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RSI: Triggering Trades in Oscillating Markets

RSI: Triggering Trades in Oscillating Markets

Walker England, Forex Trading Instructor

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The RSI (Relative Strength Index) indicator is a common momentum oscillator used to identify changes in price movement. Developed in the 1970s by J. Welles Wilder, RSI is an extremely useful tool when used in conjuncture with a strong market trend. Ultimately, this indicator can assist us in determining, overbought / oversold levels when price pulls back against the trend for fresh entries.

For today’s example we will be looking at one of the markets strongest trends. Depicted below on the 8Hr chart we can see the EURGBP pair declining as much as 1312 Pips over the last 12 months. So how can RSI help us enter trades in a directional market?

Before we contemplate placing any trades, first we need to understand exactly how to translate RSI. The indicator itself is defaulted to a standard setting of 14 periods and oscillates by comparing the average gains vs. the average losses of an asset. This creates conditions where price is either considered overbought at a reading over 70, or oversold under a value of 30. Price will drive RSI to these levels on a move against the trend, and signals a point where traders may look to rejoin long term momentum.

In a downward trending market like the EURGBP, it is important to only focus on overbought levels. As RSI moves over 70 as depicted below, traders will begin looking for price to pull back and create lower lows. It’s important to note that execution should only occur once the RSI indicator moves back below our overbought value of 70. This is known as a failure swing and can be used as a signal to trigger fresh sell entries in the direction of the trend.

Zooming back out on our 8Hr chart we can see there were exactly 3 entry signals using RSI failure swings on the EURGBP, over the last trading year. While this may not seem like many trades, we can clearly see how RSI is useful in timing entries trending markets. Traders looking for more signals may always opt to use a smaller period chart. However, if this is the case note that we should always identify the trend. RSI and overbought levels should be reserved for selling opportunities in a downtrend and oversold levels used strictly to buy in an uptrend.

---Written by Walker England, Trading Instructor

To contact Walker, email instructor@dailyfx.com. Follow me on Twitter at @WEnglandFX.

To be added to Walker’s e-mail distribution list, send an email with the subject line “Distribution List” to instructor@dailyfx.com.

DailyFX provides forex news on the economic reports and political events that influence the currency market. Learn currency trading with a free practice account and charts from FXCM.

DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

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