Complete Trend Following Guide
Master trend following strategies for consistent profits with the trend
What is Trend Following?
Trend Following is the most classic, reliable, and profitable trading philosophy in forex markets. Its core idea is extremely simple yet profound: trade with the trend, only trade in trend direction, let profits run, cut losses short. Trend followers believe markets form persistent uptrends or downtrends, and attempt to profit by identifying, entering, and holding these trends. Unlike short-term trading pursuing quick in-and-out, trend following emphasizes patient waiting, trading with trend, long-term holding, closest to "wu wei" trading philosophy.
Core Philosophy of Trend Following
- 1. Trend is Friend: 70-80% of market profits come from 20-30% trending markets. Catching a few major trends more important than 100 frequent trades.
- 2. Trade With Trend: Never trade against trend. Only long in uptrend, only short in downtrend, don't trade in ranging markets or wait for breakout.
- 3. Let Profits Run: No fixed take-profit, use trailing stops, hold as long as trend doesn't reverse, single profit may reach hundreds or thousands of pips.
- 4. Cut Losses Short: Once trend judgment wrong, stop out immediately, don't fantasize about "reversal", protecting capital always first priority.
- 5. Low Win Rate High Reward-Risk: Trend following win rate typically only 35-45%, but single profit far exceeds loss (3:1 or 5:1), overall still profitable.
- 6. Patient Waiting: Most time in waiting mode, wait for clear trend signals to appear. Better miss opportunities than force trades.
Trend Following vs Other Trading Styles
| Feature | Trend Following | Day Trading | Range Trading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Environment | Trending (30% of time) | Any market | Ranging (70% of time) |
| Holding Period | 2-30天 | Minutes-8 hours | 1-5天 |
| Win Rate | 35-45% | 50-60% | 60-70% |
| Reward-Risk | 3:1 - 5:1 | 1.5:1 - 2:1 | 1:1 - 1.5:1 |
| Trade Frequency | 1-3/week | 1-5/day | 3-10/week |
| Psychological Stress | Low (patience) | High (quick decisions) | Medium |
| Time Commitment | Low (15-30 min/day) | High (2-6 hrs/day) | Medium (1-2 hrs/day) |
| Suitable For | Part-time, beginners, lazy | Full-time, intermediate | Full-time, experienced |
Why Trend Following Best Suited for Most Traders?
- Simple to Learn: Only need to identify trend direction (up/down/range), no complex multi-indicator analysis, beginners can master basics in 1-2 months
- Low Psychological Burden: No need to watch screen, check 1-2 times daily, no instant decisions, can trade part-time
- Large Profit Potential: Single profit may reach hundreds of pips, catching one major trend equals profits from dozens of day trades
- High Tolerance: Even with only 40% win rate, as long as reward-risk high enough (3:1), still consistently profitable
- Historically Proven: Top Wall Street hedge funds (e.g., Dunn Capital, Winton) use trend following strategies, consistently profitable for decades
- Suits Various Timeframes: Applicable to intraday (H1), swing (H4/D1), long-term (W1/MN), flexibly adapts to personal schedules
Core Challenges of Trend Following
Trend following is not perfect, its biggest challenges are: low win rate and the agony of waiting.
- Psychological Torture of Low Win Rate: May stop out 5-10 consecutive times, only 2-3 wins, but these 2-3 wins enough to cover all losses and profit. Most people cannot bear consecutive losses, quit prematurely
- Agony of Ranging Markets: Market ranges 70% of time, trend followers need patient waiting, may have no trading opportunities for weeks or months, easily causes anxiety and impulsive trading
- Profit Retracement: When trend reverses, some profits retrace (possibly 20-30%), this is inevitable cost of trend following, but many cannot accept, exit too early
Conclusion: Trend following best suited for patient, emotionally stable traders who can accept low win rate. If you pursue short-term excitement and high win rate, trend following not for you.
Core Trend Identification Methods
First and most critical step of trend following: accurately identify whether current market is in uptrend, downtrend, or ranging state. Only correct trend identification ensures high probability of trading with trend. Following are five battle-tested trend identification methods.
Method 1: Price Action (Most Intuitive)
Essence of trend is price continuously creating higher highs and higher lows (uptrend), or lower highs and lower lows (downtrend).
