How to Trade the EUR/USD Currency Pair on January 23? Simple Tips and Trade Analysis for Beginners

Ben Graham · January 23

Trade Analysis for Thursday:

1H Chart of EUR/USD

The EUR/USD currency pair traded higher for almost the entire day on Thursday. By the end of the day, the European currency returned to the level of 1.1754, which is just a stone's throw from the upper boundary of the sideways channel 1.1400-1.1830, where the pair has been for seven months. The reasons for the euro's growth may not be obvious to many traders. Yesterday, it became known that Trump canceled the tariffs he was going to impose on the EU and the UK starting February 1 due to their refusal to recognize U.S. rights to Greenland. It seemed that geopolitical tension had eased, and there would be no new trade war between the EU and the U.S. (for now). Nevertheless, the dollar fell all day. The same applies to the U.S. GDP report for the third quarter. Once again, forecasts were exceeded, but the market paid no attention to this report. What is the problem? The problem is that the market is tired of reacting to Trump's "news swings," and very few believe the current U.S. economic growth rates, given the dismal state of the U.S. labor market. The dollar must fall regardless due to Trump's policies. A seven-month flat is a gift from traders to the American currency.

5M Chart of EUR/USD

On the 5-minute timeframe, no trading signals were formed on Thursday. Unfortunately, the pair fell short of the 1.1666 level by just 5 pips during the Asian session. Otherwise, a great buy signal would have been formed.

How to Trade on Friday:

On the hourly timeframe, the trend has changed to upward. Thus, in the near future, the pair may return to the upper boundary of the sideways channel 1.1400-1.1830 to attempt to break through it again and finally end the seven-month flat. The overall fundamental and macroeconomic background remains very weak for the U.S. dollar, but the flat on the daily timeframe takes priority, while traders pay little attention to the macroeconomic background.

On Friday, beginner traders can open new long positions if the area of 1.1745-1.1754 is broken with a target of 1.1800-1.1830. A price rebound from the area of 1.1745-1.1754 will allow for short positions with a target of 1.1655-1.1666.

On the 5-minute timeframe, levels to consider are: 1.1354-1.1363, 1.1413, 1.1455-1.1474, 1.1527-1.1531, 1.1550, 1.1584-1.1591, 1.1655-1.1666, 1.1745-1.1754, 1.1808, 1.1851, 1.1908, 1.1970-1.1988. Today, activity indices for the manufacturing and services sectors for January will be published in the Eurozone, Germany, and the U.S. Additionally, Christine Lagarde will speak in Europe, and the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index will be released in the U.S.

Main rules of the trading system:

Signal strength is judged by the time required to form the signal (rebound or breakout). The less time required, the stronger the signal.
If two or more trades were opened on false signals near a level, then all subsequent signals from that level should be ignored.
In a flat, any pair can generate many false signals or none at all. In any case, at the first signs of a flat, it is better to stop trading.
Trades are opened during the period between the start of the European session and the middle of the American session; after that, all trades must be closed manually.
On the hourly timeframe, MACD-based signals should ideally be traded only when volatility is high, and a trend is confirmed by a trendline or trend channel.
If two levels are located too close to each other (5–20 pips), they should be considered as a support or resistance area.
After the price moves 15 pips in the correct direction, place a stop loss at breakeven.

What is shown on the charts:

Support and resistance price levels — levels that serve as targets when opening buys or sells. Take Profit can be placed near them.

Red lines — channels or trendlines that reflect the current tendency and show which direction is preferable to trade now.

MACD indicator (14,22,3) — histogram and signal line — an auxiliary indicator that can also be used as a source of signals.

Important speeches and reports (always listed in the news calendar) can strongly affect a currency pair's movement. Therefore, during their release, trading should be done with maximum caution, or positions should be closed, to avoid a sharp price reversal against the preceding move.

Beginner forex traders should remember that not every trade can be profitable. Developing a clear strategy and effective money management are the keys to long-term trading success.

The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com