ParabolicP

To wick or not to wick?

Education
BITSTAMP:BTCUSD   Bitcoin
Capturing the Full Price Range:

Trendlines connect a series of highs or lows, but wicks represent the extremes of price movement within a timeframe. Including wicks can provide a more comprehensive picture of the overall trend by encompassing the entire price range (including temporary spikes or dips).
Increased Accuracy:

By using both the body and the wick, you might create a trendline that better reflects the actual price movement. This can be particularly helpful in volatile markets where prices can experience short-lived bursts above or below the main body of the candle.
Identifying Potential Breakouts:

If the price consistently pushes beyond the trendline established using wicks, it could be an early sign of a potential trend reversal. This can give you a heads-up on a possible change in market direction.
However, there are also arguments against using wicks:

Increased Noise:

Including wicks can introduce more "noise" to your chart, making it difficult to identify the underlying trend. This can be especially true in highly volatile markets where wicks can be erratic.
False Signals:

Relying heavily on wicks can lead to false signals. Short-lived price movements might create the illusion of a trend change, leading to premature decisions.
The Best Approach: Finding Balance

The decision of whether or not to include wicks depends on your individual trading style and risk tolerance. Here are some things to consider:

Market Volatility: In calmer markets, using just the bodies might be sufficient. In volatile markets, wicks might provide valuable information.
Timeframe: For shorter timeframes, wicks can be more influential. For longer timeframes, the bodies might be more important.
Trading Style: Day traders might find wicks more useful for identifying short-term opportunities. Swing traders might focus more on the bodies for longer-term trends.
Here are some additional tips:

Use a combination of technical indicators along with trendlines to confirm potential signals.
Don't rely solely on trendlines for entry and exit points. Consider other factors like risk management and overall market sentiment.
Practice drawing trendlines on historical data to get a feel for their effectiveness.

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