The time range associated with day traders usually ranges from minutes to hours, depending on market conditions and trading analysis. For intra-day trading, the minute time frame chart may be very important because a trader is looking for opportunities to profit from price fluctuations that occur within a trading day.

This type of foreign exchange trader uses various forex technical analysis methods to make correct trading decisions and thus succeed. Usually, the day trader opens the trade with their forex technical analysis and holds the trading position, rather than fundamental data analysis.

Day traders profit from short-term price changes in securities. These economic news will cause major changes in the market when they met or exceed them, thus bringing profits to day traders. The best forex brokers for scalping: IC MARKETS. Forex swing traders are those who make a profit in the foreign exchange market by maintaining a trading position for several hours or even a day to several weeks.

These traders use Forex technical analysis and fundamental analysis. The goal of swing traders is to trade large price fluctuations every day by spending a long time such as weekly and monthly. Swing traders buy securities when the market moves up, and sell securities when the market moves down.

Their focus is usually based on specific assets that they can analyze well. This helps them better understand the movement of the specific assets. Swing trading is accompanied by a lot of experience in the markets they trade. Swinging traders make higher returns than buying and holding investors, and this aspect is most suitable for those who trade for a living.

Compared with other types of traders, swing trading is less risky. For swing traders, timing is more important compared to a day trader.

Position traders are those who hold trades for longer periods from weeks to years. As the longest holding period among trading styles, positions traders less interest in the short-term price fluctuations of assets, they are more concerned about the performance of longer and sustainable time frames. These traders are not as active as other traders. They rarely initiate few trading positions in specific markets throughout the year.

As foreign exchange position traders, traders need to be patient because their money is often held for a long time. These transactions focus on fundamental analysis and forex technical analysis.

Extensive consideration and forex analysis will enable position trading in any currency pair. Position trading is based on in-depth research on forex technical analysis.

If you have access to accurate facts and you can see trends, then this is the best way to invest in position traders. Most traders who invest in this way will buy when the trend begins to gain momentum and sell when the trend reaches its peak and begins to decline. In order to study the price movements of currency pairs , we need to view their historical prices and current price behavior. For this, we need to read forex charts.

A chart is a graphical representation of the historical price movements of currency pairs in different time frames. By analyzing these price trends, traders can identify existing or upcoming trends. This forex technical analysis helps traders make trading decisions. Three main types of charts are used in forex technical analysis. The line chart is the basic chart, which only shows the closing prices of a currency pair over a period of time, and without a live chat, we can not make a forex technical analysis.

A continuous line is formed by connecting these closing price points on the chart. Since these charts only show-closing prices, they can be helpful in avoiding price noise during the trading time.

This chart is often used to visualize data and market trends over an interval of time. we can use line charts in any time frame. These charts may be useful for new traders, especially before learning more advanced charts, to learn the basics of chart reading. Since it shows only the closing price, therefore it reduces all noise, such as the highs and lows and opening prices.

Line charts help to build the most accurate support and resistance levels using horizontal or trend lines. The chart is easy to know the market trend.

The following is a daily gold line chart. Without adding any other indicators, your eyes will immediately see gold rising in an uptrend. Bar charts provide more market information than line charts, such as opening price, highest price, lowest price, and closing price. A vertical line represents the highest price and the lowest price of the selected period, while two horizontal small lines show the opening price and closing price.

Bars with a closing price higher than the opening price are called rising bars or bullish bars. In a bearish bat, the closing price is lower than its opening price. Bar charts are available in trading software, with different time frames suitable for trader strategies. We can see the bar chart in 5-minute bars, minute bars, 1-hour bars, 4-hour bars, 1-day bars, etc.

The daily bar chart shows the daily price bar. Each bar chart shows the opening price, the highest price, the lowest price, and the closing price OHLC of the period. The candlestick chart is the most widely used chart in forex technical analysis.

Candlestick charts are the most popular charts among forex traders because they are more visual than line and bar charts. These chart patterns provide us with a lot of information to decide when to enter or exit the transaction. Although these charts provide the same information as bar charts, the color-coding of the candles makes it easier for traders to identify market trends.

In the forex technical analysis , traders use several candlestick patterns, such as hammers, shooting star, bullish engulfing, Doji, etc.

