2.4Trend vs Range
- ·The difference between trending and ranging behaviour
- ·Why strategies are regime-dependent
- ·Why regime identification precedes entry
A trending market generally produces directional structure.
A ranging market repeatedly moves between areas of support and resistance.
Many strategies perform differently depending on regime. A trend-following setup can perform well during expansion and poorly during sideways consolidation.
Before looking for an entry, identify the market regime.
Regime first. Setup second.
A breakout entry taken inside a well-defined range often ends as a false break back into the range.
Examples use historical or illustrative data only. They are not live market signals.
Classify your instrument's last ten trading days as trend or range, and note which of your setups would have qualified.
A trend-following strategy performs equally well in all market regimes.
Price has bounced between two clear levels for three days. Which approach is most consistent with the regime?
- 01Trends produce directional structure; ranges produce rotation.
- 02Setup quality depends on regime.
- 03Identify regime before hunting entries.
Educational content only. Nothing here is financial advice or a recommendation to trade. Trading involves risk of loss, results vary between individuals, and past performance does not indicate future results. Only capital you can afford to lose should be exposed to market risk.