Supply and Demand Trading Patterns and StrategiesSupply and Demand Trading Patterns and Strategies
Understanding the nuances of supply and demand is essential for traders to discern potential market reversals, identify trend continuations, and execute well-informed trading strategies. This article delves into the core patterns and strategies of trading based on these zones, providing a structured approach to identifying potential trading opportunities.
What Are Supply and Demand Zones?
Supply and demand zones are specific areas on a chart that indicate where the price of an asset has historically made significant moves, either upwards or downwards. These zones are identified by observing patterns where price action has shown a strong reaction—either a sharp increase (demand zone) or a sharp decrease (supply zone).
A demand zone is typically found where the market has stopped falling and then shot upwards. This area represents a level where buyers found the price attractive enough to enter the market in large numbers, driving it up. Conversely, a supply zone represents a level at which selling interest overcomes buying pressure, causing the price to fall sharply. This is typically where sellers find the asset overvalued and decide to exit their positions or open new positions to sell.
These zones are typically drawn at the ‘bases’ found in the patterns described below, from the consolidation’s low to high. Identifying these zones can provide traders with insights into potential future movements, as prices often retest these levels. When the price returns to a supply or demand zone, it can indicate an opportunity for traders to open new positions in anticipation of a repeat of past market behaviour.
The Role of Accumulations and Distributions
Accumulation and distribution are critical in understanding how supply and demand zones form and behave in financial markets. These terms describe the actions taken by influential market players—often large institutional investors or "smart money"—as they prepare for a potential price movement. They form a key component of Wyckoff trading.
Accumulation occurs when these entities begin to buy or "accumulate" a long position over a period, typically at lower levels. This phase is generally not accompanied by a notable price increase, as the buying is done gradually to avoid significant movements that could attract attention. The end of an accumulation phase is often marked by a reaccumulation, where buying resumes after a brief rally and pullback/consolidation, further establishing a demand zone.
Distribution reflects the opposite scenario, where large holders begin to sell their holdings, usually after a rise. This selling does not immediately lead to a drop; it happens subtly to prevent a drastic decrease in price. Following a distribution phase, a redistribution might occur where selling continues after a minor rally or consolidation—this process helps solidify a supply zone.
The Four Key Patterns in Supply and Demand Trading
Recognising specific patterns in supply and demand zones can significantly assist traders in determining potential market movements. These patterns, derived from price action and the behaviour of market participants, provide visual cues on charts that suggest future trajectories.
Here are four key patterns:
1. Rally-Base-Rally (RBR)
This pattern is a bullish indicator and occurs as the price leaves an accumulation/demand zone. The sequence starts with a rally, where there is a noticeable upward movement. This is followed by a base, a period where prices consolidate within a relatively narrow range, indicating a balance between buyers and sellers. The pattern completes with another rally, suggesting that demand has overwhelmed supply, pushing prices higher.
Recognising the Rally-Base-Rally pattern can signal traders to consider a long position as the market sentiment will likely continue upward.
2. Drop-Base-Drop (DBD)
Mirroring the RBR, the Drop-Base-Drop pattern is a bearish formation found after a successful distribution from a supply zone. It begins with a drop, indicating strong selling pressure. The base phase occurs next, where the price moves sideways briefly, showing uncertainty or equal force from buyers and sellers. A subsequent drop follows, demonstrating renewed selling pressure and an overpowering supply.
As the price leaves the base, there’s a potential selling opportunity for traders expecting further declines.
3. Rally-Base-Drop (RBD)
The Rally-Base-Drop pattern typically signals the formation of a supply zone and is indicative of a bearish reversal. It starts with a rally, where buyers temporarily gain control. However, this rally is short-lived and leads into a base phase—a period of consolidation. The critical phase is the subsequent drop, where sellers dominate, reversing the initial upward trend.
This pattern is particularly valuable for traders looking to capture the shift from a bullish to a bearish market.
4. Drop-Base-Rally (DBR)
Contrary to RBD, the Drop-Base-Rally pattern indicates a bullish reversal and creates a demand zone. It starts with an initial drop, reflecting strong selling. This phase is followed by a base, where the market finds equilibrium and the selling pressure begins to wane. The final phase is a rally, suggesting that buyers have regained control and are likely to push prices higher.
This pattern aids traders in spotting potential entry points for long positions as the market sentiment shifts from bearish to bullish.
To try spotting these patterns for yourself, head over to FXOpen’s free TickTrader platform to access real-time charts.
How to Trade Supply and Demand Zones
Trading supply and demand zones effectively involves understanding their potential role as areas of support (demand) or resistance (supply). In an established trend, these zones are formed from bases—periods of consolidation—that, once the price breaks out and moves in a consistent direction, are likely to act as areas of support or resistance on return.
For instance, in a Rally-Base-Rally (RBR) pattern, the base, after the initial rally, is likely to act as a demand zone. If prices revisit this base, it typically serves as a support level, where the price is expected to stop falling and start rising again. Conversely, in patterns like Drop-Base-Rally (DBD), the base also functions as a demand zone. Here, if the price falls back to this zone, it is anticipated to encounter support, leading to a potential bullish move away.
Supply and Demand Zones: Trading Strategies
Trading strategies based on supply and demand zones are centred around the identification and reaction to key levels that indicate underlying shifts in market sentiment. Traders often focus on how price exits these zones to gauge potential continuation or reversal of trends.
Strategy for Rally-Base-Rally (RBR) and Drop-Base-Drop (DBD)
This Drop-Base-Drop/Rally-Base-Rally strategy capitalises on the formation of a base after a distinct move that often breaks an established trend, i.e. moving sharply above a lower high in a downtrend or higher low in an uptrend.
Traders look to this pattern as it leverages the momentum generated from a strong initial move (rally or drop) followed by a stabilisation period (base) that offers a clear breakout point, indicating a potential trend continuation.
Entry
Traders typically monitor the price as it rallies or drops, forming a base.
A breakout from the consolidation zone is awaited, where the price moves above the high in RBR or below the low in DBD.
