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Trend Analysis

Taming the Trend: Mastering the Williams Alligator IndicatorEver wondered how to spot when the market is sleeping or ready to roar? At Xuantify , we use the Williams Alligator Indicator to decode market behavior with precision. Whether you're trading crypto, forex, stocks, or indices — this tool adapts across all markets. Let's take a closer look using BINANCE:BTCUSDT 🧠 How We Use It at Xuantify We treat the Alligator as a trend confirmation and timing tool . We don’t just look for crossovers — we analyze the distance , angle , and alignment of the lines to gauge market momentum and trend maturity. It’s especially powerful when combined with volume and volatility filters. ⭐ Key Features Three Smoothed Moving Averages Jaw (Blue) : 13-period, shifted 8 bars forward Teeth (Red) : 8-period, shifted 5 bars forward Lips (Green) : 5-period, shifted 3 bars forward Visual Trend Clarity : The spacing and direction of the lines reveal trend strength and direction Built-in Delay : Forward shifting helps anticipate rather than react 💡 Benefits Compared to Other Indicators Trend Clarity Alligator : Strong — bold trend visualization Moving Averages : Moderate — can lag or overlap MACD : Good — clear histogram and signal line Noise Filtering Alligator : Excellent — smooths out market noise Moving Averages : Low — sensitive to short-term fluctuations MACD : Good — filters minor moves Early Signals Alligator : Moderate — waits for confirmation Moving Averages : Fast — quick crossovers MACD : Fast — early divergence signals Visual Simplicity Alligator : Clear — easy to interpret trend phases Moving Averages : Cluttered — multiple lines can overlap MACD : Complex — requires interpretation of histogram + lines ⚙️ Settings That Matter For shorter timeframes : Reduce periods (e.g., 8-5-3) for faster signals For longer timeframes : Stick with defaults or increase smoothing for clarity Shift values : Keep them forward-shifted to maintain predictive edge 📊 Enhancing Signal Accuracy Wait for clear separation between the lines Confirm with volume spikes or breakouts Use price action (e.g., higher highs/lows) as confirmation 🧩 Best Combinations with This Indicator Fractals : For entry/exit signals ATR : For dynamic stop-loss placement RSI or Stochastic : To avoid overbought/oversold traps Volume Profile : To validate breakout zones ⚠️ What to Watch Out For Flat Alligator = No Trade Zone : Avoid trading when lines are tangled Lag in Fast Markets : In high-volatility assets, the Alligator may react late Over-reliance : Always combine with other tools for confirmation 🚀 Final Thoughts The Williams Alligator isn’t just an indicator — it’s a market behavior model . At Xuantify, we use it to stay aligned with the market’s rhythm, avoid chop, and ride trends with confidence. 🔔 Follow us for more educational insights and strategy breakdowns!
Education
by Xuantify
1
Most Traders Want Certainty. The Best Ones Want Probability.Hard truth: You’re trying to trade like an engineer in a casino. You want certainty in an environment that only rewards probabilistic thinking. Here’s how that kills your edge: You wait for “confirmation” — and enter too late. By the time it feels safe, the market has moved. You fear losses — but they’re the cost of data. Good traders don’t fear being wrong. They fear not knowing why. You need to think in bets, not absolutes. Outcomes don’t equal decisions. Losing on a great setup is still a good trade. 🎯 Fix it with better framing. That’s exactly what we designed TrendGo f or — to help you see trend strength and structure without delusions of certainty. Not perfect calls. Just cleaner probabilities. 🔍 Train your brain for the game you’re playing — or you’ll keep losing by default.
Education
by TrendGo_Official
london break out strategy (my strategy) back test :2025 mayto learn is to share... hello traders! this is back test of london breakout strategy for gbp usd pair for month of the may. i hope u read this see the idea that i had give me your comments and ideas ,maybe help me fix my mistakes, maybe it gives you some lead and etc. no more talking straight to the strategy ... strategy summary the Strat focuses on breaking the range market of the asian session, first u got to mark the high and low of the price between 4 am to 6 am utc then you have range that in the chart i showed like box , next we wait till 7 am utc , if price was out of the box zone we open a trade toward the trend( if it broke above you open a long and vise versa) or if it wasn't u simply wait for price to close above or below, then you open a trade with sl put on the opposite side of the box and profit set to 1.5 times of the sl. only one trade per day is acceptable . there are some exception that you don't have to trade: 1.when there is bank holiday 2.when your sl would exceed 50 pip (that's high of a risk) 3. further effect of the news shall be studied that i didn't consider in this back test I've put the results in an ai and asked it to analyze the results: Summary Statistics Total Trades: 19 Total Profit: +152.3 pips Average Profit per Trade: +8.02 pips Max Profit in a Trade: +49.0 pips Max Loss in a Trade: -30.2 pips Winning Trades: 10 Losing Trades: 9 Win Rate: 52.6% Profit Factor: 1.74 (total gain / total loss)
Education
by alisardari
Using Previous Day’s High and Low to Decide Intraday TrendIntroduction and Disclaimer This article explains how to use the daily chart to understand and plan for short-term or intraday market direction. To fully understand this, you should already know what directional bias means. If you’re not familiar with it, I highly recommend reading my previous article on the topic before continuing here. Disclaimer I'm not a financial advisor. This article does not offer financial, investment, legal, or any kind of regulated advice. It's made for educational and entertainment purposes only. Trading involves risk. You can lose all your money—or even more—if you’re not careful. You're reading the thoughts of a 22-year-old. The goal of this article is to show you how to use the previous day’s high and low on a daily chart to: Get a clear intraday bias (bullish or bearish). Find entry signals for your trades. Set clear invalidation points, meaning when a trade idea becomes invalid. This is part of what’s called multi-timeframe analysis—looking at higher time frames to understand what might happen on lower ones. Even if you trade short-term (like on 5 or 15-minute charts), it's still helpful to know what the bigger picture (like the daily chart) looks like. Why? Because it shows the main trend, important levels, and key zones that may not appear on lower time frames. In my opinion, smart trading involves breaking down the price chart from top to bottom—starting with the big picture—then making decisions based on your trading strategy. The ideas in this article work well for: Intraday traders who want to capture moves during the day, and Swing traders who want to catch bigger moves by entering early. This concept can also be applied to higher time frames, such as the previous week’s high and low.
BITSTAMP:BTCUSDEducation
by CRYPTOMOJO_TA
How to Secure Prop Firm Funding: Proven Strategies to Pass1️⃣ How to Secure Prop Firm Funding: Proven Strategies to Pass Challenges 📈 Introduction ✨ Securing prop firm funding opens the door to trading substantial capital and achieving financial freedom. However, passing these evaluations requires meticulous strategy, disciplined execution, and smart risk management. This article provides actionable strategies, optimized trading setups, and insights on leveraging AI to ensure you successfully navigate and pass your prop firm challenges. Understanding Prop Firm Evaluations 📊🔍 Prop firm challenges typically include specific trading objectives: 💰 Profit targets (8–10% within 30 days) ⛔ Daily loss limits (usually 5%) 📉 Maximum drawdown limits (typically 10%) 💡 Tip: Print the rules and display them at your workspace to avoid rule breaches. Focus on One High-Probability Strategy 📌🎯 Consistently profitable traders use one rigorously tested strategy. For example, a popular setup: 🔄 Liquidity Sweep: Wait for price to clear stops above recent highs or lows. ⚡ Market Structure Break (BOS): Enter after price breaks and confirms a new trend. 📥 Entry: Order block (OB) or Fair Value Gap (FVG). Example Trade: 🔗 Pair: EUR/USD 🔽 Entry: OB after sweep at 1.0800 🛑 Stop Loss (SL): 1.0820 🎯 Take Profit (TP): 1.0740 📊 Risk-to-Reward Ratio (RRR): 3:1 Start Small, Think Big 🧠🌱 Initially, risk only 0.5% per trade to maintain psychological comfort and buffer against drawdowns. Increase risk gradually once you have a profit cushion. Leverage AI Insights 🤖📊 Modern traders enhance decision-making using AI-driven tools: 🟢 AI indicators for real-time liquidity detection 🔵 Predictive analytics for entry confirmations Efficient Risk Management 🛡️⚖️ Set daily and weekly risk limits. For instance: ⏳ Maximum daily risk: 1% 📅 Weekly drawdown cap: 3% Practical Example: 💵 If trading a $100,000 account, never risk more than $1,000 in a single day. Journaling for Improvement 📒📝 Record every trade’s rationale, execution details, and outcome. This fosters accountability and improvement. Conclusion ✅ Securing prop funding isn't about luck but disciplined, strategic execution. Optimize your trading, leverage technology, and strictly manage risk to ensure long-term success. 🏆
Education
by ProjectSyndicate
24
THE CONCEPT OF SUPPORT BECOMING RESISTANCE In the context of forex trading, the concept of "support becoming resistance" refers to a phenomenon that occurs when a price level that previously acted as a support level for an asset's price now switches roles and becomes a resistance level after it has been broken. Here's a more detailed explanation: Support Level: In forex trading, a support level is a price level at which a currency pair or any other financial instrument tends to find buying interest. This buying interest is strong enough to halt or reverse a downtrend in the price. Traders believe that the asset's price is likely to "bounce" off this support level and move higher, making it an essential point on the price chart. Resistance Level: On the other hand, a resistance level is a price level where selling interest is significant enough to prevent the price from rising further. It acts as a barrier that tends to halt or reverse an uptrend in the price. Traders expect the price to "bounce" off this resistance level and move lower. Support Becoming Resistance: The interesting concept comes into play when the price breaks below a previously established support level. When a support level is breached and the price continues to decline, it signifies a shift in market sentiment. The level that was once a support now becomes a resistance level for the price. If the price attempts to rally back up and reach that previous support level, it often faces selling pressure from traders who missed the initial breakdown and now see it as an opportunity to sell at a better price. As a result, the price might struggle to move beyond that level, and it starts acting as a resistance zone.
