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Nial Fuller

NIAL FULLER Nial Fuller
Professional Trader, Author & Coach

Exactly How I Analyze Price On Clean Charts

price acton chartThere is much more to trading than just opening up your charts and looking for an entry signal. In fact, (don’t tell anyone this) a good price action trader knows how to set up and analyze his or her charts so well that they may not even need a price action “pattern” or “signal” for a trade entry. Indeed, the underlying market bias, which is defined by the structure of the market, i.e. trend, key horizontal levels, etc. can often provide us with enough clues to spot a potential entry. Hence, learning to identify and plot these pieces of the technical analysis “puzzle”, is very, very important.

In today’s lesson, I am basically going to walk you through how I do my daily and weekly chart analysis which you can see in my market commentaries. The primary pieces of this puzzle are: Clean black and white price charts, key levels, trends, price action, market bias and signals. As a result, these things are my main focus when doing my analysis and market commentaries, because learning how to properly map a market is vital to understanding how to properly trade with price action.

Why I Use “Clean” Charts & How to Set Them Up

Clean charts, or indicator-free charts, are the backbone of my technical analysis and price action approach. If you don’t yet know why I prefer clean, naked price charts, check out my article on why indicators will destroy your trading. Suffice it to say, I subscribe to a simple, less is more trading philosophy, and for some very, very good reasons, which I have written about often.

If you don’t yet use clean, indicator-free price charts, I have an excellent tutorial on how to set up your charts here that you definitely need to check out. You can also the download the metatrader trading platform we use here.

Here is a simple way to set up your charts properly:

First, you will right click on the chart and then select “properties” at the bottom of the pop up menu. Once you do that, you will see the following screen for chart options. First set the colors and other options how I have them in this image:

cleancharts

Next, you will select “common” and set the options as follows:

cleancharts2

That’s a basic overview of how to quickly set your candlestick charts up exactly as mine are. Remember, there is a reason why I set them up this simply; because simple is better in trading and we are trying to eliminate variables that may confuse us or cause doubt, fear, etc.

How I Analyze Clean Price Charts

When writing my weekly members market commentary, the first thing I do is zoom out on the weekly chart, because I want to get that bird’s eye top-down view, this gives me a good idea of what has happened and how that may influence what currently is happening.

In the chart below, notice I’ve zoomed out to the weekly view of the current Gold charts. I have marked the most obvious key levels of support and resistance. Note, often these levels will “flip” from support to resistance or vice versa, as price moves up or down:

cleanchartsweekly

In the chart image below, notice I’ve zoomed out so I am looking about the last year’s worth of data on the daily charts. This gives me plenty of time to see how the previous year’s levels and trends, as well as price action, as led us to the current point. You will see what I’ve drawn in below on the chart, these are the levels I view as the most relevant as well as the areas of consolidation and trending price action, these are the first things I am looking for when I do my price action analysis

cleancharts3

In the next chart, we have zoomed in a bit more, but you’ll notice the same levels are there. We are going to dissect things a bit more here.

First, notice the bullish tailed bar on the far left of the chart, this was clearly an important turning point from down to up, so we will draw a horizontal level at the low of that bar; this level would once again be relevant if price fell back down to it. Then, notice price entered into a period of sideways consolidation for almost two months, before breaking up and out of it. However, after the breakout, price chopped slowly higher and then formed a bearish pin bar at 1237.00 area; a resistance level we had previously marked on the chart. Now, whilst this would be considered a “counter-trend” pin bar, which usually i don’t like, since it was at an important level we already had on the chart, and there was a clear target below at the previous breakout level of 1212.00 area, savvy price action traders could have considered a short-term trade targeting a move into that level. Note: 1212.00 or really 1215.00 – 1205.00 area was a very strong zone of support due to the previous breakout and I would have been looking to get long on a pull back to that area after the upside breakout.

cleancharts4

In the next chart, we are looking at how when a market swings, it leaves behind a level, and we then watch those levels for pull backs to trade in-line with the existing momentum.

Notice the areas marked “watch for pullbacks”, we would have been watching for price to pull back to these levels after it broke above them, to get long and trade in-line with the bullish momentum that was clearly developing. Ideally, we would get a price action signal at these levels after price pulls back to it, but this is not always necessary, as I’ve written about, sometimes all you need is a level and a trend for an entry, see my T.L.S. article for more…

cleancharts5

Finally, we have zoomed in to the most recent price action of the daily Gold chart.

From this chart, we can see a couple of potential entry signals that formed after pullbacks to 1212.00 area and 1237; again, we had already marked these levels on our charts and were waiting to “attack” should price rotate back into them. Currently, as of this writing, price is hovering just under the key resistance area up near 1305 – 1295 area.

cleancharts6

Conclusion

I always think of analyzing a market from the “top, down”. This means, you want to start with the longest time frame, zoomed out, and then you gradually shorten the time frame and zoom closer in. You do this to get a “bird’s eye” view of the market so that what is happening recently makes more sense within the longer-term context. Think of performing your weekly and daily market analysis like reading a book; in order for you to understand what’s happening on page 100, you have to have read and comprehend pages 1-99. It’s really no different in trading; you have to build a narrative in your head from the market you are analyzing, and you do this by looking back in time, plotting levels, analyzing the price action and then keeping up with the market each day at the close, adjusting levels or adding news ones as necessary.

