Friday, July 31, 2009
Forex Day Trading
Should you even consider Forex day trading?
In the world of Forex trading, there are a special few (thousand) that have been playing with the day trade option for a long time. Their basic strategy is to minimise risk of the long view, liquidate resources and options before the market closes on the day and accumulate small increments in pips (percentage in points) over time to garner profits. While they might not make as much money as those who deal in larger amounts and take greater risks in the long view Forex trade, these men and women still do make a fair bit of money.
They are usually full time investors who work an average of 4 - 10 hours a day, and the day usually starts when the market opens at the place of their choice and ends somewhere towards the end of the day. By that time, they would be in a position to liquidate their margins and see how much they made or they lost.
Day trading or Forex day trading is something of a niche trading option and if you are a beginner in the market, I would heartily suggest that you do not try your hand at it until you have been investing in the paper trade for at least a couple of years. No doubt; it is a viable way for you to make money but it is 10x harder and 10x more complicated.
Firstly, you cannot beat those who have been doing this for a long time because they know exactly what to do to capture even the smallest price movements and quickly change their position according to a market psychology they know inside out. You, on the other hand, do not have any experience with this and will most likely be left breathless and the speed of the market, where price movements and exchange rates can move at the speed of a few hours to even a few minutes! Furthermore, you need to be able to sit down in front of your computer, with charts in hand, strategies in place and all the technical and fundamental analysis you have done for the week.
That is a minimum of 4 hours a day, and most investors recommend that you put in at least 6 hours to make your day at the market viable (unless there is a massive movement which causes you to garner plenty of pips early in the morning). If you are considering the Forex market as a part time option, then I would suggest that this would not be the most viable option.
You cannot waver; this is not a touch and go option, neither can you leave it to your broker, whose already diluted approach will make your profit potential decrease dramatically and anything you make will have to be dissected and distributed to them anyway. So what do you do? Don't consider Forex day trading. You need mastery over market psychology and behaviour as well as know what to look out for in the market. Give it a few months or even 2 years of knowing the market as intimately as possible.
Best Forex Secret
The Best Forex Trading Secret the Experts Won't Tell You
You do not have to be taken aback by the sheer size of the Forex market; though many are. Just to give you an idea of how big the market can be, the average turnover of the Forex market is actually a few trillion a day, with peaks of about 5 trillion on its especially busy days. Full time traders will be able to tell you that this is just a conservative number for the FX market, and the amount of money that is being traded everyday is sometimes equivalent to the sum total of perhaps several continental economies.
Make no mistake, the Forex market is one that has the potential and while the prudent will tell you that there is no one 'best Forex secret' out there, knowing how to manipulate the market is actually a sum total of hard work, technical analysis and having some tried and true strategies close to your desk.
The thing is, the only thing that can be actually considered as the best Forex trading secret - is hoarding information. It is information that is the one that drives the market on a daily basis and this is how the most successful traders get their profits everytime they trade, because they always go in prepared and knowing what the market is about to hold for them.
This is the secret of the market and the secret to making money on the FX market. There is no such thing as too much information because it is information dynamism and overload that drives market psychology and market movement on a daily basis. Just look at the principles of technical analysis.
There are so many things to look out for when looking at technical analysis charts and the very categories that can be placed under this form of speculation is simply enormous - so big that you need to pick out a good few and base you strategies on them. A look at some excellent Forex books will reveal whole volumes dedicated to technical analysis. Let's not forget about fundamental analysis, a diaspora tribe of information you need to sieve out an a daily basis.
Which economic activities should you be looking at, how can you get into the news of the movements and new policies of governments and central banks, political situations, world trade and even global tensions on bilateral ties. The amount of information is huge and then, we go on to knowing where the market has been, which would be studying past trends and making sense of them so you can juxtapose them on the market today.
Everything mentioned here is defined and characterised by information - data you need to survive in the market and this is how the experts have been doing so well. They know what information they need to know, have the channels opened and have the strategies and techniques in place. For many traders who know a little about the market, they know that information and knowledge about the market is the best Forex trading secret that is eluding the 90 percent.
You do not have to be taken aback by the sheer size of the Forex market; though many are. Just to give you an idea of how big the market can be, the average turnover of the Forex market is actually a few trillion a day, with peaks of about 5 trillion on its especially busy days. Full time traders will be able to tell you that this is just a conservative number for the FX market, and the amount of money that is being traded everyday is sometimes equivalent to the sum total of perhaps several continental economies.
