"Buy low, sell high" is one of the most popular memes in the investment and trading world. And obviously, it does make sense, who wouldn't like to buy low and sell high all the time? I found this to be quite a helpful advice to invest in stocks for example. Wait for a crash, buy it and sell again when prices are back to old highs.
Of course, the problem often is to figure out what's actually a low price and what's a high price. You can also buy high and sell higher to make a profit, which is how trend following works.
So what's the real deal here? I think the actual question to ask is "who's going to buy after me?" or "who's next in line?". Will there be enough traders willing to buy after you did at a higher price? Or if you're short the other way around, will there be sellers standing in line to sell after you did or not?
Think about it. To make a profit that's exactly what needs to happen. If you buy at $100, the only way to make a profit is if there are buyers willing to buy at higher prices. If they don't bid it up after you and you find someone to sell to at a higher price, you won't make a profit. Simple fact most traders are not really aware of.
Obviously, there's always someone who's gonna be the last in line. Someone is going to buy the high of the day/week/month/year/all-time. In poker, there's the popular saying that if you don't know who the patsy is in the round after 30 minutes, it's probably you. That same idea applies to trading. If you don't know why other traders are probably willing to buy at a higher price after you during the day, you might be the last one in the order book to bid at such a high price for today.
Because of that, it's always helpful to ask yourself "Who's gonna buy/sell after me and why?". If you can't answer that question it might be best to skip the trade!
Happy Trading!
CFTC RULE 4.41 - HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER-OR-OVER COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFIT OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD clings to daily gains above 1.0650
EUR/USD gained traction and turned positive on the day above 1.0650. The improvement seen in risk mood following the earlier flight to safety weighs on the US Dollar ahead of the weekend and helps the pair push higher.
GBP/USD recovers toward 1.2450 after UK Retail Sales data
GBP/USD reversed its direction and advanced to the 1.2450 area after touching a fresh multi-month low below 1.2400 in the Asian session. The positive shift seen in risk mood on easing fears over a deepening Iran-Israel conflict supports the pair.
USD/JPY goes on a roller-coaster ride prompted by geopolitical risk
USD/JPY whipsaws lower and then higher on alternating risk-on risk-off caused by Middle East tensions. Governor Ueda talks about defending the Yen from further weakness and currency-induced imported inflation. USD/JPY price chart shows bearish Hanging Man forming, boding ill for future price action.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD clings to daily gains above 1.0650
EUR/USD gained traction and turned positive on the day above 1.0650. The improvement seen in risk mood following the earlier flight to safety weighs on the US Dollar ahead of the weekend and helps the pair push higher.
GBP/USD recovers toward 1.2450 after UK Retail Sales data
GBP/USD reversed its direction and advanced to the 1.2450 area after touching a fresh multi-month low below 1.2400 in the Asian session. The positive shift seen in risk mood on easing fears over a deepening Iran-Israel conflict supports the pair.
Gold holds steady at around $2,380 following earlier spike
Gold stabilized near $2,380 after spiking above $2,400 with the immediate reaction to reports of Israel striking Iran. Meanwhile, the pullback seen in the US Treasury bond yields helps XAU/USD hold its ground.
Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: BTC post-halving rally could be partially priced in Premium
Bitcoin price shows no signs of directional bias while it holds above $60,000. The fourth BTC halving is partially priced in, according to Deutsche Bank’s research.
Week ahead – US GDP and BoJ decision on top of next week’s agenda
US GDP, core PCE and PMIs the next tests for the Dollar. Investors await BoJ for guidance about next rate hike. EU and UK PMIs, as well as Australian CPIs also on tap.
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