The monitoring effect has some positive aspects. Firstly, you train your skills of instant reaction to an event. Secondly, you learn to quickly recognize patterns and find levels.
📍 TIPS TO MANAGE CHART MONITORING
1. Wait After News Releases
Avoid Immediate Reaction. It’s crucial to refrain from making quick trades immediately after major news releases due to potential volatility and false spikes. Prices may not reflect fair value during that time, leading to uncertain outcomes.
Trade After the Dust Settles. Waiting for 30-60 minutes allows the initial market reaction to stabilize, providing a clearer market direction and reducing the likelihood of entering a trade based on erratic price movements.
2. Develop Psychological Stability
Practice Mindfulness. Engage in mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises to enhance emotional regulation.
Set Realistic Expectations. Understand that losses are a part of trading and work on accepting them without letting them influence your emotional state.
Simulate Trading. Use demo accounts to practice trading strategies without real financial pressure, keeping emotions in check.
3. Focus on the Trading Process
Emphasize Strategy Over Outcomes. Concentrate on executing your trading plan and strategies instead of being fixated on profit and loss. This shift in mindset can reduce stress and enhance performance.
Track Your Progress. Regularly review your trades to identify patterns in behavior and decision-making, making adjustments as necessary without getting bogged down by the results of individual trades.
4. Avoid Unrealistic Goals
Set Achievable Milestones. Goals should be specific, measurable, and realistic based on your skill level and market conditions. Aim for gradual improvement rather than sudden leaps in performance.
Focus on Personal Growth. Compare your progress against your own benchmarks rather than against other traders, which can help foster a healthy mindset.
5. Use and Stick to a Trading Plan
Define Your Strategy. Clearly outline entry and exit strategies, risk management rules, and market conditions for trading. A well-structured plan reduces impulsive decisions.
Review and Adapt. Regularly review your trading plan to ensure it aligns with market conditions and your evolving trading style. Adjust it as needed, but avoid impulsive changes based on short-term outcomes.
To mitigate the effects of constant monitoring, traders are encouraged to develop a clear trading plan that includes well-defined rules for entering and exiting trades. Utilizing automatic stop losses and take-profit orders is essential for effective risk management. Additionally, setting specific time frames for checking trading positions can help avoid the pitfalls of incessantly watching the market. For instance, you might establish a schedule to check in on your trades five minutes after the start of each new hourly candle. The key is to cultivate the discipline to adhere to this schedule and resist the temptation to deviate from it.
📍 CONCLUSION
Everything is good in moderation. Long-term trading strategies do not require constant monitoring; instead, a quick five-minute check of the chart every few hours are often sufficient. Utilizing pending orders that align with your risk management guidelines can also enhance your trading approach. Taking breaks after each 1H candle can be beneficial. If there are no clear trading signals, allow yourself to step away from the chart for the duration of one hour. During this time, it's not necessary to search for signals on lower timeframes. Embracing this disciplined approach can help you maintain focus and improve your overall trading performance.
Traders, If you liked this educational post🎓, give it a boost 🚀 and drop a comment 📣
Building Success In PineScript - The Ment Pressure SystemAfter more than two weeks of playing around with Pinescript, I've managed to put together some really cool tools for my followers/subscribers.
The idea of price pressure intrigued me, so I decided to create something based on it.
Ideally, I planned to build something that helped traders find and execute better trades. It is difficult to identify chop vs. trending in any market/interval. My goal was to create a small suite of tools to help traders identify better trade setups.
I still believe I have more work to do with these pressure tools, but I'm very happy with how they work.
I did learn some "tricks" with Pinescript related to how variables and processes work (of course, by trial and error).
Watching the code run in real-time has been fun (watching a 2 min ES chart).
I can't wait to see how my followers use these tools and develop new ways to deploy them efficiently.
What are your thoughts? Anything I can do to improve?
Get some.
#trading #research #investing #tradingalgos #tradingsignals #cycles #fibonacci #elliotwave #modelingsystems #stocks #bitcoin #btcusd #cryptos #spy #es #nq #gold
What is Support and Resistance in Trading. Key Levels Basics
In the today's article, we will discuss the absolute basics of technical analysis: support and resistance levels.
I will explain to you why support and resistance are important , how to identify them properly, and we will discuss what is the difference between support and resistance level and support or resistance zone.
Let's start with a definition of a support .
A support is a historically significant price level that lies below the current prices of an asset.
While a resistance is a historically significant price level that is above the current prices.
From a key resistance, a bearish movement will be anticipated in futures, while from a key support, a bullish reaction will be expected.
Take a look at EURAUD pair, we can see a perfect example of a key resistance level.
2 times in a row, the market dropped from that in the past, confirming its significance.
By a historical significance , I mean that the price reacted strongly to such price level in the past and a strong bullish, bearish movement initiated from that.
Above is the example of a key horizontal support on EURCHF. The underlined key level was respected by the market multiple times in the past.
From time to time, the market breaks key levels.
After a breakout , a support turns into resistance
and a resistance turns into support.
Above is the example of a breakout of a key support on GBPNZD, after its violation it turned into resistance from where a bearish movement followed.
Always remember, that in order to confirm a breakout of a key support, we strictly need a candle close below that.
By the way, the structure here is also the zone, but we will discuss it later on.
Above is the example of a breakout of a key resistance, that turned into support after a violation.
Very often, newbie traders ask me, how many times the price should react to a key level to make it valid.
I do believe that 1 time is more than enough, however, make sure that the reaction to that is strong .
Above are key support and resistance on GBPCAD. Even though both structures were respected just one time in the past, the reaction to them was strong enough to confirm that the underlined levels are the key levels.
However, historical significance of a key support or resistance is not enough to make it valid.
What matters is the most recent reaction of the price to that.
Key supports and resistance lose their significance with time, and your job as a technical analyst, is to stay flexible and adapt to changing market conditions, regularly updating your analysis.
Above is a key resistance level on AUDJPY from where the market dropped heavily 2 times in a row.
However, with time, the underlined resistance lost its significance.
Such a structure is not a key level anymore.
Remember a simple rule: if a key structure is not respected by the sellers, and by the buyers after its breakout.
Or vice versa: if a key structure is not respected by the buyers, and then by the sellers after its breakout.
Such a structure is not a key level , and you should not rely on that in the future.
In our example, the resistance was broken - it was neglected by the sellers. After the breakout, it should have turned into support, but the buyers also neglected that and the structure lost its strength.
Now, a couple of words about time frames,
you can identify key support and resistances on any time frame, but
the rule is that higher is the time frame, more significant are the supports and resistances there.
In my analysis, I primarily rely on support and resistance on a daily time frame.
Always remember that the financial markets are not perfect and the prices will quite rarely respect the exact support or resistance levels.
Quite often, the markets may fluctuate around key levels so it is highly recommendable to rely not on single key levels but on zones.
I recommend taking into consideration not only the exact level from where a strong reaction followed, but also a candle close level of such a candle.
The support zone above is based on a wick and a candle close of a candle.