Make no mistake, the Forex market is one that has the potential and while the prudent will tell you that there is no one 'best Forex secret' out there, knowing how to manipulate the market is actually a sum total of hard work, technical analysis and having some tried and true strategies close to your desk.
The thing is, the only thing that can be actually considered as the best Forex trading secret - is hoarding information. It is information that is the one that drives the market on a daily basis and this is how the most successful traders get their profits everytime they trade, because they always go in prepared and knowing what the market is about to hold for them.
This is the secret of the market and the secret to making money on the FX market. There is no such thing as too much information because it is information dynamism and overload that drives market psychology and market movement on a daily basis. Just look at the principles of technical analysis.
There are so many things to look out for when looking at technical analysis charts and the very categories that can be placed under this form of speculation is simply enormous - so big that you need to pick out a good few and base you strategies on them. A look at some excellent Forex books will reveal whole volumes dedicated to technical analysis. Let's not forget about fundamental analysis, a diaspora tribe of information you need to sieve out an a daily basis.
Which economic activities should you be looking at, how can you get into the news of the movements and new policies of governments and central banks, political situations, world trade and even global tensions on bilateral ties. The amount of information is huge and then, we go on to knowing where the market has been, which would be studying past trends and making sense of them so you can juxtapose them on the market today.
Everything mentioned here is defined and characterised by information - data you need to survive in the market and this is how the experts have been doing so well. They know what information they need to know, have the channels opened and have the strategies and techniques in place. For many traders who know a little about the market, they know that information and knowledge about the market is the best Forex trading secret that is eluding the 90 percent.
Leaders and Most Successful Traders
Forex:
Why Psychiatrists Make Better Traders Than Expert Economists?
It should be noted that millionaire traders, Elder, Williams and some others are in fact professional psychiatrists. And it is not accidental that not the economists are the leaders and most successful traders, but professional psychiatrists and psychotherapists. Think about it. You will become a successful trader when you understand why it happens with Forex. You will understand what your Forex mistakes are, and why you are making them. And when you correct these mistakes you will become a trader who has no psychological barriers and obstacles on his way to better earnings in the Forex market.
So, why do the psychiatrists make better traders than economists who, as one would think, have the Forex market at their finger tips?
The economists are confused by:
- the fact that exchange rates are not always related directly to the economic circumstances in the countries. Well, do you know any economist who would be bidding for low fx rates when the economic situation is getting better and better? Or the one who admits that technical analysis of currency pairs is more important for Forex trading than the fundamental one? Any economist is confident that this can never happen because he knows all the economic dogmas.
But it happens in the Forex. After all, how can a trader lose with the currencies moving up and down by the economic rules? The currency will surely react to the economic changes in the country, but who knows when and how? Here is a tip: there is the Elliott fifth way to teach a lesson to the ones who believe that fundamental knowledge is enough (before the trend turns, the currency spurts absurdly by the old trend), to confuse and draw the newbies into the game, while the experts wait for the trend to turn back.
- the lack of psychological knowledge that helps to understand the behavior of the crowd. And that is self-evident.
Are there any methods to overcome this fear?
It seems that every Forex book, every article offers efficient solutions for psychological difficulties experienced by the traders.
IN FACT NEITHER OF THESE BOOKS CONTAINS METHODS TO OVERCOME THE FEAR EXPERIENCED BY A FOREX TRADER!
But what do these books offer instead?
Almost every book of this kind consists of two unequal parts:
- the bigger part of the book narrates about traders' problem that interfere with their Forex work and make it unsuccessful (nervousness, doubts, worries, fear, sleep deprivation, etc.). As if the traders do not know their own problems.
- the considerably lesser part contains conclusions and recommendations to the traders who are to solve their problems and overcome their fears to become successful.
The conclusions are disappointing:
Many psychiatrists realize that the new field opens before their eyes - now they may treat traders whose number amounts to millions all over the world and is growing with every day. And since most traders have a dream to become as successful as George Soros and other famous traders, this new field promises to be rather lucrative.
One thing is bad though: the overwhelming majority of these new-sprung trader brain specialists do not even know what the Forex is all about.
Why Psychiatrists Make Better Traders Than Expert Economists?
