Multiple Time-Frame Analysis
Multiple timeframes analysis equals using 2 chart time-frames to trade stock indices trading - a shorter one used for trading and a longer one to check Indices trend.
Since it is always good to follow the market trend, in Multiple Time Frame 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 indices trading market.
There are four different types of Indices traders - all these use different charts to trade as explained below.
Examples of how each type of Indices 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 minute chart wants to go long, checks 5 min chart, which looks like the one below, since 5 minute show trend is going up, then decides from this 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 hour chart, which looks like the one below, since 1 hour shows market trend is going up, then decides from this 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 hour chart wants to go short, checks 4 hour trading chart, which looks like the stock indices trading example explained and illustrated below, since 4 hour shows the trend is going down, then decides from this 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 shows the trend is going down, then decides from this analysis it's okay to sell.
How to Define A Stock Indices Trading Trend
Using a indices trading system has 3 indicators - Moving Average Crossover System, RSI and MACD and uses simple rules to define the trend. The rules are:
Upwards trend
Both MAs Moving Up
RSI above 50
MACD Above Centerline
Downwards Indices Trading Trend
Both MAs Moving Down
RSI below 50
MACD Below Centerline
For More explanation about this system read: How to Generate Trading Signals with a Indices Trading System.