Also, quite often there will be the situations when multiple key levels will lie close to each other.
In such a case, it is better to unite all this structures in one single zone.
Above we see multiple key resistances.
We will unite all these resistances into one single zone. The upper boundary of a resistance zone will be the highest wick and its lower boundary will be the highest candle close.
Above we have 2 key supports lying close to each other.
We will unite these supports into one single zone.
The lower boundary of a support zone will be the lowest wick and the upper boundary will be the lowest candle close.
Here is how a complete structure analysis should look.
Following the rules that we discussed, you should identify at least 2 closest key resistances and 2 closest key supports.
These structures will be applied as the entries for various trading strategies.
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
Elliott Wave DemonstrationDemonstration of Elliott Wave Principles using Bitcoin chart:
Rules:
Wave 2 never goes below end of Wave 1 => checked
Wave 3 is not the shortest of Wave 1, 3 and 5 => checked
Wave 4 never goes below end of Wave 1 => checked
Guidelines:
Guideline of Alternation: Wave 2 and 4 alternates in form (sharp vs sideways), retracement (shallow vs deep) and duration (long vs short) => checked
Guideline of Wave Equality: Two out of three waves (1,3 and 5) tend to be equal in length and duration, Wave 1 and 5 meeting this guideline => checked
Momentum is highest during end of wave 3, end of Wave 5 normally creates divergence with price => checked
Volume during Wave 3 is normally the highest amongst Wave 1,3 and 5
Relations with Fib ratios:
Wave 2 retraced Wave 1 by 78.6% (deep)
Wave 3 was equal to 261.8% of Wave 1 (longest)
Wave 4 retraced Wave 3 by 38.2% (shallow)
Wave 5 was equal to 100% of Wave 1 (Guideline of Wave equality)
Algorithmic TradingAutomated/Algorithmic Trading
Automated trading, also known as algorithmic trading or algo trading, has transformed the financial markets over the past few decades. By leveraging computer programs to execute trades based on predefined rules and strategies, traders and investors can achieve greater efficiency, consistency, and profitability.
As technology continues to evolve, the future of automated trading looks even more promising. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are enabling the development of more sophisticated trading algorithms capable of learning and adapting to new market conditions.
Benefits of Automated Trading
Automated trading offers numerous advantages over traditional manual trading:
Efficiency and Speed: Automated trading systems can execute orders at speeds far beyond human capability.
Consistency and Discipline: Automated systems follow a set of predefined rules and strategies consistently. This eliminates human error and emotion from trading, ensuring that trades are executed as planned without deviation caused by fear, greed, or other psychological factors.
Diversification: Automated trading systems can simultaneously manage multiple strategies across different markets and instruments. This diversification spreads risk and increases the chances of profit.
Complex Quantitative Models: Automated trading systems can employ complex quantitative models that integrate vast amounts of data and sophisticated mathematical algorithms to predict market movements and make informed trading decisions.
24/7 Market Opportunities: Automated trading systems can operate around the clock, taking advantage of global market opportunities that arise outside regular trading hours.
However, it's important to note that while automated trading offers many benefits, it also comes with risks. Algorithmic errors, technical failures, and market anomalies can lead to significant losses. Therefore, it is crucial for traders to continuously monitor their automated systems and have risk management measures in place.
Getting Started with Automated Trading
The cycle to ensure that automated trading systems remain effective and responsive to market dynamics:
Algorithm Development: Creating a set of rules and strategies that define when to buy or sell an asset.
Backtesting: Testing the algorithm on historical data to evaluate its performance and make necessary adjustments.
Execution: Automatically placing buy or sell orders when the criteria defined in the algorithm are met.
Monitoring and Adjustment: Continuously monitoring the algorithm's performance and making adjustments as needed based on changing market conditions.
OKX Signal Bot and TradingView Integration
With the integration of OKX and TradingView, TradingView users can now set up an OKX Signal Bot with their or their signal suppliers' TradingView signals (both indicators and strategy scripts) and automate their preferred trading signals and strategies. Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Log in to your OKX account and add your Custom Signal -> Name your signal and insert an optional description of the signal -> Create Signal
Step 2: Configure TradingView alerts and add the Webhook URL and AlertMsg Specification that is auto-generated by OKX in the first step -> Create
Step 3: Set up your Signal on OKX and Create Bot -> Specify the trading pairs, determine the leverage ratio, and decide on the amount of funds you're willing to invest into the bot -> Confirm
Congratulations! You've successfully created your Signal Bot. This powerful tool will now listen to signals from your selected signal source and execute your trades instantaneously in real time, taking your trading to the next level.
Demo Trading allows OKX users to trade in a simulated environment that mimics real-world market conditions. This enables traders to try out their strategies, gain insights into the markets, and refine their decision-making abilities without any risk of incurring losses.
Profitable Triangle Trading Strategy Explained
Descending triangle formation is a classic reversal pattern . It signifies the weakness of buyers in a bullish trend and bearish accumulation .
In this article, I will teach you how to trade descending triangle pattern. I will explain how to identify the pattern properly and share my trading strategy.
⭐️ The pattern has a very peculiar price action structure :
1. Trading in a bullish trend, the price sets a higher high and retraces setting a higher low .
2. Then the market starts growing again but does not manage to set a new high, setting a lower high instead.
3. Then the price drops again perfectly respecting the level of the last higher low, setting an equal low .
4. After that, one more bullish movement and one more consequent lower high , bearish move, and equal low .
Based on the last three highs , a trend line can be drawn.
Based on the equal lows , a horizontal neckline is spotted.
❗What is peculiar about such price action is the fact that a set of lower highs signifies a weakening bullish momentum : fewer and fewer buyers are willing to buy from horizontal support based on equal lows.
🔔 Such price action is called a bearish accumulation .
Once the pattern is formed it is still not a trend reversal signal though. Remember that the price may set many lower highs and equal lows within the pattern.
The trigger that is applied to confirm a trend reversal is a bearish breakout of the neckline of the pattern.
📉Then a short position can be opened.
For conservative trading, a retest entry is suggested.
Safest stop is lying at least above the level of the last lower high.
However, in case the levels of the lower highs are almost equal it is highly recommendable to set a stop loss above them all.
🎯For targets look for the closest strong structure support.
Below, you can see the example of a descending triangle trade that I took on NZDCAD pair.
After I spotted the formation of the pattern, I was patiently waiting for a breakout of its neckline.
After a breakout, I set a sell limit order on a retest.
Stop loss above the last lower high.
TP - the closest key support.
90 pips of pure profit made.
Learn to identify and trade descending triangle. It is one of the most accurate price action patterns every trader should know.
HOW-TO: Integrate Probabilities into Mechanical Trading StrategyIf you want to skip all the explanations and start working with the OptiRange indicator right away , skip to the last paragraph.
What are the two main approaches in manual trading?
In the world of manual trading, there are two main approaches: mechanical and discretionary trading.
Mechanical or systematic trading is about sticking to a set of predefined rules, almost like following a recipe. Even though you're still executing the trades manually, the decisions are made based on a systematic approach that doesn’t waver. This method is designed to leverage a specific edge in the market, reducing emotional involvement and decision-making stress.
