Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

Tradewinds

The Science of Highs and Lows

Recommended Posts

Looking at historical price bars and trend lines on a chart tell very little about the real behavior of price. All kinds of things happen intra-bar that are not readily apparent on a static, historical chart. For example, if the price bar had a lower low; did the price bar have a lower low at the open, and then shoot up and close higher? Did the price bar open high and close with a lower low? Did the lower low occur first or last? Was there a lower low with a close down or a close up? The answer to all those questions provide a more complete picture of what the price behavior really is.

 

Higher lows and lower highs can be particularly tricky. For example, let's say that you see a higher low on this current price bar or an indicator at the open of the bar, and take that as a signal that price is moving up, only to experience the bottom drop out during the last few seconds of the bar formation. You must understand at least two fundamental truths about highs and low's. Highs can't go any lower, and lows can't go any higher; but highs can go higher and lows can go lower. Think about it. Once a new price high has been made, that price high for the bar can't go lower. So if your strategy depends on a higher high being made, then once it's made, it's reliable information. The same with lower lows.

 

Higher lows are important information, but higher lows can not be certain until the open of the next bar. By then you may be to late. Plus you can't tell if that higher low will hold until the second bar. Let's say that this bar looks like it will have a higher low, so you watch it, but low's can go lower, so you don't know until the next bar opens whether it's really a higher low or not. But what do you do in the meantime? And how long do you wait to make a decision?

 

So it's very difficult to time higher low's and lower highs. This illustrates why the open of the next bar is so important, and that there may be a very short window of time when there is any certainty of anything. There are very short windows of certainty followed by longer periods of uncertainty.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Looking at historical price bars and trend lines on a chart tell very little about the real behavior of price. All kinds of things happen intra-bar that are not readily apparent on a static, historical chart. For example, if the price bar had a lower low; did the price bar have a lower low at the open, and then shoot up and close higher? Did the price bar open high and close with a lower low? Did the lower low occur first or last? Was there a lower low with a close down or a close up? The answer to all those questions provide a more complete picture of what the price behavior really is.

 

Higher lows and lower highs can be particularly tricky. For example, let's say that you see a higher low on this current price bar or an indicator at the open of the bar, and take that as a signal that price is moving up, only to experience the bottom drop out during the last few seconds of the bar formation. You must understand at least two fundamental truths about highs and low's. Highs can't go any lower, and lows can't go any higher; but highs can go higher and lows can go lower. Think about it. Once a new price high has been made, that price high for the bar can't go lower. So if your strategy depends on a higher high being made, then once it's made, it's reliable information. The same with lower lows.

 

Higher lows are important information, but higher lows can not be certain until the open of the next bar. By then you may be to late. Plus you can't tell if that higher low will hold until the second bar. Let's say that this bar looks like it will have a higher low, so you watch it, but low's can go lower, so you don't know until the next bar opens whether it's really a higher low or not. But what do you do in the meantime? And how long do you wait to make a decision?

 

So it's very difficult to time higher low's and lower highs. This illustrates why the open of the next bar is so important, and that there may be a very short window of time when there is any certainty of anything. There are very short windows of certainty followed by longer periods of uncertainty.

 

H/H and L/L are great tools but need to used only when it is time to manage a trade. They have very little to do with the identification of a trade entry. It would be easier and probably more effective to throw a dart at a chart for entry rather than price bars. The best way to identify an entry is by staring at the order flow to gauge what side of the market is going to give and act on it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

One of the ultimate questions in trading is:

 

  • Where is the Top? and
  • Where is the bottom?

 

And the answer is, that you can never know for sure. But you can determine how probable it is that a bottom or top will occur under certain circumstances. And that is the best you can do.

 

So even though lows can go lower and highs can go higher, but highs can't go lower and lows can't go higher, you can guess at where the top and the bottom might be.

 

I like oscillating indicators because they will only stay on one side of the zero line for so long. Yes, sometimes they fail to go back over the zero line, but they will also only go in one direction for so long. So even if the oscillator fails to cross over the zero line in the opposite direction, it usually only goes in one direction for so long. So you can guess at where the price is in the wave cycle.

