Best timeframes for daytrading the ES.

[saico]

Hi,

What chart timeframes, or number of ticks for daytrading the ES are you mostly using?

Thx

Saico
Germany

 

[Ebo]

1-3-5-15-60 minute are all important to me!

 

[Breakout]

Probably, if you ran a poll it would be 3 minute or 210 Tick.

 

[50 cent]

go down from daily to 60,15,3,1.

120 gives a nice picture too.
10 minutes look clearer than 15 many times.

if you want to refine your entry further, try lowering to 30sec chart.

 

[dbphoenix]

To determine whether or not criteria for entry have been met: 5m.

To enter, 1m.

For context, 15m, 60m, daily.

 

[easyrider]

I believe you have to define the risk you are comfortable with in order to decide which timeframe to trade. Im only willing to risk .75 pts. on most trades so I trade off the 1 minute chart. If your comfortable with 3 pts risk you can trade the 5 min chart and go for larger moves. The same setups occur on all time frames but the r/r is proportional. One is no better than the other, imo, its just a matter of comfort.

 

[DougS]

Use whatever works, but given how volatility has contracted I've moved away from using the 5 minute or lower to the higher time frames (10/15/30/60) for taking trading signals.

Doug

 

[ChrisRT]

Quote from easyrider:

I believe you have to define the risk you are comfortable with in order to decide which timeframe to trade. Im only willing to risk .75 pts. on most trades so I trade off the 1 minute chart. If your comfortable with 3 pts risk you can trade the 5 min chart and go for larger moves. The same setups occur on all time frames but the r/r is proportional. One is no better than the other, imo, its just a matter of comfort.

Best post so far.

 

[Lawrence Chan]

Always, I mean, always take signal from one single timeframe only. The signals or setup from other timeframes are not ignored, but just part of your confirmation and planning.

Once a setup or signal has happened on your reference timeframe, then you can drop down a level to control the entry.

Once a position is put on, you can always drop down a level of timeframe to manage the position.

e.g.

If your reference timeframe is 5 minute, then you can manage your entry and exit with 1-min or 30-sec timeframe.

You can always consult higher timeframes like 15-min, 30-min, etc. for planning ahead.


One thing to remember is to choose a reference timeframe that you can afford to take the risk.

For example, 5-min charts can easily swing 3 to 5 pts without affecting the direction of many indicators, so you must be able to stomach 3 to 5 pts against you if your setup is still intact.

If you are not comfortable with that type of risk, you need to lower your timeframe to say 3 min, 2 min, or even 1 min to control the risk.

 

[dbphoenix]

Quote from Lawrence Chan:

One thing to remember is to choose a reference timeframe that you can afford to take the risk.

For example, 5-min charts can easily swing 3 to 5 pts without affecting the direction of many indicators, so you must be able to stomach 3 to 5 pts against you if your setup is still intact.

If you are not comfortable with that type of risk, you need to lower your timeframe to say 3 min, 2 min, or even 1 min to control the risk.

On the other hand, it's important to provide yourself with a timeframe that gives you time to think. Otherwise, you're particularly vulnerable to whipsaw.