Quote from hawthtrader:
I really took a beating using this method today. I've been doing ok for a few weeks (descent profits) with it but today things just did not "click". Based on the exit-after-10-minute rule I lost out through a few whipsaws and the rest of the days I never got into any trades where th market trended enough to end up profitable or even at the end of the day. Anybody still trading this thing (T28) who can comment?
This is a GOOD system (and a good thread). That's the only reason why I'm posting here. I respect what Trader28 did in presenting this. Traders helping traders.
Obviously, I can't answer for him.
My advice:
Stop trading. Start fresh. Forget the Trader28 Rules for a while.
Add a 12 and 26 pd EMA pair to your chart. Study what they do while looking at the 12-26-9 MACD. It will give you a feel for the MACD.
Trading the Zero Line cross is just one way to trade the MACD.
A lot of people would argue that the BEST trades on the LONG-side are actually the MACD crossing its 9 pd Average AFTER a double bottom and/or a MACD divergence.
Others favor taking EVERY cross . . . whether above or below the Zero Line.
Lots of ways to use the MACD. A lot depends on you.
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I just looked at the 2 min chart of the ERZ6.
You had two nice divergences . . . one at 9:24 and one at 11:42 CST.
Look at the cross down at 10:32 CST . . . price had just finished three small waves up and had made a Lower High. Beautiful SHORT trade. Classic. (You even had a Zero Line cross a few minutes later.)
Draw a trendline between the Highs at 9:48 and 12:56. There was some churning going on . . . maybe you took a small loss. (Or just maybe you applied an Andrew's Pitchfork Schiff and realized you were in churn and avoided it.)
Regardless of which . . . at 13:36 CST . . . bang . . . big breakout bar on MACD cross.
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Look . . . Trader28 Rules are terrific for him . . . but the classic stuff . . . the basics . . . don't get thrown away. Remember . . . this is not a mechanical method . . . you have to understand the situation totally . . . Fib, trendlines, momentum divergence are three important factors shaping the market "battlefield." You have to respect them.
If you want to see ANOTHER Master Of The MACD . . . go visit
http://stockcharts.com/def/servlet/Favorites.CServlet?obj=ID530404
The guy's name is Jack Chan. His approach is based purely on trendlines and MACD crosses. Brilliant. (And no, I'm not promoting his site . . . he does run a pay service. I just admire the brilliance and clarity of his work.)
The MACD is still around after 30 years because it works. Learn to use it.
Make the MACD "yours." Then . . . and only then . . . try Jack Chan's Rules . . . try Trader28's Rules . . . make up your own . . . see what works best at certain times.
Final comment for me on this thread: My son graduated high school last May and is headed for college next January. He trades. He uses the MACD , trendlines and divergence (albeit 60 min and Daily charts).
Period.
That should give you some idea of how valuable this indicator is: I trust it enough for my kids. I think of the MACD as a good, old, pickup truck. It's not perfect and not pretty, but it's RUGGED . . . and it gets the job done.
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So don't give up. Trader28's Rules are actually pretty sophisticated even though they're seemingly very simple. But he did a great job of explaining them. You can do well following them precisely . . . and you'll do better factoring in a few other basics.
You've got a good start here. Stay with it.
Good trading to you and all you folks.
And thanks again Trader28 for hosting the best thread I've seen here.