Share:

As you might know, the Fibonacci tool is a very valuable indicator for spotting support and resistance but the indicator can also be used for trading decisions.

This article explains how to use the Fibs for actual trading entries… but the Fib tool also helps provide a better spot for placing the stop loss. Let’s start.

 

Fibonacci for Entries

Traders can use the Fibonacci retracement levels for two different ways of entering. Here are the two main methods: 

  1. Pending orders for immediate and direct entries can be placed at the Fib levels 

  2. Traders can wait for confirmation triggers at the desired Fib levels before actually entering

Placing pending orders at the Fibonacci levels requires more confidence in one’s analysis and Fib placement skills because price must first retrace before reaching the pending order. This means traders are trading against the short-term momentum and hoping that price will bounce before hitting their stop loss.

Waiting for confirmation triggers means that we are waiting for the price to reach my desired Fibonacci level but I am not entering when the price reaches the Fib. Instead, I am waiting for the price to react (in my anticipated direction) to the Fibonacci level before taking an entry. The best reaction is a candlestick confirmation at the expected Fib level. An example of a candlestick pattern could be engulfing twins for instance. 

Which one is better? Some traders are opposed to waiting for a confirmation as the entry price tends to be worse in comparison with the confirmation, which is true but there are two distinct advantages of waiting.

  1. Fibonacci levels on a higher time frame are often the most respected but also the most difficult to trade from a practical point of view. Or in other words, the market highly respects the levels but the space between the bottom and the 50 Fib could be enormous on the 4 hour chart and practically impossible for many traders to trade (due to risk management rules and small account sizes). Waiting for a price reaction enables a trader to use a tighter stop loss for this setup as the recent candle high or low plus a buffer could be employed.

  2. The 2nd advantage is connected to the fact that the probability of a setup succeeding varies per trade when placing the Fib tool on the charts. If I have too much doubt whether the market will respect the Fib level, then waiting for a reaction solves that issue. This is especially important for traders who have less experience when placing Fibs on the charts. This is an important method to improve one’s Fib trading when you are just starting out with Fibs.

More is explained in our special Elliott Wave Patterns & Fibonacci Relationships Core Reference Guide.

EURUSD

Image: Fibonacci 21 (swing folder)

All in all, the difference between a trigger and an entry could seem quite small. However, it is worth sacrificing a few pips and getting a slightly worse entry if the probability of the Fib working out is low or average OR if you are relatively new to Fib trading. 

Personally we are using Fibs as a trigger anytime when reviewing daily chart or higher as in those cases we are not willing to commit to a Fib trade via a pending order. Then the stops are quite large and trades take too long to develop, which means that the capital is stuck and blocking potential new setups. When analyzing a 4 hour chart or lower, traders can use Fibs as either a trigger or as an entry depending on the probability of each setup. 

 

Stop Loss with Fibs

Many traders seek out a tight stop loss in order to increase their lot size (with the same risk). That idea could, however, be hazardous for your account. Why? 

  1. The markets move up and down, show lots of volatility, and retest price zones often.

  2. The ‘noise of the market’ implies that all stop losses are to some degree vulnerable to being triggered before price makes a sustainable one directional movement. 

  3. An (over) tight stop loss will have more issues due to this market volatility. The chart above shows how choppy price action can be hazardous for tight stop losses… but there is a solution: the invalidation spot.

The best stop loss placement is “simple”: place it at a spot where your analysis is invalidated if price pushes beyond that point. There are 2 benefits: 

  1. You exit the trade at a loss ONLY if the analysis proves incorrect.

  2. You are not psychologically annoyed with the loss because you placed it at a sport where your analysis was in fact not on the mark. 

EURUSD

Image: Fibonacci 23 (swing folder)

Many traders do not place a stop loss at an invalidation point. They see their stop loss get hit but their analysis can easily turn out to be right. Do you recognize the annoyance that your analysis was correct but your trade ends up for a loss? Only to see the market turn around into your expected direction after you get taken out? 

This process leads to revenge trading, over risking, and other nasty and costly bad habits. Using the invalidation level creates a peace of mind: a stop loss only triggers if the market is turning into a different direction.

Finding the invalidation level with the Fibonacci tool is straightforward: the stop loss should go below the 100 mark if trading on a lower time frame. When a trader places their Fibonacci tool from left to right, they will have the 100 mark either at the bottom (when Fibbing an uptrend) or at the top (when Fibbing a downtrend). 

EURUSD

Image: Fibonacci 22 (swing folder)

The bottom or top of the Fibonacci level is where the trade and analysis is invalidated because Fib traders will only place the Fib tool on an appropriate/sturdy swing. Now you understand why placing the Fib on the correct swing or leg of price movement is so crucial… the Fib tool not only indicates entries and targets but also the correct stop loss level. Make sure to use the correct swing and hence the correct Fib. 