Entry may be made via a stop order at the breakout point to capture the movement as it happens.
Stop Loss
It may be placed just outside the opposite side of the base range to protect against false breakouts.
Take Profit
It may be set at previously identified supply or demand zones where price may potentially react and reverse.
Strategy for Rally-Base-Drop (RBD) and Drop-Base-Rally (DBR)
This approach focuses on reversal patterns forming in established supply or demand zones, offering insights into potential trend shifts. It utilises the inherent strength of existing supply or demand zones, coupled with a clear reversal pattern, to identify high-probability trades in line with the trend's direction.
Entry
Traders observe an established supply or demand zone and look inside it for an RBD or DBR pattern formation, respectively.
A break of a significant high (in downtrends) or low (in uptrends) within these zones signals the strength of the pattern.
Following the break, traders wait for a retracement back to the zone, placing a limit order at the edge of the zone.
Stop Loss
It may be positioned just beyond the opposite side of the zone to safeguard against the price moving beyond the established boundary of the zone.
Take Profit
It may be targeted at the next significant supply or demand zone that could oppose the current movement.
The Bottom Line
Supply and demand zones and their related patterns can offer traders a potential edge across various asset types, including forex, stocks, commodities, and cryptocurrencies*. The strategies described can be a great starting place for anyone looking to explore this trading style. If you’d like to put this theory into practice, consider opening an FXOpen account to access a wide range of assets and our advanced TickTrader platform.
FAQs
What Is a Supply and Demand Zone in Trading?
Supply and demand zones are specific areas on a trading chart where significant buying (demand zones) or selling (supply zones) activity has occurred, causing the price to move dramatically. These zones are used to identify potential areas where the price might either stall or reverse based on past trading activity.
What Is the Difference Between Supply & Demand Zones and Support & Resistance Zones?
While both supply and demand zones and support and resistance zones identify key levels, supply and demand zones are identified by areas that cause substantial price movements, whereas support and resistance are defined by frequent price reversals at certain price levels.
What Are the 4 Stages of the Market Cycle?
The four stages of the market cycle include Accumulation, Markup, Distribution, and Markdown. These stages describe the systematic process of price movement in markets, from periods where smart money accumulates positions to phases where these positions are distributed, leading to price declines.
*At FXOpen UK and FXOpen AU, Cryptocurrency CFDs are only available for trading by those clients categorised as Professional clients under FCA Rules and Professional clients under ASIC Rules, respectively. They are not available for trading by Retail clients.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Trend Analysis
Trade Like A Sniper - Episode 9 - NQ1- (31st May 2024)This video is part of a video series where I backtest a specific asset using the TradingView Replay function, and perform a top-down analysis in order to frame ONE high-probability setup. I choose a random point of time to replay, and begin to work my way down the timeframes. Trading like a sniper is not about entries with no drawdown. It is about careful planning, discipline, and taking your shot at the right time in the best of conditions.
A couple of things to note:
- I cannot see news events.
- I cannot change timeframes without affecting my bias due to higher-timeframe candles revealing its entire range.
- I cannot go to a very low timeframe due to the limit in amount of replayed candlesticks
In this session I will be analyzing E-mini NASDAQ, starting from the Weekly chart.
- R2F
MARKET STRUCT USING ICT CONCEPTThe Inner Circle Trader (ICT) concept in trading, developed by Michael J. Huddleston, offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and navigating market structure. ICT emphasizes the importance of market structure, which refers to the organization and arrangement of various market components, such as support and resistance levels, trends, and price patterns. This approach involves identifying key levels where institutional investors might be placing orders, understanding liquidity pools, and recognizing the behavior of smart money. By focusing on these elements, traders can better predict market movements, identify high-probability trade setups, and manage risks effectively. The ICT methodology combines technical analysis with a deep understanding of market dynamics to provide traders with a robust framework for making informed trading decisions.
SPY Fibonacci Price Theory And BreakOut BarsThis instructional video teaches you the basics of Fibonacci Price Theory in conjunction with Breakout Bars and how price is the ultimate indicator.
Throughout this video, I try to provide instruction on key elements related to the Fibonacci Price Theory (Unique & Standout Highs/Lows). Additionally, I've also included Breakout Bars and Fibonacci Price Retracement concepts.
What I really hope you learn from this video is to see price as the true ultimate indicator for your trading decisions. Using technical analysis techniques is fine, but use price as the key element when trying to confirm or reject your trading ideas.
I hope this helps you understand that price, action, and reaction through trends, peaks, and troughs are the most important components of the chart. Everything else is peripheral.
BTC and Social MediaHello everyone, i will try to make this as simple as possible, so i will not take allot of your time, but still trying to prove my point.
The best way in my opinion, in order to find out what is going to happen with BTC in 2024, is to ask the correct question. So i will ask the following, and answer with my personal opinion.
Question: What is BTC in 2024 and it was in also 2018? Answer: A strange popular concept of virtual money, that makes people both curious and sceptics.
The popularity among crypto currencies have increased allot since 2009, so we can say that today, crypto currencies are spread thru 90% of users of social media.( I don't have a statistic about this, i am just assuming this, since all the users of mobile phones are going to see some type of topic related to crypto or any type of investments.)
In my personal opinion, popularity is what makes BTC and other crypto currencies to raise or fall. Its very simple, people are getting excited, they will buy at any price so the value will increase, or, people will get scared, and will sell at any price.
I have posted to pictures. The one above, is the coin marketcap since 2014.The picture under, is the registered users on social media platforms, Facebook, Myspace, Friendster. without some other very important, like TikTok, YouTube or Tweeter. But, i think the rise will apply to all others platforms similarly.
If you look at crypto market cap picture, and then at the registered users in 2018 and 202 you will see one of the most interesting things, that i am sure many of you have missed. Just take a second, and see if you can tell. ( Side question - does anyone knows if tradingview has a cryptomarketcap chart? )
My point is simple
2017 - 750 bil market cap and 1,731 bil users
2022 - 2,86 trl market cap and 4,632 bil users x 3 times increase than 2017
2024 - 2,72 trl market cap and 5,037 bil users NOT SO MUCH INCREASE
( another side question for Tradingview, can you share a similar graph with registered users since 2014?)
