Moving Average

On the chart below you can see what a moving average is. Its the blue line. It actually shows you the priceaction over a specific time. Now you might wonder what "moving" means - thats basically the closing/opening oder what ever you want price over a specific period. Might sound REALLY difficult but its really simple.


The main purpose to you the moving average (MA) is to help you to see where the chart might go in the future.
There are actually two types of moving averages. Which are a little different.
The longer the period is of the moving average the slower it will be. And also the volatily might be almost flat.
Also on the other site, the smaller the period the choppier it might me.

And now i can see whats going through your mind:"I dont care until I can use it". 

Earlier I talked about two types of moving averages. Well these are the two:

1. Simple
2. Exponential

You could calculate them your own, but who wants that in the age of technology. So first come the basics and then I tell you how you might make money with it.

Fibonacci Extensions

You might also use Fib for finding targets.

In an uptrend, you use the Fibonacci Extension tool to determine where your target might be. To use the extension you need 3 points.
First, you need a significant Swing Low, then the most recent Swing High. Finally, any of the retracement levels.

Let's take a look on the daily USDCHF here. 

The 50.0% Fib level held strongly as support and,  three tests later, the pair finally it returned to move higher. You can see that it broke the last resistence of the swing (redline).
Now lets see what the extension would look like, if we put that on.


If you take a look on the levels you can see that it almost testet EVERY level. Ok to be honest that wont happen all the time but it testet 0.618, 1, 1.5, and 1.618. So depending how aggressive you wanna trade, you could choose one of those.

And oh wonder, it also works on the downtrend ;).

So lets put the extension on, thinking the downtrend will continue. 
And again. Profits would have been good ad 38.2%, 50.0%, or 61.8% levels. All these levels acted as support, possibly because other traders were keeping an eye out for these levels for profit taking as well.
But dont think this is the holy grail to money and fortune.First, nobody knows to wich extension it will move and in what time.
Second is that you have to choose a swing low. Some people might not pick your swinglows.
You will have to use your discretion in using the Fibonacci extension tool. You will have to judge how much longer the trend will continue. Later on, we will teach you methods to help you determine the strength of a trend.

Go and try it out in your demo account ;)

Fibonacci Retracement

Really important to know when to use Fibonacci (Fib) is, that it works the best when the market is trending. 

Uptrend

This is a daily chart of AUD/USD.

Here the Fibonacci retracement gets plotted Levels by clicking on the Swing Low at .6955 on April 20 and dragging the cursor to the Swing High at .8264 on June 3.You dont have to do anything. The program makes it all it selfs. Isn't that great ?!
As you can see from the chart, the retracement levels were .7955 (23.6%), .7764 (38.2%), .7609 (50.0%), .7454 (61.8%), and .7263 (76.4%).
Now, the expectation is that if AUD/USD retraces from the recent high, it will find support at one of those Fibonacci levels because traders will be placing buy orders at these levels as price pulls back.
Now, let's look at what happened after the Swing High occurred.

Price pulled back right through the 23.6% level and continued to shoot down over the next couple of weeks. It even tested the 38.2% level but was unable to close below it.
Later on, around July 14, the market resumed its upward move and eventually broke through the swing high. Clearly, buying at the 38.2% Fibonacci level would have been a profitable long term trade!

Downtrend

Now, let's see how we would use the Fibonacci retracement tool during a downtrend. Below is a 4-hour chart of EUR/USD.

As on the uptrend, you just drag it from the high to the low instead of low to high.
And again your retracements show up.


How beautiful! This time it held on 50% retracement. and even broke the initial swing high.

For now, there's something you should always remember about using the Fibonacci tool and it's that they are not always simple to use! If they were that simple, traders would always place their orders at Fib levels and the markets would trend forever.
In the next lesson, we'll show you what can happen when Fibonacci levels fail.

Fibonacci Who?

You will be using Fibonacci ratios in our trading alot. So its better for you to learn and even love it. Like your mother's cooking. Fibonacci is very important and there are many different Fibonacci studies with weird-sounding names but there are two important ones: retracement and extension.

So who or what is Fibonacci ? 

No, Leonardo Fibonacci isn't the founder of Apple neither another famous guy. Well he used to be, but in the past. The very past. He was a famous Italian mathematician, also known as a super duper uber ultra geek.

He discovered a simple series of numbers that created ratios describing the natural proportions of things in the universe.

The ratios arise from the following number series: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144...

He formed the numbers by starting with 0 and adding the next Number (1). Adding those two gives 1. Now he added this Number with the last one -> 1+1 = 2, then 2+1=3 and so on.

After the first few numbers in the sequence, if you measure the ratio of any number to the succeeding higher number, you get .618. For example, 34 divided by 55 equals .618.

