You’ve probably heard the expression: “Make the trend your friend”. For many, this basic idea has already been forgotten and regarded as yet another cliché. Nevertheless, it is still very relevant.
If your system involves looking at 1 hour charts, check out the 4 hours charts and the daily charts to get the bigger picture. What is the general direction of your currency pair?
Are the larger scoped charts headed lower when you place a long position? Maybe it is time to rethink your position.
Sure, you can money on corrections. If the pair approached a resistance line and the general direction is up, you may short the pair when it approaches the line and profit off the bounce. But let’s remember two things:
This could be the break: Perhaps the pair has enough momentum to cross the line this time. If the general direction is higher, you don’t want to be the contrarian in this case, as your trade will lose.
Corrections are smaller: Breakouts are usually stronger than corrections. Many traders use Fibonacci lines to measure the potential of the correction. Using this theory, a correction is 38.2%, 50% or 61.2% of the move while a breakout has a larger potential of covering 100% of the previous range, according to the same theories.
Of course, breakouts can be false, and may not yield the desired results. There are ways to cope with false breakouts, and in many cases, the preliminary false breakout is a preparation for the big move. The wider trend longer term trend has a better chance of being the winning one.
Trying to outsmart the markets sounds bold and can make a great impression on your friends, but you won’t be running to boast your victories to your friends if this strategy turns out to be a losing one.
Has the pair recently been trading in an uptrend or downtrend channel within the current range? What is the news about the currencies in question? In some cases, a potential direction can emerge for the pair and you could be aware of this and take advantage of this.
Flat ranges aren’t forever. The pair will eventually break out, and making a deeper analysis can help you find the right direction.
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This is the second chapter of 9-chapter series about trading forex responsibly.
If your system involves looking at 1 hour charts, check out the 4 hours charts and the daily charts to get the bigger picture. What is the general direction of your currency pair?
Are the larger scoped charts headed lower when you place a long position? Maybe it is time to rethink your position.
Sure, you can money on corrections. If the pair approached a resistance line and the general direction is up, you may short the pair when it approaches the line and profit off the bounce. But let’s remember two things:
This could be the break: Perhaps the pair has enough momentum to cross the line this time. If the general direction is higher, you don’t want to be the contrarian in this case, as your trade will lose.
Corrections are smaller: Breakouts are usually stronger than corrections. Many traders use Fibonacci lines to measure the potential of the correction. Using this theory, a correction is 38.2%, 50% or 61.2% of the move while a breakout has a larger potential of covering 100% of the previous range, according to the same theories.
Of course, breakouts can be false, and may not yield the desired results. There are ways to cope with false breakouts, and in many cases, the preliminary false breakout is a preparation for the big move. The wider trend longer term trend has a better chance of being the winning one.
Trying to outsmart the markets sounds bold and can make a great impression on your friends, but you won’t be running to boast your victories to your friends if this strategy turns out to be a losing one.
Sideways
When the currency pair of choice trades sideways, there is no trend in theory and both directions can work. Also in this case, it is important to have another look and try to identify if any direction, up or down is emerging.Has the pair recently been trading in an uptrend or downtrend channel within the current range? What is the news about the currencies in question? In some cases, a potential direction can emerge for the pair and you could be aware of this and take advantage of this.
Flat ranges aren’t forever. The pair will eventually break out, and making a deeper analysis can help you find the right direction.
----
This is the second chapter of 9-chapter series about trading forex responsibly.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD gathers recovery momentum, trades near 1.1750
Following the correction seen in the second half of the previous week, EUR/USD gathers bullish momentum and trades in positive territory near 1.1750. The US Dollar (USD) struggles to attract buyers and supports the pair as investors await Tuesday's GDP data ahead of the Christmas holiday.
GBP/USD rises toward 1.3450 on renewed USD weakness
GBP/USD turns north on Monday and avances to the 1.3450 region. The US Dollar (USD) stays on the back foot to begin the new week as investors adjust their positions before tomorrow's third-quarter growth data, helping the pair stretch higher.
USD/JPY trims gains amid intervention risk and softer Greenback
USD/JPY retreats toward 157.00 as Japan signals readiness to stabilise the Yen. Softer US Dollar lends additional support to the Yen amid a dovish Fed outlook. Markets look ahead to key US economic data releases due on Tuesday.
Editors’ Picks
Gold not done with record highs
Gold extends its rally in the American session on Monday and trades at a new all-time-high above $4,420, gaining nearly 2% on a daily basis. The potential for a re-escalation of the tensions in the Middle East on news of Israel planning to attack Iran allows Gold to capitalize on safe-haven flows.
EUR/USD gathers recovery momentum, trades near 1.1750
Following the correction seen in the second half of the previous week, EUR/USD gathers bullish momentum and trades in positive territory near 1.1750. The US Dollar (USD) struggles to attract buyers and supports the pair as investors await Tuesday's GDP data ahead of the Christmas holiday.
GBP/USD rises toward 1.3450 on renewed USD weakness
GBP/USD turns north on Monday and avances to the 1.3450 region. The US Dollar (USD) stays on the back foot to begin the new week as investors adjust their positions before tomorrow's third-quarter growth data, helping the pair stretch higher.
Top 10 crypto predictions for 2026: Institutional demand and big banks could lift Bitcoin
Bitcoin could hit record highs in 2026, according to Grayscale and top crypto asset managers. Institutional demand and digital-asset treasury companies set to catalyze gains in Bitcoin.
Ten questions that matter going into 2026
2026 may be less about a neat “base case” and more about a regime shift—the market can reprice what matters most (growth, inflation, fiscal, geopolitics, concentration). The biggest trap is false comfort: the same trades can look defensive… right up until they become crowded.
RECOMMENDED LESSONS
Making money in forex is easy if you know how the bankers trade!
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Top 10 Chart Patterns Every Trader Should Know
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7 Ways to Avoid Forex Scams
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What Are the 10 Fatal Mistakes Traders Make
Trading is exciting. Trading is hard. Trading is extremely hard. Some say that it takes more than 10,000 hours to master. Others believe that trading is the way to quick riches. They might be both wrong. What is important to know that no matter how experienced you are, mistakes will be part of the trading process.
The challenge: Timing the market and trader psychology
Successful trading often comes down to timing – entering and exiting trades at the right moments. Yet timing the market is notoriously difficult, largely because human psychology can derail even the best plans. Two powerful emotions in particular – fear and greed – tend to drive trading decisions off course.