I am associating Social Media users with potential customers for brokers, exchanges, trading platforms, investment banks, etc. Because this is how companies are targeting new customers in 2024, inclusive potential investors.
In conclusion, even though we are 2 years from last bullish wave, there is a potential for crypto market to rise but not much. I can not say a fixed price, but i think now, in 2024, BTC hitting 100k is very optimistic, unless Biden start printing again USD.
Another way for BTC and crypto to increase 40% this year, so BTC 100k and coinmarketcap 4trl, is that investors to move money from other assets to crypto, which is not so probable, since all the investors are having a vast portfolio.
So yes, it is possible for BTC to hit 100k this year, but not probable, in my personal opinion, because there is not enough money willingly available, to be moved to crypto.
Good luck guys!
Learn What is Inducement and Trap in Smart Money Concepts SMC
Smart Money Concepts can be applied for the identification of trend reversal in Forex and Gold trading.
In this article, we will discuss what is an inducement and a trap in SMC . And how to apply them to spot an accurate trading signal.
We will study the important theory and go through real market examples on XAUUSD chart.
Imagine that there is a strong historical resistance on a price chart.
Because the price reacted to that strongly in the past, many sellers will place selling orders on that in future, anticipating a similar reaction.
Placing short trades, their stop losses will lie above the resistance.
In case of a bullish violation of the underlined resistance,
sellers will be stopped out from their short trades and close their positions in loss .
After the violation of a resistance, according to the rules, it should turn into support . Many traders will place their buy orders there, anticipating a bullish continuation.
Bearish violation of such a support will stop out the buyers as well.
Such a price action will be called an inducement and a bullish trap.
With that, smart money grab the liquidity both from the buyers and from the sellers.
After that, with a high probability, the market will drop .
For example, Bullish violation of an all-time-high on Gold can easily be a bullish trap.
To confirm that, the price should simply break and close below a broken horizontal resistance.
That will confirm a local bearish reversal.
With a bullish trap and inducement, smart money are quietly placing HUGE SELLING ORDERS , making the retail traders close short trades in loss (buy their positions) and buy from the broken structure, providing them the liquidity.
The ability to recognize the traps will let you understand real intentions of smart money and trade with them.
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
Bitcoin: How to Forecast the End of a Trend.The advance from Dec 2018 seems to be tracing an impulse pattern. Wave 1 is an impulse, wave 2 is a zigzag which neatly predicts flat wave 4 by guideline of alternation.
The fifth wave appears to be tracing an impulse as well; an extension. It's probable that two minute degrees have reached completion at this stage and the market appears to be tracing out the third wave.
So how do you forecast the target for wave 5?
One way is to use an Elliott wave channel. Connect the end of wave 2 and 4. Draw a parallel line along the top of wave 3 to project wave 5 target. It is quite common for wave 5 to end upon reaching the upper boundary line of the channel
In some cases, when wave 3 is uncommonly strong, almost vertical. Draw a parallel line using the top of wave 1 instead of wave 3.
From experience, it's quite advantageous to draw the two upper boundary lines.
Brilliant Basics - Part 2: Reversal ZonesWelcome to the second part of our educational series, Brilliant Basics. In this series, we'll explore how mastering the fundamentals lays the groundwork for achieving high-level performance in trading. Today, we focus on reversal zones, specifically the art of drawing support and resistance consistently across multiple timeframes.
Understanding Reversal Zones
Reversal zones are key areas on a chart where the price has the potential to reverse its direction. These zones are defined by support and resistance levels:
• Support is a price level where a downward momentum can be expected to pause due to a concentration of demand.
• Resistance is a price level where upwards momentum can be expected to pause due to a concentration of supply.
Drawing Support and Resistance Correctly
Drawing support and resistance levels correctly is crucial for accurate and consistent analysis. Here’s how you can ensure consistency and reliability in your charts:
1. Identify Significant Swing Points:
• Resistance: Look for significant swing highs. A resistance level can be created by a single prominent swing high or multiple swing highs.
• Support: Similarly, support is identified by locating significant swing lows. It can be formed by a single notable swing low or multiple swing lows.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
2. Define Support and Resistance Zones:
To create a more accurate representation, define support and resistance as zones rather than precise lines.
• Resistance Zone: This should be defined by the highest close and the highest high.
• Support Zone: This should be defined by the lowest close and the lowest low.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
3. Use Coloured Boxes:
A handy tip is to use coloured boxes to highlight these zones. Different colours can be used for different timeframes, such as:
Weekly: Use one colour (e.g., red).
Daily: Use a different colour (e.g., blue).
Hourly: Use another colour (e.g., green).
This visual differentiation helps in quickly identifying which timeframe a particular support or resistance zone belongs to.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
4. Consistency is Key:
Consistency in how you draw support and resistance levels across different charts and timeframes is vital. This ensures that your analysis remains objective and reliable.
Practical Examples
Let’s look at an example of how we can use our rule set for drawing reversal zones consistently as price action evolves. For simplicity, we are going to stick to the daily timeframe:
Resistance Example:
Phase 1. Draw the Zone: Locate significant swing highs on your chart. Mark the highest close and the highest high to form the resistance zone.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Phase 2. Monitor the Market’s Response: In this example, gold pushes deep into the resistance zone and breaks above resistance before closing back below resistance. This ‘fakeout’ response is potentially sufficient to initiate a short position depending on your strategy and trade plan. We have also added the new support zone onto the price chart – creating a target for shorts.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Phase 3. Redraw the Resistance Zone as Price Action Evolves: As price moves away from the original resistance zone, we can now redraw the resistance zone based on the highest high to highest close rule set.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Support Example:
Phase 1. Draw the Zone: Locate significant swing lows on your chart. Mark the lowest close and the lowest low to form the support zone. In this example, there is a small support zone (zone 1) and a larger, more significant support zone (zone 2).
