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GBP/JPY Breaks Above 196.00! Continuation or Distribution?Detailed Techno-Macro Analysis – GBP/JPY GBP/JPY has just completed a significant weekly structure breakout, pushing through a key supply zone between 195.00 and 196.30 — an area that historically acted as strong resistance. The breakout occurred via a high-volatility daily candle that closed above the zone, indicating strong bullish pressure. 🔍 Structure & Price Action Price action shows higher lows and higher highs: a clearly defined bullish structure. The breakout originated from an accumulation base, following a false bearish breakout below 188.50 (bull trap). RSI is around 70 on the daily timeframe → strong momentum, but signs of potential exhaustion. 🧠 Key Zones Identified Current weekly supply: 195.00 – 196.80 (being tested) Next resistance: 198.70 – 199.50 (swing high and monthly level) Immediate support: 194.00 – 192.80 (ideal area for pullback and long setups) Structural support: 190.50 – 188.80 Invalidation: Daily close below 191.00 → potential reversal signal 📈 Macro & Fundamental Context 🇬🇧 UK Macro Update Wages rising: +5.5% (above expectations) → could support further monetary tightening Claimant count increasing → early weakness in the labor market Mixed data, but wage growth bias favors GBP strength 🇯🇵 JPY Still Weak BoJ remains ultra-accommodative Verbal interventions from Japanese officials haven’t yet had structural impact 🪙 Retail Sentiment 70% of retail traders are short GBP/JPY, with an average price of 190.59 Only 30% are long, with an average price of 194.65 ➡️ Current price (196.30) is above both → retail squeeze in play. Contrarian setup confirmed. 🧾 COT Report GBP (Non-Commercial Speculators): Long: +3,320 contracts Short: -1,956 contracts ➡️ Net long positions increasing → favorable institutional exposure JPY: Mixed positions, with increases in both long and short → institutional neutrality on the yen 📅 Seasonality – GBP/JPY May is historically bearish on both 5Y and 20Y timeframes: 5Y: -2.52% 20Y: -0.43% Only the 2Y pattern shows a positive return ➡️ Negative seasonality vs. bullish technical structure → conflict worth watching 🔍 Execution Summary The bullish breakout is strong and supported by sentiment and institutional positioning, but price is now entering a potential distribution zone, where profit-taking could increase. 👉 Main scenario: technical pullback toward 194.00–192.80 for possible long entries, targeting 198.50–199.50 👉 Alternative scenario: daily close below 191.00 → bias reversal and bearish continuation
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
6
The Yen’s Comeback Starts Here—and it Seems the COT Knew First1. Introduction: A Market Everyone Gave Up On For a while, the Japanese Yen looked like a lost cause. After topping out in early 2021, Yen futures (6J1!) began an unrelenting slide, shedding value week after week like an old coat in spring. Traders stopped asking, “Where’s support?” and started asking, “How low can it go?” The macro backdrop didn’t help. The Bank of Japan clung to ultra-loose monetary policy, even as the Fed hiked aggressively. Speculators piled on shorts. The Yen was a one-way ticket down, and no one seemed interested in punching the brakes. But beneath that apathy, a quieter shift was underway. While price kept bleeding, trader positioning began to hint at something different—something the chart didn’t show yet. And if you were watching the Commitments of Traders (COT) report closely enough, you might’ve seen it. 2. The COT Trend That No One Was Watching The COT report isn’t glamorous. It’s slow, lagging by a few days, and rarely makes headlines. But for those who track what the big players are doing—those large enough to be required to report their positions—it’s a treasure trove of subtle clues. One of those clues is Total Reportable Positions. This metric tells us how active large market participants really are—regardless of whether they’re long or short. When that number is dropping, it suggests the “big dogs” are losing interest. When it starts climbing again? Someone’s gearing up to play. From 2021 through most of 2024, Total Reportable Positions in 6J were in a steady decline—mirroring the slow death of the Yen's bullish case. But in late 2024, something changed. Using a simple linear regression channel on this COT data, a clear breakout emerged. Positioning was picking up again—for the first time in nearly three years. And it wasn’t just a bounce. It was a structural shift. 