In considering the interpretation of indicators to forecast what price is most likely to do in the not-to-distant future, we are going to use the categories of "stable" and "unstable."
We will consider as
stable those measures that have "directional tendency" within the temporal framework that they are being used. For example, the six- to eight-hour baselines are the fastest (or lowest) stable measures we use to track the day-to-day trend, because in this context, they tend to maintain (or sustain) progress in a given direction for a prolonged period of time. (We will use the average and settle on the [violet] seven-hour baseline.)
On the other hand, the two-hour baseline is
unstable in this context, because from day to day, it can fluctuate up and down quite frequently. Yet, at the intraday level, the two-hour baseline is the slowest (or highest) STABLE measure we use. (We COULD use the four-hour baseline, but the longer-term outlook is
already conveyed by the seven-hour measure, with the four-hour indicators tending to
lag behind price action when evaluating what is going on at the shorter-term
intraday level.
So then, where four-hour measure DO come into play is in identifying possibly optimal entry and exit levels based on the maximum size of the typical four-hour candlestick…
In the above image, the bold black seven-hour baseline with the white core/center suggests the direction in which NPP day traders "should" ultimately be looking to enter positions. (The associated [violet] moving average envelopes reflect the projected or estimated span of the maximum seven-hour price range.)
As illustrated by this figure, a trader will ideally enter a position in the direction of the slope of the seven-hour baseline as price is rejected by the far side of statistical support or resistance in the form of the (blue) four-hour measure, especially if accompanied by the reversal of the (red) two-hour price range envelope.
On the other hand, if the two-, four- and eight-hour measures are all three angled in the same direction (or if the two-hour measure is neutral), a trader might alternatively opt to enter positions if and when price makes contact with the far side of the (red) two-hour price range envelope.
Again, the key to success is
waiting! A trader should not act until and unless one of these conditions is met—until one of the structures described above is actually observed.
(This structure is an extension of the one described in Post #483.)