ProfitLogic
Let me say as a long time trader, overall, I think this is one of the more insightful intelligent posts I have seen on ET.
a little background
I have been a full time trader for many years.
I started trading stocks in 1979.
By 1981 I was doing fairly well, by my standards at that time.
Best single day profit was a little over $16,000.00
In 1982 I became a series 7 stockbroker with Paine Webber.
By 1985 I had started an independent NASD broker dealer.
My firm traded managed accounts of which I was director of trading.
During this time I also owned controlling interest in a registered investment advisory firm.
I traded equities for clients and options and equities for myself and my family.
I now only trade for myself and my family. I trade equities, options, and ES futures.
You say, "Price does move methodically. One just has to view it in a stable non-varying environment to see it."
Experience has led me to believe this is correct.
But, I must confess I also agree with much of what Specialist has to say.
I mainly trade the regular session in the ES.
I have at times tried trading some during the night session. The ES environment is considerably different, varying, comparatively unstable (in my opinion) when the DAX is/is not trading, when bonds are/are not open, day vs night session, etc.
I don't believe excluding or segregating night session data to be an arbitrary decision.
You say,
"No offense Specialist but please explain to me how you can get an accurate read on any market if you arbitrarily eliminate a portion of the data? ..........
All of the transactions, shares, contracts . . . whatever MUST be included in the data to get an accurate and consistent read on a markets price movement, direction and strength. Even the data from the slower overnight sessions must be included. This is the sole reason why Volume Bar charts are the only consistent and stable viewing environment for the markets. This is because it isn't necessary to build in a bias against a certain segment of the data. It include all of the data conveniently."
In my search for clarity I don't want to leave data out. But I also don't want to try to reach a conclusion about APPLES from a mix of APPLES & ORANGES.
Experience has led me to believe that is what mixing transactions (data) form the day sessions with transactions (data) from the night sessions amounts to.
Yet, I do both. I use volume charts which include the night session because I want to know the exact highs and lows for support and resistance. Then I use minute charts on which I exclude data from the night session, many indicators become useless at the open otherwise.
I have found that for most individuals successful trading is very individualized and not cookie cutter. There are shortcomings in any approach I have seen. Some just work better for certain personalities or individuals than others.
Good luck and thanks for posting.
Nutsneal
Quote from ProfLogic:
Price & volume run hand in hand. Price movement or oscillations are the reflections of the sentiment or the emotions of the individuals that trade inside of any market IN REAL TIME. Volume shows the amount of that collective sentiment that is effecting the market at any given moment. Time is the monitor where we view a combination of price and that sentiment.
The most common viewing options for traders are Minute Charts, Ticks Charts, Range Bar Charts and Volume Bar Charts to use as that monitor.
1. Minute Charts - Varying number of shares or contracts traded per bar. (Volume unstable)
2. Tick Charts - Constant number of Ticks but still a varying number of shares or contracts traded per bar. (Volume unstable)
3. Range Bar Charts - User defined bar range but still varying number of shares or contracts traded per bar. (Volume unstable)
4. Volume Bar Charts - User defined number of shares or contracts traded per bar. (Volume Stable)
Price will always be stable because it can not be manipulated. It is a perfect reflection of any Market at any given moment (past & present). Volume Bar Charts then give stability to Volume and Time (Chart Increment). The user (YOU) define the number of contracts or shares that make up each bar. Less contracts or shares gives you faster charts and would be used for intraday or scalp trading. More contracts or shares traded per bar gives you slower charts and would be used for Swing, Position or Long Term trading. The environment is now perfectly viewable, stable and non-varying. You now need to choose the chart increment to best suit your trading style (Intraday, Swing, Position or Long Term) and as stated earlier, spend the screen time to learn just exactly what does price do consistently in the "time frame" that you wish to trade.
I don't use the term "interrupt" because it implies a subjective action. I prefer "read" because what the ultimate result of this environment is, is to be objective in your decision making process trading on price consistencies.
Price does move methodically. One just has to view it in a stable non-varying environment to see it.