Education
by Naked_Chart
Understanding Market StructureIn this video, I break down market structure in a simple and easy-to-digest way, helping you understand how to identify whether the market is in an uptrend or downtrend. Recognizing market direction is a key skill for any trader, it allows you to trade in alignment with price action and make more confident, higher-probability decisions. ✅ If you're new to trading or want to sharpen your edge, this video will give you the insights needed to read market trends more clearly. 📈 Hope you find value in this breakdown! 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support the channel and stay tuned for more educational content.
TVC:DJIEducation
by GonzooTrading
EUR/USD – The 20-Year Gameplan | How to Think Like a Macro TradWelcome to the most important EUR/USD chart you'll see this decade. This isn't just technical analysis. This is a macro roadmap stretching from 2003 to 2045 — built for serious traders who think beyond the next candle. @TradeWithMky #Miracle 📚 What This Chart Teaches You: ✅ Long-Term Channeling: How to map 40-year channels that actually hold. ✅ Key Reaction Zones: Learn where multi-year reversals are most likely. ✅ "Range of a Generation": Why EUR/USD could stay trapped for 5+ years. ✅ Two Futures – One Decision Point: Reclaiming the main channel = Ultra Bullish. Rejection = Controlled Descent. 🎯 Trade Plan Logic (Educational Focus) 📌 If price breaks above the range zone, target is a 50% Fibonacci expansion — with 1.36 and 1.55 as the macro resistances. 📌 If price rejects, the pair could drift within a multi-year compression channel targeting the 1.06–0.95 zone over the next decade. 📌 This model blends technical geometry, historical behavior, and trend integrity — skills every pro trader should master. 👁️ Why This Matters This is not about predicting next week’s move. This is about training your eyes to see structure where others see noise. And if you can see the macro structure, you can outperform 99% of traders who zoom in too much, too soon. ⚡ Bonus Wisdom: "Amateurs react. Professionals anticipate. Masters build maps." – TradeWithMky 🔔 Follow me for more deep-dive macro education. This is where Forex meets vision. 📌 TradeWithMky – where altcoins speak louder than Bitcoin... but Forex whispers the truth.
Education
by TradeWithMky
How to Trade Gold Market with the 50% Retracement CandleHey Traders so today wanted to show why you don't really need indicators to trade. Price action is the best way to trade imo because it's easier. For the most part indicators lag and can give you false signals. So if you are looking for a way to trade that does not involve indicators check this out. So we can see that Gold is in a strong uptrend the strategy is wait until market pulls back to trendline and buy but what if you miss that pullback? So you can still get in the uptrend look for a strong bullish candle like the one I highlighted on May 20. Then place an order to buy when the market pulls back to 50% of that candle. Measure it with the Fibonacci tool. Place your stop below the low of the candle or under support so that way you most likely won't get stopped out. Now this trade was textbook but not all of them are check out how as soon as it hit the 50% retracement of that candle market rocketed higher! There you go simple way to trade and no need for complex indicators! This strategy works in all markets! Always use Risk Management! (Just in case your wrong in your analysis most experts recommend never to risk more than 2% of your account equity on any given trade.) Hope This Helps Your Trading 😃 Clifford
FOREXCOM:XAUUSDEducation
by TradeTheIndex
Why You Should Trade Zones, Not Points – Especially on XAUUSDIf you've been trading Gold (XAUUSD) for a while, you’ve likely noticed something strange in many analyses online. Support at 3256.73? Resistance at 3352.14? Really? That precise? This kind of fixed-point trading might look good on a chart, but it doesn't work in a real, volatile market — especially not in 2025. I've been trading Gold as my primary asset for over a decade, and if there's one thing experience — and logic — have consistently shown me, it's this: you should trade price zones, not fixed points. Let me explain you why. ________________________________________ 🔍 1. Gold Is Not a Low-Volatility Asset Gold isn't EURUSD. It doesn't move in clean 20-30-pip increments. It's volatile, reactive, and sensitive to everything from Fed rate rumors to random tweets and global conflicts. Over the past months, volatility has spiked — and not just because of economic data. We’re seeing: • Geopolitical uncertainty that escalates and de-escalates overnight • Macro shifts in interest rate expectations almost weekly • Market sentiment changing faster than ever In this environment, the idea that price will reverse exactly at 3352.14 is pure fantasy. ________________________________________ 📏 2. Percentages Matter More Than Pips Now Back when Gold was around $2000, a 200-pip move meant a 1% change in price. Now, with Gold trading above $3300, the same 1% move is 330 pips. So, if you're still treating 30–50 pips like a serious target on Gold, you're not adjusting to reality. You're chasing crumbs in a storm. I’ve written before about why you shouldn't trade Gold for small 30–50 pip moves. It’s no longer a high-probability game — the math doesn’t work. You’re either over-leveraging or underperforming. ________________________________________ 📈 3. Price Zones Are Where the Smart Money Trades Markets aren’t binary. They don’t care about your exact number. They care about liquidity zones — where enough buyers and sellers are willing to transact in volume. Here’s how professionals approach it: • Support isn’t a number — it’s a range. • Resistance isn’t a line — it’s a battle zone. When you analyze Gold, think in ranges like 3280–3290 or 3320–3330. This is where price breathes, traps traders, and makes real moves. Fixed points create unrealistic expectations and false confidence. ________________________________________ 🧠 4. Emotion Kills Precision in Real Time In live trading, you’re not a machine. You’re a human reacting to candles, tweets, and news. Waiting for an entry at exactly 3352.14 often means: • You miss the move entirely • Or you force a bad entry when price front-runs your level But when you use zones, you give yourself the flexibility to act within context, not dogma. You can read the candle behavior inside that zone, you can spot exhaustion, you can scale in or out — you become tactical, not rigid. ________________________________________ ✅ Final Thoughts: Adapt or Stay Frustrated If you want to trade Gold successfully in this current market, you must adapt: • Use zones instead of pin-point levels • Adjust your expectations to the new pip-to-percentage dynamics • Respect the volatility and macro backdrop The traders who will survive are not the ones with the cleanest lines on their charts. They’re the ones who know how to handle chaos with structure, using zones as flexible tools, not false certainties. 🎯 Start thinking in ranges, not numbers. That’s where the edge is. Disclosure: I am part of TradeNation's Influencer program and receive a monthly fee for using their TradingView charts in my analyses and educational articles.
