Forex Trading – When To Buy And When To Sell

Forex trading is both an art and a science, but we must say that it veers toward science most of the time. This is evidenced by the reliance of forex traders on trading signals that are, in turn, provided by computerised programs. We shall discuss two of the most commonly used trading signals used by traders to decide when to buy and when to sell currencies.

First, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) displays the relationship between two types of moving averages, thus, its usefulness as a momentum indicator. It is computed by subtracting the 26-day EMA from the 12-day EMA. The resulting MACD is then charted along with the signal line the 9-day EMA, in this case, the latter plotted on top of the former which then functions as the trigger for buying and selling.

There are three ways in which the MACD is used to signal buying and selling in forex trading, as follows:

Crossovers The signal line is your point of reference, of course. When the MACD falls below it, you may think of selling. When the MACD rises above it, you have reason to buy. However, we suggest waiting for confirmation via a cross over the signal line lest you enter into an undesirable position and, thus, lose out on the game.

Divergence Look at the price of the currency. If it deviates from the MACD, it is a signal that the current trends are changing so you must change your position as necessary.

Dramatic Rise The currency may be overbought and, thus, will return to normal levels in the near future when the MACD rises in a dramatic manner. Plan your position accordingly.

Yes, we have to admit that using MACD in forex trading takes practice. This is a must, nonetheless, for success in the business so you may as well learn and master it now.

Second, the parabolic SAR is a technical analysis approach utilising a trailing stop and reverse method in deciding on the best entry and exit points in a forex deal. SAR stands for stop and reverse or stop-and-reversal obviously. In a graph, it consists of dots fluctuating below and above the candlesticks.

The general rules in using parabolic SAR (PSAR) in forex trading are:
If the currency is trading below the PSAR, sell.
If the currency is priced above the PSAR, buy. Or in the words of traders, stay long.

To state it in terms of a graph, sell when the dots are below the candlesticks and buy when the dots are above the candlesticks. Of course, you must take into account other factors but these are relatively reliable and strong signals, so your first informed instinct is to go for it.

Combining the MACD and PSAR in forex trading is a great way to earn more profits from the activity. Study these two concepts intensively and you should be able to take advantage of your newfound knowledge.

The Importance Of Forex Trade Execution

There are many factors to consider when selecting a Forex broker. One of the most important factors to take into consideration is forex trade Forex trade execution. Knowing how trades are executed by your Forex broker is very important. The type of trade execution and type of broker you use may end up making a substantial difference in your trading results.

There are two different categories among Forex brokers when it comes to trade execution. The first is a Forex broker that acts a market maker or has a dealing desk. This broker is usually taking the other side of all of their clients trades. In the early days of retail Forex trading this was the one of the most common type of Forex broker. These brokers do not usually use any type of standardized pricing so when compared with other brokers there might be a discrepancy in the pricing levels. These types of brokers that are in non regulated jurisdiction have been known to manipulate prices in the brokers favor.

Nowadays forex traders have become more and more sophisticated and have a better understanding of the forex market. There have been more demands for the other type of Forex broker. This broker is known as a non-dealing desk forex broker. Trade execution is generated from the interbank market and from the participants of the interbank market like the banks and financial institutions.
Just as the name indicates a non dealing desk Forex broker does not have any dealing desk intervention and has the trades go through to the market.

A dealer on a dealing desk was acting as a buffer to make sure that the trades the transactions that were coming in from their clients were within the parameters of market execution. Pricing systems and trade execution systems have become so sophisticated that the need for a dealing desk has really gone away. Non dealing forex brokers have systems like Currenex and Integral in place that allow the broker to verify that pricing is in line with the Interbank market before allowing the trade. All of this takes place in a fraction of a second and is in place to protect the broker as well as the forex trader.

How To Find A Profitable Forex Signal Service

There are a large number of forex signals provider in the market, if you do a quick browse you will come across more than 200 in 5mins, there are a large number of however only a few will produce you money, we recommend you to look meticulously at specified details that will make you see if they are as good as they say.

Many individuals will certainly go for a low cost forex signal service without considering that this is not buying a cheap sofa or a mountain bike to make some exercise on the weekends, here you are risking your hard gained money based on a low cost advisor.

