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Popular Forex Indicators

Popular Forex Indicators, FP Markets

According to the 2019 Triennial Survey of turnover in OTC FX markets, trading in FX reached $6.6 trillion per day in April 2019, up from $5.1 trillion three years earlier. Ranked as the largest global financial market, its breathtaking presence usually leaves most in awe.

Research generally falls on two broad groups: Fundamental and technical analysis. The former involves analysing economic and political components, while the latter consists of forecasting price movement based on historical charts.

The principles of technical analysis have been present for centuries. A popular example is the work of Charles H. Dow, considered by many to be the father of modern technical analysis, who formed the basis for trend analysis towards the end of the 19th century. Another example is candlestick charting, based on a technique developed in Japan in the 1700s for tracking the price of rice. Steve Nison, in his book (2001): Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques, went forward and introduced candlestick analysis to the western world.

Today, particularly in the retail foreign exchange market, trading indicators control a healthy position of authority in technical analysis.

 

Moving Averages

Moving averages are one of the oldest tools employed by technical analysts.

A moving average is an individual value representing a net of previous values. They’re in place to essentially smooth the effects of short-term fluctuations.

The most commonly used moving averages are simple moving averages (SMA), or sometimes referred to as arithmetic moving average. Also popular are linearly weighted moving averages (LWMA) and exponential moving averages (EMA). The SMA places equal weight on each price value. LWMAs and EMAs, however, assign heavier weights on recent data points.

Most moving averages are calculated based on previous closing prices but can be constructed using any value as long as the values are consistent throughout the calculation. As a result, moving averages are lagging indicators, only delivering a signal once price movement is in progress.

Considered a trend indicator, the primary use of moving averages is the identification of a trending market – the 200-day simple moving average is popular for this. The SMA is calculated based on daily closing prices, yet moving averages function on all timeframes and compute based on the period selected. If price trades north of the moving average, the trend is considered upward. Conversely, price action trading south of the moving average points to a downtrend.

Figure 1. A displays a 200-day SMA on the EUR/USD (a popular currency pair) daily chart. April 24, 2017, as you can see, observed price action breakout (close) above the moving average (a bullish indication), and remained to trend north until closing back beneath the moving average on May 1, 2018 (a bearish indication). The moving average, in the case of trend identification, becomes a proxy for a trendline.

Traders can also use moving averages to help determine support and resistance. In figure 1.A, traders will note the dynamic value provided support in early May 2017 (blue arrow) and, although not to-the-pip, resistance in 2019 (red arrows).

Popular Forex Indicators, FP Markets

(FIGURE 1.A)

 

Relative Strength Index (RSI)

In 1978, J. Welles Wilder introduced the relative strength index (RSI) in an article in Commodities Magazine (now known as Futures magazine) and in his 1978 book, New Concepts in Technical Trading Systems. To this day, it remains one of the most popular technical indicators, featured in several articles and books throughout the years.

The RSI is a momentum oscillator (or momentum indicator), a leading indicator that calculates the strength of security against historical price change by comparing upward days/periods (average gain) to downward (average loss) days/periods. The indicator ranges, or oscillates, between 0-100, with a default period of 14.

At its most basic, the RSI 50.00 mid-point is often a watched level. When the RSI value trades above 50.00, the underlying trend is typically north; below 50.00, the trend is considered south.

Another common use of the RSI is overbought and oversold ranges. Wilder considered a value that exceeds 70.00 to be an indication of an overbought market, and under 30.00 oversold. Technical analysts, however, will often adjust these parameters to suit trading preferences.

RSI divergence signals are also popular. Divergence occurs when price movement and the RSI are out of sync. A regular bullish divergence occurs when the RSI prints a higher low and price movement follows through with a lower low. Regular bearish divergence involves price forming a higher high and the RSI a lower high.

The RSI can also form readable patterns similar to price charts. Head and shoulder patterns are common, so are triangles, pennants, flags and support, and resistance levels.

Figure 1.B, a EUR/USD daily chart, demonstrates clear overbought (yellow) and oversold signals (green). Registering an overbought/oversold signal generally produces a reversal, some mild, some considerable. Yet, timing these signals can be a factor. Figure 1.B also demonstrated regular bullish divergence in late March 2020.

Popular Forex Indicators, FP Markets

(Figure 1.B)

 

Bollinger Bands

Developed by John Bollinger in 1983, Bollinger bands were designed to evaluate price volatility.

Bollinger bands have proven popular among technical analysts.

Volatility is a reflection of how much price fluctuates around a mean (average price). It is not momentum which measures how quickly price movement rises in an uptrend, for example.

Bollinger bands are centered around a simple moving average, usually 20 periods. Bands are applied a number of standard deviations away from the moving average. Two standard deviations are the default. One standard deviation contains 68% of price movement within the bands. Two standard deviations imply 95% of price movement is contained within the bands.

The Bollinger Squeeze is a popular trading strategy. Periods of shrinking volatility, according to Bollinger, is often followed by a phase of high volatility. Volatility contraction, or band tightening, helps forecast significant moves in either direction, particularly when the outer band is penetrated, as in figure 1.C on the EUR/USD H1 chart.

Popular Forex Indicators, FP Markets

(Figure 1.C)

 

Take Your Pick

Other popular indicators used by Forex traders include the moving average convergence divergence, or MACD, the stochastic oscillator, and the average directional movement index (ADX).

If you feel ready to explore, why not consider experimenting on our MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 demo trading platforms, offering a broad range of technical indicators. Alternatively, why not pop over to our dedicated Trader’s Hub to learn more about Forex trading and the financial markets.

 

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this material is intended for general advice only. It does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs. FP Markets has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information as at the date of publication. FP Markets does not give any warranty or representation as to the material. Examples included in this material are for illustrative purposes only. To the extent permitted by law, FP Markets and its employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising in any way (including by way of negligence) from or in connection with any information provided in or omitted from this material. Features of the FP Markets products including applicable fees and charges are outlined in the Product Disclosure Statements available from FP Markets website, www.fpmarkets.com, and should be considered before deciding to deal with those products. Derivatives can be risky; losses can exceed your initial payment. FP Markets recommends that you seek independent advice. First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd trading as FP Markets ABN 16 112 600 281, Australian Financial Services License Number 286354.

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