Tagged "pips"

Yesterday Recap: Pretty good day of trading yesterday as 3 trades were triggered as I capitalized on the tightening consolidation pattern of the pair. First was the aggressive sell triggered by the bearish break of 1.3580, which dropped for a quick 30 pips to rising support. That activated the primary long at 1.3550 which rose for 100 pips.

Daily Outlook: Despite the large up and down swing the daily outlook didn’t change a bit – the pair continues to consolidate in a tight triangle pattern with the overall downtrend still intact. I will look for a false breakout to occur to the topside, possibly even challenge the stronger falling trend resistance on the daily charts (you can just see the top of it – its the top blue line) currently around 1.3700.

Trading Idea: Not as aggressive today as we are running out of room to maneuver in this pattern. Primary trade is a short on a signal under 1.3700 resistance, with targets at 1.3670, 1.3640, 1.3605 and eventually 1.3560. Secondary trade is a bearish break of 1.3620 support could trigger a run to the trend support again (currently at 1.3570).

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Slow day yesterday – in the markets and in the forums. The pair only moved 15 pips from open to close, and it was one of the least volatile days in recent history moving less than 100 pips from high to low. Traders didn’t have much to talk about either with not trades being entered!

Daily Outlook: The pair continues to consolidate in the1.3750-1.3450 range, coming closer and closer to our key falling trend resistance dating back to early December 2009. The last time this resistance was tested (January 13th) the pair flirted with the resistance a few times before ultimately plummeting over 900 pips. Also reinforcing the bearish picture is that bulls were unable to sustain their new rally, failing to make a new high on the day or even sustain their gains (in fact the day ended as a bearish candle with a long bearish wick).

Trading Idea: I will look to sell a challenge of this trend resistance line, currently between 1.3700-1.3730. From 1.3730 the short targets are 1.3700, 1.3665, 1.3625 and 1.3595.

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12-10-09

5:14a GMT – Shooting stars on the 30m chart have really been providing solid sell signals for me the past few weeks – have you all noticed the same thing? In general if the star is near resistance and is higher than the 10 or so preceding candles (meaning that it qualifies as an ‘extinction’ candle) it has been a very reliable sell signal. Take a look at the 30m chart below with shooting stars circled in blue:

Of course nearly anything has been a good sell signal this week – the EURUSD has dropped almost 500 pips since December 3rd! That includes our signal from yesterday too – we had a near picture perfect pierce of our resistance at 1.4775 with the tip of a shooting star (10:30 GMT on the 30m charts) that was quickly followed by a nice drop. If you missed the first entry the markets were kind enough to provide a second opportunity to enter above 1.4770 a few hours later on a 13:00 GMT rally. I ended up covering at 1.4700 after my third target at 1.4670 was not reached for +75 pips profit.

On to today – you can view the forex calendar here but we have the GBP and CHF announcing rate decisions (12:00 and 8:30 GMT, respectively), trade balances for the USD and CAD (13:30 GMT) and initial jobless claims for USD (13:30 GMT). The news I’m watching closely is the US initial jobless claims. It was a jobs report last week that sent the USD on its major rally and I believe it will be this report that defines the direction of the pair for the coming days.

Daily Outlook: On the 4-hour chart below we can clearly see that after the strong rising trend support was broken the pair has entered into what appears to be a bearish continuation pattern -(aka a “death spiral”). Technical outlook is therefore extremely bearish in the short-term however we have the big news events mentioned above that could thin out markets and make for some aimless ranging in the morning hours.

Trading Idea: I will stay out of the EURUSD until the news has been announced at 13:30 GMT. Until then there might be some (very short-term) trades worth taking at the top of the 30m channel  (shown above) where the last shooting star just touched off of. Also a break below 1.4700 will most likely open way to another challenge of 1.4670 for a quick 30 pips. After news events I will look for a shorting opportunity off of 1.4750 with targets at 1.4715, 1.4675 and 1.4640.

(click to enlarge)

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12-9-09

6:42a GMT – When I wrote in yesterday’s signal that the bears had circled wagons and looked to be in firm control I still thought the bulls would be able to muster a little bit of a fight. Turns out the bulls played the role of punching bag yesterday as bears continued the downward pressure, smashing through 1.4775 support. Price action never got to yesterday’s signal entry, but there were candlesticks worth entering on all major timeframe charts that captured some nice pips. On a side note – this is why I only trade with me trend direction on the day. Anyone jumping at bullish signals more than likely got punished for doing so. If you go with the trend you can get punished, but usually the punishments are not as harsh.

Daily Outlook: With bulls showing little strength and strong daily support broken signals point toward more EURUSD losses and I will look for shorting opportunities. My preferred shorting zone would be 1.4775 (resistance and a 23.6% fibonacci retracement) as that would offer the best reward/risk ratio, but I will also look for shorter-frame shorts on candlestick signals with very tight stops as bears appear to have a firm grip on the markets at the moment.

Trading Idea: Under 1.4775 shorts are preferred with targets 1.4745, 1.4710 and 1.4670. On a clean break of 1.4775 look for a possible re-challenge of 1.4900.

(click to enlarge)

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12-03-09

6:14a GMT – EUR/USD did indeed bounce off of yesterdays signal’s 1.5050 support and would have provided a quick 50 pips (possibly more, it’s at 1.5107 right now). Unfortunately I didn’t enter a long as I was waiting for a bullish confirmation candlestick to confirm the long signal. I know some of you did take that long and are now in the profit.

Daily Outlook: For the rest of us, I will look to reset longs with a similar trading strategy around 1.5050-1.5030 support zone. Pair remains within the the bullish channel I showed you yesterday after recently making a new 2009 high – so there is little reason to look for shorts at the moment.

Trading Idea: Looking for entry signal between 1.5050-1.5030 support zone. Targets from 1.5030 at 1.5060, 1.5095 and 1.5130.

Event Risk: Lots of news today (thanks for the reminder Nnagozie)! Be cautious around these times as markets could be thin and volatile. Starting at 12:45 GMT we have the EUR interest rate decision, initial jobless claims, nonfarm productivity, and Trichet and Bernanke speaking. No major changes predicted but the dovish/hawkish comments always can move the markets on thin volume. To read more about these events check out the Forex Calendar here.

(click to enlarge)

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12-2-09

5:45a GMT – No trade was entered from yesterday as I held off for the news (which had very little immediate impact). Which is fine with me – as many of you know I prefer less trades with a higher win percentage rather than trying to make lots of trades. Many of you yesterday did ignore the news however and entered long at the 05:00a bullish hammer which pierced our support at 1.4980 – a move which would have yielded 100+ pips within just a few hours.

Daily Outlook: 4-hour chart below, zoomed out so we can see the bullish uptrend of the last few months that we find ourselves in. With many speculative traders attempting to short the pair as it approaches its 2009 high I will continue my strategy of looking to buy on dips. I’d prefer the  1.5015 or 1.4980 supports to buy on but the uptrend is strong right now so I will also keep my eyes open for bullish candles around 1.5050 support. There is USD news event (non-farm payroll) at 13:15 GMT so I will stay out of markets around these times. For more details on it visit the forex calendar here.

Trading Idea: From 1.5015 support targets are 1.5045, 1.5080, 1.5110 and 1.5140. Will also look for a solid entry reason around 1.5050 (such as a reversal candlestick from the candlestick alert service here) as well as uptrend is fairly strong right now, but would still prefer a solid dip to buy into.

(click to enlarge)

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