Uptrend Characteristics:
- ✅ Each new high above previous high
- ✅ Each pullback low above previous low
- ✅ Forms ascending "peak-trough" structure
- ✅ Connecting troughs draws ascending trendline
Downtrend Characteristics:
- ✅ Each new low below previous low
- ✅ Each bounce high below previous high
- ✅ Forms descending "peak-trough" structure
- ✅ Connecting peaks draws descending trendline
Ranging Market Characteristics:
- ❌ Highs and lows oscillate within horizontal range
- ❌ Cannot form clear higher highs or lower lows
- ❌ Price constrained by clear support and resistance
- ❌ Cannot draw valid trendlines
Method 2: Moving Average (Most Reliable)
Moving Averages (MA/EMA) are core tools of trend following, revealing trend direction by smoothing price fluctuations.
Classic EMA Combination: 20 EMA + 50 EMA
- Uptrend: Price consistently above 20 EMA and 50 EMA, 20 EMA above 50 EMA (golden cross)
- Downtrend: Price consistently below 20 EMA and 50 EMA, 20 EMA below 50 EMA (death cross)
- Ranging Market: Price frequently crosses 20 EMA and 50 EMA, two EMAs intertwine, direction unclear
| Timeframe | Recommended EMA | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| H1 | 20 EMA + 50 EMA | Intraday trend following |
| H4 | 20 EMA + 50 EMA | Swing trend following (most common) |
| D1 | 10 EMA + 30 EMA | Long-term trend following |
Method 3: ADX Indicator (Measure Trend Strength)
ADX (Average Directional Index) not only identifies trend direction but also quantifies trend strength, essential tool for trend followers.
ADX Value Interpretation:
- ADX < 20: No trend or extremely weak trend, market ranging, unsuitable for trend following, avoid trading or use range strategy
- ADX 20-25: Trend starting to form, can cautiously enter, but stops must be strict
- ADX 25-40: Clear trend, best trading opportunity, golden zone for trend following
- ADX 40-60: Strong trend, can continue holding existing positions, but new entries need caution (possibly overextended)
- ADX > 60: Extremely strong trend, but may near exhaustion, not recommended for new entry, consider partial profit-taking
✅ Best Trend Following Signal:
ADX crosses above 25 from below 20 + price breaks above 20 EMA + +DI (green) above -DI (red) = strong uptrend start signal, go long immediately. Conversely, ADX crosses above 25 + price breaks below 20 EMA + -DI above +DI = strong downtrend start signal, go short immediately.
Method 4: Trendline Method
Connect price troughs (uptrend) or peaks (downtrend) to draw trendline, as long as price doesn't break trendline, trend continues.
- Valid Trendline: Connect at least 3 troughs/peaks, more touches more reliable
- Trend Reversal: Price close clearly breaks ascending trendline (or breaks above descending trendline)
- Entry Timing: Price retests trendline then bounces, low-risk entry point
Method 5: MACD Indicator
MACD is classic auxiliary indicator for trend following, confirms trend through fast/slow line crossovers and histogram.
- Uptrend: MACD line (blue) above signal line (orange), histogram positive
- Downtrend: MACD line below signal line, histogram negative
- Best Entry: MACD golden cross (crosses above signal line) and histogram turns from negative to positive
Comprehensive Judgment: Multiple Timeframe Trend Confirmation
Single timeframe easily produces false signals. Professional trend followers use "triple timeframe" trend confirmation:
- 1. Large Timeframe (D1/W1): Confirm main trend direction, this is "directional compass", never trade against it
- 2. Medium Timeframe (H4): Confirm medium-term trend and entry timing, look for trend consistent with large timeframe
- 3. Small Timeframe (H1): Precise entry point, wait for price pullback to key level before entry
Example: D1 shows EUR/USD uptrend (price above 50 EMA) → H4 confirms uptrend and price pulls back to 20 EMA → H1 waits for bounce signal (hammer, MACD golden cross) → Enter long. Triple confirmation, success rate exceeds 60%.
EMA System Application
EMA (Exponential Moving Average) is core weapon of trend following, more sensitive than SMA (Simple Moving Average), more timely reflects trend changes. Following is complete EMA trend following system.