TRADENATION:XAUUSDEducation
by Mihai_Iacob
2
What Is Naked Forex Trading, and How Do Traders Use It?What Is Naked Forex Trading, and How Do Traders Use It? Traders rely on various tools and techniques to trade the forex market. Naked forex trading is one of the oldest and most popular trading approaches among currency traders. This article delves into the details of naked trading, providing insights into its implementation and distinguishing features that set it apart from other analysis techniques. Understanding Naked Forex Trading Naked trading is a trading style that involves analysing markets using a clean price chart, meaning one without technical indicators. Traders who use this method make decisions based on real-time price movements and their trading instincts. Naked trading has its roots in the early days of trading, long before the advent of sophisticated technical analysis tools and indicators. Early traders relied solely on price action and market behaviour to make trading decisions. By stripping away the complexity of modern trading tools, naked trading aims to return to the fundamental principles of trading, emphasising the importance of understanding market psychology and price dynamics. Core Principles of Naked Forex Trading Naked forex trading is based on the following principles: - Price action analysis is the foundation of naked trading, focusing on the examination of asset price movements without the help of technical indicators. Traders rely on bar, line, or Japanese candlestick charts to identify patterns, trends, and key support and resistance levels. By concentrating on real-time price movements, traders aim to make their trading decisions based on how prices behave at specific levels. - Naked trading emphasises simplicity and clarity as it removes the clutter of numerous trading tools. This approach helps traders maintain a clear view of the market, making it potentially easier to identify trading opportunities. The simplification also reduces cognitive load, enabling traders to focus on the most critical market movements. - Trader instinct, often referred to as "gut feeling" or "trader's intuition," plays a significant role in naked trading. This instinct is honed over time through experience and the extensive observation of price movements and market behaviour. Key Techniques and Tools Mastering price action analysis is crucial in naked trading. These are the four key tools for those who use naked trading. Candlestick Patterns Candlestick patterns play a crucial role in naked trading strategy by providing visual representations of price movements over a specified period. Traders look for different price formations to analyse potential market reversals, continuations, or indecisions. Common candlestick patterns include doji, engulfing patterns, hammer, shooting star, and spinning top. Each offers insights into market sentiment and potential future price movements. Chart Patterns Chart patterns on price charts indicate potential trend reversals or continuations. Traders using naked trading techniques rely on chart patterns like flags, rounding top/bottom, diamonds, and rectangles to identify key levels where the price is likely to react. These patterns help traders anticipate market movements and plan entry and exit points accordingly. Support and Resistance Levels Support and resistance levels are fundamental concepts in naked trading, representing levels the price struggled to break above (resistance) or hold above (support). Traders identify these levels on price charts to anticipate potential price reversals or breakouts. Support and resistance levels are crucial for setting profit targets, placing stop-loss orders, and managing risk. Trendlines and Channels Trendlines and channels are used by naked traders to visualise the direction and strength of a trend. Trendlines connect successive higher lows (uptrend) or lower highs (downtrend) on a price chart, helping traders identify trend reversals or confirm trend continuations. Channels are formed by drawing parallel lines to connect highs and lows, creating a channel in which the price typically moves. Advantages of Naked Forex Trading Naked trading has many advantages; therefore, it’s still used by traders around the globe. Here are the key benefits of naked forex trading: - Enhanced Focus and Simplicity: This approach removes market clutter as it offers enhanced focus by eliminating complex technical indicators. Without the distraction of multiple indicators that provide lagging signals, traders may respond more effectively to changes in price movements. - Improved Market Understanding: By relying on naked trading tools, traders may better understand market behaviour and psychology. Observing price action directly on charts potentially enhances traders' ability to interpret market sentiment, identify key support and resistance levels, and anticipate potential trend reversals or continuations. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of the nuances of the market and improves trading skills over time. - Flexibility and Adaptability: Traders are not constrained by specific indicator signals or rigid trading rules. Instead, they can adjust their approach based on real-time price action and evolving market dynamics. This flexibility allows them to take advantage of emerging opportunities and adapt their strategies to potentially mitigate risks. Challenges and Limitations Although naked trading can be effective, it has limitations that a trader considers before relying on this approach. - Learning Curve: As naked forex trading relies heavily on interpreting price action without the assistance of technical indicators, traders may need to dedicate considerable time and effort to mastering candlestick patterns, chart analysis, and understanding market psychology. Developing the skill to interpret price movements accurately demands persistence and consistent practice. - Emotional Discipline: A notable challenge of naked trading is the absence of clear buy or sell signals provided by indicators, which can lead to heightened emotional responses to market fluctuations. Traders must maintain discipline by adhering to their trading plans, implementing risk management strategies, and avoiding impulsive decisions. - Market Noise: Navigating market noise is another hurdle in naked trading. Market noise refers to random price fluctuations that obscure meaningful price patterns. Traders need the patience and experience to distinguish between significant price movements and temporary fluctuations. Practical Application of Naked Forex Trading Setting up a trading plan is essential for implementing naked forex trading. Traders might use the following rules: - Define Your Trading Goals: Determine your financial objectives, risk tolerance, and period of trading. - Select Currency Pairs: Choose currency pairs that align with your trading strategy and offer sufficient liquidity. - Identify Key Trading Times: Determine optimal times to trade based on market volatility and your availability. - Establish Entry and Exit Rules: Define criteria for entering trades based on price action signals, such as candlestick patterns or support/resistance levels. Similarly, rules for exiting trades should be established to potentially lock in returns or cut losses. - Risk Management: Implement risk management strategies, including setting stop-loss orders and calculating position sizes based on your risk tolerance and account size. - Review and Adapt: Regularly review your plan to assess its effectiveness and make necessary adjustments based on evolving market conditions and personal trading performance. Real-Life Examples and Case Studies Real-life examples and case studies illustrate how naked forex trading principles are applied in practice: Example 1: Trading Support and Resistance A trader identifies a currency pair approaching a key support level on the daily chart. They wait for a bullish reversal candlestick pattern, such as dragonfly doji, to form near the support level. They enter a long trade with a stop-loss below the support level and a profit target at the next resistance level. Example 2: Trend Confirmation A trader observes a currency pair in a strong downtrend on the hourly chart. They wait for a pullback to a trendline and look for a bearish engulfing pattern to confirm the continuation of the downtrend. They enter a sell trade with a tight stop-loss above the trendline. However, it is difficult to determine the profit target as there are no swing lows nearby. The Bottom Line When they understand the naked trading forex strategy, traders may use it in other markets, including stocks and cryptocurrencies*. However, it's important to note that any analysis does not guarantee effective trading, and other factors should be considered alongside chart analysis. Risk management and a proper mindset are essential for long-term consistency. FAQs What Is Naked Trading in Forex? Naked, or price action trading, is a forex trading approach that involves analysing the market using a clean price chart without any technical indicators. Traders relying on this method make decisions based on real-time price movements and their trading instincts rather than past performance. The strategy emphasises identifying key support and resistance levels, trend reversals, and price corrections purely through the observation of bar, line, or candlestick charts. Can I Trade Without Chart Patterns? Yes, trading without chart patterns may be possible using alternative methods such as indicator-based strategies, quantitative models, fundamental analysis, or sentiment analysis. These approaches allow traders to analyse the markets based on technical indicators, mathematical algorithms, economic data, or market sentiment. What Is a Chart Pattern in a Price Action Strategy? A chart pattern in a price action strategy refers to the specific formations and shapes created by the price movements of an asset, which traders use to analyse future market behaviour. These patterns emerge due to the collective actions of buyers and sellers and can indicate potential trend reversals or continuations. Some common chart patterns include triangles suggesting a consolidation before a breakout, Quasimodo indicating a potential trend reversal, and flags signalling the continuation of an existing trend. What Is the 5-3-1 Trading Strategy? The 5-3-1 trading strategy is a disciplined approach designed to help traders focus and improve their trading skills. It involves trading just five currency pairs to reduce complexity and enhance expertise in those markets. Traders then use only three specific strategies to master and consistently apply. Finally, they select one trading timeframe to maintain consistency and avoid confusion. *Important: At FXOpen UK, Cryptocurrency trading via CFDs is only available to our Professional clients. They are not available for trading by Retail clients. To find out more information about how this may affect you, please get in touch with our team. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Education
by FXOpen
1
