While it is a goal to select only the best trade candidates, the stocks backed by excellent fundamentals, seasonal track records and so forth, there are times that identification of simple, highly reliable chart patterns can lead to good results even if it isn't an ideal situation.
The trading range chart pattern can provide good opportunities. When a whole sector is beginning to build strength and work upwards, and then I find one of the component stocks coming off a well defined trading range, that really catches my attention.
Over the past couple of weeks I noticed that Gold and Silver mining stocks were starting to gain strength. In the June 14th newsletter where I pointed out that Barrick Gold (ABX) had formed an obvious trading range and was just coming off the bottom of the range:
I said “If ABX begins to trade higher, I will buy 200 shares of ABX at the market price (but no higher than 17.5). I will use a stop-loss level of 8% (turning it into a trailing-stop if ABX moves up a point), and will target exiting when the stock hits 20.”
ABX gapped up to 18 on high volume on Thursday, and even with Friday's pullback the position is still up 4.7%:
I also covered an alternative trade in that newsletter: “ABX October 16 calls are going for 1.8 Bid, 1.82 Ask. A very small position could be used as a replacement for buying the stock. If ABX hits 20 within 4 weeks, this call could be up 130%” That call was up 43% on Thursday afternoon, 4 days into the trade.
Because the precious metals mining sector as a whole had been weak and unreliable in recent months, I lowered risk on the ABX trade by doing only a half-sized trade. If the stock starts to prove itself and produce new higher probability trade setups, I can always add to the position. But for less-than-ideal setups, I do half-sized trades to start.
I track a $100,000 model portfolio, and allocate 1/15th to each stock trade. For a half-sized trade, that means I buy (or short) as much stock as $3,333 will cover, hence the 200 shares of ABX in this trade. But even with a half-sized position, the identification of this higher probability trade setup has already led to a good contribution to the portfolio.
Of course, there's much more you need to know and many more stocks you can capitalize upon each and every day. To find out more, please click on the following link: www.markettamer.com/seasonal
By Gregg Harris, MarketTamer Chief Technical Strategist
Copyright (C) 2014 Stock & Options Training LLC
Unless indicated otherwise, at the time of this writing, the author has no positions in any of the above-mentioned securities.
Gregg Harris is the Chief Technical Strategist at MarketTamer.com with extensive experience in the financial sector.
Gregg started out as an Engineer and brings a rigorous thinking to his financial research. Gregg's passion for finance resulted in the creation of a real-time quote system and his work has been featured nationally in publications, such as the Investment Guide magazine.
As an avid researcher, Gregg concentrates on leveraging what institutional and big money players are doing to move the market and create seasonal trend patterns. Using custom research tools, Gregg identifies stocks that are optimal for stock and options traders to exploit these trends and find the tailwinds that can propel stocks to levels that are hidden to the average trader.
The content on any of Market Tamer websites, products, or communication is for educational purposes only. Nothing in its products, services, or communications shall be construed as a solicitation and/or recommendation to buy or sell a security. Trading stocks, options, and other securities involve risk. The risk of loss in trading securities can be substantial. The risk involved with trading stocks, options and other securities are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option, an investor must evaluate his/her own personal financial situation and consider all relevant risk factors. See: Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options (http://www.optionsclearing.com/publications/risks/riskstoc.pdf). The www.MarketTamer.com educational training program and software services are provided to improve financial understanding.
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