What is Technical Analysis ?

What is Technical Analysis ?

Technical analysis attempts to forecast future price movements by examining past market data. Most traders use technical analysis to get a "big picture" on an investment's price history. Even fundamental traders will glance at a chart to see if they're buying at a fair price, selling at a cyclical top or entering a choppy, sideways market.

Technical analysts make a few key assumptions :

All market fundamentals are reflected in price data. Moods, differing opinions, and other market fundamentals need not be studied.

History repeats itself in regular, fairly predictable patterns. These patterns, generated by price movements, are called signals. A technical analyst's goal is to uncover a current market's signals by examining past market signals.

Prices move in trends. Technical analysts believe price fluctuations are not random and unpredictable. Once an up, down or sideways trend has been established, it usually will continue for a period.

Get In and Get Out - at the Right Time

Traders rely on price charts, volume charts and other mathematical representations of market data ( called studies ) to find the ideal entry and exit points for a trade. Some studies help identify a trend, while others help determine the strength and sustainability of that trend over time.

Technical analysis can add discipline and minimize emotion in your trading plan. It can be hard to screen out fundamental impressions and stick with your entry and exit points as planned. While no system is perfect, technical analysis helps you see your trading plan through more objectively and dispassionately.

Price Chart Types

Bar Charts
The most common type of chart showing price action. Each bar represents a period of time - a "period" as short as 1 minute or as long as several years. Over time, bar charts show distinct price patterns.

Candlestick Charts
Instead of a simple bar, each candlestick shows the high, low, opening and closing price for that period of time it represents. Candlestick patterns provide greater visual detail as they develop.

Point & Figure Charts
Point & figure patterns resemble bar chart patterns, except Xs and Os are used to mark changes in price direction. Point & figure charts make no use of time scale to associate a certain day with a certain price action.

Technical Indicator Types

Trend
Trend indicators smooth price data out, so that a persistent up, down or sideways trend can be easily seen. ( Examples : moving averages, trend lines )

Strength
Strength indicators describe the intensity of market opinion on a certain price by examining the market positions taken by various market participants. Volume or open interest are the basic ingredients of strength indicators.

Volatility
"Volatility" refers to the magnitude of day-to-day price fluctuations, whatever their directional trend. Changes in volatility tend to anticipate changes in prices. ( Example : Bollinger Bands )

Cycle
Cycle indicators indicate repeating market patterns from recurrent events such as seasons or elections. Cycle indicators determine the timing of a particular market pattern. ( Example : Elliott Wave )

Support/Resistance
Support and resistance describes the price levels where markets repeatedly rise or fall and then reverse. This phenomenon is attributed to basic supply and demand. ( Example : Trend Lines )

Momentum
Momentum indicators determine the strength or weakness of a trend as it progresses over time. Momentum is highest when a trend starts and lowest when the trend changes.

When price and momentum diverge, it suggests weakness. If price extremes occur with weak momentum, it signals an end of movement in that direction. If momentum is trending strongly and prices are flat, it signals a potential change in price direction. ( Example : Stochastic, MACD, RSI )

Using Technical Indicators

Price charts help traders identify trade-able market trends - while technical indicators help them judge a trend's strength and sustainability.

If an indicator suggests a reversal, confirm the shift before you act. That might mean waiting for another period to confirm the same indicator's signal, or checking out another indicator. Patience will help you read the signals accurately and respond accordingly.

Types of Moving Averages

One of the most widely used indicators, moving averages help traders verify existing trends, identify emerging trends, and view overextended trends about to reverse. As the name suggests, these are lines overlaid on a chart that "average out" short-term price fluctuations, so you can see the long-term price trend.

A simple moving average weighs each price point over the specified period equally. The trader defines whether the high, low, or close is used, and these price points are added together and averaged, forming a line.

A weighted moving average gives more emphasis to the latest data. It smoothes out a price curve, while making the average more responsive to recent price changes.

An exponential moving average weighs more recent price data in a different way. An exponential moving average multiplies a percentage of the most recent price by the previous period's average price.

Finding the best moving averages and period for your pair

It can take a while to find the best combination of moving average and period length for your currency pair. The right combo will make the trend you're looking for clearly visible, as it develops. Finding that optimal fit is called curve fitting.

Usually traders start by comparing a few timeframes for their moving averages over a historical chart. Then you can compare how well and how early each timeframe signaled changes in the price data as they developed, then adjust accordingly.

When you've found a moving average that works well for your currency pair, you can consider this as a line of support for long positions or resistance for short positions. If prices cross this line, that often signals a currency is reversing course. Here's an example:

Longer-term moving averages define a trend, but shorter-term MAs can signal its shift faster. That's why many traders watch moving averages with different timeframes at once. If a short-term MA crosses your longer-term MA, it can signal your trend is ending - and time to pare back your position.

Stochastics

Stochastic studies, or oscillators, help monitor a trend's sustainability and signal reversals in prices. Stochastics come in two types, %K and %D, measured on a scale from 0 to 100. %K is the "fast", more sensitive indicator, while %D is "slow" and takes more time to turn.

Stochastic studies aren't useful in choppy, sideways markets. In these conditions %K and %D lines might cross too frequently to signal anything.

Relative Strength Index ( RSI )

Like stochastics, RSI measures momentum of price movements on a scale of 0 to 100.