It should be noted that millionaire traders, Elder, Williams and some others are in fact professional psychiatrists. And it is not accidental that not the economists are the leaders and most successful traders, but professional psychiatrists and psychotherapists. Think about it. You will become a successful trader when you understand why it happens with Forex. You will understand what your Forex mistakes are, and why you are making them. And when you correct these mistakes you will become a trader who has no psychological barriers and obstacles on his way to better earnings in the Forex market.
So, why do the psychiatrists make better traders than economists who, as one would think, have the Forex market at their finger tips?
The economists are confused by:
- the fact that exchange rates are not always related directly to the economic circumstances in the countries. Well, do you know any economist who would be bidding for low fx rates when the economic situation is getting better and better? Or the one who admits that technical analysis of currency pairs is more important for Forex trading than the fundamental one? Any economist is confident that this can never happen because he knows all the economic dogmas.
But it happens in the Forex. After all, how can a trader lose with the currencies moving up and down by the economic rules? The currency will surely react to the economic changes in the country, but who knows when and how? Here is a tip: there is the Elliott fifth way to teach a lesson to the ones who believe that fundamental knowledge is enough (before the trend turns, the currency spurts absurdly by the old trend), to confuse and draw the newbies into the game, while the experts wait for the trend to turn back.
- the lack of psychological knowledge that helps to understand the behavior of the crowd. And that is self-evident.
Are there any methods to overcome this fear?
It seems that every Forex book, every article offers efficient solutions for psychological difficulties experienced by the traders.
IN FACT NEITHER OF THESE BOOKS CONTAINS METHODS TO OVERCOME THE FEAR EXPERIENCED BY A FOREX TRADER!
But what do these books offer instead?
Almost every book of this kind consists of two unequal parts:
- the bigger part of the book narrates about traders' problem that interfere with their Forex work and make it unsuccessful (nervousness, doubts, worries, fear, sleep deprivation, etc.). As if the traders do not know their own problems.
- the considerably lesser part contains conclusions and recommendations to the traders who are to solve their problems and overcome their fears to become successful.
The conclusions are disappointing:
Many psychiatrists realize that the new field opens before their eyes - now they may treat traders whose number amounts to millions all over the world and is growing with every day. And since most traders have a dream to become as successful as George Soros and other famous traders, this new field promises to be rather lucrative.
One thing is bad though: the overwhelming majority of these new-sprung trader brain specialists do not even know what the Forex is all about.
Friday, July 24, 2009
'How To' Start Trading The Forex Market
HOW TO READ FOREX PRICE CHARTS?
Forex Price Charts, what DO they mean and HOW to use them?
Important numerous facts, such as discipline, trading rules, not being greedy etc., but one of the most important things is:
LEARN to read the charts as Charts represent the lifeblood of the market.
I admit that reading charts, and interpreting patterns, are more an art than a skill. Base and apply your entry and exit decisions on YOUR OWN combined methods of technical and fundamental analysis.
FOREX charts, are easier to interpret and to use.
They reflect a slower moving, stable economy of a country, compared to the stock market, with its daily drama of company reports, Wall Street Analysts and shareholder demands.
Unlike stocks, currency charts do not spend much time in trading ranges and have the tendency to develop strong trends. Furthermore, Forex with its 4 Mayor currencies is easier to analyze than tens of thousands of stocks.
(Mayor currencies are: USD/JPY, EUR/USD, GBP/USD and USD/CHF)
The complimentary FREE live charting software, with the ultimate cutting edge technology provided by http://www.fenixcapitalmanagement.com/ , will be absolutely sufficient for you to analyze and watch any one currency pair. Understanding just a few basic points about the technical analysis of currency charts can lead to increased profit potential.
Pricing - Price reflects the perceptions and action taken by the market participants. It is the dealing between buyers and sellers in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) or "interbank" market that creates price movement. Therefore, all fundamental factors are quickly discounted in price.
By studying the price charts, you are indirectly seeing the fundamental and market psychology all at once , after all the market is fed by two emotions - Greed and Fear - and once you understand that, then you begin to understand the psychology of the market and how it relates to the chart patterns.
Forex Price Charts, what DO they mean and HOW to use them?
Important numerous facts, such as discipline, trading rules, not being greedy etc., but one of the most important things is:
LEARN to read the charts as Charts represent the lifeblood of the market.
