Forex Day Trading: Setting a Bias for the Day

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When day trading forex, it’s easy for traders to get caught up in the ebb and flow of intraday volatility. This is where setting a daily bias becomes crucial. Having a clear directional bias forms the bedrock of your trading plan, providing a compass to guide your trading decisions throughout the day. It helps maintain focus, reduce emotional trading, and improve consistency. However, it's essential to remember that no bias is infallible. There will be times when the market defies expectations, and recognising when your bias may be wrong is a critical skill for successful trading.

In this article, we’ll explore how to set a bullish or bearish bias for the day, particularly for traders focusing on European trading hours. We’ll use the 5-minute candle chart at 7 a.m. (GMT) as our reference point. By considering factors like prior day's price action, Asian session dynamics, and other technical indicators, you can form a well-rounded view of the market and make more informed trading decisions.

The Importance of Having a Daily Bias

A daily bias provides a structured approach to trading. It acts as a filter, helping you focus only on setups that align with your bias, thus avoiding unnecessary trades. For instance, if your bias is bullish, you’ll primarily look for buying opportunities and vice versa for a bearish bias. This focused approach not only helps in capitalising on the most promising trades but also minimizes losses by avoiding trades that go against your established bias.

Having a bias doesn’t mean sticking to it rigidly. Markets are dynamic, and price action can change quickly. The key is to have systems and checkpoints in place that help you recognise when your bias might be wrong, allowing you to adjust your strategy accordingly. Reassessing your bias before the start of key trading sessions, such as the US open, can also be a good practice to ensure you're aligned with the latest market developments.

Factors to Consider When Setting a Bias

1. Prior Day’s Price Action

Understanding the previous day’s price action provides context for today’s trading. Analyse the following factors:

• Predominant Trend: Was the trend bullish, bearish, or sideways? Identifying the trend helps you align your bias with the existing market momentum.

• Close in Relation to High and Low: Did the market close near the high or low of the day? A close near the high suggests buying strength, while a close near the low indicates selling pressure.

• Point of Control (POC): Using tools like the SVP HD indicator, observe the POC (the price level with the highest traded volume) of the prior day. Is it higher or lower than the previous day’s POC? A higher POC suggests bullish sentiment, while a lower POC indicates bearish sentiment.

2. Asian Session Price Action

The Asian trading session often sets the tone for the early European session. Monitoring the overnight price action provides insights into how market sentiment may have shifted. Consider the following:

• Price Relation to Prior Day’s High/Low:Did the price defend the prior day’s low (bullish) or break above the prior day’s high (bullish)? Conversely, did it reject the prior day’s high or break below the prior day’s low (bearish)?

• Asian Session Range: Identify the high and low of the Asian session. Has a range formed, and if so, is the current price above, below, or within this range? A price above the Asian range suggests bullish momentum, while below suggests bearish momentum.

• VWAP Position: The Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) is a key indicator for intraday bias. If the price is holding above the VWAP, it’s a bullish signal. If below, it’s bearish.

3. Bigger Picture Context

While day trading focuses on the short-term, it’s important to consider the broader market context:

• Daily Trend: Is there an established uptrend, downtrend, or sideways market in the daily time frame? While your intraday bias doesn’t need to align with the bigger picture, being aware of the overall market structure helps in making informed decisions.

• Market Structure: Are there key support and resistance levels nearby? Is the market in a breakout or consolidation phase?

Examples of Setting a Bias

Bullish Bias:

If, at the start of the European trading session, the EUR/USD shows a clear bullish trend from the prior day—holding above VWAP and closing near the intraday highs—this can suggest a bullish bias. Further confirmation might come from the Asian session price action showing prices holding above the prior day's high and maintaining a position above VWAP.

EUR/USD 5min Candle Chart

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results

Bearish Bias:

Conversely, if the EUR/USD exhibited a consistent bearish trend during the prior day—remaining below VWAP and closing near the lows—this indicates bearish sentiment. If the Asian session showed a brief retracement followed by a break below a key retracement line and VWAP, it would further reinforce a bearish bias.

EUR/USD 5min Candle Chart

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results

News Events and Economic Calendar

News events can dramatically affect market sentiment and price action, often causing volatility spikes. Always check the economic calendar before forming your bias. High-impact news, such as central bank announcements, employment data, or geopolitical events, can override technical signals. Be prepared for increased volatility around these times, and consider adjusting your bias or staying on the sidelines to avoid unnecessary risk.

Reassessing Your Bias During the Trading Day

Markets are continuously evolving, and a bias set early in the day may not hold as new information becomes available. It’s a good idea to reassess your bias before the start of the US trading session. The US session often brings a fresh wave of liquidity and can change the market’s direction. By reviewing price action, key levels, and any news events that have occurred, you can decide whether to stick with your initial bias or make adjustments to your trading plan.

Balancing Creativity and Discipline

Setting a daily bias is not an exact science; it’s a blend of art and strategy. Over time, experience will improve your ability to interpret market signals and adjust your bias. Thinking creatively within a structured framework and remaining flexible is a great mindset for day trading. Use your bias as a guide, but be ready to adapt when the market tells you otherwise.

Disclaimer: This is for information and learning purposes only. The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance. Social media channels are not relevant for UK residents.

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