3. Did Price Listen? Yes—and no. Price didn't immediately explode higher. But the structure began to change. The market stopped making new lows. Weekly closes began to cluster above support. And importantly, a Zig Zag analysis started marking a pattern of higher lows—the first signs of accumulation. Here’s where the chart really gets interesting: the timing of the COT breakout coincided almost perfectly with a key UFO support at 0.0065425—a price level that also marked the bottom in COT Traders Total Reportable Longs. This adds a powerful layer of confirmation: institutional orders weren’t just showing up in the data—they were leaving footprints on the chart. And above? There’s a UFO resistance level at 0.0075395. If the Yen continues to climb, that could be a significant price level where early longs may choose to lighten up. 4. The Contract Behind the Story Before we go deeper, let’s talk about what you’re actually trading when you pull the trigger on Yen Futures. The CME Japanese Yen futures (6J) contract represents 12.5 million Japanese Yen, and each tick move—just 0.0000005 per JPY—is worth $6.25. It’s precise, it’s liquid, and for traders who like to build macro positions or take advantage of carry flows, it’s a staple. As of May 2025, margin requirements hover around ~$3,800 (Always double-check with your broker or clearing firm—these numbers shift from time to time.) But maybe you’re not managing seven-figure accounts. Maybe you just want to test this setup with more flexibility. That’s where the Micro JPY/USD Futures (MJY) come in. Contract size: 1/10th the size of 6J Tick move: 0.000001 per JPY increment = $1.25 Same market structure, tighter margin requirement around ~$380 per contract Important note: The COT report aggregates positioning across the whole futures market—it doesn’t separate out micro traders from full-size. So yes, the data still applies. And yes, it still matters. 5. Lessons from the Shift This isn’t about hindsight bias. The value in this setup isn’t that the Yen happened to bounce—it’s how Total Reportable Positions broke trend before price did. Here are the real takeaways: COT data may or may not be predictive—but it is insightful. When positioning starts expanding after a long contraction, it often signals renewed interest or risk-taking. That’s tradable information. Technical support and resistance as well as highs and lows give context. Without them, COT breakouts can feel theoretical. With them, you have real, observable UFO levels where institutions may act—and where you can plan. 6. Watchlist Insights: Where This Might Work Again You don’t have to wait for another yen setup to apply this framework. The same structure can help you scout for early positioning shifts across the CME product universe. Here’s a simple filter to start building your own COT watchlist: ✅ Look for markets where: Price has been in a long, clean downtrend (or uptrend) Total Reportable Positions are falling—but starting to reverse A breakout occurs in positioning trend (draw a regression channel and watch for a clean violation) A key support or resistance lines up with recent extremes in COT positioning Whether it's crude oil, corn, or euro FX, this template gives you a framework for exploration. 🎯 Want to See More Setups Like This? We’re just getting started. If this breakdown opened your eyes to new ways of using COT reports, UFO levels, and multi-dimensional trade setups, keep watching this space. When charting futures, the data provided could be delayed. Traders working with the ticker symbols discussed in this idea may prefer to use CME Group real-time data plan on TradingView: tradingview.sweetlogin.com - This consideration is particularly important for shorter-term traders, whereas it may be less critical for those focused on longer-term trading strategies. General Disclaimer: The trade ideas presented herein are solely for illustrative purposes forming a part of a case study intended to demonstrate key principles in risk management within the context of the specific market scenarios discussed. These ideas are not to be interpreted as investment recommendations or financial advice. They do not endorse or promote any specific trading strategies, financial products, or services. The information provided is based on data believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Trading in financial markets involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Each individual should conduct their own research and consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions. The author or publisher of this content bears no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any resultant financial or other losses.
CME:6J1!Education
by traddictiv
XAU/USD: Institutional Accumulation or New Bearish Impulse?Technical Context: The graphical analysis shows that the price of gold (XAU/USD) is currently consolidating within a significant demand zone following the recent bullish impulse. The daily chart shows an attempt to bounce off the 3,300 USD zone, a key psychological level. Volume and COT Analysis: The latest COT data (April 29, 2025) indicates a slight reduction in long positions by non-commercial operators (-18,519 contracts), balanced by an increase in commercial long positions (+1,659 contracts), signaling potential institutional accumulation. On the retail sentiment front, traders are slightly more exposed to the downside (51% short vs. 49% long), which could indicate a potential short squeeze if the price resumes an upward trend. Seasonal Trends: According to data, May historically shows mixed performances with an average of +9.83% over the last 10 years, but with significant fluctuations between longer and more recent periods. Key Levels: Resistance: 3,380 - 3,400 USD (previous distribution zone) Support: 3,300 USD (current demand zone) and 3,050 USD (secondary support) Trading Strategy: Bullish Scenario: Buy above 3,340 USD with a target at 3,400 USD and a stop loss below 3,300 USD. Bearish Scenario: Sell below 3,300 USD with a target at 3,050 USD and a stop loss above 3,340 USD.