Always confirm RSI signals with other indicators. RSI can remain at lofty or sunken levels for a long time, without prices reversing course. All that means is that a market is quite strong or weak - and likely to stay so for a while.

Adjust your RSI to the right timeframe for you. A short-term RSI will be very sensitive and give out many signals, not all of them sustainable; a longer-term RSI will be less choppy. Try to match your RSI timeframe to your own trading style: short-term for day traders, longer-term for position traders.

Divergences between prices and RSI may suggest a trend reversal. Of course, make sure you confirm your signals before acting.

Bollinger Bands

Bollinger Bands are volatility curves used to identify extreme highs or lows in price. Bollinger Bands establish "bands" around a currency's moving average, using a set number of standard deviations around the moving average. Creator Jon Bollinger recommends the following:

Touching a high or low band doesn't necessarily mean an immediate trend reversal. Bollinger Bands adjust dynamically as volatility changes, so touching the band just means prices are extremely volatile. Use Bollinger Bands with other indicators to determine the trend's strength.

MACD - Moving Average Convergence Divergence

Developed by Gerald Appel, MACD (pronounced "Mac-Dee") plots the difference between 26-day and 12-day exponential MAs.

A 9-day MA serves as a trigger line: when MACD crosses below the trigger, it's a bearish signal; when MACD crosses above the trigger, it's a bullish signal.

If MACD turns positive and makes higher lows while prices are still tanking, this could be a strong buy signal. Conversely, if MACD makes lower highs while prices are making new highs, this could be a strong bearish divergence and a sell signal.

Fibonacci Retracements

Fibonacci retracement levels are a sequence of numbers discovered by the noted mathematician Leonardo da Pisa in the 12th century. These numbers describe cycles found throughout nature; technical analysts use them to find pullbacks in the currency market.

After a significant price move, up or down, prices often "retrace" most or all of the original move. As prices retrace, support and resistance levels often occur at or near the Fibonacci Retracement levels. For currencies, that means retracements usually happen at 23.6%, 38.2%, 50% or 61.8% of the previous move.

Good Luck !
To Your Trading Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

Introduction to Fundamental Analysis

Introduction to Fundamental Analysis

Fundamental analysis studies the core underlying elements that influence the economy of a particular entity, like a stock or currency. It attempts to predict price action and trends by analyzing economic indicators, government policy, societal and other factors within a business cycle framework.

If you think of the markets as a big clock, fundamentals are the gears and springs that move the hands around the face. Anyone can tell you what time it is now, but the fundamentalist knows about the inner workings that move the clock's hands towards times ( or prices ) in the future.

Are you a Technician or Fundamentalist ?

There's a tendency to pigeonhole traders into two distinct schools : fundamental or technical. In fact, most smart traders favor a blended approach versus being a purist of either type.
Fundamentalists need to keep an eye on signals derived from price charts, while few technicians can afford to completely ignore impending economic data, critical political decisions or pressing societal issues that influence price action.

Forecasting Economic conditions using Models

Fundamental analysis is very effective at forecasting economic conditions, but not necessarily exact market prices. Studying GDP forecasts or employment reports can give you a fairly clear picture of an economy's health and the forces at work behind it. But you still need a method to translate that into specific trade entry and exit points.

The bridge between fundamental data and a specific trading strategy usually comes from a trader model. These models use current and historical empirical data to estimate future prices and translate those into specific trades.

Beware of "Analysis Paralysis"

Forecasting models are both art and science, with so many different approaches that traders can get overloaded. It can be tough to decide when you know enough to pull the trigger on a trade with confidence.

Many traders switch to technical analysis at this point to test their hunches and see when price patterns suggest an entry.

Look for Fundamental Drivers first

The fundamentals include everything that makes a country and its currency tick. From interest rates and central bank policy to natural disasters, the fundamentals are a dynamic mix of distinct plans, erratic behaviors and unforeseen events.

That said, not every development will move a country's currency. Try to start by identifying the most influential contributors to this mix versus following every fundamental out there.

Good Luck !
To Your Trading Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

Forex Market Drivers

Forex Market Drivers

Rising interest rates strength that country's currency

A common way to think about interest rates is how much it's going to cost to borrow money, whether for our mortgages or how much we'll earn on our bond and money market investments. Interest rate policy is a key driver of currency prices and typically a strategy for new currency traders.

Fundamentally, if a country raises its interest rates, its currency prices will strengthen because the higher interest rates attract more foreign investors.

For example, higher rates in the Eurozone may prompt U.S. investors to sell U.S. dollars and buy bonds in Euros. Similarly, if interest rates increase in Switzerland, those investors may decide to sell their Euro-bonds and move into bonds in Swiss francs ( CHF ), driving Euros down and Swiss francs up.

When gold goes up, the USD goes down ( and vice versa )

Historically, gold is a "safe haven", a country-neutral investment and an alternative to the world's other reserve currency, the U.S. dollar. That means gold prices have an inverse relationship to the USD, offering several ways for currency traders to take advantage of that relationship.

For example, if gold breaks an important price level, you'd expect gold to move higher. With this in mind, you might sell dollars and buy Euros, for example, as a proxy for higher gold prices.

Rising gold prices help major gold producers

Australia is the world's third largest exporter of gold, and Canada is the third largest producer worldwide. These two major currencies tend to strengthen as gold prices rise. You might consider going long these currencies when gold is increasing in value, or trade your GBP or JPY for these currencies when gold is on the rise.