Discretionary trading is a trading approach that relies heavily on the trader's judgment and intuition. Unlike mechanical trading, which follows strict, predefined rules, discretionary trading involves making decisions based on a subjective evaluation of market conditions , price patterns, news events, and other factors. Traders using this method often seek to add confluence—multiple signals or pieces of evidence—to support their trade decisions.
However, this approach can sometimes mislead traders into believing they are identifying high-probability opportunities .
This can create a false sense of confidence , forcing you more likely to take trades that don't actually align with any proven edge. The result is often poor trading decisions, driven by overconfidence rather than objective analysis.
Why isn't mechanical trading talked about more often?
Many people aren't aware of mechanical trading because most trading mentors and courses focus on discretionary trading. This method is more intuitive and accessible, especially for beginners who are interested in learning how to read charts.
Discretionary trading is often seen as more engaging and gives traders a sense of control, which can be appealing.
If mechanical trading is so effective, why do most mentors teach discretionary trading?
Discretionary trading is easier to understand and start with It also appears to offer more flexibility and engagement. As a result, it's more commonly taught and discussed, which means many traders don't get exposed to the benefits of a systematic, rules-based approach like mechanical trading. This leads to a lack of awareness and understanding about the potential advantages of mechanical trading strategies.
Why aren't more mentors switching from discretionary trading to mechanical trading?
Many mentors stick with teaching discretionary trading because it allows them to cover up losses and highlight their winning trades more easily. They can always justify their trading decisions with various explanations, keeping their clients entertained and engaged. This approach creates a dependency, as clients often feel they need ongoing guidance to navigate the complexities of the market.
In contrast, if a mentor were to teach mechanical trading, students would learn a clear set of rules and strategies. Once these rules are understood, traders can become independent, reducing their reliance on the mentor . This independence can be less appealing to mentors who want to maintain a steady stream of clients. Thus, the lack of transparency and the ability to mystify trading strategies keep the focus on discretionary trading methods.
Why consistency is key in trading?
Consistency is essential in trading because it directly affects your results. When your approach varies, such as with discretionary analysis that changes with each setup, your outcomes become unpredictable. Sticking to a set of rules, however, gives you predictable and reliable results.
When you adhere to a fixed set of rules, your actions remain consistent. This consistency leads to results that are also reliable and predictable.
With mechanical trading rules, you're not relying on guesswork or intuition. You have a clear, predefined set of actions, knowing exactly what to do and when to do it.
What are the first steps I should be taking to become a systematic trader?
The first step towards becoming an independent systematic trader is accepting that consistently beating the market with discretionary trading is highly challenging. Despite what you might see on social media—traders getting funded and posting their success—these stories are often disconnected from the reality of intuition-based trading. Many traders spend thousands on challenges, and while some might get lucky and achieve initial funding, they often end up blowing their accounts after a few emotional sessions.
Instead, I want you to shift your focus to developing your own understanding of systematic trading. Know the fact that sticking to pre-defined rules and executing a mechanical trading strategy is key to long-term success. This approach requires you to take it seriously and act responsibly, adhering to a structured, rules-based system that removes emotion and improves your consistency.
The second step is to study the market on your own and identify setups that occur repeatedly across multiple timeframes. Develop clear, step-by-step rules for your strategy and understand the logic behind each rule. Once your rules are written out, create a flowchart to visualize and follow them daily, ensuring you stick to the strategy without introducing flexibility.
Afterward, spend several months backtesting your strategy to verify that the edge you plan to execute is genuinely profitable. This thorough testing will help confirm that your approach works under different market conditions and provides the consistency needed for systematic trading.
Luckily for you, I have done it all. it took me one year to test and validate the strategy by manually going through data collection and backtesting and one year to fully code the strategy into an indicator so I can trade it as systematic as possible.
I'm more than happy to share this with rule-driven individuals who are serious about excelling their trading business.
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How does the OptiRange indicator work?
Market Structure: The Optirange indicator analyzes market structure across multiple timeframes, from a top-down perspective, including 12M, 6M, 3M, 1M, 2W, 1W, 3D, and 1D all the way down to hourly timeframes including 12H 8H 6H 4H 2H 1H.
Fractal Blocks: Once the market structure or current range is identified, the indicator automatically identifies the last push before the break and draws it as a box. These zones acts as a key area where the price often rejects from.
Mitigations: After identifying the Fractal Block, the indicator checks for price mitigation or rejection within this zone. If mitigation occurs, meaning the price has reacted or rejected from the Fractal Block, the indicator draws a checkmark from the deepest candle within the Fractal Block to the initial candle that has created the zone.
Bias Table: After identifying the three key elements—market structure, Fractal Blocks, and price mitigations—the indicator compiles this information into a multi-timeframe table. This table provides a comprehensive top-down perspective, showing what is happening from a structural standpoint across all timeframes. The Bias Table presents raw data, including identified Fractal Blocks and mitigations, to help traders understand the overall market trend. This data is crucial for the screener, which uses it to determine the current market bias based on a top-down analysis.
Screener: Once all higher timeframes (HTF) and lower timeframes (LTF) are calculated using the indicator, it follows the exact rules outlined in the flowchart to determine the market bias. This systematic approach not only helps identify the current market trend but also suggests the exact timeframes to use for finding entry, particularly on hourly timeframes.
According to the above trade plan, why do we only look for mitigations within Fractal Blocks of X1/X2?
In this context, "X" stands for a break in the market's structure, and the numbers (1 and 2) indicate the sequence of these breaks within the same trend direction, either up or down.
We focus on mitigations within Fractal Blocks during the X1/X2 stages because these points mark the early phase (X1) and the continuation (X2) of a trend. By doing so, we align our trades with the market's main direction and avoid getting stopped out in the middle of trends.
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To illustrate how the script analyzes market data and the thought process behind it, let's go through an example.
Example:
12M Timeframe: FX:EURUSD
6M Timeframe : FX:EURUSD
3M Timeframe : FX:EURUSD
1M Timeframe : FX:EURUSD
2W Timeframe : FX:EURUSD
1W Timeframe : FX:EURUSD
Hourly Entry: FX:EURUSD
Final HTF TP: FX:EURUSD
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Don’t worry about understanding every detail of how the script works.
It's only to show you how the indicator calculates multiple timeframe and how it guides you on when to sell/buy or stay away.
Last paragraph:
You can simply turn on the Screener in user-input so that the indicator instantly does a top-down analysis for you using the strategy flowchart and decides for you what hourly timeframes you should be using to get your entries.
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Now that you understand how the OptiRange indicator works, you can start using it to execute a mechanical edge from today.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment!
