'Trading is a process of observing the market's action until such a time you can find and form trading ideas and get involved.'**

Friday, December 31, 2010

Observe & Trade




A "V' pattern formed on the two leading indexes today, the last trading day for the year 2010.

Shown on the 5-min. chart the concluding chart of SPY (ES) and the DIA (YM).

A profit taking in the open!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Observe & Trade




Traded long on YM and twice on NQ and all went to naught.

All the stop-loss got hit and didn't force any more after that.
Looking at the concluding 5-min. chart, the only viable trade is to short it (them) in the open.

Lack on conviction on the part of the bulls.

Real Time Trade Ideas

OK! That will be it...taking a bow!

Real Time Trade Ideas

Wow, got hit with the stop!

Real Time Trade Ideas

Will trail the stop in NQ to break even if it goes up by two points.

Looking for a five point gain plus at least.

Real Time Trade Ideas

Stop from NQ at 2228.00!

Real Time Trade Ideas

Buying back again NQ at 2230.00!

Real Time Trade Ideas

Out from NQ trade for a break even, stop trailed as it move upwards before the open!

Real Time Trade Ideas

Out from YM trade, stop got hit!

Real Time Trade Ideas

With a close stop from YM at 11520 and NQ at 2228.50.

Real Time Trade Ideas

Buy YM at 11525 and NQ at 2229.75.

The Technical Take: 11 Rules for Better Trading

The Technical Take: 11 Rules for Better Trading

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Observe & Trade


No convincing trade today from the market (ES; NQ; TF) except this one from YM.

Though not quite tradeable, but there is a potential of probability because the consolidation is above the 20MA.

Other than that, a potential short appears before the close.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Carl Futia: Update

Carl Futia: Update

Observe & Trade


A shallow cup and handle formed on SPY (ES, e-mini).

In-between the pivot and the previous close, it plays a zigzag mode after it drops from the open.

From there, it stays idle in the form of rectangular S/R level.

At around 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm., it consolidates on small bars above the 20MA.

Confirming a buy trade!

That's showing the technical trading 102.

Observe & Trade


Out from my trading table and showing this 5-min. chart from DIA (YM, e-mini).

It formed a cup and handle pattern.

Nice up trending move after it drops for profit taking in the early trading.

A good entry at consolidation above the 20MA in between the pivot and the previous close.

Other e-minis did not make a decent move, TF and NQ, while ES just made a slight ascend.

Observe & Trade


Showing the concluding chart that I traded today in the YM e-mini.

Note that I am using DIA chart for they are almost identical in pattern.

I traded twice the YM, the first one I bailed out for it drops and I didn't wait to hit my stop and lost a couple of points.

I reenter again and made barely four points for I exited at the S1 because of the big red bar.

From there, it recovers and I am already out in the trade until it went up further.

I focus on the wrong index futures, had I focus on TF and the NQ, I could have traded a better pattern.

But that's how in trading, it's a matter of sound decision making because it involves human psychology.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Observe & Trade







I focused on the wrong instrument to trade today.

Whereas, if I explore the other instruments (TF; ES; NQ), I could have made a better trade.

I left my trading table after I exited my YM trade for I felt the volume was nil.

Anyhow, the three instruments made their nice decent move after that.

A very clear low risk trade on the three.

Real Time Trade Ideas

Exit YM for a gain of 4 points.

Real Time Trade Ideas

Looking for a 10+ point gain on YM. Will move stop to break even. Keep monitoring.

Real Time Trade Ideas

Moved my stop at 11478 at YM (115.38, DIA).

Real Time Trade Ideas

DIA looking good!

Real Time Trade Ideas

Get back at YM at 11481 again with same stop at 11473.

Looks like it's getting back to its feet again.

Real Time Trade Ideas

Bailing out YM. It doesn't look good!

Real Time Trade Ideas


We'll try to get YM at 11482 (115.42, DIA) with a close stop at 11473 (115.32, DIA).

Looks like it is forming cup with a handle. It's a low volume day.

