Forex chart reading

Online Forex Trading Bar Charts.

Forex trading bar charts are the most popular method for Forex trading technical analysis worldwide. They have reached their popularity because they are useful and easy to understand. The activities of the hour/day/week/month is seen as a vertical bar in the chart. Horizontal marks account for Opening and closing prices. Every time you trade in online Forex, it is recommended that you use these bar chart patterns and indicators to help you invest properly.

Recognizing Trend Lines.

A trend line is drawn in the bar chart to indicate the price of online Forex trends. An ascending trend line connects between the daily highs of the market. A descending trend line connects the day's low prices. If the downward trend line crosses the most recent prices - a buy signal is generated. If an ascending trend line crosses through the most recent prices, a sell option s generated.

Support and Resistance.

If you look at an online Forex trading bar chart that details the change in the currency over time, you will notice that after the graph goes up and down for a few times, there is a horizontal line you can draw at the lowest place the graph arrives to, and also at the highest place the graph goes. This means that after the graph has dropped several times, it never drops more than a specific place - called the support level, and after the graph rises a few times, it stops also at regular places, called resistance levels.

An example of a support level is if the graph goes down to $4, then rises to $6, then goes down again to $4, and rises to $5, goes on to $4, etc. This means the support level for that graph is $4.

support levels are the places on the bar chart where online Forex traders feel the stock will move higher, and buy the currency more than sell it. Resistance levels are when there are more sellers than buyers.

When support levels are penetrated, and the price drops bellow the support levels, then the support level turns into a resistance level that will be the highest place the chart goes to. This is because the traders will sell that currency when it reaches the former support level in order to limit their losses and regain the former price they had.

Reading Online Forex trading Bar Chart Patterns.

When you look at a bar chart, you can sometimes recognize patterns that can help you make the next trading decisions by anticipating how the online Forex market is going to behave. After you practice recognizing these patterns you will be able to see them automatically when you see a certain bar chart.

Analyzing Reversal Patterns in Bar Charts.

Reversal patterns are recognized in the online Forex trading market with short and close drops and rises in the graph.

A Double Top - Here you see a long rise in the bar chart, then a short drop, another rise and a drop. The prediction says the next drop will be long, and the investor can predict the currency will drop. The shape of the double top looks like the letter "M". A Double Bottom - The bar chart for this case is a long drop, then a short rise, a short drop and a rise. The final rise is predicted to raise more by the investor. The shape of the chart resembles a "W". A Head-and-Shoulders Top - This bar chart has one larger top separating the two smaller tops that are similar to the double top. The larger top is called "the head", and the two smaller tops are called "the shoulders". Head-and-Shoulders Bottom - This bar chart is the same as the previous chart only upside-down.

How to Read Continuation Patterns on Bar Charts.

The continuation pattern indicates a certain direction that the online Forex graph follows, that is interrupted by a shot change in direction, and sonly after continues with the previous direction.

The Flag - In this bar chart continuation pattern, the change in direction of the online Forex currency consists of the same difference between the lows and the highs, and a continuing downward or upward slope of the graph. A Symmetrical Triangle - In this case in the change of direction area the line of the bar chart becomes closer as the previous direction of the chart approaches. An Ascending Triangle - This graph interruption indicates the unchanging of the high price, while the low price keeps getting closer to the high until the pattern continues. A Descending triangle - The same as the ascending triangle only with the opposite roles, here the low price is the one that stays the same. Rectangle - This is a pattern when the high and low prices stay almost the same for some time.

Gaps in the Bar Chart.

Gaps occur when the bar chart leaps and leaves a gap between the former price of the online Forex currency and the next price. The breakaway gap continues the former trend in a different place, with a change in direction. An exhaustion gap comes right before a drop indicating the currency's exhaustion. An island reversal gap occurs when the chart suddenly breaks from the previous trend and immediately breaks again to another location. Some Economic Indicators are the causes for such gaps, but sometimes they occur spontaneously by themselves for no apparent reason.

How to Read a Chart & Act Effectively.

This is a guide that tells you, in simple understandable language, how to choose the right charts, read them correctly, and act effectively in the market from what you see on them. Probably most of you have taken a course or studied the use of charts in the past. This should add to that knowledge.

There are several good charting packages available free. Netdania is what I use.

Using charts effectively.

The default number of periods on these charts is 300. This is a good starting point; Hourly chart that’s about 12 days of data. 15 minute chart its 3 days of data. 5-minute chart it’s slightly more than 24 hours of data.

You can create multiple "tabs" or "layouts" so that it’s easy to quickly switch between charts or sets of charts.

What to look at first.

1. Glance at hourly chart to see the big picture. Note significant support and resistance levels within 2% of today’s opening rate.

2. Study the 15 minute chart in great detail noting the following:

Prevailing trend Current price in relation to the 60 period simple moving average. High and low since GMT 00:00 Tops and bottoms during full 3 day time period.

How to use the information gathered so far.

1. Determine the big picture (for intraday trading).

Glancing at the hourly chart will give you the big picture – up or down. If it’s not clear immediately then you’re in a trading range. Lets assume the trend is down.

