Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

Enigmatics

A Few Questions About Trading the Trendlines

Recommended Posts

I've recently been trying to tighten up my ability to draw the right trend lines, horizontal lines, and identifying trade channels.

 

Do you guys have any specific pointers that could help? Furthermore, how reliable are trend lines on smaller time intervals like a 2min?

 

I was having a bit of success pairing 2min charts with 5min and trading breaks on ETF's of prior resistance levels. I've suddenly hit a brick wall. I have been a little too focused on 2min (kind of ignoring the 5min) and trying to attack every horizontal resistance level I marked with very little distinction. Suffice to say I've suddenly been very unsuccessful. I feel like my little run with scalping 8-10 ticks was fool's gold.

 

The reason I bring up the issue with the horizontal resistances is that I rarely (if ever) have bought the dip and I want to be able to with confidence instead of constantly relying on breaking of resistances. This becomes harder and harder to do if the volume dries up as the trading day moves on and the algos run amuck.

Edited by Enigmatics

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
How are you drawing your trendlines now? Please explain how you construct your trendlines and then maybe others can help.

 

Sure thing. I'm always up early for pre-market. I trade a lot of SPXU and FAS. I make sure to mark a horizontal line for every resistance or support they make. Here are two examples on a 2min chart of the trading channels I missed today. For the trend lines I look for two common points in a straight line of the channel on the top and on the bottom. Drawing them afterwards it feels like it was a no-brainer so I don't know what I was thinking at as they took place.

 

Again I've marked these where I felt like I missed the obvious, but maybe there's more to it.

 

SPXU

27thsk.png

 

FAS (EDIT: I wrote SHORT ON SUPPORT, but I meant SHORT ON RESISTANCE)

bunlyg.png

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Sure thing. I'm always up early for pre-market. I trade a lot of SPXU and FAS. I make sure to mark a horizontal line for every resistance or support they make. Here are two examples on a 2min chart of the trading channels I missed today. For the trend lines I look for two common points in a straight line of the channel on the top and on the bottom. Drawing them afterwards it feels like it was a no-brainer so I don't know what I was thinking at as they took place.

 

Again I've marked these where I felt like I missed the obvious, but maybe there's more to it.

 

SPXU

27thsk.png

 

FAS (EDIT: I wrote SHORT ON SUPPORT, but I meant SHORT ON RESISTANCE)

bunlyg.png

 

those lines are draw in hindsight... not much use in real time trading.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
those lines are draw in hindsight... not much use in real time trading.

 

That's precisely why I'm asking. So do you not use them at all? I just want to find a way to get more comfortable buying dips. I figured better trendlines would help me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Sure thing. I'm always up early for pre-market. I trade a lot of SPXU and FAS. I make sure to mark a horizontal line for every resistance or support they make. Here are two examples on a 2min chart of the trading channels I missed today. For the trend lines I look for two common points in a straight line of the channel on the top and on the bottom. Drawing them afterwards it feels like it was a no-brainer so I don't know what I was thinking at as they took place.

 

Again I've marked these where I felt like I missed the obvious, but maybe there's more to it.

 

SPXU

27thsk.png

 

FAS (EDIT: I wrote SHORT ON SUPPORT, but I meant SHORT ON RESISTANCE)

bunlyg.png

 

Hi Enigmatics,

 

Could I clear up one thing before we go ahead. Are you confused about trendlines or channels. They are two totally seperate things and I'm not sure we're on the same page when you mention the placement of your trendlines'.

 

You have shown pics of channels and what you consider support and resistance lines but none of trendlines . Please include how you incorporate a trendline in this scenario. I wonder if part of the problem is that you are using your channels as trendlines.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I've recently been trying to tighten up my ability to draw the right trend lines, horizontal lines, and identifying trade channels.

 

Do you guys have any specific pointers that could help? Furthermore, how reliable are trend lines on smaller time intervals like a 2min?

 

I was having a bit of success pairing 2min charts with 5min and trading breaks on ETF's of prior resistance levels. I've suddenly hit a brick wall. I have been a little too focused on 2min (kind of ignoring the 5min) and trying to attack every horizontal resistance level I marked with very little distinction. Suffice to say I've suddenly been very unsuccessful. I feel like my little run with scalping 8-10 ticks was fool's gold.

 

The reason I bring up the issue with the horizontal resistances is that I rarely (if ever) have bought the dip and I want to be able to with confidence instead of constantly relying on breaking of resistances. This becomes harder and harder to do if the volume dries up as the trading day moves on and the algos run amuck.

 

 

Hi Enigmatics,

 

I use the Metatrader 4 platform to trade ForEx and I have great experiences using Tom DeMark Trend lines. DeMark uses the two most recent (Fractal) Highs and Lows to draw them. Next to that there are some "qualifiers" that tell you whether a trend line break is valid for trading or not.