Observe & Trade


Was late from my trading table today and was not able to do my pre-trading plan.

It's a profit taking in the open.

We'll see if it will consolidate from thereon.

If you sell right in the open especially the QQQQ (NQ), you can make a fast money for the day.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Observe & Trade

As I'm going to post real time trade ideas on this site.

The major markets that I am going to relate are the QQQQ; SPY; and the DIA.

Though I'm going to focus on the e-minis, their counterpart are NQ; ES; and the YM.

But for those who trade these etf's (QQQQ, SPY, and the DIA), it will be in their advantage for I will show trading ideas in real time from these particular instruments.

Notice that I added a (widget) real time chart on this blog.

You can see these three core etf's their movement in real time.

Hope I can share ideas for those who are interested.

Note that the chart can be adjusted the time frame and add some indicators.

Observe & Trade

Merry Christmas to all!

Made some changes in the site in preparation for the coming year regarding the purpose of this blog.

The purpose is to present some trading ideas as a guidance for us traders to determine and think for ourselves the viability to trade.

It's like a second thoughts or opinions that will help us make decision on how to trade.

I will present the setups in real time, and from there, "draw" your conclusion if it makes sense to trade or not.

But what I am going to present are my own trade setups based from what I can observed.

It doesn't mean you have to follow it.

I am doing this just a form of learning and developing at the same time sharing ideas for improvement.

It it works, I can be of help to fellow traders.

But this is not a solicit to follow whatever I post in this site.

They are for guidance only.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Ripe Trade: Trading setups for December 23

Ripe Trade: Trading setups for December 23

Observe & Trade


Looking at clearly this DIA chart (YM in the e-mini) which was traded in early after the open produced some interesting pattern.

It is an extended right shoulder (or left, it depends where you look at it) forming a HS pattern.

A probable short clearly shows when it suddenly drops big time.

A seasoned trader can easily spot this.

Observe & Trade


Another lesson for (my) technical trading 102.

This is part of (my) learning and exploring how I can react in the future.

In the market, we have to be creative and study some patterns and familiarize ourselves so that we can recognize them once they emerge.

It is some kind of visualization or as that famous ads says, "where imaginations at work".

Notice the pattern that I have drawn, it formed a wedge like.

And the first hour of trading did not penetrate the previous (high) close.

And from there it plays on a zigzag mode below the pivot line.

That's where the "shorting" imagination starts working!

Note that the chart is from SPY, I am relating this one to ES e-mini since they are almost identical.

Observe & Trade


As I was looking at the conclusion chart of the four core markets I am monitoring.

I find this one from TF e-mini a probable trade to short it.

Though I also found a probable short trade in YM and ES.

But this one make more sense in shorting because it broken the previous close multiple times.

It may take a lot of conviction but with close observation, it is a probability.

And also, looking at the channel trend and the days high started to wind down up to the previous close as I noted.

That's a good lesson for our technical trading 102.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Observe & Trade

As observed the past years been in the market.

And after you (I) had gone assimilating different kinds of ideas and put them into practice.

That's where the problem crops up, they don't work.

Partly because, what work for others won't work for each one of us.

That is why in trading, we have to make our own way of trading based from all available ideas we can gather (as much as possible).

What we should do is to gather all these (those) ideas and mold them based from our understanding and practice/implement them the way they fit and will work well (on us).

But first, you must be ready to get "pulverized" by the market.

After that, you can have your own decision and won't rely from others (ideas).

Focus on a few and then hit them hard!

Focus on a few and then hit them hard!

Observe & Trade









Showing the conclusion of the four core indexes on a 5-min. chart frame.

Notice how hardly can find and form trading ideas, though there are some few opportunities but it needs some kind of close observation and involves high risk as far as I can see.

It's like an unrecognizable pattern that emerge from nowhere.

That's how it is in the market, it's just show how human being behave.

Unpredictable if I may say!

Observe & Trade

The plan for this blog in the coming year 2011 is to improve the site and show more trading ideas for development.

