VARAUSD Additional Bullish SignalsOn the monthly a rare green dot has appeared on the Monthly chart. With the channels remaining open and no indication of a red dot a reversal to the upside is statistically more likely than a continuation. Plus the lower price point is a retest of support. Also a massive order wall exists just above $0.02. And lastly, these signals are present in multiple correlates assets. Each of my posts show clear evidense a reversal has already occurred. It is BTC that has the alt coins sitting on the sidelines.
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Stock Of The Day / 12.19.24 / OMER12.19.2024 / NASDAQ:OMER
Fundamentals. Growth on the back of positive results from a treatment trial.
Technical analysis.
Daily chart: A pullback on an uptrend after a long accumulation. Strong daily level 12.00 is ahead, which stopped the upward movement at the end of November.
Premarket: Gap Up by 30% on moderate volume.
Trading session: After the opening, we observe a trending upward movement with confirmation of the 12.00 level. We observe a volume output that is twice the volume at the beginning of the trading session some time after the breakout of the 12.00 level. This may serve as a signal for the trend to be exhausted. We consider a short deal in case of a return below the 12.00 level.
Trading scenario: false breakout with retest of level 12.00
Entry: 11.78 on the breakdown of the structure of the mini-tightening after the breakout and retest of level 12.00.
Stop: 12.06 we hide it behind the level with a reserve for slippage.
Exit: Close part of the position before the level of the first pullback 10.60 (RR 1/4), close the remaining part of the position upon return and holding above the level of 10.60 (RR 1/4).
Risk Reward: 1/4
Analyzing Market Trends and FED Interest Rate Decisions "SPX"The daily chart above highlights FED interest rate cut decisions with vertical lines. I've used the DJI ticker instead of SPX, as it provides a more comprehensive representation of the overall market, unaffected by the dominance of the Magnificent Seven.
My analysis focuses on monthly candle peaks (indicating overbought conditions) and lows (indicating oversold conditions), as well as direction reversals. This cycle repeats, forming higher highs and higher lows. By identifying these patterns, we can determine the market direction, which is either trending upward (green) or downward (red).
Now we know the direction where the market is heading. Its either trending to form a new higher high OR new higher low.
With that understanding, when we plot vertical lines on FED decision days, the direction has not changed. HOWEVER, the decision is accelerating the market direction to its targeted price(either higher high or higher low).
The above guidance is for swing traders for a duration of about 2/3 weeks. Intraday traders can benefit this by looking at days high and low before decision announcement and knowing where the market is generally headed.
As a trader, I utilize custom-built screener tables that cascade data across multiple timeframes and stocks/sectors. This unique approach provides a fascinating big-picture perspective, highlighting strong stocks and sectors.
Reach out to me OR follow me for further insights.
Happy Trading!!
Breakout-reversal level entryAs you can see from the analysis we had a range that was broken below which created a double bottom( neckline as our Resistance), then price broke above and respected our resistance which caused us to have a New Support, which means we have a new level we can trade at. Price broke out and reversed towards the New Support, which is where I entered my trade and made some profits. So all in all, it's important to use your levels to look for entries, don't use levels that are not respected by the market also wait for the market to reached your setup and don't chase it.
If you would like more detailed tutorials like these comment below so I can post more
Trading AUDUSD and NZDUSD | Judas Swing Strategy 16/12/2024Last week was a slow period for trading with the Judas Swing strategy. We were presented with only two trading opportunities on GBPUSD and AUDUSD, resulting in a win and a loss respectively, yielding a 1% gain for the week. With that in mind, we are eager to explore the opportunities that may arise this week.
For the Judas Swing strategy, we focus on identifying setups on the following trading pairs: AUDUSD, NZDUSD, GBPUSD and EURUSD. At 09:30 EST, the market swept liquidity on the sell side of AUDUSD, signalling potential buying opportunities for the session. Shortly after, a similar sweep occurred on the sell side for NZDUSD signalling potential buying opportunities for this currency pair as well. Now, all we need is a break of structure to the buy side. After patiently waiting, we identified similar setups on both AUDUSD and NZDUSD, which are closely correlated pairs, often moving in tandem due to their economic ties and similar market influences.
Following the break of structure (BOS), price retraced into the Fair Value Gap (FVG). Once the candle closed, both pairs met the entry criteria outlined in our checklist, allowing us to execute our trades.
The AUDUSD trade hit take profit (TP) with minimal drawdown, delivering a 2% return in just 55 minutes. Meanwhile, the NZDUSD trade on the other hand came close to hitting TP but experienced a slight retracement that temporarily delayed reaching the target
We revisited the NZDUSD position, and once again, it edged closer to the TP only to retrace again, frustrating, isn’t it? That’s the nature of trading, it takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. This is why it’s crucial to only risk what you can afford to lose, ensuring you can manage these emotions effectively.
After patiently waiting, our perseverance paid off as the NZDUSD trade finally hit TP after 8 hours and 25 minutes, rewarding us with a 2% return. Combined with the AUDUSD trade, we were up 4% on Monday an incredible way to kick off the week!
Options Indicator Explained - so you can SEE what you tradeEver since we created this indicator back around 2020 on the TradingView platform it is so far the best platform for our analysis, research, coding, and development of different trading tools. This was 4 years ago, but we have been with TradingView almost for a decade !
The whole concept of this indicator came when a long time ago we read the big big book of options, and could not understand how come the stock price moved up but our calls are losing money ! Yes, we have been there too. And then came this indicator to life. We don't make a trade without it ever since. If you saw the video, you clearly know why.
Let's delve into some key concepts that can elevate your trading game:
### 1. Visualizing Profit and Loss
One of the most powerful tools in an options trader's arsenal is the ability to plot profit and loss lines on a chart. This visualization helps you understand the time decay of the options you buy or sell. By seeing how your potential profits or losses change over time, you can make more informed decisions about when to enter or exit trades.
### 2. Moving Beyond the Greeks
The Greeks—Delta, Gamma, Theta, and Vega—are often emphasized in options trading, but their standalone value can be limited. What truly matters is how these metrics impact your profit and loss curvature. Think of it like driving a car: while an acceleration meter provides some information, what you really need is the speedometer and a clear view of the road. Focusing on the profit and loss curves allows you to grasp the real impact of these factors on your trades.