How to draw support and resistance levels the right way? 1️⃣ Why Are Support and Resistance Levels So Important? Support and resistance levels show where price has reacted strongly in the past. These are zones where many traders including large players have placed buy or sell orders. Support = where buyers step in and push price up Resistance = where sellers step in and push price down These levels are important because they act like decision zones: - Price might bounce from these levels - Or break through and start a new move - Or even fake out traders before reversing again Knowing where these levels are gives you an edge: - You can better time your entries and exits - You avoid chasing price in the middle of nowhere - You prepare for market reactions not random guesses Think of them like traffic lights for the market when price hits them, something important usually happens. 2️⃣ Three Main Types of Support and Resistance There are 3 key types of support and resistance levels traders commonly use: - Level-Based: Horizontal zones drawn from key highs and lows - Pattern-Based: Support/resistance found in chart patterns like triangles, flags, etc. - Channel-Based: Diagonal trendlines showing support and resistance in a channel Today, we focus on level-based support and resistance horizontal lines drawn on key price zones. 3️⃣ How to Draw Support and Resistance Levels Use daily, weekly, or monthly timeframes to find major zones. These higher timeframes give you stronger, more respected levels. Look for: - Candle bodies that close and open around the same price - Strong wicks rejecting a certain level - Zones where price has bounced multiple times in the past I often pick: - The close of a red candle - The open of the next green candle These spots usually show where sellers lost control and buyers stepped in — or vice versa. 4️⃣ Timeframes and Their Strength The higher the timeframe, the stronger the level: - Monthly = very strong, long-term zones - Weekly = strong and reliable - Daily = useful for swing trading - Lower timeframes (15m, 5m) = more noise, less reliable unless you're day trading or scalping Pick levels based on your strategy: - Swing traders = use daily/weekly/monthly - Scalpers = lower timeframes with extra confluence (volume, structure) 5️⃣ Don’t Use Support/Resistance Alone Support and resistance are helpful — but not enough by themselves. Always combine them with: - Market structure (higher highs/lows) - Volume confirmation - Indicators or price action signals You want to watch how price reacts at your levels. Wait for confirmation before making decisions. 6️⃣ Common Mistakes Traders Make Mistake 1: Drawing too many levels clutters your chart and creates confusion. Mistake 2: Keeping old levels that have already been broken or invalidated. Mistake 3: Ignoring volume. Just because price hits a level doesn’t mean it will reverse. You need volume to back the move. Also: Don’t enter blindly on breakout, breakouts can fail. Wait for confirmation. Don’t assume a level is strong just because it’s touched once — look for multiple rejections. 7️⃣ Example: How I Draw Support/Resistance Let’s say I’m looking at a daily chart. - I find a red candle that closes at 42,000 - Then a green candle opens at 42,000 and pushes higher That tells me buyers stepped in at 42,000 — this is a potential support. I draw my horizontal line across that level. Then I zoom into 30m or 15m charts to watch price behavior when it comes back to that level. If price respects it again, I may enter a trade based on the reaction. This technique gives me more confidence and clarity. I know where liquidity might be waiting. I can combine it with indicators or volume tools. I avoid random trades. 🔄 Summary Identify a timeframe – Use the monthly, weekly, or daily chart. Look for two candles – Draw your support or resistance line at the point where one candle closes and the next one opens. Make sure the level hasn’t been hit yet – This helps you spot areas where liquidity grabs might happen. Wait for price to reach the level – Once price touches the support or resistance zone, watch how it reacts. After price touches the level, remove it – Once tested, that level is no longer fresh and should be cleared from your chart. Support and resistance isn’t magic — but used with confluence, it becomes a powerful guide. Please LIKE 👍, FOLLOW ✅, SHARE 🙌 and COMMENT ✍ if you enjoy this idea! Also share your ideas and charts in the comments section below! This is best way to keep it relevant, support us, keep the content here free and allow the idea to reach as many people as possible. Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. Always do your own research. This content may include enhancements made using AI.
NYSE:KOEducation
by Risk_Adj_Return
Mastering the ICT Power of 3 concept - How to use it in trading!The financial markets often appear chaotic and unpredictable, but behind the scenes, institutional players operate with clear strategies that shape price action. One such strategy is the ICT (Inner Circle Trader) "Power of 3" model, a framework used to understand and anticipate market cycles through three key phases: accumulation, manipulation, and distribution. This guide will break down each of these phases in detail, explaining how smart money operates and how retail traders can align themselves with the true direction of the market.

 What will be discussed? - The 3 phases - Examples of the PO3 - How to trade the PO3 - Tips for trading the PO3 The 3 phases Accumulation 
 The Accumulation Phase in the ICT "Power of 3" model refers to the initial stage of a market cycle where institutional or "smart money" participants quietly build their positions. During this time, price typically moves sideways within a tight range, often showing little to no clear direction. This is intentional. The market appears quiet or indecisive, which is designed to confuse retail traders and keep them out of alignment with the real intentions of the market's larger players. In this phase, smart money is not looking to move the market dramatically. Instead, they are focused on accumulating long or short positions without drawing attention. They do this by keeping price contained within a consolidation zone. The idea is to gather enough liquidity, often from unsuspecting retail traders entering early breakout trades or trying to trade the range, before making a more aggressive move. Manipulation The Manipulation Phase in the ICT "Power of 3" model is the second stage that follows accumulation. This phase is where smart money deliberately moves the market in the opposite direction of their intended move to trigger retail stop losses, induce emotional decisions, and create liquidity. After price has consolidated during accumulation, many retail traders are either already positioned or have orders waiting just outside the range, either stop losses from those trading the range or breakout orders from those anticipating a directional move. The manipulation phase exploits this positioning. Price will often break out of the accumulation range in one direction, appearing to confirm a new trend. This move is designed to look convincing, it might even come with a spike in volume or momentum to draw traders in. However, this breakout is a false move. It doesn’t represent the true intention of smart money. Instead, it's meant to sweep liquidity, triggering stop losses above or below the range, and then reverse sharply. This stop run provides the liquidity needed for large players to finalize their positions at optimal prices. Once enough liquidity is collected, and retail traders are caught offside, the real move begins. Distribution The Distribution Phase in the ICT "Power of 3" model is the final stage of the cycle, following accumulation and manipulation. This is where the true intention of smart money is revealed, and the market makes a sustained, directional move, either bullish or bearish. Unlike the earlier phases, distribution is marked by clear price expansion, increased volatility, and decisive momentum. After smart money has accumulated positions and shaken out retail traders through manipulation, they have the liquidity and positioning needed to drive the market in their desired direction. The distribution phase is where these positions are "distributed" into the broader market, meaning, institutions begin to offload their positions into the retail flow that is now chasing the move. Retail traders, seeing the strong trend, often jump in late, providing the liquidity for smart money to exit profitably. This phase is typically what retail traders perceive as the real trend, and in a sense, it is. However, by the time the trend is obvious, smart money has already entered during accumulation and profited from the manipulation. What appears to be a breakout or trend continuation to most retail participants is actually the final leg of the smart money’s strategy. They are now unloading their positions while price continues to expand. Examples of the Power of 3 How to trade the PO3? Start by identifying a clear accumulation range. This typically happens during the Asian session or the early part of the London session. Price moves sideways, forming a consolidation zone. Your job here isn’t to trade, but to observe. Draw horizontal lines marking the high and low of the range. These become your key liquidity zones. Next, anticipate the manipulation phase, which usually occurs during the London session or at the NY open. Price will often break out of the range, triggering stop losses above the high or below the low of the accumulation zone. This move is deceptive, it is not the real trend. Do not chase it. Instead, wait for signs of rejection, such as a sharp reversal after the liquidity grab, imbalance filling, or a shift in market structure on a lower timeframe (like a 1- or 5-minute chart). Once manipulation has swept liquidity and price starts showing signs of reversing back inside the range or beyond, you now look for a confirmation of the true move, this begins the distribution phase. You enter in the direction opposite of the manipulation move, ideally once price breaks a structure level confirming that smart money has taken control. For example, if price consolidates overnight, fakes a move to the downside (running sell stops), and then quickly reverses and breaks above a key swing high, that's your signal that the true move is likely up. Enter after the break and retest of structure, using a tight stop loss below the recent low. Your target should be based on liquidity pools, fair value gaps, or higher-timeframe imbalances. The key to trading the Power of 3 is patience and precision. You're not trying to catch every move, but to wait for the market to complete its cycle of deception and then ride the clean expansion. Ideally, your entry comes just after manipulation, and you hold through the distribution/expansion phase, taking partials at key liquidity levels along the way. Tips for trading the PO3
 1. Learn price movements Before you can effectively apply the ICT Power of 3 strategy, it’s crucial to have a deep understanding of how price behaves. This means being comfortable identifying market structure, recognizing trend direction, and interpreting candlestick dynamics. Since the Power of 3 is deeply rooted in how price moves in real time, a strong grasp of these basics will give you the confidence to read the market correctly as each phase develops. 2. Analyse multiple timeframes Although the Power of 3 pattern shows up on lower timeframes, relying on just one can lead to misreads. You’ll gain a clearer picture when you align the short-term view with higher timeframe structure. For example, what appears to be accumulation on the 15-minute chart may simply be a retracement in a larger trend on the 1-hour or daily. By examining multiple timeframes together, you can better identify the true setup and avoid being tricked by noise. 3. Exercise patience A key part of trading the Power of 3 is knowing when to act, and more importantly, when not to. It’s easy to get impatient during the accumulation or manipulation phases, but entering too early often leads to frustration or losses. True discipline comes from waiting for the expansion or distribution phase, when the market reveals its real direction. This is where the most favorable risk-to-reward setups occur. Thanks for your support. - Make sure to follow me so you don't miss out on the next analysis! - Drop a like and leave a comment!
