Fibonacci Forex Trading
Fibonacci strategies in the context of forex trading use the Fibonacci sequence of numbers, ratios and patterns to inform entry and exit points. In this guide, we explain how to implement Fibonacci retracement levels and extensions. We also cover what you need from a broker, the best analysis software, resources, and how to get started Fibonacci forex trading.
Forex Brokers With Fibonacci Chart Patterns
- OANDA US - OANDA offers a diverse selection of 68 currency pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker’s in-house platform offers superb day trading capabilities via powerful TradingView charts, including 65+ technical indicators and 11 customizable chart types.
- Vantage - Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.
- IC Markets - IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
- AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.
- FOREX.com - FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.
Fibonacci Forex Trading Comparison
| Broker | Forex Assets | EUR/USD Spread | Forex App Rating | Minimum Deposit | Regulator | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
65+ | 1.6 | 4 / 5 |
$0 | NFA, CFTC | Visit |
|
55+ | 0.0 | 4 / 5 |
$50 | FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC | Visit |
|
75 | 0.02 | 4.8 / 5 |
$200 | ASIC, CySEC, FSA | Visit |
|
50+ | 0.9 | 4.3 / 5 |
- | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM | Visit |
|
80+ | 1.2 | 4.9 / 5 |
$100 | NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA | Visit |
|
100+ | 0.1 | 4.7 / 5 |
$0 | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB | Visit |
|
55+ | 1.6 | 4.7 / 5 |
$5 | ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA | Visit |
|
50+ | 0.0 | 3.6 / 5 |
$100 | ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB | Visit |
|
45+ | Variable | 3 / 5 |
$0 | - | Visit |
|
60+ | 14 pips | 4.5 / 5 |
$10 | - | Visit |
|
80+ | 0.8 | 4.9 / 5 |
$0 | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA | Visit |
|
50+ | 1.2 | 4 / 5 |
$10 | FSC, FSA | Visit |
|
70+ | 1.58 pips (Ave) | 2.5 / 5 |
$100 | FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSC | Visit |
|
70+ | 0.2 | 3.4 / 5 |
$0 | CySEC | Visit |
|
70+ | 1.0 | 4.8 / 5 |
$0 | FCA, CySEC, KNF, CNMV, DFSA, FSC | Visit |
#1 - OANDA US
Why We Chose OANDA US
OANDA offers a diverse selection of 68 currency pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker’s in-house platform offers superb day trading capabilities via powerful TradingView charts, including 65+ technical indicators and 11 customizable chart types.
"OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: 3.4
- EURUSD Spread: 1.6
- EURGBP Spread: 1.7
- Total Assets: 65+
- Leverage: 1:50
- Platforms: OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
About OANDA US
OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available for short-term traders, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.
Pros
- There's a strong selection of 68 currency pairs for dedicated short-term forex traders
- The broker's API facilitates access to 25 years of deep historical data and rates from 200+ currencies
- Beginners can get started easily with $0 minimum initial deposit
Cons
- There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported
- It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
- The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
#2 - Vantage
Why We Chose Vantage
Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.
"Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly."
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.5
- EURUSD Spread: 0.0
- EURGBP Spread: 0.5
- Total Assets: 55+
- Leverage: 1:500
- Platforms: ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade
About Vantage
Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.
Pros
- It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 2 minutes
- Vantage maintains its high trust score thanks to its strong reputation and top-tier regulation from the FCA and ASIC
- The low minimum deposit of $50 and zero funding fees make this broker a great choice for new traders
Cons
- A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side
- It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
- The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
#3 - IC Markets
Why We Chose IC Markets
IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.23
- EURUSD Spread: 0.02
- EURGBP Spread: 0.27
- Total Assets: 75
- Leverage: 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
About IC Markets
IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
Pros
- With ultra-fast execution speeds averaging 35 milliseconds and deep liquidity, IC Markets provides an optimal trading environment for scalpers, hedgers, and algorithmic traders.
- As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
- You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
Cons
- Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
- Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
- The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
#4 - AvaTrade
Why We Chose AvaTrade
AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.
"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: 1.5
- EURUSD Spread: 0.9
- EURGBP Spread: 1.5
- Total Assets: 50+
- Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
- Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
About AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.
Pros
- Day traders can access stable spreads and zero commissions with no hidden fees
- Automated trading is supported through MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs), as well as the AvaSocial and DupliTrade tools
- There's a great range of fee-free deposit methods, including bank wire, credit cards and popular e-wallets like Skrill
Cons
- A high $2000 minimum investment is required to use DupliTrade, which will be out of reach for many beginners
- It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here
- Traders from the US are not accepted
#5 - FOREX.com
Why We Chose FOREX.com
FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.
"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."
- DayTrading Review Team
- GBPUSD Spread: 1.3
- EURUSD Spread: 1.2
- EURGBP Spread: 1.4
- Total Assets: 80+
- Leverage: 1:200 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
About FOREX.com
Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
Pros
- Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
- FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
- The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
Cons
- FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
- Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
- Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
The Fibonacci Sequence
Italian mathematician Leonardo Pisano, nicknamed Fibonacci, introduced the West to what is now known as the Fibonacci sequence back in the 13th century.
The Fibonacci sequence is an infinite numerical sequence. Each number in the series is the sum of the proceeding two values (after 0 and 1): 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21 etc. Each number is approximately 1.618 times greater than the previous. This ratio, 1.618, is also referred to as Phi or the Golden Ratio.
The Golden Ratio can be depicted in a spiral shape and, interestingly, is a shape that crops up across the natural world. From rose petals to seashells, architecture, human faces and even constellations in outer space. There are some that believe that the spiral shape extends beyond nature and can be used to depict human behaviour too. The theory goes that as people adjust their behaviour in response to change, they do so at a rate proportionate to the Fibonacci ratios.