### 3. Identifying Pivot Points
By observing profit and loss lines, you gain insights into optimal entry and exit points. Placing trades at pivot points can enhance your reward-to-risk ratios. Certain options offer generous room for stop-loss placement and quick profits if you choose pivot points where price rejections are likely. Seeing these lines helps confirm that your trading idea has a high probability of success.
### 4. Conducting Volatility Simulations
Professional volatility testing with your indicator is crucial. It allows you to anticipate how changes in volatility will affect your options' profit and loss. Each case is unique and dependent on the underlying stock, so it's vital to have contingency plans and avoid trading blindly. You must always take into account that the volatility can drop or rise against you, and you need to see that even if it happens, you will still be okay, and not be a dreamer. Reality is everything, trade realistically.
### 5. Timing Your Trades
Boost your performance by understanding how much profit you can lose (when buying options) or gain (when selling options) over the duration of your trade. This knowledge helps you make better timing decisions and manage your trades more effectively while you are inside the trade. In some trades you can clearly see that you just don't have the time to survive a correction and then wait for the next pulse wave to come and save you, you can see clearly that it is better to take profit today, since you just do not have enough time for a correction and a bounce back to the current profitable price. In options, what it is profitable today is NOT profitable tomorrow. I show you this in the video.
### 6. Simplifying with Profit Lines
You don't need to rely heavily on the Greeks anymore. Profit lines already account for these metrics, freeing your mind to focus on price action. This approach eliminates the confusion often associated with the non-linear behavior of options, rooted in complex models like Black-Scholes.
### 7. The Black-Scholes Model and Implied Volatility
Understanding the Black-Scholes model and implied volatility is fundamental. These concepts help you grasp how options are priced and how market conditions can impact their value. Using the indicator, you don't need even to know who or what is the Black-Scholes Model, since it does all the work and heavy lifting for you, by plotting you exactly what you truly need... Where you make a profit, where you will make a loss, and how much (profit lines).
### 8. In the Money vs. Out of the Money
Knowing the difference between "in the money" and "out of the money" options is crucial. In-the-money options have intrinsic value, while out-of-the-money options are more speculative and rely on price movements to become profitable.
### 9. Short-Term vs. Long-Term Options
Short-term call options offer quick potential gains but come with higher risks due to time decay. Long-term call options, on the other hand, provide more time for your trade to work out, reducing the impact of time decay but often requiring a larger capital investment. I show a clear example in the video.
### 10. Maintaining Reward-to-Risk Ratios
You should make sure you always maintain the reward-to-risk ratios in your favor BEFORE you enter the trade, this is what keeps you in the game and makes you thrive and not just survive. Do you think they let a pilot to land an airplane, just with his "gut feeling" or do they give them an indicator to SEE the runway? If you don't see your profit and loss lines, you don't see the runway when you land your plane. We've all seen those wallstreetbets BLIND crash landings in options and know how they end before they started. This can and should be avoided, always know your risk, and your potential reward.
### 11. Proof of Accuracy
Finally, reliable indicators provide proof of accuracy, showing you the same profit or loss you'd experience given stock movements and implied volatility changes. This consistency gives you confidence in your trades, eliminating confusion and preventing unexpected losses.
In the end of the video, there is proof of the accuracy, that the indicator in did shows you the same profit or loss you will have in the position, given the stock movement and implied volatility changes, so you can rest assured that your landing indicator will not surprise you no matter the weather, you will have full control on your options trade. No more the feeling of confusion and then your fast profit crushes to zero or even a loss and you don't know why.
Master these concepts, and you'll have a robust framework for navigating the complexities of options trading with precision and confidence.
Bullish Market structure Rules *A bullish market structure is defined as a structure that forms a series of Higher highs (HH) and Higher lows (HL)
What can we expect on a Bullish market structure?
*Price has to break previous HH and respect previous HL
*We should be expecting BUYS on discounted prices
How can i identify discounted prices?
-You can use Gann box
-You can use Fib Tool
-Anything below 50% is considered "Discounted price"
-Order block below 50% level
I personally use the FIB tool 71.8%-78.8% levels. that's where i look for trend change.
How do you identify valid trend change?
* Reply in comment sections
The illustration highlights the recent BTC market structure.
Two Types of UptrendsSony Group (6758) - Weekly Chart
There are two types of uptrends within an overall upward trend.
This statement might sound confusing at first.
What I mean is that there are "easy-to-understand" uptrends and "difficult" uptrends.
The chart shows two blue circles.
Which one represents an easy-to-understand chart, and which one represents a difficult chart?
Opinions might differ, but I feel the chart on the left is easy to understand, while the one on the right is more difficult.
The reason is that on the left, the pullback buying (buying on dips) continues, and there are no clear exit points.
On the other hand, the right side ultimately trends upward, but the trend doesn't sustain, making it hard to hold a position.
So, how should we deal with such situations?
Since this is a weekly chart, one option is to monitor it with a swing trading approach using the daily chart.
However, when faced with a difficult chart, you also have the option of walking away from that stock instead of forcing a strategy.
Focusing on finding easy-to-read charts and trading only in straightforward situations can often lead to better results.
Keep in mind that this is one way to think about trading.
How to PROTECT your profits while letting them runIn the trading business you need to let your profits run while also managing your risks that means to cut your losses short.
Losses of unrealized profits are real profits that are lost. What if you could save them?
Well, there is a way...
It is not always available but it is one you want to know since if you can save 3 points of wiggle room and pay 1 point or less, over the long run it adds up to HUGE chunk of profit to your bottom line.
The reason I applied this method is because TSLA was doing 3 days in a row a push and gap up, so it seems likely people will want to take profits... but this is TSLA... it can shoot up above 500 and reach who knows where... (she did it before...).
So I want to TAKE MY HUGE profit, while giving it the option to continue to the moon, if it will want to do so...
You can never take the very top anyway, so if you "give back" 1 point of profit it is considered reasonable, but if in case the price falls down sharply or gapped down I can give back maybe 3 points with this strength of volatility, which is undesireable.
