[bttrader]

I am just curious if anyone else has been watching/trading the price action at the end of the day. I have been a day trader for about 7 years and typically trade the morning session for approximately 2 hours then I am done for the day. I trade primarily the Dow and Russell index futures. The price action over the last 2-3 weeks in the afternoon session has been very active and actually giving me better/easier trades and also allows me to trail a portion of my position for more profit. This price action reminds me a lot of what we saw in the fall of 2008 when we would get big swings both ways in the market at the end of the session. One of my favorite setups is counter trend at the end of the day, especially if we are at the high or lows of the session. I am interested in hearing from any other traders who focus on this part of the session and how you approach it.

[Tams]

can you post a chart to illustrate?

[ytuokm98]

I believe Carter at TTM has done some work on the afternoon session. Particularly, a counter-trend trade at 14:52 CST.

[windsurfer]

2 observations about late day trading:

1. If you look at the last hour, you will find that trend continuation has been profitable almost every year except 2009 (when trend reversal was profitable, especially when the trend that day had been down).

2. If you look at the last 30 minutes, you will find that it is the 30 minute period of the trading day most likely for a long position to show a gain.

[TheDude]

Here are some stats from EW for the last 90 days of ES. Don't ask about the moon phases and cycles....that comes as standard.

[TheDude]

Sorry - This attachment may be more useful. It shows that out of the last 90 days, 23 days made the high/low in the afternoon. Daily range, open etc are shown for those 23 days.

Hope it helps.

[cuttshot]

bttrader,

I am on again off again with the afternoon session. The problem I have with it is the lack of consistency. I have found that it will heat up for a period of a couple of weeks and then just completely die off. This makes it difficult to stay consistent with a trade plan.

When I do look at the afternoon session on the index futures I like to come back right around 2:00 EST. I typically will look for one nice move. I trade the NQ and TF when I do trade in the afternoon. On the TF I will typically look for a move around 2 points or so. On the NQ it's right around 4 points. If I can catch one win in the afternoon I consider it good.

With what we have seen here lately you could also consider the final hour of trading as well. I just don't feel as confident in the afternoon so I try to get in and out as quick as possible.

[Chouca]

The Dude,

that was very interesting statistics!!! Thanks a lot!

Is there a chance You can do it also for June and FESXU0?