What is a "defined" trend?

Discussion in 'Technical Analysis' started by GiantDog, Jun 10, 2013.

  1. GiantDog

    GiantDog

    I heard this term from an oil trader and wondered exactly what she meant. I am assuming it is price movement that is already experiencing higher highs and higher lows in an uptrend. Opposite for a downtrend.
     
  2. That is how I define a trend.
     
  3. NoDoji

    NoDoji

    I use that term frequently; possibly I’m the trader to whom you refer. With regard to oil futures:

    A defined uptrend in my given framework (a 5-min time chart) consists of a pattern where I can identify one swing low that’s higher than a previous swing low, followed by a move up that breaks the swing high between the two swing lows by at least as many ticks as the difference between the swing lows.

    A well-defined uptrend consists of a move up that’s so strong the pullbacks fail to print a bar close below previous resistance levels. This usually occurs when price breaks through a high of the day by 10 ticks or more.

    Reverse for downtrends.

    Price can print a strong trending move without a definable trend being in play. For example, today oil prices were channeling down in pre-market on a 5-min time chart. At the start of the pit session price broke through two previous swing highs without a single pullback on the 5-min chart, then just as quickly sold all the way back to the swing low just before the pit opened. In the 5-min time frame, no trend asserted itself during those two strong moves.

    As with all price action patterns, often times close is close enough, so if a value is off by a few ticks or price throws a little head fake at you then turns right back around, consider the trend intact until proven otherwise.
     
  4. GiantDog

    GiantDog

    Thanks for the answers oracle and nodoji. I really like what you said in your post nodoji. You never fail to impress me with your posts. :)
     
  5. KGTrader

    KGTrader

    NoDoji glad to see you back
     
  6. Good to see you back NoDoji...took a break from trading or just a break from ET ?
     
  7. To add a bit to NoDoji's comments:

    A trend depends on 2 things.

    1. Your definition of "trend"

    2. The framework on which you are working be it a volume chart, price chart, tic chart, etc.

    Simply put: A tradable "up trend" on a 1 minute chare for a scalper may just be a minor correction wave for a person using daily charts.

    It ain't rocket surgery!
     
  8. ===============
    Giant D;
    good + simple note, i agree..

    Other help includes,, for a downtrend;
    lower closes,,
    lower opens,,
    lower hi,,
    lower lows.

    Market reaction to news ;
    + not much suppoort in a bear market at all.

    .As Alan Farley says ''bears live below 200 dma''] A dip/brief dip below 200 dma may mean nothing at all.......Wisdom is profitable to direct

    50 day[+50 period] ma= good measure ;;;;;
    200day ma,= good measure of a trend. ...................................................................

    :cool:
     
  9. Agree, it completely depends on how you define it, what you use and I would add how much up or down you expect define trend to go.