Importance of zones!Hey traders, here is a great example of why I set specific zones for all my trades. When I do my analysis for the day, I create zones based off of strict support and resistance zones and trend line breaks as well. These zones and all my trades are based off the daily candle close. I choose to drop down to the 15 min chart but you can just go off the 4hr chart if it’s easier but you might not get as many trades. I always shoot for 5 pips but 8 out of 10 times price moves way farther. With 3 crazy kids I have to set targets and they are either gonna hit or stop out. I really hate losing so I try my damn best to make sure momentum is in my favor. For my trade set ups, typically what I would like to see is a daily candle closing bearish and the 4 hour candle closing bearish and vice versa. Discipline is a major key factor in my trading strategy something that I have acquired over the years. Stick to the plan and WAIT FOR IT! OANDA:CADCHF I could have 20 great trades lined up for the day and not one of them break my zone. It’s ok though, there’s always tomorrow. If price doesn’t break my zone by the end Tokyo session I’m out cuz the London session is just a bully that likes to go the opposite direction. I also cleaned up my chart so it’s easier to read both for you and myself. If I ever post an idea, I might just post my trade then go back into the comments and explain the details later. Happy trading. Aloha and much love
Exploring Trading Basics: Expert Tips for New TradersWelcome to the thrilling world of trading, future market experts! If you’re stepping into this arena for the first time, it’s natural to feel both excited and a little overwhelmed. No worries — we’ve set up this nice value-packed TradingView Idea to make you feel at home. Read on for practical tips that will help you kick off your trading journey to a strong start. Ready, set, go? Let’s roll!
1. Get Yourself Familiarized
Action Step : Your first step as a fresh trader is to familiarize yourself with the market fundamentals. Start by getting a solid grasp of basic market concepts. Learn about different asset classes like stocks , forex , or crypto .
Understand how they work and what news or events influence prices across the board (spoiler: if you’re looking at the bigger picture and keep it high level, there aren’t too many things to consider — check the Economic Calendar Related Idea below). Spend an hour or two each week reading about market fundamentals. Knowledge of these basics will make you more confident in your trading approach and also help you see where you feel most comfortable putting your money. And don't forget about the trading psychology part .
2. Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Action Step : Write down your trading goals and stick them somewhere you can see them. Aim for specific, measurable targets like “Hit a 2% monthly return” or “Learn a new trading strategy weekly.” This keeps your efforts focused and on track.
But don’t stop there. Keep revisiting, updating, and refining your trading goals. Think of them as your compass or map that you need to follow in order to get where you want. In contrast, not having a goal or goals might throw you out in the open where you wander without a clear path or direction.
3. Stick to Your Budget
Action Step: Decide on your total trading capital and how much you’re willing to risk per trade. Use the 1-2% rule: never risk more than 1% or 2% of your total capital on a single trade. This will help you protect your account from total wipeout.
It’s easy to get swayed by some massive move in the market (yes, we know about Bitcoin BTC/USD ), but catching these waves is rarely an easy game. The better you are at sticking to a healthy level of risk exposure, the better your chances to stay in the game for as long as possible.
4. Stay Updated with Market News
Action Step : Dedicate 15 minutes each morning to checking financial news. Keeping tabs on major economic reports and events will give you an understanding of what investors regard as important so you can add it to your agenda too.
We’ve set up a nice and easygoing Top stories news stream that serves you only top-tier market-moving scoops, published daily and updated in real time. Make sure to frequent them so you can raise your level of knowing what’s happening in the markets.
5. Keep a Trading Journal
Action Step : For every trade, jot down the details in a journal. Include entry and exit points, your reasons for the trade, and the outcome. Review your journal weekly to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
If you want to get an even more precise look at your trading performance, add more columns to it and include prospect trades, or a watchlist of positions you’re interested in. Mark your monthly performance, year-to-date returns, and even how much you paid in commissions.
6. Start Small and Scale Up
Action Step : Begin with small trades to minimize risk while you’re learning. For example, if you have $1,000, start with trades of $50-$100 and keep your stop tight around the 2% mark. That way, you’ll gain experience and see how you feel when you have an open trade.
Leave a trade overnight, watch it actively or let it run for a few days (provided you use a stop loss , more on it in the Stop Loss Related Idea below) — all these will help you ease into smoother trading and build better confidence. After that, you can gradually increase your trade size for bigger profits. And — most importantly — don’t rush it. The markets will be there tomorrow; but will you?
7. Use Stop-Loss Orders
Action Step : Always set a stop-loss order when placing a trade. For instance, if you buy a stock at $100, set a stop-loss at $95. This means your position will be automatically sold if the price drops to $95, limiting your loss to $5 per share.
The use of stop-loss orders, or simply stop losses, can’t be emphasized enough. No matter how confident you are on a trade, how much conviction you have to go big, always think of the downside, or how much you’re willing to lose.
8. Join a Trading Community
Action Step : If you’re reading this, then you’ve already nailed this step. TradingView is the world’s largest finance, markets, and charting platform, boasting more than 60 million monthly visitors — one big, big community .
This is the place where traders share tips and strategies, show off their charts, discoveries, patterns, price targets, and trading ideas. So, stick around, engage, ask questions, and learn from the experiences of others.
9. Diversify Your Portfolio
Action Step : Spread your investments across different sectors and asset classes. Don’t just buy big tech stocks ; consider some auto companies as well or the volatile corner of cryptocurrencies.
Diversifying your portfolio (learn about it in the Diversification Related Idea below) will help you balance your risk, ideally without reducing the potential for returns. You don’t have to go all-in on a trade and YOLO your entire life savings into a Solana meme coin. Think of the long term and tread carefully. Sometimes, you’re as good as your last trade.
10. Continuously Improve Your Skills
Action Step : Dedicate time each week to learning something new about trading. Watch educational videos , read books, or dive into financial podcasts where big market events get broken down or where traders and investors share their experience and what made them successful.
The markets renew each day, never resting, never ceasing to oscillate and presenting new trading opportunities. Always learn, never get complacent, and keep striving for more!
Share Your Thoughts!
So there you have it, folks! With these practical, actionable tips, you’re ready to jump into the trading game with some added confidence. Remember, every pro was once a newbie. Stay cool, stay informed, and most importantly, have fun with it (but also be smart). Happy trading! 🚀📈
Understanding Tokenomics- Short Guide for Crypto InvestmentsEveryone dreams of finding that 100x crypto gem, but if you want to have a fighting chance beyond just buying random coins and praying that one hits, there’s one thing you need to do: master tokenomics. Tokenomics is the key to a crypto project’s price performance, and nearly every 100x crypto gem in history has had great tokenomics. This guide will teach you tokenomics from top to bottom, making you a savvier investor.
What is Tokenomics?
Tokenomics refers to the economic structure and financial model behind a cryptocurrency. It encompasses everything from supply and demand dynamics to token distribution and utility. Understanding these factors can give you a significant edge in identifying potential high-reward investments.
Supply and Demand
At its core, tokenomics boils down to two things: supply and demand. These two elements have a massive impact on a token's price. Even if a project has the best tech and marketing, it may not translate into great price performance unless it also has solid tokenomics.
Supply-Side Tokenomics
Supply-side tokenomics involves factors that control a cryptocurrency's supply. There are three types of supplies, but for the purposes of finding 100x gems, we focus on two: maximum supply and circulating supply.
