Range-Bound Trading: How to Profit From Market Conditions

Predicting the next big market trend can be time-consuming, speculative, and may often lead to trading losses. A better approach to consider may be range-bound trading. A range-bound trading strategy takes advantage of predictable price movements within a defined range, allowing traders to minimize risk exposure and earn profits. But how exactly does range-bound trading work — and how can you implement it in your trading portfolio? 

This article explains the range-bound trading strategy and how it might help you trade profitably while reducing risks. 

Key Takeaways:

• Range-bound is a trading strategy traders analyze and uses the support and resistance trendline level to determine and entry and exit point.

• Although range-bound trading is ideal for lower volatility assets, but traders can still capitalize on this strategy to make quick profits.
• Traders would use technical indicators like Average True Range, Bollinger Band, and Donchian Channel to identify the range-bound markets.

What Is Range-Bound Trading?

Range-bound trading involves buying an asset when its price is at the lower end of a range, and selling when the price approaches the upper end. The assumption is that the asset's price is more likely to stay within the spectrum than to break out.

The range is defined by a support level at the bottom and a resistance level at the top, within which assets will be bought and sold. In range-bound trading, you buy when the price drops to the support level and sell when it reaches the resistance point. 

When Should You Use a Range-Bound Trading Strategy?

Range-bound trading is most effective when an asset's price consistently bounces back and forth between the support and resistance levels, without any significant movement in either direction. The range-bound strategy is particularly beneficial if you prefer a more conservative approach, as it allows you to take advantage of predictable price movements and minimize your risk exposure. By buying at the support level and selling at the resistance level, you can gain from the price oscillations without exposing yourself to unnecessary risk.

You can use technical analysis (TA) like Bollinger Bands and Average True Range to spot range-bound trading opportunities by primarily watching for price congestion within a range on the price chart. The general price action is situated between two specific levels: the high of the range, and the low of the range. Some traders refer to a range-bound market as a price consolidation, congestion phase or flat market. 

For example, if an asset is trading in a range between $150 and $160, a range-bound trader might buy the asset when it reaches $150 and sell it when it reaches $160. Then, they would repeat the process, buying again when the asset’s price drops back down to $150, and selling again when it reaches $160.

What Are the Perks of Range-Bound Trading?

Range-bound trading reduces your risks, amongst other benefits.

• Clear boundaries: Range-bound markets make it easier for you to identify when to enter and exit a trade because of the clear support and resistance levels.

• Lower volatility: Range-bound markets tend to have lower volatility compared to trending markets, reducing risk and providing a more stable trading environment.

• Predictable price movements: In range-bound markets, prices tend to move in a predictable pattern, oscillating between support and resistance levels. This stable price action makes deploying TA tools more efficient.

• Versatility: Range-bound trading can be applied to stocks, futures and crypto, making it a versatile trading strategy.

Determining a Ranging Market

To determine a ranging market, traders can observe support and resistance levels in the market and determine ideal areas to place entry and exit orders. You can also use technical indicators such as the average directional index (ADX) and Bollinger Bands to confirm that the market is in a trading range.

The ADX is a trend strength indicator that can help traders identify if the market is trending or ranging. If the ADX reading is below 25, it indicates that the market is ranging, while a reading above 25 suggests a trending market.

Bollinger Bands are a volatility indicator consisting of a moving average line and two standard deviation lines above and below it. When the price reaches the upper or lower Bollinger Band, it suggests that the market is overbought or oversold, respectively, and the price is likely to revert to the mean.

Identifying a Breakout Trade

A breakout strategy is one in which a trader seeks to profit from a significant price move outside a trading range — above a resistance level or below a support level. To identify an opportunity for breakout trade, you can use TA to look for patterns that indicate a price starting to trend toward the breakout direction. This may involve looking for increased trading volume, or a break above a key resistance level. For instance, if a chart pattern breaks upward and there's a lot of trading activity, it means the general sentiment favors a steady upward price increase.

Understanding Breakdown vs. Breakout

A breakdown refers to a situation in which the price of an asset breaks below a support level, indicating a potential trend reversal. In a breakout, on the other hand, the price of an asset breaks above a resistance level, signaling a possible upward trend. TA can help you identify key support and resistance levels and search for patterns that indicate a potential breakdown or breakout.