Education
by Youriverse
64
Forex Trading Time Zones: Market Hours and OverlapsForex Trading Time Zones: Market Hours and Overlaps In the world of forex trading, understanding the dynamics of different time zones is paramount. This article delves into the intricate web of currency trading time zones, exploring the 24-hour cycle, major trading hours, and the nuanced opportunities each presents. The 24-Hour Cycle of Forex Market Time Zones The forex market's distinctive feature of being open 24 hours a day, five days a week, is a testament to its unparalleled accessibility, dynamics, and decentralised nature. Unlike traditional financial markets constrained by fixed trading hours, the forex market operates continuously, commencing in Asia on Monday and concluding in North America on Friday. Major financial centres in different time zones steer the dynamics of the forex market, acting as the primary drivers of market activity during their respective business hours. That complex interplay creates distinct trading periods, each characterised by unique market conditions and opportunities. Key Forex Session Time Zones Knowing the trading hours of the major forex trading hours is fundamental for any trader aiming to capitalise on the dynamic nature of the market. Winter time: - London Session: From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM UTC - New York Session: From 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM UTC - Sydney Session: From 09:00 PM to 6:00 AM UTC - Tokyo Session: From 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM UTC Summer time: - London Session: From 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM UTC - New York Session: From 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM UTC - Sydney Session: From 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM UTC - Tokyo Session: From 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM UTC Different Time Zones in Forex Trading Create Opportunities The diverse forex trading time zones offer a rich tapestry of opportunities, each session presenting distinct characteristics that traders can strategically exploit. London Session The London session time provides opportunities for traders to engage in high-liquidity markets. Currency pairs involving the euro (EUR) or the British pound (GBP), such as EUR/USD and GBP/USD, tend to be particularly active during this period. The early morning volatility during the London session trading time can be harnessed for quick trades or trend-establishing moves. New York Session As the New York session time kicks in, currency pairs involving the US dollar (USD) or other currencies of countries in the same time zone take centre stage. Pairs like USD/MXN and USD/CAD experience heightened volatility and amplified market activity. Sydney Session While the Sydney session may exhibit lower volatility, it sets the stage for the day's trading. Currency pairs tied to the Australian dollar (AUD) and the New Zealand dollar (NZD), like AUD/USD and NZD/USD, can witness initial movements during this period, creating opportunities for strategic positioning. Tokyo Session The Tokyo session focuses on the Japanese yen (JPY) pairs, offering traders the chance to tap into the unique characteristics of this market. Currency pairs like USD/JPY and EUR/JPY may see increased activity, presenting opportunities for trend-following or counter-trend strategies. Session Trading Strategies The convergence of major financial hubs during specific currency trading time zones creates a unique environment that can be exploited strategically. Let’s examine three strategies for each major forex time zone. London Session Breakout Strategy The London Session Breakout strategy is based on the significant increase in trading volume and volatility when the London market opens, specifically between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM UTC (summer time) or 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM UTC (winter time). However, most focus is often placed on the range between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM summer time or 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM winter time. This surge during the London trading session often leads to notable price movements, particularly in forex pairs like GBP/USD and EUR/USD, making it an ideal time for breakout strategies. Entry - Traders monitor the early London trading hours. The idea is to look for a specific range with clear high and low boundaries during this time. - They set buy stop orders slightly above the high of this range and sell stop orders slightly below the low, aiming to capture the breakout direction. Stop Loss - Stop losses are strategically placed slightly below the most recent swing low for buy positions and vice versa, offering potential protection against false breakouts. Take Profit - Some traders may prefer to close the position as the New York session begins, as reversals are common during this session overlap. - Alternatively, trailing stops might be employed to take advantage of extended price movements if the trend continues strongly after the breakout. New York Reversal Strategy The New York Reversal strategy exploits the heightened volatility and liquidity that occur at the start of the New York session. While there isn’t a perfect correlation, it’s common to see the initial London trend extended early into the New York session before a reversal, usually between 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM UTC summer time and 1:30 PM and 2 PM UTC winter time. This strategy is particularly effective due to the influx of trading activity and market orders when the US markets open. Entry - Traders often monitor the market around the first couple of hours of the New York forex session time, looking for signs of reversal. This may be a divergence between a price and a momentum indicator, a reaction from a significant support or resistance level, a candlestick or chart pattern, and so on. - Once the trader has confirmation that the London trend may be reversing, they enter a position. Stop Loss - Stop losses are generally placed just beyond the nearest swing high or low. This helps potentially protect against losses if the anticipated reversal does not occur. Take Profit - Traders frequently set profit targets at significant support or resistance levels established during the London session. - Alternatively, traders might trail their stop loss to follow the market movement and maximise potential gains. Tokyo Volatility Breakout Strategy The Tokyo Volatility Breakout strategy leverages the increased trading activity and liquidity at the start of the Tokyo session time. This strategy is best suited to JPY pairs like USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, and GBP/JPY, which often see significant price movements due to the influx of market participants at Japan’s forex market open time. Between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM UTC summer time (8:00 PM and 9:00 PM UTC winter time), volume and liquidity dry up significantly as the New York session closes. 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM UTC summer time (9:00 PM and 10:00 PM winter time) sees some activity as Sydney session time begins, but the start of the Tokyo session forex time, between 11:00 PM and 12:00 AM, can kickstart a new trend and break out from the typical ranging conditions from the previous few hours. Entry - Traders often monitor the market and look for breakouts as the Tokyo session begins. - Bollinger Bands can be used to identify these breakouts, typically characterised by the bands squeezing together before the price closes strongly outside the upper or lower band, potentially indicating the start of a trend. Stop Loss - Stop losses are generally placed beyond the nearest swing high or low or beyond the opposite side of the Bollinger Band. This helps potentially protect against losses if the breakout does not result in a sustained trend. Take Profit - Profit targets are often set at significant support or resistance levels established in previous sessions. - Alternatively, positions might be closed at the start of the London session (around 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM UTC) to avoid potential reversals that occur with the increased liquidity and trading volume as European markets open. Tailoring Your Trading Schedule to Forex Currency Time Zones Crafting an effective trading schedule involves a personalised approach, taking into account a trader's individual location and trading style objectives. Different Trading Styles: Maximising Opportunities Forex time zones often determine specific forex rate behaviours. For day traders, the volatility and liquidity during overlapping activity can provide ideal conditions for executing rapid trades. The heightened volatility and liquidity are even more advantageous for scalpers seeking to capitalise on rapid price movements by executing trades with precision. Overlapping sessions also often mark key points where trends may continue or reverse. Traders employing trend-following or breakout-based strategies can capitalise on that momentum. Swing traders, on the other hand, who aim to capture trends over a slightly longer timeframe, may take advantage of the distinct characteristics of individual sessions, such as the so-called stability of the Sydney session or the high volatility of the London session. Economic Events and News Releases Traders also consider the timing of major data releases and align that with their specific geographic location. During the London session, major European economic indicators and policy announcements can set the tone. Then, the market may respond to data from the United States that can significantly influence USD pairs, followed by economic reports from the Asia-Pacific region. The interconnectedness of the world economy can have cascading effects on currency values across the globe. Currency Market Correlations Currency pair correlations exhibit dynamic shifts depending on the timing and may lead to specific patterns. For example, the correlation between USD/JPY and EUR/USD can shift throughout the trading day, starting from positive during the Tokyo session and then shifting into negative during European and New York trading hours. Traders can leverage correlation analysis as a powerful tool for making informed trading decisions. Final Thoughts Navigating the dynamic world of forex trading requires a multifaceted understanding of the market's 24-hour cycle, the overlapping of major trading sessions, and the intricate interplay of economic events and currency correlations. FAQ What Are the 4 Forex Sessions? The forex market operates 24 hours a day, divided into four main sessions based on key financial centres: the Sydney session forex time (10:00 PM to 7:00 AM UTC in the summer and 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM UTC in the winter), the Tokyo session forex time (11:00 PM to 8:00 AM UTC in the summer and winter), the London session forex time (7:00 AM to 4:00 PM UTC in the summer and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM UTC in the winter), and the New York session forex time (12:00 PM to 9:00 PM UTC in the summer and 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM UTC in the winter). When Does the London Session Start? The London session starts at 7:00 AM UTC during summer and at 8:00 AM UTC during winter due to daylight saving time adjustments. This session is crucial for its high liquidity and significant overlap with other major sessions. What Time Is the New York-London Session Overlap? The overlap between the New York trading session time and the London session occurs from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM UTC in summer and from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM UTC in winter. Do Tokyo and London Sessions Overlap? The Tokyo and London sessions do not overlap significantly. The Tokyo session ends at 8:00 AM UTC, while the London session starts at 7:00 AM UTC in the summer. The minimal overlap from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM UTC sees limited trading activity. In winter, sessions don’t overlap. 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.
