Trading with Heikin
Transcription
Trading with Heikin
46 TRADERS´ Strategies How to Use Multiple Moving Averages Trading with Heikin-Ashi Charts Gradually Heikin-Ashi charts have found their way into the trading world. Professionals have been using this method for several years now, but the general public has as yet neglected it. Let us have a look at the world of Japanese candlesticks and be convinced by their visual clarity. 07/2012 www.tradersonline-mag.com In the year 2004 Swedish trader Dan Valcu reanimated the Heikin-Ashi charts after he stumbled across this kind of charting illustration during his studies of the Japanese indicator Ichimoku. After modifying this variation of candlesticks he noticed the impressive clarity as it changed the chart of the classic candlesticks based on a trend following character. The simple idea is the conversion of the four typical candlestick-values – open, high, low and close of one period. These four values are altered with the help of a simple arithmetic average calculation – see formula box on page 48 – and subsequently provide visual trend smoothing. You see the direction, strength and intensity of a trend in a single glance. Application The visual clearness of the Heikin-Ashi charts helps to filter the mostly confusing market noise (compared to classic candle charts). The result is fast decision making with the only disadvantage of a slightly delayed signal. But as you can participate in the trend movements in forex very easily, this method is excellent for daily use. The practicable possible combinations of these candles – both with trend following indicators like moving averages and different oscillators – make it possible to trade many strategies. We will use a very simple, but very efficient trading strategy to explain this in the following article. Heikin-Ashi Charts and Moving Averages One principle of trend following does not exclude the other – the use of the Heikin-Ashi charts with the moving averages proves this. If you use a simple moving average (SMA), an exponential moving average (EMA) or a weighted moving average (WMA) plays an underlying role. Essential is the additional information – the superior trend phase that the currency pair is in and the (if you apply multiple moving averages) separation in the sense of an increasing or decreasing momentum. At the beginning you define for example eight moving averages – with the EMAsettings 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 55, 110 and 144. The first six moving averages are applied in the sense of momentum definition and the last two illustrate the superior respectively predominant trend direction. Because of those multiple moving averages, a short peek at the chart clarifies the correspondent momentum and the dominant trend direction. General Requirements of the Setup At first you search for currency pairs that are trending. This can be defined by comparing the superior trend to the actual entry time frame. For example, the hourly chart (M60) defines the trend definition and you trade the 15-minute chart (M15) and find your entry signals in the M15 in accordance with the hourly chart. We pay particular attention to the six moving averages 25 to 47 45 and 55 and their separation. Moving averages that fan out as shown in Figure 1 are the ideal trend movement. The two lazier moving averages serve the main development and deliver an additional signal of a sound trend at cross over. Christian Kaemmerer Christian Kaemmerer is founder of the web-service TA4YOU.com and is self-educated in technical analysis. He is always searching for additional tasks in which to apply his skill and expertise. His main focus is forex. 07/2012 www.tradersonline-mag.com Entry Setup – the Options After the confirmation of an intact trend we wait for the correction (which starts earlier or later) and try to trade this entry chance following the trend. If a colour/ trend change of the Heikin-Ashi candles in the M60 occurs (see Figure 2), we take a closer look. Now that the currency pair has our full attention, we change to the inferior time frame – in this case M15 – and look for the entry candle. In the M15 time frame it is not mandatory that the momentum moving averages 25 to 55 are separated; but the superior two trend-defining moving averages have to move clearly in trend direction and should not cross the price. Entry Setup – the Observation It is recommended to determine the correction movement with the help of Fibonacci retracements. Thus, you can define possible reversal points at the beginning of the correction. The use of Fibonacci retracements is not mandatory in this setup, but the convenience of this technical analysis tool is a plus for every trading strategy. After you have defined the highs and lows of the previous trading period (1-hour highs/lows or 4-hour high/ lows are recommended) in order to apply Fibonacci retracements with a minimum range of 45 pips (see Figure 2), you wait for an entry signal. Entry and Stop Loss Now you watch for a possible reversal point within the correction. The strength of the Heikin-Ashi charts takes effect now. Because of the trend following character a weakening or a reversal of the downward movement (in the case of a long setup) is indicated. Neutral