This is part 3 of my series in how to read a forex chart and recognise chart patterns. Included here are moving averages, continuation patterns, reversal patterns and MACD.
To be on screen during arrival of potential delegate
SMA average closing price for the last “n” periods
Exp gives more weight to more recent periods and hence is more responsive
Make sure templates/MAs installed
Explain 10 day EMA and why 240 periods for hour, 60 for 4 hr
The smoother the line the slower to react to price changes
Mention MA crossover systems don’t work because place no emphasis on prevailing market conditions
And are always after the event.
I like 5 WMA for first change of direction. Esp 60 min chart.
10 Day EMA acts as R and then S later
Lot to see on this chart
In general if going long you need all (but in particular the shorter) MA below you.
Above is also Key Level. Bit of clustering with both MAs
In general if going short you need all (but in particular the shorter) MA above you
This kind of thing happens a lot and is a key indicator and a “tool in your box”. You could draw S trendline but why bother
You would not trade on it alone but along with other key indicators.
Explain KISS. Don’t overcomplicate. Hitch on the back of the major traders by following the trend.
Millions of traders will see the obvious patterns hence self-fulfilling prophecy in a way.
Market gives signs and signals about what it may do next to those who take the trouble to study them. For those that do it could be a license to print money.
Pros look for simple and obvious patterns whilst novices complicate things
Complication breeds confusion
Usually. - Nothing is certain
Triangles, flags, penants
Ideally flag should slope against the trend
Straight line move called a “flagpole”. After pause
Both patterns take less time to develop in a downtrend
Ideally flag should slope against the trend
Straight line move called a “flagpole”. After pause
Both patterns take less time to develop in a downtrend
Remember to point out length of first flagpole is usually around the length of the second one.
Good for exits!
Sideways channel
Also channel at top right of screen
Exercise: Find flags in your charts on at least 2 different currency pairs.
When you see a potential reversal unfolding in a larger timeframe, scale down to a lower one to time your trade entry
Can be riskier but it may just be a short term trend reversal.
Not to be ignored because could be change of trend
Go back one slide to see double top.
Price reaches a high and falls away. After a while buyers come back and try to push the price through the old peak.
They fail. The price drops again and eventually cuts through the level from which the previous rally had developed.
If it cuts through mid-point of the M then it could fall quite a bit.
Can trade bounce off DT or wait for other confirmation like break of neckline, candle pattern.
Look for key level at double top or other confirmation
Here we have 10 day EMA acting as Res and candle reversal pattern.
Also look for S and R, pivots and MACD divergence
In the chart above you can see that two peaks or “tops” were formed after a strong move up. Notice how the 2nd top was not able to break the high of the 1st top. This is a strong sign that a reversal is going to occur because it is telling us that the buying pressure is just about finished. The buyers don’t have enough support to push through to new high.
Note the “W” at the bottom of the downtrend
Sellers have driven the price down to a level which attracts some buyers and the price rallies.
Price falls back again but only to the recent low. Those who bought there last time saw good profits and so may buy again. Those who failed to buy last time don’t want to miss out this time. The price bounces again more people buy, less sell and the price rises.
Once it breaks the mid-point it could move a lot higher
Sellers fail to push it past earlier low.
Note 200 SMA acts as Res
Higher timeframes better
Explain divergence means moving in opposite directions
Explain divergence means moving in opposite directions
Cluster of indicators
50% Fibo and double top and MACD divergence
Come back to this when they have more knowledge and ask them what they see.
To be on screen during arrival of potential delegate