Once you start doing this regularly, it will start to become your price action trading routine and eventually it will turn into a habit. Soon, you will thoroughly enjoy it because let’s face it, keeping up with the markets is fun (if you’re a trading nerd like me anyways). So, enjoy it, but also realize that what you’re doing is getting in-tune with the market and its price action, and this truly is a requirement if you want to have any chance at learning to trading professionally.

Please Leave A Comment Below With Your Thoughts On This Lesson…

If You Have Any Questions, Please Contact Me Here.

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Nial Fuller

About Nial Fuller

is a Professional Trader, Investor & Author who is considered ‘The Authority’ on Price Action Trading. His blog is read by over 200,000+ followers and he has taught 25,000+ students since 2008. In 2016, Nial won the Million Dollar Trader Competition. Checkout Nial's Professional Trading Course here.
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  1. Surendra Mishra

    Dear Nial
    Thanks for sending me important trading documents.
    I am enjoying reading and try to remember them as well
    It is very informative. I hope I may be a good trader one day.
    I think I need a mentor which will help me to learn to trade.
    Thanks

    Reply
  2. fawaz bamakrait

    This is one of the bests i had ever read about how to trade the market correctly .

    thanks nial

    Reply
  3. Erdem Yoruk

    you’re a genius, nial. You’ve changed my whole perspective, and you keep changing it. I’ve learned a lot from you in a short time. thank you so much.

    Reply
  4. Daniel

    Since i start top down analysis my trading account is breathing very well …. Thanks so much sir.

    Reply
  5. James

    Do you think its a good thing to trade price action with just the volume indicator on its own?

    Reply
  6. John Chell

    This lesson was very very informative and has changed the way i trade

    Thank you Mr Fuller for your time you spend putting this information together for us to read and learn from

    Reply
  7. Christopher Anadozie

    Thank you Mr Nial for your, reply but I dont mean FIB.50% retracement but when you see a pin bar form after a pull back,how do you know if you could enter using the low or high of the pin bar, or 50% of the same pin bar. Thanks.

    Reply
  8. Mr Rock

    Once again, boss, you broke the bone of the forex market, not ordinary bone, but the back bone; you nailed it on the head by showing me how to ride the market like a horse to the haven of success. I know you for this, man. The areas on chart that always get me so confused have been broken into pieces by your very simple market analysis.

    As a result of your article, I am improving so rapidly in my trade career.

    Thanks

    Reply
  9. Sihle Mthethwa

    your teachings are so simple as ABC with clear illustrations making things easily understandable. im learning and definately after your lesson i will be a better trader. love you Nial

    Reply
  10. GAVIN MOLT

    NIAL THANKS MAN

    Reply
  11. Japheth Nwadiogor

    I’m beginning to think if you are the one who invented forex ????. The way you teach & explain things makes forex so simple. I Iove you Niall. Thanks for this wonderful piece.

    Reply
  12. Solomon Oyeniyi

    Thanks for this market analysis.
    This is understandable enough.

    Reply
  13. Adriana Ghidau

    Hello Nial

    It’s so amazing ,it’s so true and looks easy to follow your advise .
    It’s the only one way to growing as trader : keep it simple as it is !
    Thank you , useful article again !
    Xx
    Adriana

    Reply
  14. NWEKE UCHENNA EMMANUEL

    great work like ever,truly enjoyable,i like it,it reminds me of strong pin bar,wick support and wick resistance,thanks a lot,i ll also like to download the platform you sent.

    Reply
  15. TARUN KUMAR SUTHAR

    i started trading since 10 march 2012, i have lost money and time without base knowledge. i have subscribed your course since June 2018. after 3 months i have started earning money without any time waste and problem. THANKS A LOT OF DEAR GURU.

    Reply
  16. Colin

    Thanks, really like the article. Especially to ‘read the market like a book’ as the top down approach is so revealing for correct analysis.

    Reply
  17. Debasis Mukhopadhyay

    Excellent article. Puts many of your other important articles in perspective.
    Regards

    Reply
  18. Ngozi Okoronka

    Wow, what an eye opener. Thanks very much Nial.

    Reply
  19. Gerison

    Amazing article and analysis Mr. Nial. It also amazes me to see how the Price Action remembers those support and resistance lines almost every time it retraces.

    I’m indebted to you.

    Reply
  20. Audrey

    Thanks very much Nial. This is very informative and eye opener.

    Reply
  21. gabriel delfin

    Very informative, thank you so much

    Reply
  22. Tarus

    knowledge :)

    Reply
  23. Tommy Beard

    Thanks for another great article and thanks for those useful links which you always include with your lessons.

    Reply
  24. Shirantha

    This cleared my confusion on price action analysis wheather it done zooming to nearly 6,3 months or one or more year. That confusion made on me by reading your own members article and other articles.

    However, This article itself cleared out everything. Thanks mr. Nial. God bless you!

