Knowing Your Way Around A Chart

If you follow our blog, then you are definitely familiar with trader Larry Levin, President of Trading Advantage LLC. We have gotten such a great response from some of his past posts that he has agreed to share one more of his favorite trading tips as a special treat to our viewers. Determining the direction of the market can be tricky and just plain confusing at times, but Larry’s expert opinion keeps it simple and straight-to-the-point.

If you like this article, Larry’s also agreed to give you free access to his award winning book.

Today he’s going to talk about knowing your way around a chart.

For most traders, charts are like their road maps to potential trades. Technicians see potential patterns, key clues that they interpret for trading opportunities. Fundamentalists see confirmation of news stories or supply and demand dynamics playing out in the price fluctuations. Charts are indispensable to traders

Understanding what a chart is telling you is paramount for traders

We are going to look at the two most common chart types, and the basics of their construction. The main thing to understand when you are looking at any given chart is that there is key info that shouldn't change. Each chart will be showing you prices on one axis and time periods on another. Most charts will show the prices on the vertical axis and time periods (e.g. daily, hourly, five minute) on the horizontal one, like this: Continue reading "Knowing Your Way Around A Chart"

Coming Back From a Loss

If you follow our blog, then you are definitely familiar with trader Larry Levin, President of Trading Advantage LLC. We have gotten such a great response from some of his past posts that he has agreed to share one more of his favorite trading tips as a special treat to our viewers. Determining the direction of the market can be tricky and just plain confusing at times, but Larry’s expert opinion keeps it simple.

If you like this article, Larry’s also agreed to give you free access to his award winning book.

A friend of mine in the pit had been having a rough time of late when he asked me a typical question among us traders - How do I come back from a loss? Since he had been having a "rough patch" and not just one bad trade, I gave him the following advice that is to be used over a period of time.

First I asked him, "What does your trading journal look like - or maybe you don't have one?"

He didn't think it was necessary, which was his first mistake. It is critical to keep a trading journal.

In my journal I ask myself everyday "Did I follow my trading plan properly? Did I do anything wrong and if so, why?" If I did follow my plan correctly but I lost money, I am not hard on myself. Sometimes this happens! If I didn't follow my rules but still made money, however, that's a problem.

I highlight these days so I never repeat this fatal flaw. One of the worst things you can do is ignore your rules and make money, because then you feel that "winging it" is a good plan. It is not.

If this happens, you have to ask yourself; "Why didn't I follow my rules?" Was it lack of confidence in the system? Fear? Or did my ego want to be the hero that sold the high?" Continue reading "Coming Back From a Loss"

Emotion Free Trading

A big part of being a successful trader is keeping your emotions out of the trade. As a special treat to our readers we asked Larry Levin to share a video on the subject.

Larry reveals techniques for traders like you to help you control your emotions and transform you into a disciplined, emotion-free trader. It is the most important concept you can learn in order to be a successful trader.

If you can master this skill, you can be very successful in this business. If we can't control the market and what it will do, then the only thing that will make us successful is if we can control ourselves. And that's easier said than done. But it is the reality of successful trading.

Watch Now: Emotion Free Trading

Best,
The INOTV Team

Know Your Limits

If you follow our blog, then you are definitely familiar with trader Larry Levin, President of Trading Advantage LLC. We have gotten such a great response from some of his past posts that he has agreed to share one more of his favorite trading tips as a special treat to our viewers. Determining the direction of the market can be tricky and just plain confusing at times, but Larry’s expert opinion keeps it simple.

If you like this article, Larry’s also agreed to give you free access to his award winning book.

One thing that I see that catches traders up all the time is knowing their limits. There are times when it is probably wiser to step away from a trade or not trade at all.

Sometimes the best favor you can do for yourself is to take a break.

It doesn't matter who you are or what kind of trading you do. There are going to be times when you need to step back and take a break from things. This can happen after a bad trade, a big loss, and even after a really good performance. It can help you get things back into perspective. It also allows for an opportunity for you to review your trades, and learn from any mistakes or plans that you think cost you in the long run. Continue reading "Know Your Limits"

Candlestick Patterns – Harami

If you follow our blog, then you are definitely familiar with trader Larry Levin, President of Trading Advantage LLC. We have gotten such a great response from some of his past posts that he has agreed to share one more of his favorite trading tips as a special treat to our viewers. Determining the direction of the market can be tricky and just plain confusing at times, but Larry’s expert opinion keeps it simple.

If you like this article, Larry’s also agreed to give you free access to his award winning book.

I've already covered some of the better known patterns like Doji and Engulfing – now it's time to add Harami to your candlestick chart pattern arsenal. Let's take a look at what this technical signal looks like, and what opportunities might be presenting themselves when you see it.

Harami patterns can be bearish or bullish

Harami, like engulfing patterns, are a two candlestick formation. They are actually often confused with engulfing patterns because they both involve candles where one real body is bigger than the other. The difference is that in harami, the preceding (or first) candle in the pattern is the longer one of the pair; it encompasses the whole body of the second candlestick. Continue reading "Candlestick Patterns – Harami"