2. Determine if the 15 minute chart confirms the downtrend indicated by big picture:

Current price on 15-minute chart should be below 60 period moving average and the moving average line should be sloping down. If this is so then you have established the direction of the prevailing trend to be down.

There are always two trends – a prevailing (major) trend and a minor trend. The minor trend is a reversal of the main trend, which lasts for a short period of time. Minor trends are clearly spotted on 5-minute charts.

3. Determine the current trend (major or minor) from the 5 minute chart:

Current price on 5-minute chart is below 60 period moving average and the moving average line is sloping downward – major trend.

Current price on 5-minute chart is above 60 period moving average and the moving average line is sloping upward – minor trend.

How to trade the information gathered so far.

At this point you know the following: Direction of the prevailing trend. Whether we are currently trading in the direction of the prevailing (major) trend or experiencing a minor trend (reaction to major trend).

Possible trade scenarios:

1) Lets assume prevailing (major) trend is down and we are in a minor up-trend. Strategy would be to sell when the current price on 5-minute chart falls below the 60 period moving average and the 60 period moving average line is sloping downward. Why? Because the prevailing trend is reasserting itself and the next move is likely to be down. Is there more we can do? Yes. Look for further confirmation. For example, if the minor trend had stalled for a while and the lows of the past half hour or hour are very close to the 5 minute moving average then selling just below the lows of the past half hour is a better place to enter the market then just below the moving average line.

2) Lets assume prevailing (major) trend is down and 5-minute chart confirms downtrend. Strategy would be to wait for a minor (up trend) trend to appear and reverse before entering the market. The reason for this is that the move is too “mature” at this point and a correction is likely. Since you trade with tight stops you will be stopped out on a reaction. Exception: If market trades through today’s low and/ or low of past three days (these levels will be apparent on the 15 minute chart) further quick downward price action is likely and a short position would be correct.

3) A better strategy assuming prevailing trend down, 5-minute chart down, and just above days lows is to BUY with a tight stop below the day’s low. Your risk is limited and defined and the technical condition (overdone?) is in your favor. Confirmation would be if today’s low was a bit higher than yesterday’s low and the price action indicated a very short-term trading range (1 minute chart) just above today’s low. The thinking here is that buyers are not waiting for a break of today’s or yesterday’s low to buy cheaper; they are concerned they may not see the level.

4) Generally speaking, the safest place to buy is after a sustained significant decline when the bottoms are getting higher. Preferably these bottoms will be hours apart. By the third or forth higher bottom it is clear a bottom is in place and an up-move is coming. As in the example above your risk is limited and defined – a low lower than the last low.

5) The reverse is true in major up-trends.

Other chart ideas.

There are always two trends to consider – a major trend and a minor trend. The minor trend is a reversal of the major trend, which generally lasts for a short period of time.

Buying above old tops and selling below old bottoms can be excellent entry levels; assuming the move is not overly mature and a nearby reaction unlikely.

When a strong up move is occurring the market should make both higher tops and higher bottoms. The reverse is true for down moves - lower bottoms and lower tops.

Reactions (minor reversals) are smaller when a strong move is occurring. As the reactions begin to increase that is a clear warning signal that the move is losing momentum. When the last reaction exceeds the prior reaction you can assume the trend has changed, at least temporarily.

Higher bottoms always indicate strength, and an up move usually starts from the third or fourth higher bottom. Reverse this rule in a rising market; lower tops…

You will always make the most money by following the major trend although to say you will never trade against the trend means that you will miss a lot of opportunities to make big profits. The rule is: When you are trading against the trend wait until you have a definite indication of a selling or buying point near the top or bottom, where you can place a close stop loss order (risk small amount of capital). The profit target can be a short-term gain to nearby resistance or more.

Consider the normal or average daily range, average price change from open to high and average price change from open to low, in determining your intra-day price targets.

Do not overlook the fact that it requires time for a market to get ready at the bottom before it advances and for selling pressure to work it’s way through at top before a decline. Smaller loses and sideways trading are a sign the trend may be waning in a downtrend. Smaller gains and sideways trading in an up trend.

Fourth time at bottom or top is crucial; next phase of move will soon become clear… be ready.

Oftentimes, when an important support or resistance level is broken a quick move occurs followed by a reaction back to or slightly above support or below resistance. This is a great opportunity to play the break on the “rebound”. Your stop can be super tight. For example, EURUSD important resistance 1.0840 is broken and a quick move to 1.0860, followed by a decline to 1.0835. Buy with a 1.0820 stop. The move back down is natural and takes nothing away from the importance of the breakout. However, EURUSD should not decline significantly below the breakout (breakout 1.0840; EURUSD should not go below 1.0825.

After a prolonged up move when a top has been made there is usually a trading range, followed by a sharp decline. After that, a secondary reaction back near the old highs often occurs. This is because the market gets ahead of itself and a short squeeze occurs. Selling near the old top with a stop above the old top is the safest place to sell.

The third lower top is also a great place to sell.

The same is true in reverse for down moves.