    Reply
  25. Khesiwe

    Thanks Nial excellent article

    Reply
  26. Ramesh Jha

    insightful and encouraging Nial as usual :)

    Reply
  27. James Purdy

    Thank you Nial. An excellent and informative article that everyone should read!

    Reply
  28. Sthembiso

    I’m short of words. Thanks a million, Mail. I can feel it, it’s in my fingertips!!!

    Reply
  29. Chris O.Onaghinor

    Hello Nial,
    This write up is very instructive, informative and educating. Thanks a lot Sir.

    Reply
  30. Jim Watts

    Thanks for the article Nial.

    Perhaps I should write a book on all the things I have done wrong when Trading.

    The number one point would be a very messy chart. ( I have even written reminders to pick up the grandchildren on mine)

    Reply
  31. turtle_lisa

    this was excellent – thanks

    Reply
  32. Nelson Sam Mborooro

    Thank you for once again sharing your knowledge, this a very powerfull tool to analyze charts that we as traders ignore. Thank you Nial.

    Reply
  33. O’sinachi

    Dear Nial,
    You are the light that shows us the way.
    Thank you for the great enlightenment.
    More grease to your elbow.

    Reply
  34. Rahwa

    thank you Nial. I am still struggling trader, but I am 100% sure I will succeed in the near future , because of you. May God bless you and your family

    Reply
  35. DNTHUC

    Helpful , Thank you

    Reply
  36. Thabo

    Good Morning Nial

    Thanks for this important basic lesson which will help us to follow your pattern and methods of analyzing the market.

    May God bless you with your family and your team.

    Kind Regards

    Reply
  37. Frank

    Yet another absolutely fantastic article. Thank you Nial.

    Reply
  38. kadri

    Nice and precise analysis.Many thanks

    Reply
  39. Paul Ranieri

    Nial,
    It is always great to here how the person is thinking when they display chats and why they have chosen levels they have- you have opened up another level of learning for me. Thank you
    Off to practice!

    Reply
  40. Andrzej

    Simple, but difficult :-)

    Reply
  41. Magnus

    Very nice!

    Reply
  42. nalubwama prossy

    Great. Thank you NIAL

    Reply
  43. Krystian

    Great article, very educational and shows the power of Price Action, Thank you Niall

    Reply
  44. Amos

    It is a very handy article to mention, am closely following each directives given in. However, it happens that either in short time frame “say 30 minutes” there is consolidation and getting to high time frame (4 hours also) I hardly see the consolidation. How then can I figure out the price action for consolidation from the lower time on the higher time frame?

    Reply
  45. PAUL GENES LAPINING

    Sir Nial,

    as always, brilliant approach.

    all the way from Phils.
    BR,
    Paul

    Reply
  46. Lynette Silver

    Great article Nial. Thank you.

    Reply
  47. Manohar Nadkar

    Hi, Nial
    Thanks for beautiful and useful article..
    Manoha Nadkar

    Reply
  48. TFET

    One of your best articles Nial!

    Reply
    • Enéias Nascimento

      I totally agree. That kind of articles are the best, but i also like those with psychology of trading ones.

      Thaks, Nial, you are top! God bless you.

      Reply
  49. Gifro

    Best lesson ever.

    Thanks a lot……

    Reply
  50. Mario Smith

    Thank you Nail great lesson if there no planing everthing will be ruin at the end.

    Reply
  51. fawaz bamakrait

    MY FRIEND NIAL.

    READING YOUR LESSON IS AN AMAZING GUIDELINE FOR ME ,EVER SINCE I KNEW YOU I STOPPED USING A LOT OF INDICATORS ,AND BECAME SO ABLE TO ANALYZE ANY CHARTS AND IF I AM IN DOUBT I ALWAYS STAY OUT .SO THANKS MY MASTER .

    Reply
  52. Uzoma Nnamdi

    Great. Thank you

    Reply
  53. Michael

    Oh! What a lovely day to have read this….. Thanks boss.

    Reply
  54. Bello Ololade

    Insightful as always.
    Great write up,keep up the good work of impacting lives positively.
    Thanks,
    Nial

    Reply
  55. Emmanuel

    Good piece n insightful as well… Thumbs up

    Reply
  56. Ropfiwa

    Thanks Nail, you have no idea how your articles are improving our trading skills.
    Thank you

    Reply
  57. CHUKA UWAOMA

    THANK YOU FOR THE MATERIAL PROVIDED.IT IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED.

    Reply
  58. Pius

    Educative!

    Reply
  59. Niko

    Very informative Nial. Thank you.

    Reply
  60. Wale

    There is much more to trading than just opening up your charts and looking for an entry signal. In fact, (don’t tell anyone this) a good price action trader knows how to set up and analyze his or her charts so well that they may not even need a price action “pattern” or “signal” for a trade entry. Indeed, the underlying market bias, which is defined by the structure of the market, i.e. trend, key horizontal levels, etc. can often provide us with enough clues to spot a potential entry. Hence, learning to identify and plot these pieces of the technical analysis “puzzle”, is very, very important.”
    THIS MAKE MY DAY….
    Thanks boss!!

    Reply
  61. Joseph

    Awesome article, quite helpful. Thank you Nial

    Reply