Range Contraction

Range contraction means that the range of price movement narrows as the market becomes less volatile. Contraction of Bollinger Bands is one common technical indicator traders use to measure price volatility. Range contraction can indicate imminent breakout or breakdown, and TA makes it possible to identify likely entry and exit points.

Price Acceptance

Price acceptance means that an asset has traded within a particular range for an extended period, indicating that the market has accepted that price range as fair value. You can employ TA to identify key support and resistance levels and to look for patterns that indicate a potential breakout or breakdown from this range.

Trading Setup

A range-bound trading setup involves identifying key support and resistance levels and looking for patterns that indicate a potential breakout or breakdown. You can use technical indicators such as pivot points to map out horizontal support and resistance levels on a price chart. 

Range Trading with Pivot Points

Traders widely use pivot points — price levels calculated based on previous trading sessions' average high, low and closing prices — to identify key levels against which price may reverse, breakthrough or bounce off. Range trading involves using pivot points as support and resistance levels to determine entry and exit points. 

Here are some key points to note when using pivot points for range trading:

• Regular Support and Resistance Levels: You can use pivot points as regular support and resistance levels. For instance, the more times a currency pair touches a pivot level and reverses, the stronger the level.

• Risk Management: Pivot points can be used to set up the trading range and enforce risk management for range traders, since range-trading strategy involves buying at the lower end of the range and selling at the upper end of the range (or vice versa).

• Trend Determinant: To use pivot points for range trading, the first step is to determine the direction of the trend by comparing the previous open price with the pivot point level. For example, the market trend is bullish if the pivot point exceeds the last open price.

• Objective Trading: Trading with pivot points can remove the subjectivity of manually plotting support and resistance levels, making it a popular strategy among traders who want to use objective trade criteria.

• Technical Indicator: If the market trades above the pivot point in the ensuing period, it’s generally viewed as a bullish inclination. Traders may seek buying opportunities if the market is above the pivot point.

To sum up, range trading with pivot points is a strategy that involves using pivot points as support and resistance levels to determine entry and exit points. Pivot points can be used to set up the trading range and enforce risk management for range traders. They can help remove the subjectivity in manually plotting support and resistance levels. By comparing the previous open price with the pivot point level, you can determine the direction of the trend and look for buying or selling opportunities accordingly.

How Effective Is Range-Bound Trading?

Range-bound trading can be an effective strategy for traders who understand technical analysis and fundamental factors that affect the price range of an asset. By buying at the support trendline and selling at the resistance trendline, you can try to take advantage of short-term highs and lows within the range, helping you to profit from the market. However, to trade effectively you must confirm the range and monitor any changes affecting the price range.

To correctly trade range-bound assets, you first need to confirm the range and identify that the price is within the established range before buying or selling. Range-bound trading uses TA to predict short-term highs and lows and closely monitors the range because any change can affect the price. It helps traders and investors plan when to buy or sell.

Many price action traders are able to effectively trade range-bound markets because the range itself can provide clues for the informed trader. Range trading isn’t about direction; it’s about identifying overbought and sold conditions within the range boundaries. In addition, using fundamental analysis forms the basis of successful range-bound trading, including analyzing factors such as project development and token utility.

Who Should Use Range-Bound Trading?

Range-bound trading can be a suitable strategy for traders who prefer to capitalize on the price movements of an asset trading within a specific range, rather than trying to predict the overall market direction. It can be helpful for those who are looking to trade short-term and take advantage of price fluctuations within a well-defined range.

Traders with experience in TA may find range-bound trading a useful strategy. They can identify key levels of support and resistance and use technical indicators to make trading decisions. 

To effectively trade range-bound assets, traders need not only to clearly understand the price range, but also to conduct thorough research. Before entering any trade, they need to understand the factors that could bump the asset out of range. 

Range-bound trading can also be helpful for investors who prefer a more conservative approach to trading, as it involves setting clear buy and sell limits. Within a security's trading range, this is a disciplined strategy that’s less subject to emotions.

However, traders who lean toward a more aggressive trading approach, or those looking to make considerable profit instantly, may find range-bound trading frustrating at times. Finally, range-bound trading may not work well in highly volatile markets or in times of significant market uncertainty. 

Summary

Range-bound trading is used in markets when prices move within a specific range or channel. Traders can use technical analysis tools to identify potential breakout and breakdown trades, as well as pivot points to develop a range-bound trading setup. While range-bound trading can be an effective strategy, traders should be aware of the risks and monitor markets closely for potential breakouts or breakdowns.