I admit that reading charts, and interpreting patterns, are more an art than a skill. Base and apply your entry and exit decisions on YOUR OWN combined methods of technical and fundamental analysis.
FOREX charts, are easier to interpret and to use.
They reflect a slower moving, stable economy of a country, compared to the stock market, with its daily drama of company reports, Wall Street Analysts and shareholder demands.
Unlike stocks, currency charts do not spend much time in trading ranges and have the tendency to develop strong trends. Furthermore, Forex with its 4 Mayor currencies is easier to analyze than tens of thousands of stocks.
(Mayor currencies are: USD/JPY, EUR/USD, GBP/USD and USD/CHF)
The complimentary FREE live charting software, with the ultimate cutting edge technology provided by http://www.fenixcapitalmanagement.com/ , will be absolutely sufficient for you to analyze and watch any one currency pair. Understanding just a few basic points about the technical analysis of currency charts can lead to increased profit potential.
Pricing - Price reflects the perceptions and action taken by the market participants. It is the dealing between buyers and sellers in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) or "interbank" market that creates price movement. Therefore, all fundamental factors are quickly discounted in price.
By studying the price charts, you are indirectly seeing the fundamental and market psychology all at once , after all the market is fed by two emotions - Greed and Fear - and once you understand that, then you begin to understand the psychology of the market and how it relates to the chart patterns.
Data Window Chart
FCM and most online charting stations, when you click on a price bar or candlestick, it will display a small box of data usually called a display window which will contain the following items:
H = Highest Price L = Lowest Price O = Opening Price C = Close Price (or Last Price)
The most common types of price bars, used in FOREX trading, are the Bar Chart and the Candlestick chart:
H = Highest Price L = Lowest Price O = Opening Price C = Close Price (or Last Price)
The most common types of price bars, used in FOREX trading, are the Bar Chart and the Candlestick chart:
Bars Charts
Price bars are a linear representation (a line) of a period of time. This enables the viewer to see a graphic representation summarizing the activity of a specific time frame.
As an example, I use 10 minutes, 60 minutes and daily time interval for my systems. Each bar has similar characteristics and tells the viewer several important pieces of information.
First, the highest point of the bar represents the highest price that was achieved during that time period. The lowest point of the bar represents the lowest price during the same period. Regular bars display a small dot on the left side of the bar which represents the opening price of the period and the small dot on the right side represents the closing price of the period.
As an example, I use 10 minutes, 60 minutes and daily time interval for my systems. Each bar has similar characteristics and tells the viewer several important pieces of information.
First, the highest point of the bar represents the highest price that was achieved during that time period. The lowest point of the bar represents the lowest price during the same period. Regular bars display a small dot on the left side of the bar which represents the opening price of the period and the small dot on the right side represents the closing price of the period.
Candlesticks
Japanese Candlesticks, or simply Candlesticks as they are now known, are used to represent the same information as Price bars. The only difference is that the difference between the open and close form the body of a box which is displayed with a color inside. A red color means that the close was lower than the open, and the blue color represents that the close was higher than the open.
If the box has a line going up from the box it represents the high and is called the wick. If the box has a line going down from the box, it represents the low and is called the tail.
Many interpretations can be made from these "candlesticks" and many books have been written on the art of interpreting these bars.
If the box has a line going up from the box it represents the high and is called the wick. If the box has a line going down from the box, it represents the low and is called the tail.
Many interpretations can be made from these "candlesticks" and many books have been written on the art of interpreting these bars.
Chart Intervals & Time Frames
A chart Time Scale & Period, or time frame, basically refers to the duration of time that passes between the OPEN and the CLOSE of a bar or candlestick.
For instance, with your broker software, you will be able to view a currency pair, in a 1-hour time frame over a 2-day period, 5-day period, 10-day period, 20-day period and 30- day period.
Most of the short-term time intervals (5-min and 1-min charts) are used for entry and exit points and the longer- term time intervals (1-hour and daily charts) are used to see where the general trend is.
For instance, with your broker software, you will be able to view a currency pair, in a 1-hour time frame over a 2-day period, 5-day period, 10-day period, 20-day period and 30- day period.
Most of the short-term time intervals (5-min and 1-min charts) are used for entry and exit points and the longer- term time intervals (1-hour and daily charts) are used to see where the general trend is.
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