Maximum Supply: This is the maximum number of coins that can ever exist for a particular project. For example, Bitcoin has a maximum supply of 21 million, which means there will never be more than 21 million Bitcoins in existence.
Circulating Supply: This is the amount of coins that are circulating in the open markets and are readily tradable. Websites like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko can provide these values for most crypto projects.
Example: Bitcoin has a maximum supply of 21 million, making it a highly sought-after asset, especially in countries with high inflation. In contrast, Solana has a circulating supply of over 400 million but a maximum supply of infinity due to inflation, where the supply increases forever as the network creates more coins to reward miners or validators.
Inflation and Deflation
Inflation: Some projects have constant token inflation, where the supply goes up forever. While we generally prefer not to have inflation in tokenomics, some inflationary coins perform well as long as the inflation is reasonable. To determine if inflation is reasonable, convert the yearly inflation percentage to a daily dollar amount and compare it to market demand.
Deflation: Some projects have deflationary mechanisms where tokens are removed from circulation through methods like token burns. For example, Ethereum burns a part of the gas fee with every transaction, potentially making it net deflationary.
Rule of Thumb: Prefer projects with deflationary tokenomics or a maximum supply. Some inflation is okay if it’s reasonable and supported by market demand.
Market Cap
Market cap is another critical factor, defined as circulating supply multiplied by price. To find coins with 10x or even 100x potential, look for ones with lower market caps. For instance, a cryptocurrency with a market cap under $100 million, or even under $50 or $10 million, offers more upside potential but also carries more risk.
Example: Binance Coin (BNB) has a market cap of around $84 billion 579 USD at the time of writing). For a 10x gain, it would need to reach a $870 billion market cap, which is highly unlikely anytime soon. Hence, smaller projects with lower market caps are preferable.
Unit Bias
The price of the token can affect its performance due to unit bias, where investors prefer to own a large number of tokens rather than a fraction of a more expensive one. This psychological phenomenon makes smaller unit prices preferable for 100x gems, assuming all else is equal.
Fully Diluted Value (FDV)
FDV is calculated as maximum supply times price. Be cautious of projects with a large difference between their market cap and FDV, as it indicates potential future dilution. A good rule of thumb is to look for an FDV of less than 10x the current market cap.
Trading Volume
High trading volume relative to market cap ensures that the market cap number is reliable. A volume-to-market-cap ratio above 0,001 is decent.
Initial and Current Distribution
Initial Distribution: Check how widely the tokens were initially distributed. Avoid projects where a significant percentage of tokens are held by founders or venture capitalists.
Current Distribution: Use tools like Etherscan to analyze the current distribution of tokens. Look for a large number of unique holders and a low percentage held by the top 100 holders.
Vesting Schedule: Analyze the vesting schedule to understand when team or investor tokens will be unlocked, as these can impact the token's price.
Demand-Side Tokenomics
Demand-side tokenomics refers to factors that drive demand for a token, such as its utility and financial incentives.
Token Utility
The primary driver of demand is a token’s utility. Strong utilities include:
Paying for gas fees on a network
Holding to access a protocol
Getting discounts on trading fees
Governance tokens generally lack strong utility unless they are actively used and valued by the community.
Financial Incentives
Staking rewards and profit-sharing models, like those offered by GMX, incentivize holding tokens long-term. Sustainable financial incentives drive demand.
Growth and Marketing Allocation
Allocations for growth initiatives, such as influencer marketing, community rewards, or airdrops, help generate demand indirectly. Look for projects with healthy allocations for growth and marketing.
Conclusion
Tokenomics is the most crucial factor in analyzing and finding potential 100x crypto gems. However, other aspects like the underlying technology, marketing, and community also play significant roles. Combining a thorough understanding of tokenomics with broader fundamental analysis will enhance your investment decisions.
Analysis / Over Analysis / Eagle ViewWhat to do ?
Long term, short term, Swing ?
What to pick ? How to pick ? Best Indicator ?
Wait!
Do simple Earn Simple.
1. One SIMPLE Any Strategy
2. Capital & Risk Management
3. Eagle View
Yes! That's it.
Is this the secret ?
No!
Secret is in front of you. You need to build that vision, need to earn that vision. It's can't be handed over.
Thank you for reading me.
Comment and communicate to grow together.
What Are Bullish and Bearish Breakaway Candlestick Patterns?What Are Bullish and Bearish Breakaway Candlestick Patterns?
Candlestick patterns are a vital tool for traders, offering insights into market sentiment and potential price movements. Among these formations, breakaway patterns are particularly notable for their ability to signal trend reversals. This article delves into the specifics of these formations, explaining how to identify, interpret, and apply them in trading strategies to potentially enhance trading outcomes.
Understanding Bullish and Bearish Breakaway Candlestick Patterns
Bullish and bearish breakaway candlestick patterns are essential indicators used by traders to identify potential trend reversals. These patterns consist of five specific candlesticks and offer insights into the market's shifting dynamics.
Bullish Breakaway Pattern
A bullish breakaway signals the potential end of a downtrend and the beginning of an uptrend. It comprises five candlesticks:
- First: A large bearish candle, indicating strong selling pressure.
- Second: A smaller bearish candle, showing a continuation of the downtrend but with reduced intensity. There is also a gap.
- Third: Another bearish/bullish candlestick, typically smaller than the second, suggesting further weakening of the downtrend.
- Fourth: A smaller bearish candle, hinting at a possible reversal.
- Fifth: A large bullish candle that closes within the gap between the first and the second candles. The signal is stronger if the candle closes above the high of the first candle.
Bearish Breakaway Pattern
A bearish breakaway indicates the potential end of an uptrend and the beginning of a downtrend. It also consists of five candlesticks:
- First: A large bullish candle, showing strong buying pressure.
- Second: A smaller bullish candle with a gap up, indicating a continuation of the uptrend but with decreased momentum.
- Third: Another bullish/bearish candle, typically smaller than the second, suggesting further weakening of the uptrend.
- Fourth: A small compressed bullish candle, signalling a possible reversal.
- Fifth: A large bearish candle that closes within the gap between the first and the second candles. The signal is stronger if it breaks below the low of the first candlestick.
Criteria for Identifying Breakaway Patterns
When identifying breakaway patterns, traders look for specific criteria:
- Trend Context: Both formations occur after a defined trend—a bullish breakaway after a downtrend and a bearish breakaway after an uptrend.
- Candle Sizes: The first candle is always the largest, showing strong market sentiment in the trend’s direction. The subsequent candles typically decrease in size, indicating a weakening trend.
- Confirmation Candle: The fifth candle is crucial as it confirms the reversal. It must close within the gap between the first and the second candlesticks.
These patterns are valuable for traders as they provide early signals of potential trend changes, allowing for more strategic planning and analysis.
To get started spotting your own patterns, head over to FXOpen’s free TickTrader platform to explore real-time forex, stock, and cryptocurrency* charts.
Caveats to the Pattern
While these rules represent the ideal breakaway formation, there can be some flexibility. For instance:
- Candle Sizes: The first candle should be the largest and the next three smaller. However, the middle three don’t necessarily need to be consecutively smaller, just smaller than the first.
