• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
Daniels Trading

Trade Futures, Spreads and Options with Confidence.

Top Navigation

  • Open a Futures Account
  • Sign Up
  • Log in
  • 1.800.800.3840

Primary Navigation Menu

  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Services
    • Risk Disclosure
    • COVID-19
  • Trade
    • Broker-Assisted
    • Self-Directed / Online
    • Request Pricing
  • Hedge
    • Ag Marketing Plan
    • WASDE Analysis
    • Grain Resources
    • Livestock / Dairy Resources
    • Request Pricing
  • Invest
    • Automated Strategies
    • Managed Futures
    • Request Pricing
  • Advisories
    • GENERAL / FUNDAMENTAL
      • DT Newsletter
      • Insider Market Advisory
      • Turner’s Take Newsletter & Podcast
    • TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
      • The Cullen Outlook
      • Data Feed Trade
      • Jarboe Trading Journal
      • Trade Spotlight
    • AG MARKETING
      • Cattleman’s Advisory
      • Technical Ag Knowledge
      • Turner’s Take Ag Marketing
    • THIRD-PARTY RESOURCES
      • CFRN
      • Moore Research Center, Inc. (MRCI)
      • OptionWorks®
      • TASMarketProfile.com
  • Education
    • CME Group Resource Center
    • CME Group Offers
    • Small Exchange Resources
    • Guides
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Order Entry Handbook
  • Blog
    • Futures 101
    • Ag Marketing
    • Tips & Strategies
    • Trading Advisories
  • Resources
    • Trading Software
    • Quotes and Charts
    • Futures Calendars
    • Contract Specifications
    • Margin Requirements
    • Futures Calculator
  • Accounts
    • Apply
    • Access My Account
    • Funding
  • Contact
 

4 Characteristics Of Powerful Futures Trading Charts

December 2, 2019 by Daniels Trading| Tips & Strategies

If your strategy depends on technical analysis, then designing powerful futures trading charts is the name of the game. In this post, we’ll break down four key chart characteristics that contribute to a clear, concise, and timely study of price action.

1.  User-friendly

For technical traders, the pricing chart is the foundation on which they make all trading decisions. A pricing chart’s essential function is to place evolving price action into a manageable context. To accomplish this task with the utmost efficiency, the strongest futures trading charts are user-friendly.

At its core, a chart’s usability is a function of two primary factors:

  • Navigation: Being able to easily move around a charting application is an important part of its functionality. Opening and closing windows, adding and removing indicators, and changing markets and products must all be as routine as possible for the chart to be effective.
  • Presentation: A pricing chart is a visual trading tool. Accordingly, an intuitive, attractive format greatly boosts its overall utility.

A user-friendly pricing chart is accessible and engaging. By being easily navigable and visually appealing, a powerful chart provides the trader with a conflict-free view of the marketplace.

2. Clutter-free

If you’ve ever sat in front of a trading screen, then you’re familiar with the high volume of information traders encounter during live market conditions. Quote boards, indicators, news feeds, and chat room dialogues are just a few items that bombard participants on a daily basis. Add in a period of extreme market volatility, and a once-controlled environment can become chaotic very quickly.

One element that robust futures trading charts have in common is that they are efficient. All extraneous information, indicators, and stimuli have been eliminated to create a streamlined picture of price action. That means if an element isn’t indispensable to your analytical approach, it shouldn’t appear on your chart.
Want technical trading tips? Download our free guide 12+ Candlestick Formations Every Technical Trader Should Know today!

3. Low-latency

The futures markets are rapidly evolving arenas that seldom stay the same for very long. Asset prices can change substantially in the blink of an eye. To stay competitive, an active trader’s charts must be responsive to changes.

Preserving a low-latency connection to the exchange is a key part of making sure your futures trading charts remain current. Here are a few basic ways to accomplish this objective:

  • Upgrade to the most recent version of your software platform
  • Perform regular hardware maintenance
  • Periodically monitor connection speed with exchange and broker servers

If your charts are still experiencing undue latencies after taking these three steps, it may be time to seek an alternative for market connectivity. Commissioning the services of another broker or securing direct market access (DMA) are two ways of addressing any latency issues that may be plaguing your charts.

4. Strategically relevant

For most scientific studies, it helps to compare apples to apples. This is especially true in technical analysis: An ideal chart type will be needed to interpret price movements in a meaningful way. In other words, an effective chart is one that adds strategic value to the comprehensive trading plan.

To be strategically valuable, a chart must provide useful information to the crafting of trade-related decisions. As an example of this concept, assume that Cam the corn trader is planning to take an intraday reversal trade in December corn futures. For clues on when to execute the trade, Cam references a daily December corn line chart.

Unfortunately for Cam, the line chart provides only a daily overview of pricing and overall market direction. This type of chart has a limited intraday trading strategic value—it would be more useful for a swing trade or long-term investment. A better choice for Cam would be an intraday OHLC, or candlestick chart, for December corn futures. When combined with select indicators, the OHLC will allow Cam to more effectively identify a precise entry point and enhance his chances of realizing a profit.

Build Your Own Futures Trading Charts

The only things you need to begin building your own futures trading charts are a software platform and connection to market data. To secure both, sign up for a complimentary 14-day trial of dt Pro, courtesy of Daniels Trading. Featuring advanced functionality and real-time streaming data, a dt Pro demo is a great way to boost your charting chops absolutely risk-free.

Ready to think like a technical trader? Download our free guide to learn how to identify chart formations and take action when the time is right.

Filed Under: Tips & Strategies

About Daniels Trading

Daniels Trading is division of StoneX Financial Inc. located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Established by renowned commodity trader Andy Daniels in 1995, Daniels Trading was built on a culture of trust committed to a mission of Independence, Objectivity and Reliability.

Subscribe To The Blog

Footer

Site Navigation

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About Us
  • Customer Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Futures Blog
  • Open a Futures Trading Account
  • Media Resources
  • Fund Your Account
  • Legal Notices

Contact Us

StoneX Financial Inc.
Daniels Trading Division
230 South LaSalle Suite 10-500
Chicago, IL 60604
+1.312.706.7600 Local / Int'l
+1.800.800.3840 Toll-Free
+1.312.706.7605 Fax

Connect with Us

Trustpilot
Risk Disclosure
  • Risk Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Residents Privacy Notice
  • Terms of Use
  • Back to top