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6 Key Steps to Build Trading System by XM



Apr 28, 2023  
From setting up the time frame to figuring out the best entry and exit levels, here are the 6 steps to build a winning trading system according to XM.

As you gain more experience and develop your trading skills, you might want to build your own trading system that fits your trading style, goals, and risk tolerance. This is highly crucial in online trading because it can limit your losses, minimize emotions like greed and fear, and help you make better trading decisions.

According to XM broker, there 6 important steps to build a winning trading system:

  1. Define the time frame
  2. Figure out the market trend
  3. Determine support and resistance levels
  4. Find the entry level
  5. Find the exit level
  6. Use multiple time frame analysis

Now let's break them down to get what they really mean.

 

Step 1: Define the Time Frame

If you don't have much time to watch the market all day long, you're naturally a long-term trader. In this case, you can choose to use either daily or even weekly time frame. The benefit of being a long-term trader is that you will make fewer transactions and pay less spreads. However, keep in mind that you might only get a few signals in around a month, so a lot of patience is needed to make this work. Other than that, you will also need bigger accounts to avoid margin calls because long-term strategy needs bigger stops.

If you are impatient and have all the time in the world to watch market movements, then you should be intraday trading. Use lower time frames like 15-minute or even 5-minute chart to build your strategy. This way, you'll get more trading opportunities each day. The benefit of using this method is that you can avoid overnight risks and reduce trading costs. However, you'll need more stamina to watch the market and remain focused most of the time.

If you are somewhere in the middle, you can easily be a swing trader. Use hourly charts to make short-term trades that can last from hours to a few days at most.

 

Step 2: Figure Out the Market Trend

The next step is to identify the position of the market. Since XM broker is using the trend-following framework, you'll need to trade in the same direction of the market trend. Generally speaking, there are three types of trends, namely uptrend, downtrend, and ranging. Take a look at the example below.

The above illustration shows an example of an uptrend, which is characterized by higher highs and lows. The above uptrend has a total of 5 waves:

  • 1st wave: A to B
  • 2nd wave: B to C
  • 3rd wave: C to D
  • 4th wave: D to E
  • 5th wave: E to F

You might notice that waves 1, 3, and 5 are moving upwards, whereas waves 2 and 4 are moving in the opposite direction of the overall trend, so they are called corrections. The same concept also applies to other types of trends.

To identify the trend, XM broker mentions the help of technical indicators such as MACD, 20-EMA (Exponential Moving Average), and 25-RoC (Rate of Change). Note that in ranging markets, only RoC can be used. Meanwhile, to identify the direction of the waves, you can use indicators like RSI (14), MACD, 20-EMA, and Stochastics.

 

Step 3: Determine Support and Resistance Levels

The main idea is actually pretty simple. When it's an uptrend, open a buy position. When it's a downtrend, open a sell position. The question is when exactly should you open the order? Before you answer that, you should be able to identify support and resistance levels on the chart.

There are several options that you can use to spot support and resistance. To simplify your choice, XM broker introduces these methods:

 

Peaks and Troughs

Basically, all you need to do is mark each peak and trough using a horizontal line. In a downtrend, every lower peak is a resistance level and every higher trough is a support level. Meanwhile, in an uptrend, every higher peak is a resistance level and every higher trough is a support level.

 

Using Previous Time Frames

Open higher time frames than the one you're using and find the levels from there. So, if you use the 15-minute chart, you can look at the 1-hour chart and incorporate the support and resistance levels into the 15-minute chart. Then, look at the 4-hour time frame and put the levels in the 15-minute chart as well.

If the levels from higher time frames match the support and resistance levels on the lower time frame, it means that the levels are stronger and more reliable for your trades.

 

Moving Averages

Moving average is a popular technical indicator that can be used for various purposes, including identifying support and resistance levels. The concept is pretty simple. In a downtrend, the MA acts as support, while in an uptrend, the MA acts as resistance. You can use different periods of moving averages, like the 20-MA or 55-MA. Both Simple and Exponential Moving Averages are acceptable.

