how do you see the dow index going today Dow Jones and S&P commentary: Signal Watch Dr Bob Hard Right Edge Raptor Research Charting by Snoball: Dow Chart S&P Chart Drinks & Break Time at: GD's Famous Tea Room & Watering Hole"

DOW JONES @ LIVECHARTS

Hi snoball - yes I do use a system - But saying that are you thinking of an entry system or exit system - often people seem just to think in terms of entry - but I have come to believe that exit is even more important.

And when I analyse what I do a few simple rules quickly adds up to something very complicted. As I am a IT Consultant by trade maybe I should code it up and let it run automatically - actually it would probably make more money than me operating it - but you know what they say about black box systems.......

However simply: Entry - I use RSI as my main indicator to show something interesting is happening. Then try to decide whether this represents a turning point or a trend. I have a simple filter for that based on fractals - then set stops to take me in. That's the easy bit. Exit - use market stops and I like to exit on a limit. Usual story - move stops: to break even early, to lock in profit.

Since the mini Dow moved to ECBOT I reckon I have lost about 1 point per trade as the stops are no longer held in the exchange. No wonder they installed the LIFFE-CONNECT system that 1 point per trade must be going somewhere.

Hi snoball,
i have a system but for long term use and then play it by ear for the day.
i use moving averages (exponential for short term 10/20 day and simple for long term 100/200 day). I have been long for sometime after the moving averages crossed.
i also use rsi as a main indicator which i find the most useful for day to day basis.
i am not a professional as I am an IT Consultant too.
i use sharescope for uk and esignal for usa.
hope that helps.
ps. doing well on dow so far today.

In addition to the above comment, i used the same moving averages for buying retail decisions (RTD) toward the end of november and have made a good profit from that so far. it has still got more to go in my opinion but you can see where the moving averages crossed over around 20th november. i bought shortly after. RTD has now formed a cup and handle which is nearly always a good sign for the share to go up. You might want to look at that for a dabble. Sorry for off topic but i thoguht you might all find it useful. RTD - why thread for further details to anyone who is interested.

Jonp & javidshaik,

Thanks for your insights. It's interesting that your systems are basically simple. I've learnt that that simple seems best in the long run.
Jonp, do you use a longer term rsi, say 21 days, or shorter? javidshaik, I use a 20 day price break out to determine trend. i.e. Donchian channels. So a break above a 20 day high starts the medium term trend off until a break below a 20 day low. I then like to use a short term average within that trend as an entry signal.
My main problem is sticking to the rules but I am learning. This recent bull trend on the Dow is making my trading figures look good for the moment.
I'll check out the RTD thread. I have only been trading the Dow and would like to try something else.

Afternoon everybody:
Many thanks to Javaid and JonP for your comments and plase keep it up as all the scenarios and strategies help build up a better picture and fit the small pieces in this never ending jigsaw puzzle.

Regarding ny views on the dow for today:
I reckon it is going up north and then southwards -big time hopefully. The key level i am watching for shorting is 10670 area if it gets there.Also beware of the overshoots as its pointless to try and predict the tops or bottome of market as it is limitless.

finally here is my two pence worth:--

"Everything is coming up roses for now it would appear, but this kind of runup in price without "healthy" or "normal" corrections is actually a very dangerous scenario technically as it creates situations where everyone tries to leave the room at once. (My apologies for the broken record here, folks.) For now it appears that we will make new highs yet again today, but I still insist on an imminent reversal scenario - and the longer this market pushes higher, the more dramatic and sudden that reversal will be. We're already getting into pretty dramatic territory. This market is white hot.
So trade well and trade wisely.If in doubt stay out."

rgds
zarif

zarif, if it breaks above 10600 it'll be off again won't it?
a break below 10400 again would make it look more bearish in the short term, I would think.
it's up to the men in black anyway.

Quite right snoball. Also I think on monday the Ym are closed for Martin Luther Kings Bithday. Dow Tanking Down atm.

rgds
zarif

Can i ask what real time pacakages people use on here and if they recommend it?
I use esignal and sharescope and although I am happy with bith, I would be eager to know views from other people.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Javid

javidshaik,
I have a subscription to Lycos (aka Quote.com) for 5 per month or something for the Dow.
My system is end of day based so I don't really need anything more.

I use Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation to trade over the internet, that comes with a data feed for free I pay 8 euros a month for the DAX but the Dow comes for free providing you do more than about 10 trades per month.

Each tic price and volume from the IB feeds automatically using DDE and some of my own programming into an excel spread sheet which plots Candles, Bar, P&F on different sheets then I plot RSI, MACD and a few old ones which I don't use any more. It does a Tick chart, 1 min, 10 min and day charts and more all live. I just add to it when I need something new. All programmed in VBA and menu driven. Oh and it makes a noise when the RSI exceeds the 30/70 threshold.

You can also back trade with it as if it is real. Not used that for a long time so it probably no longer works.

The IB data feed is good - more reliable and certainly cheaper than SatQuote which I used to use. It is cheap and cheerful, but lacks sophistication.

Oh I added pivot points just a few days ago.

snoball & JonP, thank you both for your information.
have either of you or anyone else on here used sharescope or esignal? if so what are your views on it. in case you havent used it, you can trial esignal free for a month (i do not work for them) at www.esignal.com
i am interested to know if i am using the right tools for the job or are there better real time programs out there than what i currently use.

once again, have a good weekend everybody. i just closed my last position on dow and had another good week. i am still doing well with retail decisions so please check it out people. i am open to your opinions on that too.

javid

Sounds like a brilliant system, JonP.
I've heard IB are good.
I would like to be able to have a feed like that into Metastock where I could apply my own indicators but I have to make a bit more dosh before I set it up. I promised myself a while back that before I spend any more money on trading I would have to double my trading account to prove that I knew what I was doing. Not far to go.
Do you only day trade?

It's all got volatile all of a sudden.
What's going on?

javid,

i had a quick look at RTD. Definitely bullish but I have to update my end of day chart to get a better idea.

sb.

nite y'all

o.k own up. who's long and who's short on the Dow.
i'm long.

Hi guys - The Ym is closed today but am just looking as trading against the computers might be fun. I have got both long . short positions open on march. I think the Ym tomorrow is going to go south first on open tomorrow and then within half an hour or so rally up and above to 10670 if that is taken out then 10700. So lets see what happens -this is just a hunch from me -or will have to invest in a new crystal ball to gaze at!!!!!!!!

rgds
zarif

The Ym au8ction opens in an hour and there is going to be some results coming out today incuding national housing figures.
Lets see if my guesstimation was right from yesterday. Are we goingto reach 10670-10700 today or taking a hike downwards??? All will be revealed soon but trade safely as we dont want to be the victims and remember "stops" are our friends.

rgds
zarif