August – A Challenging Month for Markets

August – A Challenging Month for Markets A wave of volatility swamped the markets in August. Recession fears, yield curve inversion, and the big breach of the Yuan were the dominant headlines that alarmed investors throughout the month. Bearing the brunt of the tit-for-tat tariff hikes, the stock market saw multiple days of 1% swings with a cou...

August 29, 2019
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Avoid the FOUR traps following a major trading capital drawdown

  There are few long-term successful traders that at some stage have not suffered a major capital drawdown on their account at some stage. For whatever the reason the major factor as to whether you continue and get back to “winning ways” or continue to see further drawdowns is what you do next. Unfortunately, there are “traps” that...

August 27, 2019
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All Eyes on Jackson Hole Economic Symposium

All Eyes on Jackson Hole Economic Symposium The annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium is sponsored by the Federal Reserve of Kansas City and is annually held in Wyoming. It is an exclusive central bank conference which fosters open discussions on global policy matters. The event is closely watched by market participants and has the potential to af...

August 22, 2019
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8 attributes of trading as a business rather than as a hobby – A checklist

  Many traders recognise the positive nature of the theoretical philosophy of treating your trading as you would a business, and yet the majority are unsure about what this may mean in practical terms and fail to move beyond the “hobby trader” in their trading activity. Recognising the potential wisdom of a “trading business approa...

August 19, 2019
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When good news may be bad news for market sentiment

Market response to any specific economic data release is far from standard even if actual numbers differ greatly from consensus expectations. Rather the market response is based on context of the current economic situation. This week’s non-farm payrolls, being one of the major data points in the month, is a great case in point. There are ma...

August 10, 2019
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Share CFDs: “Professionals close the market”?

  Traditionally, one of the long-lasting market clichés is that the “amateurs open the market the professionals close it”. Although this may be a little simplistic, there is no doubt that commonly trading volume in equity markets is at it’s highest at the beginning and the end of the day, but of course there are active market partic...

August 10, 2019
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Another New Indicator? – 4 Key Questions to ask

  Invariably, the motivation to look at adding another technical indicator beyond that which you are already using, is a belief that your trading results, and the system that creates these, could be improved. As traders, we are bombarded with information relating to the use of technical indicators to guide decision making in our entry an...

August 10, 2019
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Two Advanced Position Sizing Techniques to Consider in Your Trading

Irrespective of what vehicle you are choosing to trade (Forex, CFDs, share CFDs), position sizing is a crucial part of your trading risk management. It is position sizing, along with effective exit strategies, that have an undoubted major impact on your trading results both now and going forward. At a basic level, the following are part of a...

August 8, 2019
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RBA August Statement

The Main Headlines of the RBA August Statement By Philip Lowe, Governor: Monetary Policy Decision The Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.00 per cent. The outlook for the global economy remains reasonable. The persistent downside risks to the global economy combined with subdued inflation have led a number of central ban...

August 6, 2019
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When good economic news is bad news?

  Market response to any specific economic data release is far from standard even if actual numbers differ greatly from consensus expectations. Rather the market response is based on context of the current economic situation. This week’s non-farm payrolls, being one of the major data points in the month, is a great case in point. Th...

August 2, 2019
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Dissecting the FOMC Statement

Dissecting the FOMC Statement The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates overnight by 25 basis points, taking the US Federal Funds rate to 2.25%. The rate cut was mostly seen as a hawkish one. In the press conference, Chair Powell said that the central bank’s rate cut was a “mid-cycle adjustment to policy” rather than “the beginning of a ...

August 1, 2019
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Apple Reports Third Quarter Results

Apple Reports Third Quarter Results Apple announced its financial results for the June quarter after the closing bell on Tuesday. The Company reported revenue of $53.8 billion, which represents a 1% increase from the year-ago quarter. It is the first time in years that the iPhone revenue ($25.99bn) is less than half of Apple’s total revenue. H...

July 31, 2019
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The “Dovish” or “Hawkish” Rate Cut

A “Dovish” or “Hawkish” Rate Cut The Federal Reserve (Fed) is poised for its first-rate cut in a decade-long of economic expansion. Trade protectionism and a slowing world economy are the two primary factors behind the global push towards easing policies. As the world’s central banks are in a race to cut interest rate to stimulate thei...

July 31, 2019
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3 significant benefits of having an FX trading buddy

By Mike Smith Let’s face it, trading can be a lonely occupation sometimes. Along with the hope of picking up a “hot tip”, this seems to be a key reason why trading forums are so popular. Unfortunately many people leave such forums almost as quick as they join them, simply because many users are not particularly supportive and often seem...

July 29, 2019
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Record-Highs in the Stock Market

Record-Highs in the Stock Market Global Stock Market Record Highs Amid geopolitical tensions, mixed earnings report and less-dovish central banks, this week, we still saw some more record highs in the stock market. Nasdaq Composite closed at a record high at 8,321.50 on Wednesday as technology stocks rallied on strong earnings, trade optimism, ...

July 26, 2019
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