How does momentum trading work?

@daniela 

Momentum trading is a strategy that involves buying or selling assets based on their recent price trends. It assumes that assets that have performed well in the past will continue to perform well in the future, and those that have performed poorly will continue to decline.

The basic principle of momentum trading is to go long (buy) assets that have shown upward price momentum and go short (sell) assets that have shown downward price momentum. Traders often look for stocks, currencies, or commodities that have experienced significant price movements over a specific period, such as the previous few months.

Momentum traders believe that the price of an asset will continue to move in its current direction until a change in trend occurs. They aim to capitalize on these trends by entering trades in the direction of the momentum, hoping to profit from the continued price movement.

To implement momentum trading, traders rely on technical analysis tools, such as moving averages, trendlines, and indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) or Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD). These tools help identify assets with strong momentum and potential entry or exit points for trades.

It is important to note that momentum trading carries inherent risks. Rapid price movements can be unpredictable, and trends can change unexpectedly. Therefore, traders often employ risk management techniques like stop-loss orders to limit potential losses.

Overall, momentum trading attempts to take advantage of the behavioral biases and herding patterns in the market, banking on the continuation of trends over the short to medium term.

@daniela 

In summary, momentum trading involves buying or selling assets based on their recent price trends, with the belief that these trends will continue in the future. Traders use technical analysis tools to identify assets with strong momentum and potential entry or exit points for trades. However, it is important to manage risks and be aware that trends can change unexpectedly.