Oil-dependent countries weaken as oil prices rise

Just as airlines and other oil-dependent industries are hurt by rising oil prices, so are the currencies of oil-dependent countries like the U.S. or Japan, both of which are massively dependent on foreign oil.

If you believe oil prices will continue to rise, you can consider buying commodity-based economies like Australia or Canada or selling oil-dependent currencies.

Good Luck !
To Your Trading Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

What are Economic Indicators ?

What are Economic Indicators ?

Economic indicators are snippets of financial and economic data published regularly by governmental agencies and the private sector. These statistics help market observers monitor the economy's pulse - so it's no surprise that they're religiously followed by almost everyone in the financial markets.

With so many people poised to react to the same information, economic indicators have tremendous potential to generate volume and to move prices. It might seem like you need an advanced economics degree to parse all this data accurately - but in fact traders need only keep a few simple guidelines in mind to making trading decisions based on this data.

Mark your economic calendars

Know exactly when each economic indicator will be released. You can find these calendars at the New York Federal Reserve Bank's site ; FOREX.com clients can simply login to MyAccount and click on Economic Calendars.

Watching the economic calendar not only helps you consider trades around these events, it helps explain otherwise unanticipated price actions during those periods. Consider this scenario :

Monday morning and the USD has been in a tailspin for 3 weeks, with many traders short USD positions as a result.

On Friday, however, U.S. employment data is scheduled to be released. If that report looks promising, traders may start unwinding their short positions before Friday, leading to a short-term rally in USD through the week.

What does this data mean for the economy ?

You need not understand every nuance of each data release, but you should try to grasp key, large-scale relationships between reports and what they measure in the economy. For example, you should know which indicators measure the economy's growth ( gross domestic product, or GDP ) versus those that measure inflation ( PPI, CPI ) or employment strength ( non-farm payrolls ).

Not all economic indicators can move markets

The market often pays more attention to certain indicators under certain conditions - and that focus can change over time.

For example, if prices ( inflation ) are not a crucial issue for a given country, but its economic growth is problematic, traders may pay less attention to inflation data and focus on employment data or GDP reports.

Watch for the unexpected

Often the data itself may not be as important as whether or not it falls within market expectations. If a given report differs widely and unexpectedly from what economists and market pundits were anticipating, market volatility and potential trading opportunities may result.

At the same time, be careful of pulling the trigger too quickly when an indicator falls outside expectations. Each new economic indicator release contains revisions to previously released data. Here's an example :

Don't get caught up in details

While your macroeconomics professor may appreciate all the nuances of an economic report, traders need to filter data judiciously for their own purposes: making intelligent trading decisions.

For example, many new traders watch the headlineNew line of the employment report, for example, assuming that new jobs are key to economic growth. That may be true generally, but in trading terms non-farm payrolls is the figure traders watch most closely and therefore has the biggest impact on markets.

Similarly, PPI measures changes in producer prices generally - but traders tend to watch PPI excluding food and energy as a market driver. Food and energy data tend to be much too volatilve and subject to revisions to provide an accurate reading on producer price changes.

There are two sides to every trade

Hopefully this has helped you realize the importance of watching economic indicators - and knowing which data are most likely to move markets and impact currency traders.

Just remember that no trader's knowledge can be complete all the time. You might have a great handle on economic data published in the U.S. - but there are times when data published in Europe or Australia might have surprising impact on your currency market. Doing your homework before trading any currency will help you stay on guard.

Economic indicators : a currency's vital signs

Traders can measure the economic health of a given country ( and its currency ) through its economic indicators - but, just like a doctor monitoring a patient's vital signs, not all stats count equally. Here's a primer of the key economic indicators that often impact currency traders.

Economic indicators divide into leading and lagging indicators :

Leading indicators are economic factors that change BEFORE the economy starts to follow a particular trend. They're used to predict changes in the economy.

Lagging indicators are economic factors that change AFTER the economy has already begun to follow a particular trend. They're used to confirm changes in the economy.

Major economic indicators

Gross Domestic Product ( GDP )

The sum of all goods and services produced either by domestic or foreign companies. GDP indicates the pace at which a country's economy is growing ( or shrinking ) and is considered the broadest indicator of economic output and growth.

Industrial Production

A chain-weighted measure of the change in the production of the nation's factories, mines and utilities, industrial production also measures the country's industrial capacity and how fully it's being used ( capacity utilization ).

The manufacturing sector accounts for one-quarter of the major currencies' economies, so it's critical to watch the health of factories and whether their capacity is being maximized. Purchasing Managers Index ( PMI )

The National Association of Purchasing Managers ( NAPM )
( now called the Institute for Supply )

Management, releases a monthly composite index of national manufacturing conditions. The index includes data on new orders, production, supplier delivery times, backlogs, inventories, prices, employment, export and import orders. It is divided into manufacturing and non-manufacturing sub-indices.

Producer Price Index ( PPI )

Measures average changes in selling prices received by domestic producers in the manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and electric utility industries.

The PPIs most often used for economic analysis are those for finished goods, intermediate goods, and crude goods.

Consumer Price Index ( CPI )

Measures the average price level paid by urban consumers ( 80% of the population in major currency countries ) for a fixed basket of goods and services. It reports price changes in over 200 categories.