- Transition Candle: If the fourth candle shifts colour (bullish for bullish breakaway, bearish for bearish breakaway), this can add confirmation that a potential reversal is underway.
- Closing Beyond the First Candle: While the fifth candle closing beyond the first is preferable, it’s also acceptable if the following (sixth) candlestick is the one that closes below the first. The idea is that the final movement of the formation engulfs the prior candlesticks, signalling a reversal.
- Gaps: A gap between the first and second candle indicates momentum before the subsequent reversal, implying that the reversal may have more strength behind it as traders buying the top/selling the bottom exit their positions. Gaps may be visible on daily charts (especially in stocks) but not on intraday charts or in more liquid assets, meaning they are not essential.
Interpreting the Breakaway Pattern
Interpreting breakaway patterns provides traders with valuable insights into potential market reversals. These formations indicate a shift in market sentiment and offer signals for possible trend changes.
Inferences from Breakaway Patterns
- Shift in Momentum: A bullish breakaway candlestick pattern suggests that bearish momentum is weakening, and buyers are gaining control. Conversely, a bearish breakaway indicates that bullish momentum is fading and sellers are taking over.
- Market Sentiment: The appearance of the final large candlestick signifies a strong sentiment shift. In bullish formations, it shows increasing buyer confidence, while in bearish formations, it highlights growing seller dominance.
- Potential Entry and Exit Points: Traders often use these formations to identify potential areas for entries, aligning with broader market analysis and risk management plans.
Key Considerations
- Context Matters: Breakaways are more reliable when they occur after a well-established trend. Identifying the prevailing trend's strength and duration may enhance their validity.
- False Signals: Not all breakaway patterns result in significant reversals. Market conditions, news events, and broader economic factors can influence outcomes, so it's crucial to consider these elements.
- Confirmation: Waiting for the fifth candle to complete is essential. Premature conclusions based on incomplete patterns can lead to inaccurate interpretations.
Applying the Breakaway Pattern in Trading Strategies
Incorporating the breakaway pattern into trading strategies involves looking for additional confluence, using momentum indicators, and employing sound risk management practices.
Additional Confluence
Traders look for other factors to confirm the validity of the pattern:
- Shift in Fundamentals: A significant news event or change in economic conditions can support its signal.
- Support and Resistance Levels: The pattern may be more reliable if it occurs near key support or resistance levels, indicating a stronger potential reversal.
- Volume Analysis: Increased trading volume during the subsequent reversal adds credibility.
Using Momentum Indicators
Momentum indicators can provide further confirmation:
- Average Directional Index (ADX): ADX is commonly used to identify the strength of the trend. Low numbers coinciding with the pattern strengthen the signal of a trend change.
- Commodity Channel Index (CCI): As the breakaway formation often appears at the end of a trend, CCI might show that the price is overbought (bearish breakaway) or oversold (bullish breakaway), supporting the reversal.
- Momentum: Divergences between price action and the indicator can be powerful confirmation tools, indicating a potential reversal.
Entries and Risk Management
Traders typically enter a trade once the price closes beyond the high (bullish) or low (bearish) of the first candle in the pattern. Some traders might wait for an additional candle to confirm the reversal.
Stop Losses
Placing stop losses just beyond the high (for bearish) or low (for bullish) of the formation helps potentially manage risk.
Profit Targets
Profit targets might be set using several methods:
- Risk/Reward Ratio: At a favourable ratio, such as 2:1 or 3:1.
- Support and Resistance Levels: Targeting the next significant support or resistance area where a reversal might occur.
- Technical Indicators: Exiting based on signals from indicators, such as RSI crossing into the overbought territory after a bullish entry.
The Bottom Line
Understanding and applying breakaway patterns can potentially enhance trading strategies by providing early signals of trend reversals. For traders looking to implement these techniques, opening an FXOpen account offers a robust platform to explore this and other advanced trading strategies.
FAQs
What Is the Bullish and Bearish Breakaway Pattern?
The bullish and bearish breakaway patterns are five-candle formations in technical analysis that signal potential trend reversals. A bullish breakaway occurs at the end of a downtrend and indicates a possible shift to an upward trend, characterised by a sequence of weakening bearish candles followed by strong bullish ones. Conversely, a bearish breakaway appears at the end of an uptrend, suggesting a shift to a downward trend, marked by diminishing bullish candles followed by decisive bearish ones.
What Is the Bullish Reversal Candlestick Pattern?
It is a formation in technical analysis that signals a potential shift from a downtrend to an uptrend. It typically occurs at the bottom of a downtrend and is characterised by single or multiple candlesticks indicating that buying pressure is increasing, suggesting that the asset's price may start to rise. Common examples include the hammer, bullish engulfing, and morning star patterns.
What Is the Bearish to Bullish Reversal?
The bearish to bullish reversal is a shift in market sentiment where the trend changes from downward to upward. This indicates that selling pressure is decreasing and buying pressure is increasing, suggesting a potential rise in the asset's price. This reversal can be identified through various technical analysis tools that signal the end of a downtrend and the beginning of an uptrend.
*At FXOpen UK and FXOpen AU, Cryptocurrency CFDs are only available for trading by those clients categorised as Professional clients under FCA Rules and Professional clients under ASIC Rules, respectively. They are not available for trading by Retail clients.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Thinking about system hopping while learning to trade?Thinking about system hopping while learning to trade? Here are some of the thoughts I transmit to my students on the implications:
1️⃣Consistency is key: Jumping from one trading system to another can hinder your progress. Developing expertise requires time, practice, and disciplined execution of a proven strategy. Stick to a system that resonates with you and give it a fair chance. Trading is all about probabilities and you need to allow for enough data to let the edge manifest itself over time.
2️⃣Understanding market dynamics: Each trading system is designed to capitalize on specific market conditions. By frequently switching systems, you might miss out on understanding the nuances of different market environments and the system's effectiveness within them.
3️⃣Emotional roller-coaster: Constantly switching systems can lead to emotional turmoil and indecision. Building confidence in your trading approach takes time. Sticking to one system allows you to master it and navigate market fluctuations with a steady mindset. If you keep changing you will eventually lose your money, your mind... and your way.
4️⃣Learning curve delays: Switching systems resets your learning curve. Consistently studying and fine-tuning one strategy helps you grasp its intricacies, identify potential pitfalls, and develop strategies to overcome them. Embrace the learning process. Think about how long it takes to learn something properly. Now imagine resetting constantly back to zero.
5️⃣Data-driven evaluation: Rather than system hopping, analyze your trading performance systematically. Keep a trading journal, review your trades, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments within your chosen system. Data-driven decisions yield better results.
Remember, finding success in trading requires discipline, persistence, and a well-executed plan. Avoid the temptation of quick fixes and stay committed to mastering your chosen system. 📈💸
Mastering Elliott Waves: Key Rules You Can't IgnoreEducational Idea : Understanding Key Principles of Elliott Wave Theory
Introduction
Elliott Wave Theory is a powerful tool used by traders to analyze market cycles and forecast future price movements. Understanding its core principles can help you make more informed trading decisions. In this article, we will delve into three fundamental principles of Elliott Wave Theory that cannot be violated. Remember, this video is purely for educational purposes and not intended as trading advice or tips.