Education
by FXOpen
6
Understanding How Dark Pool Buy Side Institutions AccumulateThe SPY is the most widely traded ETF in the world. Its price or value movement reflects the S&P 500 index value. It doesn't reflect the buying or selling of the SPY. You must use volume indicators and accumulation/distribution indicators that indicate whether the Buy Side Institutions are in accumulation mode, rotation to lower inventory to buy a different ETF or other instrument, OR distribution due to mutual fund and pension fund redemption demands. ETFs are one of the fastest growing industries in the US and around the world. There are more than 4000 Exchange Traded Derivatives. There are ETDs for just about anything you might wish to invest in long term or trade short term. If you trade the SPY, it is important to study the S&P 500 index, its top 10 components, how their values are changing, and resistance and support levels. SPY will mirror the S&P 500 closely but not precisely. ETFs are built with a variety of types of investments and always have a TRUST FUND, in which the components of that ETF inventory are held. The ETF Inventory is updated and adjusted monthly or sooner as needed to maintain the integrity of the ETF price value to the value of the S&P 500 index. Rules and regulations require that the ETF SPY be closely aligned to the S&P 500. So inventory adjustments are going on regularly. When trading the SPY, you must remember that it is not buyers and sellers of the ETF that change its price. Rather, it is the S&P 500 top components' price fluctuations that change the SPY price value. This is a tough concept to accept and understand. When you do understand it and apply that knowledge to your trading of the SPY, you will be far more profitable. This takes time. You also need to develop Spatial Pattern Recognition Skills so that when a pattern appears, you can recognize it instantly and act accordingly in your trading. Today we cover the resistance levels above the current price value. That resistance is likely to slow down the rapid gains in price value over the past few weeks. The ideal would be a sideways trend to allow corporations time to adjust to the new normal of whatever tarrifs are impacting their imports and exports. Then, the S&P500 move out of that sideways trend would result in a stronger Moderately Uptrending Market Condition. Trade Wisely, Martha Stokes CMT
AMEX:SPYEducation
by MarthaStokesCMT-TechniTrader
23
What is Bitcoin Dominance, and When Can We Expect Altseason?What is Bitcoin Dominance, and When Can We Expect Altseason? ✅ In the fast-paced and ever-changing world of digital currencies, traders and investors are continually seeking signs and tools to aid them in making informed decisions. One key sign is Bitcoin Dominance (BTC.D). Understanding this and examining its chart can provide us with important clues about what the market might do next, especially regarding when Altseason (the period of growth for altcoins) might begin. CRYPTOCAP:BTC.D What is Bitcoin Dominance (BTC.D)? Simply put, Bitcoin Dominance indicates the percentage of the total value of all digital currencies that is held by Bitcoin. For example, if the total value of all digital currencies is $1 trillion and Bitcoin's value is $600 billion, then Bitcoin's Dominance is 60%. This number is very important because: It shows market feeling: When Bitcoin Dominance goes up, it usually means money is moving to Bitcoin as a safer option, and people are less willing to take risks. When Bitcoin Dominance goes down, it can mean people are more confident in altcoins and are ready to take more risks for bigger profits. It shows money flow: Changes in BTC.D show how money is moving between Bitcoin and altcoins. ❓ What is Altseason? Altseason is a time in the digital currency market when altcoins (digital currencies other than Bitcoin) do much better than Bitcoin, and their prices go up a lot. During Altseason, money often flows from Bitcoin to altcoins, and many altcoins can see their prices increase many times over. Looking at the Current Bitcoin Dominance Chart and forecasting Altseason If we look at the provided chart for Bitcoin Dominance (BTC.D), we can see a few key things: Long-term upward channel: The chart shows that Bitcoin Dominance has been in a long-term upward path. The bottom of this path is marked by a blue support line , and the top is marked by a red resistance line . This means that, in the bigger picture, Bitcoin's control over the market has been growing. Broken short-term upward trend: There was a shorter-term upward trend line (shown in black on the image) that the price broke below on May 9th . This break could be an early warning sign that Bitcoin's dominance might be weakening in the short term, and its dominance might start to fall. ⚠️ But here is a very important point: We cannot be sure that Altseason has definitely started until the price clearly breaks below the main support line of the channel (the blue line) and stays below it. The break of the short-term upward trend line (black line) is an early signal. However, to confirm a change in the trend and the possible start of a significant Altseason, we need to see stronger support levels, like the blue support line on the chart, get broken. ⏳ So, When Should We Expect Altseason? Based on the chart analysis and the points mentioned: Early Sign: The break of the short-term upward trend line (black) on May 9th might make people pay more attention to altcoins, but it's not enough on its own. Key Condition for Altseason: The most important signal for the start of a real Altseason would be if the Bitcoin Dominance price breaks below the blue support line of the long-term upward channel. As long as Bitcoin Dominance stays above this support line, Bitcoin will likely keep its relative strength in the market, and altcoins might only see limited growth or could even face selling pressure. Conclusion: Analyzing Bitcoin Dominance is a useful tool for understanding how the digital currency market works and for predicting possible trends. Right now, because the short-term trend line has been broken, the market is at a sensitive point. However, traders and investors should watch the BTC.D price movements very carefully and wait for stronger confirmations, especially a possible break of the blue support line, before announcing the start of Altseason.
CRYPTOCAP:BTC.DEducation
by Navid_Jafarian
46
How to Use Fixed Range Volume Profile on TradingView 1️⃣ Why Fixed Range Volume Profile Matters ✅ It helps you spot real price structure where traders were active, not just where price passed through. Useful for: Identifying Supply & Demand zones Understanding nstitutional activity (volume concentration = likely smart money involvement) Analyzing range-bound markets Confirming pullbacks or entries in trending setups There are two different tools: one is called Volume Profile, and the other is Fixed Range Volume Profile. To learn more about them, check out the link below. Volume Profile Indicators: basic concepts: www.tradingview.com Fixed Range Volume Profile: www.tradingview.com 2️⃣ What is Volume in Trading? Volume refers to the total number of units (e.g., shares, contracts, coins) traded during a specific time period. It measures the market's participation. ✔️ High Volume = strong interest and confirmation of price moves. ❌ Low Volume = weak conviction, indecision, or potential false moves. Volume is calculated by counting all completed trades in a candle both buying and selling. Learn more about volume here: www.tradingview.com 3️⃣ What is Fixed Range Volume Profile? Fixed Range Volume Profile is a tool you can draw on your chart to check how much trading happened at different price levels, but only within the range you select. You pick the start and end point, and the tool shows volume activity just in that area. It shows three main levels: 🔴 Point of Control (POC): the price where the most trading happened 🟢 Value Area High (VAH): the highest price in the area where most trades occurred (about 70% of total volume) 🔵 Value Area Low (VAL): the lowest price in that same area These three levels show the price range where most trading took place also called the value area. 4️⃣ Why Fixed Range Volume Profile Matters It helps you spot real price structure where traders were active, not just where price passed through. Useful for: Identifying Supply & Demand zones Understanding institutional activity (volume concentration = likely smart money involvement) Analyzing **range-bound markets Confirming pullbacks or entries in trending setups 5️⃣ How to Use Fixed Range Volume Profile on TradingView Steps: 1. First, look for a clear range on your chart. A range is a sideways movement where price is mostly moving back and forth instead of trending. 2. I like to use the 4-hour chart for this, but you can use any timeframe. Using candles with clearer shapes can help you see the range more easily. 3. Once you see a range, go to the left-hand toolbar and select the Fixed Range Volume Profile tool. 4. Click at the beginning of the range, then drag your mouse to the end of the range. 5. Let go of the mouse, and the volume profile will appear on that section of the chart. Analyze: POC: Price may often return to this level because it's where most trading happened VAH: Price could have a harder time moving higher if it reaches this level may act like resistance VAL: Price may find support around here — traders bought more in this area 1. Find the Range 2. Draw your Profile 3. You should treat your volume range like a basic support and resistance level. What you want to see is a flip between support and resistance. 4. If the price breaks above the volume profile and keeps going higher, you want it to come back and retest that same range this time acting as support. 5. Your entry should be near the support. Your stop-loss should be placed above the high of the breakout or a logical structure. Of course, setting a stop-loss always depends on more context, like the overall market structure and your risk management plan. 6️⃣ Practical Scenarios ✔️ Use it during sideways or quiet market phases (called consolidation) to see where most of the trading happened before the market moved ✔️ Try it on pullbacks in trending markets to check if price is returning to an area of high volume ✔️ Draw profiles on different price swings to spot areas where volume keeps showing up again and again Example: ⚠️ Limitations Fixed Range Volume Profile might not work well when: The asset has very little trading volume (like new coins or very small stocks) There’s a big news event causing unexpected volume spikes The market is moving fast in one direction, and the volume zones don’t hold ⚠️ A couple of common mistakes traders make when using Fixed Range Volume Profile: They apply it in trending markets. This tool works best in sideways or ranging markets, not when price is trending strongly up or down. They include breakout volume. Breakouts often include forced liquidations or trapped traders this can create misleading spikes in volume. 7️⃣ Summary Fixed Range Volume Profile helps you see where most trades happened in a specific part of the chart. It highlights price zones where traders were most active, which can help you understand possible support, resistance, or value areas. ✅ Good for: Markets that are going sideways Double-checking volume around key levels Spotting price zones where support or resistance might appear Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. Always do your own research. This content may include enhancements made using AI.
