Forex Trading Methods: Finding the right one (part 4)
End of day trading: In my last articles, I
shared that for any Forex trading method to be considered, it
must be first, a complete method (insert link to previous
article); second, it must teach specific risk management rules;
and third, it should be based on technical analysis, without
being 100% mechanical or automated. The last step in
determining whether a forex trading method should be
considered, is the amount of time it requires a forex trader to
implement it on a daily basis.
The dirty secret in the Forex markets is that most people
OVERTRADE. This happens because forex traders are widely taught
that the only way to succeed in the markets is to Day trade.
The dirty 'secret' is that if a forex trader can't make money
trading forex on an end-of-day basis, the forex trader is
unlikely to be any more successful day trading forex.
In fact, growth among retail forex traders is accelerating
-- these are people who currently have 'day' jobs. There is no
likelihood that these traders have the time to watch the forex
markets 24 hours a day. What happens if the traders fall asleep
and miss putting in a protective stop order? Or miss an entry
point?
I advocate trading forex on an end of day basis to eliminate
the stress and time pressure to make instant decisions on order
entry, immediate placement of stop orders, and constant
'watching' of the markets.
Combined with utilizing technical indicators, end of day
trading allows forex traders to spend more time looking at the
'big picture' -- is there really a trend? Is my method 'right'?
Are my numbers and calculations correct? And, they can do so in
the quieter trading hours following the New York close (5:00pm
Eastern Time).
Here's a brief example:
Using a recent chart of the EUR/USD pair, from March 2009,
shows a strong move from the 1.2600 range to 1.3000 -- a 400
pip gain, which took about 7 days to complete and should have
been captured by a good end of day trading method. However,
that same chart shows more extreme fluctuations as the price
ranged sideways in a 200 pip channel -- if a forex trader is
trying to day trade in that channel, the trader can quickly
find themselves on the wrong side of a trade in more extreme
short term volatility.
Forex traders who do not have the time to commit to managing
their trades and monitoring the markets are precisely the
traders for whom an end-of-day forex trading method based on
technical analysis is best suited.
Disclaimer: Forex trading is not appropriate for
everyone. There is a substantial risk of loss associated
with trading these markets. Losses can and will occur. No
system or methodology has ever been developed that can
guarantee profits or ensure freedom from losses. No
representation or implication is being made that using
the Forex Profit Accelerator methodology or system will
generate profits or ensure freedom from
losses.