If you measure the ratio between alternate numbers you get .382. For example, 34 divided by 89 = 0.382 and that's as far as into the explanation as we'll go.

These ratios are called the "golden mean". You might know this term if you had some arts lessions and your teacher told you that this ratio is perfect in the human eye. We'll just cut to the chase; these are the ratios you HAVE to know:

Fibonacci Retracement Levels 
0.236, 0.382, 0.500, 0.618, 0.764

Fibonacci Extension Levels
0, 0.382, 0.618, 1.000, 1.382, 1.618

Traders use the Fibonacci retracement levels as potential support and resistance areas. Since so many traders watch these same levels and place buy and sell orders on them to enter trades or place stops, the support and resistance levels tend to become a self-fulfilling prophecy like the Pivot points but later to that, so keep on reading my blog ;).

Traders use the Fibonacci extension levels as profit taking levels. Again, since so many traders are watching these levels to place buy and sell orders to take profits, this tool tends to work more often than not due to self-fulfilling expectations.

Most charting software includes both Fibonacci retracement levels and extension level tools. In order to apply Fibonacci levels to your charts, you'll need to identify Swing High and Swing Low points.

A Swing High is a candlestick with at least two lower highs on both the left and right of itself.

A Swing Low is a candlestick with at least two higher lows on both the left and right of itself.

You got all that? Don't worry, we'll explain retracements, extensions, and most importantly, how to grab some pips using the Fib tool in the following sections.

Read more: http://www.babypips.com/school/fibonacci-who.html#ixzz1XIWN3kyl

How to Trade Chart Patterns

That's a whole lot of chart patterns we just taught you right there. We're pretty tired so it's time for us to take off and leave it to you from here...

Just playin'! We ain't leaving you till you're ready!

In this section, we'll discuss a bit more how to use these chart patterns to your advantage.

It's not enough to just know how the tools work, we've got to learn how to use them. And with all these new weapons in your arsenal, we'd better get those profits fired up!

Let's summarize the chart patterns we just learned and categorize them according to the signals they give. 

Reversal

Reversal patterns are those chart formations that signal that the ongoing trend is about to change course.

If a reversal chart pattern forms during an uptrend, it hints that the trend will reverse and that the price will head down soon. Conversely, if a reversal chart pattern is seen during a downtrend, it suggests that the price will move up later on.

In this lesson, we covered six chart patterns that give reversal signals. Can you name all six of them?

1. Double Top
2. Double Bottom
3. Head and Shoulders
4. Inverse Head and Shoulders
5. Rising Wedge
6. Falling Wedge

If you got all six right, brownie points for you!

To trade these chart patterns, simply place an order beyond the neckline and in the direction of the new trend. Then go for a target that's almost the same as the height of the formation.

For instance, if you see a double bottom, place a long order at the top of the formation's neckline and go for a target that's just as high as the distance from the bottoms to the neckline.

In the interest of proper risk management, don't forget to place your stops! A reasonable stop loss can be set around the middle of the chart formation.

For example, you can measure the distance of the double bottoms from the neckline, divide that by two, and use that as the size of your stop.

Continuation

Continuation patterns are those chart formations that signal that the ongoing trend will resume.

Usually, these are also known as consolidation patterns because they show how buyers or sellers take a quick break before moving further in the same direction as the prior trend.

We've covered several continuation patterns, namely the wedges, rectangles, and pennants. Note that wedges can be considered either reversal or continuation patterns depending on the trend on which they form.

To trade these patterns, simply place an order above or below the formation (following the direction of the ongoing trend, of course). Then go for a target that's at least the size of the chart pattern for wedges and rectangles.

For pennants, you can aim higher and target the height of the pennant's mast.

For continuation patterns, stops are usually placed above or below the actual chart formation.

For example, when trading a bearish rectangle, place your stop a few pips above the top or resistance of the rectangle.

Bilateral

Bilateral chart patterns are a bit more tricky because these signal that the price can move either way.

Huh, what kind of a signal is that?!

This is where triangle formations fall in. Remember when we discussed that the price could break either to the topside or downside with triangles?

To play these patterns, you should consider both scenarios (upside or downside breakout) and place one order on top of the formation and another at the bottom of the formation.

If one order gets triggered, you can cancel the other one. Either way, you'd be part of the action.

Double the possibilities, double the fun!

The only problem is that you could catch a false break if you set your entry orders too close to the top or bottom of the formation.

So be careful and don't forget to place your stops too!

Was the candlestick topic to short or to long ?

