Multiple Time Frame Analysis

Multiple Time Frame Analysis

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Multiple time frame analysis is a form of technical analysis which requires the traders to look at the different price changes of the same currency pair. Typically the charts are in different time frames and will allow the trader to better understand how the currency options moves with changing market conditions. Through multiple time frame analysis, traders can effectively enter positions.

In most cases, only 3 time frames are used , weekly, daily and 4-hour charts but traders may also decide to utilize shorter time frames (4-hour, 1-hour and 15 minutes). Generally, the longer time framed charts are used to get an overview of how the market is behaving while the shorter time frames are utilized to fine tune the entry and exit points. It is important for the traders to capture the big movements in the market in order to make a huge sum of profit. In this case, the traders will need to know which direction they should take and what kinds of shorter term movement can they take advantage of. Multiple time frame analysis is more than just picking out the tops and bottoms; instead, it is about looking for buying opportunities in an uptrend and selling opportunities in a downtrend which enables the trader to profit more.

Traders in the spot market typically use daily charts to identify the general trend while hourly charts determine the exact entry points. In the AUD/USD currency pair which has been trending up since the early 2002, range traders will find it difficult to trade, and will probably experience losses if they stick to the same strategies they use in normal situations. Even when certain dips in the market, the pair remained strong for the last couple of years, hence presenting very little opportunities even for medium term range traders.

In this case, it is best to adopt a position which follows the trends and to look for buying opportunities when the prices are lowest. In this case, the trader can use a level of the Fibonacci retracement as the main support level then use the daily charts to get a general idea of the direction of the trade and then hourly charts to pinpoint entry points.

The good thing about multiple time frame analysis is that it can be used even for hourly trading with leverage. For example, in a highly volatile currency pair such as the CHF/JPY, the trader can use hourly charts to gauge the direction of the trend and 15 minute charts in looking for entry points in the direction of the trend. To increase the success, it is important to use different indicators to ensure that the currency is trending in a particular direction.

Source: www.etoro.com