 

Fibonacci Levels

Fibonacci Retracement is another popular indicator that you can use to do the task. The most common levels used are 23.6%, 38.2%, and 61.8%. Typically, after a big up/down movement, the price will retrace a good length of the original move. As this happens, support and resistance levels usually occur at or near the Fibonacci Retracement levels.

 

Trend Lines

Last but not least, you can use trend lines. In an uptrend, the price stays above the line which acts as the support level. In a downtrend, the price stays below the line which acts as the resistance level. Please note that the line has to have at least two points, either two peaks or two bottoms. A valid trend would have three or more points. So, the more points a trend line has, the more accurate and important the line becomes.  

 

Step 4: Find the Entry Level

To gain profit, you need to enter the market at the right time. After identifying support and resistance levels, it's time to determine your entry level. There are three methods that XM broker mentions in its tips, namely:

  • Trading the Bounce
    The idea is basically to buy on the dips (the pullback) during an uptrend and sell on rallies (after the price temporarily bounces back before continuing to drop) during a downtrend. In an uptrend, the first step is to wait for the price to move downward and reach the support level. Wait for the bounce to happen before entering the market. Make sure that the RoC (7) and MACD are both on the oversold side, further confirming that the support will hold. Don't make the mistake of opening the order too soon. It's better to wait for the price to bounce instead of buying when the price is right at the support. Also, don't forget to set a stop loss a few pips below the support level just in case the price moves against you.

  • Trading the Breakout
    In this strategy, you'll have to wait for the price to break through the support or resistance level. In an uptrend, open a buy order when the price breaks a resistance level. In a downtrend, open a sell order when the price breaks a support level. To ensure that the breakout is strong enough, open the 1-minute chart and wait for two bullish candles to appear above the resistance or two bearish candles to appear below the support level.

  • Trading the Trend Reversal (Failure Swing)
    A failure swing indicates the trend is about to reverse, providing a good opportunity to enter the market. This usually happens when the trend weakens and the price is unable to make higher highs in an uptrend or lower lows in a downtrend. For instance, if the price fails to swing lower than the lower low in a downtrend, followed by an upward movement that breaks the resistance, then it's a good entry signal.

 

Step 5: Find the Exit Level

Determining the exit level is just as important as finding where to enter the market. There are two kinds of exit levels that you can use, namely stop loss and take profit.

  • Stop Loss: Stop loss is used to limit your losses. The placement should depend on your entry level. Don't place it too close or too far from the entry price. The ideal condition is to set it close enough to prevent you from getting too much loss, while at the same time, far enough to allow price corrections.
  • Take Profit: Instead of limiting loss, take profit is used to lock in your profit. Here's an example of the placement. Close 50% of the position at 161.8% Fibonacci extension level and shift the stop loss of the remaining at the open price. At the next resistance, close 50% of the remaining position (25% of the original position) and move the stop loss higher. At the next resistance, close the remaining 25%.

 

Step 6: Use Multiple Time Frame Analysis

To increase your chance of winning, XM broker highly recommends traders to use multiple time frame analysis. This means you don't just use one time frame to make a trade, but several. You will need to confirm signals that you found on your preferred time frame with the higher/lower time frames so that you can get a broader perspective of the market.

The reason is that the direction of the trend may be different in each time frame. So, what you see on the chart does not necessarily reflect the whole reality of the market. For example, the GBP/USD could be an uptrend in the 1-hour chart and a downtrend in a daily chart. This is why using multiple time frames to analyze the market is a great way to minimize losing trades as you will be able to see your position in relation to the bigger picture.

 

The Bottom Line

If you follow the six steps above, you'll be able to execute your trade based on technical analysis and thorough research. Don't forget to test your strategy on a demo account before risking real money into it, though. Then, once you execute the real trade, make sure to keep a record and evaluate your performance. In this case, you can make use of XM demo account then move to the broker's real account to implement the trading system.

