The DIBS (Daily Inside Bar Setup) strategy, developed by Wall Street trader Peter S. Kraus, leverages the Inside Bar pattern for daily trading. This strategy aims to exploit consolidation periods before breakouts and can be applied across various timeframes. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how the DIBS strategy works, its advantages, and key considerations.
How the DIBS Strategy Works
Inside Bar Definition:
- An Inside Bar is a candlestick pattern where the latest candlestick is completely within the range (high to low) of the previous candlestick. This pattern indicates market uncertainty, often followed by significant price movements.
Implementation Steps:
- Identify the Inside Bar Pattern:
- On the H1 timeframe (or another preferred timeframe), look for Inside Bar patterns on the forex chart.
- Analyze Market Sentiment:
- Use a Simple Moving Average (SMA) to determine market sentiment. If the price is above the SMA, the market is considered bullish; if below, bearish.
- Entry Setup:
- For a buy position, wait until the engulfing candlestick is above the SMA and place a buy order. For a sell position, wait until the engulfing candlestick is below the SMA and place a sell order.
- Stop Loss and Take Profit:
- Set the stop loss just below (for buy) or above (for sell) the body of the engulfing candlestick. Determine take profit with a risk/reward ratio greater than 1:1.
Trading Time:
- Entry Time: Use around 6:00 GMT to check for patterns and execute trades. This is just before the London session starts when volatility tends to increase.
Key Considerations
Pattern Validity:
- Ensure the Inside Bar completely engulfs the previous candlestick and is above or below the SMA, not just touching the SMA line.
Economic News:
- Check for economic news that could impact the selected currency pair. Significant news releases can influence the market, affecting the strategy’s accuracy.
Timeframe Flexibility:
- While H1 is recommended, you can use other timeframes like M15, M30, H4, or Daily. Higher timeframes might provide stronger signals but require longer holding periods.
Advantages of the DIBS Strategy
- Flexible and Accurate:
- The strategy can be used on various timeframes and is generally accurate in capturing breakouts, especially during the London session.
- Breakout Detection:
- DIBS often captures significant price movements after consolidation periods, offering potential for substantial profits.
- Adaptability:
- This method can be applied to various currency pairs and can be tailored to suit your trading preferences.
The DIBS strategy, while effective, requires practice and testing to achieve optimal results. It is recommended to use a demo account to test this strategy before applying it to a live account. Through practice, you can determine the best timeframe and currency pairs for your trading style, maximizing profit potential. This strategy provides a useful tool for identifying trading opportunities that may be hidden in the market and capitalizing on significant price movements after consolidation periods.