Be careful not to buy near top or sell near bottom within trading ranges. Wait for breakaway (huge profit potential) or play the range.

Whether the market is very active or in a trading range, all indications are more accurate and trustworthier when the market is actively trading.

Limitations of charts.

Scheduled economic announcements that are complete surprises render nearby short-term support and resistance levels meaningless because the basis (all available information) has changed significantly, requiring a price adjustment to reflect the new information. Other support and resistance levels within the normal daily trading range remain valid. For example, on Friday the unemployment number missed the mark by roughly 120,000 jobs. That’s a huge disparity and rendered all nearby resistance levels in the EURUSD meaningless. However, resistance level 200 points or more from the day’s opening were still meaningful because they represented resistance to a big up move on a given day.

Unscheduled or unexpected statements by government officials may render all charts points on a short-term chart meaningless, depending upon the severity of what was said or implied. For example, when Treasury Secretary John Snow hinted that the U. S. had abandoned its strong U. S. dollar policy.

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How to Create a Chart.

Trading Station's charts are easy to access and simple to navigate. In this video, we should you how to get the charts you need.

To create a chart, click on this button at the top of the platform. Select the currency pair, the time period, which tells you how much data is represented by each point on the chart, and the desired time range. Selecting “Open within the Trading Station” will open the chart in a new tab within the platform. Unchecking the box will open the chart in a separate window, giving you more area to work in.

Educational Videos: All videos are provided for educational purposes only and clients should not rely on the content or policies as they may differ with regards to the entity that you are trading with. Further, any opinions, analyses, prices, or other information contained on this website is provided for educational purposes, and does not constitute investment advice. FXCM will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information.

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3 Types of Forex Charts and How to Read Them.

Let’s take a look at the three most popular types of forex charts:

Now, we’ll explain each of the forex charts, and let you know what you should know about each of them.

Line Charts.

A simple line chart draws a line from one closing price to the next closing price .

When strung together with a line, we can see the general price movement of a currency pair over a period of time.

Here is an example of a line chart for EUR/USD:

Bar Charts.

Unfortunately, this is not a chart at a bar.

A bar chart is a little more complex. It shows the opening and closing prices, as well as the highs and lows .

The vertical bar itself indicates the currency pair’s trading range as a whole.

The horizontal hash on the left side of the bar is the opening price, and the right-side horizontal hash is the closing price.

Here is an example of a bar chart for EUR/USD:

Take note, throughout our lessons, you will see the word “bar” in reference to a single piece of data on a chart.

When you see the word ‘bar’ going forward, be sure to understand what time frame it is referencing.

Bar charts are also called “ OHLC ” charts, because they indicate the Open, the High, the Low, and the Close for that particular currency.

Here’s an example of a price bar:

Open : The little horizontal line on the left is the opening price.

High : The top of the vertical line defines the highest price of the time period.

Low : The bottom of the vertical line defines the lowest price of the time period.

Close : The little horizontal line on the right is the closing price.

Candlesticks Charts.

Candlestick charts show the same price information as a bar chart, but in a prettier, graphic format.

Candlestick bars still indicate the high-to-low range with a vertical line.

However, in candlestick charting, the larger block (or body) in the middle indicates the range between the opening and closing prices.

Traditionally, if the block in the middle is filled or colored in, then the currency pair closed lower than it opened.

In the following example, the ‘filled color’ is black. For our ‘filled’ blocks, the top of the block is the opening price, and the bottom of the block is the closing price.

If the closing price is higher than the opening price, then the block in the middle will be “white” or hollow or unfilled.

Here at BabyPips, we don’t like to use the traditional black and white candlesticks. They just look so unappealing. And since we spend so much time looking at charts, we feel it’s easier to look at a chart that’s colored.

A color television is much better than a black and white television, so why not splash some color on those candlestick charts?

If the price closed lower than it opened, the candlestick would be red.

In our later lessons, you will see how using green and red candles will allow you to “see” things on the charts much faster, such as uptrend/downtrends and possible reversal points.

For now, just remember that on forex charts, we use red and green candlesticks instead of black and white and we will be using these colors from now on.

Check out these candlesticks…BabyPips style! Awww yeeaaah! You know you like that!

Here is an example of a candlestick chart for EUR/USD. Isn’t it pretty?

The purpose of candlestick charting is strictly to serve as a visual aid, since the exact same information appears on an OHLC bar chart.

The advantages of candlestick charting are:

Candlesticks are easy to interpret, and are a good place for beginners to start figuring out forex chart analysis. Candlesticks are easy to use! Your eyes adapt almost immediately to the information in the bar notation. Plus, research shows that visuals help with studying, so it might help with trading as well! Candlesticks and candlestick patterns have cool names such as the “shooting star,” which helps you to remember what the pattern means. Candlesticks are good at identifying market turning points – reversals from an uptrend to a downtrend or a downtrend to an uptrend. You will learn more about this later.

Now that you know why candlesticks are so cool, it’s time to let you know that we will be using candlestick forex charts for most, if not all of forex chart examples on this site.

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