Handling Gaps that go Against you -- trading strategies?

Discussion in 'Technical Analysis' started by KCalhoun, Sep 12, 2021.

  1. KCalhoun

    KCalhoun

    How do you manage bad gaps?

    I will start scaling out premkt if it trends down.

    Usually though, they chop around, so I stay clear til the opening bell. I stop out after 9:30 if it drops .50 and re-enter if it bounces.

    Gaps often fill, so I don't just instantly stop out.
     
    murray t turtle likes this.
  2. Don't get in trades that may gap against you! LOL!

    Can you give an example of a bad gap that you have had recently?
     
  3. KCalhoun

    KCalhoun

    sure.. i was long uvxy overnight thur.

    small gap down fri. i didn't sell

    uvxy10sepb.jpg


    vs typical gap down clov

    clov10sep.jpg
     
    Raheel Shaikh likes this.
  4. So you were long volatility and long CLOV? By holding, one worked out in your favor, one didn't? Am I correct?
     
  5. KCalhoun

    KCalhoun

    Right re UVXY holding through gap down worked out. The CLOV chart is just an example of a gap down continuation.

    Looking for ideas in case inverses gap down tomorrow. My plan is:

    - if they gap down premkt and keep trending down before the bell I'll sell all. Will rebuy if they go back up quickly.
     
  6. If u zoomed out, the CLOV idea might have looked different.
     
  7. Bad_Badness

    Bad_Badness

    Some instruments gap more than others. Be aware of the instruments propensity to GAP. Don't use tactics that are not "gap" proof on instruments that gap.

    Take your loss and start over. A gap should not surprise you. It should be part of the trades expectations, after you have researched the instruments historical charts.
     
    MoneyMagnet and KCalhoun like this.
  8. SunTrader

    SunTrader

    What am I missing here? CLOV gap filled, then went down.

    Play the gap with a larger than normal stop (1.5 times is normal, if the market environment suggests it is not likely to be a runner) to let it play out. Ride it if it continues back through gap, otherwise bail if it doesn't.
     
    KCalhoun likes this.
  9. KCalhoun

    KCalhoun

    Good points.... I'm long a few hundred UVXY, how would you guys play it if it gaps down against me to say 21? Or gaps up to 25? I'll be exiting in several trades either way
     
  10. %%
    Depends on my schedule\ plan;
    took some smaller profits in SPXS, spxu, today.
    2.5% gap loss in sdow, but lets see what close price is................................................................................................KC, your good on super diversification in inverse ETFs;i usually dont do more than5 different inverse ETFs@ a time:caution::caution::caution::caution::caution:
     
    #10     Sep 13, 2021
    KCalhoun likes this.