OANDA:XAUUSDLong
by EdgeTradingJourney
9
USD/JPY: Ready for a Rally or a False Recovery?USD/JPY is at a crucial stage, with the price hovering around 143.900. After a bearish move, the market is attempting to recover, aiming for the resistance zone between 149.000 and 151.000. COT Insight: COT data shows a slight increase in long positions among speculative traders (+397), while commercials are increasing their short coverage (+539), indicating caution. Seasonality: Historically, May has been a slightly bullish month for USD/JPY (+0.42% over the last 10 years), but the trend has been negative in the last 5 years (-0.57%), indicating uncertainty. Retail Sentiment: 65% of retail traders are long, which could indicate potential bearish pressure in case of opposite moves, given the risk of position liquidation. Conclusion: Carefully monitor the price reaction around 144.000. A breakout towards 149.000 could signal a significant move, but the long retail pressure might represent an obstacle.
Long
by EdgeTradingJourney
3
GBPNZD: Support Rebound! Target 2.26 on the Horizon? The weekly chart of GBPNZD shows a consolidation phase following a strong bearish impulse. The price has reacted positively from the support area around 2.2200, forming a significant bullish candle that could indicate a rebound towards the resistance area at 2.2600. The positive momentum suggests a possible test of the intermediate resistance at 2.2500, with the RSI gradually rising from an oversold zone. Fundamental Analysis According to the COT data updated as of April 29, 2025, we observe an increase in long positions on GBP by institutional traders, with an increment of +10,665 contracts. On the other hand, commercial traders (hedgers) continue to maintain a significant short exposure on GBP. This imbalance may suggest a potential short-term speculative interest in a bullish GBP move. Regarding NZD, the latest COT report shows a significant increase in commercial long positions (+3,884 contracts), indicating a strengthening of the New Zealand dollar. However, the overall market sentiment shows a prevalence of short positions on GBPNZD (59% short vs. 41% long), suggesting that retail traders might be on the wrong side of the market. Seasonal Analysis Historically, in May, GBP tends to show weakness (-0.0076 over the last 20 years), while NZD does not show a clear seasonal pattern. This could reduce the likelihood of a decisive GBP movement during this month. Operational Strategy The rebound from 2.2200 could favor the opening of long positions with the first target at 2.2500 and the second target at 2.2600. The stop loss could be placed below the key support at 2.2100. In case of a resistance breakout, an extension towards the 2.2700 area would be plausible.
Long
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
GBP/USD: Is the Bullish Impulse Over?The daily chart shows a significant bullish impulse that encountered strong resistance in the 1.3350 - 1.3400 area, where multiple supply levels and an important institutional selling zone are located. The bearish structure remains intact below this level, suggesting a potential decline towards the key support at 1.3100 - 1.3150. The short bias strengthens with the confirmation of resistance and the formation of a potential reversal. COT Report (USD Index and GBP/USD) USD Index: Non-commercial traders are slightly increasing long positions (+397) while reducing short positions (-128). This suggests a potential recovery of dollar strength, supporting a bearish move on GBP/USD. GBP/USD: Non-commercials have significantly increased short positions (+6,426) and reduced long positions (-2,957), indicating a bearish sentiment. Commercials also show a slight increase in short positions (+5,070), confirming potential weakness in the pound. Retail Sentiment 57% of retail traders are short on GBP/USD, with an average price of 1.2916, while 43% are long at 1.3343. This imbalance could indicate a market attempt to capture stops above recent highs before a reversal. Seasonality Historically, the month of May shows a negative performance for GBP/USD. The 5, 10, and 15-year seasonal data indicate a consistent decline during this period, supporting the hypothesis of bearish pressure.