 


XM broker is an established international firm and has become a true leader in the trading industry. Founded in 2009, the company works with the main principle of being "fair, trustworthy, and dependable". XM claims to support no re-quotes and real-time execution, where traders can choose from 10+ trading platforms suitable to any device.


21 Comments

Ferran

Mar 2 2023

n the XM trading system, it is suggested to set the take profit levels slightly beyond the resistance points. For instance, one example provided is to close 50% of the position at the 161.8% Fibonacci extension level and shift the stop loss of the remaining position to the open price. Then, at the next resistance level, close 50% of the remaining position (25% of the original position) and adjust the stop loss higher. Finally, at the subsequent resistance level, close the remaining 25%.

I'm curious to understand the reasoning behind setting the take profit levels further away from the resistance points. Despite the potential difficulty in accurately determining these levels, is there a specific justification or benefit for placing the take profit levels at a greater distance from the support and resistance points?

Torres

Jun 4 2023

@Ferran:In the XM trading system, they suggest setting take profit levels slightly beyond the resistance points. Basically, they want you to aim for bigger price moves and make more profit. By placing take profit levels further away, you avoid getting out too early and give your trades more room to grow.

The idea is to capture those juicy price swings and ride the momentum when the price breaks through resistance. It's like going for the gold and not settling for small gains. But remember, you still need to manage your risks and consider things like market noise and volatility.

The bottom line is, they want you to make the most of those big price moves by setting take profit levels beyond resistance points. It's all about maximizing your profits and staying in the game for the long haul.

Pep Morata

Apr 29 2023

Just new here in Trading. And just realized some mathematical concepts involved in here. So, I'm curious about why Fibonacci, a mathematical concept, is used to analyze charts. How does it help predict future chart movements? After all, trading is all about making predictions about the market. What makes Fibonacci so special in this regard?

I've heard that the most commonly used levels in Fibonacci Retracement are 23.6%, 38.2%, and 61.8%. Is it possible to change these levels since the percentage level can differ as well? I'm hoping for an explanation, thanks!

Alvarez

Apr 30 2023

I'd be happy to help.

The Fibonacci tool is used in technical analysis to identify potential levels of support and resistance. The idea is that the price tends to retrace a predictable portion of a move before continuing in the original direction. These retracement levels are derived from the Fibonacci sequence, a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on).

In trading, Fibonacci retracement levels are used to identify potential entry and exit points. Traders look for retracements of the original move and use the Fibonacci levels as potential support or resistance areas. For example, if the price is in an uptrend and retraces, traders may look for support at the 38.2%, 50%, or 61.8% Fibonacci levels.

The reason why the Fibonacci tool is so popular in trading is that it is based on the idea that market movements are not completely random, and that past price action can be used to predict future price action. However, it's important to note that no trading strategy can predict the future with certainty, and traders should always use proper risk management techniques.

As for the levels used in Fibonacci retracement, the most common levels are indeed 23.6%, 38.2%, and 61.8%. However, traders can customize these levels based on their own preferences or trading style. In fact, some traders may use additional levels such as 50% or 78.6% depending on the market conditions and their analysis.

I hope this helps!

Mikel

Apr 29 2023

Hey, could you give me a detailed explanation of the "buy on dips and sell on rallies" trading strategy, specifically in the context of an uptrend? I'd like to know how to identify and execute this strategy and how to use support levels to my advantage. Also, are there any indicators or tools that can help confirm an uptrend and identify buy opportunities during a dip? The article mentions RoC and MACD indicators to show the oversold side, but I'm not sure how to use them in MT4. Thanks a lot!

Kevin

Apr 29 2023

"Buy on dips and sell on rallies" is a killer trading strategy that you can use when the market is trending upwards. Here's the deal: you gotta wait for the price to take a dive and hit the support level. That's when you buy, bro! Then, when the price bounces back up a bit before continuing to drop, you sell that bad boy for a profit.

