If it flies like an airplane, looks like an airplane, sounds like an airplane, it’s probably not a pigeon. No matter what the experts on airplanes and pigeons say. Even if someone wins a Nobel Prize because they have determined that a pigeon is actually a dinosaur based on a sophisticated mathematical equation, it’s still a pigeon. Adam Smith, whom many call the father of economics, laid out the ground rules for Supply and Demand hundreds of years ago. In his book, The Wealth of Nations, supply and demand is explained in very simple terms. Smith however didn’t invent supply and demand, it has been here all along and, guess what, it hasn’t changed; it never changes. When price is at a level where willing demand exceeds willing supply, price will rise. When price is at a level where willing supply exceeds willing demand, price will decline.

Over the centuries certain big name self-promoting economists have tried to twist this simple equation with fancy math to make a name for themselves, sell some books and win fancy prizes, only to eventually be proven dead wrong. The math works but it’s the old garbage in garbage out.

Just like gravity is always gravity, there are certain principles of how the world works that NEVER change. In our world of proper trading and investing, the only way to profit consistently is to buy low and sell high. This is how you make money buying and selling anything. A successful business buys or produces at whole sale prices and sells at retail prices. Good news, this is exactly how the profitable market speculator does it as well.

OTA Supply / Demand Grid – USDJPY

USDJPY

Using the time honored principle of supply and demand, this market opportunity was to buy the USDJPY at 102.85 with a target of 105.59. In other words, at a “fresh” demand level in the USDJPY. Price had been declining and was nearing the demand zone on the chart. Three weeks later price reached our supply zone, profit target. As I said above, another word for demand is “wholesale”. So, when price reached that wholesale level, we want to be an aggressive buyer. Who are you buying from? You’re buying at wholesale levels from people who are trained and comfortable selling at wholesale levels. Why would someone sell at wholesale levels? They obviously don’t understand that proper trading is no different than how the gas station profits on chewing gum. They buy the gum for $0.05 and sell it to us for $1.00. They just keep repeating that simple process over and over. If they sold the gum for $0.05 and bought it for $1.00 two things would happen. First, they would have plenty of very happy customers who love them (the buyers). Second, the gas station would soon be out of business.

If your having issues with trading and investing and ready to pull your hair out with frustration, perhaps your complicating something that is actually quite simple. Maybe your trying to turn the reality of how markets really work into a way that they don’t. Maybe your really just looking at an airplane, thinking it’s a pigeon. Its an airplane, don’t overthink it…

Hope this was helpful, have a great day.

Learn to Trade Now


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Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

USD/JPY drops back below 157.00, as focus shifts to Japan snap election

USD/JPY drops back below 157.00, as focus shifts to Japan snap election

USD/JPY is back in the red below 157.00 in the Asian session on Friday. The Japanese Yen recovers ground against the US Dollar amid some profit-taking ahead of Japan's snap general election on Sunday. The preliminary reading of the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index report for February will be released later on Friday. 


Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD: US Dollar to remain pressured until uncertainty fog dissipates

EUR/USD: US Dollar to remain pressured until uncertainty fog dissipates Premium

The EUR/USD pair lost additional ground in the first week of February, settling at around 1.1820. The reversal lost momentum after the pair peaked at 1.2082 in January, its highest since mid-2021.

Gold: Volatility persists in commodity space

Gold: Volatility persists in commodity space Premium

After losing more than 8% to end the previous week, Gold (XAU/USD) remained under heavy selling pressure on Monday and dropped toward $4,400. Although XAU/USD staged a decisive rebound afterward, it failed to stabilize above $5,000.

GBP/USD: Pound Sterling tests key support ahead of a big week

GBP/USD: Pound Sterling tests key support ahead of a big week Premium

The Pound Sterling (GBP) changed course against the US Dollar (USD), with GBP/USD giving up nearly 200 pips in a dramatic correction.

Bitcoin: The worst may be behind us

Bitcoin: The worst may be behind us

Bitcoin (BTC) price recovers slightly, trading at $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, after reaching a low of $60,000 during the early Asian trading session. The Crypto King remained under pressure so far this week, posting three consecutive weeks of losses exceeding 30%.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election Premium

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans. 

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