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
They Were 84% Short — Here's What Happened Next on GBPAUDThis is not just a simple breakout — this is what happens when data, price action, and psychology align with surgical precision. Today, we entered a long position on GBPAUD directly from a well-defined weekly demand zone. The setup was already technically solid, but what made it exceptional was the alignment of multiple institutional-grade factors: ✅ Weekly demand zone respected to the pip, with proven historical sensitivity ✅ Change of structure on the H1 chart, confirming a short-term reversal from a deeply discounted area ✅ COT data showing a clear build-up of commercial long positions on the British pound ✅ AUD net positioning deep in negative territory, with declining open interest and no signs of reversal ✅ Retail sentiment: 84% of traders short on GBPAUD according to MyFxBook → strong contrarian signal ✅ Seasonality: GBP tends to outperform AUD during May and June The result? A rapid and aggressive bullish impulse that allowed us to move the stop loss to break-even just a few hours after entry. 📌 Current trade status: ➤ Long from the demand zone ➤ SL at BE = zero risk ➤ Monitoring price action above 2.07 for potential continuation 🎯 Mid-term target zone: 2.1150–2.1300, with focus on liquidity clusters and previous inefficiencies as potential magnets. This is how you build trades that are not just reactive, but proactive — based on multiple layers of confluence and edge, not on emotions or noise.
Long
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
GOLD - Smart Money Selling, Retail Chasing Longs📉 Technical Context: Price has reacted precisely to the 0.618–0.786 Fibonacci retracement zone between 3,386–3,442 USD, aligning with a clear weekly supply zone and imbalance. The current market structure suggests a potential lower high, with the first target around 3,060 USD, and the second near 2,880–2,900 USD demand. 🧠 COT Report (as of April 29, 2025): Non-Commercials (speculators) cut 18,519 long contracts, signaling waning bullish conviction. Commercials (hedgers) increased shorts by +9,848 contracts, maintaining a bearish contrarian stance. 📊 Retail Sentiment (MyFxBook): 65% of retail traders are short from 3,062, while 35% are long from 3,184 — ideal environment for a bull trap before reversal. 📅 Seasonality (Market Bulls): May is historically weak: 10Y: -9.98% 5Y: -12.21% Strength historically returns in June/July → a correction before continuation is likely. ✅ Conclusion: Technical structure, macro context, and positioning all align for a high-probability short. 📍 Entry Zone: 3,420–3,440 🔒 Stop: Above ATH (3,500) 🎯 Targets: TP1: 3,060 TP2: 2,900
OANDA:XAUUSDShort
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
Institutions Are Loading EUR/NZDIn the current market context, EURNZD is showing a highly compelling technical and fundamental structure for both short- and medium-term opportunities. After a prolonged retracement from the March highs, the price has strongly reacted from a clearly defined weekly demand zone between 1.8712 and 1.8600. From a technical perspective, this reaction aligns with a moderate RSI divergence and a still intact macro bullish market structure, despite the corrective nature of recent weeks. However, what truly validates this setup goes beyond price action alone. The latest Commitment of Traders (COT) data strongly supports the long thesis. On the euro side, we observe a significant increase in commercial long positions (+14,659 contracts), signaling institutional hedging activity. At the same time, non-commercials (speculators) have been cutting their short positions, suggesting growing expectations of euro strength. On the NZD side, the picture is even more decisive: non-commercials maintain a net short position of -40,444 contracts, with a further reduction in long positions. The speculative sentiment toward the NZD is clearly bearish and shows no signs of short-term reversal. Adding to this, retail sentiment data currently shows that 59% of retail traders are short on EURNZD. From a contrarian perspective, this is particularly bullish — the crowd is selling while smart money is buying. Seasonality also supports the setup: historically, the months of May and June have been positive for the euro and negative for the NZD, adding an additional statistical layer of confluence to the trade idea. 🎯 Conclusion We may be witnessing the early stages of a new bullish leg on EURNZD. The 1.89 area represents a potential re-entry zone in the event of a retest. The medium-term target is set between 1.9300 and 1.9500. Technical structure, institutional positioning, retail sentiment, and seasonality all align in favor of a clear bullish bias in the coming weeks.