To make the most of this strategy, you gotta be on the lookout for support levels and use 'em to your advantage. You can also use indicators like RoC and MACD to confirm that you're dealing with an uptrend and to spot potential buy opportunities when the price is in a dip.

In terms of tools and indicators, traders can use moving averages, trend lines, and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) to confirm the presence of an uptrend and identify potential buy opportunities during a dip. The RoC and MACD can also be used to identify oversold conditions and potential buying opportunities. To see the oversold side using RoC and MACD, a trader can look for negative values on the RoC and bearish crossovers on the MACD, which may indicate a potential buy opportunity. It's important to note that no strategy is foolproof and traders should always exercise caution and use proper risk management techniques when trading. In order to use these, you can simply go to the MT4, and just hit the insert menu.

Hurley

Apr 30 2023

Let me expand how to insert the RoC and MACD. To use the Rate of Change (RoC) and Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicators in MT4, you can follow these steps:

  • Open MT4 and select the chart that you want to analyze.
  • Go to the "Insert" tab in the top menu and select "Indicators" from the dropdown menu.
  • In the list of indicators, find "RoC" and "MACD" and double-click on each of them.
  • A window will pop up for each indicator. You can change the settings and customize the appearance of the indicator to your liking.
  • Once you have added the indicators to your chart, you can analyze the data and look for signals of an oversold condition using RoC and MACD.

Hopefully it can help you to identifiy your entry level.

Ogura

Apr 30 2023

Based on the article, when it comes to trading, time commitment plays a crucial role. If you don't have much time to monitor the market consistently, it makes sense to consider a long-term trading approach. With long-term trading, you have the option to use daily or even weekly time frames. Could you elaborate on the benefits of being a long-term trader, such as making fewer transactions and paying less spreads? How does this approach require patience, considering the limited number of signals you may receive in a month?

Additionally, I'm curious about the account size requirements for a long-term trading strategy. Since long-term trades typically have larger stop-loss levels, how important is it to have bigger accounts to avoid margin calls? Are there any specific risk management practices or considerations that long-term traders should keep in mind?

Galtier Philips

Jul 7 2023

@Ogura: Sure thing! Let's talk about the benefits and considerations of being a long-term trader. One of the advantages of long-term trading is that it allows you to make fewer transactions compared to shorter-term strategies. This means you'll be paying fewer spreads and transaction costs, which can save you money in the long run. Additionally, using daily or weekly time frames gives you a broader perspective on the market, allowing you to focus on the bigger trends and potentially capture larger price movements.

However, it's important to note that being a long-term trader requires patience. Unlike short-term strategies, long-term trading may provide fewer trading signals in a month. This means you'll need to wait for the right opportunities to enter and exit trades, and it may take longer to see the results of your trades. Patience is key in long-term trading, as you'll need to withstand market fluctuations and stick to your trading plan.

In terms of account size requirements, long-term trades often have larger stop-loss levels to account for market volatility. Having a larger trading account can help avoid margin calls and provide sufficient cushion for potential drawdowns. Risk management becomes crucial for long-term traders, and it's essential to set appropriate position sizes and employ stop-loss orders effectively.

Yerry

May 5 2023

To build a good trading system, I think it's important to have a reliable broker as a partner for trading. If you trade with a broker that doesn't have good infrastructure and technology, you'll likely experience slippage and requotes that could cause losses. Additionally, if the broker is unregulated, it puts your funds at risk.

So, I'd like to ask about XM. It's regulated in many countries and seems to be a safe choice. But what can you tell me about their infrastructure and technology? Will it help make trading more comfortable for traders?

Josh

May 7 2023

Certainly yes! XM is a well-established broker that is regulated by several financial authorities, including CySEC in Cyprus, ASIC in Australia, and the FCA in the UK. This means that they are required to adhere to strict rules and regulations to ensure that they operate fairly and transparently, which should provide some reassurance to traders.

