As a forex trader, you can check several different currency pairs to find the trade setups.
If so, you have to be aware of the currency pairs correlation, because of two main reasons:
1- You avoid taking the same position with several correlated currency pairs at the same time, not to increase your risk.
Additionally, you avoid taking opposite positions with the currency pairs that move against each other, at the same time.
2- If you know the currency pairs correlations, it may help you to predict the direction and movement of a currency pair.
How?
Sometimes the other correlated currency pairs form stronger signals that help you to take strong movements on the other currency pair.
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How Currency Pairs Correlation Helps You to Trade
Let’s start with the four major currency pairs: EURUSD ; GBPUSD ; USDJPY and USDCHF.
In both of the first two currency pairs (EURUSD and GBPUSD), USD works as the money.
As you know, the first currency in currency pairs is known as the commodity and the second one is the money.
So when you buy EURUSD, it means you pay USD to buy Euro.
In EURUSD and GBPUSD, the currency that works as the money is the same (USD).
The commodity of these pairs are both related to two big European economies.
These two currencies are highly connected and related to each other and in 99% of the cases they move on the same direction and form the same buy/sell signals.
Just recently, because of the economy crisis, they moved a little differently but their main bias is still the same.
What Does It Mean?
It means if EURUSD shows a buy signal, GBPUSD should also show a buy signal with minor differences in the strength and shape of the signal.
If you analyze the market and you come to this conclusion that you should go short with EURUSD, and at the same time you decide to go long with GBPUSD, it means something is wrong with your analysis, and you are wrong at least with one of your decisions.
So you should not take any positions until you see the same signal in both of these pairs.
Of course, when these pairs really show two different directions (which rarely happens), it will be a signal to trade EURGBP.
I will tell you how.
Accordingly, USDCHF and USDJPY behave so similar, but not as similar as EURUSD and GBPUSD, because in USDCHF and USDJPY, money is different.
Swiss Franc and Japanese Yen have some similarities because both of them belong to oil consumer countries.
But the volume of industrial trades in Japan, makes JPY different compared to CHF.
Generally, when you analyze the four major currency pairs, if you see buy signals in EURUSD and GBPUSD, you should see sell signals in USDJPY.
If you also see a sell signal in USDCHF too, then your analysis is more reliable.
Otherwise, you have to revise and redo your analysis, or at least wait for another trade setup.
EURUSD, GBPUSD, AUDUSD, NZDUSD, GBPJPY, EURJPY, AUDJPY and NZDJPY usually have the same direction.
Just their movement pattern sometimes becomes more similar to each other and sometimes less.
What Do I Prefer?
If I find a sell signal with EURUSD and GBPUSD and a buy signal with USDJPY, I prefer to take the short position with one of the EURUSD or GBPUSD.
The reason is that downward movements are usually stronger.
I will not take the short position with EURUSD or GBPUSD and the long position with USDJPY at the same time.
The reason is that if any of these positions goes against me, the other one will do the same as well.
So I don’t double my risk by taking two opposite positions with two currency pairs that move against each other.
How to Use the Currency Pairs Correlation to Predict the Direction of the Markets?
When there is a signal formed with a pair that has to be confirmed to form a trade setup, I refer to the correlated currency pairs or cross currency pairs and look for the confirmation.
For example, let’s say I see a MACD Divergence in USDCAD four hours chart.
But there is no close support breakout in USDCAD four hours or one hour chart.
I want to take a short position, but I just need a confirmation.
If I wait for the confirmation, it can become too late and I may miss the chance.
I check a correlated currency pair like USDSGD and if I see a support breakout in it, I take the short position with USDCAD.
Now the question is, why I don’t take the short position with USDSGD and I use its support breakout to go short with USDCAD?
I do it because USDCAD movements are stronger and more profitable.
One Currency Pair as an Indicator of the Other One
I use USDSGD just as an indicator to trade USDCAD.
It happens that you take a position with a currency pair, but it doesn’t work properly and you don’t know if it was a good decision or not.
On the other hand, you don’t see any sharp signal on that currency pair to help you to decide if you want to keep the position or close it.
In such cases, you can check a correlated currency pair and look for a continuation or reversal signal.
It helps you to decide about the position you have.
Sometimes, some correlated currency pairs don’t move the way they are supposed to.
For example, EURUSD and USDJPY go up at the same time, whereas they usually move against each other.
It can happen when Euro value goes up and USD value doesn’t have a significant change, but at the same time JPY value goes down, for some reason.
In these cases, you can use the below table to find and trade the currency pair that its movement is intensified by an unusual movement in two other currency pairs.
In this example, if EURUSD and USDJPY go up at the same time, EURJPY will go up much stronger (see the below chart).
Or if EURUSD goes up and AUDUSD goes down at the same time, EUR/AUD goes up strongly.
Another Important Example:
If EURUSD goes up and GBPUSD goes down at the same time, EURGBP goes up strongly.
Maybe this is the most important case that we can trade based on this rule.