 

When I buy highs and sell lows, the profit report doesn't do very well. Oscillators keep me in sync with the price cycle.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Lows often run into strength and pop high as highs snap from weakness and go lower. As long as you are in the right part of the cycle!!:)

 

Yes, there are strong highs and weak highs, and strong lows and weak lows. For example, you could get a price move down that is average, but a much greater than average selling volume. In that situation, sometimes price "coasts" lower from all that momentum built up from the selling.

 

How do you personally measure strength or weakness? I measure it mostly with the NYSE $TICK for trading the ES.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Looking at historical price bars and trend lines on a chart tell very little about the real behavior of price. All kinds of things happen intra-bar that are not readily apparent on a static, historical chart. For example, if the price bar had a lower low; did the price bar have a lower low at the open, and then shoot up and close higher? Did the price bar open high and close with a lower low? Did the lower low occur first or last? Was there a lower low with a close down or a close up? The answer to all those questions provide a more complete picture of what the price behavior really is.

 

I know this is slightly off topic, but it a really important point which people need to acknowledge when they are looking to see whether a strategy works or not. That's that looking simply at historical charts to get a feel for whether an idea is good or not can be very misleading. The eye tends to be drawn to where the strategy seems to have worked or at least clearly failed. So many things happen while trading that strategies can easily give signals which just get steam rolled in real time. Many people use backtesting(and forward testing) to really work out whether the strategy might work. I'd trial the strategy simulated to be sure though.

 