These candlestick patterns can help traders predict price movements. It is usually formed at the end of an upward trend or market rally and acts as a SELL signal.

The Left Shoulder - The market looks to test higher price levels. Increasing Volumes. Followed by retracement to neckline. The Head Market again looks to test higher ground and succeeds with setting a higher price that was set by the Left Shoulder. Large Volumes Followed by retracement to neckline. The Right Shoulder - Once again the market looks to test higher ground but this time fails to achieve the high price set by Head.

Reducing Volumes. Again followed by retracement to neckline only this time there is a good chance of the Neckline being violated and the market MAY look to test Lower ground. The Neckline Is a line that is drawn connecting consecutive lows. It is a line where the price bounces off and refuses to go below. It is basically the same as a support line Most traders who are familiar with this pattern would try to liquidate at the top of the Head or as it started to retrace towards the Neckline.

If you are still holding a stock during the Right Shoulder stage it may be your last chance to liquidate before the price tests lower ground. I advise that you look to liquidate at the top of the Right Shoulder. It is made up of the same four components only this time they are acting in reverse and thus give a Buy signal. The Left Shoulder The market looks to test lower price levels. Decreasing Volumes.

Followed by test of Neckline. The Head - Market again looks to test lower ground and succeeds with setting a higher price that was set by the Left Shoulder. Steady to slightly increasing Volumes. The Right Shoulder - Once again the market looks to test lower ground but this time fails to achieve the low price set by Head. Again followed by test of the neckline only this time there is a good chance of the Neckline being violated and the market MAY look to test Higher ground.

Please note volumes rising. The Neckline - Is a line that is drawn connecting consecutive Highs. It is a line where the price bounces off and refuses any Higher. It is basically the same as a Resistance Line Again most traders who are familiar with this pattern would try to Buy at the bottom of the head but it is a safer way to trade if you wait till confirmation that the Right Shoulder has formed and is looking to test the Neckline once again.

Where you decide to take your position is a matter of personal preference and risk adversity. TOP Double Tops This is another powerful pattern that MAY indicate that the market is looking to test Lower levels. It occurs at the end of a upward trend or market rally. Double tops basically tell us that the market has tested a price level on two occasions and on both times refused to go higher. They can also come in the form of triple and quadruple tops. Volumes on the second top should be lower than the first top.

If you hold a stock that exhibits a double top be ready to liquidate as there is a good chance the market will go lower. TIP Bar and Candle Charts will give you a better example of double tops than line charts. Examples of Double and Triple Tops: TOP Examples of Double Bottoms : Double Bottoms Double bottoms are identical to double tops except they work in the opposite way and thus create a Buy signal. Double bottoms basically tell us that the market has tested a price level on two occasions and on both times refused to go Lower.

They can also come in the form of triple and quadruple bottoms. Volumes on the second bottom should be Greater than the first bottom. Double bottoms can give an excellent Buy signal and most Technical Traders would act on such a sign. It can also be called a saucer or distribution curve and is seen at the end of an upward trend.

It shows the market is running out of steam and cannot achieve new highs. Volumes will start to reduce as the price reaches it's peak and increase as the price starts to fall. Most experienced Traders would note this and exit their position. TOP Some example of Rounded Tops: Rounded Bottoms Below are examples of rounded bottoms and cups: This formation has the same characteristics as a rounded top only this time it works in the opposite way and creates a BUY signal.

Rounded bottoms are sometimes called Saucers or the Accumulation Period. All of these patterns indicate that the downward trend is running out of steam and the market is looking to test higher ground once again. Most experienced traders would be looking to position themselves in this accumulation period, it is called the accumulation stage as that is exactly what is happening, traders are accumulating shares.

A further extension of the rounded bottom is a formation called a Cup. It is basically a completed rounded bottom with a smaller rounded bottom formed on the right hand side thus giving the appearance of a handle for the cup.

Volume should be on the increase as the bottom starts to climb upward. There should be even larger volumes again during the Handle stage. The Handle is maybe our last chance to take a position before the market tests higher ground.

TOP Triangles Triangles and wedges are probably the most frequently occurring pattern to form on the charts and can give a possible early indication of a trend reversal.

As they occur so frequently they are not as reliable as some patterns previously discussed but are still a very useful indicator for the Technical Trader. Drawing Triangles onto charts is basically just drawing BOTH support and resistance lines at the same time.

