One of the things that many forex traders struggle with is when to close a profitable position. Often, they let emotion take hold, either closing out a position when they shouldn’t because they are scared, or holding on for more profits because of greed and losing everything in the process. It’s important to remember that you should never base a decision on anything but logic – but that can be hard to remember in the heat of the moment.
Having a huge profit on an open position is a good feeling, but your decision on what to do next shouldn’t take into account how much profit you have made already – don’t count your money and use this as the basis of your decision. Instead, ask yourself whether you really believe that your trade will continue to move in the right direction based on real market signals.
For instance, if you are in a strongly trending market, then it often makes sense to keep your position open until there is a clear signal to exit. For instance, if you see new highs being made on a daily basis in an uptrend, then the best thing to do is to keep your position open and limit your risk by using a trailing stop. Keep your stop slightly below the previous day’s low and let the trade run until the market closes your trade for you. Alternatively, simply set your stop to track the 8 day EMA – this will keep your stop at a reasonable level below the current price until the trend reverses.
However, if you do this, keep a lookout for opposing price action. A strong signal such as a large bearish pin bar in a rising market is a signal for you to take your profits. Similarly, keep a lookout for support and resistance levels – if you have already made significant profits, there is no reason to take risks. Even if you think you see a breakout signal as the level approaches, remember that many breakout signals are false. It’s often better to take your profits rather than betting that a trend will continue through a support or resistance level.
On the other hand, price action can also be a good indicator that you should stay in the market. Again, if you are riding a trend and it starts to flatten out, you may be tempted to exit – and perhaps you should. However, if you see a strong pin bar that reaffirms the trend, or any other supporting price action, then consider staying in the market. Again, make sure that you have your risk management strategy in place using trailing stops, but don’t exit the market by yourself when all of the signals are pointing in the right direction – let the market decide.
Having a huge profit on an open position is a good feeling, but your decision on what to do next shouldn’t take into account how much profit you have made already – don’t count your money and use this as the basis of your decision. Instead, ask yourself whether you really believe that your trade will continue to move in the right direction based on real market signals.
For instance, if you are in a strongly trending market, then it often makes sense to keep your position open until there is a clear signal to exit. For instance, if you see new highs being made on a daily basis in an uptrend, then the best thing to do is to keep your position open and limit your risk by using a trailing stop. Keep your stop slightly below the previous day’s low and let the trade run until the market closes your trade for you. Alternatively, simply set your stop to track the 8 day EMA – this will keep your stop at a reasonable level below the current price until the trend reverses.
However, if you do this, keep a lookout for opposing price action. A strong signal such as a large bearish pin bar in a rising market is a signal for you to take your profits. Similarly, keep a lookout for support and resistance levels – if you have already made significant profits, there is no reason to take risks. Even if you think you see a breakout signal as the level approaches, remember that many breakout signals are false. It’s often better to take your profits rather than betting that a trend will continue through a support or resistance level.
On the other hand, price action can also be a good indicator that you should stay in the market. Again, if you are riding a trend and it starts to flatten out, you may be tempted to exit – and perhaps you should. However, if you see a strong pin bar that reaffirms the trend, or any other supporting price action, then consider staying in the market. Again, make sure that you have your risk management strategy in place using trailing stops, but don’t exit the market by yourself when all of the signals are pointing in the right direction – let the market decide.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD keeps range near 1.1750 ahead of German/ EU PMI data
EUR/USD maintains its range trade at around 1.1750 in European trading on Tuesday. The pair's volatility remains low, with investors awaiting a bunch of top-tier economic data releases from Germany, Eurozone and the US. The immediate focus is on the German and Eurozone preliminary PMI data.
When is the UK labor market report and how could it affect GBP/USD?
The UK Office for National Statistics will publish its labor market report at 07.00 GMT. GBP/USD trades in negative territory on the day in the lead up to the UK employment data. The pair loses ground as traders turn cautious ahead of the key US economic data, including Nonfarm Payrolls, Retail Sales, and Purchasing Managers Index.
USD/JPY stays in the red below 155.00 amid BoJ rate hike bets, US data awaited
USD/JPY holds moderate losses below 155.00 in the Asian session on Tuesday. The Japanese Yen gains ground on expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates at the upcoming policy meeting on Friday. Traders will closely monitor key US data, including Nonfarm Payrolls, Retail Sales, and Purchasing Managers Index, which are due later in the day.
Editors’ Picks
When is the UK labor market report and how could it affect GBP/USD?
The UK Office for National Statistics will publish its labor market report at 07.00 GMT. GBP/USD trades in negative territory on the day in the lead up to the UK employment data. The pair loses ground as traders turn cautious ahead of the key US economic data, including Nonfarm Payrolls, Retail Sales, and Purchasing Managers Index.
EUR/USD keeps range near 1.1750 ahead of German/ EU PMI data
EUR/USD maintains its range trade at around 1.1750 in European trading on Tuesday. The pair's volatility remains low, with investors awaiting a bunch of top-tier economic data releases from Germany, Eurozone and the US. The immediate focus is on the German and Eurozone preliminary PMI data.
Gold bulls move to the sidelines ahead of delayed US NFP report
Gold attracts some sellers during the Asian session on Tuesday and extends the overnight pullback from the $4,350 region, or the vicinity of the highest level since October 21, touched last week. The intraday downtick comes amid optimism over the Russia-Ukraine peace deal, which is seen undermining demand for the traditional safe-haven commodity.
Sui Price Forecast: Sui slips below $1.50 as network demand and risk appetite wane
Sui remains under intense bearish pressure, extending losses by 1% at press time on Tuesday for the third straight day.
NFP preview: Complex data release will determine if Fed was right to cut rates
The long wait is over, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US will release nonfarm payrolls reports for both November and October at 1330 GMT on Tuesday. The overall NFP figure for October is expected to be -10k, however, it is expected to be influenced by a massive 130k drop in federal department workers.
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