1. Wave 2 Can Never Retrace More Than 100% of Wave 1
The first principle of Elliott Wave Theory is that Wave 2 can never retrace more than 100% of Wave 1. In other words, Wave 2 cannot go below the starting point of Wave 1. If it does, it invalidates the wave count and suggests that the initial impulse wave (Wave 1) was incorrectly identified. This rule ensures that Wave 2 is a correction wave within the larger trend and not a reversal of the trend itself.
Example Illustration:
- If Wave 1 starts at 100 and peaks at 150, Wave 2 can retrace to any level above 100, but not below it.
2. Wave 3 Can Never Be the Shortest Among All Three Impulse Waves (1-3-5)
The second principle states that Wave 3 can never be the shortest among the three impulse waves (Waves 1, 3, and 5). Typically, Wave 3 is the longest and most powerful wave, characterized by strong momentum and volume. If you find that Wave 3 is shorter than either Wave 1 or Wave 5, the wave count is incorrect, and you need to re-evaluate your analysis.
Example Illustration:
- If Wave 1 is 50 points and Wave 3 is only 30 points, while Wave 5 is 40 points, this violates the rule as Wave 3 is the shortest.
3. Wave 4 Cannot Enter the Territory of Wave 1 (Except in Diagonals & Triangles)
The third principle asserts that Wave 4 cannot enter the price territory of Wave 1. This means that the lowest point of Wave 4 should not overlap the highest point of Wave 1. An exception to this rule occurs in diagonal and triangle patterns, where some overlap is permissible. This rule helps maintain the integrity of the impulse wave structure.
Example Illustration:
- If Wave 1 peaks at $150 and Wave 4 retraces to $145, this overlaps and invalidates the wave count unless the pattern is a diagonal or triangle.
Conclusion
By following these principles, you can ensure that your Elliott Wave analysis remains robust and accurate, helping you navigate the complexities of the financial markets with greater confidence. Understanding and applying these key principles of Elliott Wave Theory can significantly enhance your market analysis and trading strategies. Keep these rules in mind as you study and apply Elliott Wave Theory in your trading journey. Remember, this video is purely for educational purposes and not any kind of trading advisory or tips.
This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Always do your own research before making any trading decisions.
I am not Sebi registered analyst.
My studies are for educational purpose only.
Please Consult your financial advisor before trading or investing.
I am not responsible for any kinds of your profits and your losses.
Most investors treat trading as a hobby because they have a full-time job doing something else.
However, If you treat trading like a business, it will pay you like a business.
If you treat like a hobby, hobbies don't pay, they cost you...!
Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments below. Happy trading!
Hope this post is helpful to community
Thanks
RK💕
Disclaimer and Risk Warning.
The analysis and discussion provided on in.tradingview.com is intended for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for trading decisions. RK_Charts is not an investment adviser and the information provided here should not be taken as professional investment advice. Before buying or selling any investments, securities, or precious metals, it is recommended that you conduct your own due diligence. RK_Charts does not share in your profits and will not take responsibility for any losses you may incur. So Please Consult your financial advisor before trading or investing.
DON’T Look at a screen all day! - Here's whyStop Watching Your Trades All Day
Have you ever found yourself glued to your screens, watching every tick of the market, and feeling the stress levels rise?
If so, you’re not alone.
You might find it productive and what is essential but it’s actually a more dangerous habit than you might think.
Watching every tick will rise your cortisol (stress) levels.
It might cause you to take impusive trades.
And you might adjust your trading levels when you shouldn’t.
And so in this piece of writing I’m going to show you why you should stop watching the screens all day.
The Cortisol Rush
Every time you check the market and see a fluctuation in your trades, your body responds by releasing cortisol, the stress hormone.
While cortisol is useful in fight-or-flight situations, in trading, it can lead to quick and unnecessary decisions.
And you’ll end up taking more lower probability trades than you should.
It’s time you lead a more balanced, stress free and calmer trading life.
Distraction from Higher Priorities
Trading should be a part of your life, not the entirety of it.
You shouldn’t obsess over every market movement.
Your job is to wait for high probability trades to line up, take them and then let the market take over.
Also, you the trick is to focus on other vital aspects of your life like: family, health, and even your full-time job if you have one.
Balance is key to sustain success in both your personal and professional life.
Now there are a number of benefits when NOT looking at a screen all day.
Benefit #1: Beter Decision-Making
When you’re not constantly reacting to market volatility, you have more time to analyze your strategies and make more informed decisions.
This way you can priortise in what is absolutely needed to act on when you do trade.
Benefit #2: Improved Quality of Life
Life is NOT just about trading.
So once you’ve taken a trade and reduced your screen time, you will be able to free up time for other activities that enhance your well-being.
I’m talking about things like exercise, hobbies, and time with loved ones.
A well-rounded life supports better mental health, which in turn can improve your trading performance.
Benefit #3: Increased Productivity
Believe it or not, spending less time watching your trades can actually make you more productive.
You will also have the right amount of energy and focus to set specific times to check the market and stick to a trading plan.
Time management is everything.
This disciplined approach can lead to better outcomes than erratic, all-day monitoring.
So how do you use your time for when you trade?
ACTION #1: Use Alerts Wisely:
Analyse and set up your trading alerts for specific price levels, when your strategy lines up or wait for my trading ideas where I do all the work for you.
Let technology or a mentor help you t so you don’t have to watch the markets to do the monitoring for you.
ACTION #2: Create a Balanced Schedule:
You should also take the time to Incorporate other important activities into your daily schedule.
This could include exercise, reading, or spending time on a hobby.
It’s all about creating a healthy work-life balance.
ACTION #3: Check and review your Trading Plan Regularly:
When you review and check your trading track record and journal, this will tell you whether you’re on the right path to growing your portfolio.
You need to base this time on looking at the stats, metrics, seeing the mistakes you made.
And where you are with your trading in total.
This only requires you to do this once a week or so.
And it will reduce the time you think you need to constantly check the markets.
FINAL WORDS:
As I always like to say sometimes less is more.
Drop the screen time and focus on what is important.
Lower your stress and keep to a well-balanced trading life.
This way you’ll be able to integrate trading in a more effective and profitable way.
Trade well, build wealth.
Discover How Thinking Like a Consultant Can Improve Your Trades█ Self–other decision making and loss aversion
You might think that I have discussed this topic in depth before, and you would be right. However, there is still much more to explore. This article delves into an excellent research paper by Evan Polman, which examines changes in decision-making behavior when choices are made for oneself versus for others. By studying self-other decision-making, we can uncover varying degrees of loss aversion and gain insights to enhance trading strategies and risk management practices.