So what I did?
I sold the PUT option at strike 470 at a price of $15 (my point was $17) so for me it is even less than a point so it is very attractive deal to me...
Then... if the price had crushed down it meant for me that I sold my stocks at a price of 470 while paying the hedge cost of the PUT option of 15 so it is equivalent to me that I sold my stock at a price of 455, which is ALMOST the top. Making sure ~90% of the profit stays in my pocket. So I WIN.
If the price would continue to shoot up, then I making SUPER HUGE MONEY, while sleeping like a baby, that I already realized my HUGE profit. So I WIN.
So either way, I WIN !
Since the price did not crushed the next day and hold, and my stop loss advanced, so there was no longer need to my PUT option hedge since if price will fall I will get out with the stop loss with the same profit. So I sold the PUT hedge for a small loss, so the hedge cost me 0.25 a point overall. SUPER WORTH IT !
FYI, this comes from years of experience, but I give you some of my experience, you could do it too.
The moral of the story... when you have HUGE profit, and you feel itchy to take profit, don't ! and try to hedge yourself with options ! this way, if you were wrong and you have GME, AMC on your hand, you don't let them go, and you WIN either way ! Sleeping like a baby.
How Often Do Professional Traders Actually Trade?One of the biggest misconceptions in trading is the belief that successful traders are constantly active in the market. Many imagine professionals glued to their screens, executing trade after trade, chasing every price movement. The reality is much different. Professional traders focus more on quality than quantity. They understand that in the world of trading, less is often more.
The Pitfalls of Over-Trading
Over-trading is one of the most common reasons traders struggle, particularly beginners. There’s a certain allure to being “in the action,” and it’s easy to confuse frequent trading with productivity. However, every time you take a position, you are exposing your account to risk. Without a solid reason for entering, backed by a clear trading edge, trading becomes nothing more than gambling.
Amateur traders often fall into this trap. They believe that the more they trade, the faster they will achieve their goals. But what they fail to realize is that over-trading often leads to poor decision-making, over-leveraging, and emotional trading—all of which can quickly deplete a trading account.
Professional traders take the opposite approach. They know that the market will always present opportunities, and there’s no need to chase every move. Instead, they focus on patiently waiting for setups that align with their proven strategies, where they have a clear edge. This disciplined approach minimizes unnecessary risk and maximizes profitability over the long term.
The Foundation of Success: Mastering One Strategy
Professional traders don’t rely on luck or randomness to succeed. Their consistency comes from mastering a specific trading strategy. Instead of dabbling in multiple approaches, they dedicate time and effort to understanding and refining one methodology. This gives them the ability to quickly identify high-quality setups that fit their criteria.
For example, some traders specialize in price action trading, focusing on candlestick patterns and market structure to guide their decisions. Others might rely on Elliott Waves or fundamental analysis. The key is that they don’t deviate from their chosen method, and they don’t let market noise distract them.
By sticking to one strategy, professional traders also develop a deep understanding of how it performs under different market conditions. This reduces uncertainty and helps them avoid impulsive trades, which often stem from frustration or fear of missing out (FOMO).
Patience and Discipline: The Cornerstones of Professional Trading
Patience is arguably the most underrated skill in trading. While it’s easy to talk about, it’s much harder to practice, especially for beginners who feel pressured to “do something” whenever the market moves. Professionals, however, are comfortable sitting on the sidelines for extended periods if necessary.
They understand that waiting for the right opportunity is far more valuable than being constantly active. This patience stems from experience and the knowledge that not every market movement is worth trading. Many professionals only trade a few times a week, or even less, because they’re selective about the setups they act on.
Discipline complements patience. It’s one thing to recognize a good trading opportunity, but it’s another to follow through with proper execution. Professional traders have strict plans in place, outlining their entry, stop loss, and target levels. They don’t deviate from these plans, even when emotions or market conditions tempt them to.
This disciplined approach ensures that their trading decisions are consistent and not influenced by short-term emotions or irrational impulses.
Trading Frequency: How Often Do Professionals Trade?
The frequency of trades among professionals varies, but those who achieve consistent success often lean towards less frequent trading. Swing traders, who operate on daily or 4-hour charts, might place only a handful of trades each week or even month. Positional traders take this approach even further, sometimes executing just a few well-considered trades per year.
The common denominator among these traders is their selectivity. They don’t trade for the sake of trading. Instead, every position they take is deliberate, guided by a well-defined setup that aligns with their strategy. For them, trading less frequently doesn’t mean missing out—it means focusing on high-probability opportunities while avoiding unnecessary risks.
One reason professionals favor fewer trades is their preference for higher timeframes. Daily and 4-hour charts provide a clearer, more reliable perspective on the market, filtering out the noise and unpredictability of smaller timeframes. This approach allows them to make informed, calculated decisions and avoid the stress and over-analysis that come with constant market monitoring.
The Power of Quality Over Quantity
One of the most important lessons in trading is that quality matters far more than quantity. Professional traders know this, which is why they prioritize high-probability setups over constant activity.
They view trading as a long-term game, where consistency is the goal. Every trade they take has a clear reason behind it, supported by their strategy and risk management rules. They don’t trade for excitement or to “make up” for losses. Instead, they focus on making the right decisions at the right time.
For aspiring traders, the message is simple: slow down. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that more trades equal more success. Take the time to master one strategy, be patient for quality setups, and stay disciplined in your execution.
Conclusion
Professional forex trading is about precision, not frequency. By trading less often and focusing on high-quality setups, professionals minimize risk and maximize their chances of success. They’ve learned to embrace patience and discipline, understanding that trading isn’t about chasing every move—it’s about waiting for the right opportunities and making the most of them.
If you’re serious about becoming a successful trader, it’s time to rethink the idea that you need to be constantly active. Take a step back, refine your strategy, and remember: the best traders know when to trade and, just as importantly, when not to.
Stock Of The Day / 12.18.24 / NUKK12.18.2024 / NASDAQ:NUKK
Fundamentals. Second day of growth on the news of the acquisition.
Technical analysis.
