FX.co ★ How to Trade the EUR/USD Pair on December 16? Simple Tips and Trade Analysis for Beginners

Analysis of Friday's Trades

1H Chart of EUR/USD

On Friday, the EUR/USD currency pair continued to trade within the horizontal channel, where it has been consolidating for about three weeks. From a technical perspective, nothing has changed for the EUR/USD pair. Last week, only two events had the potential to impact the pair's movement significantly, but both turned out to be rather lackluster. November's U.S. inflation report showed exactly the figures the market expected, and the European Central Bank meeting delivered the anticipated outcomes.

We consider Christine Lagarde's and the entire ECB's tone to be dovish. As such, we continue to expect further declines in the euro. This upcoming week will feature plenty of macroeconomic and fundamental events, but it's important to note that significant events do not guarantee trend movements. The pair remains in a flat range, and the price must first exit the horizontal channel before any trend continuation or correction can be determined.

5M Chart of EUR/USD

Two excellent trading signals were generated on Friday in the 5-minute timeframe. First, the price rebounded from the 1.0451 level to the 1.0526 level. A long position could have earned novice traders around 40 pips, while a short position could have added another 20 pips. The macroeconomic backdrop on Friday was weak and had little to no influence on the pair's movements.

Trading Strategy for Monday:

On the hourly timeframe, the EUR/USD pair remains in a corrective phase, continuing to trade within the 1.0451–1.0596 horizontal channel. After two months of declines, no one is rushing to buy the euro. This week, the price might break out of this channel through its lower boundary, signaling a resumption of the downtrend that began three months ago. However, much will depend on macroeconomic and fundamental factors.

It is difficult to anticipate any specific movements from the pair on Monday. Numerous events will occur today, and traders were unable to break through the lower boundary of the channel on Friday. A continuation of the euro's upward movement is possible.

On the 5-minute timeframe, key levels to consider are: 1.0269–1.0277, 1.0334–1.0359, 1.0433–1.0451, 1.0526, 1.0596, 1.0678, 1.0726–1.0733, 1.0797–1.0804, 1.0845–1.0851, and 1.0888–1.0896.

Services and manufacturing activity indices will be published on Monday in the Eurozone, Germany, and the U.S. It's worth noting that the U.S. has its internal ISM indices, which are much more significant for the market.

Core Trading System Rules:

1. Signal Strength: The shorter the time it takes for a signal to form (a rebound or breakout), the stronger the signal.
2. False Signals: If two or more trades near a level result in false signals, subsequent signals from that level should be ignored.
3. Flat Markets: In flat conditions, pairs may generate many false signals or none at all. It's better to stop trading at the first signs of a flat market.
4. Trading Hours: Open trades between the start of the European session and the middle of the US session, then manually close all trades.
5. MACD Signals: On the hourly timeframe, trade MACD signals only during periods of good volatility and a clear trend confirmed by trendlines or trend channels.
6. Close Levels: If two levels are too close (5–20 pips apart), treat them as a support or resistance zone.
7. Stop Loss: Set a Stop Loss to breakeven after the price moves 15 pips in the desired direction.

Key Chart Elements:

Support and Resistance Levels: These are target levels for opening or closing positions and can also serve as points for placing Take Profit orders.

Red Lines: Channels or trendlines indicating the current trend and the preferred direction for trading.

MACD Indicator (14,22,3): A histogram and signal line used as a supplementary source of trading signals.

Important Events and Reports: Found in the economic calendar, these can heavily influence price movements. Exercise caution or exit the market during their release to avoid sharp reversals.

Forex trading beginners should remember that not every trade will be profitable. Developing a clear strategy and practicing proper money management are essential for long-term trading success.