candles in this context – ideally around the Fibonacci retracements – confirm a new upward movement. The only thing missing is a bullish signal. It is per definition (Table 1), generated by a bullish HeikinAshi candle. If there is a good risk/reward-ratio (RRR > 1.5), you enter after the close of the candle (after 15 minutes within the time frame M15) at the open of the new period to trade the initiated renewal of the superior trend. Clearly, there is never an entry without a stop loss. In our example (Figure 3) the stop loss should be placed below the previous low at 1.4035 USD. The profit target can be defined by Fibonacci extensions, price F1) Multiple Moving Averages Figure 1 shows the use of multiple Moving Averages to define momentum. Which kind of Moving Averages you use as well as the parameter settings play an underlying role. Source: www.tradesignalonline.de F2) EUR/USD Hourly Chart Figure 2 shows the EUR/USD with the multiple Moving Averages (EMA) 25, 30 35, 40, 45, 55, 110 and 144. The intact price movement becomes clear with the separating EMAs – the trend has positive momentum. You can identify the likely continuation of the trend within the labelled area because of the bullish Heikin-Ashi candle. The weak correction to the 38,30% Fibonacci-retracement confirms the positive tendency. Source: www.tradesignalonline.de 48 TRADERS´ Strategies projections or pivot points. In general you can also use the calculated minimum target according to the RRR. T1) Formations of Heikin-Ashi Charts Trend Characteristics Uptrend Downtrend Trend is normal Increasing green candles Falling red candles Trend becomes stronger Increasing, longer green candles Falling, longer red candles without lower shadow without upper shadow Trend becomes weaker Green candles become smaller with increasing lower shadow Red candles become smaller with increasing upper shadow Consolidation Smaller green candles with upper and lower shadow Smaller red candles with upper and lower shadow Trend Reversal Very small green candles with long upper and lower shadows Very small red candles with long upper and lower shadows Five different possibilities indicated using Heikin-Ashi charts during an up- or down-trend. Source: Manfred Schwendemann Strategy Snapshot Name of strategy: Type of strategy: Time frame: Setup: Entry: Stop loss: Take profit: Trailing stop: Exit: Risk and money management: Average number of signals: Heikin Ashi Swings Trend Following 15-minute and 60-minute chart Identification of momentum, entry after correction in trend direction if Heikin-Ashi signal occurs Both fixed entry (signal candle) and discretionary entry 30 to 50 pips 1.5 times of the stop loss at minimum (for example 45 to 75 pips) If strong momentum occurs, selling part of the position is allowed Both fixed exit (after earning 1.5 times the risk) and discretionary exit at growing momentum Depending on the personality of the trader; you should never risk more than 0.75 per cent per trade Three to five per day in the hourly chart in the 15 to 20 most liquid currency pairs 07/2012 www.tradersonline-mag.com Exit Strategies Because of the calculated risk/ reward, the minimum target can be defined at 1.4135 USD. This level is now the major point for the further management of the trade – in the case you trade manually and want to trade a possible future movement. In our example the stop loss was placed at 1.4035 USD, which means 40 pips based on the entry at 1.4075. If you want a RRR of at least 1.5 your target is at 1.4135 USD at minimum. Of course, the market is not interested in your profit or where you want to exit your position. Therefore you should trail your stop loss after a minimum movement of, for example 40 pips (based on the volatility of the currency pair) to break even to reduce risk. The risk is earned already in our example and depending on the future price movement we can even sell part of the position. In any way you can only win with this risk-free trade. A convenient side effect of this strategy is that you can really relax mentally. In addition you can apply resistances from longer time frames (M60/M240) or pivot points to determine your future targets and let the trade run – after exiting part of the position having reached the calculated minimum target – even further. Info haOpent = haCloset = haHight = haLowt = t= t-1= haOpen(t-1) + haClose(t-1) 2 open(t) + high(t) + low(t) + close(t) 4 MAX {high(t), haOpen(t), haClose(t)} MIN {low(t), haOpen(t), haClose(t)} today (= current day) yesterday F3) Setup EUR/USD, 15-Minute Chart Because of the change in colour in the M60 timeframe we look for the entry and the suitable stop loss in the M15 timeframe. The M15 shows a bullish trend movement because of the Heikin-Ashi candles. After the close of the “perfect” long-candle we enter at the open of the third candle at 1.4075 USD. The stop loss is placed at the previous low at 1.4035 USD and the profit target is calculated with the RRR of 1.5. It is placed at 1.4135 and is reached at the following period. A profit of 60 pips was earned. Even though a split of the position would have been more profitable, the trading plan was implemented successfully and that is what counts when trading a strategy. Source: www.tradesignalonline.de