Why You Need Mechanical Trading Systems?

Posted by Dave Nettles on July 19, 2009 under Forex Trading | Be the First to Comment

Ahmad Hassam

Currency traders use different approaches in their trading. Majority of successful traders use self developed mechanical trading systems. There are always advantages and disadvantages of different trading systems. The majority of unsuccessful traders depend on discrete trading method.

Many traders develop their own trading systems. There are many actively developed trading systems also known as Expert Advisors or Robots for sale. Theses robots are basically computer programs that are based on some mechanical trading system. It can vary widely in prices. The prices can be from a few hundred dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars.

The significant advantage of these programs is that they generate signals that can be used by the trader for trading. Sometimes these computer programs are developed for a certain bank or a corporation.

The discrete trading method used by many traders is like an artist trying to adapt to different market conditions and using flexibility and tactics corresponding to the particular market condition.

The traders mood and health can greatly affect the outcome of each trade in case of a discrete trading method. The main disadvantage of the discrete trading approach is the unstable trade results due to the stress factor influencing the trader.

Using a mechanical trading system almost completely removes the influences of the stress factor. It also reduces the negative pressure on a trader which is obviously a big plus. However, it prevents the trader from quick adjustment of trade tactics and strategies under changing market conditions.

There are eight requirements that any ideal trading systems should fulfill. A mechanical trading system also doesnt allow the quick customization of the trading system in cases like the change of the account size. These conditions are:

1. It should allow for the maximum adjustment to any traders psychological character.

2. It should be universal and does not depend on a particular market condition at any moment of time.

3. The trading system should be simple, logical and understandable comprising of ready to use elements and units.

4. The trading system should provide specific price signals for the trader for entry and exit positions some time in advance.

5. The trading system must allow some room for the traders creativity.

6. Without violating its main principles and elements of the trading system, there should be some flexibility to modernize and adjust the trading system in accordance with the changing market conditions.

7. The trading system should relieve the trader from emotional and psychological stress in trading.

8. It should be customizable so that different traders can use the same method with different account sizes and different risk/reward appetites.

A previously effective trade system could lead to negative results from change of market conditions. No one trading system can fulfill all these requirements.

The only way of satisfying these conditions is through developing a diversified trading system consisting of a set of systems that can be used as the basis for specific trade tactics at any given moment. Trade systems based on these requirements could be complex and adjustable.

Mr. Ahmad Hassam has done Masters from Harvard University. He is interested in trading stocks and forex. Know These Forex Training Secrets. Learn Forex Trading.

Secret Forex Traders Strategies Revealed

Posted by fx on June 6, 2009 under Currency Trading | Be the First to Comment

by fx

This article focuses on building up solid forex profits using proven long term trading strategies. If you look at any forex chart, you will see long-term term trends that last for months or years. These moves can and do yield serious profit - present we will outline a simple method to get them.

Breakouts- Trading on Confirmation of Break Outs

By far the best way of catching the serious moves is to use a forex trading strategy based around breakouts. A breakout is simply a move on a forex chart where a new high or low is made and resistance or support is broken.

It's a fact that most leading moves start from new highs or lows. Right this an sit it next to your computer so that you don't forget it.

While it might appear that you are not buying or selling at the greatest level, you are in terms of the odds of the trend continuing. Most forex traders make the mistake of waiting for the breakout to come back and get in at a better price but these traders never get on board. The grounds for this is if a breakout occurs, then you have a new strong trend and a pullback is not very likely to occur. So you will the boat and therefore profits.

Most traders don't buy or sell breakouts and that's exactly why it's such a powerful method.

The only point to keep in mind is a support or resistance which is ruined, should be valid and that means at least 3 points in at least 2 different times frames. The more tests and the greater the spacing between the tests the more valid the level is.

Confirmation- Don't Guess it, Confirm It

Of course not every breakout keeps and some reverse, these are false and can cause losses. You therefore need to confirm each move. All you need to do to achieve this is to put a few momentum indicators in your forex trading system to confirm your dealing signal.

These indicators give you an estimation of the strength and velocity of price and there are many to choose from. We don't have time to discuss them here (simply look up our other articles) but two of the greatest are - the stochastic and Relative Strength Index RSI

Stops and Targets

Stop points are easy with breakouts - Simply behind the breakout point.

If you have a serious trend then you need to be careful but you can milk it, so don't move your stop to soon and keep it outside of normal volatility. If it is a huge move, trailing stops should be held a long-term way back and the 40 day moving average is a good level to use.

You have to keep in mind that when the trend does eventually turn you are going to give some profit back. You don't know when the trend is going to end, so don't predict it.

It's ok to give a little bit back, as that's the nature of trading forex. Keep in mind if you got 50% of all leading trend you would be very rich. When you are long-term term trend following you have accept giving a bit back and taking dips in open equity as the trend develops - this is noise and does not affect the long term trend.

The above is a simple way to trade forex and catch the high odds moves that yield the serious profit. If you are learning forex dealing and want a simple method that is robust and will help you get every major move, then you should base your dealing on the above method.

Now that you have all the winning strategies, you now need to have a winning broker, recently the CFD FX REPORT has reviewed these brokers and have come up with Best Forex Broker

Any trader serious about gaining extra knowledge and becoming a better trader should continue to educate themselves as great place for Free education lessons is the CFD FX REPORT they offer as host of great education lessons. You can also join there forum and chat to traders around the world, or visit there broker section and see who the expert recommend. This site is a must for anyone serious about trading.

About the Author:

The CFD FX REPORT is a real time trading tool that offers clients free trading reports, with trading ideas, stock market and forex market education as well helping them with. Also if you are looking for a Forex Broker, then feel free to visit our broker section as we recently reviewed all the forex brokers and have found the best on the market.