FLSY - Anatomy of a "Good" tradeHi All,
This is just to share on how I would approach a trade (as a trader).
1. Look for signs that the stock is forming a bottom (rounded bottom, inverted Head and Shoulders, Adam and Eve),
rising above 200 day MA, Golden Cross etc.
2. Check out its longer term charts (ie weekly and monthly) as you will likely see a clearer picture of it's direction.
3. Wait for some triggers (eg breaking above neckline especially on strong volume).
FLSY is a good example and had presented several good opportunities for several short term trades recently (could be held for longer term if one had entered earlier around 12.36 (1st Entry in chart) and didn't get stopped out.
1) On 2nd Feb (Initial Breakup), it gapped and broke up above this neckline (as well as it's 200 day MA), everything looks good except volume was just above average.
Well, this initial break up failed! Yes, it happens more often than we cared for, especially during the earlier phases of the trend, hence a conservative trader would prefer to wait for a pullback and long if the neckline proved to be a support.
2) on 13 Feb (1st Entry), FSLY once again gapped above the neckline and 200 day MA, but this time the volume was HUGE. However, this was prior to earnings announcements (2 days later, AMC). There is a possibility that earnings beat had been leaked, so if one decide to enter this trade, then it would probably be wise trade small.
3) on 16 Feb (2nd Entry), the day after earnings, which beat expectations (surprise surprise...LOL), many traders will FOMO into the stock especially as it rose above the previous candle's high around 14.20. This turned out to be a very profitabe trade (intraday).
Next day however, it formed a "Harami" candlestick (aka "inside bar"), showing indecision at this point. I would raise the stop to 15.30, slightly just under this "Harami" candlestick (which is already a 11% SL from its high @ 17.18). Those with a larger risk appetite could raise the stop to entry price (ie 14.20), allowing for larger volatility which could stop one out prematurely but be prepared to give back all profits if wrong.
4) FSLY had a steep pullback after all (due to poor market sentiment during the whole month of Feb) and found support only at 61.8% of it's large AB up swing. This was also within a prior "Resistance" but turned "Support" zone. It began to form small sideway candles (a signal to long if it starts to break above this "consolidation" range)
5) We had a Long trigger again last Friday (3rd Entry) as the stock started to rise decisvely above the consolidation high @ 14.20.
It turned out to be a large candle day, hence I would place initial stop loss just below this large candle (ie 13.55, a 5% initial SL).
There is a good chance this stop will not get hit (although nothing is guaranteed LOL).
Uptrend is underway for FSLY (above 200 day MA, with the shorter MAs (20 and 50) both rising. However, it could still experience large swings along the way and one has to manage the trade and raise the stops from time to time to protect profits. Just because one is stopped out does not mean the stock is spent. Sometimes it could be just periods of consolidation (short or long periods). Keep it on your watchlist as long as the stock has not shown signs of bearishness on a higher timeframe, set alerts for the next trigger.
Disclaimer: Just my 2 cents and not a trade advice. Kindly do your own due diligence and trade according to your own risk tolerance and don't forget that money management is important! Take care and Good Luck!
