Are you using Moving Averages to understand the trend direction? It’s a good idea because the Moving Average is a fantastic trend indicator.
Many strategies using the MAs to find entry signals, for example, the Moving Average Crossover Strategy.
Many of our automatic strategies use moving averages to identify the trend mechanically, and they do a great job.
How to use the Moving Averages to identify the trend direction
The first basic rule is:
If Price is under the MA, then the Trend is Down
If Price is above the Ma, then the Trend is Up
This formula is not very accurate, many times the price is under the moving average, but the trend is still strong and up:
Generally, price is too erratic, and you have to average it.
The best choice to identify the trend is to use two MA. You can use 20 and 50 periods moving averages.
Until the Fast MA is over the Slow MA, the trend is up. As you can see, this time, the indicator read the trend accurately.
We could use a single moving average without the price crossover. Obviously in this case we have to use a very long period because in the short period the noise is too high. You also have to use this only in the daily and weekly charts.
Remember that the trend can exist only in high time-frame. We can use a 200 period MA in a weekly chart to analyze commodities.
If the value of the moving average rise respect of the precedent two candles, the trend is up and vice-versa.
If you change the color of the MA based on the trend, you have the Moving Average Slope Indicator.
Editors’ Recommendations:
- SuperTrend Multi Time Frame Indicator
- How to AutoTrade Divergences
- SuperTrend for TradeStation and MultiCharts
You can learn more about this indicator, reading these resources: