Generally speaking, there are two possible ways (other than random) to trade Forex: objective and subjective. The first way is based on measurable and testable methods, while the second is based on unmeasurable and untestable techniques. Evidence-Based Technical Analysis by David Aronson offers an
The entire objective vs. subjective comparison can be reduced to four main concepts:
Objective analysis — consists of strictly defined and testable rules. Even if the rules are based on fundamental analysis, they still can be objective and thus testable. For example, "buy on positive interest rate changes; sell on negative ones" is an objective rule. Whereas a rule from technical analysis that would sound like "buy on uptrend; sell on downtrend" is obviously a subjective one.
Subjective analysis — is not based on clearly defined and testable rules. It encompasses not only "gut feeling" trades but also a huge portion of current technical and fundamental analysis found on various Forex related websites. The main disadvantage of subjective analysis is that it is not possible to prove or disprove its validity (profitability). Even if you follow some more or less strict rules but cannot define them into a mechanical trading strategy, you are also practicing a subjective analysis. It might be so that the method is viable, but your final trading history will be the only result of the method's test.
Objective output — no matter what type of analysis you are using, the output of the analysis can be in a form of clearly defined entry and exit signals. You might be
Subjective output — shows no clear entry and exit levels or timeframes. If you see a sentence like "I am bullish on gold." or "The dollar will fall soon.", you can be sure that you are dealing with subjective output. The problem with this way of signal formulation is that you cannot test it properly even when the analyst uses some objective and testable method of analysis.
It is definitely possible to pair subjective and objective methods of analysis or output. That is what many traders are doing with chart pattern trades — they are based on subjective analysis (no one knows how to properly formalize the method of choosing chart patterns) but produce objective directions for trading, which can be executed with a fully automated expert advisor.
If you have some questions on the topic of objective and subjective methods of currency trading, please feel free to ask them on our Forex forum.