Daily chart: Exit upwards from the annual accumulation.
Premarket: Range movement on increased volume.
Main session: We observe a confident upward movement at the beginning of the session after holding the previous day's high level 17.66. After acceleration and the formation of the top of 34.00, the price begins to tighten to the level of 23.00 against the upward movement. We consider a long trade to continue the movement in case the structure of the tightening is broken upward.
Trading scenario: #pullback along the trend (#false tightening) to the level 23.00
Entry: 24.45 on the breakout of the tightening structure and an upward exit on increased volume.
Stop: 22.69 we hide behind the level with a reserve for slippage.
Exit: Close part of the position before the level of 34.00 (RR1/5), close the rest of the position on the return candle after the trading halted at 1:30 p.m. (RR 1/15).
Trade potential: 1/15
P.S. Today's has shown a clear advantage of trading "In Play" stocks. Despite the fact that the market fell by 3%, NUKK did not notice this and continued to go one's own way, demonstrating significant growth and a very technical nature of the movement.
Trading Gold on lower TF. Educational only. Very recent.Here is another example of trading on the very low time frame. I was live here trading and I had 2 Short positions, one of which I close during the video.
I would not say that being on the very low TF's is better. But what it does allow for is to see the way price is moving in the lead-up to the low timeframes 1-15 minutes. Down on the very low TF's you will see the same patterns and formation just like the higher TF's, lots of D/tops, D/bottoms and even the 1 second has these patterns.
I think its an advantage to be on very low timeframes when trading things like Heads n Shoulders patterns because you can see what is happening in the price action.
For example, say you are waiting for price to move up to the neckline where the pattern may trigger your Long and you are on the 1 minute timeframe, but you see that price is ever so gently receding and moving back down. Well, I would drop to the very low timeframes all the way down to 1 second. Now back to our example, on the 1 second TF I see a double top and because we are on the 1 sec things will move a bit faster.
However, I have confirmed why price is moving back a bit on the 1 miute. The very low TF's confirm that price is moving down a bit due to a Double top forming, so I do not worry so much and I wait until the D/top plays out and then my pattern on the 1-5 minutes will hopefully stay in play.
How to Trade Lower Liquidity Festive MarketsWith the festive season upon us, there tends to be a natural decline in trading activity as many market participants step away to enjoy the holidays. This change in rhythm creates unique market dynamics, offering traders an opportunity to observe and adapt to a different set of conditions.
Liquidity often decreases during this time, which can influence price behaviour, spreads, and volatility. Understanding these shifts can help you approach the markets with greater awareness and flexibility, whether you decide to trade actively or simply observe from the sidelines.
What Happens in Lower Liquidity Markets?
Lower liquidity means there are fewer buyers and sellers actively participating in the market. As a result, price movements can become less predictable. Even a relatively small order can cause larger-than-expected moves, creating the potential for heightened volatility.
Spreads—particularly in less-traded instruments—may also widen, increasing transaction costs. This is something to keep an eye on, especially if you trade in smaller-cap stocks, emerging market currencies, or commodities with seasonal demand swings.
However, it’s not all about increased volatility and wider spreads. Lower liquidity can also bring periods of calm to typically active markets, especially in the absence of major news or data releases.
Adapting to the Festive Markets
The key to navigating festive markets is adaptability. Here are some practical tips to help you stay on top of your trading this Christmas:
1. Focus on Major Markets and Instruments
During periods of reduced liquidity, larger markets like major currency pairs or blue-chip stocks tend to remain more stable than smaller, niche instruments. Staying with these higher-liquidity markets can reduce the risk of unexpected price swings.
2. Be Selective with Trades
The festive season isn’t the time to chase every opportunity. Instead, focus on high-quality setups and avoid overtrading. Patience can be your biggest asset when market conditions are unpredictable.
3. Adjust Your Risk Management
Lower liquidity markets can lead to greater volatility, which means a single price move might reach your stop-loss or take-profit levels more quickly than expected. Consider adjusting your position sizes or widening your stop-loss levels to account for this. That said, any changes to your risk management approach should align with your overall trading strategy.
4. Keep an Eye on Key Levels
In quieter markets, price tends to gravitate towards well-defined support and resistance levels. These levels often become even more significant, as fewer participants can break through them.
5. Pay Attention to News Events
Even during the festive season, economic data releases and news events can spark movement. With fewer participants, the impact of these events may be amplified, so it’s worth staying informed.
Useful Indicators for Festive Markets
Using technical indicators can provide added clarity in lower liquidity conditions. Here are some tools to consider:
• ATR (Average True Range): ATR can help you gauge market volatility. During low-liquidity periods, rising ATR values may signal increased volatility, while falling ATR values might indicate a quieter market.
• Volume: Monitoring volume is crucial to understand the strength of price moves. During the festive period, lower volume is expected, but an unusual spike can indicate genuine interest in a breakout or trend.
• Anchored VWAP: Anchored VWAP (Volume-Weighted Average Price) is a helpful tool for identifying key levels where trading volume has concentrated. Anchoring the VWAP to significant events, such as the start of the festive trading period, can provide dynamic support or resistance levels.
• Keltner Channels: These are particularly useful for managing trades. Setting Keltner Channels to 2.5 ATR around a 20-day exponential moving average (standard settings) can help identify overextended moves. For instance, if the price breaks above the upper channel in a long trade, it may be a good signal to take profits into strength.
Example: S&P 500
On the S&P 500, we can observe some classic festive market behaviour. While daily volume has remained steady, ATR has been declining since Thanksgiving, dropping to levels not seen since the summer. This suggests the market is consolidating near broken resistance—a key level—aligned with the Keltner Channel’s basis.
Just below this area lies the VWAP anchored to the November swing low, creating a zone of confluent support that could attract higher levels of liquidity.
S&P 500 Daily Candle Chart
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results
Summary:
The festive season introduces a unique set of market conditions that can challenge even experienced traders. Whether you choose to trade actively or observe from the sidelines, understanding how reduced liquidity affects price behaviour is key to navigating these quieter markets.