They can be found nearly anywhere on a chart. Sometimes an entire up trend or downtrend may be made up of lots of little triangles. The two main types of triangles that can be found are: Symmetrical Triangles and Right Angled Triangles: Symmetrical Triangles - These occur when the price is locked into a reducing trading range.

Both support and resistance lines meet in a point. The lines are said to be in Convergence. Volumes slowly reduce as the price nears the point of the triangle and then on breakout surge considerably. Below are examples of triangles : As Traders we are looking for this breakout and would either buy or sell according to the direction of the breakout. Please remember that false are common with this type of pattern. Right Angled Triangles - Are similar to symmetrical triangle but instead one of the lines drawn will either have a flat top or flat bottom and is drawn near perfectly horizontal.

These triangles are probably more accurate than all others and may also indicate which way the price could break. Again extreme caution is needed when using triangles as they DO generate false signals. Flags Pennants Wedges Flags, pennants and wedges occur on both up and down trends and indicate the market is reassessing the share price or more simply taking a breather. They are more often than not formed at the halfway stage of a trend. They are drawn onto charts by drawing both support and resistance lines simultaneously.

Once drawn they should take on the appearance as their names imply. A Flag looks like a Flag A basic rule to follow is ' If a Flag, Pennant or Wedge forms in an up or down trend, the trend USUALLY continues on the same path'. An up trend continues Up. Below are some examples : If holding a stock and one of these patterns forms on the chart it is a signal for caution and a breach of either the support or resistance should be acted upon As you can see Wedges and Pennants are very similar in appearance but in essence as Traders we are only interested in which way they will break as opposed to what to call them.

FOOTNOTE: Be Warned.. ALL of the above mentioned in this chapter CAN and WILL give False buy and sell signals.

It is at the Traders discretion whether to act on any of these signals. It is my recommendation that diligent monitoring should be applied if you are holding a stock that exhibits ANY of these patterns mentioned.

TOP BY MPFX When looking at a chart we have the option to view the price formations in four main styles, these are: Line, Bar, Candle and Point and Figure. All of these have their strengths and weaknesses and which style you choose will be a matter of personal preference.

I personally elect to use three of the four types with point and figure the one I never use. The line chart is the one most of us would have seen many times before and is usually plotted using closing price data. This chart is good for visualizing the overall trend of a stock and on some charting programs it will allow you to see more data over a longer time span.

It's use is limited as it is basically what I call a one dimensional chart as it uses only one form of data. Good for glancing, but not for analyzing. TOP Bar charts are probably the most widely used by traders and not only give us the closing price but also the high, low and opening prices.

As traders we need to know as much as possible about a stock and its movements and these bars are the perfect tool for the job.

With a single glance at one of these bars we can get a feel for how investors traded this stock for the day and their general sentiment towards it.

Small bars or bodies as they are Technically called are a sign the market maybe consolidating its position or thinking about its nest move. Long bodies could indicate the market is again on the move and looking to test new levels.

Some charting packages will only show the close on the bar, many traders elect to use this style with great success. Some say the opening price does not give a true indication of market sentiment and choose to ignore it. There is a marked difference when drawing trend lines on a line chart compared to a bar chart. With a bar chart you get the entire trading range and a trend line can be drawn using these ranges as opposed to only using closing price data on a line chart.

To make this more clear please refer to diagrams opposite. These two charts are identical except one is a line chart and one is a bar. The trend lines drawn in are the same for both charts based on the bar chart only. In the circled areas you can see the clear difference between the two. With a bar chart we are drawing trend line based on trading ranges rather than end of day closing prices. By doing this we are allowing ourselves a better chance of gaining a lower entry price and a higher exit level.

We also increase the range in which the stock may trade thus allowing greater profit margins. TOP Candle stick charting was developed by the Japanese several centuries ago and has undergone a resurgence in popularity in recent times.

This form of chart is by far my personal favorite and I usually use it exclusively. Although more complex to understand, once mastered, candle charts can give you the best overall view of market sentiment. In this section I will give you a brief summary of candles but the purchase of a book dedicated to candle charting should be a must for anyone serious about developing their charting skills. Candles are similar to bar charts in that they show all four data components open , close, high and low but that is where the similarities end.