Classic EMA System: 20/50/200 Triple Combination
20 EMA (Short-Term Trend):
- Represents short-term trend direction (1-2 weeks)
- Price above 20 EMA = short-term uptrend, below = short-term downtrend
- Used for entry timing: price pullback to 20 EMA then bounce is best entry
50 EMA (Medium-Term Trend):
- Represents medium-term trend direction (1-2 months)
- Price above 50 EMA = medium-term uptrend, this is main battlefield direction
- 20 EMA golden/death cross with 50 EMA is important trend signal
200 EMA (Long-Term Trend):
- Represents long-term trend direction (6-12 months)
- Price above 200 EMA = long-term bull market, below = long-term bear market
- Used to judge overall direction: only trade direction consistent with 200 EMA
Complete EMA Trend Following Trading Rules
Long Rules (Buy):
- Trend Confirmation: Price running above 50 EMA and 200 EMA
- EMA Alignment: 20 EMA > 50 EMA > 200 EMA (bullish alignment)
- Entry Trigger:
- Method A: Price pulls back to 20 EMA or 50 EMA then bounces (safest)
- Method B: Enter when 20 EMA golden crosses 50 EMA (early trend)
- Method C: Price breaks above previous high resistance, chase after holding
- Stop-Loss: 30-50 pips below 20 EMA, or below 50 EMA
- Take-Profit: No fixed take-profit, use trailing stop, hold as long as price doesn't break 20 EMA
- Exit Signal: Price breaks below 20 EMA with close confirmation, or 20 EMA death crosses 50 EMA
Short Rules (Sell):
- Trend Confirmation: Price running below 50 EMA and 200 EMA
- EMA Alignment: 20 EMA < 50 EMA < 200 EMA (bearish alignment)
- Entry Trigger:
- Method A: Price bounces to 20 EMA or 50 EMA then falls (safest)
- Method B: Enter when 20 EMA death crosses 50 EMA (early trend)
- Method C: Price breaks below previous low support, chase short after holding
- Stop-Loss: 30-50 pips above 20 EMA, or above 50 EMA
- Take-Profit: No fixed take-profit, use trailing stop, hold as long as price doesn't break above 20 EMA
- Exit Signal: Price breaks above 20 EMA with close confirmation, or 20 EMA golden crosses 50 EMA
EMA Trailing Stop System
Core of trend following is "let profits run", and trailing stops are key tool to achieve this.
Stage 1: Initial Stop (At Entry)
- Stop set 30-50 pips below 20 EMA (uptrend) or above (downtrend)
- This is fixed stop, protects capital, single risk controlled within 2% of account
Stage 2: Breakeven Stop (At 50% Profit)
- When price moves in profit direction by 50% of risk, move stop to entry price
- Example: Entry 1.0900, stop 1.0850 (50 pips), when price reaches 1.0925, move stop to 1.0900
- This way even if price reverses, won't lose, locks risk-free trade
Stage 3: EMA Trailing Stop (After 100% Profit)
- As price continues in profit direction, daily move stop below/above 20 EMA
- Example: Long, after daily close check 20 EMA position, set stop 30 pips below 20 EMA
- This locks most profits while giving space for trend continuation
EMA System Advantages and Limitations
✅ Advantages:
- Simple and intuitive, no complex calculations
- Low lag, timely captures trend changes
- Applicable to all timeframes and currency pairs
- Provides clear entry, stop-loss, take-profit signals
- Can combine with other indicators (ADX, MACD)
❌ Limitations:
- Frequently produces false signals in ranging markets
- Some profit retracement when trend reverses
- Cannot predict when trend will end
- Needs other tools to filter signals
- Unsuitable for ultra-short-term trading (M1/M5)
Recommendation: EMA system best suited for H4 and D1 timeframe swing and long-term trend following. Combined with ADX to filter ranging markets, combined with MACD to confirm entry timing, can significantly improve success rate.
Real-World Case Studies
Case 1: EUR/USD Long-Term Uptrend Following (H4 Chart)
Trend Context: Early Jan 2024, after weeks of consolidation around 1.0850, EUR/USD 20 EMA golden crosses 50 EMA, ADX rises from 18 to 28, clear uptrend starts forming.