The CPI also includes various user fees and taxes directly associated with the prices of specific goods and services.

Durable Goods

Durable Goods Orders measures new orders placed with domestic manufacturers for immediate and future delivery of factory hard goods. A durable good is a product that lasts over three years, during which its services are extended.

Companies and consumers sometimes put off purchases of durable goods during tough economic times - so this figure is a useful measure of certain kinds of customer demand.

Employment Cost Index ( ECI )

Payroll employment is a measure of the number of jobs at larger companies in more than 500 industries in all 50 U.S. states and 255 metropolitan areas. ECI counts the number of paid employees working part-time or full-time in the nation's business and government establishments.

Retail Sales

Measures total receipts of retail stores from samples representing all sizes and kinds of business in retail trade throughout the nation. It is the timeliest indicator of broad consumer spending patterns and is adjusted for normal seasonal variation, holidays, and trading-day differences.

Retail sales include durable and nondurable merchandise sold, and services and excise taxes incidental to the sale of merchandise. It doesn't include sales taxes collected directly from the customer.

Housing Starts

Measures the number of residential units on which construction is begun each month. A "start" refers to excavation of the foundation of a residential home.

Housing is usually one of the first sectors to react to interest rate changes. Significant reaction of start/permits to changing interest rates signals interest rates are nearing trough or peak. To analyze, focus on the percentage change in levels from the previous month. Report is released around the middle of the following month.

Good Luck !
To Your Trading Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

8 Trading Tips to Your Success

8 Trading Tips to Your Success

You can never have too many tips when you are trading !
Read on ...

Tip A. )
Trading strategies that work well in an up-market may not work in a down-market. Same as : systems that work well in a good trending market may not be applicable at all to a ranging market. The solution is either to have a system for each type of the market or make sure that one solid system will work well under all market conditions — extensive testing is the way to know the truth.

Tip B. )
Do not try to pick tops and bottoms of the price. It is a very wrong approach that unfortunately many traders have adopted. Searching for bargains is a good thing when you go shopping, but will put you in troubles if applied to Forex trading. Simply spot the trend and join it like other traders who are serious about trading do.

Tip C. )
Always remind yourself that the first and the last market bars/ticks are the most expensive. Delay entering the market on the first ticks and be out of the market early. On the open, never trade in the direction of a gap.

Tip D. )
Never worry about missing out on a trading opportunity. Do not provoke yourself to take a trade that does not meet all entry rules. Just because it seems to be too good to pass up is not an excuse for trading. You are never going to run out of trades, so be firm and stick to your rules.

Tip E. )
By using knowledge about currency correlation traders can easily avoid opening positions that cancel each other ( e.g. +10 pips on one pair and -10 on another = 0 ). Find out which currency pairs move simultaneously and which — in opposite direction. Currency correlation information.

Tip F. )
Did we say : "Have your stop loss order in place" ? Yes we did. Anyway, we will repeat it one more time. Even if your trading system needs no stops, still have it. Not that you are going to use it, but just for the safety of your capital. A sudden huge move in the market may cost you a big portion of your trading account especially if margin call is triggered.

We use insurance for many things in our life, why don't have one for your trading account ? For trading systems without a stop loss orders — put one on a decent distance, for example 100+ pips. Also do not use too tight stop orders as they will most likely be hit more often then you need to.

Tip G. )
Spend less time trading Forex but make it quality time. Trade only when you can be 100% focused. Time spent in front of the monitor does not assume profitability, so don't fool yourself and do not trade half-ready.

Tip H. )
And finally, it is wrong to trade with the money that you cannot allow to lose. That is also why traders switching from Demo to real account often may find themselves losing a trade after trade with a system that used to be profitable. This is because with a real account they've got fear to lose money, while on Demo account their minds were free.

Do not trade if you cannot afford to lose your money. Moreover, do not trade if you must make X amount of money per month to pay your bills in order to avoid financial trouble. Trading scared is the best way to mess up all trading rules, discipline and get additional stress.

Trading smart is what we wish you to achieve, and believe us, being focused and serious about the job you do will make you successful !

Good Luck !
To Your Trading Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

What is Fundamental Analysis ?

What is Fundamental Analysis ?

Fundamental Analysis in Forex is a type of market analysis which involves studying of the economic situation of countries to trade currencies more effectively.

It gives information on how the big political and economical events influence currency market. Figures and statements given in speeches by important politicians and economists are known among the traders as economical announcements that have great impact on currency market moves. In particular, announcements related to United States economy and politics are the primary to keep an eye on.

What is economic calendar ?

Economic calendar is created by economists where they predict different economics figures and values according to previous months. It contains next data : Date — Time — Currency — Data Released — Actual — Forecast — Previous

For example : If the forecast is better than the previous figure, then US dollar usually is going to strengthen against other currencies. But when news are due, traders have to check the actual data.

If to look at oil prices, a rising price will result in weakening of currencies for countries which depend on huge oil import, e.g. America, Japan. A good example of detailed economic calendar can be found here : Forex Economic Calendar

Whose speeches to keep an eye on ?

Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of USA, Secretary of the Treasury, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and so on. Speeches of those prominent people are watched closely by traders.

What are the most powerful figures that move Forex market ?