 

If you Google "Tom DeMark Trendlines" there is plenty to learn about it. Here's a PDF to read some more on the subject.

 

Happy Trading!

 

Cheers,

 

Peter a.k.a. Dutchie

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hi Enigmatics,

 

I use the Metatrader 4 platform to trade ForEx and I have great experiences using Tom DeMark Trend lines. DeMark uses the two most recent (Fractal) Highs and Lows to draw them. Next to that there are some "qualifiers" that tell you whether a trend line break is valid for trading or not.

 

If you Google "Tom DeMark Trendlines" there is plenty to learn about it. Here's a PDF to read some more on the subject.

 

Happy Trading!

 

Cheers,

 

Peter a.k.a. Dutchie

 

I absolutely love TD Lines, please tell me how extensively you use them and for how long you've found them to be successful? I have studied them in depth and found them to be great trading tools as the last part of your decision making process after you have decided which side of the market to be on.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I absolutely love TD Lines, please tell me how extensively you use them and for how long you've found them to be successful? I have studied them in depth and found them to be great trading tools as the last part of your decision making process after you have decided which side of the market to be on.

 

Hi,

 

I always use them, together with my (customized) DTosc, which is a combination of Stoch./RSI. When using proper money management (duhh), they are VERY useful!

IMHO they tend to work better on the 60 min timeframe or higher. There are several TD Trendline indicators circulating the trading forums but I prefer the ones with the qualifiers although they're easy to memorize. If you are familiar with trading differently shaped triangles (my absolute favorite pattern) it's easy to set your profit targets too.

 

Happy Trading!

 

Cheers,

 

Peter

Edited by Dutchie

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Here's a PDF to read some more on the subject.

 

  • Trendline drawing can be very subjective - 10 people, 10 different trendlines
  • Rules may be inconsistent.
  • Need validation that trendline is correct
  • Continue at trend break, or reverse? That's the question.
  • Draw trendlines from Right to Left. Insures using the latest data.
  • 4 different qualifiers to decide what to do.
  • Something about a bar's "TRUE" high or low. Rules, but I don't know what the logic is.
  • 3 Rules for abandoning the trade: Rules apply to the bar after the entry bar.
  • Next bar opens below breakout level - Abandon trade (Long)
  • Next bar opens below the previous close and closes down - Abandon trade (Long)
  • Fails to make higher high - Abandon trade (Long)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Trendline drawing can be very subjective - 10 people, 10 different trendlines
  • Rules may be inconsistent.
  • Need validation that trendline is correct
  • Continue at trend break, or reverse? That's the question.
  • Draw trendlines from Right to Left. Insures using the latest data.
  • 4 different qualifiers to decide what to do.
  • Something about a bar's "TRUE" high or low. Rules, but I don't know what the logic is.
  • 3 Rules for abandoning the trade: Rules apply to the bar after the entry bar.
  • Next bar opens below breakout level - Abandon trade (Long)
  • Next bar opens below the previous close and closes down - Abandon trade (Long)
  • Fails to make higher high - Abandon trade (Long)

 

DeMark trendlines AND their qualifiers are NOT subjective if one can read: "If any of the four qualifiers are true, the trendline break is valid" which leave all your other remarks pointless.....

Edited by Dutchie

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
DeMark trendlines AND their qualifiers are NOT subjective if one can read: "If any of the four qualifiers are true, the trendline break is valid" which leave all your other remarks pointless.....

 

I wasn't stating that DeMark trendlines are subjective. The bullet points were taken directly from the PDF file. The PDF file stated that a problem with many trendlines is that they are subjective. That statement was made to contrast the objectively of the DeMark trendlines. Again, what I wrote was just a rewording of what is stated in the PDF file. I wasn't criticizing the DeMark method of trendlines.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I studied Drummond Geometry for a couple of years and his method of drawing lines is different from the mainstream. His approach draws lines using only 2 bars in order to forecast S/R for the 3rd bar. I found some other combinations in my own work that I also included in an indicator. Unlike anything that is out there my indicator prints a # above and below the bar showing how many tics the high or low is from the termination point of the TL for the current bar. If you are using your method on a 5min chart and you want confirmation that you have hit a S/R level you can apply my indicator to a higher timeframe like a 30min to see how many tics you are from a current TL. The amount of tics away from a TL that would be a heads up will vary from market to market. I have only ever traded the Russell so all I can attest to would be that anything 5 and under would be a warning that a turn is evident. I have included an Eld file (I hope I did it right ) for the indicator.You guys can have it for free.

PI TL #.ELD

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

One confirmation that you could use to get into the trend is say we're at support. Whichever time frame you are using, wait for a break of the high of the low bar before entering long. The same holds true for shorts, wait for a break of the low of the high bar.