Entry Execution:
- H4 confirmation: Price above 50 EMA (1.0840) and 200 EMA (1.0780)
- EMA alignment: 20 EMA > 50 EMA > 200 EMA (perfect bullish alignment)
- ADX: 28, entering trend zone
- Entry timing: Price pulls back from 1.0920 to 20 EMA (1.0880), enters after bullish Pin Bar
- Entry: 1.0885
- Stop: 1.0835 (50 pips below 20 EMA)
- Risk: 50 pips = $50 (0.1 lot)
Position Management:
- Day 3: Price rises to 1.0920 (profit 35 pips), move stop to 1.0885 (breakeven)
- Day 7: Price rises to 1.1050, move stop below 20 EMA (1.0980)
- Day 15: Price rises to 1.1250, move stop to 1.1150
- Day 22: Price touches 1.1380 then pulls back, breaks 20 EMA, close at 1.1320
Final Result: Profit: 1.1320 - 1.0885 = 435 pips = $435 (0.1 lot). Held 22 days, risk $50, reward $435, 1:8.7 risk-reward. This is the power of trend following!
✅ Success Factors: Patient waiting + Trading with trend + Trailing stops + Letting profits run
Case 2: GBP/JPY Counter-Trend Failure Lesson
Wrong Context: Jan 18, 2024, GBP/JPY in clear downtrend, price continuously falling from 190.00 to 186.00, 20 EMA death crosses 50 EMA, ADX reaches 35.
Wrong Operation:
- Trader saw price "fell too much", thought "oversold", tried to bottom-fish long
- H4 chart clearly showed downtrend, but trader ignored
- Went long at 186.50, stop 186.00 (50 pips)
- Expectation: Price bounces to 188.00 (150 pip target)
Painful Result: Price briefly bounced to 186.80 then continued falling, triggered stop 186.00, loss 50 pips. Price later fell to 184.50, could have profited 200 pips if shorted with trend.
❌ Core Error: Counter-trend trading! Iron law of trend following is "never trade against trend", this is common disease of 99% failed traders.
Common Mistakes and Solutions
❌ Mistake 1: Frequent Trading in Ranging Markets
Market ranges 70% of time, trend followers frequently enter in ranging markets, causing consecutive stops, consuming capital and psychology.
✅ Solution: Use ADX filter: only trade when ADX>25. In ranging markets (ADX<20) patiently wait, don't force trades. Remember: Most time of trend followers should be in waiting, waiting for trend to appear. Better miss 10 ranges than lose 10 times in ranging.
❌ Mistake 2: Taking Profits Too Early
After 50-100 pips profit, trader fears profit retracement, closes too early, misses subsequent hundreds of pips of trending move.
✅ Solution: Use trailing stops, let profits run. Hold as long as price doesn't break 20 EMA. Can take partial profits: after 100 pips profit close 50% position, hold remaining 50% with trailing stop. Remember: Core of trend following is "let profits run", single large profit far more important than frequent small profits.
❌ Mistake 3: Cannot Bear Consecutive Stops
After 3-5 consecutive stops, trader loses confidence, abandons strategy, coincidentally misses upcoming major trend.
✅ Solution: Accept low win rate is essence of trend following. Expected win rate only 35-45%, means 10 trades may only have 4 wins, but these 4 wins enough to cover 6 losses and profit. Key is strictly follow strategy, don't abandon due to short-term consecutive losses. Keep trading journal, analyze losing trades, continuously improve. Maintain small positions (1-2% risk per trade), ensure 10 consecutive stops not fatal.
Pyramiding Strategy Essentials
Pyramiding is advanced technique of trend following, gradually increasing positions as trend continues, maximizing profit from single trend. But pyramiding must follow strict rules, otherwise easily turns profit to loss.
Golden Rules of Correct Pyramiding
- 1. Only Pyramid on Winning Positions: Never pyramid on losing positions to "average down", this is gambling. Only pyramid after price moves in profit direction and trend confirmed.
- 2. Decrease Size Each Addition: First position largest, subsequent additions gradually decrease. Example: First 1.0 lot, second 0.5 lot, third 0.3 lot. Forms "ascending pyramid" structure.
- 3. Minimum 50-100 Pip Spacing: Don't pyramid frequently. Consider second position only after first profits at least 50-100 pips. This way even if trend reverses, early profits cover later pyramid losses.
- 4. Maximum 2-3 Additions: Excessive pyramiding causes average cost near current price, once reverses, all profits instantly vanish. Recommend maximum 2-3 additions.
- 5. Move All Stops Together: After each addition, move all stops to same position (e.g., below 20 EMA), ensure all positions exit together once trend reverses.