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Phase 2. Monitor the Market’s Response: We can see that EUR/GBP breaks through support zone 1, but then forms a bullish engulfing pattern at support zone 2. A reversal pattern of this quality is potentially enough to initiate a long position depending on your strategy and trade plan.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Phase 3. Redraw the Support Zone as Price Action Evolves: As price moves away from the original support zone, we can now redraw the support zone based on the lowest low to lowest close rule set.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Summary
Understanding and accurately drawing support and resistance zones is fundamental for effective trading. These zones help identify potential reversal points, providing valuable insights into market behaviour. By maintaining consistency as price action evolves and using clear visual aids like coloured boxes, traders can enhance their analysis.
As we continue our Brilliant Basics series, stay tuned for Part 3, where we will delve into the concept of moving averages and their role in trend analysis. Understanding this fundamental concept will further enhance your ability to identify and follow market trends.
Disclaimer: This is for information and learning purposes only. The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance. Social media channels are not relevant for UK residents.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80.84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
SWING TUTORIAL - LALPATHLABNotice how the stock exactly revisited the most recent Swing High exactly after the Convergence Divergence.
MACD Cross after the Convergence Divergence gave a good entry as it happened at a Higher High Higher Low Pattern indicating a good move upward.
Eventually gave a 38% up move.
Another MACD Cross is under play currently. Can it break the Resistance zone of 2758 and go all the up to the next 3342 Support/Resistance zone?
Give your comments in the Comments Section below:
Order typesIn the past, a person would typically have to go to the brokerage or another financial entity to buy or sell a security. The trade would be then settled through a personal meeting or, as technology progressed, over the phone. Nonetheless, the implementation of modern technology within the financial markets of the 21st century made placing buy and sell orders as easy as a few mouse button clicks. Nowadays, many trading platforms allow their clients to execute various types of orders beyond ordinary buy and sell orders.
Key takeaways:
Using limit orders is generally considered one of the safest ways to buy or sell a security.
Modern technology allows placing buy and sell orders with a few mouse clicks.
A stop-loss and stop-limit orders are used to protect an investor’s capital.
A trailing stop locks in some of the accrued profits.
Quick trade orders get instantly filled by a single or double click on a bid or ask button.
Limit order
A buy limit order is used to buy a security at a specified price. This type of order is executed automatically in a case when the price of a security is lower than the value of the buy limit order. A sell limit order is used to sell a security at a specified price. It gets automatically filled when the price of a security is higher than the value of the sell limit order. This design occasionally allows for the execution of the buy limit order or the sell limit order at a better price. Generally, limit orders are one of the safest ways to purchase or sell a security.
Quick-trade order
Some trading platforms allow the use of quick-trade orders. A quick-trade order is a type of order that is instantly filled by a single or double click on a bid or ask button in a trading platform. These orders are relatively safe to use. However, filling this type of order in highly volatile markets might be difficult due to a quickly changing price.
Market order
When traders choose to use a market order, they let the market set the price of security. In essence, this means that for a buy market order, a trade execution occurs at the nearest ask. For a sell market order, a trade execution takes place at the nearest bid. The use of the market order is less safe in comparison to limit order because it allows for worse filling of orders in illiquid markets and markets dominated by algorithmic trading. However, some platforms offer their clients the option to choose the tolerance threshold for such trade orders.
Good ‘Til Canceled order (GTC)
This type of order remains active until it is filled or canceled.
Stop-loss and stop-limit orders
A stop-loss order sells a position at a market price if it reaches or passes a specified price. Unlike a stop-loss order, a stop-limit order liquidates a position only at a specified or better price. These types of orders are used to protect investor’s capital before depreciation.
Trailing stop order
A trailing stop order trails the price as it moves in the trader’s favor. For a long position, a trailing stop moves higher with the price but stays unchanged when the price falls. Similarly, for a short position, a trailing stop moves lower with the price but remains unchanged when the price rises. The intent of a trailing stop is to lock in some of the accrued profits.
Please feel free to express your ideas and thoughts in the comment section.
DISCLAIMER: This analysis is not intended to encourage any buying or selling of any particular securities. Furthermore, it should not be a basis for taking any trade action by an individual investor or any other entity. Therefore, your own due diligence is highly advised before entering a trade.
Forex Market Sentiment StrategiesForex Market Sentiment Strategies
In forex trading, high performance often hinges not only on fundamental knowledge and technical analysis skills but also on the collective psychology of market participants. Leveraging market sentiment can thus be effective. This article discusses forex market sentiment, unravelling its nuances, exploring key indicators and sources, and offering strategies you may use to integrate sentiment analysis with technical indicators.
Understanding Forex Market Sentiment
Market sentiment in forex encompasses the collective mood and attitude of traders towards a particular currency pair. Traders often categorise market sentiment into various types, primarily:
Bullish Sentiment: Indicates an optimistic outlook, where traders expect the price of a currency to rise.
Bearish Sentiment: Reflects a pessimistic outlook, suggesting that participants expect a currency's value to decline.
Market Sentiment Indicators and Sources
Sentiment analysis in trading requires research into specific indicators and data sources, allowing for the integration of market psychology with objective market data.
News Sentiment
News data can be a powerful catalyst. Positive or negative surprises in economic indicators can trigger significant market reactions. Geopolitical events and trade negotiations also introduce uncertainty, prompting traders to reassess their positions. Breaking news related to economic policies and political issues can additionally trigger rapid market movements. Traders typically utilise an online Economic Calendar and follow reputable media sources to stay organised and informed about upcoming events.
Social Media Sentiment
The rise of social media has given traders a new avenue to express and gather sentiment. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Discord can provide valuable insights. However, filtering through the noise becomes imperative to distil relevant insights. You may consider relying on information from multiple social media platforms to cross-verify sentiments and distinguish informed analysis from speculative chatter.
Retail Trader Sentiment
Retail traders, often considered the "crowd", collectively shape sentiment through their actions and reactions. However, monitoring retail trader sentiment can provide contradictory signals, as both excessive bullishness and bearishness may indicate a potential reversal. It may be useful to look for divergence between retail sentiment and prevailing market trends, as a significant misalignment might indicate a potential reversal.
