Technical indicators are powerful tools that help traders identify potential trading opportunities in the underlying assets. By combining technical analysis with covered warrant trading, you can make more informed decisions about when to enter and exit positions. This guide will walk you through a practical approach to using technical indicators for covered warrant trading.
Step 1: Find Trading Signals for the Underlying Asset
Before selecting a covered warrant, it's essential to analyze the underlying asset using technical indicators. This helps you identify potential price movements and determine whether you should take a bullish or bearish position.
Where to Find Trading Signals
Use professional charting and analysis platforms to identify trading signals:
- TradingView: Advanced charting with hundreds of technical indicators, drawing tools, and community scripts
- Stock Screeners: Filter stocks based on technical criteria like RSI, MACD, moving averages, and volume patterns
- Broker Platforms: Most securities companies provide built-in technical analysis tools in their trading platforms
Common Technical Indicators to Watch
Trend Indicators
Moving averages (MA, EMA), MACD, ADX - help identify trend direction and strength
Momentum Indicators
RSI, Stochastic, Williams %R - indicate overbought/oversold conditions
Volume Indicators
Volume profile, OBV, Accumulation/Distribution - confirm price movements
Support & Resistance
Key price levels where the asset may reverse or break through
Step 2: Pick the Right Warrant Using the Screener
Once you've identified a trading signal for an underlying asset, use our warrant screener to find the most suitable covered warrant. For technical indicator-based trading, focus on specific characteristics that align with your analysis.
Medium to Long-Term Warrants
Select warrants with 30-90 days or more until expiration. This gives your technical analysis time to play out and reduces the impact of time decay.
- More time for price movements to develop
- Lower time decay risk
- Better alignment with technical indicator signals
Out-of-the-Money Warrants
Choose warrants that are currently out-of-the-money (negative moneyness). These are typically cheaper and offer higher leverage, making them ideal when your technical indicators suggest a strong directional move.
- Lower upfront cost (premium)
- Higher potential returns if price moves favorably
- Best when technical indicators show strong momentum
Screener Filter Strategy
When using the screener after identifying a technical signal:
- Select the underlying asset you analyzed (e.g., VIC, VNM, HPG)
- Filter by Time to Maturity: Set to 30-90 days or 90+ days
- Filter by Moneyness: Select out-of-the-money range (negative values, e.g., -20% to 0%)
- Review the results and compare implied volatility, conversion ratio, and strike prices
Step 3: Access Your Trading Platform
After selecting the appropriate warrant using the screener, you'll need to place your order through your securities company's trading platform. You can trade covered warrants through either mobile apps or web-based platforms.
Mobile App Trading
Most securities companies offer mobile trading apps that allow you to trade covered warrants on the go. These apps typically provide:
- Real-time market data and quotes
- Quick order placement and management
- Portfolio tracking and alerts
Web Trading Platform
Web-based trading platforms offer more comprehensive features for technical analysis and order management:
- Advanced charting and technical analysis tools
- Detailed order books and market depth
- Comprehensive research and market data
Step 4: Enter the Symbol and Quantity
When placing your order, you'll need to enter two critical pieces of information: the warrant symbol and the quantity you wish to trade.
Entering the Warrant Symbol
The warrant symbol is the unique identifier for the specific covered warrant you selected from the screener. Warrant symbols follow a specific format that includes important information about the warrant type and underlying asset.
Understanding Warrant Symbol Format
Warrant symbols typically follow this structure: [Type][Underlying][Year][Order]
- • C = Call warrant (for bullish strategies)
- • P = Put warrant (for bearish strategies)
- • 25 = Issued in year 2025
- • 04 = The 4th issuance for this underlying asset in that year
Example:
CVIC2504
C (Call) + VIC (Vingroup) + 25 (2025) + 04 (4th issuance)
Tip: Double-check the symbol before placing your order. Warrant symbols are case-sensitive and must match exactly. You can verify the symbol by clicking on it in the screener to view detailed information. Always enter the complete symbol as shown in the screener (e.g., "CVIC2504" not just "VIC2504").
Determining the Quantity
The quantity refers to how many warrant units you want to purchase. When deciding on quantity, consider:
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Position Sizing: Only invest what you can afford to lose. Covered warrants are leveraged products, so position sizing is crucial for risk management.
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Conversion Ratio: Remember that you may need multiple warrants to control one share of the underlying asset. Check the conversion ratio from the screener.
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Risk Tolerance: Adjust your quantity based on the strength of your technical signal and your personal risk tolerance. Stronger signals may warrant larger positions, but always stay within your risk limits.
Order Placement Best Practices
- • Use limit orders when possible to control the entry price
- • Review the current bid-ask spread before placing market orders
- • Consider placing orders during market hours for better liquidity
- • Always verify all order details before confirming
- • Set stop-loss orders or price alerts to manage risk
Putting It All Together
Successfully trading covered warrants with technical indicators requires a systematic approach. Here's a complete workflow:
- Analyze the underlying asset: Use TradingView, stock screeners, or other tools to identify trading signals based on technical indicators (RSI, MACD, moving averages, support/resistance, etc.)
- Select the warrant: Use the screener tool to find medium to long-term, out-of-the-money warrants that match your technical analysis direction
- Access your trading platform: Open your securities company's mobile app or web trading platform
- Place your order: Enter the warrant symbol and quantity, review all details, and confirm your trade
- Monitor and manage: Track your position, set alerts, and adjust your strategy based on market movements and technical indicator updates
Remember
Technical indicators are tools to help identify potential opportunities, but they are not guarantees. Always combine technical analysis with fundamental analysis, risk management, and proper position sizing. Markets can be unpredictable, and past performance doesn't guarantee future results.