T04: US Crude oil long trade. Follow up.
This trade has started well and the temptation is to consider raising the TS to reduce our initial risk.
There are three general options;
1. Don't.
2. Raise it very close so that any loss is minimal or nil.
3. Raise it to below yesterday's low of the day (setup based on daily bars)
Our TP will state the correct thing to do. Those without a back-tested TP will now be confused. Confused traders are losers.
I started this trade anticipating we've seen the low and price most probably will go to $50. However I know price won't go in a straight line to my target (if it gets there at all). The trade management must allow price to fall and make a higher low on smaller timeframes. CL can be quite volatile.
Let's discuss option 3, which I think would be the most popular if I'd asked for a poll. Placing the exit stop below the low of the previous day (PDL) would be putting our exit right in the 50% - 62% pullback zone (shown by the fib ruler on this chart). My beliefs of market movement include that 50% pull-backs are very common so moving the exit stop there is not wise.
Vigourous back-testing would provide the best trade management method to use. In my experience, keep your stops tight or very loose. Those moving their TS's half way (and into danger) haven't really accepting the initial risk of the trade and move their TS higher due to FEAR.
I'm going to remind you of some FA data concerning CL. US CL inventory is released weekly about 1 hr after the US open every Wed (early Thurs am AEDST). This news can spook the market quite easily. If you're considering trading the commodity markets then you must know and prepare for these regular scheduled news events.
Summary:
1. Don't react to fear and move your TS's into danger zones.
2. Use back-testing properly to research the best strategy for your exit stops.
3. Know the important news events that impacts your market.