Sideways markets, also known as range-bound markets, are characterized by a lack of clear direction in the price movement of an asset. In a sideways market, the price moves within a defined range, without breaking out to new highs or lows.

There are several causes for sideways markets. One common reason is when the market has already priced in all the current news and there is no new information to move the price significantly in one direction. Another reason could be the absence of a major trend due to uncertainty or a lack of consensus among investors.

Indicators for sideways markets include low volatility, narrow trading ranges, and a lack of momentum in price movements. Technical indicators such as Bollinger Bands, Moving Averages, and Relative Strength Index (RSI) can help traders identify sideways markets. Bollinger Bands help traders identify the upper and lower limits of the trading range, while Moving Averages can help identify the trend direction. The RSI can also be used to identify overbought and oversold conditions within the range.

In a sideways market, range trading strategies can be effective. This involves buying at the bottom of the range and selling at the top of the range, and repeating the process as the price moves within the range. Another strategy is to wait for a breakout from the range before entering a trade, as this may signal the start of a new trend.

Looking to learn about forex? Take our crash courses at our Forex University. If you’re looking to setup a demo trading account then click here. Finally, if you’re looking for Forex Signals, Forex Portugal provides free & premium signals on-demand.