What is Numerical Price Prediction?
Updated Description for May of 2022
Copyright © 2022 Fred Duckworth
Basically, Numerical Price Prediction (NPP) is a logic-driven system based almost entirely on statistical analysis and mathematical probability—transforming trading from a somewhat subjective endeavor reliant on a certain amount of guesswork to an objective process of determining nearly inevitable outcomes. It is a unique and innovative day trading strategy that evolved out of an effort to abide by five biblical principles:
- Test everything and hold fast only to that which proves valid and reliable.
- Systems operate at peak performance, at least in part, when the interactions between their various components evidence strong, healthy relationships.
- The best plans are typically established in the presence of a multitude of counselors.
- Being able to rightly interpret the signs of the times is an absolute necessity.
- Positive outcomes are usually the result of having made good choices.
Anyone attempting to trade foreign currency pairs without the ability to forecast what's coming is almost certain to meet with disappointment. Accordingly, I addressed the fourth principle from above by making it my business to discover the Forex equivalent of a red sky, or south wind, or clouds in the west—signs that would enable me to see beyond the horizon to know with some degree of certainty where rates would most likely find themselves in the not-too-distant future.
To my surprise, applying the principle of "testing everything and holding fast to that which is good" led me to reject many strategies wholeheartedly endorsed by any number of trading gurus, such as Elliott waves, Fibonacci ratios, harmonic patterns, pivot points and the like.
So in effect, I replaced the advice to "keep your eyes on the road" with a mandate to "focus on your destination," a subtle, yet profound, distinction. Obsessing on the former tends to be constraining—dictating one's movements and limiting the parameters within which one is free to operate, often locking people into notions that are not truly worthy of the reverence bestowed upon them.
But, emphasizing the latter allows folks to be creative and take any route desired, so long as it carries them toward that on which they have resolutely set their gaze.
So, when strategies involving moving average convergence/divergence (MACD), stochastic oscillators, the relative strength index (RSI), the commodity channel index (CCI), the average directional movement index (ADX) and other indicators failed to live up to their reputations, I had no qualms about discarding them entirely and searching elsewhere for the "signs of the times" which, if interpreted correctly, would result in market forecasts of unusual accuracy.
As it turned out, I found that the absolute best "atmospheric barometer" for predicting the direction in which an exchange rate might ultimately be headed was nothing more than a simple moving average, with a handful of key moving averages evidencing superior accuracy in this role.
From there, my goal was to devise a methodology similar to that used by meteorologist to predict the weather. Again, one based as much as possible on statistical analysis and mathematical probability. The idea was to gather and evaluate precise, up-to-date, quantitative data and then use it to calculate the odds of price reaching designated values within a given time period—patterning the system's elements after the equations, wave functions, and computer models used in weather forecasting.
But, instead of monitoring wind velocity and direction, cloud formations, humidity, temperature, and barometric pressure; I evaluated the synergy between such factors as typical price ranges, reoccurring chart patterns, horizontal support and resistance, trend lines, and market structure, all in multiple time frames.
This resulted in graphical depictions (i.e., computer models) of current conditions I could then use to help make precise, well-timed trades. So, in essence, NPP is a key-levels-system designed to reveal where the big multinational financial institutions are most likely entering and exiting positions with liquidity (thereby reversing market direction). Put quite simply, it pinpoints the pivotal zones where buying or selling pressure is greatest.
The system incorporates the idea of cycle theory, which holds that cyclical forces, both long and short, drive price movements, and can be used to anticipate turning points.
It's also compatible with Edgar Peters' fractal market hypothesis, which views financial markets as fractal in the sense that they follow cyclical and replicable patterns—ones consisting of fragmented shapes that break down into parts which then replicate the shape of the whole.
I used these cycles to generate what some call "baselines" by conducting a thorough analysis to first uncover the cyclical waves formed in the wake of price action, followed by the defining of their general frequencies and magnitudes; and then finally plotting centered moving averages that came as close as possible to approximating the zero amplitude of the corresponding waves/cycles.
So then, the notion that there are no "best" moving averages to use when trading is not one to which I subscribe. Again, at the heart of my system is the use of carefully selected baselines which I calculated in the manner explained above. (By baselines, I mean painstakingly selected moving averages able to rightly discern whether price is rising, falling, or maintaining its altitude within a particular time frame.)