By focusing on major instruments, refining your risk management, and leveraging key technical indicators like ATR, volume, Anchored VWAP, and Keltner Channels, you can adapt to the rhythm of the season and make the most of what the markets offer during this period.
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. 82.67% 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.
Silver Bullet Strategy AUDUSD | 17/12/2024At 9:55 EST, we arrived at our trading desk to scout for trades using silver bullet strategy. We focused on these pairs EURUSD, AUDUSD, GBPUSD, and USDCAD, hoping to get favorable trading conditions during the session.
After 15 minutes, our first FVG formed on GBPUSD, indicating a buying opportunity when price retraces into the FVG on this currency pair. Five minutes later, a similar setup to that which formed on GBPUSD appeared on USDCAD as well indicating that we also look for buying opportunities on this pair when we get a retrace into the FVG. Shortly, a FVG formed on AUDUSD, suggesting a selling opportunity when the price retraces into the newly formed FVG.
Immediately after identifying the FVG on AUDUSD, the next candle entered the FVG fulfilling all the requirements for our entry criteria. We executed the trade and monitored the other pairs to check if any of them met the entry criteria. However, none of them had at that time, so we entered one trade and waited to see others would give us an entry.
We had only 25 minutes to enter the two other setups we observed, otherwise, we would not be able to take those trades due to our trade deadline being at 11:00 EST. We checked USDCAD and realized we got a retrace, but it failed to go lower to give us an entry, so we did nothing. A similar situation was encountered on GBPUSD.
We failed to get an entry on the other pairs, however, the positive aspect was that our trade on AUDUSD was progressing well in our intended direction. After waiting a while, we checked on the position again to assess its performance only to realize it had retraced back to our entry point. An ideal situation? No, but this was the reality, we remained unfazed because we had only risked an amount we were comfortable losing.
The trade consolidated around our entry price for a while, but we were in no rush. We had three options:
1. Trade reaches the take profit
2. The trade hits the stop loss
3. We manually close the trades at 16:00 EST
These are the rules we have on our checklist and we intend to stick by them
This trade neither hit our TP nor SL, so we decided to manually close it at 16:00 EST for a small profit, which we’re perfectly okay with. Remember, simply following your trading rules is a win on its own. Your rules exist for a reason!
The Secret Gann Code: Predict Intraday Highs and Lows with TIMEIn the trading world, most market participants focus solely on price while overlooking the critical element that governs market movements: time. Time is fixed, immutable, and unaffected by external manipulation, unlike price, which can be influenced by institutions and market forces. By understanding the concept that "time is fixed, price is an illusion," traders can unlock a method to predict intraday highs and lows with unparalleled precision. This is the essence of the Gann Astro methodology, which reveals the market's natural rhythm and turning points based on time.
The power of time-based analysis lies in its ability to expose market manipulation and predict market moves before they happen. Time, unlike price, is the key to decoding the market clock and identifying the exact moments when highs and lows form. With a deeper understanding of this principle, traders can remove guesswork, anticipate market movements, and align themselves with the forces that govern price delivery algorithms. The result is a disciplined, research-backed approach that replaces gambling behavior with a structured trading edge, offering a new perspective on intraday market success.
Most traders fail in the market because they only focus on PRICE. However, according to W.D. Gann's principles, TIME is MORE IMPORTANT THAN PRICE. Big institutions can manipulate price movements, but TIME is a fixed entity that cannot be altered.
The attached graph illustrates a fundamental yet overlooked concept:
Y-Axis → TIME
X-Axis → PRICE
In reality, every high or low in the market is pre-determined by TIME, not price. Gann's Astro methods use planetary positions, ascendants, and advanced mathematical calculations to predict EXACTLY when the next HIGH or LOW will form in intraday markets.
Key Insights:
1. TIME as the Guiding Factor:
- The market operates like a clock, where each move happens ON TIME.
- Highs and lows form according to fixed celestial cycles, not random price moves.
2. Price Delivery Algorithm:
- Price follows a delivery system that respects TIME.
- Without understanding TIME, traders become gamblers.
3.Intraday Gann Astro Example:
- With calculations based on ascendant planetary alignments, TIME of specific turning points in intraday markets can be predicted.
- Example from the chart:
- At (2,1), a TIME-driven HIGH forms.
- At (4,-1), a LOW forms based on pre-determined calculations.
4.What Gann Astro Does Differently:
- Combines planetary positions and mathematics to forecast turning points.
- Helps traders trade WITH CONFIDENCE instead of guessing.
- Predict highs/lows hours before they happen.
Now here is the Gann Intraday Trade Example on CAPITALCOM:US100 .
You can clearly see on the chart that the TIME for the price reversal was already calculated using the secret Gann Astro principles and advanced mathematics. I precisely identified the reversal time at 07:45, and you can verify this on the software screen. This highlights the power of time-based analysis, where price movements align perfectly with pre-determined time calculations, offering a clear edge in the market.
And now observe when the price was delivered — it formed a strong reversal precisely at the TIME I calculated, 07:45. Is this just a coincidence? Absolutely not. This is the real way the market algorithm delivers price. TIME IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PRICE, and this proves the unmatched accuracy of time-based analysis over conventional price-focused methods.
Why Traders Lose Without TIME Knowledge:
1. Traders rely on price patterns, indicators, and technical setups, ignoring the foundational concept of TIME.
2. TIME is constant and unchangeable, while price can be manipulated.
3. Without mastering TIME, traders are reactive instead of predictive.
Here’s another LIVE trade executionon OANDA:XAUUSD I successfully completed this week, profiting $3,125 . The trade was precisely calculated 5 hours in advance, demonstrating the power of Gann Intraday Astro Trading. There is nothing else in the trading space that comes close to this level of precision and accuracy.
Below, I’ve outlined the step-by-step analysis of my LIVE trade on GOLD using the Gann Astro principles and advanced mathematical calculations. This is a testament to how TIME, not just price, drives market movements, allowing you to predict turning points with exceptional accuracy.
The chart clearly demonstrates how I calculated the price reversal a solid 4-5 hours in advance using the Gann Intraday Astro technique. The exact time of reversal was determined to be 6:45, purely based on TIME. Watch closely as I executed the trade relying solely on this precise calculation. This is further proof that TIME is the real driver, while PRICE remains an illusion manipulated by the market.
