The ChoosaBroker Trading Academy

1. An Introduction to Financial Markets (Module 1)
1.1. An Introduction to Financial Markets 1.2. Historical Perspective 1.3. Portfolio Management 1.4. Diversification 1.5. Power of Compounding
2. Breakdown of Asset Classes (Module 2)
2.1. Foreign Exchange 2.2. Stocks 2.3. Indices 2.4. Commodities 2.5. CFDs Contract for Difference 2.6. Bonds 2.7. Cryptocurrencies 2.8. Futures and Options 2.9. ETFs
3. Categories of Financial Market Participants (Module 3)
3.1. Speculators 3.2. Investors 3.3. Hedgers 3.4. Arbitrageurs 3.5. Institutional Players
4. Portfolio Management (Module 4)
4.1. Theory and Importance of Portfolio Management 4.2. Asset Allocation 4.3. Risk Management 4.4. Retirement Planning
5. Introduction to Forex (Module 5)
5.1. How the Forex Market Works 5.2. Benefits and Drawbacks of the Currency Market 5.3. Major Pairs and Time Zones 5.4. Basic Forex Trading Concepts 5.5. Leverage and Margin Trading 5.6. Forex Market Strategies
6. Introduction to Stocks and Indices (Module 6)
6.1. How the Stock Market Works 6.2. Commonly Used Terms 6.3. Primary and Secondary Markets 6.4. Regulatory Framework 6.5. Financial Intermediaries 6.6. Clearing and Settlement Process 6.7. Index Composition
7. Introduction to Commodities (Module 7)
7.1. How the Commodity Market Works 7.2. Understanding Derivatives and Futures Pricing 7.3. Global Commodity Exchange 7.4. Agricultural Commodities 7.5. Non-Agricultural Commodities 7.6. Precious and Non-Precious Metals 7.7. Factors That Affect Commodity Prices
8. Introduction to CFDs (Module 8)
8.1. Types of CFDs 8.2. Basic Concepts of CFD Trading
9. Introduction to ETFs (Module 9)
9.1. How ETFs Work 9.2. How to Select ETFs
10. Different Forms of Asset Analysis (Module 10)
10.1. What is Technical Analysis? 10.2. What is Fundamental Analysis? 10.3. News Trading 10.4. Earnings Trading
11. Basics of Technical Analysis (Module 11)
11.1. How to Identify Support-Resistance Levels 11.2. Understanding Trends 11.3. An Introduction to Classical Chart Patterns 11.4. Overview of Candlestick Patterns 11.5. Different Types of Technical Indicators 11.6. Fibonacci Levels 11.7. How to Build a Trading Plan 11.8. Importance of Controlling Risk in Trading
12. Basics of Meta Trader 4 (Module 13)
13.1. How to Get Started MT4 13.2. How to Create and Adjust Charts 13.3. How to Place an Order 13.4. Basic Performance Monitoring on MT4 13.5. Risk Management Tools 13.6. MT4 Webtrader Basics
13. Advanced Meta Trader 4 Tools (Module 14)
14.1. How to Place Special Orders 14.2. Setting Asset Alerts and Rules 14.3. Adding Technical Indicators 14.4. Using Expert Advisors 14.5. Keyboard Shortcuts 14.6. MT4 Mobile Application

11.6. Fibonacci Levels in Financial Trading

Fibonacci Levels are key technical analysis tools that help locate important support and resistance zones within an underlying asset’s price chart. These levels are based on the principle that a market after a strong move, retraces a predictable portion, before continuing in the original direction.

Historical Background of Fibonacci Sequence

Fibonacci levels were discovered by Italian mathematician Leonardo “Fibonacci” Pisano in the 13th century. Fibonacci was the first to introduce the use of Arabic-Hindu numerals in Europe, and developed a sequence of numbers – 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc. Each number in the sequence is the sum of its two predecessors. Another remarkable aspect of this sequence is that each number is approximately 1.618 times greater than the prior number. This common ratio between every number in the sequence is the foundation of the retracement levels used in financial trading.

Trading Application

Fibonacci retracement levels are created by selecting two extreme price points on a chart and then dividing the vertical distance by the Fibonacci ratios. 0.00% is the starting point of the retracement, while 100.00% represents a complete reversal to the original point of the move. The most important Fibonacci levels are 23.600%, 38.2% and 61.80%, which are then horizontally plotted on the price grid to locate likely price reversal points. All this may sound complicated to the novice trader. However, most charting software nowadays come loaded with Fibonacci studies, and all it takes is just a few clicks to generate these levels on a price chart.

Fibonacci levels are used in many other technical analysis studies like Elliott Wave theory, Gartley patterns and Tirone levels. Another standout feature of Fibonacci retracement is that they, unlike moving averages, are static price points. This static nature of Fibonacci levels helps in easy and quick identification, allowing traders and investors to anticipate reversal in price action.

Trend Trading With Fibonacci Levels

Fibonacci retracement levels are used to zero in on buying areas after a bull market pullback, and shorting zones after a bear market rally. It is always prudent to add momentum indicators like MACD, Relative Strength Index, Stochastics, and Williams’ %R to increase the odds of successfully pinpointing the most advantageous entries. When a Fibonacci level overlaps with turning points in an indicator, the expected support or resistance becomes even more fortified.

Based on the depth of the Fibonacci level, a 23.60% retracement is considered to be relatively shallow, found during flag or pennant consolidation patterns. Shallow retracements happen often, but profiting from them requires close monitoring and a quicker trade trigger. Pullbacks in the 38.20%-50.00% range are considered moderate, and happen during triangle and wedge patterns.

The most significant Fibonacci level that traders invariably watch out for is 0.618, which is the inverse of golden ratio (1.618). The 0.618 retracement generally tends to be the maximum level up to which a contra-trend reversal extends, where the final buyers or sellers throw in the towel for price to resume its broader trend. Most traders wait for a bullish or bearish candlestick to complete above or below a Fibonacci level to confirm the existence of support or resistance before initiating a trade.

Conclusion

Fibonacci retracement levels are used to identify the end of a counter-trend bounce. Counter trend bounces typically retrace a certain portion of the prior price move. While the shorter 23.60% retracements are common, the 38.20% – 61.80% provides the maximum opportunities to profit. Other technical analysis signals are recommended to confirm a Fibonacci level. Reversals areas can be confirmed with momentum indicators, candlestick patterns, chart patterns or volume analysis. More the confirming factors used, the more robust will be the corresponding signal.

Want to find a broker? Check out our reviews of the best trading platforms and the top online brokers!