In terms of their infrastructure and technology, XM uses a variety of platforms to facilitate trading, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. These platforms are known for their advanced charting capabilities, wide range of technical indicators, and user-friendly interface.

Additionally, XM offers a variety of educational resources and analytical tools to help traders make informed decisions. This includes daily market analysis, webinars, and educational articles. They also have a customer support team available 24/5 to assist with any questions or issues that may arise.

Overall, while there is always some level of risk involved in trading, XM appears to have a strong regulatory framework and advanced technology in place to help traders manage that risk as effectively as possible.

Brandon

May 7 2023

To make market execution fast, a broker would need to have a robust technological infrastructure. Some of the key technologies that are required for fast market execution include:

  • Low-latency connectivity: A broker needs to have high-speed, low-latency connectivity to the markets to be able to execute trades quickly.

  • High-performance servers: The broker needs to have high-performance servers that can handle a large volume of trades and execute them quickly.

In their site, it said XM offer high speed execution and low latency. It means, for brokers, you can say XM has good technological infrastructure

Theo

May 5 2023

In this article, it said that XM broker suggests traders to adopt multiple time frame analysis to enhance their chances of success in trading. This involves using more than one time frame to analyze the market before making a trade. By confirming signals found on your preferred time frame with higher or lower time frames, you can gain a broader perspective of the market and make better-informed trading decisions.

The question here, what If I am day trading, what the multiple timeframe that I can choose, and what about if I swing trader? Is it the trading style using different multiple time analysis too?

Bobby

May 6 2023

Using multiple time frame analysis is a great way to increase your chances of success in trading, according to XM broker. It means you're not just looking at one time frame to make your trade, but several. By doing this, you can confirm the signals you found on your preferred time frame with the higher or lower time frames to get a better overall view of the market.

For example, let's say you're a day trader. You could use the 15-minute, 1-hour, and 4-hour time frames to confirm the signals you found on the 5-minute chart. This way, you can see the bigger picture and determine whether your trade idea aligns with the trend on the higher time frames.

On the other hand, if you're a swing trader, you may want to use the daily, 4-hour, and 1-hour time frames to confirm signals you found on the weekly chart. The time frames you use will depend on your trading style and the market you're trading in.

By using multiple time frame analysis, you can reduce the risk of false signals and increase the likelihood of making profitable trades. It takes a little bit of extra effort to look at multiple time frames, but it can definitely be worth it in the end.

Andy

May 21 2023

When it comes to using moving averages, especially in XM, I'm curious about their effectiveness. It's clear that moving averages can be useful for identifying support and resistance levels, with the MA acting as support in a downtrend and resistance in an uptrend. However, I'm interested to know more about the different periods of moving averages that can be used, such as the 20-MA or 55-MA. Can you provide some insights on which periods are commonly used and why? Additionally, what are the differences and benefits of using Simple Moving Averages versus Exponential Moving Averages in XM? How do traders effectively incorporate moving averages into their trading strategies to make informed trading decisions?

Joseph

Jun 2 2023

@Andy: Hey there! SMAs give you a nice, smooth line of average prices, treating each data point equally. On the other hand, EMAs put more weight on recent data, making them super responsive to price changes. That can be handy when you're trying to spot trend reversals or sudden shifts in market sentiment. (read more about MA here : What are the Four Major Moving Averages? )

To rock those moving averages in your strategy, keep an eye on how they interact with price action. When the price crosses above the moving average, it could mean a bullish trend is brewing. And if it crosses below, it might signal a bearish trend. Oh, and don't forget to check out the slope of the moving average—it can tell you how strong the trend is.

Mixing moving averages with other indicators or chart patterns can help confirm your trading decisions. And don't forget to backtest your strategy, experiment with different periods, and adapt to what the market throws at you.

So, there you have it! Get cozy with those moving averages, analyze how they work with price action, and create a killer strategy that suits your goals and risk tolerance. It's all about maximizing their power to boost your trading journey. Happy trading, my friend!