Long
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
Did They Buy the Bottom? EUR/USD Set for Another Reversal!After an explosive bounce from the 1.0800–1.0850 demand zone, EUR/USD is now in a key structural retest around 1.1300. The COT data shows a net increase in long positions by Non-Commercials, but with the Dollar still holding structural strength in its own COT report and an RSI showing bearish divergence, this area may act as a key zone for price discovery. 📊 WHAT THE DATA SAYS: 📉 Price Action: Clear rejection from the 1.1450–1.1550 supply zone. Retest at key structure near 1.1300. 📑 COT (EURO): Net long positions up by +183 (196,388 long vs 120,591 short) = bullish tone. 📑 COT (USD): Still balanced, but Non-Commercials are reducing net longs → potential weakening. 📊 Retail Sentiment (MyFXBook): 70% retail traders are short = contrarian long bias remains. 🌱 Seasonality (May): Historically negative for EUR/USD (–0.0088) = potential downside pressure ahead. 📌 Key Levels: Resistance: 1.1450 / 1.1550 (Supply Zone) Support: 1.1300 (Structural retest) — 1.0850 (Strong demand) 📉 BASE SCENARIO: Pullback toward 1.1100–1.1050 before renewed long accumulation. 📈 ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO: Break above 1.1450 could target 1.1600–1.1720 zone. 🔍 Watch out for May's seasonal inversion and extreme speculative positioning — fakeouts may precede real directional moves.
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
Is Platinum About to Explode? Imminent Rally!Platinum (PL1!) is currently in a technically and macroeconomically compelling setup. After a prolonged consolidation between 872–921, price has reacted strongly, forming a clear accumulation pattern supported by institutional positioning and favorable seasonality. 📈 1. Technical Analysis: Accumulation and Potential Breakout The weekly chart shows a strong demand zone that has been defended multiple times over the past year. Following a deep pullback in April, price has formed a harmonic compression structure and broke to the upside with conviction. The area between 1010 and 1040 stands out as the first major historical supply zone — previously rejected but now looking increasingly vulnerable. 📉 2. COT Report: Institutions Repositioning Long The COT data as of April 22 shows a clear increase in long positions from commercial traders (+1,177 contracts), while non-commercials maintain a net long bias. Total open interest rose by over 1,500 contracts — a strong sign of renewed speculative interest in Platinum. ✅ Conclusion Platinum is showing strong confluence across technicals, institutional positioning, and historical seasonal behavior. The probability of a bullish extension in Q2 2025 is high. This is a setup worth watching closely in the coming days.
NYMEX:PL1!Long
by EdgeTradingJourney
7
Gold Trapped? Everyone’s Long… But Price is Going Down!Gold (XAU/USD) is showing signs of exhaustion after its explosive rally that pushed it beyond $3,400. We are now witnessing a pullback phase, with price directly testing a key demand zone between $3,050 and $2,980. From a technical standpoint, this is the last major defense before a potential drop toward the $2,832 area. The current bearish pressure is supported by a powerful blend of macro, positioning, and behavioral factors: COT Report – Gold: Non-commercials (speculators) are aggressively closing long positions and opening shorts, which signals a breakdown in the short-term bullish narrative. On the other hand, commercials (hedgers), also known as the "smart money", are steadily increasing their long exposure, hinting at a potential accumulation zone forming. COT Report – USD Index: Speculative funds are stacking long positions on the dollar, which continues to add downside pressure on gold. As long as this persists, any upside attempt on XAU/USD will likely face headwinds. Seasonality: May tends to be historically bullish for gold, but June is seasonally weak. The strongest seasonal window opens between July and August, suggesting the possibility of a deeper pullback before the next bullish wave. Retail Sentiment: Over 75% of retail traders are long on XAU/USD, typically a contrarian signal. This sets the stage for a classic stop-hunt scenario, where price flushes lower to trigger retail stop-losses before a potential reversal. 📌 Conclusion: In true Bridgewater fashion, we’re seeing a divergence between positioning and price action. In the short term, gold remains vulnerable to a move toward $2,832. However, if that zone holds, it could provide a compelling opportunity to accumulate for a potential summer swing rally toward all-time highs.