Interest Rate

Traditionally, if a country raises its interest rates, its currency will strengthen because investors will shift their assets to that country to gain higher returns.

Employment Situation

Decreases in the payroll employment are considered as signs of a weak economic activity that could eventually lead to lower interest rates, which has negative impact on the currency.

Trade balance, budget and treasury budget

A country that has a significant Trade Balance deficit will generally have a weak currency as there will be continuous commercial sellings of its currency.

Gross Domestic Product ( GDP )

GDP is reported quarterly and is followed very closely as it is a primary indicator of the strength of economic activity. A high GDP figure is usually followed by expectations of higher interest rates, which is mostly positive for the currency.

Less powefull economic indicators are :

Retail sales

It is the first real indicator of the strength of consumer expenditure.

Durable goods

Rising Durable Goods Orders are normally associated with stronger economic activity and can therefore lead to higher short-term interest rates, which is usually supportive for a currency.

How do traders use all this ?

There are few useful tips that can be followed :

1. ) Keep an economic calendar on hand. Watch for the events when data are due to be released.

2. ) Know what indicator is gaining the most of attention at any given time as it becomes a catalyst for future price moves. For example, when the U.S. dollar is weak traders will watch closely the inflation indicator.

3. ) When the difference between the expectations and real results occur, watch for corrections in the market price moves.

4. ) Pay attention to news revisions if any, the situation on the market can change quickly.

Another important thing to consider — your Broker !

Because of the high volume of trades made at the time of important economic announcements some brokers may block new orders from being conducted.

For traders it means they should enter the trade before the "major action" begins and, what is more important, they must always have their protective stops placed. Being not able to access the trade desk to close your losing position in time is the most frustrating thing traders should always try to avoid.

Good Luck !
To Your Trading Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

Forex Chart Trend Lines

Forex Chart Trend Lines

Plotting a trend line on a Forex chart gives very valuable information. Not only the trend line will show a current trend ( direction ) of the price move, it will also depict points of support and resistance levels for market price.

In addition, it will also help to determine good entry and exit points, best positioning for profit taking and placing protective stops. This very simple, but yet quite powerful tool will be one of the crucial indicators of possible trend reversal ( when market price starts move in the opposite direction ).

So, shall we learn how to draw trend line to make it our good friend in profitable forex trading ?

In the uptrend market trend line is drawn below the pattern formation ; in the downtrend — above. ( That is why when the trend is going to change our trend line will be crossed, which therefore will give us a signal that the price can start moving in another direction. )

In the uptrend, Forex trend line is drawn through the lowest swing-points of the price move. Connecting at least two «lowest lows» will create a trend line.

In the down trend, trend line is drawn through the highest swing-points of the price move. Connecting at least two «highest highs» will create a trend line.

A trend line confirms its validity when the price respects this line. The more «lowest lows» / «highest highs» the trend line contains, the stronger it becomes.

Another sample of drawing trend lines : main and inner downtrend lines.

Good Luck !

To Your Trading Success

Wingcent Ning

Success-Biz Marketing

wingcent@gmail.com

http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com

Singapore

Forex Market Hours

Forex Market Hours

When to trade and when not to.

Forex market is open 24 hours a day. It provides a great opportunity for traders to trade any time of the day or at night. However, although it seems to be not very important at the beginning, the right time to trade is one of the most crucial points to be successful in trading at the forex market.

So, when should one consider trading and why ?

The best time to trade is when the market is the most active and therefore has the biggest volume of trades. More active currency moves will create a good chance to catch the trade and make some profit. A calm, slow market is literally wasting of time — turn off your computer and don't even bother !

Forex trading hours, trading time :

New York opens 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST
Tokyo opens 7:00 pm to 4:00 am EST
Sydney opens 5:00 pm to 2:00 am EST
London opens 3:00 am to 12:00 noon EST

And so, there are hours when two sessions are overlapped :

New York and London — 8:00 am — 12:00 noon EST
Sydney / Tokyo — 7:00 pm — 2:00 am EST
London / Tokyo — 3:00 am — 4:00am EST

For example :

Trading EUR/USD, GBP/USD currency pairs would give good results between 8:00 am and 12:00 noon EST when two markets for those currencies are active.

At those overlapping trading hours you'll find the highest volume of trades and therefore more chances to win in the foreign currency exchange market.

Good Luck !
To Your Trading Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

What Is Forex ?

What Is Forex ?

The Term

The term “FOREX” stands for Foreign Exchange FOREX ( or FX as a short abbreviation ) is a global currency exchange market where foreign currencies from all over the world are bought and sold for profit.

Forex is the largest and most liquid market in the world

Forex is the largest and most liquid market in the world where trillions of dollars exchanges take place every day. That’s an enormous money flow. No stock market exchange in the world come close to these numbers.

Currencies in the Forex market are traded 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Market literally follows the sun around the world. Trading moves from major banking centers of the United States to Australia and New Zealand, then to the Far East, gets to Europe and finally returns back to the States.

Trading Forex is all about exchanging currencies

Trading on Foreign exchange market simply means buying of one currency and selling another at the same time. In other words, the currency of one country is exchanged for currency of another country at the current exchange rates.

Foreign currencies are always traded in pairs - EUR/USD, GBP/USD, EUR/JPY etc ... Around 70% of all transactions made with major currencies like U.S. dollar, Australian Dollar, British Pound, Swiss Franc and Japanese Yen.

