In my 10 years of trading, I’ve tried and tested various strategies and techniques over the years. While technical indicators are very useful for many traders, I’ve discovered that my most successful trades have been based on pure price action. In this blog post, I will share my thoughts for why I don’t use indicators and instead focus solely on price action to make trading decisions.

Understanding Price Action Trading

Price action trading involves analyzing the movement of an asset’s price over time to identify patterns, trends, and potential trading opportunities. Unlike indicator-based trading, which relies on mathematical calculations and algorithms, price action traders rely on their interpretation of price movements, using tools such as support and resistance levels, trendlines, and candlestick patterns.

Why I Don’t Use Indicators

Real-time analysis

Indicators often lag behind the actual price movement, as they are based on historical data. Price action, on the other hand, provides real-time analysis, allowing me to react more quickly to market changes and identify potential trading opportunities as they occur.

Cleaner charts

Indicators can clutter your trading charts, making it difficult to focus on the essential aspect – price. By trading without indicators, I can better concentrate on price movements and make more informed decisions based on raw data and key price levels.

Reduced risk of over-analyzing

Trading with indicators can lead to the pitfall of over-optimization, where traders tweak their strategies excessively in search of the perfect indicator combination. By focusing on price action, I can avoid this trap and develop a more robust trading strategy based on what is actually happening on the market.

Improved decision-making

Indicators can sometimes create a false sense of security, leading traders to rely too heavily on them without considering the broader market context. By trading without indicators, I’ve improved my intuition and decision-making, enabling me to better interpret market sentiment and make more informed trading decisions.

Incorporating RSI for Divergence Detection

Although my primary focus is on price action, I do make an exception for one specific indicator: the Relative Strength Index (RSI).

RSI is a valuable tool for identifying divergence – a discrepancy between the price trend and the indicator’s trend. Divergence can signal potential trend reversals or weakening momentum (for example, in a Wave 5 or C of an Elliott Wave count). By utilizing RSI for divergence detection, I can fine-tune my trading strategy and improve my decision-making while still keeping my charts clean.

Indicators and Personal Trading Styles

It’s important to note that while I prefer trading with price action and minimal use of indicators, many traders have found success using various technical indicators in their strategies. Trading is a highly personal activity, and what works best for one trader might not be suitable for another. As a trader, it’s essential to explore different techniques and methods to determine the approach that aligns best with your personal trading style, risk tolerance, and goals.

Ultimately, the most successful trading strategies are those that fit your unique strengths, preferences, and market understanding. Keep an open mind, experiment with different tools and techniques, and discover the trading strategy that works best for you.