As much as possible will show some actual trades in real time though that will be hard to accomplish considering managing (our) trade itself, but it is also a form of consolation and some kind of learning path for improvement to share ideas to everyone who are in the trading especially those at the initial stage.

Trading is a lonely job and blogging is the form of exchanging ideas.

Very rare or maybe not being shown yet in the web real time trades for free.

Most trading ideas in real time are per subscription.

So in this humble blog, we'll try to find trading ideas in real time without any monetary means involved.

We'll do it for "real" trading!

Observe & Trade


Showing the clear view of the trade from YM (DIA chart; they are similar) in a one-min. time frame.

The advantage from the multiple time frame is you can exactly point out where to enter and exit.

The entry was when there are small bars that are tightly consolidated.

The exit also is where it resisted, in this case the R1 which is clearly identified.

That's complete the trading 101.

Wish it went up further but due to lack (maybe) of participants, it didn't.

Observe & Trade


Got stop on a trail at 11516.

Gain: 10 points

Observe & Trade


Looking for a trade at YM at 11506 with a stop at 11500!
Note: Showing the chart from DIA which is almost identical to YM in the e-minis.

Observe & Trade

Watching the market and at this point it is a selling exodus from the participants.

We'll see if it will stabilize and will consolidate.

It's a short market at this moment.

Will look for a good location to find and form a trade idea, if not, no trade at all.

Observe & Trade

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY TRADING TO EVERYONE!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Observe & Trade


Showing this chart from QQQQ which is identical to NQ from e-mini.

Notice how the pattern look like.

Pretty much similar to Russell 2000 (TF).

Observe & Trade




Showing these two similar charts from DJ-30 and DIA which is identical to e-mini YM.

YM is the only clear tradeable I can see from the e-minis today.

It has a nice consolidation above the ascending 20MA.

And also it's way above the previous close.

If you are looking for a breakout, this is the one.

And this can be exited from the R1.

Observe & Trade


Got stopped out from TF today to break even.

It went down a bit and trail my cover stop and I got hit.

Looking at the chart conclusion, it is not for an ordinary discretionary trader to fight/trade this kind of pattern.

Unless you are a risk taker or scalper.

I'll leave that to the computer or the pros.

That's why I stop trading after that and just stay idle.

My reason for the trade in TF is "I traded my beliefs not the market".

Observe & Trade

Got stopped out from TF.

Part IX - Strategy for Holding | Prudent Trader

Part IX - Strategy for Holding Prudent Trader

Observe & Trade


Will short TF here with a tight stop.

Looks like it's going down further.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Observe & Trade


Showing the 5-min. chart from Russell 2000 (TF in the e-mini).

A very smooth upward move.

Missed the big move due to some personal issues and did not stay in the market for long.

It was in my screen before I traded NQ earlier.

By looking at it, its a sure long trade without any noise.

Major participants are already on holidays.

Part VIII - Develop an Exit Strategy | Prudent Trader

Part VIII - Develop an Exit Strategy Prudent Trader

Observe & Trade


Just got back from my trading table after I exited my trade from NQ to do some errands for my old man only to find out that the market went up smoothly.

TF made a big move as shown from this 5-min. chart.


Observe & Trade

Decided to exit NQ at 2230.25 to break even. Doesn't look good!

Observe & Trade


Feels NQ is a buy at 2230.25 with a tight stop below one point.

Observe & Trade

Waiting for the regular market trading time.

Shown previously are traded charts in the Globex trading time.

I'll compare how the regular and the Globex trading time differs.

Certainly, trading in the regular market is very volatile and unpredictable.

In Globex, not much participants but very "boring".

But comparing both, I prefer the latter cause that is where the sure money is.

Trading is to make money anyway, so better to get bored!

Observe & Trade




Shown in here from the two 5-min. chart what I was pointing out from my previous two post.

The TF moved by two points. Good for $200.00 bucks for a one contract.

YM moved by 20 points. That's a $100.00 bucks for a contract trade.

Very boring trading time due to "long waiting and no volume trade".

But it's worth, no noise!

Is trading during Globex time better that the market time?