Nowadays Forex is available to small investors

While in the past Forex market was not available to small investors ( individuals ) due to large minimum transaction sizes, today Forex brokers are able to break those large sizes into a smaller unit lots and thus offer small investors an opportunity to buy or sell currencies side by side with regular core Forex market investors such as large banks, central banks, multinational corporations, hedge funds and other financial institutions.

Being incompetent in Forex can be expensive

Forex market is huge and plunging into trading without knowing its rules, without knowing "what is Forex" will be equal to swimming in the pool with ocean sharks. The dominant Forex players such as banks and hedge funds have a power to influence market moves and currencies exchange rates. For inexperienced traders investing own money in such game is as risky and uncertain as gambling. It could turn into a million fortune only in a couple of weeks or become a disaster for those who was ignorant in learning.

Forex brokers offer very big leverage to individual investors. A trader can trade at huge leverage as much as 300 to 1, meaning that for every dollar trader puts in for trading he can trade $300.

For example, having an account equal to $1,000 trader can trade as much as $300,000.It is a huge opportunity, but it also is very dangerous. No experienced trader will ever trade with such big leverage unless he has a really strong argument for a particular trade, and even after that it is an enormous risk.

Is trading Forex profitable ?

Trading in the Forex market is profitable, but only for 5% out of all beginner traders who start trading Forex. New traders need to learn the basics of trading well, and practice a lot on demo accounts before going real.

Like in every business, when trading money in Forex, trader gets paid depending on his knowledge and trading experience.

Good Luck !
To Your Trading Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

Facts about Scalping in Forex

Facts about Scalping in Forex

The only way to make small account big in a short period of time is through the use of really high leverage. But wait ... do not jump of the cliff right away. Start with reasonable leverage for scalping, for example 20:1 or at most 50:1, then move on as you see scalping skills improve. But even before that do not be lazy to demo trade your scalping system – make sure it will not disappoint you later ...

The only way to trade with high leverage without risking blowing up an entire account in only 10-15 trades is by trading with a tight stop loss. Trading without stop loss will “kill” your investment in no time.

It is wise to decide on the size of the trading lot and exposed risk in advance. Do a simple math : calculate the worst possible situation, e.g. : 10 consecutive losses in a row ; then see if your account will survive and if there be something left to move on. And, although 10 losses in a row is a very unlikely scenario, you cannot deny it ...

Although Forex is active 24/7, not every hour is suitable for scalping.
No scalper wants to sit in front of the monitor for numerous hours bored and disappointed with the “sleeping” price as it literally moves nowhere. Scalpers hunt for volatile, liquid market. There are 4 major market sessions : London, New York, Sydney and Tokyo session. To trade effectively scalper needs to learn behavior of a chosen currency pair and define most active sessions, even particular hours for this pair to be able to catch good price moves.

Another thing to keep in mind is spread which brokers charge for different currencies. The higher the spread the harder it will be to collect desired pips ( because once trading position is opened, trader must cover spread cost – earn pips for broker first – and only then collect own pips ). And, of course, the lower the spread the easier/faster it is to accumulate pips.

Another factor to consider is an average daily range of the price for chosen currency. The wider it is the more realistic is an opportunity to profit from price moves. One of the scalpers’ favorite currency pair is EUR/USD with its low spread and good daily price range.

While using high leverage combined with high frequency trading, scalpers should be very cautious about the cost of actual trading, as each pip here makes a dramatic difference after a large number of trades.

This means being very careful with entries and exits, stops and limit orders, and also be very realistic about profit targets.

Once in the trade, scalpers should manage trading risks by :
1 ) moving stops to break-even as soon as situation permits ;
2 ) taking profits at a logical levels : at round market price numbers : 00, 10, 20, 50 etc ..., at previous support/resistance levels, at Fibonacci levels etc ...
3 ) getting out of the trade if the price freezes for longer time than expected.

Scalp-trading is very demanding and requires a lot of concentration, constant monitoring of the price and very quick decision making. Also, short time frames used in scalping strategies, require a good grasp of trading complemented with sound technical analysis skills. It is not a place where beginners feel very comfortable as it demands from traders a good chunk of experience.

Scalping involves substantial risks

A lot of beginners have common problem when trading highly leveraged accounts – they tend to maximize profits by trading with full capital at once. Do not do that ! Maximizing chances for higher profits goes hand in hand with maximizing risks ! The size of positions opened must be calculated very accurately so that your entire account will not be wiped out with just one( ! ) very unfortunate trade.

Another factor that increases risks for scalpers is the spread traders pay when open a trade. Each time a new trade is open, the spread cost is paid to the broker, thus opening 10 small trades instead of 1 long term trade increases the cost of trading in 10 times. If to measure risk/reward ratio of such scalping activity it may show very risky and potentially losing trading.

Example :

With GBP/USD currency pair a scalper sets profit target of 10 pips and stop loss of 10 pips. So far it is 1:1 risk/reward ratio. In the next step, when the spread is added, the picture changes.

For example, the spread his broker charges for GBP/USD is 4 pips. When scalper opens a position he is -4 pips ( the spread has been charged ). Now in order for him to reach the target of 10 pips profit, the price has to move +4 and +10 pips = 14 pips.