In the context of trading forex, it’s not the numbers in the sequence themselves that we’re interested in, but the difference between them. The ratios unveil patterns which in turn help highlight opportunities.
Setting Up A Fibonacci Forex Trading Strategy
The application of the Fibonacci sequence to forex day trading is relatively straightforward. It is most commonly used as part of a trend-trading strategy. Traders adopting this strategy anticipate that price will pivot at the points outlined by Fibonacci levels.
The basic premise is that in a market uptrend, you buy on a retracement at a Fibonacci support level, while during a downtrend, you sell at a Fibonacci resistance level. Ideally, you want to be looking at the highest and lowest swings.
Forex Trading Using Fibonacci Strategies
Fibonacci sequence ratios are used to predict retracement levels.
Retracements
The theory behind Fibonacci forex trading retracements is that after a significant market swing, price will return at least in part, to a particular point, before it continues in its initial direction.
So in practice, the numbers and formulas that feed into your retracement levels may allow you to predict future price points.
As we’ve seen above, each new number in the Finbonacci sequence is approximately 61.8 percent of the consecutive number. Which means that it is approximately 38.2% of the number after that, and approximately 23.6 percent of the number after that. These ratios: 61.8, 38.2, and 23.6 are our Fibonacci retracement levels.
On a chart, they are marked horizontally to make a grid within the parameters of the high and low levels chosen. When a trend is moving in a certain direction, the belief is that the price reversal point will coincide with the interception of these horizontal lines, before it resumes in the direction of the original trend. Fibonacci retracement levels help traders to identify potential price reversal points i.e points of opportunity.
Some models also use the 50 percent retracement level. Whilst it is not a Fibonacci ratio, it is widely acknowledged to be an important potential turning point as recognised in Dow theory.
The theory behind why trends unfold in this manner, is that human behaviour inherently follows the ratios of the Fibonacci sequence i.e. if a trend is moving too quickly in one direction, the market will respond relative to the ratios outlined in the sequence.
Extensions
The next step is supplementing your forex trading strategy with extension levels. Extensions use Fibonacci numbers and patterns to determine profit taking points.
Extensions continue past the 100% mark and indicate possible exits in line with the trend. For the purposes of using Fibonacci numbers for day trading forex, the key extension points consist of 161.8%, 261.8% and 423.6%.
Fibonacci Forex Trading Strategies In Action
Examples of forex trading strategies that use Fibonacci ratios include:
- Buying close to the 50 percent point with a stop-loss order just under the 61.8 percent mark
- Buying close to the 38.2 percent retracement point with a stop-loss order just under the 50 percent mark
- In a sell position towards the top of a substantial swing, using the Fibonacci retracement levels as profit collecting points
Limitations
Fibonacci retracement levels are not a guarantee. Whilst useful indicators, Fibonacci forex trading levels cannot actually guarantee a pivot point. The price may not reverse at a Fibonacci level or any other estimated level for that matter. They can be used to identify areas of interest but cannot guarantee a specific point of change.
It is also worth noting that when looking at small price movements, Fibonacci levels may not offer much insight. When levels are very close together it can seem that every point is important. They are best used on larger swings.
Furthermore, using Fibonacci tools is somewhat subjective. In a single day there will be multiple price swings, meaning that not everyone will be connecting the same two points. To help you identify areas of importance, draw retracement levels on all major price swings and look out for areas with a cluster of Fibonacci levels.
Our recommendation is to always use Fibonacci forex trading strategies in combination with other tools and insights. Trend indicators such as moving averages or Bollinger bands are useful in determining the direction of an asset whilst relative strength index and Bulls and Bears powers are often used to determine whether an asset has been overbought or oversold.
Broker Tools
When forex trading using Fibonacci strategies, the numbers, formulas, ratios and patterns can appear daunting.
However, advanced charting software will do the heavy lifting for you, offering retracement and extension level tools. So make sure you choose a broker whose software you’re comfortable using.
As with learning any new forex strategy, the more resources you can get your hands on the better. Therefore, it’s worth exploring whether your broker offers any Fibonacci forex trading strategy guidance, be it through PDFs or tutorial videos.
YouTube can also be a great way to see the numbers and patterns being applied in real life examples.
For further guidance, see our forex broker reviews.
Final Word On Fibonacci Forex Trading
Trading forex with Fibonacci strategies uses ratios and formulas to determine where support and resistance are likely to occur. Whilst the sequence itself can seem daunting, its application to forex day trading is relatively simple. Fibonacci forex trading strategies are widely used by retail and corporate investors and most investing platforms offer the feature as standard.
Of course, every trader is different and there are no guaranteed returns with a Fibonacci forex trading strategy. With that in mind, always consider retracements and extensions as tools to help inform your broader market angle.
FAQs
When Is The Best Time To Use A Fibonacci Forex Trading Strategy?
The Fibonacci forex trading technique is most effective when the market is trending. Price action is often most prevalent when the market opens and closes.
What Do You Need From A Broker To Use A Fibonnaci Forex Trading Strategy?
The best forex day trading platforms and brokers will provide easy-to-use software with dedicated retracement and extension tools.
What Is The Best Way To Understand The Fibonacci Ratios?
Before you start trading forex with real money, open a demo account at a broker and play around with the Fibonacci numbers, patterns and formulas.
What Are The Limitations Of Using A Fibonacci Forex Trading Strategy?
Fibonacci levels cannot pinpoint an exact entry level. They only provide an estimated entry area. With that in mind, they should inform but not dictate your forex trading decisions.
Can A Fibonacci Forex Trading Strategy Work Alongside Other Techniques?
Yes, forex trading using Fibonacci & Elliott Wave PDFs are one good example.