The ACD Method

Discussion in 'Technical Analysis' started by sbrowne126, Jul 16, 2009.

  1. Maverick74

    Maverick74

  2. http://www.kingworldnews.com/kingworldnews/Broadcast/Entries/2011/3/12_Jim_Rickards.html

    this interview has a better discussion of QE, this is important to understand if you are a commodities bull. :)
     
    #152     Apr 15, 2011
  3. Maverick,

    I know you don't want to release your proprietary research about ACD, and understand completely, but I was wondering if I could just ask you a few questions and you can answer whatever you feel comfortable with:

    Do you use the number line scoring method for the commodities you trade? Do you think trading the markets with the highest scores actually does improve results? Do you think using a filter such as a 14 day MA and only taking A or C's on the same side of the moving average direction would improve results?

    Do you use your own custom opening range times? Do you use your own A and C values? Do you use the pivot range as described by fisher to filter trades? Has it improved your results?

    I've had a good deal of success with ACD, and am just looking to continually improve my approach. I can also share some of my own additional research as well.
     
    #153     Apr 15, 2011
  4. Maverick74

    Maverick74

    I use to use the number line on the index futures and I believed they worked very well. I love the concept of the number line and when I get some time I'll probably create my own version of it. But I absolutely found it effective.

    BTW, at the current time I'm only trading options on stocks and indices except for a handful of intra-day trades with futures on oil, FX, or indices.

    Back to the number line, I noticed that once a number line got near that 9 to 11 level plus or minus that was the outer band if you will. The market would tend to snap back. So I was always really careful around that area. But if we broke through and held and went higher on the number line, then a big move was coming.

    Like I said, I have some ideas I want to play with and I'll update that later when I have some data.

    Do NOT using moving averages with this system. One of the biggest benefits of using ACD is you are getting unique price levels that NOBODY else is looking at. Once you bring in all the other garbage that people are trading off of then you are going to notice that you are entering and exiting the market when they are. The idea is to have the market all to yourself, not to be in a crowded room with a million other orders around you with stops.

    Having said that, yes, you will improve your results by taking A ups and A downs and failed A ups and A downs with the trend. I just don't use moving averages to define trend, I use ACD levels for that.

    Yes, I use my own opening range times. But to be honest I don't think that is a major part of the recipe. I think what is important is the symmetry you use. In other words, whatever OR you use for whatever time frame, make sure it represents the same percent of the time period you are using. This is important as a price action trader to have the same consistency.

    As far as pivot ranges go, I found the best value they have is for intra-day trading of index futures. Using the pivots to determine relative strength of which index is weaker or stronger works well. Also when the pivots are at the same levels of the A levels I find they work phenomenally well on fades. Important note though, always fade in the direction of STRENGTH. I'll thrown another bone out there. When pivots are located in the middle of the opening range, they work as great entry levels once you get a confirmed A up or A down to enter. You want to see price bounce off the pivot first before entering.

    One more thing, the width of the pivots is helpful as well. Tight pivot ranges usually indicate a volatility increase and very wide pivot ranges usually signal a range bound day. In other words, be careful about taking A ups or A down on wide pivot range days unless the pivot range is located above or below the entire days range, i.e we opened above it and never traded into it and vice versa.

    I posted a lot of stuff here because I want to keep the thread active and it seems we get a lot of guys that stop by and don't come back. LOL. So I will make an effort here to keep this thread alive.
     
    #154     Apr 16, 2011
  5. Great post Mav, thanks for sharing.

    I agree about the Pivot Ranges, its one of my favorite setups and seems to work the best intraday.
     
    #155     Apr 16, 2011
  6. RedDuke

    RedDuke

    Mav,

    The interesting thing is that decent number of my entries and exits correspond with Acd, plus few other systems.

    Are we all doing the same thing with different flavors, I wonder? :)

    Regards,
    Red duke

    P.S. I guess you are not going to expos these days. Was hoping to see you there this year in NYC.
     
    #156     Apr 16, 2011
  7. Mav,

    Thanks a bunch for releasing some of your tweaks to the ACD system. After calculating the prior days pivot, you don't worry about the overnight session in regards to the next mornings opening when using the pivot range? (you don't worry about the pivot becoming invalidated based on the overseas trading action is what I'm trying to say).

    Something I can share that I noticed is the following:

    If you're trading grains and you take an A-down or A-up, on a very good rally/selloff day you should be able to put your stop right about the low of your A-up confirmation bar for longs and vice versa.

    You will get stopped out much more frequently on non-rally days, but if you are the type of person who prefers to take 8 losses of $200 each and have 2 winners of $1400 each this might be a better strategy as opposed to using the other side of the range for stop loss.

    Also on grains, round numbers do well for exit points, and they should also be paid attention to for entries. For example, if I have a 10 cent opening range on beans, and my A up is at 1358, despite the A up being hit, I will put my entry above 1360 knowing that their could be resistance at 1360.

    For profit targets the same idea can be used. If I take an A up at say 1335, and then price breaks clean through 1340 I will stay long. Lets say there is only an hour left in trading and price is up to 1347, unless the market is showing tremendous strength I will look to take profits at 1349.75. However, if I am comfortable that the market will continue higher, I may just put my stop loss right at 1340 so I will lock in profit and have a free trade for the rest of the day.

    I'll share more stuff if others besides Mav also make worthwhile contributions.
     
    #157     Apr 16, 2011
    zghorner and punisher like this.
  8. Maverick74

    Maverick74

    Well, everyone has different variables for ACD so you must be using some generic numbers. LOL. Just kidding.

    I haven't been to an expo in ages. I'll probably come up to NY this summer. Should I organize an ET get together? I was going to come up for Surf fest but the event has been discontinued. :(
     
    #158     Apr 16, 2011
  9. #159     Apr 17, 2011
  10. RedDuke

    RedDuke

    That would be great. Let's try to have a gathering this summer.
     
    #160     Apr 17, 2011