Forex Trading: Old Methods, Modern Tools

Hi again BP Community

Today, I asked the following questions to Gemini 2.0 Flash, and am posting these questions along with the answers provided by Gemini for your positive or critical reviews and feedback.

Note: Trollers, please stay away or keep themselves in silent mode here.

My Questions:

Assume yourself to be an expert in the financial market, a technical, and fundamental analyst, and provide your expert opinion on the following questions :

1- Are trading methodologies of old famous traders still effective in current market conditions, especially after using algo, ea, and bot by institutions or individuals?

2—If yes, how can a trader streamline or modify his/her trading method according to his/her trading style scoring to the current forex market conditions?

3- What will you suggest to a forex trader to become a better pro trader?

Gemini Answers:

Alright, let’s delve into these crucial aspects of Forex trading, factoring in both traditional wisdom and the modern algorithmic landscape.

1. Are trading methodologies of old famous traders still effective in current market conditions, especially after using algo, EA, and bot by institutions or individuals?

The short answer is: Yes, and No. It’s nuanced.

Here’s the breakdown:

  • The Enduring Value of Foundational Principles: The core principles that underpinned the success of legendary traders like Jesse Livermore, George Soros, Richard Dennis, and even more contemporary figures like Bill Lipschutz remain fundamentally valid. These principles include:

    • Risk Management: Protecting capital is paramount. Position sizing, stop-loss orders, and understanding your risk tolerance are timeless.

    • Trend Following: Identifying and riding trends, even short-term ones, is a consistent source of profit. Trends exist across all timeframes.

    • Understanding Market Psychology: Recognizing crowd behavior, fear, greed, and the impact of news events is critical. Human emotions still drive much of market activity, even if algorithms amplify the effects.

    • Discipline: Sticking to your plan, avoiding emotional trading, and maintaining consistency are essential for long-term success.

    • Adaptability: The willingness to evolve your strategies based on changing market conditions is crucial. What worked in the 1980s may not work exactly the same way today.

  • The Impact of Algorithmic Trading: The rise of algos, EAs (Expert Advisors), and bots has significantly altered market dynamics.

    • Increased Speed and Volatility: Algos can execute trades far faster than humans, leading to rapid price movements and increased volatility, especially during news events or periods of low liquidity.

    • Pattern Recognition: Algos are adept at identifying and exploiting short-term patterns and inefficiencies. This makes it harder to find simple, obvious signals.

    • Market Manipulation (Potential): While regulations are in place, there’s always the potential for sophisticated players to use algos to manipulate prices in the short term.

    • Decreased Predictability: The presence of many algorithms competing with each other can lead to erratic behavior and “noise” in the market.

  • Why Old Methodologies Need Adaptation: The rigid application of historical methods without adjustment is likely to fail. The market environment is constantly evolving. Here’s why:

    • Faster Execution Required: Manual execution might be too slow to capitalize on fleeting opportunities identified by traditional methods.

    • Increased Data Complexity: There’s a deluge of data available now that wasn’t available to earlier traders. This requires more sophisticated analysis.

    • Different Market Participants: The composition of market participants has changed. There are more hedge funds, institutional investors, and retail traders than ever before.

2. If yes, how can a trader streamline or modify his/her trading method according to his/her trading style scoring to the current forex market conditions?

Here’s how a trader can adapt:

  • Hybrid Approach: Combine fundamental and technical analysis, and consider incorporating sentiment analysis. Relying solely on one approach is often insufficient.

  • Timeframe Adjustment: If short-term trading is proving difficult due to algos, consider shifting to a longer-term timeframe (e.g., daily or weekly charts). This helps filter out some of the noise. Swing trading can be a good middle ground.

  • Focus on High-Probability Setups: Look for setups that align with both fundamental and technical factors. For example, a strong fundamental catalyst coinciding with a well-defined technical pattern (e.g., a breakout from a major support/resistance level).

  • Enhanced Risk Management:

    • Dynamic Stop-Losses: Use stop-loss orders that adjust based on market volatility (e.g., ATR-based stops).

    • Reduced Leverage: Lower leverage reduces the impact of short-term volatility.

    • Position Sizing: Carefully calculate position sizes based on your risk tolerance and the volatility of the currency pair.

  • Algo-Awareness: Try to understand how algos might be influencing price action.

    • Look for Algo “Footprints”: Pay attention to unusual spikes or dips in price, which might be caused by algos.

    • Trade Around News Events: Be cautious trading immediately before and after major news releases, as algos often react quickly and can cause whipsaws.

  • Backtesting and Optimization: Thoroughly backtest any trading strategy using historical data and optimize the parameters for current market conditions. Use a robust backtesting platform that simulates realistic market conditions (slippage, commissions).

  • Algorithmic Assistance (Optional): Consider using EAs to automate parts of your trading strategy (e.g., order entry, stop-loss management). However, be sure to carefully vet and monitor any EA before using it with real money.

  • Continuous Learning: The market is constantly changing, so it’s essential to stay informed about new developments in trading technology and market dynamics.

Example Scenarios & Adjustments:

  • Traditional Breakout Trader: In the past, identifying a key resistance level and entering a long position upon a breakout was often a reliable strategy. Now, algorithms can trigger false breakouts.

    • Adjustment:

      • Confirmation Filters: Add filters to confirm the validity of the breakout (e.g., volume confirmation, candlestick pattern confirmation).