Deciding on a cheap provider could cost you a large percent of your trading funds which will be more than what you paid for the signals. If you pay 300$ for your signals and you make 600$ your final profit will be 300$, not amazing but as you increase your trading capital your earningswill grow, meanwhile others will opted for a 50$ provider which unfortunately will lose in two trades 400$, its worth it? If you have an excellent signals service you can produce as much money as you want, wouldnt most people spend 300$ or 400$ per calendar month for it?

When you search for a forex signal service you will see that a large number of them post excellent results, but barely any of them show you a real statement from a forex broker, they just show you an excel sheet with fancy colors and appealing numbers which every person can create on their computer, they dont post a screenshot where you can see the entry and exit on a real trading account; make sure you ask for real statement or image of the statements with profitable trades.

Every business out there is great and generates great results but why no business guarantees you a minimum number of pips? I mean if you make1000 pips per month as you claim in your results, why cant they provide a 200 pips guarantee? Well, in my opinion is because they dont generate them, why should you spend for services that dont produce the numbers they claim?

If you are searching for a reputable forex signal service, make sure they provide results or screenshots of a real statement from a real account and make sure that they provide a guarantee on their signals.

Using Confluence To Trade The Forex Markets

Confluence is a term that is often used in geographical circles, but it is also used when discussing aspects of forex trading as well. In simple terms confluence refers to two things meeting or coming together, and this is commonly used to describe scenarios where two or more technical indicators come together.

So why is this important?

Well you will rarely see it being mentioned in any forex course, but it is important because you often get some very good trading set-ups when a few of these indicators come together. To digress for a second, some traders use this term to describe situations where two indicators give the same signals, for example when both the RSI and Stochastics are above the 80 level and therefore overbought. However I like to use the word confluence in the truest sense of the word to describe situations where two similar indicators come together on the charts.

One example of this would be where you get a situation where there is a key fibonacci level very close to the daily pivot point. One of these indicators alone can often act as a strong support or resistance level, so two together will give you an even stronger level of support or resistance.

Another good example, and one I look for quite a lot in my own trading, is when several moving average indicators come together on the charts. For instance when the 5, 20, 50 and 200 period exponential moving averages come together and are all very close to each other.

When this happens it signals a period of consolidation, but more importantly it signals that there could a big breakout coming in the near future. As soon as the price breaks out of this range and the short-term moving averages start heading higher or lower, you should consider opening a new position in the same direction because you often get some big price moves.

So to sum up, confluence in forex trading often refers to two or more technical indicators coming together. Successful forex trading is all about finding high probability set-ups, and one of the best signals you can get is when you get multiple moving averages coming together, because the end result is that you often get a big breakout when this period of consolidation is over. However there are lots of other ways you can use confluence to find decent set-ups. This is just one good example that I use myself.

Forex Secret Weapon – The Art Of Forex Scalping

Forex scalping is nothing new to the forex trading market, it is just a niche that not all currency traders take the time to learn and that is a crucial mistake on their part. While it may not be right for you, you are about to quickly find out why having these skills can make you a better all around forex trader. Furthermore, you will find that it will also enhance your discipline in this action packed market.

A lot of individuals will get the wrong impression about the forex scalping niche because of traders who make trades just for the sake of making them. They have the wrong mindset and go into the day thinking that they are going to make 15 trades and they do exactly that with no regard for their overall profitability. What they should take the time to do is learn critical information by doing forex training that will make them more successful. There is actually one piece of information that is more critical than anything else that every serious currency traders need to know when they are learning to trade forex.

You must understand that the forex market is usually in consolidation, for as much as 60-80% of any given day, is one of the best things that any trader can come to grips with. The market will not make any significant moves during this time period and when the forex scalper comes to terms with this and can fully understand what this means to the market, they will realize how profitable this piece of information can be for them.

Developing a sense of recognition is key for any trader, but it is of particular interest to the forex scalper. They must be able to quickly identify key support and resistance levels of previous highs and lows so they can spot profitable situations.

Recognizing these spots enable the forex scalper to do what every good forex trader needs to do, buy the dips and sell the rallies. When you can take advantage of wide ranging, 20-40 pips, consolidation channels, you will be able to place your long orders on the floor price of currencies and place your short orders on the ceiling prices of currencies.

If you are looking past this information because you have no desire to be a forex scalper, you are making a critical mistake. Having this weapon in your arsenal of forex strategy will make you a better overall trader. You will also be able to utilize your time better when the market is not making any significant moves. Like anything else, the more well rounded you are, the better you will be at your art of forex trading.