█ Results
Polman's research reveals that individuals exhibit lower levels of loss aversion when making decisions for others compared to themselves. The study found that people are more willing to take risks and are less sensitive to potential losses when the consequences affect others rather than themselves. This reduction in loss aversion is attributed to increased psychological distance and a more abstract level of thinking when making decisions on behalf of others.
█ How Understanding Self–Other Decision Making Can Enhance Your Trading Strategies
In the dynamic world of trading, making the right decision at the right time is crucial. Yet, how often do we consider the psychological underpinnings that influence these decisions? Recent research on self-other decision making and loss aversion offers valuable insights that can transform our approach to trading and investment management.
█ Making Decisions for Yourself vs. Others
A study by Evan Polman from New York University found that people make different decisions for themselves compared to when they make decisions for others. The study showed that we tend to be less afraid of losses when deciding for others. This is known as having less "loss aversion."
Loss aversion means that people usually fear losing money more than they enjoy gaining the same amount. For example, losing $100 feels worse than gaining $100 feels good. This fear can make us overly cautious and miss out on good opportunities.
█ Psychological Distance and Construal Level Theory
According to the construal level theory (CLT) proposed by Trope and Liberman, the psychological distance between an individual and an event affects how they mentally construe that event. Greater psychological distance leads to higher-level, more abstract thinking, while lesser distance results in lower-level, more concrete thinking.
When making decisions for others, the increased psychological distance can lead to more abstract thinking, reducing the emotional impact of potential losses. This shift in perspective can decrease loss aversion, as decision-makers focus more on long-term outcomes and broader goals rather than immediate losses.
█ What This Means for Traders
Less Fear of Losses When Trading for Others:
When you trade for someone else, like giving advice to a friend, you’re less likely to be overly cautious. This can help you make more balanced decisions and potentially increase profits.
Psychological Distance:
When deciding for others, you think more abstractly and are less emotionally involved. Try to create this psychological distance when trading for yourself by imagining you’re making the decision for someone else. This can help you stay calm and make better choices.
Better Risk Management:
Knowing that you’re less afraid of losses when trading for others can help you manage risks better. Use this awareness to avoid being too conservative and missing out on profitable trades.
█ Practical Tips for Traders
Think Like a Consultant: When trading for yourself, pretend you’re advising a friend. This can help you stay objective and make better decisions.
Collaborate: Discuss your trading ideas with others. Getting different perspectives can help reduce individual biases and improve your strategy.
Review Your Trades: Regularly look back at your trades to see if you’re being too cautious. Learn from your mistakes and successes to improve future decisions.
Use Tools: Use trading tools and software that help you analyze risks and rewards clearly. These tools can support your decision-making process.
█ Reference
Polman, E. (2012). Self–other decision making and loss aversion. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 119(2), 141-150. doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2012.06.005
-----------------
Disclaimer
This is an educational study for entertainment purposes only.
The information in my Scripts/Indicators/Ideas/Algos/Systems does not constitute financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell securities. I will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on such information.
All investments involve risk, and the past performance of a security, industry, sector, market, financial product, trading strategy, backtest, or individual's trading does not guarantee future results or returns. Investors are fully responsible for any investment decisions they make. Such decisions should be based solely on evaluating their financial circumstances, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.
My Scripts/Indicators/Ideas/Algos/Systems are only for educational purposes!
Managing Portfolio Drawdowns EffectivelyDrawdowns, or peak-to-trough declines in portfolio value, are inevitable in investing and portfolio trading. However, managing these drawdowns effectively can significantly enhance long-term returns and reduce stress for investors and traders alike.
1️⃣ Implementing Stop-Loss Strategies
Stop-loss orders are one of the most straightforward and effective ways to manage drawdowns on long term investment portfolios. These orders automatically sell a security/asset when its price falls to a predetermined level, thus limiting potential losses.
Example: If you hold a long position in EUR/USD at 1.2000 and set a stop-loss order at 1.1950, your maximum loss is limited to 50 pips. By consistently applying stop-loss orders, you can prevent small losses from escalating into significant drawdowns.
2️⃣ Utilizing Trailing Stops
Trailing stops are a dynamic form of stop-loss orders that adjust as the price moves in your favor. This allows you to lock in profits while still providing downside protection.
Example: If you set a trailing stop 100 pips below the current market price for a long position in gold futures, the stop price will move up as the market price increases. If gold rises from $2,300 to $2,350, the trailing stop will adjust from $2,200 to $2,250, thus protecting your gains.
3️⃣ Damage Control Hedging
Hedging involves taking offsetting positions in different assets (or sometimes on the asset itself) to mitigate risks. For mixed portfolios, this can include using instruments across forex, commodity, or indices to hedge against adverse price movements on any given position.
Example: If you have a substantial long position in crude oil and expect short-term volatility, you can buy put options on crude oil futures or take a position in an inversely correlated asset. This hedge will protect you from downside risk while allowing you to benefit from potential upside movements.
4️⃣ Risk Parity Allocation
Risk parity aims to allocate capital based on the risk contribution of each asset, rather than traditional capital allocation. This approach ensures that each asset contributes equally to the portfolio's overall risk, thereby reducing the impact of any single asset's drawdown.
Example: In a portfolio containing forex, commodities, and indices, you would adjust the position sizes so that the volatility of each position contributes equally to the portfolio's total risk. This might mean reducing exposure to more volatile assets like commodities and increasing exposure to less volatile indices.
5️⃣ Diversification Across Uncorrelated Assets
Diversification is a fundamental risk management strategy that involves spreading investments and trades across different assets to reduce the overall risk. Including uncorrelated assets in your portfolio can significantly reduce drawdowns.
A portfolio diversified with forex pairs, commodities like gold and crude oil, and equity indices can weather market turbulence better than a concentrated portfolio.
6️⃣ Volatility Targeting
Volatility targeting involves adjusting portfolio allocation to maintain a consistent level of volatility. This strategy helps in managing drawdowns by scaling exposure up or down based on market volatility.
Example: If market volatility increases, you reduce your positions in forex, commodities, and indices to keep overall portfolio volatility at a target level, such as 10%. Conversely, if volatility decreases, you can increase your exposure. This approach helps in avoiding significant drawdowns during volatile periods.
7️⃣ Regular Portfolio Rebalancing
Regular rebalancing involves adjusting the weights of assets in a portfolio to maintain a desired allocation. This ensures that no single asset class disproportionately affects the portfolio’s performance, reducing unwanted overexposure. You can do the same within asset classes themselves, by looking at currency exposures individually within the FX portion of your portfolio.
Example: If your target allocation is 40% forex, 30% commodities, and 30% indices, and forex performs exceptionally well, growing to 50% of the portfolio, rebalancing would involve selling some forex positions and buying more commodities and indices to restore the original allocation. This practice not only locks in profits but also reduces the risk of drawdowns from overexposure to a single asset class.
Effective drawdown management is crucial for maintaining a resilient and profitable investment portfolio. By implementing techniques such as stop-loss strategies, trailing stops, hedging and washing, risk parity allocation, diversification, volatility targeting, and regular rebalancing, you can significantly mitigate risks and enhance long-term returns.