Candle charts use rectangular boxes that join the open and closing prices together, and use vertical thinner lines to define the trading range. The boxes are called the ' Real Body ' and the thin trading range line are called the ' wicks or shadow If the closing price is higher than the opening price the body will be white, if the closing price is lower than the opening price the body will be black.

Opposite is a basic list of common candle stick formations. large trading range. small trading range. Market tested higher levels but failed to close any higher than open. Market tested lower levels but failed to close lower than open. Also known as a ' Hammer ". The appearance of a hammer at the top of a trend could suggest lower prices may follow. Bearish sign. Also known as Hammer. The appearance of a hammer at the bottom of a trend could suggest higher prices may follow.

Bullish sign. Bullish at bottom. Bearish at top. Please note that Hammers are also referred to as ' umbrella lines ". They represent small trading ranges and are important in some candle chart patterns. Again where they occur is of the up most importance. Opposite are 3 examples of Hammers. The bottom two are bullish while the top one is Bearish. The appearance of Dark clouds is not a good sign. It is formed with a white real body followed by a Larger black real body that closed lower than the previous days close.

As mentioned at the start of this chapter Candle stick charting is so involved that the purchase of a book solely dedicated to this subject should be must for any serious trader. I have only scratched the surface of this invaluable method of charting in this chapter.

Moving Averages have been around for many centuries and helps the trader to try and eliminate some of the volatility that is associated with stock prices. There are three main types of moving averages: Simple, Exponential and Weighted. This suits my trading style and all examples shown here are based on this. I suggest that you experiment with all 3 on the same stock to see how all three behave just that little bit differently.

Moving averages are basically the share price smoothed out over a set time frame. They are calculated by adding all the closing prices together for a set number of days and then dividing this total by that set number of days.

As new data becomes available the earliest entry is replaced with the latest entry thus keeping our 20 day total intact. The longer the time frame the less false signals. As most charting packages automatically construct all three types of moving averages I believe that time is better spent here explaining how to trade using them as opposed to their how they are mathematical made up.

This works as both a buy and sell signal and is one of the most widely used methods. The key to this method is the time frame. The basic rule is the longer the time frame the less false signals. This is fine but with this you also get the longer the time frame the later the buy or sell signal. Day traders and short term speculative traders may elect for shorter time spans than a long term, more cautious trader.

Ranges from 9 days to 24 months can be used. The most common used by traders would be 9, 20, 25, 30, 50, 75, and days.

We now how have two indicators giving us signals. Interesting to note that the 50ma gave a sell signal before the support was broken but gave a buy signal after the resistance was broken. It is interesting to note that such a small change can effect the timing of the signals. This is the preferred method by many traders and the method I personally elect to use.

It involves the use two or more moving averages at the same time which are set at different times spans. When the moving averages cross each other, either a buy or sell signal is generated.

When the faster moving average 25ma crosses above a slower moving average 50ma it is classed as a Buy signal. When the faster moving average crosses below the slower moving average it is classed as a Sell signal. Once again the time frames used have a great impact on where the signals are generated on the charts.

Below are all the same stock with a moving average added each time. It is of PBL daily. Make sure you use the same stock for the tests. This method is by far the best way to truly understand moving averages and will allow you develop your own set of trading criteria. Some traders like to use up to 6 moving averages at a time believing that when all the averages converge to the same spot on the chart a change of trend is very near.

This method definitely its merits as the lines converging is sometimes the first indictor to get the attention of the Technical Trader and is a sign that this stock should be placed in the ' watch closely basket '.

Trading Forex is not gambling; there are hundreds of tools available for you in every broker just for analyzing the markets and study its possible directions. Technical analysis is the name given to the approach that uses most of those tools. Technical analysis in Forex trading is used to spot key levels and figures that can give clues regarding where the price of a currency pair is headed, and it does so only using the information on graphs.

Technical analysis and fundamental analysis can be seen as night and day. Whereas the former uses numbers and past price action to determine where an asset is headed, the latter studies the events that could alter the course of a currency pair. On the other hand, these two types of analysis are harder to differentiate. The similarity lies in the fact that market sentiment is also measured through price action on a chart, so technical analysis can be seen as necessary to use sentiment analysis—even if they come from different ideas.

