Market Direction With Emini SignalsTrade execution is a much talked about subject within index future trading circles with all market participants favoring one or two emini signals to initiate trades. In this article we will profile some of the most utilized and popular signals traders add to their trading system and charting software to interpret market direction.
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Pivot Points
As a trader you have undoubtedly heard of support and resistance. Pivot points are used to determine areas of support and resistance and are very popular with emini futures traders. Emini pivot points can be calculated different ways however the most utilized method is by averaging the day’s open, high, low, and close divided by 4. However, we won’t get too heavily into the calculation of pivot points when there is a pivot point calculator available for free. Pivot point support and resistance levels are an excellent choice for trading emini contracts and employed by many veteran traders.
Moving Averages
Moving averages are another tool used by futures traders to profit, mostly with the day trading method rather than a scalp trading methodology. Many emini trading market players only use the 9 and 18 day moving averages however time frames are entirely up to the individual trader.. Although moving averages are lagging indicators they are excellent for determining the market environment and making sure you are on the right side of the trade. Some traders will use the 9 and 18 day moving average to enter the market in the morning when market direction is determined in some cases, and ride the trade all day until close, profiting handsomely.
Overbought/Oversold Indicators
Price extremes very often send short term traders into a frenzy when indicators reveal futures contracts are reaching overbought/oversold territory. The New York Tick is one such indicator. When showing plus or minus 1000, the market is said to be in severely overbought or oversold territory and a reversal is likely.
The TRIN is also another indicator used by traders to determine the mood of the market. When the TRIN has a reading of 1.0 or above, the market is generally moving down. With a reading below 1.0, the bulls are usually in control of the market.
RSI (Relative Strength Indicator)
The Relative Strength Indicator is another indicator very popular method for determining emini signals. With a range of 0 to 100, oversold conditions are present when the indicator is nearing zero on the RSI and overbought conditions exist when the indicator is nearing the 100 mark. Many traders use the RSI in conjunction with Japanese candlestick charts and moving averages.
Stochastic
The Stochastic is also used by emini traders to determine oversold and overbought conditions and like the RSI, is has a range of zero to one hundred. Oversold conditions are implied to exist when the Stochastic is nearing or goes below 30. Overbought conditions exist when the Stochastic is nearing or reaches 70. Just like the RSI, the Stochastic is used by index futures traders along with charting software, usually found at the bottom of the chart screen.
Overbought and oversold indicators can help determine market direction and possible reversals, but are better when used with other indicators rather than being used alone to determine emini signals on entry and exit.
Japanese Candlestick Charts
Candlestick charts have long been the choice of emini traders as well as traders across all financial markets. Developed by a rice trader in the 17th century to predict rice prices, modern traders have incorporated them into many popular trading systems. Easy to read with clearly define opening, high, low and closing levels, candlestick charts can be used across all timeframes. Very popular with emini scalping traders, candlestick charts can be set to a one minute setting to follow even the smallest time frame. Although all traders do not employ candlestick charts, most traders would equate not using candlestick charts to driving a car blindfolded.
These are just a few of the emini trading tools utilized by successful index future traders to interpret market conditions and alert them to emini signals that may indicate possible trade setups or when to exit the market. However, an emini trading system is a must to be successful, not only in the emini market but in any financial market. Index futures traders live in a fluid and volatile environment where market noise is a constant. Learning to read emini signals for order entry and exit is part art and part science and is something that is learned only by experience and by implementing a proven trading system.