OANDA:XAUUSDShort
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
GBP/NZD Breakdown Imminent? Smart Money and Seasonality Say YES!🧠 1. Price Action & Technical Structure Price was firmly rejected from the monthly supply zone between 2.33 – 2.35, marked by strong bearish candles. A bounce occurred at the weekly demand between 2.20 – 2.22, where accumulation and a short-term reversal formed (dashed white arrow). Currently, price is trading near the lower bound of a compression range (2.22 – 2.26), sitting below a key intermediate resistance (dark teal zone). RSI is in the neutral-to-low zone, with no major divergence, leaving room for further downside. Technical Bias: Neutral to Bearish unless we get a weekly close above 2.26–2.27. 📊 2. COT Data GBP Asset Managers remain net short, though improving since January. Leveraged Money sharply reducing long exposure since early April → Institutional bullish sentiment weakening. NZD Asset Managers have been heavily short for over a year, but shorts are being reduced since February → slight sentiment recovery. Leveraged Money flat, with no clear long build-up yet. ➡️ Combined COT Outlook: The GBP's advantage over NZD is fading. This supports a sideways to slightly bearish outlook on GBP/NZD. 📅 3. Seasonality April: Historically bearish for GBP/NZD (–0.2971 avg.), aligning with current downward move. May: Also typically bearish (–0.2964 avg.) → suggesting potential continued weakness. ➡️ Seasonal Bias: Bearish through mid-to-late May. 🧠 4. Retail Sentiment Around 70% of retail traders are long GBP/NZD → classic contrarian bearish signal. Average long entry: 2.1800, current price: 2.2246 → many longs in profit. Potential for profit taking or breakeven pullback adds to bearish pressure. 📌 Trade Plan Summary Weekly Bias: → Bearish / Range-bound 📉 Short Zones of Interest: 2.26 – 2.27 → key resistance zone Stop above 2.2850 (H4/H1 close above invalidates setup) 🎯 Targets: 2.2050 → recent demand re-test 2.1850 / 2.1650 → deeper demand zones visible on chart 🧠 Invalidation Level: Daily close above 2.2850 → structure turns bullish
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
USDCAD at Risk? COT Turns Bearish📊 COT Overview – CAD & USD Futures 🇨🇦 Canadian Dollar (CAD) Asset Managers: Still net short, but recovering fast → from -150K to nearly -50K. Leveraged Money: Strong bullish reversal from -100K to -30K and climbing. ✅ Interpretation: Institutions are flipping bullish on CAD → Bearish pressure on USDCAD. 🇺🇸 US Dollar (USD) Asset Managers: Cutting long exposure since March. Leveraged Money: Losing conviction → neutral to slightly long. ⚠️ Interpretation: USD is structurally weakening → adding to the USDCAD bearish bias. 🧠 Technical Analysis Price has returned to the key demand zone (1.3700–1.3850) for the third test. Candles are compressing → signal of upcoming volatility. RSI remains weak, no bullish divergence → no clear reversal yet. 📌 Key Levels: Support: 1.3700 → A confirmed break opens space toward 1.3550–1.3480. Resistance: 1.3950–1.4100 🎯 Trade Scenarios 🔻 Breakdown trade below 1.3700 → Target: 1.3480 🔁 Pullback short on rejection from 1.3950–1.4000 → SL above 1.4100 🔼 Long only with a bullish engulfing weekly close + RSI divergence ✅ Summary COT Bias: Bearish USDCAD → CAD strengthening, USD weakening Technical Structure: Support under pressure, breakout likely Preferred Play: Short continuation on breakdown or pullback rejection
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
USD/JPY in Free Fall: What’s Behind the Break Below 140?🔍 Technical Analysis – USD/JPY The weekly chart shows a sharp rejection in the macro zone between 155–158, where strong supply is present (highlighted in red). After brushing historical highs, USD/JPY experienced a vertical drop down to 140, decisively breaking through the key zone at 148–146. Price has now broken the weekly structure and is approaching an area that previously triggered significant rallies (blue zone between 138–141). Monthly support is in danger, with the RSI deeply in oversold territory, but no clear reversal signals just yet. 📊 COT Report – USD Index Asset Managers: Slight recovery on long positions, but still in neutral territory. Leverage Money: Increasing net shorts, indicating speculative bets against the dollar. The divergence between the falling USD Index and speculative positions confirms a growing lack of confidence in the greenback. 📊 COT Report – JPY Futures Asset Managers: Strong increase in long positions on the yen since December 2024. Leverage Money: Reinforcing long bias since February 2025. This confirms that institutional players are accumulating yen, possibly anticipating BoJ interventions or a broader flight-to-safety. 💥 Trade Outlook USD/JPY is in full bearish breakout mode. If the 140 level breaks decisively, the next technical targets are: 137.00 → historical mid-level support 134.00 → base of the 2023 structure Keep an eye on the RSI: a bullish divergence with strong volume could trigger a technical rebound. But as long as the overall sentiment remains strongly risk-off, every rally is a selling opportunity.
