Sam Seiden
Independent Analyst
Newton’s first law of motion states that every object in a state of motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it. For trading, the two “forces” are supply and demand. While I often discuss the forces in articles, another key piece that I have wrote about the past two weeks is identifying price levels in a market where there is a major lack of supply and demand (force). At Online Trading Academy, we call this “profit zone” but it’s the same thing.
It is important to find price levels where there is a major supply and demand imbalance as that is where prices turn. However, it is equally important to find price levels where there is very little demand or supply (force) as these are areas where price will move through with ease. Let’s look at a recent example from last week’s Extended Learning Track Live Trading session to illustrate this point.
XLT Live Trading: 6/11/14 – S&P Trade, the Setup
Notice the chart above. During a live trading session with our Director of Instructor Development, Chuck Fulkerson, he identified a price level where supply exceeded demand, where financial institutions were selling the S&P. This level scored out as a 9 according to our rule based Odds Enhancers and one of the most important reasons was the “profit zone.” The setup was to sell short if and when price rallied back to that supply level. In that case, someone would be buying after a rally in price, into a price level where supply exceeded demand, near QQQ larger time frame supply, and so on. We are more than willing to sell to that novice buyer. The risk is low, reward high, and the odds are stacked in our favor as the seller. Next, we would have to wait to see if anyone thought the S&P was worth buying at that price.
XLT Live Trading: 6/11/14 – S&P Trade, The Result
Later in the day, price rallied back to the supply (the force), allowing banks and OTA students to sell short to buyers who thought the S&P was worth buying at that level. Price then turned lower and kept falling because there was NO FORCE (demand) to stop it. The lack of force was evident prior to entering the trade and this information is a must in my opinion. Identifying the lack of force is just as important as identifying the force. The nice part is that once you completely understand this concept, there is nothing else to consider when predicting market turns and market moves. This is the key to short term trading for income and long term trading for wealth.
Hope this was helpful, have a great day.
Note: All information on this page is subject to change. The use of this website constitutes acceptance of our user agreement. Please read our privacy policy and legal disclaimer. Opinions expressed at FXstreet.com are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of FXstreet.com or its management. Risk Disclosure: Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to invest in foreign exchange you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with foreign exchange trading, and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD stays below 1.1850 after dismal German sentiment data
EUR/USD stays in negative territory below 1.1850 in the second half of the day on Tuesday. Renewed US Dollar strength, combined with a softer risk tone keep the pair undermined alongside downbeat German ZEW sentiment readings for February.
GBP/USD falls toward 1.3550, pressured by weak UK jobs report
GBP/USD remains under bearish pressure and extends its decline below 1.3600 on Tuesday. The United Kingdom employment data suggested worsening labor market conditions, bolstering bets for a BoE interest rate cut next month and making it difficult for Pound Sterling to stay resilient against its peers.
USD/JPY slides further below 153.00; eyes 200-day EMA amid a firmer JPY
The USD/JPY pair meets with a fresh supply on Tuesday and slides further below the 153.00 mark heading into the European session, reversing a major part of the previous day's positive move. Spot prices, however, manage to hold above the 200-day Exponential Moving Average support, around the 152.50 region, preserving a tentative bullish bias despite a shallow cushion.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD stays below 1.1850 after dismal German sentiment data
EUR/USD stays in negative territory below 1.1850 in the second half of the day on Tuesday. Renewed US Dollar strength, combined with a softer risk tone keep the pair undermined alongside downbeat German ZEW sentiment readings for February.
GBP/USD falls toward 1.3550, pressured by weak UK jobs report
GBP/USD remains under bearish pressure and extends its decline below 1.3600 on Tuesday. The United Kingdom employment data suggested worsening labor market conditions, bolstering bets for a BoE interest rate cut next month and making it difficult for Pound Sterling to stay resilient against its peers.
Gold recovers modestly, stays deep in red below $4,950
Gold (XAU/USD) stages a rebound but remains deep in negative territory below $4,950 after touching its weakest level in over a week near $4,850 earlier in the day. Renewed US Dollar strength makes it difficult for XAU/USD to gather recovery momentum despite the risk-averse market atmosphere.
Canada CPI expected to show sticky inflation in January, still above BoC’s target
Economists see the headline CPI rising by 2.4% in a year to January, still above the BoC’s target and matching December’s increase. On a monthly basis, prices are expected to rise by 0.1%.
UK jobs market weakens, bolstering rate cut hopes
In the UK, the latest jobs report made for difficult reading. Nonetheless, this represents yet another reminder for the Bank of England that they need to act swiftly given the collapse in inflation expected over the coming months.
RECOMMENDED LESSONS
Making money in forex is easy if you know how the bankers trade!
I’m often mystified in my educational forex articles why so many traders struggle to make consistent money out of forex trading. The answer has more to do with what they don’t know than what they do know. After working in investment banks for 20 years many of which were as a Chief trader its second knowledge how to extract cash out of the market.
5 Forex News Events You Need To Know
In the fast moving world of currency markets where huge moves can seemingly come from nowhere, it is extremely important for new traders to learn about the various economic indicators and forex news events and releases that shape the markets. Indeed, quickly getting a handle on which data to look out for, what it means, and how to trade it can see new traders quickly become far more profitable and sets up the road to long term success.
Top 10 Chart Patterns Every Trader Should Know
Chart patterns are one of the most effective trading tools for a trader. They are pure price-action, and form on the basis of underlying buying and selling pressure. Chart patterns have a proven track-record, and traders use them to identify continuation or reversal signals, to open positions and identify price targets.
7 Ways to Avoid Forex Scams
The forex industry is recently seeing more and more scams. Here are 7 ways to avoid losing your money in such scams: Forex scams are becoming frequent. Michael Greenberg reports on luxurious expenses, including a submarine bought from the money taken from forex traders. Here’s another report of a forex fraud. So, how can we avoid falling in such forex scams?
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.