One of the key tenants of my Momentum Reversal trading is “waiting for the right trigger/event and getting in early”. I find this is one of the most difficult aspects for most clients to understand and master. Therefore, in an attempt to further illustrate some components of my thinking and strategy, I have put together these examples to try to help people understand these techniques.
Within this example, I’ve selected Chesapeake Energy Corp (NYSE:CHK) and a recent price move that resulted in strong gains. As you are well aware, within the Momentum Reversal Method (MRM) are a number of key factors that drive my investment methodology.
Additionally, I use Fibonacci and Elliot Wave Theory in all of my analysis and decision making. The Momentum Reversal Method is not foolproof – it does take some losing trades. Generally, though, the winners far outpace the losers. My trading strategy helps to answer these important questions.
Now, onto the setup I promised earlier – Chesapeake Energy Corp.
This chart illustrates three key components to my Momentum Reversal Method trading strategy:
– Established Price Momentum/Trend
– Defined Price Rotation
– Tightening/Coiling of price prior to a breakout
As you can see from the example chart, above, the upward price trend (highlighted in green) followed by the price rotation (highlighted in red) created a primary setup that allowed me to target this stock for potential trigger setups. In other words, this price momentum and rotation created an opportunity for trade signals.
The coiling of price with the flag/pennant formation created another component I often look for – price congestion. Price congestion following a wide range price rotation is usually indicative of a “pre-breakout move”. Therefore, the identification of this type of price action can sometimes be an early warning to watch it more closely for the trade trigger.
I’ve marked the initial breakout bar (not my ideal trade trigger) with a green up arrow. For the average trader, this would likely be your trading trigger. Within the Momentum Reversal Method, we look for early triggers that can allow us to get into these types of trades earlier – and often with much less risk and greater chance of success.
I hope this clear example of a MRM setup can assist you in understanding why this strategy is such a success.
The Outcome
This, the outcome of the Setup, shows exactly how quickly these setups can turn into profits. Generally, the Momentum Reversal Method holds trades for 3~7 days for short-term trades and for 14~35 days for longer term trades (in some cases even a bit longer).
You may be wondering why we only hold trades for 3-7 days? The answer is simple, we know that most of the biggest moves happen in a very short period of time. The explosive pops/drops in price only last 3-7 days in most cases. Catching these quick explosive moves provide us with the best risk reward. As you know time is money, and it only makes sense to make as much as possible in the shortest period of time, which has two key benefits:
First is that I provide lower risk. The less time our money is locked into a trade/the markets the better as cash is king!
Second, it means we can rotate some of some/or all of our money into the next stock/leveraged ETF ready for its explosive pop/drop.
You can see from this image the first upward move from the trigger bar resulted in a +27.8% gain in only 10 trading days. The second phase run-up in price resulted in an +83.75% gain in an additional 29 days. Clean, Clear and Consistent.
Again, I’m not giving away my successful strategy to anyone. The Momentum Reversal Method has worked for me for years and continues to generate fantastic results. Even if I tried to teach you every aspect of this trading methodology/strategy, you would still need my assistance in understanding the nuances of how to deploy it and how to better understand general market sector rotation, when to avoid false triggers and what you should and should not trade and when.