Education
by Risk_Adj_Return
Best Practice: Prepare, Assess, Plan Then TradeTraders are often eager to jump straight into the next trading session but this may not always be the best option to chose. It can be more beneficial to follow a regular pre-trading routine to note down important scheduled events, establish current trends, as well as meaningful support and resistance price levels, and importantly this doesn’t have to be time consuming. This is not meant to be that trading ‘holy grail’ but more of an addition to your existing trading process or plan. Having a regular routine to establish important levels, indicator set-ups and price trends to be aware of during your trading day may help you make trading decisions in a more effective way. This pre trading routine can also be helpful for traders that take longer term positions, as it’s still important to consider the longer-term weekly perspectives as well. This routine can be carried out at the weekend and then monitored and, where necessary, modified during the week as price action develops for the particular CFD(s) you are trading. 1. Keep Informed of Important Data Releases If there are several CFD’s you regularly trade and tend to stick with, make sure you have as much information about those assets as possible before you start trading. Consider utilising the Pepperstone trading calendar to help keep you informed of any economic releases/company earnings data that might impact the CFD you are trading before the week/session starts. Once you know the scheduled events ahead, you can ask yourself, Could these impact my trading? Could the market reaction to this new information increase the volatility of the CFD I am about to trade or already have a position in? How may this impact my risk? Knowing what it is expected by the market before a particular important economic data release, such as US Non-farm Payrolls, can help you assess positioning going into the release, gauge market reaction to the data, and then be prepared for any potential price sentiment change and/or increased volatility. 2. Be Aware of Potential Support and Resistance Levels Ahead of your trading day, consider running through the Pepperstone charts of the CFD’s you are considering trading and make a note of 3 support and resistance levels, that you identify as being meaningful. To help you we have set out an example Trading Template below. Daily: Level: Reason: Current Trend: Current Thoughts: Support 1st: 2nd: 3rd Resistance 1st 2nd 3rd Keep this next to your trading screen, so you are aware of particular levels that may act as support and resistance, if prices move in that direction. This can help you to improve trade entry or assist you with the placement of a stop loss or take profit order. If these levels are broken at any time, you can update the template with any new support/resistance levels during the trading period. 3. Be Aware of the Daily Trends – Focus on Bollinger Bands Using the direction of the daily Bollinger mid-average can be helpful to gauge the direction of the daily trend. If the, Mid-average is moving up = price uptrend Mid-average is moving down = price downtrend Mid-average is flat = possible price sideways range The daily and weekly perspectives are the most important to be aware of, so it can be beneficial to analyse the charts from the longest timeframe into the shortest as this allows you to build a better understanding of the dominant trends. You can also note these trends on the Trading Template, so it’s available to you when you are trading. 4. Follow the Same Process for All Other Timeframes - 4 Hour, 1 Hour, Even Shorter if it Suits Your Trading. You can carry out the routine outlined in point 3, for any timeframes you are trading. Things to note, Are there any new trends suggested within a shorter term perspective by the Bollinger mid-average? If the direction of a shorter term mid-average has changed, it may be an indication of either a change or resumption of a longer term price trend. If this trend change also looks to be resuming within the longer term perspectives, this could be a more important signal, as the resumption of an existing longer term trend may mean a more extended move in that direction. Be aware, confirmation of a price trend change within a longer term perspective might mean it could take longer and offer less trading opportunities, as initially price moves may be less aggressive in nature. 5. Where, Within the Various Timeframes is Price in Relation to the Bollinger Bands? As we have highlighted in a previous commentary (please take a look our past posts), Bollinger Bands can highlight increasing price volatility within a trend. Things to note regarding Bollinger Bands, Are the upper or lower bands being touched by prices within any of the timeframes? Within a sideways range (flat mid-average) this might suggest price has reached either a support or resistance level, with potential for a reversal. While being touched, are the upper and lower bands starting to widen which indicates increasing price volatility, or contract, which indicates decreasing price volatility? Remember - widening bands within a confirmed trend highlight increasing volatility, suggesting the current price move might continue for longer than you may anticipate, while contracting bands, point to decreasing volatility, which may lead to a reduction in a particular CFDs price movement. Do the timeframes align? If they do it may suggest a stronger trading opportunity is evident. CFDs within trending markets seeing increasing volatility tend to offer greater potential than those that aren’t. In this scenario it maybe worthwhile considering only trading with the trend, not trying to pick bottoms or tops of markets, or if you do, consider a more cautious approach to your trading by reducing the size of your position and risk. The material provided here has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Whilst it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research, we will not seek to take any advantage before providing it to our clients. Pepperstone doesn’t represent that the material provided here is accurate, current or complete, and therefore shouldn’t be relied upon as such. The information, whether from a third party or not, isn’t to be considered as a recommendation; or an offer to buy or sell; or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, financial product or instrument; or to participate in any particular trading strategy. It does not take into account readers’ financial situation or investment objectives. We advise any readers of this content to seek their own advice. Without the approval of Pepperstone, reproduction or redistribution of this information isn’t permitted.
Education
by Pepperstone
9
The Biggest Turning Point Isn’t in the Market — It’s in YouHard truth: No new strategy, indicator, or tool will work until you change how you operate. Here’s why: Strategy hopping is fear wearing a costume. If you keep switching tools after every loss, you’re not refining — you’re running. You don’t need more — you need fewer, better decisions. Simplifying your process is harder than adding new ideas. But that’s where edge lives. Belief is the multiplier. Without conviction, you’ll quit before any system has time to work. 🚀 The shift? For us, it was trusting what we built — TrendGo. When we finally stopped tweaking and started trusting the system, everything changed: our mindset, our consistency, our results. The best tool is worthless if you don’t believe in your process. 🧠 Start there.
AMEX:SPYEducation
by TrendGo_Official
How to use advanced candlestick anatomy in trading: CADJPYEvery candlestick on the chart is made up of different or multiple candles on the lower timeframe. For example, a weekly candle is made up of seven daily candles. While a 4 hours candle is made up of four 1 hour candles. Understanding how these candles contribute to the formation of a single or more candlesticks will go a long way in improving our performance. Candlestick anatomy has to do with the formation of candlestick on the chart and the implication of such candlestick. Conventionally, common candlesticks are engulfing candlestick, doji, evening star, hammer, pin bar and the rest. Some signify continuation while others are meant for reversal. The formation of these candlesticks at key levels provide an helpful insights into understanding the next market move. Hence, they can serve as confluence and confirmation for our trading decision. Taking this further a bit, by examining these candlesticks, one can get to understand better a precise point for entry and exit. This may be new to a retail trader who trades just the candlestick while it will provide more insights for anyone looking for ways to optimize his performance. As a case study, I had a sell setup on CADJPY and it gave a bearish engulfing candlestick on 1 hour timeframe as a confirmation for selling. Instead of entering the trade after the bearish candle closed, I changed to 5 minutes timeframe to examine the anatomy of the candlestick. Then, I discovered that there was sweep and change of character. Based on the price narrative on 5 minutes timeframe, then trading decision was made using the 5 minutes timeframe, targeting 3 RR. If 1 hour timeframe had been used for taking the trade, one is likely to have lost the profit by now. Candlestick anatomy will help you to optimize your performance and returns. I hope you've learnt something helpful from this post. Thanks. Fatai Kareem, Kof T Fx.
