How To Trade Effectively With Average True Range Indicator - A Forex Stop Loss Indicator

Welles J. Wilder a popular technical analysis has invented the Average True Range (ATR) indicator and several other trading indicators like parabolic SAR and RSI (Relative Strength index) indicator. Average true indicator is a famous indicator since it doesn't generate any objective Forex trading signals. ATR presents you the volatility of market without generating trading signals. It depicts the average volatility in last fourteen bars of candles. The techniques for using Average Truth indicator for successful Forex trading are as below.

To Calculate Stop Loss

One of the great benefits of ATR indicator is calculating stop losses. If you want to design a Forex trading system either manual or automatic, you must design it in such a way that it is universal and can return profits in different currency pairs. For designing a system profitable in different pairs, it should fit according to various Forex pair volatility. You can use the ATR for adapting the system to the different currency pairs and hence work without need for manual intervention for various pairs.

For instance, instead of fixing of the stop less with constant value as 20 pips you can set it in terms of ATR like 120% ATR so that stop less will be 1.5 times the time of Average truth indicator. By implementing such settings, you system will be more adaptive and suitable for different currency pairs without requirement of optimization.

To find out the strength of a trend

As a rule of thumb, if the value of average truth indicator is low, then it indicates a week trend. And when the ATR reads high value, then it indicates a strong trend and candle range increases with gaining momentum of price. It can be helpful to measure the trend strength before you enter into trading. If the ATR value is decreasing, it indicates the current trend is losing strength and it is risky to enter trade.

To identify reversals

Another great advantage of ATR is its use in identifying the tops and bottoms of market trends. The concept behind this method is the concept that when Average true Range indicator is at minimum value, it identifies that the price will be at reversal point. The traders must concentrate on ATR value, and should be cautious about price reversals if ATR hits the bottom.