Institutional Sentiment
Institutional investors, comprising hedge funds, investment banks, and large financial institutions, often operate on a scale that dwarfs individual and retail traders, executing large trades that can significantly impact market prices. Traders may enhance their forex sentiment analysis tools by accessing reports, such as the Commitments of Traders (COT) report, to gauge sentiment by checking whether institutions are accumulating long or short positions.
You can visit FXOpen and explore the impact of sentiment on the markets at the free TickTrader trading platform.
Forex Sentiment Strategies
Among the technical indicators that can be used to evaluate the prevailing mood are the Advance/Decline Line, the On Balance Volume (OBV), and the Average True Range (ATR). Below we show three strategies implementing each of them.
1. The Contrarian Strategy
The contrarian strategy involves taking positions against the prevailing market sentiment, aiming to take advantage of potential reversals. Three key technical indicators employed in this strategy are the Relative Strength Index (RSI), the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), and the Advance/Decline Line.
Entry
The theory states that traders enter a contrarian long/short position when both RSI and MACD provide signals opposing the prevailing sentiment: bearish/bullish crossover for MACD and a cross below the overbought area and above the oversold area for RSI. Entry points are confirmed with signals through a divergence of the Advance/Decline Line: this should decline when the asset price rises and climb when the asset price falls.
Stop Loss
A stop-loss order may be placed above the recent swing high in a bearish contrarian trade or below the recent swing low in a bullish contrarian trade.
Take Profit
A take-profit order may be placed near a significant resistance/support level for a long/short trade.
2. Trend-Following Strategy
The trend-following strategy involves aligning positions with the prevailing market sentiment, anticipating that established trends will continue. The two technical indicators employed in this strategy are the On-Balance Volume (OBV) and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD).
Entry
Traders may enter a trend-following long/short position when both OBV and MACD provide signals aligning with the prevailing trend. If the market sentiment is bullish/bearish, a rising/falling OBV and a bullish/bearish MACD crossover may imply the trend is about to continue.
Stop Loss
A stop-loss order might be placed below the recent swing low in a bullish trade or above the recent swing high in a bearish trade.
Take Profit
An opposite MACD crossover combined with signs of an OBV reversal could indicate a potential take-profit level.
3. Volatility-Based Strategy
Traders utilising a volatility-based trading strategy seek to capitalise on heightened market volatility triggered by a sudden surge in bullish or bearish sentiment. This strategy utilises the Average True Range (ATR) indicator in conjunction with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) as a confirmation tool and a Moving Average crossover for directional guidance.
Entry
Traders would wait for a noticeable spike in the ATR as an indication of heightened market activity and potential significant moves. Then, a Moving Average crossover helps determine the likely direction of the trade: a bullish/bearish crossover reflects a potential upward/downward move, implying a long/short trade. The RSI is observed for confirmation, with a sharp rise/decline above/below 50 confirming a bullish/bearish sentiment for a short/long trade.
Stop Loss
Traders might place stop-loss orders just beyond recent swing highs or lows, aligning with the direction of the trade to manage risk effectively.
Take Profit
A long/short trade may be exited when there's a bearish/bullish MA crossover combined with RSI falling/rising below/above 50.
Final Thoughts
Implementing sentiment analysis in forex trading strategies acts as a bridge, seamlessly integrating human psychology with dry statistical data, allowing traders to decipher the emotional undercurrents that influence market movements. Ready to start trading on market sentiment? Consider opening an FXOpen account and trying out CFD trading in over 600 assets!
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.
Trade Like A Sniper - Episode 8 - EURUSD - (29th May 2024)This video is part of a video series where I backtest a specific asset using the TradingView Replay function, and perform a top-down analysis in order to frame ONE high-probability setup. I choose a random point of time to replay, and begin to work my way down the timeframes. Trading like a sniper is not about entries with no drawdown. It is about careful planning, discipline, and taking your shot at the right time in the best of conditions.
A couple of things to note:
- I cannot see news events.
- I cannot change timeframes without affecting my bias due to higher-timeframe candles revealing its entire range.
- I cannot go to a very low timeframe due to the limit in amount of replayed candlesticks
In this session I will be analyzing EURUSD, starting from the Monthly chart.
- R2F
Options Blueprint Series: Pre and Post OPEC+ WTI Options PlaysIntroduction
The world of crude oil trading is significantly influenced by the decisions made by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+. These meetings, which often dictate production levels, can lead to substantial market volatility. Traders and investors closely monitor these events, not only for their immediate impact on oil prices but also for the broader economic implications.
In this article, we explore two sophisticated options strategies designed to capitalize on the volatility surrounding OPEC+ meetings, specifically focusing on WTI Crude Oil Futures Options. We will delve into the double calendar spread, a strategy to exploit the expected rise in implied volatility (IV) before the meeting, and the transition to a long iron condor, which aims to profit from potential post-meeting volatility adjustments.
Understanding the Market Dynamics
OPEC+ meetings are pivotal events in the global oil market, with decisions that can significantly influence crude oil prices. These meetings typically revolve around discussions on production quotas, which directly affect the supply side of the oil market. The anticipation and outcomes of these meetings create a fertile ground for volatility, especially in the days leading up to and immediately following the announcements.
Implied Volatility (IV) Dynamics
Pre-Meeting Volatility: In the days leading up to an OPEC+ meeting, implied volatility (IV) often rises. This increase is driven by market uncertainty and the potential for significant price moves based on the meeting's outcome. Traders buy options to hedge against or speculate on the potential price movements, thereby increasing the demand for options and pushing up IV.
Post-Meeting Volatility: After the meeting, IV can either spike or drop sharply, depending on whether the outcome aligns with market expectations. An unexpected decision can cause a significant IV spike due to the new uncertainty introduced, while a decision in line with expectations can lead to a sharp drop as the uncertainty dissipates.
