Analyzing Friday's trades:
GBP/USD on 30M chart
On Friday, the GBP/USD pair traded flat with a slight bearish bias. The new, upcoming, ascending trend line has not been broken. At the moment, the price has only tested it. However, since the market has entered a flat phase, breaking this trend line will not be a strong signal for a trend reversal. Of course, the British currency cannot continue to rise indefinitely, especially considering the lack of reasons and grounds for such a move. A correction should start sooner or later, but it is extremely difficult to predict when it will start because the market is currently hardly reacting to fundamental and macroeconomic factors, as confirmed by the entire week.
There was only one report on Friday, and it was the consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan in the US. This indicator unexpectedly showed a much stronger increase than forecasted and... triggered a 20-25 point rise in the dollar. As before, all reports in favor of the dollar were ignored, while any reason to buy the British pound was used to its fullest extent, resulting in a 200% increase.
GBP/USD on 5M chart
A huge number of signals materialized on the 5M chart, while the movement was sideways and volatility was only 55 pips, which is very low for the pound. Therefore, almost any level that the price encountered automatically became a source of false signals. Thus, beginners could attempt to execute one or two signals during the European trading session. It is highly likely that the first one resulted in a small loss, while the second one was closed at breakeven when the stop loss was triggered. It was quite challenging to expect other results in a flat market.
Trading tips on Monday:
As seen on the 30M chart, the GBP/USD pair continues to show strong growth despite the Friday flat. Even if the price consolidates below the trend line, it does not mean that a downtrend is brewing, as traders remain bullish, and crossing the trend line during a flat phase is not a strong signal. The key levels on the 5M chart are 1.2779-1.2801, 1.2848-1.2860, 1.2913, 1.2981-1.2993, 1.3043, 1.3107, 1.3145, 1.3210, 1.3241, 1.3272. When the price moves 20 pips in the right direction after opening a trade, a stop loss can be set at breakeven. On Monday, there are no important events lined up in the UK or the US, but it is extremely difficult to predict the price movement in conditions of extreme overbought levels and without any news. It could be a correction, a continuation of growth, or a flat market.
Basic trading rules:
1) The strength of the signal depends on the time period during which the signal was formed (a rebound or a break). The shorter this period, the stronger the signal.
2) If two or more trades were opened at some level following false signals, i.e. those signals that did not lead the price to Take Profit level or the nearest target levels, then any consequent signals near this level should be ignored.
3) During the flat trend, any currency pair may form a lot of false signals or do not produce any signals at all. In any case, the flat trend is not the best condition for trading.
4) Trades are opened in the time period between the beginning of the European session and until the middle of the American one when all deals should be closed manually.
5) We can pay attention to the MACD signals in the 30M time frame only if there is good volatility and a definite trend confirmed by a trend line or a trend channel.
6) If two key levels are too close to each other (about 5-15 pips), then this is a support or resistance area.
How to read charts:
Support and Resistance price levels can serve as targets when buying or selling. You can place Take Profit levels near them.
Red lines are channels or trend lines that display the current trend and show which direction is better to trade.
MACD indicator (14,22,3) is a histogram and a signal line showing when it is better to enter the market when they cross. This indicator is better to be used in combination with trend channels or trend lines.
Important speeches and reports that are always reflected in the economic calendars can greatly influence the movement of a currency pair. Therefore, during such events, it is recommended to trade as carefully as possible or exit the market in order to avoid a sharp price reversal against the previous movement.
Beginners should remember that every trade cannot be profitable. The development of a reliable strategy and money management are the key to success in trading over a long period of time.
