Brandon Wendell, CMT
Brandon Wendell
If you have been following the NASDAQ index, you know that prices have been making all-time market highs lately, even though the other indexes have been stuck in a range. There are a lot of stocks that are also at an all-time market high. As traders, we know that we should participate in the dominant trend but base our exits on supply and demand zones. The biggest question when a market high has been hit becomes: where are we supposed to exit when we do not have a supply zone to mark the top?
There are a couple of technical tools that we can use to identify probable targets for our trades, both intraday and on swing trades. It is important to note that none of these are as strong as actual supply zones but they do seem to offer higher probability targets when we are breaking out into the unknown territory of market highs.
Measure Momentum
The first method for determining where to exit a trade when a market high has been hit is one of the easiest. Before prices break to new highs, they often pull back to gain momentum. If you measure the depth of the pullback and then project that same length at the breakout, it will often mark the area of the first correction after the breakout.
I have previously used this method in my Futures class to identify targets that were extremely accurate in all types of futures contracts and in many different time frames. Think of price as a pendulum, it swings backwards just as much as it will swing forwards with similar momentum.
Fibonacci Extension Tool
The next method offers multiple targets and uses a tool that is available on most software platforms. The Fibonacci Extension tool measures the impulse prior to the breakout and then projects certain measurements of that impulse from the recent lows. An impulse is a strong move in the direction of the dominant trend. After the impulse has corrected, you can project where the new impulse will likely stall.
Moving Average
The last method for how to trade during an all-time market high is to simply wait for a signal that the trend has been broken. Moving averages offer a summary of the current trend and the mean price. In a bullish trend, prices should move away from an average and then snap back to it but not close below the moving average. This is called reversion to the mean. If price breaks the moving average by closing below it, then the trend has likely ended.
There are two problems with this technique. First, you will never exit at the top of the move since we wait for a pullback to trigger the exit. That is fine though as we can still participate and profit from the majority of the move.
The second problem is the choice of the period for the moving average. We need to select a period or length of the moving average that price will respect for the trend. Stocks and timeframes differ and one moving average may not work for all securities. There are some advanced techniques for finding the best length but I will save that for discussion in our trading courses.
So if the price of your security breaks to new highs, these methods might help you be better prepared to take your profits at the right time rather than trying to guess. Don’t forget, the best entries and exits for trades are always found at strong supply or demand zones. To learn more about how to trade and invest properly, contact your local Online Trading Academy center and enroll in the Professional Trader course today.
Neither Freedom Management Partners nor any of its personnel are registered broker-dealers or investment advisers. I will mention that I consider certain securities or positions to be good candidates for the types of strategies we are discussing or illustrating. Because I consider the securities or positions appropriate to the discussion or for illustration purposes does not mean that I am telling you to trade the strategies or securities. Keep in mind that we are not providing you with recommendations or personalized advice about your trading activities. The information we are providing is not tailored to any individual. Any mention of a particular security is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold that or any other security or a suggestion that it is suitable for any specific person. Keep in mind that all trading involves a risk of loss, and this will always be the situation, regardless of whether we are discussing strategies that are intended to limit risk. Also, Freedom Management Partners’ personnel are not subject to trading restrictions. I and others at Freedom Management Partners could have a position in a security or initiate a position in a security at any time.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD struggles near 1.1850, with all eyes on US CPI data
EUR/USD holds losses while keeping its range near 1.1850 in European trading on Friday. A broadly cautious market environment paired with a steady US Dollar undermines the pair ahead of the critical US CPI data. Meanwhile, the Eurozone Q4 GDP second estimate has little to no impact on the Euro.
GBP/USD recovers above 1.3600, awaits US CPI for fresh impetus
GBP/USD recovers some ground above 1.3600 in the European session on Friday, though it lacks bullish conviction. The US Dollar remains supported amid a softer risk tone and ahead of the US consumer inflation figures due later in the NA session on Friday.
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 struggles near 1.1850, with all eyes on US CPI data
EUR/USD holds losses while keeping its range near 1.1850 in European trading on Friday. A broadly cautious market environment paired with a steady US Dollar undermines the pair ahead of the critical US CPI data. Meanwhile, the Eurozone Q4 GDP second estimate has little to no impact on the Euro.
GBP/USD recovers above 1.3600, awaits US CPI for fresh impetus
GBP/USD recovers some ground above 1.3600 in the European session on Friday, though it lacks bullish conviction. The US Dollar remains supported amid a softer risk tone and ahead of the US consumer inflation figures due later in the NA session on Friday.
Gold remains below $5,000 as US inflation report looms
Gold retreats from the vicinity of the $5,000 psychological mark, though sticks to its modest intraday gains in the European session. Traders now look forward to the release of the US consumer inflation figures for more cues about the Fed policy path. The outlook will play a key role in influencing the near-term US Dollar price dynamics and provide some meaningful impetus to the non-yielding bullion.
US CPI data set to show modest inflation cooling as markets price in a more hawkish Fed
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics will publish January’s Consumer Price Index data on Friday, delayed by the brief and partial United States government shutdown. The report is expected to show that inflationary pressures eased modestly but also remained above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
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.
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.