Sentiment trading involves trying to gain an advantage about what to buy or sell by reading the signals about how other investors are feeling about a particular market or stock.
Sentiment trading is also called sentiment analysis. As the name suggests, it means trading based on sentiments. How are other traders or investors feeling about a particular currency pair or stock, etc., and trade following their bias?
Understanding market sentiment allows you to judge whether a market is feeling optimistic or pessimistic about the future of prices of a security, such as a stock or currency for example. An optimistic market is a bull market, and a pessimistic market is a bear market.
Understanding market sentiment can be a powerful tool for you as an investor or trader. It allows you to read the mood of where the market is heading so you can capitalize on the changing direction.
Types of Sentiments in The Market?
There are two main types of sentiment in the market: Risk-On and Risk-Off Sentiments.
Risk-On Sentiments
Risk-on sentiment refers to a situation where investors are prepared to take risks in the market. It is characterized by a strong performance in the stock and crypto market and a weaker US dollar.
Risk Off Sentiments
On the contrary, Risk-off sentiment refers to a situation where investors are afraid of risk. In this period, they turn defensive and embrace the so-called safe havens like value stocks and bonds.
Now, we know what sentiment trading is. So the big question is, How Do You Trade Market Sentiment?
How to Trade Market Sentiment
Financial markets are fuelled by emotion, which is one of the main reasons there are several trading opportunities available to invest in or trade in the market. The significance of emotions shows the importance and impact of sentiment on markets.
Interestingly, it also highlights the need to blend it with other measures such as technical analysis or fundamental analysis. This means, while trading based on sentiments, ensure you do not completely eliminate the need for TA & FA.
Volume is a major way to evaluate how the market is feeling (its sentiment). This is very helpful, especially if you’re trading the stock or options market.
However, gauging market sentiment is somewhat tricky. Attitudes and the outlook of a market are both shaped by anything and everything; therefore, as a trader or investor, you need to spread a wide net to ensure they are informed as much as possible about the ever-evolving markets. And this is where sentiment market indicators come in handy.
Final Thoughts on Sentiment Trading
There you have it – a somewhat brief yet comprehensive insight into the fundamentals of Sentiment Trading. Whether you are a trader or an investor, understanding the place of sentiments in the markets is instrumental to thriving and scaling beyond heights.
I believe this article has helped you demystify the concept of sentiment trading. However, should you have further questions, don’t hesitate to ask via the comment section below. I’ll be glad to hear from you.