On the other hand, in order to trigger his stop loss the price should move ... -4 is already in place ... so, only -6 pips and he will be stopped at total of -10 pips ... the risk-reward ratio has changed in over 2:1, not very promising situation indeed ...

To understand the full challenge of scalping as a trading style, consider this : hard work and small gains accumulated over a decent period of time could easily be wiped out with one large loss. Finding a balance between profit levels and size of acceptable losses presents the most difficult challenge to scalper’s strategy.

Best of luck in achieving your goals !

Good Luck !
To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

How to Profit Trading Forex

How to Profit Trading Forex

Basic yet important things every trader should know.

If you hear from anyone that making money in Forex is easy, do not believe it. It is a myth. The truth is – being profitable in Forex requires a lot of work, dedication, practice, more than a good discipline, sharp knowledge of money management and understanding of the psychology of the currency market. Not so little and therefore not so easy ...

Trading Forex was never about gambling

Trading is not a gambling by guessing where the price will move, although there are many traders ( mostly beginners ) that are exactly gambling ... Trading currencies on the Forex market requires logical and analytical calculations based either on fundamental or technical analysis of price moves.

Making money in Forex requires a set of rules

Making money starts with a plan to make money. Such plan is of enormous importance when it comes to trading foreign currencies. But, besides creating a plan, a trader needs constantly follow it. How often trader brake his rules will affect how much money he will make trading Forex.

Sounds simple : create and follow ... However, there is a real challenge when trader follows the rules but rules fail to make money ... it happens inevitably for every trading system known. If system had proven to be successful, sticking to the trading plan and firmly following the rules even when losing money will eventually yield profitable outcome. Having strong trading discipline and taking losses when necessary is a sign of serious trading approach.

Succeeding in Forex by using money management

To profit in Forex sticking to a set of rules is not enough. Good money management is also needed. Knowledge of how much to trade per each open position and where and when to stop – is what separates successful trader from bankrupt trader. Many beginner traders over-leverage themselves being attracted by big and promising leverages offered by Forex brokers. The truth is that a big leverage is not only about a big win, but also when it comes to be so – a big loss. Leverage higher than 1:20 will not attract serious investors.

Know your losses, before counting profits

Opening a new trading position must be first of all about how much money may be lost and then what would be the profits. Good money management implies that trader is expecting to win at least twice as much as he could lose on each trade. This way being right only 50% of the time will still make trading profitable. Using good money management in Forex trading is hundred times more important than having any great trading system itself.

Forex traders' mind

And last but not least is trader’s psychology. Going in profit or losing money always create psychological challenge for trader to act responsively. Not being greedy and also cutting losses short is the key to this game.

Trading Forex, you need to accept losses. They are inevitable and occur in any money involving operations. Therefore, instead of battling losses trader needs to accurately analyze unfavorable situations and take lessons from losing trades.

Every experienced trader would also suggest – there must be no attempts for revenge when losing money. Trying to return your money at any cost will put a trader in deeper troubles. Instead, the trader should return to trading rules and honestly analyze own mistakes, accept that the market was not in his favor and try to improve the trading plan for future success.

Successful traders are learners, what about you ?

And finally, even successful traders are constant learners. Up-to-date knowledge about Forex market opportunities is what also makes them continuously profitable in their trading career.

Happy learning and trading !

Good Luck !
To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore

22 Forex Trading Tips

22 Forex Trading Tips

Dear Traders, take a look on those important tips given to you.
Read on ...

Tip #1 : No Gamblers
Gamblers go to casino. All unproved, spontaneous actions in Forex trading — are a part of pure gambling. Any attempt to trade without analysis and studying the market is equal to a game. Game is fun except when you are losing real money ...

Tip #2 : Practice on Forex Demo Account
Never invest money into a real Forex account until you practice on a Forex Demo account ! Allow at least 2 month for demo trading. Consider this : 90% of beginners fail to succeed in the real money market only because of lack of knowledge, practice and discipline. Those remaining 10% of successful traders had been sharpening and shaping their skills on demo accounts for years before entering the real market. So, starts practicing on your Forex Demo account first.

Tip #3 : Go with the Trend
Go with the trend ! Trend is your friend. Trade with the trend to maximize your chances to succeed. Trading against the trend won't "kill" a trader, but will definitely require more attention, nerves and sharp skills to rich trading goals.

Tip #4 : Looking at Time Frame
Always take a look at the time frame bigger than the one you've chosen to trade in. It gives the bigger picture of market price movements and so helps to clearly define the trend. For example, when trading in 15 minute time frame, take a look at 1 hour chart ; trading hourly would require obtaining a picture of daily, weekly price movements.

If a trend is hard to spot — choose a bigger time frame. Up and down market patterns are always present. Always make sure you know the dominant trend, unless you are a scalper. Scalpers have no need to spend their time studying big trends, what's happening in the market here and now ( during 5-10 minute time frame ) should be of only importance to a Forex scalper.

Tip #5 : Never Risk
Never risk more than 2-3% of the total trading account. One important difference between a successful and an unsuccessful trader is that the first is able to survive under unfavorable conditions on the market, while an unsuccessful trader will blow up his account after 5-10 unprofitable trades in the row.

Even with the same trading system 2 traders can get opposite results in the long run. The difference will be again in money management approach. To introduce you to money management, let's get one fact : losing 50% of total account requires making 100% return from the rest of money just to restore the original balance.