Strategy 1: Double Calendar Spread
The double calendar spread is a sophisticated options strategy that can potentially take advantage of rising implied volatility (IV) leading up to significant market events, such as the OPEC+ meeting. This strategy involves establishing positions in options with different expiration dates but the same strike price, allowing traders to profit from the increase in IV while managing risk effectively.
Structure
Long Legs: Buy longer-term call and put options.
Short Legs: Sell shorter-term call and put options.
The strategy typically involves setting up two calendar spreads at different strike prices (one higher and one lower), thus the term "double calendar."
Rationale
The rationale behind this strategy is that the longer-term options will experience a greater increase in IV as the event approaches, inflating their premiums more than the shorter-term options. As the short-term options expire, traders can realize a profit from the difference in premiums, assuming IV rises as expected.
Strategy 2: Transition to Long Iron Condor
As the OPEC+ meeting date approaches and the double calendar spread positions reach their peak profitability due to the elevated implied volatility (IV), it becomes strategic to transition into a long iron condor. This shift aims to capitalize on potential volatility changes and capture profits from the expected IV drop.
Structure
Closing the Double Calendar: Close the short-term call and put options from the double calendar spread.
Setting Up the Long Iron Condor: Sell new OTM call and put options with the same expiration date as the long legs of the double calendar spread.
The result is a position where the trader holds long options closer to the money and short options further out, creating a long condor structure.
Rationale
The rationale for transitioning to a long iron condor is to capture profits from a potential decrease in IV after the OPEC+ meeting.
Practical Example
To illustrate the application of the double calendar spread and the transition to a long iron condor, let's walk through a detailed example using hypothetical WTI Crude Oil Futures prices.
Double Calendar Spread Setup
1. Initial Conditions:
Current price of WTI Crude Oil Futures: $77.72 per barrel.
Date: One week before the OPEC+ meeting.
2. Long Legs:
Buy a call option with a strike price of $81, expiring on Jun-7 2024 @ 0.32.
Buy a put option with a strike price of $74, expiring on Jun-7 2024 @ 0.38.
3. Short Legs:
Sell a call option with a strike price of $81, expiring on May-31 2024 @ 0.05.
Sell a put option with a strike price of $74, expiring on May-31 2024 @ 0.09.
Note: We are using the CME Group Options Calculator in order to generate fair value prices and Greeks for any options on futures contracts.
Transition to Long Iron Condor
1. Closing the Double Calendar:
Close the short-term call and put options just before they expire @ 0.01 (assuming they are OTM on Friday May-31, before the market closes for the weekend).
2. Setting Up the Iron Condor:
Sell a call option with a strike price of $82, expiring on Jun-7 2024 @ 0.13.
Sell a put option with a strike price of $73, expiring on Jun-7 2024 @ 0.18.
0.11 and 0.17 are estimated values assuming WTI Crude Oil Futures remains fairly centered around 77.50 and that IV has risen into the OPEC+ meeting weekend.
Transitioning from the Double Calendar to the Long Iron Condor would be done on Friday May-31.
3. Resulting Position:
You now hold a long call at $81, a long put at $74, a short call at $82, and a short put at $73, forming a long iron condor.
The risk of the trade has been reduced by half (assuming the real fills coincide with the estimated values above) from 0.56 to 0.27 = $270 with a potential for reward of up to 0.73 (1 – 0.27) = $730.
This practical example demonstrates how to effectively implement and transition between the double calendar spread and the long iron condor to navigate the volatility surrounding an OPEC+ meeting.
Importance of Risk Management
Effective risk management is crucial when implementing options strategies, particularly around significant market events like the OPEC+ meeting. The volatility and potential for sharp market moves require traders to have robust risk management practices to protect their capital and ensure long-term success.
Avoiding Undefined Risk Exposure
Undefined risk exposure occurs when traders have no clear limit on their potential losses. This can happen with certain options strategies that involve selling naked options. To avoid this, traders should always define their risk by using strategies that have built-in risk limits, such as spreads and condors.
Precise Entries and Exits
Making precise entries and exits is critical in options trading. This involves:
Entering trades at optimal times to maximize potential profits.
Exiting trades at predetermined levels to lock in gains or limit losses.
Adjusting trades based on market conditions and new information.
Additional Risk Management Practices
Diversification: Spread risk across different assets and strategies.
Position Sizing: Allocate only a small percentage of capital to each trade to avoid significant losses from a single position.
Continuous Monitoring: Regularly review and adjust positions as market conditions evolve.
By adhering to these risk management principles, traders can navigate the complexities of the options market and mitigate the risks associated with volatile events like OPEC+ meetings.
Conclusion
Navigating the volatility surrounding significant market events like the OPEC+ meeting requires strategic planning and effective risk management. By implementing the double calendar spread before the meeting, traders can capitalize on the anticipated rise in implied volatility (IV). Transitioning to a long iron condor after the meeting allows traders to benefit from potential post-meeting volatility adjustments or price stabilization.
These strategies, when executed correctly, offer a structured approach to managing market uncertainties and capturing profits from both pre- and post-event volatility. The key lies in precise timing, appropriate strike selection, and diligent risk management practices to protect against adverse market movements.
By understanding and applying these sophisticated options strategies, traders can enhance their ability to navigate the complexities of the crude oil market and leverage the opportunities presented by OPEC+ meetings.
When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: www.tradingview.com This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies.
General Disclaimer:
The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
SIMPLE ICT CONCEPTS FOR TRAADING SYNTHETIC INDICES The Inner Circle Trader (ICT) concept for trading Deriv synthetic indices involves using sophisticated market analysis techniques and proprietary trading strategies. It focuses on understanding market mechanics, price action, and order flow to make informed trading decisions. ICT strategies leverage advanced tools and ICT knowledge to predict synthetic market movements, optimizing entry and exit points for higher profitability and risk management.
FAIR VALUE GAP OR ORDER BLOCK ENTRYA fair value gap (FVG) and an order block entry are concepts used in technical analysis within financial markets to identify potential trading opportunities.
