During A Losing Trade

Here’s an example of how proper inter-metal technical analysis can improve confidence during a losing trade. On Oct 16, we issued a LONG trade in silver for the Premium subscribers at 14.80 with the rationale that the impending inverted H&S formation was about to break above the neckline resistance. Well, it did not break it right away. Instead, silver continued to drop, extending towards the head (lows) of 13.96 over the ensuing 4 weeks. The stop remained at 13.80. So how did we manage the positon and thinking? (here’s the snapshot of the trade below)

On Nov 9th (as the trade was deteriorating), I issued a trade update with 3 charts, highlighting my confidence in the silver long based on positive technical dynamics occurring in copper and gold, with each respecting key support levels. (Please see the text under the charts and feel free to look at your own charts for a better view). Gold remained above the trendline support from the Nov 14 lows and continued to chart a series of higher lows since the August lows, while copper continued to respect its right shoulder support. Some may say copper went on to break below the right shoulder later in early Jan and test the head (low). Yes, but by the time that occurred, silver was well off its low and gold remained above the Aug trendline support.

The message was crucial. Silver, being the smaller and relatively less liquid market was vulnerable to accelerating downside momentum, before gaining important support. A similar approach was applied to USDX vs EURUSD vs USDCNY. I long said in summer and autumn during the days of USD strength that only a break above 7.0 in USD/CNH would indicate the next leg-up in USD momentum and not EURUSD 1.11, USDJPY 115 or GBPUSD 1.26. Sometimes, it is invaluable to know where to look without moving the goal-posts too much.

Ashraf Laidi
Ashraf Laidihttp://ashraflaidi.com/
Ashraf Laidi is an independent strategist and trader, founder of Intermarket Strategy Ltd and author of "Currency Trading & Intermarket Analysis". He is the former chief global strategist at City Index / FX Solutions, where he focused on foreign exchange and global macro developments pertaining to central bank policies, sovereign debt and intermarket dynamics. Ashraf had also served as Chief Strategist at CMC Markets, where he headed a global team of analysts and led seminars and trainings in four continents. His insights on currencies and commodities won him several #1 rankings with FXWeek and Reuters. Prior to CMC Markets, Laidi monitored the performance of a multi-FX portfolio at the United Nations, assessed sovereign and project investment risk with Hagler Bailly and the World Bank, and analyzed emerging market bonds at Reuters. Laidi also created the first 24-hour currency web site for traders and researchers alike on the eve of the creation of the euro. Laidi's analysis of currency markets stand out based on his distinct style in bridging the fundamental and technical aspects of the markets. Laidi regularly appears on CNBC TV (US, Europe, Arabia and Asia/Pacific), Bloomberg TV (US, Asia/Pacific, France and Spain), BNN, PBSs Nightly Business Report, and BBC. His insights also appear in the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and Barrons. He has given numerous interviews and lectures in Arabic, French, and to audiences spanning from Canada, Central America and Asia/Pacific.

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