Looks like it but needs a lot of coffee to stay awake!

Observe & Trade


YM is consolidating tighly (in the Globex) on small bars.

Seems ready to pop up before the open.
It is sitting above 20MA from my 5-min. real time chart.

It's the execution stupid!

It's the execution stupid!

Observe & Trade


TF market is consolidating tightly in the Globex as of this time.

All four main core indexes are moving upwards smoothly.

Looks like same scenario like yesterday.
I am particularly watching/trading TF partly because a one point move can make fast money ($100.00 for a contract).
That's why for a small move like that mean a big business for "us (me)" small retail traders.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Observe & Trade









Was not able to monitor the whole market up to the close today due to some personal issues.

Anyway, as I was looking all the four core charts today, I may conclude that there were lots of opportunities to trade.

It's just that I was not in the market from start to finish.

I missed a lot of opportunities.

Anyway, no excuses.

As they said, if you missed the first couple of hours in the market..."it's your fault"!

Part VII – Develop A Strategy for Buying | Prudent Trader

Part VII – Develop A Strategy for Buying Prudent Trader

Observe & Trade

It's a hard sell off in the market.

Looks like it won't recover from hereon.

Might stay idle (flat) for a while, maybe up to the close.

Though TF and NQ already risen from the "cave", but it is doubtful to make a move.

Might as well stay on the sideline.

Observe & Trade


The market went up during the Globex time (the "almost" 24 hour futures trading).

And from that time, all the four instruments (ES, YM, NQ, TF) went up smoothly.

Then in the open, the participants took time to make profit.

It's a sell off!

Maybe due to the impending holidays.

I can see from the chart in the TF, I mentioned earlier it is consolidating.

From there, it went up smoothly till the regular open.

If it was bought at 775.00 then sold at 780.00, that's a 5 points gain ($500.00)

That is if you traded in the Globex time.
Right now, not much to analyze because it's a sell off.
Unless you shorted in the open, but that's a little bit risky to my opinion.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Observe & Trade

Futures market are down as of this moment.

We'll see if the trend continues till the open.

Futures market starts to open around 4:00 pm. est. Sunday.

Watching TF market. Looks like it is now consolidating.

Some notes on the e-minis

As I am going to show some trade ideas in real time here in my blog possibly by tomorrow.

Just to point out some things to know about the e-mini (electronic miniatures) futures trading.

These four indexes are the ones that I am going to find and form trading ideas in real time.

Namely, the Dow Jones 30 which as you may know comprises the main leading companies. They are the movers of the market. In the e-minis, the symbol is YM. It moves in the increments of one point, which equals to $5.00 per contract. So if the YM moves by 50 points, that's $250.00 bucks profit for one contract.

For the S&P 500, ES in the e-mini futures. It moves in the increments of 0.25 points. That's equal to $12.50 per contract. Or $50.00 for a full one-point move. So if the ES moves my 5 points, that's $250.00 profit.

For the NQ (Nasdaq), it moves in the increments of 0.50 points which is equals to $10.00 per contract. For a full point move, that's $20.00. So if the NQ moves by 10 points, that's $200.00.

For the TF, Russell 2000. It moves in the increments of 0.10 points, equals to $10.00 per contract. For a full point of move, that's $100.00. If the TF moves by 5 points that's $500.00 bucks.

So these are the five instruments I am going to show in real time if they have a potential to trade.

Going to observe the market's action in real time until such a time I can find and form trading ideas to get involved. That's how in trading is all about, Observe and Trade!

An Idea

This idea just pop up to me lately and decides to put in here.

It's just that been a while putting some trade ideas here in my humble blog and wants to do some extraordinary task.

My idea is to experiment with few interested individuals who are still on the stage of learning (or the amateur ones) in trading the e-mini futures.

My idea or project is to have a group of interested individuals to trade in real time.

There is of no charge on this, it's just for collaboration how to become a better trader.

But I cannot be responsible for the losses, I will just give my trade ideas or opinion how to get into the trade.

