05/01/2025
he Previous Day High and Low Strategy is a popular method used by forex traders to identify potential entry and exit points based on the highs and lows established during the previous trading day. This strategy works on the principle that the market often respects previous levels of support and resistance, and price may break above or below these levels, signaling potential trades.
Here’s how you can use the Previous Day High and Low Strategy effectively:
1. Identify the Previous Day's High and Low
The first step is to mark the high and low prices from the previous trading day. These are key levels to monitor, as they can act as support and resistance for the current trading session.
In some cases, this strategy may apply to different timeframes (e.g., 4-hour or daily charts), but generally, you'll work with the previous 24-hour high and low for standard forex pairs.
2. Set Up Your Chart
Use a daily chart for identifying the previous day's high and low.
Mark the high and low with horizontal lines or support/resistance zones.
Look for any notable price action patterns or indicators (e.g., candlestick formations, moving averages, RSI) near these levels.
3. Price Breakout Strategy
The core idea is to enter a trade when the price breaks the previous day’s high or low, expecting the price to continue in the direction of the breakout.
Break above the previous day's high:
If the current price breaks above the previous day’s high, this can signal a bullish trend. Enter a long (buy) position.
Consider adding confirmation with indicators like the RSI (overbought/oversold levels), MACD, or a trend-following system to validate the breakout.
Break below the previous day's low:
If the current price breaks below the previous day's low, this can signal a bearish trend. Enter a short (sell) position.
Again, confirmation from other indicators is crucial to avoid false breakouts.
4. Entry Triggers
Breakout Entry: Once price breaks the previous day’s high or low, you may place your order as soon as the breakout occurs.
Retest Entry: Wait for the price to break the high or low, and then retrace back toward that level (the previous day's high/low). A successful retest can provide a more favorable entry with a tighter stop loss.
5. Stop Loss and Take Profit
Stop Loss: Place your stop loss just below the previous day's low if you're buying (for a breakout above) or just above the previous day's high if you're selling (for a breakout below). Alternatively, use a fixed number of pips based on the volatility of the pair.
Take Profit: You can set your take profit target based on risk-reward ratios. A common approach is a 1:2 or 1:3 risk-to-reward ratio, meaning if you risk 20 pips, aim for at least 40 or 60 pips in profit.
If you’re using a more advanced strategy, such as trailing stops, you could trail your stop as the price moves in your favor, adjusting the stop loss to lock in profits while still giving the trade room to breathe.
6. False Breakouts (Fakeouts)
One of the risks with this strategy is false breakouts, where price briefly breaches the previous day's high or low but then reverses. To manage this:
Confirmation: Wait for confirmation that the breakout is genuine. This can come from indicators (like RSI or MACD) or a strong candle close above or below the previous high/low.
Time-Based Filters: Consider waiting for the breakout to occur after the first few hours of the trading session, when market sentiment may have solidified.
Volume: Higher volume during a breakout can often confirm the strength of the move.
7. Time of Day
London and New York Sessions: These are typically the most active forex trading hours. It's generally recommended to execute breakouts during these times for higher liquidity and better chances of success.
Avoid trading during periods of low volatility (Asian session) unless you're using a scalping strategy on lower timeframes.
8. Additional Tips
Support/Resistance Confluence: If the previous day's high or low coincides with a major support or resistance level (e.g., from a longer timeframe), the breakout may have a higher probability of success.
Economic News: Be mindful of important economic data releases or central bank announcements. These can cause significant price movement that may invalidate previous day’s levels.
Indicators for Confirmation: Indicators like RSI (for overbought or oversold conditions) or MACD (for momentum) can help filter out weak breakouts and reduce the likelihood of false signals.
Risk Management: Always maintain a solid risk management plan. Limit the percentage of your trading capital on each trade and use stop losses.
Example of a Trade
Previous Day High/Low:
Previous day’s high = 1.2000
Previous day’s low = 1.1900
Breakout Setup:
If price breaks above 1.2000, look for a long entry.
If price breaks below 1.1900, look for a short entry.
Entry and Exit:
Enter the trade when price breaks the level.
Place the stop loss just below/above the previous day’s low/high (e.g., 1.1890 for a buy trade).
Set the take profit based on your risk-to-reward ratio (e.g., 1.2100 for a buy, aiming for 100 pips).
Final Thought
The Previous Day High and Low strategy is relatively simple but can be highly effective, especially when combined with other technical analysis tools and proper risk management. Practice this strategy in demo accounts first to get comfortable with its nuances and adapt it to your trading style.