Just leave a comment! :)

Read more: http://www.babypips.com/school/how-to-trade-chart-patterns.html#ixzz1X9fihtj6

Basic Candlestick Patterns

Spinning Tops

Candlesticks with a long upper shadow, long lower shadow and small real bodies are called spinning tops. The color of the real body is not very important.
The pattern indicates the indecision between the buyers and sellers.

The small real body (whether hollow or filled) shows little movement from open to close, and the shadows indicate that both buyers and sellers were fighting but nobody could gain the upper hand.
Even though the session opened and closed with little change, prices moved significantly higher and lower in the meantime. Neither buyers nor sellers could gain the upper hand, and the result was a standoff.
If a spinning top forms during an uptrend, this usually means there aren't many buyers left and a possible reversal in direction could occur.
If a spinning top forms during a downtrend, this usually means there aren't many sellers left and a possible reversal in direction could occur.

Marubozu

Sounds like some kind of voodoo magic, huh? "I will cast the evil spell of the Marubozu on you!" Fortunately, that's not what it means. Marubozu means there are no shadows from the bodies. Depending on whether the candlestick's body is filled or hollow, the high and low are the same as its open or close. Check out the two types of Marubozus in the picture below.

A White Marubozu contains a long white body with no shadows. The open price equals the low price and the close price equals the high price. This is a very bullish candle as it shows that buyers were in control the entire session. It usually becomes the first part of a bullish continuation or a bullish reversal pattern.
A Black Marubozu contains a long black body with no shadows. The open equals the high and the close equals the low. This is a very bearish candle as it shows that sellers controlled the price action the entire session. It usually implies bearish continuation or bearish reversal.

Doji

Doji candlesticks have the same open and close price or at least their bodies are extremely short. A doji should have a very small body that appears as a thin line.
Doji candles suggest indecision or a struggle for turf positioning between buyers and sellers. Prices move above and below the open price during the session, but close at or very near the open price.
Neither buyers nor sellers were able to gain control and the result was essentially a draw.
There are four special types of Doji candlesticks. The length of the upper and lower shadows can vary and the resulting candlestick looks like a cross, inverted cross or plus sign. The word "Doji" refers to both the singular and plural form.


When a Doji forms on your chart, pay special attention to the preceding candlesticks.
If a Doji forms after a series of candlesticks with long hollow bodies (like White Marubozus), the Doji signals that the buyers are becoming exhausted and weakening. In order for price to continue rising, more buyers are needed but there aren't anymore! Sellers are licking their chops and are looking to come in and drive the price back down.

If a Doji forms after a series of candlesticks with long filled bodies (like Black Marubozus), the Doji signals that sellers are becoming exhausted and weak. In order for price to continue falling, more sellers are needed but sellers are all tapped out! Buyers are foaming in the mouth for a chance to get in cheap.

While the decline is sputtering due to lack of new sellers, further buying strength is required to confirm any reversal. Look for a white candlestick to close above the long black candlestick's open.
In the next following sections, we will take a look at specific candlestick formations and what they are telling us. Hopefully, by the end of this lesson on candlesticks, you would know how to recognize candlestick patterns and make sound trading decisions based on them.

Read more: http://www.babypips.com/school/basic-candlestick-patterns.html#ixzz1Wv2wzoMJ

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Sexy Bodies and Strange Shadows

Sexy Bodies

Just like humans, candlesticks have different body sizes. And when it comes to forex trading, there's nothing naughtier than checking out the bodies of candlesticks!
Long bodies indicate strong buying or selling. The longer the body is, the more intense the buying or selling pressure. This means that either buyers or sellers were stronger and took control.
Short bodies imply very little buying or-selling activity. In street forex lingo, bulls mean buyers and bears mean sellers.

Long white candlesticks show strong buying pressure. The longer the white candlestick, the further the close is above the open. This indicates that prices increased considerably from open to close and buyers were aggressive. In other words, the bulls are kicking the bears' butts big time!
Long black (filled) candlesticks show strong selling pressure. The longer the black candlestick, the further the close is below the open. This indicates that prices fell a great deal from the open and sellers were aggressive. In other words, the bears were grabbing the bulls by their horns and body-slamming them.

Mysterious Shadows

The upper and lower shadows on candlesticks provide important clues about the trading session.
Upper shadows signify the session high. Lower shadows signify the session low.
Candlesticks with long shadows show that trading action occurred well past the open and close.
Candlesticks with short shadows indicate that most of the trading action was confined near the open and close.

If a candlestick has a long upper shadow and short lower shadow, this means that buyers flexed their muscles and bid prices higher, but for one reason or another, sellers came in and drove prices back down to end the session back near its open price.
If a candlestick has a long lower shadow and short upper shadow, this means that sellers flashed their washboard abs and forced price lower, but for one reason or another, buyers came in and drove prices back up to end the session back near its open price.