Personally we tend to place the stop loss a few pips away from the bottom or top. On a 1-hour chart this could be 5-10 pips whereas a 4-hour chart might be 10-15 pips. We like to provide more leeway for my trades, just in case price retests the bottom or top. 

There are some valid reasons to use a tighter stop loss. If you see a (strong) candlestick reaction at the Fibonacci level, then using a stop loss below the candle low or above the candle high could be a valid approach. Stop losses just beyond a strong Fibonacci level can work out fine and offer better reward to risk ratios. The key element is to have sufficient confluence on the charts at that particular level.


 

The analysis has been done with the ecs.SWAT method and ebook.

Elite CurrenSea Training Program(s) should not be treated as a recommendation or a suggestion to buy or sell any security or the suitability of any investment strategy for Student. The purchase, sale, or advice regarding any security, other financial instrument or system can only be performed by a licensed Industry representative; such as, but not limited to a Broker/Dealer, Introducing Broker, FCM and/or Registered Investment Advisor. Neither Elite CurrenSea nor its representatives are licensed to make such advisements. Electronic active trading (trading) may put your capital at risk, hence all trading decisions are made at your own risk. Furthermore, trading may also involve a high volume & frequency of trading activity. Each trade generates a commission and the total daily commission on such a high volume of trading can be considerable. Trading accounts should be considered speculative in nature with the objective being to generate short-term profits. This activity may result in the loss of more than 100% of an investment, which is the sole responsibility of the client. Any trader should realise the operation of a margin account under various market conditions and review his or her investment objectives, financial resources and risk tolerances to determine whether margin trading is appropriate for them. The increased leverage which margin provides may heighten risk substantially, including the risk of loss in excess of 100% of an investment.

Follow us on Telegram

Stay updated of all the news

Join Telegram

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD drops toward 1.0700 after US jobs report

EUR/USD drops toward 1.0700 after US jobs report

EUR/USD came under renewed bearish pressure in the second half of the day on Friday and declined toward 1.0700. Stronger-than-expected Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data helps the US Dollar gather strength ahead of the weekend and forces the pair to stay on the back foot.

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD extends slide below 1.2450 amid a stronger USD

GBP/USD extends slide below 1.2450 amid a stronger USD

GBP/USD dropped further and hit fresh daily lows below 1.2450 amid a stronger US dollar. The Greenback remains firm following the release of the US May jobs report. Despite losing almost 100 pips on Friday, GBP/USD is still on track for a weekly gain.

GBP/USD News

USD/JPY spikes and retreats on mixed US NFP report, up a little above 139.00 mark

USD/JPY spikes and retreats on mixed US NFP report, up a little above 139.00 mark

The USD/JPY pair jumps to a fresh daily high, around the 139.45 region, during the early North American session, albeit meets with a fresh supply at higher levels. Spot prices quickly retreat to the lower end of the daily range and currently trade just above the 139.00 mark following the release of the mixed US monthly jobs data.

USD/JPY News

Follow us on Telegram

Stay updated of all the news

Join Telegram

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD drops toward 1.0700 after US jobs report

EUR/USD drops toward 1.0700 after US jobs report

EUR/USD came under renewed bearish pressure in the second half of the day on Friday and declined toward 1.0700. Stronger-than-expected Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data helps the US Dollar gather strength ahead of the weekend and forces the pair to stay on the back foot.

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD extends slide below 1.2450 amid a stronger USD

GBP/USD extends slide below 1.2450 amid a stronger USD

GBP/USD dropped further and hit fresh daily lows below 1.2450 amid a stronger US dollar. The Greenback remains firm following the release of the US May jobs report. Despite losing almost 100 pips on Friday, GBP/USD is still on track for a weekly gain.

GBP/USD News

Gold falls below $1,960 as US yields rebound after US jobs data

Gold falls below $1,960 as US yields rebound after US jobs data

Gold price turned south and declined below $1,960 on Friday. After the data from the US revealed that Nonfarm Payrolls rose 339,000 in May, the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield gained more than 2% and recovered toward 3.7%, weighing heavily on XAU/USD.

Gold News

China crypto community picks Ethereum, Arbitrum and BNB Chain as top protocols

China crypto community picks Ethereum, Arbitrum and BNB Chain as top protocols

Ethereum, Arbitrum and BNB Chain protocols are top picks for the Chinese crypto community, data from a report shows, a possible bullish catalyst for tokens related to these protocols as Hong Kong opens the door of crypto to retail investors.

Read more

LULU stock adds 15% on big Wall Street beat

LULU stock adds 15% on big Wall Street beat

Lululemon Athletica did it again. In something that has become quite predictable, LULU stock sailed 14.9% higher in Friday’s premarket to $377.20 after the prized athleisure brand posted a nearly 15% earnings beat for the first quarter.

Read more

RECOMMENDED LESSONS

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.

Strategy

Money Management

Psychology