Technical analysis is the only way to obtain key information if one wishes to trade with less risk:. First off, technical analysis is used to identify and confirm trends in the market.

Knowing if you should buy or sell is not the only relevant information for placing trade orders. Technical analysis also offers insight into where the supports and resistances are sitting in a market trend.

In other words, technical analysis also lets you know the levels at which price action can reverse or lose momentum. These levels are used to place stop-loss and take-profit orders, thus telling the trader what his target should be and which movements can prove to be detrimental to his position. As an extra, knowing when a support or resistance is broken through technical analysis grants critical information on how a trend will develop in the future. Charts are the backbone of technical analysis due to the fact that it offers all the information that makes the basis for this approach.

Charts evaluate price action, which we already mentioned several times. Technical indicators are tools used to simplify and facilitate the process of reading the information available on the chart. For example, a simple moving average will average prices into a single line instead of bars, and Bollinger Bands draw parallel lines showing the average supports and resistances. Chart patterns— also known as price patterns —are specific figures drawn by price action on a chart.

Chart patterns are useful because they mark important events in the market that may occur too quickly for it to be important enough to become a news release. Chart patterns usually signal what the market is going to do next. That pattern usually means that the bulls are trying to gain lost momentum, and price usually drops after this. Not all charts are the same, and some are easier to read than others.

Make sure to study all types of charts and use the ones with which you feel most comfortable. We already said that many professional traders skip indicators altogether and use nothing but price action to decide on their trades. Many times an indicator can confirm a suspected pattern, or it could also save you from a missed prediction by telling you where to place your stop-loss.

On the other hand, perhaps you see a double top forming, but all of your indicators signal that the market still has momentum built. Both indicators and chart patterns offer insight regarding where price can retrace or where it can boost, and these are levels you need to consider while placing your order.

If you know where each level is, then you know how to act once these levels are touched or broken. Technical analysis is based on the past, and Forex trading is based on where prices will go in the future. As such, there can be occasions in which price action moves in the opposite direction you were expecting, so you need to place your stop-losses correctly. Trading Forex has been something that is perceived by many as an art form more than a science.

That, luckily, cannot be further away from. There are many types of traders, from those professionally employed to retail traders hoping that they might turn a trading hobby into a lucrative income. Stock Brokers For Canadians Reviews On Top Brokerages And Our Top Pick! The Best Canadian Brokerage Firms of TD Direct Investing Third Open Account. Trading gold has gotten extremely popular in the last few years.

Gold was always a prized commodity and nowadays its seen as a safer place. Post author: Forex Rank Post category: Finance Blog. Finance Blog. Technical Analysis In Forex Trading. Forex Rank June 19, What Is Technical Analysis? Technical Analysis And Sentiment Analysis: A Close Combination.

Why Is Technical Analysis Important? Technical analysis is the only way to obtain key information if one wishes to trade with less risk: Identifying Trends. Identifying Supports And Resistances. What Makes Technical Analysis? Charts And Graphs Price Action. Technical Indicators. Chart Patterns. How Can You Perform Technical Analysis?

Using The Right Charts. Choosing Your Indicators. Studying Price Action For Known Patterns. Evaluating Key Levels For Placing Orders. Possible Disadvantages When Using Technical Analysis. General Tips in Technical Analysis in Forex Trading. You may find better success if you keep your screens as simple as possible. Use only the tools you deem in-disposable. All patterns and indicators work in all chart time frames, but some work better with short time windows and others are better with long ones.

Most brokers offer demo accounts, make sure to test all your tools on one before using them with real money. Like this article? Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share on Linkdin. Share on Pinterest. Forex Rank. Related Posts. A Simple Forex Swing Strategy No Comments. Best Canadian Brokerage Firms of No Comments. Best Forex Books No Comments. Forex Brokers That Trade Gold No Comments.

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It is basically the same as a Resistance Line Again most traders who are familiar with this pattern would try to Buy at the bottom of the head but it is a safer way to trade if you wait till confirmation that the Right Shoulder has formed and is looking to test the Neckline once again. There are three main types of moving averages: Simple, Exponential and Weighted. On the second buy signal the price drifted lower before moving up again. Keep a Printed Record. These charts may be useful for new traders, especially before learning more advanced charts, to learn the basics of chart reading.

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