In today’s markets, volatility feels like the only constant. Prices swing, currencies fluctuate, and investors—both seasoned and new—often struggle to figure out when to enter and when to exit.
For Indrawijaya Rangkuti, founder of Entry Exit Investment in Indonesia, the solution isn’t to avoid volatility but to use it. In an interview with Financial Adviser PH during his visit for a talk organized by the Society of Technical Analysts (STA) Philippines, Rangkuti explained how his signature framework—the IWR TUNNEL method—maps market rhythm into clear signals that help investors balance risk and make smarter decisions.
And for Filipinos facing a weak peso, global inflation, and a fast-changing stock market, his insights couldn’t be more relevant.
How the IWR Tunnel Turns Chaos Into a Roadmap
At its core, the IWR (Impulse–Wave–Range) TUNNEL method is both an indicator and a trading philosophy. It divides market prices into three dynamic zones: support, pivot, and resistance. Unlike rigid stop-loss levels that often cut trades too early, IWR adapts with volatility in real time.
“Stop-loss systems are rigid, portfolio diversification spreads risk but lacks timing. IWR manages when and where you act,” Rangkuti said.
Why it matters:
Retail traders get visual clarity on entries and exits.
Swing traders manage positions without overexposing themselves.
Institutions use it to fine-tune execution.
Even long-term investors can spot accumulation vs. distribution phases.
The big shift is mindset: volatility isn’t the enemy—it’s the guide.
The Dollar vs. Peso: A Turning Point Ahead
When Rangkuti applied IWR to the peso, the signals were clear: the USD/PHP remains in a medium-term uptrend, but it’s brushing against its upper channel band. That means near-term peso stability is possible before the dollar regains strength.
His turning windows:
Short-term (1–2 months): Peso strength likely if resistance at PHP 57.5–58 holds.
Medium-term (3–6 months): A push to PHP 59–60 possible if the dollar consolidates above PHP 56.
September–October: Expect volatility as U.S. Fed policy and Philippine inflation collide.
What it means for you:
Exporters should lock in strong USD receipts now.
Peso buyers of dollar assets may want to wait for a pullback.
Domestic investors should brace for the inflation hit of a weaker peso.
Currencies don’t just move numbers—they ripple into inflation, imports, and stock valuations. IWR helps mark the windows when those shifts matter most.
Stocks to Watch in the Philippines
Rangkuti also highlighted a few names on his radar, blending fundamentals with IWR signals:
BDO Unibank (BDO): Target PHP 155–160 in 3–6 months.
Ayala Land (ALI): Pivot support at PHP 28, with upside to PHP 32–34.
PLDT (TEL): Dividend-backed defensive play, aiming for PHP 1,400–1,450.
Jollibee Foods (JFC): Consumer growth story with target PHP 250–260.
Semirara Mining (SCC): Strong energy fundamentals, aiming for PHP 33–35.
His rulebook: buy near the lower band, confirm momentum shifts, sell near resistance, and cut fast if the channel breaks.
What it means for you: Don’t chase momentum—ride the rhythm.
How to Manage Risk in a Volatile Market
Rangkuti sees three main risks ahead for the Philippines: stubborn inflation, rising rates, and global export slowdowns. His framework for managing them:
Hedge currency exposure—especially for import-heavy industries.
Stick to companies with pricing power—they can pass on costs.
Use IWR for timing—don’t get shaken out or trapped in emotional trades.
“Don’t fight volatility—use it,” he emphasized. For him, swings in price are not disruptions but signals waiting to be read.
The Bigger Lesson: Discipline Over Prediction
Rangkuti’s philosophy goes beyond charts. The IWR Tunnel method is a lesson in discipline: success doesn’t come from predicting every move but from aligning with the market’s rhythm.
For entrepreneurs, it’s about adapting to cycles without losing strategy. For everyday savers, it’s about patience. For institutions, it’s about blending macro views with execution discipline.
In a market where “maraming nagbubukas, maraming nagsasara,” as one Filipino entrepreneur once said, staying power belongs to those who manage rhythm—not those who guess.
Why Filipino Investors Should Care
The Philippines sits at the crossroads of global flows. A shifting peso, sensitive inflation, and a stock market full of both risks and opportunities all demand sharper tools.
IWR doesn’t eliminate uncertainty—but it turns uncertainty into a map. If the dollar strengthens, it signals when to hedge. If stocks rally, it shows when to enter. And if volatility spikes, it reframes chaos into strategy.
The final word from Rangkuti is deceptively simple but deeply practical: volatility is not just risk—it is opportunity. For those willing to study the rhythm, the IWR method can turn confusion into clarity.
Indrawijaya Rangkuti, MBA, CTAD, is the founder of Entry & Exit Investment and CEO of PT Galuh Kapital Mandiri. He serves as a Board Director of IFTA, IFTA Ambassador for Southeast Asia, and Vice President of AATI, with expertise in trading, analysis, and pre-IPO advisory.