Pyramiding Real Example
Scenario: EUR/USD uptrend, H4 chart
- First Position: Entry 1.0900, stop 1.0850, size 1.0 lot
- Second Position: Price rises to 1.1000 (first profits 100 pips), add 0.5 lot, stop 1.0950 (protects first profit)
- Third Position: Price rises to 1.1150 (first profits 250 pips), add 0.3 lot, stop 1.1050
- Exit: Price rises to 1.1300 then pulls back, breaks 20 EMA, close all positions at 1.1200
Final Profit Calculation:
- First: (1.1200 - 1.0900) × 1.0 lot = 300 pips = $3000
- Second: (1.1200 - 1.1000) × 0.5 lot = 100 pips = $500
- Third: (1.1200 - 1.1150) × 0.3 lot = 15 pips = $45
- Total Profit: $3545
If only held first position, profit only $3000. Through correct pyramiding, increased profit by 18%!
Dangerous Wrong Pyramiding Example
Scenario: Trader pyramids on losing position to "average down"
- First: Long at 1.0900, price falls to 1.0850, loss 50 pips
- Wrong pyramid: Long again 1.0 lot at 1.0850, trying to "average down" cost to 1.0875
- Result: Price continues falling to 1.0800, both positions lose total 150 pips = $1500
❌ Fatal Error: Pyramiding on losing position is gambling, not trading! Only accelerates blow-up. Correct approach: decisively stop out first position when losing, not pyramid.
Pyramiding Advice: Caution First
Pyramiding is advanced technique, only suitable for experienced traders. Beginner and intermediate traders recommend: 1) Don't pyramid for first 1-2 years, focus on single entry and trailing stops; 2) Only try pyramiding after 3 consecutive months of consistent profits; 3) Initially only one addition, increase after proficiency; 4) Always remember: Pyramiding is icing on cake, not necessity. Can profit without pyramiding, but wrong pyramiding destroys accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the differences between trend following and swing trading?▼
Trend following is a trading philosophy, swing trading is a timeframe classification. Trend following emphasizes "trading with trend", only trades in trend direction, applicable to any timeframe (intraday, swing, long-term). Swing trading means holding 2-10 days, can be with or against trend. Trend followers typically use swing or long-term timeframes (H4/D1/W1), but core is identifying trend, following trend, letting profits run.
Q2: How to judge trend strength?▼
Use multiple indicators comprehensively: 1) ADX indicator: >25 trending market, >40 strong trend; 2) Moving average angle: steep angle with price consistently above/below MA; 3) Consecutive candle count: 5+ same-color candles in row; 4) New high/low frequency: frequently making new highs (up) or lows (down); 5) Pullback magnitude: pullback not exceeding 38.2% of previous swing (Fibonacci); 6) Price distance from EMA: further distance = stronger trend, but excessive extension warns of reversal.
Q3: What are the best trend following entry timings?▼
Three classic entry points: 1) Early trend breakout (highest risk but highest reward): price breaks key resistance/support, trend just starting; 2) Pullback entry (safest): after trend established, wait for price pullback to 20/50EMA or previous high/low support; 3) Breakout acceleration (momentum): mid-trend, price breaks consolidation range and accelerates. Recommend beginners use pullback entry, optimal risk-reward, less psychological pressure.
Q4: How to set stops in trend following?▼
Stops should be set at "trend invalidation" position, not fixed pips. Common methods: 1) Below/above EMA: price breaking 20/50EMA indicates short-term trend change; 2) Below previous low/high: price breaking previous swing low (uptrend); 3) Below trendline: price breaking ascending trendline; 4) ATR dynamic stop: entry - 2x ATR. As price moves in profit direction, gradually move stop (trailing stop), lock profits while protecting trend continuation space.
Q5: What to do about low trend following win rate?▼
Trend following win rate typically only 35-45%, this is normal! Because market ranges 70% of time, only trends 30%. But trend following advantage is "cut losses short, let profits run", single profit far exceeds loss (reward-risk can reach 3:1 or 5:1). Solutions: 1) Accept low win rate, focus on overall reward-risk; 2) Strict stops, control single loss within 2%; 3) Let profits run, use trailing stops not fixed targets; 4) Patiently wait for major trends, don't trade frequently. Remember: catching 2-3 major trends per year can achieve substantial returns.
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