Do you tend to over-analyze the charts before acting? This doesn’t guarantee better results.
Here’s what you can do to shorten the process and keep it organized and straightforward, eventually also improving the chances of winning.
Too many traders stick their noses to the screens for too long, trying to analyze, verify, double check, re-analyze, add indicators, remove them, adapt to market conditions that have changed in the meantime, re-analyze, rinse repeat.
And when they do eventually place a trade, is it the perfect one? Was it worth the effort? Probably not. Some will come to the conclusion that they didn’t do enough checks and will find themselves working even harder next time, diving deeper into the charts.
Others will be discouraged and will try the opposite approach: going by the gut feeling and acting spontaneously, without any indicators. This isn’t productive either. There has to be some middle ground.
This is good balance between serious analysis and a practical approach.
What is your process of preparing for a trade? Are you organized?
Here’s what you can do to shorten the process and keep it organized and straightforward, eventually also improving the chances of winning.
Too many traders stick their noses to the screens for too long, trying to analyze, verify, double check, re-analyze, add indicators, remove them, adapt to market conditions that have changed in the meantime, re-analyze, rinse repeat.
And when they do eventually place a trade, is it the perfect one? Was it worth the effort? Probably not. Some will come to the conclusion that they didn’t do enough checks and will find themselves working even harder next time, diving deeper into the charts.
Others will be discouraged and will try the opposite approach: going by the gut feeling and acting spontaneously, without any indicators. This isn’t productive either. There has to be some middle ground.
- You already have a system and you’ve seen something interesting in the charts.
- Use a checklist to see if the trade opportunity matches all the criteria of your system, including the risk reward ratio, risk management, and anything else. Everything should be on the list.
- If conditions aren’t met, let it go. Don’t look for a position that isn’t there. This will have dire circumstances, especially if you win this specific trade: it will encourage you to constantly break the rules, take bigger risks and eventually lose more money.
- If conditions are met, make a quick double-check to verify the exact checklist that you use for your system: don’t omit any important condition and don’t add any extra indicator – just make sure that you didn’t overlook anything the first time around.
- Place the trade!
This is good balance between serious analysis and a practical approach.
What is your process of preparing for a trade? Are you organized?
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD tests nine-day EMA support near 1.1850
EUR/USD remains in the negative territory for the fourth successive session, trading around 1.1870 during the Asian hours on Friday. The 14-day Relative Strength Index momentum indicator at 56 stays above the midline, confirming steady momentum. RSI has eased but remains above 50, indicating momentum remains constructive for the bulls.
GBP/USD consolidates around 1.3600 vs. USD; looks to US CPI for fresh impetus
The GBP/USD pair remains on the defensive through the Asian session on Friday, though it lacks bearish conviction and holds above the 1.3600 mark as traders await the release of the US consumer inflation figures before placing directional bets.
USD/JPY rebounds above 153.00 ahead of US inflation data
USD/JPY stages a comeback and regains 153.00 in the Asian session, snapping a four-day losing streak amid some repositioning ahead of the US CPI report. However, expectations that Japan's PM Sanae Takaichi could be more fiscally responsible, along with bets that the BoJ will stick to its policy normalization path and the risk-off mood, could support the safe-haven Japanese Yen, capping the pair's upside.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD tests nine-day EMA support near 1.1850
EUR/USD remains in the negative territory for the fourth successive session, trading around 1.1870 during the Asian hours on Friday. The 14-day Relative Strength Index momentum indicator at 56 stays above the midline, confirming steady momentum. RSI has eased but remains above 50, indicating momentum remains constructive for the bulls.
Gold recovers swiftly from weekly low, climbs back closer to $5,000 ahead of US CPI
Gold regains positive traction during the Asian session on Friday and recovers a part of the previous day's heavy losses to the $4,878-4,877 region, or the weekly low. The commodity has now moved back closer to the $5,000 psychological mark as traders keenly await the release of the US consumer inflation figures for more cues about the Federal Reserve's policy path.
GBP/USD consolidates around 1.3600 vs. USD; looks to US CPI for fresh impetus
The GBP/USD pair remains on the defensive through the Asian session on Friday, though it lacks bearish conviction and holds above the 1.3600 mark as traders await the release of the US consumer inflation figures before placing directional bets.
Solana: Mixed market sentiment caps recovery
Solana is trading at $79 as of Friday, following a correction of over 9% so far this week. On-chain and derivatives data indicates mixed sentiment among traders, further limiting the chances of a price recovery.
A tale of two labour markets: Headline strength masks underlying weakness
Undoubtedly, yesterday’s delayed US January jobs report delivered a strong headline – one that surpassed most estimates. However, optimism quickly faded amid sobering benchmark revisions.
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