 

So if the ES is in a downtrend and rallies off lows, you can just wait for a break below the low of the highest bar on the way up. This also allows for a definitive stop to be placed above the high of that high bar.

 

Just my two cents on a little added entry signal.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • YUM Yum Brands stock, nice breakout with volume +34.5%, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?YUM
    • Date: 3rd April 2025.   Gold Prices Pull Back After Record High as Traders Eye Trump’s Tariffs.   Key Takeaways:   Gold prices retreated after hitting a record high of $3,167.57 per ounce due to profit-taking. President Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all US imports, escalating trade tensions. Gold remains exempt from reciprocal tariffs, reinforcing its safe-haven appeal. Investors await US non-farm payroll data for further market direction. Fed rate cut bets and weaker US Treasury yields underpin gold’s bullish outlook. Gold Prices Retreat from Record Highs Amid Profit-Taking Gold prices saw a pullback on Thursday as traders opted to take profits following a historic surge. Spot gold declined 0.4% to $3,122.10 per ounce as of 0710 GMT, retreating from its fresh all-time high of $3,167.57. Meanwhile, US gold futures slipped 0.7% to $3,145.00 per ounce, reflecting broader market uncertainty over economic and geopolitical developments.   The recent rally was largely fueled by concerns over escalating trade tensions after President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping new import tariffs. The 10% baseline tariff on all goods entering the US further deepened the global trade conflict, intensifying investor demand for safe-haven assets like gold. However, as traders locked in gains from the surge, prices saw a modest retracement.   Trump’s Tariffs and Their Market Implications On Wednesday, Trump introduced a sweeping tariff policy imposing a 10% baseline duty on all imports, with significantly higher tariffs on select nations. While this move was aimed at bolstering domestic manufacturing, it sent shockwaves across global markets, fueling inflation concerns and heightening trade war fears.   Gold’s Role Amid Trade War Escalations Despite the widespread tariff measures, the White House clarified that reciprocal tariffs do not apply to gold, energy, and ‘certain minerals that are not available in the US’. This exemption suggests that central banks and institutional investors may continue favouring gold as a hedge against economic instability. One of the key factors supporting gold is the slowdown that these tariffs could cause in the US economy, which raises the likelihood of future Federal Reserve rate cuts. Gold is currently in a pure momentum trade. Market participants are on the sidelines and until we see a significant shakeout, this momentum could persist.   Impact on the US Dollar and Bond Yields Gold prices typically move inversely to the US dollar, and the latest developments have pushed the dollar to its weakest level since October 2024. Market participants are increasingly pricing in the possibility of a Fed rate cut, as the tariffs could weigh on economic growth.   Additionally, US Treasury yields have plummeted, reflecting growing recession fears. Lower bond yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, making it a more attractive investment.         Technical Analysis: Key Levels to Watch Gold’s recent rally has pushed it into overbought territory, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) above 70. This indicates a potential short-term pullback before the uptrend resumes. The immediate support level lies at $3,115, aligning with the Asian session low. A further decline could bring gold towards the $3,100 psychological level, which has previously acted as a strong support zone. Below this, the $3,076–$3,057 region represents a critical weekly support range where buyers may re-enter the market. In the event of a more significant correction, $3,000 stands as a major psychological floor.   On the upside, gold faces immediate resistance at $3,149. A break above this level could signal renewed bullish momentum, potentially leading to a retest of the record high at $3,167. If bullish momentum persists, the next target is the $3,200 psychological barrier, which could pave the way for further gains. Despite the recent pullback, the broader trend remains bullish, with dips likely to be viewed as buying opportunities.   Looking Ahead: Non-Farm Payrolls and Fed Policy Traders are closely monitoring Friday’s US non-farm payrolls (NFP) report, which could provide critical insights into the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves. A weaker-than-expected jobs report may strengthen expectations for an interest rate cut, further boosting gold prices.   Other key economic data releases, such as jobless claims and the ISM Services PMI, may also impact market sentiment in the short term. However, with rising geopolitical uncertainties, trade tensions, and a weakening US dollar, gold’s safe-haven appeal remains strong.   Conclusion: While short-term profit-taking may trigger minor corrections, gold’s long-term outlook remains bullish. As global trade tensions mount and the Federal Reserve leans toward a more accommodative stance, gold could see further gains in the months ahead.   Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.   Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.   Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar.   Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding of how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!   Click HERE to READ more Market news.   Andria Pichidi HFMarkets   Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in Leveraged Products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
    • AMZN Amazon stock, nice buying at the 187.26 triple+ support area at https://stockconsultant.com/?AMZN
    • DELL Dell Technologies stock, good day moving higher off the 90.99 double support area, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?DELL
    • MCK Mckesson stock, nice trend and continuation breakout at https://stockconsultant.com/?MCK
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.