### Fair Value Gap (FVG)
A fair value gap refers to a price range on a chart where there is an imbalance between buyers and sellers, often resulting in a quick movement through this area without much trading activity. This gap can create a zone of interest where price may return to fill the gap, presenting a potential trading opportunity. Traders look for these gaps to predict price movements, expecting that the market will revisit these areas to achieve a fair value.
### Order Block Entry
An order block is a consolidation area where significant buying or selling has taken place, often by institutional traders. These blocks are typically identified by a cluster of orders that create a strong support or resistance level. When price returns to this level, it often reacts due to the presence of unfilled orders, providing a strategic entry point for traders. Order blocks are used to predict where the price might reverse or continue its trend, offering a high-probability entry signal based on historical price action.
Both concepts are used by traders to make informed decisions based on the past behavior of price and volume, aiming to identify areas where significant trading activity is likely to influence future price movements.
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HOW TO TRADE CHOCH IN FOREX - SMART MONEY TRADERThe "Change of Character" (ChoCh) is a trading concept used to identify potential trend reversals in financial markets. It signifies a shift in market sentiment, such as from bullish to bearish or vice versa.
### Key Elements of ChoCh:
1. **Trend Breaks**: ChoCh occurs when a price trend fails to continue, such as not making a new lower low in a downtrend or a new higher high in an uptrend.
2. **Volume Spikes**: An unusual increase in trading volume accompanying a price movement can indicate a ChoCh.
3. **Candlestick Patterns**: Patterns like engulfing or doji candles can signal a shift in market sentiment.
### Trading Strategy:
1. **Identify Points of Interest (POIs)**: Use higher time frames to find significant levels like order blocks or support/resistance areas.
2. **Analyze Lower Time Frames**: Look for changes in trend around these POIs, using signs like price failing to break previous highs/lows.
3. **Entry Points**: Enter trades aggressively after a ChoCh is identified or conservatively after a return to the fair value gap created during the ChoCh.
4. **Stop-Loss and Take-Profit**: Set stop-loss orders just beyond reversal points and take-profit targets at next significant levels or using a fixed risk-reward ratio.
5. **Confirmation**: Use additional indicators like RSI or Moving Averages to confirm ChoCh signals.
ChoCh helps traders anticipate market reversals and make informed trading decisions across various markets, including forex, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
ORDER BLOCK CONFIRMATION ENTRY PART 2Sure! Here's another description of order block confirmation with a focus on practical application and detailed examples:
### Understanding Order Block Confirmation:
Order block confirmation is a technique used by traders to identify and validate significant price levels where large orders from institutional traders have been placed. These levels often act as strong support or resistance zones. Confirming an order block helps traders make informed decisions about entry and exit points in the market.
### Detailed Steps for Order Block Confirmation:
1. **Identify Potential Order Blocks:**
- **Bullish Order Block:** Look for a downtrend that ends with a strong bullish reversal, marked by one or more large bullish candlesticks.
- **Bearish Order Block:** Look for an uptrend that ends with a strong bearish reversal, identified by one or more large bearish candlesticks.
2. **Analyze Market Structure:**
- **Trend Context:** Determine whether the market is in an uptrend, downtrend, or sideways movement. This context helps in predicting the likelihood of the order block holding.
- **Key Levels:** Note the order block's alignment with significant support or resistance levels.
3. **Volume Analysis:**
- High volume during the formation of the order block is a strong indicator of institutional activity. Look for volume spikes that coincide with the large candlesticks forming the order block.
4. **Price Action Confirmation:**
- **Engulfing Patterns:** A bullish engulfing pattern at a potential bullish order block or a bearish engulfing pattern at a potential bearish order block can confirm the level.
- **Pin Bars and Rejection Candlesticks:** Candlesticks with long wicks (e.g., pin bars, hammers, shooting stars) at the order block level indicate strong rejection and confirm the presence of significant buying or selling interest.
- **Break and Retest:** Confirmation is stronger if the price breaks through the order block level and then retests it as support (for bullish order blocks) or resistance (for bearish order blocks).
5. **Indicator Confirmation:**
- **RSI (Relative Strength Index):** If the RSI shows overbought conditions at a bearish order block or oversold conditions at a bullish order block, it provides additional confirmation.
- **Moving Averages:** The interaction of price with moving averages (e.g., 50 EMA, 200 EMA) near the order block level can confirm its validity. A bounce off or crossover can be significant.
6. **Confluence of Factors:**
- Multiple confirmations such as Fibonacci retracement levels, pivot points, and trend lines aligning with the order block increase its reliability.
### Practical Examples:
1. **Bullish Order Block Confirmation:**
- Suppose the price of a stock is in a downtrend and reaches a level where it forms a large bullish candlestick, followed by increased volume.
- The RSI indicates oversold conditions.
- The price breaks above the identified order block and later retests this level, forming a bullish pin bar.
- This confluence of signals confirms the bullish order block, suggesting a potential entry point for a long position.
2. **Bearish Order Block Confirmation:**
- Consider a forex pair in an uptrend that hits a resistance level, forming a large bearish candlestick with a volume spike.
- The RSI shows overbought conditions.
- The price breaks below the identified order block and retests it, forming a bearish engulfing pattern.
- This setup confirms the bearish order block, indicating a potential entry point for a short position.
### Trade Execution and Management:
1. **Entry:** Based on the confirmed order block, place a buy order at the bullish order block or a sell order at the bearish order block.
2. **Stop-Loss:** Set stop-loss orders just below the bullish order block or above the bearish order block to manage risk.
3. **Take Profit:** Identify potential take-profit levels based on historical price action, nearby support/resistance levels, or using risk-reward ratios.
By following these detailed steps and examples, traders can effectively use order block confirmation to enhance their trading strategies and improve their chances of successful trades.
ORDER BLOCK CONFIMATION ENTRYOrder block confirmation is a concept used in technical analysis, particularly in the context of trading financial markets like forex, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. An order block is a significant price level where institutional traders have placed large orders, resulting in a concentration of buying or selling activity. Identifying and confirming these order blocks can help traders understand potential future price movements.