It's all up to the interested individual to determine if my idea make sense (to him/her), but I will make my justification why that kind of trade idea make sense at that time.

This is still in the planning stage and I still have to finalize how I'm gonna set it up.

But I want to find out first if there are some few individuals who are interested.

I am only looking for at least three or five open minded individuals who are committed in learning how to trade the e-minis.

The instruments to be traded are the ES; YM; NQ; and the TF.

I just wanna' make it clear that there can be no trade everyday, if there is probable setup to trade, that's the only way we're going to participate in the market.

It's a participation of all in the group, it's a group trading ideas.

But I will be the one to call the shots.

So for those who are sincere in learning how to trade the e-minis and are interested, drop me a mail at *(see note below).

This is an experimental idea and this is voluntary.

PS.

*NOTE: I am correcting myself on this. I won't be looking for just a few. I will just post my trade ideas in real time here. So no more/need to contact me.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Ari Kiev – The 10 Cardinal Rules Of Trading

Ari Kiev – The 10 Cardinal Rules Of Trading

Observe & Trade




Showing some similarities from SPY and the S&P 5-min charts.

They move mostly at the same time.

Trading them both especially in the e-mini (ES) can give you an edge rather than trading individual stocks.

Notice the previous last hour of trading and the first few hours into the open, it's a seesaw battle.

But after some selling and buying pressure, it settles down and started consolidating.

That's where the best location to enter a trade.

The advantage of trading the e-minis as compared to individual stocks is the absence of market maker (the middleman) that sets the price.

In the futures, there's no problem filling the order, it can buy/sell the price at the market with no marked-up.

And the execution is right on real time.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Part VI - Money and Risk Management | Prudent Trader

Part VI - Money and Risk Management Prudent Trader

Observe & Trade


A vertical leap from Russell 2000 (TF).

With the last two lower high coupled with the ascending 20MA, it leaps vertically from thereon.

It can also conclude prior to the opening from the previous last hour, it kinda' form a box.

And also the S/R level make sense to consider.

Observe & Trade




As I posted earlier that QQQQ (NQ in e-mini) has the probability to breakout.

And I was right!

As I mentioned, it formed a "W" pattern and it consolidates after (in between 54.56 - 54.58).

This is the kind of pattern that is a sure fire to trade.
You can enter at 54.56 and exit at 54.66 for a gain of just a mere +$0.10 per share.

But if you trade this in the e-minis, you can enter at 2222.00 and can exit at 2226.00 for a gain of 4 points.

NQ moves in the increments of 0.50 points at $10.00.

So for a gain of 4 points, that is +$80.00 for a contract.

Not bad for 30 minute "job"!

Carl Futia: Update

Carl Futia: Update

Observing


Watching this QQQQ chart (NQ from e-mini) formation on a 5-min. frame and I can conclude it is forming a "W" pattern.

Meaning, it has a tendency to go higher.

It may consolidate for a while but there is probability it might rally.

As Observed


Reading stock market news today from Yahoo and found this interesting attached picture from the subject I was reading.

The caption mentioned that this one in the photo traded the BA shares and had some issues with her trading transactions.

But my observation on this is how can she (he) become a good trader by just trading like that. I mean the setup where she's at.

Does she trade from the Starbucks coffee shop?

Well, no wonder the caption says, "this Amateur Trader"...., it really speaks what's in the picture.

Observe & Trade




A drop in the open from the two main index markets.

Selling in the open can make you a fast money.

It's the reverse movement from yesterday's action.

But there is no surprise on this, it's Friday (traders profit day).

Observing the market action can give us an edge.

That's the only way we can participate from the world of the Streeters!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Observe & Trade






Nice rebound today from the three core index market.

The market went down after the open but came back roaring after a couple of hours into the trading.

Notice the similarity of the pattern.

If one goes up, they will go up almost at the same time.
That's the advantage in trading the e-minis.

Just monitor to four index market and you can make a sure profit.

But trading is not just like that, don't trade just for the sake of trading.

Timing is important and pattern recognition is a must.

No confirmation, no trade!