LIVE TRADE ENETRY - TIME IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PRICE
What? Shocked? Clear your mind because this is the real way of trading, whether in swing or intraday. If you're not applying this, you're just gambling with no clue about what you're doing in the market. Those useless indicators and strategies that revolve solely around PRICE will only mislead you. The real truth lies in TIME, not PRICE—because TIME is fixed, and PRICE is just an illusion manipulated by the market.
I don’t know if TradingView will recommend this idea to people, but honestly, it’s worth far more than the garbage that gets posted here—signals, scams, and all those misleading strategies that do nothing but trap people in a gambling mindset.
If you’re reading this, let yourself know that you’re in the right place. Save this, share this, and help boost it so that this idea can reach more people and guide them toward learning the real way of trading in the market.
If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to comment below. You can also reach out to me—links are below this post, in my bio, or via private message here on TradingView. Let’s trade smart, not gamble!
Did you Know ?!!!Did you really think that profiting from the current bull run (a comprehensive upward market) would be easy? Don't be naive. Do you think they will let you buy, hold, and sell at low levels without any struggle? If it were that simple, everyone would be rich. But the truth is: 90% of you will lose. Why? Because the crypto market is not designed for everyone to win. They will shake you. They will make you doubt everything. They will panic you and sell at the worst possible moment. Do you know what happens next? The best players in this game buy when there is fear, not sell; because your panic gives them cheap assets. This is how the game goes: strong hands feed off weak hands. They exaggerate every dip, every correction, every sale. They make it look like the end of the world so that you abandon everything, and when the market starts up again, you'll sit there saying, "What the heck just happened?" This is not an accident. It's a system. The market rewards patience and punishes weak emotions. The big players already know your thoughts. They know exactly when and how to stir fear to make you give up. Because when you panic, they profit. They don't play the market. They play you. That's why most people never succeed. Because they fall into the same traps over and over again. People don't realize that dips, FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt), and panic are all part of the plan. But the winners? They digest the noise. They know that fear is temporary, but smart decisions last forever. We've seen this hundreds of times. They pump the market after you sell. They take your assets, hold them, and sell them to you at the top, leaving you with nothing, wondering how it happened. Don't play their game. Play your own.
Pride Comes Before the Fall: A Trading Lesson in HumilityIn trading, as in life, pride can be your undoing. The saying “Pride comes before the fall” holds a profound lesson for traders who let overconfidence cloud their judgment. While confidence is an essential trait for success, excessive pride often leads to reckless decision-making, ignored warnings, and ultimately, significant losses.
This post explores the dangers of pride in trading and how maintaining humility can safeguard your capital and enhance your decision-making process.
The Dangers of Pride in Trading
1. Overconfidence in Winning Streaks
Few things inflate a trader's ego like a winning streak. When every trade seems to go in your favor, it's tempting to believe you've mastered the market. However, markets are dynamic and unforgiving.
- Overconfidence may lead you to take larger positions, abandon risk management strategies, or ignore market signals.
- A single unexpected move can erase gains and even wipe out your account.
2. Refusal to Admit Mistakes
Pride can prevent traders from accepting when a trade idea is wrong. This often results in:
- Holding onto losing trades longer than necessary.
- Averaging down into bad positions, magnifying losses.
- Ignoring stop-loss levels because of a belief that the market will "come back."
3. Chasing "Revenge Trades"
After a loss, pride might push you to recover your losses immediately by doubling down on risk. Revenge trading is driven by emotions rather than logic, often leading to bigger losses.
4. Ignoring the Bigger Picture
Pride can blind traders to critical market realities. Instead of adapting to changing conditions, they stubbornly cling to outdated strategies or refuse to learn from others.
How to Keep Pride in Check
1. Treat Every Trade as a Probability Game
The market doesn't owe you anything, and no strategy guarantees success. Every trade involves risk, and outcomes are influenced by factors beyond your control.
- Focus on executing your strategy consistently rather than trying to "win."
- Acknowledge that losses are a natural part of trading.
2. Stick to a Risk Management Plan
Pride can tempt you to exceed your risk limits. Combat this by:
- Using fixed position sizes relative to your account balance.
- Setting stop-loss levels for every trade and respecting them.
3. Practice Continuous Learning
Markets evolve, and so should you. Humility keeps you open to learning new strategies, techniques, and perspectives.
- Analyze your trades, both wins and losses, to identify areas for improvement.
- Seek mentorship or study market history to gain broader insights.
4. Detach Emotionally from Trades
Acknowledge that a single trade doesn't define you as a trader.
- Avoid tying your self-worth to your trading results.
- Focus on the long-term process rather than short-term outcomes.
Conclusion
Pride is one of the most dangerous emotions a trader can harbor. It clouds judgment, promotes reckless behavior, and blinds you to market realities. Trading is not about proving you're right—it's about staying disciplined, managing risk, and adapting to ever-changing conditions.
Remember, humility is your greatest ally in the market. Stay grounded, respect the risks, and you'll be better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of trading without falling victim to the perils of pride.
Pro Tip: Write this on a sticky note and place it near your trading screen: "The market is always right. My job is to listen, adapt, and act accordingly."
EXTENDED SESSION WITH SESSION BREAKSAn Extended Session refers to the trading hours that occur outside of a market's regular or standard session, often including pre-market and after-market hours. These sessions are typically used by investors and traders to react to news, earnings reports, or other events that happen outside of normal trading hours.
Session Breaks in Trading refer to the natural pauses or transitions between different trading sessions, often marking the end of one session and the beginning of another. These breaks are important for traders because they help delineate key periods of market activity, volatility, and liquidity. Understanding session breaks can assist in timing trades and identifying potential market-moving events.
What Is ICT Turtle Soup, and How Can You Use It in Trading?What Is ICT Turtle Soup, and How Can You Use It in Trading?