### Key Elements of Order Block Confirmation:
1. **Identification of Order Blocks:**
- **Bullish Order Blocks:** These occur when price action suggests strong buying interest. Typically, they are identified after a downtrend when a large bullish candlestick or a series of bullish candlesticks emerge, signaling strong buying pressure.
- **Bearish Order Blocks:** These are identified after an uptrend, marked by a large bearish candlestick or a series of bearish candlesticks, indicating strong selling pressure.
2. **Market Structure Analysis:**
- **Trend Analysis:** Determine the prevailing trend to contextualize the order block. In an uptrend, look for bullish order blocks; in a downtrend, look for bearish order blocks.
- **Support and Resistance Levels:** Order blocks often align with key support and resistance levels. Confirming these levels adds to the validity of the order block.
3. **Volume Analysis:**
- High trading volume at the order block can confirm the presence of institutional activity. Spikes in volume during the formation of the order block signal strong interest from large market participants.
4. **Price Action Confirmation:**
- **Engulfing Patterns:** A bullish or bearish engulfing pattern near the order block can confirm its validity.
- **Rejection Candlesticks:** Pin bars, hammers, or shooting stars at the order block level indicate strong rejection, confirming the order block.
- **Break and Retest:** Price breaking through the order block and then retesting it can serve as a confirmation. For a bullish order block, the price should break above and then retest the order block as support. For a bearish order block, the price should break below and then retest it as resistance.
5. **Indicator Confirmation:**
- **Relative Strength Index (RSI):** An overbought or oversold RSI at the order block can provide additional confirmation.
- **Moving Averages:** Crossovers or bounces off moving averages near the order block can corroborate the signal.
6. **Confluence Factors:**
- The more factors aligning with the order block (e.g., Fibonacci levels, pivot points, trend lines), the stronger the confirmation.
### Practical Steps for Traders:
1. **Identify Potential Order Blocks:**
- Look for significant price movements and areas where the price has previously shown strong support or resistance.
2. **Wait for Confirmation:**
- Use price action, volume spikes, and technical indicators to confirm the validity of the order block.
3. **Plan Your Trade:**
- Once confirmed, use the order block as an entry point, setting stop-loss orders below the block for bullish trades or above the block for bearish trades.
4. **Monitor and Manage:**
- Keep an eye on market conditions and be prepared to adjust your strategy if the order block is invalidated by new price action.
By carefully identifying and confirming order blocks, traders can gain insights into potential areas of strong market activity and make more informed trading decisions.
Order Block ICT (Inner Circle Trader) for Beginners
Order block trading is a method championed by the Inner Circle Trader (ICT), a well-known figure in the forex trading community. ICT's approach to order blocks is grounded in understanding market mechanics and the behavior of institutional traders. For beginners, grasping this concept can provide a powerful edge in trading by revealing areas of potential price reversals and continuations.
### What is an Order Block in ICT?
An order block, according to ICT, is a price range where significant buy or sell orders from institutional traders have been placed. These blocks represent zones of high interest for major market participants and can serve as indicators of future price movements. Recognizing these zones can help traders anticipate where the market is likely to react.
### Key Characteristics of ICT Order Blocks
1. **Institutional Footprints**: Order blocks indicate the presence of large financial institutions in the market. They reveal where these entities have placed their orders, suggesting potential areas of strong support or resistance.
2. **Price Consolidation and Expansion**: Order blocks are often found in areas where the price has consolidated before a significant move. This consolidation is followed by an expansion, which confirms the presence of large orders.
3. **Market Structure**: Order blocks are integral to understanding market structure. They often align with swing highs and lows, forming critical points in price action analysis.
### Steps to Identify ICT Order Blocks
1. **Identify Swing Points**: Begin by marking significant swing highs and lows on the chart. These are potential areas where order blocks may form.
2. **Spot Consolidation Zones**: Look for areas where the price moves sideways, indicating accumulation of orders by institutional players.
3. **Observe Breakouts**: After consolidation, identify strong bullish or bearish candles that break out of the range, signaling the presence of an order block.
4. **Mark the Order Block**: Draw the order block by marking the high and low of the consolidation area, extending this zone into the future to identify potential trade setups.
### Trading with ICT Order Blocks
1. **Entry Points**: Wait for the price to return to the order block. Look for confirmation signals such as reversal patterns or volume spikes to time your entry.
2. **Stop Loss**: Place your stop loss just outside the order block to minimize risk in case of false breakouts.
3. **Take Profit**: Set your take profit levels based on nearby support or resistance levels, or use a predetermined risk-reward ratio.
### Benefits of ICT Order Block Trading
- **Alignment with Institutional Activity**: By focusing on order blocks, traders can align their strategies with the actions of large market participants, potentially increasing the accuracy of their trades.
- **Defined Risk Management**: Order blocks provide clear areas for placing stop losses and take profits, enhancing risk management.
- **Enhanced Market Insight**: Understanding order blocks helps traders gain deeper insights into market dynamics and price behavior.
### Challenges for Beginners
- **Learning Curve**: Identifying and correctly interpreting order blocks requires practice and experience. Beginners may find it challenging to accurately spot and draw these zones.
- **Market Variability**: The effectiveness of order blocks can vary with different market conditions. Knowing when and how to apply them is crucial for success.
### Tips for Beginners
1. **Practice on a Demo Account**: Start by practicing on a demo account to build confidence and refine your skills without risking real money.
2. **Use Multiple Timeframes**: Analyze order blocks on higher timeframes for a broader market perspective and on lower timeframes for precise entry and exit points.
3. **Combine with Other Tools**: Enhance your analysis by using order blocks alongside other technical tools like trend lines, moving averages, and indicators to confirm trade setups.
Order block trading, as taught by the Inner Circle Trader (ICT), offers a structured approach to understanding and navigating the forex market. By learning to identify and trade order blocks, beginners can improve their ability to anticipate market movements and make more informed trading decisions. With practice and careful analysis, ICT order block trading can become a valuable part of a trader's strategy.