Forex options market volatility expectations have bounced modestly since last week’s trade, but currently depressed levels offer little scope for major price moves in the week ahead. We accordingly favor low-volatility Range trading strategies which tend to do well in these types of conditions. Due to their superior risk/reward profiles, however, we likewise think Breakout trading styles are worth taking into consideration. Although said price-following strategies often get chopped out through rangebound market conditions, the eventual breakouts lead to gains. Thus we will keep a close eye on Range and Breakout systems while treating trend-following Momentum trades with a degree of skepticism.
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Forex Trading Automated Systems Outlook
DailyFX+ System Trading Signals – Our Momentum and Breakout strategies continue to see fairly mixed performance through recent weeks, and we will continue to treat Momentum trades with a degree of skepticism until further notice. Breakout2, on the other hand, has proven fairly resilient despite narrow currency trading ranges. We’ve always liked Breakout2 because potential reward always outweighs risk. That is to say, it often loses more often than it wins—but the wins far outweigh the losses. Over the long term these types of low-probability but high-reward systems tend to outperform Range strategies—especially when volatility makes a comeback.
We will reluctantly favor Range2 and Range1 trades in the week ahead by virtue of the downtrend in volatility expectations. Yet we can’t help but pay attention to Breakout2 trades as well; if this is in fact the calm before the storm, Breakout2 stands to outperform on major market volatility.
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Definitions
Volatility Percentile – The higher the number, the more likely we are to see strong movements in price. This number tells us where current implied volatility levels stand in relation to the past 90 days of trading. We have found that implied volatilities tend to remain very high or very low for extended periods of time. As such, it is helpful to know where the current implied volatility level stands in relation to its medium-term range.
Trend – This indicator measures trend intensity by telling us where price stands in relation to its 90 trading-day range. A very low number tells us that price is currently at or near monthly lows, while a higher number tells us that we are near the highs. A value at or near 50 percent tells us that we are at the middle of the currency pair’s monthly range.
Range High – 90-day closing high.
Range Low – 90-day closing low.
Last – Current market price.
Strategy – Based on the above criteria, we assign the more likely profitable strategy for any given currency pair. A highly volatile currency pair (Volatility Percentile very high) suggests that we should look to use Breakout strategies. More moderate volatility levels and strong Trend values make Momentum trades more attractive, while the lowest Vol Percentile and Trend indicator figures make Range Trading the more attractive strategy.
HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE MANY INHERENT LIMITATIONS, SOME OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED BELOW. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN. IN FACT, THERE ARE FREQUENTLY SHARP DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND THE ACTUAL RESULTS SUBSEQUENTLY ACHIEVED BY ANY PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM.
ONE OF THE LIMITATIONS OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS IS THAT THEY ARE GENERALLY PREPARED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. IN ADDITION, HYPOTHETICAL TRADING DOES NOT INVOLVE FINANCIAL RISK, AND NO HYPOTHETICAL TRADING RECORD CAN COMPLETELY ACCOUNT FOR THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL RISK IN ACTUAL TRADING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND LOSSES OR TO ADHERE TO A PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM IN SPITE OF TRADING LOSSES IS MATERIAL POINTS WHICH CAN ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER FACTORS RELATED TO THE MARKETS IN GENERAL OR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION.
OF ANY SPECIFIC TRADING PROGRAM WHICH CANNOT BE FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE PREPARATION OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND ALL OF WHICH CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS. Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, or other information contained on this website is provided as general market commentary, and does not constitute investment advice. The FXCM group will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance contained in the trading signals, or in any accompanying chart analyses.
Written by David Rodriguez, Quantitative Strategist for DailyFX.com
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Read more: DailyFX - Forex Strategy Outlook: Range and Breakout Strategies Favored on FX Volatility Expectations http://www.dailyfx.com/forex/fundamental/article/weekly_strategy_outlook/2010-03-22-1702-Forex_Strategy_Outlook__Range_and.html#ixzz0ixSNxRwL
