Ch. 23Strategy #773

Strategy #773

Forex Carry Trade Unwind

Entry Logic

  • Entry triggers when a high-yielding currency breaks below its 200-day moving average against a low-yielding currency.
  • Confirmation requires a new 50-day low.
  • Timeframe is the daily chart.
  • Location is a breakdown of a long-term uptrend.
  • Market condition is a shift from a risk-on to a risk-off environment.

Exit Logic

  • Profit target is a major support level on the weekly chart.
  • No scaling out.
  • Trailing stop is the 50-day moving average.
  • Exit on signal failure if the price closes back above the 200-day moving average.
  • Exit on an opposite signal if the market sentiment shifts back to risk-on.
  • No time expiration.
  • Exit on momentum loss if the price fails to make a new low for 20 days.

Stop Loss Structure

  • Hard stop is placed above the 100-day moving average.
  • No soft stop is used.
  • Maximum dollar loss is 3% of account equity.
  • Maximum percent loss is 3% of account equity.
  • Structural stop is placed above the 200-day moving average.

Risk Management Framework

  • Risk per trade is 1.5% of the account.
  • Maximum daily loss limit is not applicable for this long-term strategy.
  • Maximum weekly loss limit is not applicable.
  • Maximum drawdown allowed is 25%.
  • Risk-reward ratio requirement is a minimum of 1:3.

Position Sizing Model

  • Sizing is based on a fixed fractional model (1.5% of account per trade).
  • No volatility adjustment is used.
  • Conviction sizing is not used.
  • No scaling in.
  • No scaling out.

Trade Filtering

  • Avoid trading in a risk-on environment.
  • Requires a clear breakdown of the long-term uptrend.
  • Instrument is a high-yielding currency vs. a low-yielding currency (e.g., AUD/JPY).
  • This is a long-term position trade.
  • Avoid trading during periods of low volatility.

Context Framework

  • Trend direction is determined by the 200-day moving average.
  • Price must be below the 200-day moving average.
  • Price must be below the 50-day moving average.
  • Location is a breakdown of a long-term uptrend.
  • Higher timeframe (weekly) must be in a downtrend.

Trade Management Rules

  • This is a set-and-forget strategy.
  • The trailing stop will manage the trade.
  • Do not add to the position.
  • Be prepared to hold the position for months.

Time Rules

  • This is a long-term strategy, so time of day is not relevant.
  • The focus is on the daily and weekly charts.
  • No session-specific notes.

Setup Classification

  • A+ setup: Clear breakdown of the 200-day moving average in a risk-off environment.
  • A setup: Breakdown of the 200-day moving average with moderate risk aversion.
  • B setup: Choppy price action around the 200-day moving average.
  • C setup: Trading in a risk-on environment.

Market Selection Criteria

  • Instrument is a high-yielding currency vs. a low-yielding currency.
  • Requires a clear interest rate differential.
  • Volatility should be high.

Statistical Edge Metrics

  • Expected win rate is 50%.
  • Average win is 6R.
  • Average loss is 1R.
  • Profit factor is 3.0.
  • Expectancy per trade is +2.5R.

Failure Conditions

  • Strategy fails when the market sentiment shifts back to risk-on.
  • Avoid trading when central banks intervene to support their currencies.

Psychological Rules

  • Be patient and disciplined to hold the position for the long term.
  • Do not be swayed by short-term price fluctuations.

Advanced Components

  • The interest rate differential is the key advanced component.
  • No other filters are used.
  • Multi-timeframe alignment with the weekly chart is crucial.

Location

  • Strongest in a global risk-off environment.
  • Weakest in a risk-on environment.
  • The macroeconomic backdrop is the most important factor.