Multiple Time Frame Analysis

Multiple timeframes analysis equals using 2 chart time frames to trade stock indices - a shorter one used for trading and a longer one to check trend.

Since it is always good to follow the trend, in Multiple Timeframe Analysis, the longer time frame gives us the direction of the long-term trend.

If the long-term market direction supports the direction of the smaller chart time frame then the probability of being profitable is greatly increased. This is because even if you make a mistake the long-term trend will eventually save you. Also if you trade with direction of the market, then mostly you will be on the winning side, this is what this analysis is all about.

Remember there's a popular saying by many Indices and stock market investors that says: "The trend is your friend' - never go against the stock market.

There are four different types of traders - all these use different charts to trade as explained below.

Examples of how each type of trader uses multiple Stock Indices Trading time frames analysis strategy:

Scalpers

This group holds onto their trades for only a few minutes. The scalper never holds on to a trade for more than ten minutes. With the aim of making small amount of pips profit: 5 - 20 pips.

A Scalper using 1 min chart wants to go long, checks 5 min chart, which looks like the one below, since 5 min show indices trend is moving up, then decides from the analysis it's okay to buy.

Day Traders

This group holds on to their trades for a few hours but not more than a day. With the aim of making quite a number of pips: 30 - 100 pips.

Day trader trading 15 min chart wants to go long, checks 1 H chart, which looks like the one below, since 1 hour highlights market indices trend is moving up, then decides from the analysis it's okay to buy

Swing Traders

This group holds on to their trades for a few days to a week. With the aim of making a large number of pips: 100 - 400 pips.

Swing trader using 1 H chart wants to go short, checks 4 hour chart, which looks like the stock trading example explained and illustrated below, since 4 hour highlights the trend is moving down, then decides from the analysis it's okay to sell.

Position traders

These are the investors that hold on to their trades for weeks or months. With the aim of making a large number of pips: 300 - 1000 pips.

Position trader using the daily trading chart wants to go short, checks weekly chart, weekly looks like one below, since weekly portrays the trend is moving down, then decides from the analysis it's okay to sell.

How to Define A Trend

Using a indices trading system has Three indicators - Moving Average Cross Over System, RSI & MACD & uses simple guide-lines to define the trend. The rules are:

Upwards trend

Both MAs Moving Up

RSI above 50

MACD Above Centerline

Down-wards Trend

Both MAs Moving Down

RSI below 50

MACD Below Center-Line

For More explanation about this system read: How to Generate Trade Signals with a Indices System.