Jan 2025

Here I am going journal trades for Jan 2025, first a strategy recap with a couple of changes for 2025 (original here)
Mostly DAX and NASD normally at respective opens. Firstly, weekly review of the high time frames, looking at D1 and H1, but my main interest is m15 for direction and target and m1 for entry. I will try to align the trade with Elliot waves, but this particular post is focusing on the trade setup. I'm happy to answer any questions if something is not clear.
These are the basic checks:

 

1. Check for news and higher time frame (h1 & d1) for potential reversal levels and trend
2. Look at m15 for target, favourable price action and direction
3. Good m1 move up
4. Retrace with Accelerated Correction (AC) or Level Flip
5. Confluence - usually a strong level(s)
6. Setup candle(s)

Software Platform MT4 with eWave harmonics and Advanced Trade Manager (from for-exe.com). Sessions Indi and Inside / Outside Bar indi

Key:
ADR T / B Average Daily Range Top / Bottom
DO / DC - Day Open / Close
FO - Frankfurt
IB - inner bar
LO - London
MB - mother bar
MFE - Maximum Favourable Excursion (best profit possible for that trade)
MO / MC - Month Open / Close
ON L/H - Overnight Low / High
PA - Price action
PO - pending order
TC- Trailing candle
TZ1/2 - Target Zones (various time-frames)
VG - Value Gap
WO / WC - Week Open / Close

Examples below.
https://www.forexfactory.com/attachm...l?d=1729755526
https://www.forexfactory.com/attachm...l?d=1729755855

14th Jan 10:10 DAX VG test IB entry
The first of the year a potential 4R trade, I held as per my management rules, but the price came back and gave me something near BE. In hindsight there was a big M15 FE127 that I should have given more respect.

17 Jan 10.14 DAX VG, ONH and fib 38% test, IB entry
A sweet trade with the same VG test. Not bitter at all that it went on to ADR-T. This was a lesson here as I it was an emotional close using trailing candle and not following my rules. It went on to be 18R

21 Jan 10.16 DAX SD test after bullish move on AC
The second day of the Trump rule and DAX is not really giving us the moves this morning. I locked on the AC and came out with 1R for my troubles.

21 Jan 16.53 NASD DC test and IB AC
Bit of a surprise fast move. I reacted as I saw price halt for the second time at FO and closed for 5R. Not following standard exit rules, but it was over 3R and hit a target level

22 Jan 10.11 DAX ONH test AC IB
Maybe a little hasty on this one. AC with IB, but hindsight a PO better. Loss here -1
22 Jan 10.14 DAX VG test AC pinbar
ABC down to VG with a nice pinbar. Locked this close, but ended up regretting it and came out with only 2.6 out of and easy 5. Emotional decisions on exit again. Need to work on that.

All in all +1.6R this morning. The last couple of days revealing my habit of not letting the trades run. There was a clear target at m5 tz1 and ADR to aim for.

23 Jan 10.13 DAX LO test AC IB
A couple of losses this morning. First was I hit the button before the candle formed, second was a reasonable setup on m1. The problem here, which I haven't shown on the image, but there was an M15 FE127 sitting above the entry.

23 Jan 16.49 NASD SD test AC IB
Not a decent up move really to retrace on and didn't buy on the retrace.


Slipped on my rules today and lost 2.5R. The PA was not forgiving. C'et la vive. Next.

28 Jan 11.26 DAX AC engulfing gap up
The first trade didn't really have a strong level where price rejected and I was buying at the top here. Broke my rules.
28 Jan 11.32 DAX AC Doji TLB
The second trade was a good setup and a great entry. The old gremlin kicked in for me and I place SL at BE early and lost out on the potential 15R. (I have a rule - wait until higher high before moving SL)

One for the journal to bookmark and learn bye. C'est la vive again

-1 and BE for today

30 Jan NASD
3 AC's but I was not trading well. Looking at the price action after the event it was a clear impulsive down on the 2 x buys I tried. The sell was fair, but deep retrace and not a great pre impulsive move.

-3 for my trouble today.

Totals
0.5
6.54
1
4.98
-1.0
2.6
-2.5
-1
-3

For trading at 1% that is a 8.12% gain for January
A little disappointing with lots of lessons to take away.

Looking good though some of the entries spot on and RR improving with updated method, keep it rocking green is green

thanks Kiwi. Onwards and upwards