I think the strong or weak extremities as you put it, in order flow terms are rejections and tests, or responsive activity and the market drying up. They definitely will create different conditions after they have been put in.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • MNST Monster Beverage stock, top of range breakout above 60.45, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?MNST
    • there is no avoiding loses to be honest, its just how the market is. you win some and hopefully more, but u do lose some. 
    • Date: 11th July 2025.   Demand For Gold Rises As Trump Announces Tariffs!   Gold prices rose significantly throughout the week as investors took advantage of the 2.50% lower entry level. Investors also return to the safe-haven asset as the US trade policy continues to escalate. As a result, investors are taking a more dovish tone. The ‘risk-off’ appetite is also something which can be seen within the stock market. The NASDAQ on Thursday took a 0.90% dive within only 30 minutes.   Trade Tensions Escalate President Trump has been teasing with new tariffs throughout the week. However, the tariffs were confirmed on Thursday. A 35% tariff on Canadian imports starting August 1st, along with 50% tariffs on copper and goods from Brazil. Some experts are advising that Brazil has been specifically targeted due to its association with the BRICS.   However, the President has not directly associated the tariffs with BRICS yet. According to President Trump, Brazil is targeting US technology companies and carrying out a ‘witch hunt’against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a close ally who is currently facing prosecution for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2022 Brazilian election.   Although Brazil is one of the largest and fastest-growing economies in the Americas, it is not the main concern for investors. Investors are more concerned about Tariffs on Canada. The White House said it will impose a 35% tariff on Canadian imports, effective August 1st, raised from the earlier 25% rate. This covers most goods, with exceptions under USMCA and exemptions for Canadian companies producing within the US.   It is also vital for investors to note that Canada is among the US;’s top 3 trading partners. The increase was justified by Trump citing issues like the trade deficit, Canada’s handling of fentanyl trafficking, and perceived unfair trade practices.   The President is also threatening new measures against the EU. These moves caused US and European stock futures to fall nearly 1%, while the Dollar rose and commodity prices saw small gains. However, the main benefactor was Silver and Gold, which are the two best-performing metals of the day.   How Will The Fed Impact Gold? The FOMC indicated that the number of members warming up to the idea of interest rate cuts is increasing. If the Fed takes a dovish tone, the price of Gold may further rise. In the meantime, the President pushing for a 3% rate cut sparked talk of a more dovish Fed nominee next year and raised worries about future inflation.   Meanwhile, jobless claims dropped for the fourth straight week, coming in better than expected and supporting the view that the labour market remains strong after last week’s solid payroll report. Markets still expect two rate cuts this year, but rate futures show most investors see no change at the next Fed meeting. Gold is expected to finish the week mostly flat.       Gold 15-Minute Chart     If the price of Gold increases above $3,337.50, buy signals are likely to materialise again. However, the price is currently retracing, meaning traders are likely to wait for regained momentum before entering further buy trades. According to HSBC, they expect an average price of $3,215 in 2025 (up from $3,015) and $3,125 in 2026, with projections showing a volatile range between $3,100 and $3,600   Key Takeaway Points: Gold Rises on Safe-Haven Demand. Gold gained as investors reacted to rising trade tensions and market volatility. Canada Tariffs Spark Concern. A 35% tariff on Canadian imports drew attention due to Canada’s key trade role. Fed Dovish Shift Supports Gold. Growing expectations of rate cuts and Trump’s push for a 3% cut boosted the gold outlook. Gold Eyes Breakout Above $3,337.5. Price is consolidating; a move above $3,337.50 could trigger new buy signals. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business.   Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report.   Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar.   Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding of how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE!   Click HERE to READ more Market news.   Michalis Efthymiou HFMarkets   Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in Leveraged Products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
    • Back in the early 2000s, Netflix mailed DVDs to subscribers.   It wasn’t sexy—but it was smart. No late fees. No driving to Blockbuster.   People subscribed because they were lazy. Investors bought the stock because they realized everyone else is lazy too.   Those who saw the future in that red envelope? They could’ve caught a 10,000%+ move.   Another story…   Back in the mid-2000s, Amazon launched Prime.   It wasn’t flashy—but it was fast.   Free two-day shipping. No minimums. No hassle.   People subscribed because they were impatient. Investors bought the stock because they realized everyone hates waiting.   Those who saw the future in that speedy little yellow button? They could’ve caught another 10,000%+ move.   Finally…   Back in 2011, Bitcoin was trading under $10.   It wasn’t regulated—but it worked.   No bank. No middleman. Just wallet to wallet.   People used it to send money. Investors bought it because they saw the potential.   Those who saw something glimmering in that strange orange coin? They could’ve caught a 100,000%+ move.   The people who made those calls weren’t fortune tellers. They just noticed something simple before others did.   A better way. A quiet shift. A small edge. An asymmetric bet.   The red envelope fixed late fees. The yellow button fixed waiting. The orange coin gave billions a choice.   Of course, these types of gains are rare. And they happen only once in a blue moon. That’s exactly why it’s important to notice when the conditions start to look familiar.   Not after the move. Not once it's on CNBC. But in the quiet build-up— before the surface breaks.   Enter the Blue Button Please read more here: https://altucherconfidential.com/posts/netflix-amazon-bitcoin-blue  Profits from free accurate cryptos signals: https://www.predictmag.com/ 
    • What These Attacks Look Like There are several ways you could get hacked. And the threats compound by the day.   Here’s a quick rundown:   Phishing: Fake emails from your “bank.” Click the link, give your password—game over.   Ransomware: Malware that locks your files and demands crypto. Pay up, or it’s gone.   DDoS: Overwhelm a website with traffic until it crashes. Like 10,000 bots blocking the door. Often used by nations.   Man-in-the-Middle: Hackers intercept your messages on public WiFi and read or change them.   Social Engineering: Hackers pose as IT or drop infected USB drives labeled “Payroll.”   You don’t need to be “important” to be a target.   You just need to be online.   What You Can Do (Without Buying a Bunker) You don’t have to be tech-savvy.   You just need to stop being low-hanging fruit.   Here’s how:   Use a YubiKey (physical passkey device) or Authenticator app – Ditch text message 2FA. SIM swaps are real. Hackers often have people on the inside at telecom companies.   Use a password manager (with Yubikey) – One unique password per account. Stop using your dog’s name.   Update your devices – Those annoying updates patch real security holes. Use them.   Back up your files – If ransomware hits, you don’t want your important documents held hostage.   Avoid public WiFi for sensitive stuff – Or use a VPN.   Think before you click – Emails that feel “urgent” are often fake. Go to the websites manually for confirmation.   Consider Starlink in case the internet goes down – I think it’s time for me to make the leap. Don’t Panic. Prepare. (Then Invest.)   I spent an hour in that basement bar reading about cyberattacks—and watching real-world systems fall apart like dominos.   The internet going down used to be an inconvenience. Now, it’s a warning.   Cyberwar isn’t coming. It’s here.   And the next time your internet goes out, it might not just be your router.   Don’t panic. Prepare.   And maybe keep a backup plan in your back pocket. Like a local basement bar with good bourbon—and working WiFi.   As usual, we’re on the lookout for more opportunities in cybersecurity. Stay tuned.   Author: Chris Campbell (AltucherConfidential) Profits from free accurate cryptos signals: https://www.predictmag.com/   
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.