It happens many times that EURUSD and GBPUSD move against each other and that is the best time to trade EURGBP.
Now you know why EURGBP doesn’t move strongly most of the time.
It is because EURUSD and GBPUSD move in the same direction most of the time.
For example, they go up at the same time.
Therefore, EURGBP doesn’t show any significant movement, because when both of the currencies of a currency pair go up or down at the same time, that currency pair doesn’t show any strong movement and direction.
I hope you know why a currency pair goes up or down.
It goes up when the first currency’s value goes up OR the second currency’s value goes down.
For example, EURUSD goes up, if Euro value goes up or USD value goes down.
If this happens at the same time, then EURUSD goes up much stronger.
The below chart includes almost all of these unusual movements and their impact on the third currency pair.
if EUR/USD 
and USD/JPY then EUR/JPY means if EUR/USD and USD/JPY go up at the same time, then EUR/JPY goes up much stronger.
Hi, I read you article on price correlation and I’m wondering I can use this chart picture to be downloaded and saved for my personal collection?
Yes, you can.
Hi Guys, this article is written on real based scenarios and you can compare their pattern with real open deals. I find this explanation very simple and brief. I have gained so much knowledge because of this article being new to trading.
Thanks to the author.
Thanks for posting this guys. Really helpful 🙂
In fact this analysis is awesome. Thank you guys.
i feel i have just gone back to the basics and now i have to choose my pairs again, thanks fi di article.
Hi,
At the moment, the EURUSD and GBPUSD are strong correlated and moving down, and the USDJPY and USDCHF are moving up strongly. If in the coming week (for example) we see a strong buy signal on the EURUSD and GBPUSD, and strong sell signal on the USDJPY and USDCHF, what would impact the decision on which pair to trade? is it best to simply go for the strongest signal out of the 4 pairs? thanks
Hi Ash,
Exactly! We will go for the one that shows the strongest signal.
Hi
Great article.
As you analyze the pairs to see who is stronger?
Yes, we were used to do it and we will start doing it soon.
its a great work..thanks a lot
Thank you. I am a newbie & had a lot of currencies open & just realised its to much and I cannot trade them all. This is a wonderful cheat sheet to see GBPUSD & USDJPY & go trade GBPJPY for example coz i was just checking the net what currencies is best to trade coz i am so used to trade only the GBPUSD.
Thank you for this site, and the work that you do.
Hi John. Thank you too.
Is it possible to highlight which currencies to trade say if they go the same direction let say the EURUSD – GBPUSD is both down or both up or AUDUSD – NZDUSD both up or down. Which do u concentrate on and also as per your cheat sheet is it based on all the time frames like specially the 1hr?
John, I am used to choose the pair that shows the strongest trade setup. This is how I choose which pair to trade.
Hi nice article..
I copy the picture to my computer for trade..
Thanks.
Hi Youry. Thank you and happy trading.
thanks!
Hi,
Can you please give us a quick overview of currencies that you like more in trading ?
Hi Zakaria,
Here below is the currency pairs I check now. A few more pairs have been added to my list recently, because LuckScout followers requested me to analyze them.
EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CHF, USD/JPY, GBP/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/CAD, EUR/CAD, AUD/USD, NZD/USD, AUD/JPY, NZD/JPY, GBP/AUD, EUR/AUD, CHG/JPY, CAD/JPY, CAD/CHF, USD/NOK, AUD/CAD, GBP/CHF, USD/CAD, GOLD.
Thanks bro, happy trading
Hi —
I came across this post and had a question. Since can be traded at all times, I was wondering what pairs I could track after typical US stock market hours to get an idea of USD price direction for the upcoming day. Is this possible? What would you suggest? Thank you.
USD/CHF
Thanks,. I’ve added to my overlay. I also use AUDUSD for some direction on gold. Are there any pairs that are good leaders for gold?
You are welcome Danvin. Read this:
https://www.luckscout.com/how-to-trade-gold-and-usd-gold-and-usd-correlation/
Didn’t get a chance to reply until just now. Thanks again, and also for the link.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful analysis. I pray god for your good health and success. Amazing helpful nature of yours, is helping lots of newbies like me.
Hi,
After loosing a lot of money due to last week unprecedent CHF movement I got a renewed hope after reading your articles. I just have to say a huge thank you for your willing to put your expertise to our service in such a noticeable way. You are awsome! I never cease to learn trough your articles. Keep up the extraordinary job.
Hallo
Is it possible that you can make a list of correlated currencys, so that we can see if a Trade correlate with another.
It would be a very Nice help.
Hi,
Which indicator did you use to measure “going up” and “going down”? what was the time frame?
Thanks!
Who made this article, thnx a lot!!! 600+ (10-12 a day :$) hours in the $$$ world. Its to much for your brains, every pair and every money making opportunity.. But with this… Building my way to my future!! THNX A LOT!
Last Friday testing a other strategie, made +200, holding 50 pips net that day. Yesterday 120 pips NET!!!
