2Bull Forex Blog

This article is all about using technical analysis the RIGHT way - and using Forex charts to make big consistent profits.

Here we are going to look at some proven ways of analyzing forex charts and some great indicators.

You can then use them to generate trading signals, to zero in on the low risk high profit opportunities all traders want.

1. Trend Lines

You need to start and learn to draw basic trend lines to spot opportunities, it may sound old fashioned but it’s the best way to spot trends.

2. Support and Resistance

The basis of most of the top trading systems.

Support and resistance is simply defined as levels where prices move to and then reverse.

In a rising market prices rise to resistance levels and fall while the exact opposite occurs in a bear market.

When prices break above or below significant support or resistance, a good trending move could be on the way - especially if the resistance or support is valid.

So how do you know if support or resistance is valid?

Look for lots tests - and look for how many different time periods tests have occurred in - by looking back at your Forex charts and also the distance in time between them.

3. Breakouts

If prices break through important support or resistance, then the odds are that the supply and demand position is changing and a new trend will develop.
Trading with breakouts, and trading in the direction of the break is profitable but most traders can’t do it.

Why?

Because most traders like to buy low and sell high.

They wait for a pullback to buy at a better price - and it doesn’t come and the move is missed.

Most major currency trends start from new market highs - NOT market lows.

To catch the trend you need to go with the break and forget about buying low, however not every breakout will work but how do you spot the ones that do?

You need to watch price changes in terms of momentum and volatility.

Volatility Changes

Volatility is a term used to describe the magnitude, or size, of day-to-day price fluctuations - regardless of their direction.

Generally, changes in volatility give clues to changes in price. A breakout that is accompanied by high volatility, is the ideal set up.

An indicator you should look at to determine volatility is the Bollinger band.
Bollinger bands can also help you identify support, resistance and targets for the move and are an essential indicator.

Price Momentum

Momentum is a general term used to describe the speed at which prices move over given time-periods. Momentum indicators can therefore determine the strength or weakness of a trend by looking at shifts in price momentum.

If price momentum increases on a break, then the odds are that the break will continue and a new trend will develop.

There are two good indicators for looking at changes in momentum:

The Stochastic and Relative Strength Index (RSI).

There is not enough room here to go into how they work simply see our other articles or look them up on the net, both give a highly visual picture of changes in price momentum and are easy to use.

Finally

If you can draw trend lines, spot breakouts and use volatility and momentum indicators that we have outlined above you could soon be on your way to making big consistent profits with your forex charts.

Using a currency trading system to make profits from online forex trading is an option more traders than ever are considering.

Cheaper and more powerful computers and software, combined with the rise of the Internet have made online currency trading systems within reach of all traders.

The theory is simply buy a system, follow signals, sit back and start making regular profits.

The vast majority of systems you can buy are simply not worth paying for - and they’ll actually ensure that you lose money.

Taking some time to choose carefully, is essential to get one of the minority that can and do make big consistent profits.

So why do systems lose lets look at the two main reasons.

1. Curve Fitting Data

Whenever you see a hypothetical track record, you need to see if it has been curve fitted or optimized.

These systems always give extraordinary performance in back testing - because the rules and parameters have been tweaked to fit the data.

This was once described by a trader as shooting at a barn door, and then drawing circles around every hole later, so that each shot scored was a bull’s-eye!

We can all make a track record look good if we know the past data and you never see a hypothetical track record that does not make profits.

However hypothetical track records rarely show the same results in real time.
Clues to an optimized system are those that use, different rules and parameters for trading different markets or different contracts.

If the system is based on sound logic, then it should work in any market, without the need for optimization or curve fitting to fit the data.

2. Black-Box Systems

Most systems that are optimized fall into this category.

The definition of a black box system is one where the logic is not revealed to the buyer.

Even if a forex system is based on sound logic, the trader must have confidence in it to trade it with discipline.

Of course for this, he needs to understand exactly how and why it works.

If you don’t know the logic of the system, you won’t have the confidence and discipline to continue to follow it, when it suffers a period of losses.

Discipline is an essential ingredient of currency trading success.

Here are some tips to help you separate out the systems that are likely to lose, from the ones that could make you big profits:

1. The Methodology is Revealed

You can only have confidence in a Forex trading system if you know how it works.

As you will have the confidence and discipline to follow it until it makes a profit and be able to taking losing periods and remain disciplined.

Discipline is essential to success and comes from confidence

2. Track Record

Has the system made money in the real time and is there a track record for you to look at?

This is a question many traders never bother to ask.

They simply accept a hypothetical track record, which as we have seen is fraught with danger.

A real time track record, won’t guarantee Forex profits, but it will at least show the system is based on sound logic.

If there’s a hypothetical track record and you want to buy the system, make sure it’s audited in real time with all transaction costs deducted.

Many vendors do this to test their systems.

While the track record is still hypothetical, the fact it’s traded in real time, gives you confidence in its ability to perform.

3. Simple Systems Are Best

Simple systems tend to work best - as they tend to be more robust in the real world of trading, with fewer elements to break than complicated ones.

Simple systems tend be easy to understand, easy to apply, and generally more profitable and most of the top systems contrary to popular belief are actually simple.

4. The Vendor

You should research how much support the vendor offers - and a bit about their background – like are they a trader?

Many systems are simply sold by marketing organizations that use hypothetical track records and enticing sales copy – don’t fall for this ploy.

Look for a money back guarantee – this will show the vendor is putting his money where is mouth is and has confidence.

If you do your homework, it could help you find a forex trading system that will help you build long term capital gains and is time well spent.