Tip #6 : Trade Calm
Put emotions down. Trade calm. Don't try to revenge after losing the trade. Don't be greedy by adding lots of positions when winning. Overreaction blocks clear thinking and as a result will cost you money. Overtrading can shake your money management and dramatically increase trading risks.

Tip #7 : Choosing the Time Frame
Choose the time frame that is right for you. Choosing wise means that you are comfortable and have time enough to analyze the market, place and close orders etc ... Some people can't wait for hours for the price to make a move, they like action and therefore prefer smaller time frames. On the contrary, for others 10-15 minutes is a hustle to be able to make the right decision.

Tip #8 : Stay Out
Not trading or standing aside is a position. When in doubt — stay out. If it is not clear where the market will move — don't trade. In this case saving present capital is and absolutely better choice than risking and losing money.

Tip #9 : Use Protective Steps
Learn to use protective stops. Respect them and don't move. Hoping that market will turn in your direction is a very delusive hope. By moving a stop loss further a trader increases his chances to end up with much bigger loss.

When holding to a losing trade too long, and even if funds permit, traders as a rule are very reluctant to accept big losses, thus often continue "hoping for best". In the mean time invested money is stuck in the open trade for unknown period of time ( weeks and even months ) and cannot be used for opening new positions. Not working money — dead money. Also this will result in constant interest payments for holding open positions.

Tip #10 : Keep it Simple
"Keep it simple, stupid" — applies to indicators, signals and trading strategies. Too much information will create a controversial picture of where to trade and when not to. To avoid lots of confusion create a simple but working method of trading Forex.

Tip #11 : Risk Ratio
Think about risk/reward ratio before entering each trade. How much money can you lose in this trade ? How much can you gain ? Now, make a decision if the trade is worth entering. Example : if trader is looking for possible 35 pips gain and possible 25 pips of loss, such conditions are not worth trading. Compare it with the situation when a trader has 100-120 pips of potential gain and only 10-20 pips of possible loss. This is the trade to open !

Tip #12 : Proven Trade
Never add positions to a losing trade. Do add positions when the trade has proven to be profitable. Don't allow a couple of losing trades in a row become a snowball of losing trades. When it is obviously not a good day, turn the monitor off. Often not trading for one day can help to break a chain of consecutive losses. Trying to get revenge can often make things worse.

Tip #13 : Let Profits Run
Let your profits run. Let your position be open for as long as the market wishes to reward you. Of course, for this traders need a good exit strategy, otherwise they risk to give all profits back ... Running two or more open trades gives an option to close some positions earlier and keep others running for higher profits.

Tip #14 : Cut Losses
Cut your losses short. It's better to finish unprofitable trade quickly than wait for the situation to get worse. Don't put a stop loss too far — it's your money you risk. Better calculate the best spot to enter when a potential loss would be minimized. Again : respect your stop and don't move it "cherishing hopes".

Tip #15 : Overlapping Market Hours
Trade currency pairs in respect to their active market hours. Learn about overlapping market hours : when two markets are open and highest volume of trades is conducted. For example, Australian and Japanese trading sessions are overlapped from 8pm to 1 am EST. At that time trader can successfully trade AUD/JPY currency pair.

Tip #16 : Choosing Right Day
Choose the right day to trade. This recomendation is often wrongly taken as an optional thing, because everyone knows that Forex market is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Yet, choosing the time to trade can make a difference between successful and hopeless trading.

It's proved and highly recommended not to trade on Mondays, when the market has recently awaken and is making first "probation steps" to form a new or confirm a current trend ; and on Fridays afternoon, during the huge volume of closing trades. The best days to trade are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tip #17 : Fibonacci Levels
Learn about Fibonacci levels and how to use them for trading. Fibonacci can be very helpful in trading, even partially using the study, for example, to determine the best exit, can bring traders to a new edge of trading.

Tip #18 : Signaling Bar
Always ensure that a signaling bar/candle on the chart is fully formed and closed before you enter a trade. A golden rule of trading : "Always trade what you see, not what you would like to see" is the best explanation here.

Tip #19 : Live Trading Signals
If you ask for someone else's advice as about how and when to trade, in other words, choose to rely on live trading signals from other traders, make sure you do it for your benefit, not for disaster. If you use such signals to discover how other traders do analysis and study on the price — you are on the right track and soon you'll be able to do analysis yourself. But if you're just blindly following recommendations and your only task is to push the correct button ... think again.

Tip #20 : Leveraged Account
Using a highly leveraged account comes at a cost. It will, of course, give a trader more financial gear to trade, and also trader's broker will be happy as it will mean higher spread income for him. On the other side a trader signs up for additional risks that multiply with higher leverage in a "friendly tight" proportion.

Tip #21 : Measure Trading Success
Learn to measure trading success by the end of the day, week and then month and year. Do not judge about your trading success on a single trade. To be successful traders don't need to win every trade, they also don't become rich in one trade — they need to be profitable in a long run.

Tip #22 : No Secret Approach
There is no such thing as a secret approach to understanding the market. Take the time to develop a solid trading system and find out that the secret to trading success lies in hard work and constant learning.

Good Luck !
To Your Success

Wingcent Ning
Success-Biz Marketing
wingcent@gmail.com
http://mysignatureforex.blogspot.com
Singapore