Today struggle… -15, -20, -25.. But almost at break even and new york open is just begon 😀
Guys, wish you all the best, let it rain dollars for every one en be strong!! Take your losses, but keep them SMALL. Let your profits RUN and take them when you need them. I’m on the H4 with the tdi en stoch indi’s. Tdi crosses, be aware of a lot of little pippies 😀
Yesterday i stand up at 6.30 gmt (Netherlands), 7 my broker gives a new 4 hour candle.. 1 search at 8 pairs for a clear tdi cross, not clear, dont take a trade. Tdi lines flat? Just wait for the next 4 hour candle or the candle after that. You will see. My life gonne change, and hope the best for every trader!!! Trading can be SIMPLE.
Think BIG, in my head i see big skylines of the big city’s. Remember, every building is a lot of money… is the way to build financial freedom!!! GO FOR IT.
Hi Frank,
Your using Big E’s strategy from FF. May he rest in peace. Can I ask about your level of success with this strategy. I have a customised version which may give greater returns. Do you still use it?
Thanks
Baker
Thanks for this article. I have a question for correlation what if they all go different place than what your cheat sheet shows is it better to stay away of the market?
Hi Isaac,
You are welcome.
Usually they don’t, because their correlation doesn’t allow them to do that.
Hi, thank you very much for this article. It is so helpful. Please would you be able to update it with the currencies that have been added to the list of the currency pairs we follow. Thanks again.
Hi Shalewa,
Yes, I have to do that. Thank you for reminding me. I have to add it to my to do list.
Hi
I have been noting correlated pairs as they have come up in posts. Didn’t realise you had a whole post about it! I will print and keep as a very useful point of reference.
Thanks.
Thank you Barbara. I will have to revise this article as soon as I can. It is an only article.
Hi,
Thank you so much for your good work.
Are there any particular pairs that make the first move in either direction, then the other correlated pairs follow. As if it can be used for Arbitrage?
Thanks
Jim
Jim,
I have not noticed that so far.
Logical and true.
what is correlation when EUR/USD and AUD/USD both going up or GBP/USD and NZD/USD going up any idea please? I have noticed in this case EUR/AUD and GBP/NZD will be going down.Kindly enlighting me on this. Thanks.
Harold,
When EUR/USD and AUD/USD or GBP/USD and NZD/USD are going up, it means USD value is going down. I don’t think it has any rational correlation with EUR/AUD and GBP/NZD.
great article
you may have already covered it elsewhere but what are your thoughts on currency strength metres- eg accustrength
Russell,
We don’t have to be worried about these things. All we need to trade is some too strong candlestick setups.
hi
how is possible for example eur/usd and usd/jpy go up or down at the same time? logically usd is in (both pairs) opposite side of a pairs, so one should go up and second down no?
thank iva
Iva,
USD is in both pairs, but it is not the only currency. EUR and JPY have completely separate and different economic systems.
Good Evening,
I am needing some help , it figuring out what the correlations and un-correlations are for the following ” Exotic ” Pairs please….
Those pairs are:
USD/TRY
EUR/CZK
USD/CZK
AUD/CZK
AUD/SEK
AUD/CZR
EUR/MXN
EUR/SEK
EUR/THB
GBP/HUF
GBP/SEK
GBP/ZAR
NOK/SEK
SEK/JPY
SEK/PLN
SGD/HKD
SGD/JPY
USD/CZK
USD/DKK
USD/SEK
USD/SGD
USD/THB
USD/ZAR
ZAR/JPY
Sorry for the Long list
I know what the correlations and un-correlations are for the Major Pairs, it’s just the forementioned Exotic Pairs that I am not sure of
Thanks for the help ,
I really appreciate it – Michael
hello
what is the good frame to do That ?
Ali,
We trade daily, weekly and monthly time frames.
Hi,
I am new trader still in demo account. I just begin to read your training course and It’s been so amazing of all toughs and strategy I have found here. I was so tired reading articles and watching youtube video without any positive results, but in LuckScout.com I have found a way to learn to trade the way it is. Sorry, forget my english, it is not my native language.
Thanks for your contribution to your followers.
Jose,
Welcome to LuckScout and thank you for you comment.
Please don’t forget to start from here:
https://www.luckscout.com/quick-start-guide-for-new- -traders/
This article is very helpful for me.
Thank you.
Nice article. Do check out the below article too . It focuses on short term correlations.
http://marketrealist.com/2015/09/swiss-franc-golden-currency/
kind of found this also useful for my assignment
A new category in my trading journey which will filter many false positions for me.and using a pair as an indicator.this is really new to my knowledge and so interesting for me.Thank you very much.
Ye Arin,
It is really a new category in my trading as well.
we miss you so much.
I hope everything is going well for you.
Many people have left or we don’t see them very much since you are away.
May god be with you.
Thank you so much for simplifying correlation in currency pairs.
keep up the good work
Clear and informative article. thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful analysis. I pray to god for your good health and success. Amazing helpful nature of yours, is helping lots of new Friends like me. God will always with You for your Successss…
Thank you…I need answers to simple, stupid questions….
I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!