EMA MACD Long Scalper

5 EMA & 20 EMA Cross-Up with MACD Histogram – Bullish Scalping Strategy
This scalping strategy leverages the 5 EMA (Exponential Moving Average) crossing above the 20 EMA as the primary signal for a bullish trade. The MACD histogram serves as a confirmation indicator to increase the probability of success by ensuring momentum aligns with the trade direction.
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Timeframe & Market Selection
• Best suited for lower timeframes (3-minute, 5-minute, or 15-minute charts) to capture quick intraday moves.
• Works well in highly liquid assets such as large-cap stocks, or crypto with high volatility (e.g., BTC/USDT, NASDAQ 100, SPY).
• Ideal during high-volume trading hours.
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Indicators Setup
1. 5 EMA (Fast Moving Average) – Short-term trend filter.
2. 20 EMA (Slow Moving Average) – Medium-term trend filter.
3. MACD (12, 26, 9) Histogram Only – Measures momentum strength.________________________________________
Entry Criteria (Bullish Confluence for a Long Trade)
1. 5 EMA Crosses Above the 20 EMA
o The fast EMA moving above the slow EMA signals a potential short-term uptrend.
o The EMAs should not be flat; rather, they should be sloping upwards to indicate a trend forming.
2. MACD Histogram Goes from Negative to Positive
o This confirms increasing bullish momentum.
o Ideally, the first positive histogram bar appears after a series of negative bars.
o The MACD line should also be crossing above the signal line or showing signs of strength.
3. Price Pullback into EMAs and Bounces Off Support
o Avoid chasing the initial breakout; instead, wait for a minor pullback where price holds above the EMAs.
o A bullish candle (e.g., hammer, engulfing, or strong close) confirms continuation.
4. Increased Volume on the Breakout Candle
o A spike in volume supports a strong move.
o If volume is low, the move might lack follow-through.
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Entry Execution
• Entry Trigger: Once price pulls back and holds above the 5 EMA after the cross-up, enter on the next bullish candle close.
• Order Type: Market order for instant execution or a limit order near the EMAs.
• Confirmation: Ensure the MACD histogram remains positive before entering.
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Stop Loss & Risk Management
• Stop-Loss Placement:
o Conservative: Below the most recent swing low.
o Aggressive: Below the 20 EMA if structure is strong.
• Risk-Reward Ratio (RRR):
o Aim for at least 1.5:1 or 2:1 RRR to ensure profitability over multiple trades.
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Exit Strategy (Take Profit & Trade Management)
1. First Take Profit (Partial Exit):
o At 1:1 RRR, close 50% of the position to secure profit and move stop-loss to breakeven.
2. Final Take Profit:
o When price shows exhaustion, such as multiple small candles or bearish divergence on MACD.
o Strong resistance levels or psychological price points.
3. Trailing Stop Option:
o Move the stop loss below the 5 EMA as long as price trends upwards.
o If price closes below 5 EMA, consider closing the trade.
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Example Trade Execution
• Timeframe: 3-minute chart
• Stock: SPY
• Price Action: Price consolidates, then 5 EMA crosses above 20 EMA.
• MACD Confirmation: Histogram flips positive after being negative.
• Volume Spike: Breakout candle closes above EMAs with increasing volume.
• Entry: Market order at $455.00
• Stop Loss: Below 20 EMA at $454.50 (-$0.50 risk)
• Take Profit 1: $455.75 (1:1 RRR, close 50%)
• Take Profit 2: $456.50 (Final exit)
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Additional Considerations
✅ Best Market Conditions: Trending markets or breakouts after consolidation.
❌ Avoid Choppy Markets: If price repeatedly crosses EMAs without direction, stay out.
🔁 Backtesting & Optimization: Test on historical data to refine entry/exit rules.
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Conclusion
This strategy combines moving average crossovers with MACD momentum to identify high-probability scalping opportunities. By waiting for a pullback and confirming with volume, traders can improve their win rate and risk management.