Entries, Exists and consistency #2
The idea of having a price based approach is not to maximize profits but to minimize risk and reduce the probabilities of bad trades. Therefore not only price analysis has to be consistent with these goals (in fact by default it is) but also entries and exits (including stops) should aim to achieving these same objectives.
Lets assume that price analysis is clear (macro direction and wave analysis HH,HL,LL,LH).
Now in order to establish consistent entries and exits a small trader should build upon some logic and general parameters that already given by price:
1. The natural stop and the limit for entries
The first two clear conditions are given before even you place a trade. In the chart, point A (+/-19:00) and B show Higher Highs (+/-19:25), point 1 (+/-19:10) is the last low (btw is also higher low but for the sake of the explanationâ¦)
As soon as point B is plot (you can clearly see this point seconds after when the fast MA change slope to RED, you already know that you are going to go long in the next wave up.
The only condition not to go long in the next wave is if price break last low (horizontal blue line at 1705.25 on the chart). Thus, this point becomes the
limit for entries that at least allow us to set the maximum condition for placing a trade.
Nonetheless, this point (1705.25) is also the natural stop. The next few minutes after the last high point B (+/-19:25) until the next wave is formed (the one you are going to trade)
is the zone where you are going to pull the trigger. Despite of the trigger you use (a cross above 100 CCI, a stoch, MACD cross, candlestick analysis, etc, etc) you natural stop HAS TO BE at least placed at 1705.00 (one tick below the last low), because evidently if your stop is hit at that level you know that you are going against price analysis.
2. The obvious entry, the common sense exit and the first warning stop
You already know too that your fast MA is tracking almost flawlessly price (i.e. waves), therefore and in order to be consistent with what you are using in your chart you can build upon this information. Thus, the
obvious entry signal will be of course a close above the Fast MA (+/- 19:32 at 1718.75). This is a good valid entry and itâs consistent with price analysis, plus it reduces drawdowns. Of course this is just the first step developing your own entry strategy.
Using
common sense you can use the reason for your entry as reason for your exit (btw ⦠this is not necessarily valid when scalping!!! but this chart is a 1000 volume) so at +/- 19:38 at 1722.75 you have a close below the MA and you take your 4 full points profitâ¦
Moreover if only a couple of bars after your entry you have a close below the MA you can either take it as a warning signal or close the trade BE or with a small loss, if it just a whipsaw you are only one commission away to pull the trigger again, if not you have save a potential big lost⦠Thus, minimizing risk and reducing the probabilities of a bad trade. You can follow the rest of the chart, the next entries "scarily" validate this analysis.
These are only the foundation for consistent entries and exits; Iâll try to round it up in the next posts introducing the other variables (timeframe, time and risk)
jjrvat
PS: I am not trading this afternoon⦠it appears to be one of this random, wild low volume US mornings before the interest rate statement.