Short
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
Trading Smarter, Not Harder: Decoding Institutional MovesThere’s an old saying in trading: “Follow the smart money.” But how do you know where the smart money is going? The answer lies not in guesswork but in data—specifically, the kind of institutional-grade data that most retail traders overlook. If you’re serious about understanding market dynamics, it’s time to dive into the world of **COT (Commitment of Traders) reports** and **options flow data** from the **CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange)**. These tools are like your personal radar, cutting through the noise to reveal what the big players are doing. Step 1: Understanding the Big Picture – Why Market Sentiment Matters Before we zoom into the specifics, let’s start with the basics. Markets are driven by sentiment—the collective mood of participants. When fear dominates, prices fall; when greed takes over, they rise. But here’s the catch: Retail traders often react to sentiment after it’s already priced in. By the time you see a headline screaming “Market Crashes!” or “Record Highs!”, the opportunity has likely passed. This is where systematic analysis comes in. Instead of relying on emotions or lagging indicators, smart traders use raw data to anticipate shifts in sentiment. And two of the most powerful sources of this data are **COT reports** and **CME options flow**. Step 2: The Commitment of Traders (COT) Report – Peering Into the Mind of Institutions The **COT report**, published weekly by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), provides a breakdown of positions held by different types of traders: commercial hedgers, non-commercial speculators (like hedge funds), and small retail traders. Here’s why it’s invaluable: - **Commercial Hedgers**: These are the “smart money” players—producers and consumers who use futures markets to hedge their risk. For example, a sugar producer might sell futures contracts to lock in prices. Their actions often signal future supply and demand trends. - **Non-Commercial Speculators**: These are the momentum-driven players who bet on price movements. Tracking their positioning helps identify potential reversals. - **Small Traders**: Often considered the “dumb money,” their positions frequently coincide with market tops or bottoms. By systematically analyzing the COT report, you will discover your ability to identify patterns and positioning levels of participants that signal trend reversals or the onset of corrections. Seriously, this will blow your mind! The insights you gain will be so groundbreaking that they will change your trading game forever. Step 3: Options Flow – Real-Time Insights Into Institutional Activity While the COT report offers a macro view, **options flow** gives you real-time insights into institutional activity. Directly through CME data feeds, you can track large block trades in options markets. Here’s why this matters: It will take some time, observation, and comparison with price charts to learn how to uncover insights that lead to trades with a risk-reward ratio of 1:10 or even higher. This isn’t about needing to make options trades; that’s not a requirement. It’s about being able to trade the Forex market much more effectively by using entry points highlighted by options and futures market reports. For example, over the past few weeks, the USD/JPY pair has been in a downtrend. Long before this happened, major players were accumulating positions in call options on the futures for the yen (which is equivalent to a decline in the yen). We discussed this before the drop occurred (you can easily find those analyses on our page ). What’s remarkable is that there are many such insights available. For certain instruments (like precious metals and currency pairs), these insights appear with a certain regularity and provide excellent sentiment for opening positions or reversing positions in the opposite direction. Step 4: Connecting the Dots – From General Trends to Specific Trades Now that we’ve covered the tools, let’s talk about how to apply them systematically. Imagine you’re analyzing the sugar futures market (a favorite among commodity traders): 1. **Check the COT Report**: In the precious metals market, commercials are often positioned short, hedging against the risk of a decline in the underlying asset's value. When their net position hovers around zero , it typically signals a bullish trend for gold prices in the vast majority of cases. 2. **Analyze Options Flow**: when filtering options by sentiment, there are several key factors to consider: - Size and value of the option portfolio - Distance from the central strike (Delta) - Time to expiration - Appearance on the rise/fall of the underlying asset Option portfolios with names such as vertical spread, butterfly, and condor (iVERTICAL SPREAD, IRON FLY/FLY, CONDOR/IRON CONDOR) have predictive sentiment regarding the direction of the asset's price movement. While "naked" options (PUT or CALL options) with above-average volume can signal that the price is encountering a significant obstacle at that level, leading to a potential bounce off that level (support or resistance). 