The ICT Turtle Soup pattern is a strategic trading approach designed to exploit false breakouts in financial markets. By understanding and leveraging liquidity grabs, traders can identify potential reversals and enter trades with relative precision. This article delves into the components of the ICT Turtle Soup pattern, how to identify and use it, and its potential advantages and limitations, providing traders with valuable insights to potentially enhance their trading strategies.
The ICT Turtle Soup Pattern Explained
ICT Turtle Soup is a trading pattern developed by the Inner Circle Trader (ICT) that focuses on exploiting false breakouts in the market. This ICT price action strategy aims to identify and take advantage of situations where the price briefly moves beyond a key support or resistance level, only to reverse direction shortly after. This movement is often seen in ranging markets where prices oscillate between established highs and lows.
The concept behind ICT Turtle Soup trading is rooted in the idea of liquidity hunts and market imbalances. When the price breaks out, it often triggers stop-loss orders set by other traders, creating a temporary imbalance. The ICT Turtle Soup strategy seeks to capitalise on this by entering trades in the opposite direction once the breakout fails and the price returns to its previous range.
The pattern is named humorously after the original Turtle Traders' strategy, which focuses on genuine breakouts. In contrast, ICT Turtle Soup takes advantage of these failed attempts, thus "making soup out of turtles" by transforming unproductive breakout attempts into potentially effective trades.
Typically, traders look for specific signs of a false breakout, such as a price briefly moving above a recent high or below a recent low but failing to sustain the move. This strategy is particularly effective when used in conjunction with other ICT concepts, such as higher timeframe analysis and understanding of market structure.
Components of the ICT Turtle Soup Pattern
To effectively utilise the ICT Turtle Soup setup, it’s essential to understand its core components: order flow and market structure, liquidity, and internal versus external liquidity.
Order Flow and Market Structure
Order flow and market structure are critical in analysing the ICT Turtle Soup pattern. This involves observing price movements and traders' behaviour in different timeframes. Traders can analyse higher and lower timeframe price movements in FXOpen’s free TickTrader platform.
Higher Timeframe Structure
This refers to the broader trend governing the lower timeframe trend. For traders using the 15m-1h charts to trade, this might mean structure visible on 4-hour, daily, or weekly charts.
Higher timeframe structures help traders identify the major support and resistance levels. These levels are essential as they mark the boundaries within which the market generally oscillates. Traders use these to determine the prevailing market direction and potential areas where false breakouts (stop hunts) are likely to occur.
Lower Timeframe Structure
Lower timeframe structures are examined on hourly or minute charts. These provide a more detailed view of price action within the higher timeframe’s range and account for the bullish and bearish legs that dictate a broader higher timeframe trend.
Liquidity and Stop Hunts
In general trading terms, liquidity represents how easy it is to enter or exit a market. However, in the context of the ICT Turtle Soup pattern, areas of liquidity can be identified beyond key swing points.
Stop Hunts
Stop hunts, also known as a liquidity sweep, occur when the price temporarily moves above a resistance level or below a support level to trigger stop-loss orders. This movement creates a liquidity spike as traders' stops are hit, providing a favourable condition for the price to reverse direction. ICT Turtle Soup traders seek to exploit these moments by entering trades opposite to the initial breakout direction once the liquidity is absorbed.
Internal and External Liquidity
Understanding internal and external liquidity is vital for applying the ICT Turtle Soup pattern effectively.
Internal Liquidity
This refers to the liquidity available within the range of the higher timeframe structure. It involves identifying smaller support and resistance levels within the larger range. For example, in a bullish leg, there will be a series of higher highs and higher lows; beneath these higher lows is where internal liquidity rests. This internal liquidity will be targeted to form a bearish leg as part of a higher timeframe bullish trend.
External Liquidity
This involves liquidity that exists outside the key highs and lows of the higher timeframe trend. To use the example of the bullish leg in a higher timeframe bullish trend, the low it originated from and the high it creates as the bearish retracement begins count as areas of external liquidity.
Order Blocks and Imbalances
While not directly involved in the ICT Turtle Soup setup, understanding order blocks and imbalances can provide insight into where the price might head and the general market context.
Order blocks are areas where significant buying or selling activity has previously occurred, often due to institutional orders. These blocks represent zones of support and resistance where the price is likely to react.
Bullish Order Blocks
These are typically found at the base of a significant upward move and indicate zones where buying interest is strong. When the price revisits these areas, it often finds support, making them potential entry points for long trades.
Bearish Order Blocks
Conversely, these are located at the top of significant downward moves and signal strong selling interest. These zones often act as resistance when revisited, making them strategic points for short trades.
Imbalances
Imbalances, or fair value gaps (FVGs), are price regions where the market has moved too quickly, creating a significant disparity between the number of long and short trades. These gaps often occur due to high volatility and indicate areas where the market might revisit to "fill" the gap, thereby achieving fair value.
In other words, when a price rapidly moves in one direction, it leaves behind an area with little to no trading activity. The market often returns to these imbalanced zones to facilitate proper price discovery and liquidity.
How to Use the ICT Turtle Soup Strategy
Here's a detailed breakdown of how traders use the ICT Turtle Soup pattern.
Establishing a Bias
Traders begin by analysing the higher timeframe trend, such as the daily or weekly charts, to establish a market bias. This analysis helps determine whether the market is predominantly bullish or bearish. Identifying this trend is crucial as it guides where to look for potential Turtle Soup setups.
For instance, the example above shows AUDUSD initially moving down after a bullish movement off-screen. It eventually breaks above the lower high, indicating that the higher timeframe trend may now be bullish. Similarly, the shorter-term downtrend beginning from mid-May also saw a new high, meaning a trader may want to look for long positions.
Identifying Internal Liquidity
Once the higher timeframe trend is established, traders look for a move counter to that higher timeframe trend. In the example shown, this would be a downtrend counter to the bullish structure break. They mark levels of internal liquidity; in a bullish leg, these would be below swing lows and vice versa. These areas are likely to attract stop-loss orders.
Looking for Liquidity Taps
The next step involves waiting for these internal liquidity areas to be tapped. This typically happens when the price briefly breaks through a support or resistance level, triggering stop-loss orders before quickly reversing direction.
