What is QTiTTs?
QTiTTs stands for Quadrant Trend-In-Trend Trading System. It is designed to be a visual trading system represented by the colours of the candles for UpTrend (Green) or DownTrend (Red). It is also represented by multi lines of coloured dots of Upward (Green) or Downward (White) momentum against a black background chart.
Risk Management and Probability
No trading system can be successful without taking into consideration risk management and probabilities. With that in mind, QTiTTs filters out short-term noise signals and focus on longer-term signals in any timeframes. From analysis, positive longer-term signal has a higher probability of success whether it is an UpTrend or a DownTrend signal.
What market can it be used?
QTiTTs are used for trading both stocks and Futures market. For trading stocks, we need to see that the candles are above all the moving averages such as the 8 EMA, 21 EMA, 34 EMA, 55 SMA, 89 SMA, 144 SMA. It is also preferable that the candle is above the 233 SMA.
When a candle Close is above all the moving averages mentioned above, it is likely to be in a longer term upTrend and likewise if it below all the moving averages, it is in a longer term DownTrend. We would also like to see the moving averages stacked accordingly.
TimeFrames for Stocks
For trading stocks, we use only the Daily and 3Day charts. For a positive trend, the candles must be above the 55 SMA and the 55 SMA for the 3Day charts. Momentum must be positive. Also the 8 EMA must have crossed ABOVE the 55 SMA for the Daily and 3Day charts. We like to see a stacking of the moving averages as the trade progresses and then we know that we have a LONG term trend setting up.
TimeFrames for Futures – Intraday
For intraday trading of the /RTY futures, we use both the 1-minute and 3-minute charts and also market internals for precise timing of for ENTRY and EXIT as shown in the chart below.
Entry and Exit
The intent is to Enter into a trade when the momentum and trend are in sync above or below their stacked moving averages. The colour of the candles represents the Trend. Green candle means it is on an UpTrend and Red Candle means it is on a DownTrend. So when the Trend and Momentum are in sync, we enter into a trade and when it is out of sync, we exit a trade.
When the candles are Green and the colour of the dots are Green, we Enter into Buy Long trade. When the candles are Red and the momentum dots are White, we enter into a Sell Short trade. We look to Exit a trade when the candles changes colour or it loses its trend. That means that if it was Red candle and it turns to Yellow candle, it is time to exit the trade. Likewise, if it is was Green candle and it turns to Yellow candle, it means the trend is lost.
Momentum dots will give advance warnings of the change long before the Trend candles changed colour. This trend change is when the Trend and Momentum are totally out of sync.
In the chart 1 above, there are 9 rows of coloured dots. The 3 bottom rows of Red, Orange and Black dots indicates the status of the Squeezes in 3 different timeframes.
The middle 3 rows of Green and White dots represent the status of the Close above the 55 SMA in 2 different timeframes and the uppermost dots represent the status of the close in relation to the 55 SMA and the ATR Trailing StopLoss understudies.
As a rule, Green represent Upward/above and White is Downward/below.
Multi-TimeFrame in Moving Averages and Stacked Moving Averages
The 55 SMA is an important moving average when we trade the /RTY in the 1-minute chart. The 144 SMA in the 1-minute chart is equivalent to the 55 SMA in the 3-minute chart. By utilising the 55 SMA and 144 SMA, we are essentially analysing the state of the market in 2 timeframes. In QTiTTs, the moving averages of 8 EMA, 21 EMA, 34 EMA, 55 SMA, 89 SMA, 144 SMA and 233 SMA are used to analyze the market. The intention of trading is to be in sync with the market which means the Trend and Momentum must be aligned. That is when the big moves happen and as a trader, we are interested in capturing these big moves.
When the moving averages are stacked, we know we have a strong Trend. Traders are interested to buy the dip in a strong trend as there will be pullbacks even in a strong Trend.
QTiTTs rules
The basic QTiTTs rules are as follows:
- 8 EMA crosses above the 21 EMA for an upTrend
- Candle close must be above the 55 SMA. This then forms the upTrend quadrant.
- Likewise, the reverse is true for a DownTrend.
If there are other moving averages such as the 144 SMA and the 233 SMA, then it has to push through these potential resistance lines. Likewise if it down-trending. In that case, it is fighting against Support at those moving averages.
In a trade with stacked moving averages, the trending progress is much smoother. The probability of a strong trending trade is much higher and as the adage goes, “the trend is your friend” and we trade the trend until it ends.
Range Trading and Breakout
In chart 3 below, the market was rather volatile and traded up and down. It soon established a range. All these while, the Tick chart was below zero showing a bearish bias. The ATR Trailing StopLoss was above the candles also demonstrating a bearish bias. Eventually, it broke our downward.
#1 – 8 EMA crosses below the 21 EMA. For the most part, the candles were trading below the 55 SMA.
#2 – The ATR Trailing StopLoss started to move downward.
$3 – The breakout downward.
It is easy to anticipate a bearish setup without confirmation which results in losses. The Do and Don’t is always to be patient to wait for Confirmation of ANY setup.
Importance of Time of Day in Trading
The 9:30 am to 12 noon ET is the most important time to trade especially when trading the /RTY. That is when there are volume in the trading which means good liquidity. The initial few minutes after market open tends to be rather volatile with the potential for the market to reversed itself. Sometimes there are 2-3 reversals within the first 10 minutes after market Open.
The other important time is 8:30 am ET when news are announced. For example there could be an announcement on inflation numbers or CPI and so on. This can cause some rather violent reaction in the market.
The Importance of Not Trading in a Range Bound market
For traders that are trading stocks or futures, the trending market whether it is up or down is when profits are made. Making money from non-trending market is for Option traders. Most traders that trade when the market is not trending are very likely to lose money. Considering that about 70% of the time, the market is range-bound, it is even more important to know when Not to trade.