Victor

Jul 8 2023

Why is it necessary to have a minimum of two points, either two peaks or two bottoms, when drawing trend lines in technical analysis? It's like the secret sauce that adds flavor to your analysis. You see, having two points on a trend line is like having a solid foundation for your analysis. In an uptrend, the price should stay above the trend line, acting as a reliable support level. Conversely, in a downtrend, the price should remain below the trend line, serving as a robust resistance level. But here's the kicker: to give your trend line that extra oomph, it's best to have three or more points. It's like adding layers of confirmation to your analysis. The more points your trend line has, the more accurate and significant it becomes. It's like having a chorus of voices saying, "Hey, this trend is legit!" So, by having multiple points on a trend line, you're not only enhancing its accuracy but also adding weight to its reliability. It's like having a trusty sidekick in your technical analysis toolkit.

brunotrader999

Oct 26 2023

@Victor: You are right! As additional information, why You need at least two points when drawing trend lines in technical analysis because one point won't tell you much. Here's why:

  • Confirmation of Trend: Two points show you if prices are going up (uptrend) or down (downtrend). One point doesn't give you enough info.

  • Best Fit Line: The trend line is like the best fit line for price movements. With two points, it lines up better with the overall trend.

  • Support and Resistance: Trend lines can act like support or resistance. With two points, you can see where prices might bounce or struggle in the future, which is handy for making trading decisions.

  • Confirming Reversals: Sometimes, a trend can seem to change after just one point. Having two points makes it more likely the trend is really changing direction.

  • Psychological Levels: Markets often react at certain price levels. When you connect two points, you can spot these important levels more easily. For example, if you connect two low points, it helps you see when prices might hit a significant support level.

So, in a nutshell, two points are crucial for drawing trend lines because they confirm the trend, fit the line better, help you spot support and resistance, confirm trend reversals, and highlight important price levels. It's all about making smarter trading decisions.

Winda

Oct 19 2023

I'm a newcomer to the world of trading, and I've come across a helpful article that discusses different trading approaches. The article distinguishes between patience and impatience in trading strategies. With that in mind, I'd like to inquire about whether it's advisable for beginners to consider adopting the impatient approach, as the article suggests. The concept revolves around engaging in intraday trading, utilizing shorter time frames like 15-minute or 5-minute charts to develop a trading strategy. This approach is promoted as a means to increase daily trading opportunities while mitigating overnight risks and reducing trading expenses. However, it's worth noting that it demands a higher level of endurance and sustained concentration. Thus, should novice traders enthusiastically embrace this more active trading style, or are there potential downsides they should be mindful of?

Heru Aprianto

Mar 24 2024

Hey, so I'm pretty new to the trading scene, and I stumbled upon this cool article talking about different ways to trade. They go on about patience versus impatience when it comes to trading strategies. Got me wondering if us beginners should jump on the impatient train, like the article suggests. Basically, they're saying we could dive into intraday trading, using shorter time frames like 15 or 5-minute charts to make our moves. Supposedly, it gives you more chances to trade during the day, lessens overnight risks, and saves on trading fees. But, it's no walk in the park; you gotta have serious stamina and be laser-focused. So, should us newbies dive headfirst into this active trading style, or are there some drawbacks we should watch out for?

Vardy

Mar 28 2024

Hey there! About your question, I think it really depends on your personal preferences, risk tolerance, and how much time and energy you're willing to invest. Jumping into intraday trading can offer more opportunities, but it also comes with higher stress levels and requires constant attention. Plus, the shorter time frames mean you'll need to make quick decisions, which might not be ideal for beginners who are still getting the hang of things. It's essential to weigh the potential benefits against the challenges and make sure you're comfortable with the level of risk involved. Some folks thrive in this fast-paced environment, while others prefer a more laid-back approach. Ultimately, it's about finding what works best for you and your trading style.


3.38/5

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Apr 20 2024

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