The Uses Of Pivot Points In Forex Trading

Pivot points are an extremely valuable tool for forex traders. They can help traders identify important support and resistance levels, leading to profitable trading decisions. We will be exploring the uses of Pivot points in forex trading and also how to calculate pivot points.

Pivot Points in Forex Trading
Photo Credit: dailyfx.com

What Are Forex Pivot Points?

In the commodities markets, floor traders created the pivot point indicator to pinpoint possible turning points. Day traders utilize pivot points in the Forex and other markets to identify expected levels of support and resistance and, consequently, potential turning points from bullish to bearish or vice versa.

The Uses of Pivot Points in Forex Trading

Below are the main primary uses of pivot points in forex trading:

  • Day traders utilize pivot points in the Forex and other markets to identify expected levels of support and resistance
  • and, consequently, potential turning points from bullish to bearish or vice versa.

How to Calculate Pivot Points in Forex Trading

The first skill you’ll acquire is calculating pivot point levels.

The pivot point and related support and resistance levels are determined using the open, high, low, and close of the previous trading session.

Since the forex market is open around-the-clock, most forex traders use the previous day’s close at 5:00 p.m. EST in New York.

Pivot Point Calculation

The calculation for a pivot point is displayed below:

  • Pivot point (PP) equal = (High + Low + Close) / 3

Support and resistance levels are calculated off the pivot point as so:

First level support and resistance:

  • First resistance (R1) = (2 x PP) – Low
  • First support (S1) = (2 x PP) – High

The second level of support and resistance:

  • Second resistance (R2) = PP + (High – Low)
  • Second support (S2) = PP – (High – Low)

The third level of support and resistance:

  • Third resistance (R3) = High + 2(PP – Low)
  • Third support (S3) = Low – 2(High – PP)

Note that some forex charting software plots intermediate levels or mid-point levels.

Types of Pivot Points

Before using the pivot point Forex indicator, you should be aware of the various types of pivot points in Forex and stock. There are numerous varieties of pivot analysis. In the following section, we’ll examine how to determine the pivot point in forex trading using three different pivot points: Standard Pivot Points, Fibonacci Pivot Points, and DeMark Pivot Points.

Standard Pivot Points

How to calculate pivot points in Forex trading using the standard pivot points? The starting calculation for the pivot point formula is the arithmetic mean of the high (H), the low (L), and also the close (C) from the previous period. We call this our base pivot point, P.

  • P equal = (H + L + C)/3

We next derive 2 support and resistance levels from P. Let’s call the difference between this high and low (D), i.e., D = H – L

  • The First support: S₁ = 2P – H
  • The Second support: S₂ = P – D
  • The First resistance: R₁ = 2P – L
  • The Second resistance: R₂ = P + D

Fibonacci Pivot Points

How to calculate a pivot points in Forex trading using the Fibonacci indicator? We start from the same starting point as used with the standard pivot points, which requires calculating P, the base pivot point. Support and resistance levels are plotted a specific distance away from this point P. Let’s again call (D) – the difference between high and low.

The Support levels are calculated by subtracting multiples of D from P. while the Resistance levels are calculated by adding up multiples of D to P. The multiples are taken from a Fibonacci sequence of numbers.

The exact calculations are shown below:

  • S₁ = P – 0.382D
  • S₂ = P – 0.618D
  • S₃ = P – D
  • R₁ = P + 0.382D
  • R₂ = P +0.618D
  • R₃ = P + D

Forex Traders who know how to read these pivot points in Forex can use these points to establish a Fibonacci pivot point trading strategy.

DeMark Pivot Points

How to calculate pivot points in Forex with DeMark pivot points? We make use of a different base pivot point definition. There are 3 different methods to calculate the base pivot point. Which calculation to use is dependent on how the close and the open compare. For these pivots, we will define a variable x, the value of which depends on whether the open is lower or higher than the close.

  • If close is lower than the open: x = H + 2L + C
  • If close is higher than the open: x = 2H + L + C
  • When open is equal to the close: x = H + L + 2C

This final value will be the most commonly used if looking at a Forex pivot point trading strategy. This is because with ForeX being a 24-hour market, the open is nearly always equal to close. If you are looking at a daily chart during the week, the close and open are really just conventions. This contrasts with the stock market, where the open and close are very distinct things that are separated by time and usually by price.

Once we have gotten our value for x, we will use it to calculate the base pivot point P:

  • P = x/4

The support and resistance levels are also calculated from x (DeMark pivot points do not use more than 1 support and resistance level).

  • R₁ = x/2 – H
  • S₂ = x/2 – L

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FAQs

The most accurate pivot indicator you should know

The ideal time frames for the pivot point indicator are one, two, and five minutes. Day traders now favor pivot points more as a result. Regarding accuracy, pivot point indicators are among the best tools. Due to the widespread use of pivot points, this has occurred.

Are pivot points good for trading?

Since pivot points are predictive, traders view them as leading indicators. The most crucial price level for the day is the primary pivot point. In essence, it depicts the equilibrium of bullish and bearish forces.

Are pivot points important?

Traders in equities and commodity markets employ pivot points. They forecast support and resistance levels in the current or forthcoming session. They are computed based on the high, low, and closing prices of past trading sessions.

What are R1 R2 R3?

The three degrees of support are designated S1, S2, and S3, while the three levels of resistance are known as R1, R2, and R3. The daily pivot point signals to start long trades when the current price exceeds it.

Conclusion

Pivot points can also identify oversold and overbought conditions, providing critical clues about the market’s direction. Pivot point analysis is one of the most important elements of successful forex trading.

About Author

Pivot Points in Forex Trading
Precious Ejimofor
My name is Precious Ejiofor, I am a professional self motivated, dependable writer and editor, with over 4 year of experience in writing for variety of business and platforms. I am able and capable to write on any kind of topic.
Specifically, I focus on producing persuasive and compelling contents that is thoughtful, prominent, and engaging.

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