Eliminating Five Basic Mistakes

April 8, 2006 by Trader Rich 

There was a webinar titled, "Eliminating Five Basic Mistakes from your Analysis" this week presented by Ian Copsey.  I found this webinar and the corresponding Powerpoint presentation very useful because I have been guilty of these mistakes.  Before I summarize and attach the powerpoint presentation (I also converted it to PDF), who is Ian Copsey??

According to the moderator, Ian Copsey is one of the foremost FX technical analysts in the world,
with over 20 years experience in financial markets. He began his career
in Barclays Bank’s FX trading room in 1982 then moved to head their FX
sales desk in Hong Kong in 1988 where he spent almost 5 years.

Either way the guy has got experience and that's what counts.  

So what are the 5 basic mistakes and also the verdict of whether I'm guilty or not of making such a mistake? 

  1. Trend Line Drawing Mistakes  Verdict: GUILTY
    • Use 3 touch guideline.  By waiting for 3 touches, the trendline becomes stronger and more reliable 
  2. Double Tops and Double Bottoms  Verdict: GUILTY
    • WAIT FOR CONFIRMATION which comes on break of peak or trough
  3. Head and Shoulders  Verdict: GUILTY
    • Wait for Completion of pattern
  4. Momentum Indicators  Verdict: mistrial
    • Momentum studies are not meant to be used in trending markets
    • Use ADX/DMI to determine trend then use 2 other methods to determine better trading opportunities
      1. More sensitive version of RSI
      2. Breaks of momentum trend lines
    • After a trend, when should momentum indicators be used?
      • When there is a divergence
        • a divergence is not a reversal signal and trades should not be based on the fact the divergence has occurred.  Look for other signals such as:
          1. A break of trend line
          2. break of a pattern
          3. break of sequence of high and lows
  5. Confirm your analysis  Verdict: GUILTY
    • What kind of complementary techniques are available?
      1. momentum - used in consolidation and divergence after trends
      2. trend line breaks
      3. fibonacci projections from elliott wave
      4. pattern breaks
      5. time cycles

The PDF or powerpoint presentation is really worth the quick 15 minute read.

pdf eliminating 5 common trading mistakes 08/04/2006,11:23 952.99 Kb

pps Eliminating Five Basic Mistakes 08/04/2006,11:31 1.17 Mb

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