Forex Strategy: How Do You Trade The Non-Farm Payroll Report?

By: Michael A. Jones
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:17:30
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

In the development of your forex strategy do you wonder how you can trade the non-farm payroll report?

Seeing this is one of the most, if not the most, volatile announcement during the month (first Friday in every month) newer traders watch the huge movements and wonder how to make money from all that volatility.

Here’s an answer you may not fully appreciate until some explanation is offered. “How do I trade the non-farm payroll report?” The answer is: “By maintaining a neutral position!”

To put it another way, YOU DON’T!

The market is far too volatile at this time to expect a high probability trade. There may be some gamblers out there who relish the thought of ‘placing a bet’ to go long or short. But serious traders know better.

Actually, the professional traders I know all say the same thing: “Stand aside and wait for the market to calm down.”

This may take between 30 to 45 minutes in some cases and even then the direction of the market may be uncertain.

Some suggest you can trade volatile market movers such as the non-farm payroll report by waiting for the first leg of the move, up or down, then wait for price to pull back 10 or 15 pips, then enter a trade to catch the second leg of the move which often follows.

That’s one possibility but still very high risk. Personally I prefer to base my forex strategy on sound market assessment and carefully researched trades.

However, while many professional traders sit out the non-farm payroll report, that doesn’t mean they don’t trade afterwards. After the market has made a violent move in one direction you sometimes see price stalling and then give a clear signal that it’s momentum is exhausted.

This may be in the form of a candle pattern such as a hammer with a very large shadow which also happens to be on a key support or resistance level.

Now you can enter a trade with a small level of risk as you place your stop just above the high or low of the candle signal.

This advice applies to all fundamental announcements which are considered ‘market movers’. By developing a cautious forex strategy based on sound trading principles, you will enjoy this business and get the satisfaction of seeing your account equity steadily growing.

Michael A. Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience who also trades the forex regularly. Visit this page for details of how he finally started to make consistent profits:

http://www.vitalstop.com/Forex/forex-course.html

Click here for his advice for absolute beginners:

http://www.vitalstop.com/Forex/learn-to-trade-the-forex.html

Michael has also put together a list of key free resources which he finds invaluable:

http://www.vitalstop.com/Forex/forex-directory-free-resources.html

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Currency Trading category

  • The Truth About Forex Trading Softwares and Expert Advisors - By: Richard Golman
    This article attempts to show readers many experiences of the author using various expert advisors and automated forex trading systems.This, primarily is to assist readers to make a better and informed decision as regard purchase of highly profitable automated forex trading software. This article will therefore be of immense benefit to aspiring forex traders wishing to take his trading to a new pedestal.
  • How to Pick Optimized Automated Forex Trading Robots and Systems For Maximum Profitability - By: Richard Golman
    This article tries to illuminate the features necessary to look out for before forex traders buy automated trading software. There are many scam forex products out there, but this does not for once suggest there are no profitable ones too. The big question is, how do traders recognize good expert advisors? This is what this article endeavor to address. Read on...
  • Profit in Forex and Make More Money Using Proven Automated Trading Software - By: Richard Golman
    This article attempts to expose the mistakes many traders of the forex market make, and why such mistakes are the culprits responsible for often less-than-glamorous performance of many of these traders. By following the invaluable suggestions articulated in the article, readers will learn the most pertinent lesson in forex trading, what you don't have shouldn't be an obstacle to what you want to have.
  • An Understanding Of Forex Charts Is Essential To The Successful Trader - By: Donald Saunders
    For an increasing number of Forex traders charts are an essential tool in reaching trading decisions and a knowledge of Forex charting and technical analysis is now a fundamental part of any currency trading course.
  • 5 Reasons For Entering The Exciting World Of Currency Trading - By: Donald Saunders
    Currency (Forex) trading is extremely popular with small private investors around the world and this is not surprising when you look at the advantages which this lucrative form of investment provides.
  • Currency Trading Without A Clear Strategy Is The Road To Financial Ruin - By: Donald Saunders
    Many novices are enticed into Forex trading by the promise of high and low risk or risk free returns for a minimal investment and rush head first into trading without any clear plan. As we show here however, currency trading without a clear strategy can be a fast route to financial ruin.
  • A Good Forex Trading Course Is A Must For All Beginners - By: Donald Saunders
    If you are tempted to participate in the world's largest and most liquid financial market and share in the profits which more and more small investors are enjoying today then do not make the mistake of doing so without at least some basic training.
  • The Best Hours To Trade Forex - By: Donald Saunders
    If you are new to the world of forex trading then one question which you will surely be asking, and which we answer here, is just when is the best time of day to trade?
  • Forex Trading Software Is The Foundation Of Successful Trading - By: Donald Saunders
    At the very heart of any forex trader's toolbox is a forex trading software package and understanding the power of this package and choosing the right package is critical to any trader's success.
  • Simulated Forex Trading Can Save You A Fortune - By: Donald Saunders
    There is no better way to learn forex trading than to actually be able to sit at your computer and practice trading in the live environment, but this can be a very costly exercise. Today, however, the advent of forex trading simulators makes this both simple and safe.