3 **Combine with Retail Positions Analysis**: Look for opportunities to trade against the crowd. If retail sentiment is overwhelmingly bullish, consider a bearish position, and vice versa. This layered approach ensures you’re not just reacting to headlines but making informed decisions based on valuable data. Step 5: Why Systematic Analysis Sets You Apart Here’s the truth: Most traders fail because they rely on intuition rather than evidence. They chase tips, follow social media hype, or get swayed by emotional biases. But markets reward discipline and preparation. By mastering tools like COT reports and options flow, you gain a competitive edge—a deeper understanding market breath! The path of least resistance! Remember, even seasoned professionals don’t predict every move correctly.However, having a reliable structure allows you to maximize profits from transactions, eliminate noise and unnecessary (questionable) transactions. Final Thoughts: Your Path to Mastery If there’s one takeaway from this article, let it be this: The best traders aren’t fortune-tellers; they’re detectives. They piece together clues from multiple sources to form a coherent picture of the market. Start with the big picture (COT reports), zoom into real-time activity (options flow), and then refine your strategy with technical analysis. So next time you open chart, don’t just look at price. Dive into the reports/data before. Ask questions. Connect the dots. Because in the world of trading, knowledge truly is power. What’s your experience with COT reports or options flow? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear how you incorporate these tools into your trading routine! **P.S.** If you found this article helpful, consider bookmarking it for future reference.
OANDA:XAUUSDEducation
by ClashChartsTeam
SILVER at a CROSSROADS: Bounce or CRASH to $28?🔹 General Context Silver has shown a strong bullish reaction from the lows around $28, later reaching a key monthly supply area between $34 and $35. However, this zone has once again been firmly rejected, leaving room for a potential deep retracement. 🟥 Key Zones 🔴 Monthly Supply Zone (34.00 - 35.00 USD): Strong resistance already tested multiple times. Candlesticks show strong rejections and long upper wicks. 🟥 Weekly Supply Zone (33.00 - 34.00 USD): Breaker block or mitigation area that triggered a strong bearish move. ⬛ Current Weekly Support Zone (32.00 - 31.90 USD): Price is currently testing this area. A new impulse could arise here — or we may witness a breakdown. 🟦 Monthly Demand Zone (28.20 - 29.20 USD): The last area defended by buyers in the mid-term. A realistic target in case of breakdown. 📊 Price Structure The short- to medium-term trend remains bearish, with lower highs and strong rejection candles. Current price action shows indecision, with lower wicks on recent weekly candles but smaller bullish bodies — a sign of potential accumulation... or just a pullback? 📉 RSI (Relative Strength Index) RSI is in the neutral-high zone, not yet overbought, but in a downward phase → more room for downside if buyers don’t step in soon. No clear divergences visible, but watch for signals on the daily timeframe. 🧭 Possible Scenarios ✅ BULLISH Scenario: Condition: Support holds between 32.50 and 31.90 USD with a clear reversal candle. Target: Move back toward the supply zone at 33.80 – 34.90 USD. Confirmation: Break above 33.00 USD with increasing volume. ❌ BEARISH Scenario: Condition: Weekly close below 31.90 USD → sign of weakness. Target: Zone between 29.20 – 28.20 USD, a potential new institutional buy area. Confirmation: Strong bearish break with follow-through and lack of buying reaction. 🧠 Operational Conclusion Silver is at a critical decision point: bearish pressure from the monthly zones is evident, but as long as the 31.90/32.00 zone holds, buyers may still defend. A clean breakdown would open the door for a drop below $30.
OANDA:XAGUSDShort
by EdgeTradingJourney
1
Promising Breakout Setup Ahead! Chart 1W CBOT_MINI:YM1! BLACKBULL:US30 Promising Breakout Setup Ahead! The chart highlights RSI and Williams %R trendline breakout plays. My strategy? Identify trendlines on the chart, monitor RSI and Williams %R, and target breakouts on these momentum indicators. Current Situation: All key signals have already triggered. Strong bullish seasonality Favorable COT data (small specs bearish, commercials bullish) Low open interest This setup aligns with high-probability breakout criteria. Chart Indicator SMA 1W 52 (red) SMA 1W 18 (green) Bottom Indicators WilVal Williams R% 9 length RSI 9 length Not Financial Advice for more questions ask in the comments or check my X @valuebuffet
CBOT_MINI:YM1!Long
by FairValueBuffet