However, it is not enough, in my opinion, to stop at merely determining which are the best moving averages to use when trading charts of a given time frame. To trade with the clarity and precision I desired required me to carry out one final step in which I assigned a specific temporal value to each individual baseline and its corresponding or associated price-range envelope—to answer the question: What moving average best conveys in which direction and by how much price moves every five minutes? Or every thirty minutes? Or every four hours? Or even every day?
Determining the specific moving average that best represented price movement for each of the major time intervals along with their corresponding price range envelopes seemed to be the final step I needed to carry out in order to complete the development of my trading system to my full satisfaction.
And yet, even after this "final" step, their emerged still another aspect to interpreting price action that proved deserving of my consideration which I had not envisioned at all—the concept of "temporal" support and resistance.
In other words, not only do I believe there is a certain amount of
distance beyond which exchange rates will typically resist separating themselves from the central tendencies of key price distributions. It seems to me I have also observed that there is generally a limit to the amount of
time exchange rates will advance in one particular direction without deviation. I refer to these limitations as
temporal support and resistance, and they have proven to be a welcome enhancement to my system.
It all comes down to correctly interpreting the relationships between market structure, horizontal support/resistance levels, temporal support/resistance levels, reoccurring price patterns, typical price ranges in multiple time frames, and prevailing trends, also in multiple time frames.
NPP does this, in part, by viewing the Forex market from a slightly different angle than what has been the norm. Rather than simply conceptualizing price action as a series of financial transactions more-or-less represented by trend lines (or baselines), it
also views price movement as cutting wide swaths of values via wave-like patterns across the domain of the corresponding asset, forming bands of quantifiable amplitudes that flow with directional tendency.
This results in a sort of dynamic-price-range-trading technique in which the decision to enter or exit a position is determined by the peaks and troughs occurring near the extremes of the above-mentioned belts, close to their maximum amplitudes.
The protocol is as follows…
First, establish that the asset under consideration is clearly evidencing an upward or downward trajectory as conveyed by a designated band of values (i.e., belt or price range envelope). If this is not the case, do not trade it.
Next, wait for price to reach a key level, where market structure, reoccurring price patterns, typical price ranges, temporal support/resistance levels, and the amplitude of the corresponding price wave is at or near its maximum value.
Go ahead and enter trades as price bounces off these key statistical support/resistance levels, especially after being confirmed by the designated "trigger" line(s), but only after considering the slopes of all related measures to ensure structure supports the decision being made.
And finally, take profit when price reaches the far side of the price wave that initiated the above transaction.
This is a relatively simple, yet extremely effective approach to day trading. As of today, when applying the system, I am using as key measures the 70-minute simple moving average envelope at 0.30%, 0.43%, 0.63% and 1.00% deviation; the 10-minute price range envelope at 0.14% deviation, the dynamic seven-minute price range envelope at 0.08% deviation; the two-minute price range envelope at 0.03% deviation; the two-minute baseline; and the six-minute baseline.
I will just briefly mention that one of the key "signs" I'm seeking when
scalping is for the six-minute baseline to maintain a parallel course with the upper (blue) or lower (red) band of the dynamic seven-minute price range envelope when the band is sloping up or down (NOT when it is level/horizontal, obviously) and for the candlesticks to maintain their position above or below the (green) 2-minute baselines, as appropriate.
And if the candles are painting to the
outside of the envelope, so much the better. In fact, if the candlesticks are
not yet forming on the outside of the seven-minute price range envelope, I probably shouldn't be in the trade.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE INTRADAY PRICE FLOW IS REVERSING DIRECTION?
- First of all, the two-minute baselines will switch from ebbing and flowing primarily on one side of the Price Projection Sidekick (i.e., the six-minute baseline) to the other.
- Similarly, the Price Projection Sidekick will cross over from one side of the Price Projection Indicator (i.e. the 12-minute baseline) to the other.
- And candlesticks will also begin painting on the opposite side of the Price Projection Indicator (the 12-minute baseline).
- Moreover, the upper and lower band(s) of the dynamic seven-minute price range envelope will begin curving in the other direction.
- And finally, the floor and ceiling of the Donchian Channel will begin stair stepping AND making steady progress in the NEW direction.