Education
by KofTFx
What Is Stock Tape Reading, and How Do Traders Use It?What Is Stock Tape Reading, and How Do Traders Use It? Tape reading is a real-time market analysis method used to track buying and selling pressure. Unlike technical indicators, which rely on historical data, tape reading focuses on executed trades, order flow, and liquidity shifts. Traders use it to assess momentum, identify institutional activity, and refine trade timing. This article explores how tape reading works, its role in modern markets, and how traders apply it to short-term decision-making. The Origins and Evolution of Tape Reading Tape reading began in the late 19th century when stock prices were transmitted via ticker tape machines, printing a continuous stream of price updates on paper strips. Traders would gather around these machines, scanning for large trades and unusual activity to anticipate market moves. One of the earliest and most well-known tape readers, Jesse Livermore, built his fortune by studying these price changes and spotting institutional buying and selling patterns. By the mid-20th century, as markets became faster and more complex, ticker tape machines were replaced by electronic order books. Instead of scanning printed numbers, traders began using Level 2 market data and time & sales windows to track order flow in real time. This transition allowed for more precise liquidity analysis, making it easier to see how large orders impacted price movement. The rise of algorithmic and high-frequency trading (HFT) in the 2000s further changed the landscape. Today, market depth tools, order flow software, and footprint charts have replaced traditional tape reading, but the core principle remains the same: analysing how buyers and sellers interact in real time. While charts and indicators offer historical insight, tape reading provides a direct window into current market behaviour, giving traders an edge in fast-moving conditions. How to Read the Tape Nowadays, tape reading is all about real-time market data—watching when and how orders are placed and filled to gauge momentum and liquidity. Unlike technical indicators, reflecting past price action, tape reading focuses on what’s happening right now. Stock, forex, and commodity traders use it to assess buying and selling pressure, spot large orders, and understand market sentiment as it unfolds. Here is the key information provided by tape reading: Time & Sales The time & sales window (the tape) displays every completed trade. Each entry shows time, price, trade size, and whether it hit the bid or ask. - Trades at the ask suggest aggressive buying, as buyers are willing to pay the market price. - Trades at the bid indicate selling pressure, as sellers accept lower prices. - Large block trades often signal institutional activity—tracking these can reveal where big players are positioning. Bid-Ask Activity Nowadays, an order book is a part of tape reading. The order book (Level 2 or DOM) shows the number of buy and sell orders at different price levels. While not all orders get filled, traders watch for: - Stacked bids (a high concentration of buy orders) near a price level, which may indicate strong buying interest. - Stacked offers (large sell orders) acting as resistance. - Orders rapidly appearing or disappearing, suggesting hidden liquidity or fake orders meant to mislead traders. Volume and Trade Size Changes in trade size and volume help traders judge the conviction behind a move: - Consistent large trades in one direction can suggest institutions accumulating or distributing a position. - A surge in small trades may indicate retail participation rather than institutional moves. - A sudden drop in trade activity after a sharp move may hint at exhaustion or a potential reversal. Trade Speed The pace of executions matters. - Fast, continuous transactions suggest urgency—buyers or sellers are aggressively taking liquidity. - A slowdown in transactions near a key level can indicate hesitation or a shift in sentiment. Tape Reading vs Technical & Fundamental Analysis Tape reading differs from technical and fundamental analysis in both approach and timeframe. While technical traders study historical price patterns and fundamental analysts focus on company performance and economic data, tape readers focus on real-time order flow to assess market direction as it develops. Technical Analysis Technical traders rely on chart patterns, moving averages, and oscillators to identify trends and potential turning points. These tools are built on past price data, meaning they lag behind actual market activity. For example, a trader using a moving average crossover strategy waits for confirmation before acting, whereas a tape reader sees momentum shifting as it happens by watching the flow of orders. Fundamental Analysis Fundamental analysis is longer-term, based on financial statements, earnings reports, and macroeconomic indicators. Investors using this approach focus on factors like revenue growth, interest rates, and industry trends to decide whether a stock is undervalued or overvalued. Tape reading, by contrast, ignores these metrics entirely—it’s used by short-term traders reacting to immediate buying and selling pressure. Where Tape Reading Fits In Many traders combine approaches. A day trader might use technical analysis to find key price levels and then apply tape reading to fine-tune entries and exits. Similarly, a swing trader tracking earnings reports may use tape reading to see how large players are reacting. Each method provides different insights, but tape reading offers a unique advantage: it reveals market sentiment in real time, helping traders assess momentum before price movements become obvious. Advantages and Disadvantages of Tape Reading Tape reading gives traders an inside look at real-time market activity, but it also comes with challenges, especially in modern electronic markets. Advantages - Immediate Market Insight: Unlike lagging indicators, tape reading reflects live buying and selling pressure, helping traders react before price changes become obvious. - Identifying Large Buyers & Sellers: Institutions often execute orders in patterns, leaving clues in the stock market tape. Recognising these can help traders gauge potential price direction. - Fine-Tuning Entries & Exits: By tracking order flow near key price levels, traders can time their trades more precisely rather than relying on static chart signals. - Useful in Fast-Moving Markets: Tape reading can be particularly valuable in scalping and day trading, where short-term momentum plays a key role. Disadvantages - Algorithmic Trading Distortion: High-frequency trading firms place and cancel orders rapidly, making it harder to interpret true supply and demand. - Steep Learning Curve: Unlike technical analysis, which provides visual patterns, tape reading requires experience in spotting meaningful order flow changes. - Mentally Demanding: Constantly watching the tape can be exhausting, requiring a high level of focus and quick decision-making. - Less Effective in Low-Volume Markets: When liquidity is thin, tape reading becomes unreliable, as fewer trades mean less actionable data. Modern Footprint Charts and Order Flow Software While some stock tape readers rely on raw order flow data, many use footprint charts and order flow software to visualise buying and selling pressure more effectively. Footprint charts display executed trades within each price bar, showing volume distribution, bid-ask imbalances, and point of control (POC)—the price level with the highest traded volume. This helps traders see where liquidity is concentrated and whether buyers or sellers are in control. Order flow software offers heatmaps, cumulative delta, and volume profile tools. Heatmaps highlight resting liquidity in the order book, revealing where large players may be positioned. Cumulative delta tracks the difference between market buys and sells, helping traders assess momentum shifts. These tools provide a more structured approach to tape reading, filtering out noise and making it easier to spot large orders, absorption, and potential reversals. While experience is still essential, modern software gives traders a clearer view of market behaviour beyond just raw time & sales data. The Bottom Line Reading the tape remains a valuable tool for traders looking to analyse real-time order flow and market liquidity. While there are numerous algorithms that place trades, understanding executed trades and bid-ask dynamics can provide an edge in fast-moving conditions. FAQ Is Tape Reading Still Useful in Trading? Yes, but the application of tape reading in trading has changed. While traditional tape reading focuses on printed ticker tape, modern traders use time & sales data, Level 2 order books, and footprint charts to analyse order flow. High-frequency trading and algorithmic activity have made tape reading more complex, but it remains valuable for scalpers, day traders, and those tracking institutional activity. What Are the Principles of Tape Reading? Tape trading is based on real-time order flow analysis. Traders focus on executed trades (time & sales), bid-ask activity (order book), volume shifts, and trade speed to gauge buying and selling pressure. The goal is to understand how liquidity moves in the market and spot signs of institutional accumulation or distribution. What Is the Difference Between Order Book and Tape? The order book (Level 2 or DOM) shows pending orders at different price levels, representing liquidity that may or may not get filled. The tape (time & sales) displays completed transactions, showing actual buying and selling activity in real time. What Is the Difference Between Technical Analysis and Tape Reading? Technical analysis relies on historical price patterns and indicators, while tape reading focuses on real-time executed trades and market depth. Technical traders look at charts, whereas tape readers analyse live order flow to assess momentum and liquidity shifts. How to Read Ticker Tape? Modern ticker tape is displayed in time & sales windows on trading platforms. Traders monitor price, trade size, and whether transactions occur at the bid or ask. Rapid buying at the ask suggests demand, while consistent selling at the bid indicates selling pressure. 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.
NASDAQ:MSFTEducation
by FXOpen
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