Ideally, the price should tap into the same area or order block where the internal liquidity formed and then exhibit a quick reversal, often leaving just a small wick. This movement indicates a liquidity grab, where large players have taken out stops to facilitate their own orders.
Lower Timeframe Confirmation
After identifying a liquidity grab beyond this internal liquidity level, traders look for an entry. On a lower timeframe, they look for a similar pattern: internal liquidity being run and a subsequent break of structure in the direction of the higher timeframe trend. This involves price retracing back inside the range to fill an imbalance and meet an order block, which provides a precise entry point.
Executing the Trade
Once these conditions are met, traders typically enter the market. Specifically, they’ll often leave a limit order at an order block to trade in the direction of the higher timeframe trend. They place a stop loss just beyond the liquidity grab, either above the recent high for a short trade or below the recent low for a long trade. Profit targets are often set at key liquidity levels, such as previous highs or lows, where the market is likely to encounter significant activity.
Potential Advantages and Limitations
The ICT Turtle Soup pattern is a trading strategy with several potential benefits and drawbacks.
Advantages
- Precision: Allows for precise entry points by identifying false breakouts and liquidity grabs.
- Adaptability: Effective across different timeframes and market conditions, including ranging and trending markets.
- Risk Management: Built-in risk management by placing stop losses just beyond the liquidity grab points.
Limitations
- Complexity: Requires a deep understanding of market structure, liquidity, and order flow, making it challenging for less experienced traders.
- Market Conditions: Less effective in highly volatile or illiquid markets where false signals are more common.
- Time-Consuming: Demands continuous monitoring of multiple timeframes to identify valid setups, which can be time-intensive.
The Bottom Line
The ICT Turtle Soup pattern offers traders a powerful tool to identify and exploit false breakouts in the market. By understanding its components and applying the strategy effectively, traders can potentially enhance their trading performance. To put this strategy into practice, consider opening an FXOpen account, a reliable broker that provides the necessary tools and resources for trading.
FAQs
What Is ICT Turtle Soup in Trading?
ICT Turtle Soup is a trading pattern that exploits false breakouts. It identifies potential reversals when the price briefly moves beyond a key support or resistance level, triggering stop-loss orders before reversing direction. This strategy aims to take advantage of these liquidity grabs by entering trades opposite to the initial breakout direction.
How to Identify ICT Turtle Soup Conditions?
To identify the ICT Turtle Soup pattern, traders analyse higher timeframe trends to establish market bias. They then look for counter-trend moves and mark internal liquidity areas. The pattern is identified when the price taps these liquidity zones and reverses quickly, often leaving a small wick. This signals a liquidity grab and potential trade setup in the direction of the higher timeframe trend.
How to Use the ICT Turtle Soup Pattern?
Using the ICT Turtle Soup pattern involves several steps. First, traders establish a market bias based on higher timeframe analysis. Then, they look for liquidity grabs at marked internal liquidity areas, indicating false breakouts. The next step is to confirm the setup on a lower timeframe by observing a similar liquidity grab and structure break. Lastly, they enter trades in the direction of the higher timeframe trend, placing stop losses just beyond the liquidity grab and targeting key liquidity levels for profit-taking.
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.
Profitable SMC Smart MoneyConcept Strategy Explained
I will teach you how to trade liquidity grab, a trap, inducement, order block and imbalance.
I will share with you my Smart Money Concept strategy for trading forex & gold.
We will study a real SMC trading setup that I took on a live stream with my students.
Trend Analysis With Structure Mapping
The first step in our trading strategy will be the analysis of a market trend on a daily time frame with structure mapping.
Analyzing GBPNZD on a daily time frame, we can see that the conditions for a bullish trend are met.
Liquidity Zones Analysis
The second step will be to find liquidity - supply and demand zones on a daily time frame.
According to our rules, here are 3 liquidity zones that I spotted on GBPNZD. We see 2 demand zones and 1 supply zone.
Test of Liquidity Zone
The third step will be to wait for a test of a liquidity zone.
And on that step, we should remember an important rule:
We will wait only for a test of a liquidity zone that ALIGN with the market trend.
It means that we will wait for a test of a demand zone in a bullish trend.
We will wait for a test of a supply zone in a bearish trend.
The only demand zones that meets these criteria on GBPNZD is Demand Zone 1.
It aligns with a bullish trend.
We don't consider Demand Zone 2, because a bearish violation of a Demand Zone 1 will be a Change of Character and a violation of a bearish trend.
And here is how a test of a liquidity zone should look like. The price should simply reach that.
Liquidity Grab & Imbalance
After we identified a test of a significant liquidity zone that aligns with a market trend, we will start analyzing lower time frames.
We will look for a liquidity grab, order block and imbalance on 4H and 1H time frames.
Here is a liquidity grab that is confirmed by a bullish imbalance.
We see a false violation of a liquidity zone, followed by a high momentum bullish candle.
It will be our strong bullish signal.
Order Block Zone
In order to identify the entry point, the next step will be to identify the order block zone.
According to our rules, here is the order block zone on a 4H time frame.
Entry Level
Our entry level will be the level of the upper boundary of the order block zone.
Here is such a level on GBPNZD.
A buy limit order should be set on that level.
Please, note that in that particular case we don't need a 1H time frame analysis, because we have a confirmation signal on a 4H time frame. We will analyse an hourly time frame only when THERE IS NO SIGNAL on a 4H time frame.
Stop Loss & Take Profit
Safe stop loss should be below the lowest low of a bearish movement.
To safely calculate a stop loss in pips for the trade, simply take 0.5 ATR - Average True Range.
For Average True Range indicator , take the default settings - 14 length.
Here is a safe stop loss level on GBPNZD. ATR is 55 pips. Our stop loss for the trade is 28 pips.
Take profit for the trade will be based on the closest 4H liquidity - supply zone.
That is the closest supply zone that I spotted on GBPNZD on a 4H time frame.
Your target level should be a couple of pips below a supply zone.
Look how perfectly the market reached the target!
As you can see, that trading strategy is quite complex and combines different important elements. But what I like about this SMC trading strategy is that it truly makes sense.
The intentions of Smart Money are crystal clear here and the trade execution rules are straight forward.
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️