      • Wider Stop-Losses: Place stop-loss orders further away from the breakout point to account for increased volatility.

      • Reduce Position Size: Trade with smaller position sizes to reduce risk.

  • Trend-Following Trader: Identifying established trends and entering positions in the direction of the trend was a successful strategy.

    • Adjustment:

      • Filter Trend Quality: Use indicators or price action analysis to assess the strength and consistency of the trend.

      • Trade on Pullbacks: Enter positions on pullbacks within the trend rather than at the immediate start of the trend.

      • Combine with Fundamentals: Only trade trends that are supported by underlying fundamental factors.

3. What will you suggest to a Forex trader to become a better pro trader?

Here’s my advice for aspiring professional Forex traders:

  • Master the Fundamentals: Don’t underestimate the importance of understanding macroeconomic factors, interest rates, inflation, GDP growth, and geopolitical events. These factors drive currency values in the long run.

  • Develop a Robust Trading Plan: This is your blueprint for success. It should include:

    • Trading Goals: Define your financial objectives (e.g., monthly profit targets, return on investment goals).

    • Risk Tolerance: Determine how much capital you are willing to risk on each trade and overall.

    • Trading Strategies: Clearly outline the specific strategies you will use (e.g., trend following, breakout trading, range trading).

    • Entry and Exit Rules: Define precise rules for entering and exiting trades.

    • Money Management Rules: Specify how you will manage your capital (position sizing, stop-loss orders, profit targets).

    • Trading Journal: Keep a detailed record of all your trades, including the reasons for entry, exit, and the outcome.

  • Consistent Practice and Analysis:

    • Demo Trading: Practice your strategies on a demo account until you are consistently profitable.

    • Journaling: Review your trading journal regularly to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Analyze winning and losing trades to understand what went right and wrong.

  • Continuous Learning: The market is constantly changing, so it’s essential to stay informed.

    • Read Books and Articles: Study the works of successful traders and follow reputable financial news sources.

    • Attend Seminars and Webinars: Learn from experienced traders and network with other traders.

    • Follow Market News: Stay up-to-date on economic and political events that could affect currency values.

  • Emotional Control: This is often the hardest part.

    • Develop Emotional Awareness: Recognize your emotional triggers (fear, greed, anger) and how they affect your trading decisions.

    • Practice Mindfulness: Use techniques like meditation to help you stay calm and focused.

    • Take Breaks: Step away from the computer when you are feeling stressed or emotional.

  • Patience and Persistence: Trading is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, effort, and dedication to become consistently profitable.

  • Seek Mentorship: If possible, find a successful trader who can provide guidance and support. A mentor can help you avoid common mistakes and accelerate your learning curve.

  • Don’t Over-Leverage: It’s a recipe for disaster.

  • Be Prepared to Adapt: The strategies that work today may not work tomorrow. Be willing to adjust your trading plan as market conditions change.

Key Takeaway:

To become a consistently profitable Forex trader in the modern market, you need to combine the enduring principles of trading with a deep understanding of algorithmic trading and a willingness to adapt your strategies to changing market conditions. It requires continuous learning, discipline, emotional control, and a robust trading plan. Good luck!

Thanks to all forum members, in advance, for participating in my thread and providing their opinions or feedback (either positive or critical).

Sufshiken

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Hi @Sufshiken,

Reading the note is really make my day. It lets me laugh :rofl:. But, I agree with you, sometime we need to put note, when we want to discuss something serious. :slight_smile:

Here is my perspective with market. I can be wrong, but hopefully, it will be a little bit useful, or just to show diversity of opinions. :slight_smile:

The Gemini’s response is too general. It’s valid but in general. Just like when we ask to a primary school teacher, what does happen when we breath? They will tell you we absorb oxygen or air. But when you ask the same question to a professor in university, they will explain in detail, specifically how oxygen and carbon dioxide will be exchanged in a process so called diffusion.

I will say yes, but the parameters will need to be enhanced or amended. For example, I have few EAs for USDJPY and XAUUSD that have been running since 2012 until now. The basic algorithms are still the same, but the parameters have to be changed. There are also situations we need to move to other TF.
The formation of market’s participant can be changed, but it won’t change how market move. Analogy, since the early earth’s time, the structure of wave in the ocean is the same, up to now. There were continental drifts in history many time, the wave will always be started from a small one, amplified by wind and finally become a big one. Even now, during global warming, the process of wave in the ocean is still the same. The different is only the speed, size and strength. The same thing is happened to our financial market.

It’s simple that a trader must know the market fundamental to survive.
The real example: When we are trading with MA 20 and MA 50. If we don’t know the reason behind MA 20 and 50, that mean we have the same fate just like our brother, the dinosaur in the past, we will be perished when there is market-quake.
We have to differentiate ourselves as a pro or “just a trader”.
A pro trader knows the reason behind the use of MA20/50, and also know how to calibrate it according to market when necessary.

The only way is: learning market fundamental and dynamic.
Fundamental means Macro Economic and Money Supply (at least).
Dynamic means a very specific way of price movement analysis.

As long as we can’t differentiate risk in the market, we are still not there yet.

Hopefully it’s useful :pray: :slight_smile:

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Hi @TYGMedia and thanks for your professional and detailed feedback on my questions, which will be helpful to me and other forum members.

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