Market volatility presents a continuing challenge to both traders and investors. This is true for every kind of investor. Be it long term investing, day trading or margin trading, gauging volatility holds the key for all trading strategies. Navigating market volatility can be challenging, especially when it comes to changing your trading strategy responding to international events, economic data, or market sentiment. This article will examine several risk management strategies and cover how to modify your trading style to more effectively handle market volatility.
Volatility Based Indicators
These are useful instruments for technical analysis that track changes in market prices over a predetermined time frame. Volatility rises as prices move more quickly. Based on past pricing, it can be measured, quantified, and utilised to spot trends. Any trader can benefit greatly from knowing the probable stops and reversals in price. These indicators include Average True Range (ATR), Bollinger Bands (BB), Donchian Channels, Keltner Channels (KC), etc.
Bollinger Bands
A common tool for technical analysis is the Bollinger Band. It has three lines: the 20-period moving average is on the middle line, the moving average with the +2 standard division is on the upper band, and the moving average with the standard division is on the lower band.
The market is very volatile when the lines are extended. Prices fluctuate less when they decline. The bands often migrate towards the midline during times of price consolidation (1), and they diversify when the market initiates a strong trend (2).
Average True Range (ATR)
A single line that oscillates up and down makes up the Average True Range Indicator (ATR). The amount of volatility rises when the indicator rises; the level of volatility falls when the indicator falls.For high and low volatility, ATR does not have a unique value. You should assess the indicator’s recent value and consider it as an average to ascertain the extent of increasing volatility. The degree of volatility increases as the line rises above the average. The degree of volatility diminishes if it drops below average.
Keltner Channel
The previous two indications are combined to form the Keltner channel. It is based on ATR values and has three lines, similar to the Bollinger Band. An exponential moving average with 20 periods makes up the middle line. The exponential moving average and two times the ATR value are added to create the upper band. The lower band represents the difference between the double ATR value and the exponential moving average.
The median line is seen as representing the mean pricing value. The degree of volatility increases with the size of the price movement. This is due to the fact that the upper band is regarded as the overbought level and the lower band is designated as the oversold level.
A shift in the price’s direction is the main indication. In general, a price decline is anticipated as soon as it crosses above the upper band of the Keltner Channel while in an uptrend. In contrast, it is anticipated that the price would climb quickly when it crosses the bottom band during a downtrend.
Risk Management Techniques
Position sizing: Consider lowering your position size to reduce potential losses when market volatility is severe. In this manner, the impact on your whole portfolio, even if a trade moves against you, will be less. On the other hand, you can think about enlarging your position size when market volatility is low to profit from more predictable price fluctuations.
Hedging: When markets are choppy, think about hedging your positions with options, futures, or other derivatives. For instance, to safeguard against a potential price decrease, you can buy put options on the equities in your portfolio. As an alternative, you can use futures contracts to protect yourself from changes in the price of commodities or currencies.
Diversification: Diversifying your portfolio across several asset classes and industries can help reduce risks during periods of market instability. Consider incorporating assets like gold or treasury bonds that have little relevance to your current holdings or have a history of performing well in volatile markets.
Stop-loss Orders: To safeguard your capital during times of severe volatility, it’s important to establish tighter stop-loss orders. Be careful not to set them too tightly, too, as the market can cause your stop-loss order to be executed owing to brief price swings. According to the state of the market and the particular instrument you are trading, adjust your stop-loss orders.
How to use volatility indicators in trading
- Study up on volatility indicator
- Choose whether to engage in CFD trading.
- Choose the item you want to swap.
- Create a profile or sign in
- Do something to reduce your risk.
- Place your trades
Conclusion
Technical instruments called volatility indicators assist traders and analysts in identifying and comprehending periods of high and low volatility in a given stock or in the market as a whole. Standard deviation is frequently used as the main indicator of volatility by traders and analysts. Utilising CFDs, you can trade volatility with us. If you trade on a good platform like BlinkX you shall get access to all the trading tools that are required. The firm offers an online stock trading app as well. So, tracking the markets is now possible 24*7.